Effect Of Transport Distance Research Articles

Effect of transport distance on the size distribution, graphitized structure, surface functional groups and oxidation activity of PM from diesel engine: A comparison of waste cooking oil biodiesel and petroleum diesel

In order to provide a theoretical basis for the development of aftertreatment devices, this paper investigated the exhaust particles of petroleum diesel (B0) and waste cooking oil biodiesel (B100) using EEPS, XPS and TGA. The results showed that the particle number distributions of different particle sizes showed a bimodal distribution. With the increase of transport distance, the peak value of the nuclear mode particles decreases and of accumulation mode particles increases. With the increase of transport distance, the O/C ratio of the particles decreased, but the ratios of sp3/sp2, C–OH and CO content increased, i.e., the farther the transport distance was, the higher the degree of disordered graphitization structure was, and the surface oxygen-containing functional groups increase. The oxidation characteristic temperature decreased with the increase of transport distance, and the activation energy of exhaust particles decreased by more than 10%, i.e., the farther the transport distance, the higher the oxidation activity of the particles. Compared with B0, B100 particles have less PN, more disordered graphitized structure, more C–OH and CO content, and higher oxidation activity. The transport distance had similar effects on the size distribution, graphitized structure, surface functional groups and oxidation activity of B0 and B100 particles.

輸送距離の違いが黒毛和種肥育素牛の被毛と糞便中コルチゾル含有量および血液成分に及ぼす影響

輸送距離の違いが黒毛和種肥育素牛の被毛と糞便中コルチゾル含有量および血液成分に及ぼす影響

Effect of transportation distance and crating density on preslaughter losses and blood biochemical profile in broilers during hot and humid weather

Transportation of broilers from different localities to the processing plants is a critical step in the farm to fork chain, and any disturbance in this chain may result in worst consequences. Keeping this scenario in view, a study was conducted to determine the live losses at different transportation distances (~80, 160, 240 km) and crating densities (10, 12, 15 birds/crate) during hot and humid summer. The uniform weight birds were picked from a farm and placed in plastic crates (0.91 m × 0.55 m). The results showed a significant increase in body weight loss and dead on arrival (%) with the increase in transportation distance and crating density in broiler. The long journey (240 km) was also associated with significantly lower carcass and breast yield, and significantly higher catalase activity and uric acid concentration. An increase in crating density above 10 birds/crate resulted in a significant decrease in carcass and thigh yield in broiler. Similarly, placing 15 birds/crate showed significantly higher serum catalase activity and protein levels. Physical injuries, bruises, serum triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) remained unaffected from either transportation distance or crating density. Thus, transportation below 80 km and crating density below 12 birds/crate during hot and humid weather may be considered as less stressful for broilers.

Transport of imidazolium-based ionic liquids with different anion/cation species in sand/soil columns

Ionic liquids (ILs) have been widely used as environmentally friendly solvents to replace volatile organic solvents in the chemistry industries. They have a high water solubility and potential risk to organisms in the soil–water environment. At present, most studies focused on the batch sorption of ILs in soil and neglected the investigation of IL transports in soil, which results in a lack of understanding of the structure-dependent mobility of ILs in the environment. Laboratory-scale sand/soil column experiments were performed to study the transport of imidazolium-based ILs, such as [C4mim][OTF], [C4mim][TOS], [C4mim][MeSO3], [C4mim][BF4], [C2mim][BF4], and [C6mim][BF4] including different counteranions and alkyl chain lengths of IL cations. Batch experiments were also carried out to compare the difference of sorption distribution coefficient (Kd) between the batch and column experiments. A one-dimensional convective–dispersive model using CXTFIT code was created based on the measured breakthrough curves (BTCs) to estimate the column transport parameters. For the anion, [BF4-], the Kd of ILs in both batch and column experiments increased with increasing alkyl chain lengths of the IL cation. In batch tests, counteranions showed no influence on the Kd of [C4mim][OTF], [C4mim][TOS], [C4mim][MeSO3], [C4mim][BF4], [C2mim][BF4], and [C6mim][BF4]. However, in column tests, the BTCs of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium-based ILs were anion dependent as evidenced by the change of retardation factor (R) for different counteranions. Furthermore, the effects of transport distance (11cm, 15cm, 19cm, and 24cm) on the mobility of ILs were estimated. The longer distances signified an increase in the contact time and more binding sites for ILs and therefore, the smoother shapes of BTCs in column experiments.

Welfare and meat quality of cattle transported over different distances and in differently designed trucks (truck, trailer and double deck) in the region of Cuiabá/MT/ Brazil

The transport of animals for slaughter is an important step in humane slaughter and factors such as truck design, transport distance and time and weather conditions have a high correlation with meat and carcass quality and must be adjusted for each producing region. The effect of transport distance (D1 = 180 to 250 km and D2 = 75 to 130 km) and truck design (C1= regular truck, C2= trailer and C3= double deck) were evaluated on welfare, meat and carcass quality of 120 Nellore cattle using a completely randomized design. Differences were observed in the pH values 1h post-mortem (p ≤ 0.05) between treatments, but this was not true for the values of pH 24 post-mortem in the same muscle (L. dorsi). Higher bruising frequency (1.09 and 1.02) and intensity (1.81 and 1.65) were found in the carcasses of animals transported by C3 in relation to other treatments (p ≤ 0.05). High blood cortisol levels were obtained in animals transported by C3 over distance D2, followed by C1 over distance D1. It was concluded that C3 over distance D2 showed poor welfare and carcass quality compared to the other treatments.

Effects of transport distance, lairage time and stunning efficiency on cortisol, glucose, HSPA1A and how they relate with meat quality in cattle

This study determined the effects of distance travelled, lairage duration and number of stunning shots on the plasma levels of bovine heat shock protein 70 (HSPA1A), cortisol (CORT) and glucose (GLU) and their relationship with beef quality. There were positive correlations among HSPA1A, GLU, CORT, a*, b* and the HUE angle. Animals that were stunned more than once had the highest HSPA1A (13.61±2.874ng/ml) and CORT (109.36±8.373nmol/L) levels. Animals that travelled for 200<400km had lower HSPA1A expression (8.29±2.026ng/ml) than those that were transported for 400<800km (12.11±2.548ng/ml) and <200km (17.32±2.362ng/ml). Lairage duration affected (P<0.05) the expression of HSPA1A, GLU and CORT levels. Animals stunned more than once had elevated CORT and HSPA1A levels. HSPA1A, CORT and GLU were related to beef quality. Stunning of animals more than once increased the levels of blood CORT and HSPA1A.

Environmental, energy and economic analysis of a biomass supply chain based on a poplar short rotation coppice in Spain

This paper provides an environmental, energy and economic analysis of a biomass supply chain based on an experimental poplar plantation grown as a Short Rotation Coppice in Southern Spain. The investigation was based on Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) methodology, considering two harvesting technologies and including a sensitivity analysis on the effect of transportation distance. The results show that harvesting was the most significant life cycle phase both in terms of environmental damage and economic costs, primarily due to the strong energy demand of the machinery employed in these activities. Transportation had a comparatively lower environmental and economic significance than harvesting, although the effect of this operation increased rapidly with distance. Agricultural operations related to the use of fertilizers and herbicides were found to have a limited effect on the economics of the system but they had a notable impact on certain midpoint categories relating to human and environmental toxicity, eutrophication and acid emissions. Normalized LCA results point to agricultural land occupation as the most affected environmental category of the system. The bioenergy supply system was highly energy efficient with a Cumulative Energy Demand and a Net Energy Ratio determined at 29.1 MJ/GJ and 34.0, respectively. Poplar collection by chip harvesting was less energy intensive and was more benign to the environment. The results also show a linear relationship between biomass transportation distance and impact values in all midpoint LCA indicators. Biomass collection by chip harvesting was more cost-effective than bale harvesting, while transportation costs were decisive in the economic viability of the system. However, in the conditions assumed, current wood chip prices are too low to make this project economically viable in Spain. This conclusion may be different for other locations that have reduced rental costs for land, lower irrigation needs or improved biomass production yields.

In-Plane Distribution Analysis in the Land-Channel Direction of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC)

A novel design was implemented to segment a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) in the land-channel direction to measure the current density distribution at sub-millimeter resolution of 340 μm. This design was validated by performing an ex-situ electrical resistance test, in-situ hydrogen pumping test, and by comparing performances between non-segmented and segmented cells at two different conditions. Further, this design was utilized to measure the current density distribution in wet conditions, in extremely dry condition, and in moderate condition. In wet conditions current densities are found to be higher in the channel areas than in the land areas. To differentiate between the effects of transport distances from channel to the catalyst layer and non-uniform water saturation distribution in gas diffusion medium, oxygen concentration ratios were estimated in wet conditions. Predicted oxygen ratio distribution showed that the effect of water accumulation under the land in gas diffusion medium is more significant than the effect of transport distance which can be well supported by in-situ microscopy study published in literature. However, in dry condition, current density was higher in the land areas than in the channel while in moderate condition current density was found to be uniform.

Effect of Transport Distance and Season on Some Defects of Fresh Hams Destined for DPO Production.

Simple SummaryTransport to the slaughterhouse is a stressful event for pigs. Travel duration and conditions can negatively affect animal welfare and carcass quality. Some defects in fresh hams are strictly connected to pre-slaughter transportation. Journeys with short (<37 km) and long (>170 km) distances may increase damage in fresh hams and decrease Denomination Protected of Origin (DPO) Parma dry-cured ham production.Pre-slaughter handling is related to defects in fresh hams that result in exclusion from the DPO Parma chain, including hematomas, lacerations, microhaemorrhages and veining. To determine the effects of transport conditions on hams, we collected data on defects in 901,990 trimmed fresh hams from heavy pigs provided by 3,650 batches from slaughterhouse during 2012 and 2013. For all batches, transport distance (1–276 km) season and year of delivery were considered. A decrease of all defect occurrences was observed for increasing distance up to 170 km (P < 0.05). Above 170 km, however, all defects frequencies increased (P < 0.05). Season showed an effect on the incidence of defects, with an increasing of hematomas and lacerations in winter and autumn respectively (P < 0.05) and the highest percentage of veining and hemorrhages in spring (P < 0.05). Summer had the lowest incidence of defects on fresh hams. We concluded that the incidence of the examined defects and the subsequent rejection for DPO Parma ham production is lower in fresh hams transported 38–170 km during the summer.

Supply Chain Analysis, Delivered Cost, and Life Cycle Assessment of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Biomass for Green Chemical Production in Malaysia

Financial, environmental, and supply chain analyses of empty fruit bunch (EFB) biomass are needed for the development of a sustainable green chemicals industry in Malaysia. Herein, holistic analysis of the supply system and EFB life cycle cradle-to-gate are analyzed in an effort to make recommendations for the commercial-scale collection and delivery of EFB from crude palm oil (CPO) extraction facilities to biorefineries in Malaysia. Supply chain modeling tracked inputs and outputs for financial analysis. The openLCA software was used for life cycle assessment (LCA). Allocation scenarios were used to explore the impact of accounting methodologies on the competitiveness of EFB compared to other feedstocks. Sensitivity analysis on the effect of transportation distance, emission flows, and allocation methods on resulting environmental impacts were conducted. The No Burden, Economic, and Mass allocation scenarios resulted in 17, -2.3, and -265 kg CO2-eq. BD tonne-1 EFB global warming impacts (GW), respectively. Delivered cost for EFB was calculated to be approximately 45 US$ BD tonne-1. Environmental burdens were sensitive to allocation scenario, covered area, and land use change. Delivered cost was sensitive to transport distance, covered area, and yield. It was shown that there is sufficient Malaysia EFB available for between 9 and 28 biorefineries, depending upon the scale of production.

COMPARISON OF LEAF SAMPLES FROM MAPPED TROPICAL AND TEMPERATE FORESTS: IMPLICATIONS FOR INTERPRETATIONS OF THE DIVERSITY OF FOSSIL ASSEMBLAGES

We characterize forest floor leaf litter and transported leaf samples from several depositional environments in both a temperate and a tropical forest to provide well-characterized modern analogs for the evaluation of fossil leaf localities. We compare the low-diversity, deciduous, temperate Wharton Brook forest (Connecticut, United States) with the high-diversity, evergreen, tropical Noah Creek Rainforest (Queensland, Australia) by mapping one half-hectare of each forest, collecting 25–29 leaf litter samples from four to five depositional settings in each forest and analyzing the relative abundance of species based on >31,750 leaves. In both studies, we analyze the samples as if they were fossil sites, evaluating floral composition, numerical diversity measures, rarefied richness, and climate estimates based on leaf physiognomy. We compare this analysis with data from the standing mapped forest to evaluate the biases inherent in the data derived from fossil assemblages from different depositional settings. In both forests, sample sites that were revisited over multiple years produced different species on subsequent visits, suggesting that fossil sites with close stratigraphic spacing and different composition may actually represent the same source forest. In both forests, species diversity in laterally transported samples appears to increase as the distance of transport increases. Because the species richness of a leaf sample is impacted by the diversity of the original forest, the amount of time the leaf sample spent accumulating, and the effect of transport distance, it is not possible to interpret the diversity of ancient forests without also evaluating the sedimentary facies of the fossil collections.

Barriers to and Enablers for Prehospital Analgesia for Pediatric Patients

Objective. To identify and investigate the barriers and enablers perceived by paramedics regarding the administration of analgesia to pediatric emergency medical services (EMS) patients. Methods. This was a qualitative study in which in-depth semistructured interviews of a purposively-sampled group of 16 paramedics were performed before achieving redundancy. The interviews were structured and the data were thematically analyzed. Emerging themes were categorized into four domains, and novel themes were identified and further explored. Results. Thirteen of 16 paramedics reported success with analgesia in children at least once in their careers. Provider anxiety, unfamiliarity and discomfort with pediatrics, unfamiliarity with the protocol, insufficient didactic and clinical education, and concern for adverse effects from analgesic agents were perceived as barriers to pediatric pain management. The paramedics had differing beliefs about the importance of pain control, the role of parents in medical care for children, and the paramedic's ability to assess pediatric patients. Having a positive relationship with online medical control and using commercially available assistive guides were viewed as enablers for pediatric pain management. The response from paramedic supervisors and emergency department staff, unwanted attention from authority figures, perceived superiority of hospital care, difficulty obtaining intravenous access, and overall culture of stinginess in medication administration played important roles in an overall preference to defer pediatric analgesia. Some paramedics mentioned a specific experience or mentoring relationship with a more seasoned provider who taught them the importance of pain management. Paramedics reported various effects of transport distance on their decision to administer analgesia. Conclusions. We have identified a number of previously unrecognized barriers to and enablers for prehospital pediatric analgesia. The majority of these factors lead to an overall preference of paramedics to defer administration of analgesic agents. A number of educational and EMS system changes could be made to address these barriers and increase the frequency of appropriate pediatric prehospital analgesia.

Interaction of transport distance and body weight on preslaughter stress and breast meat quality of broilers

1. The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of transport distance on blood metabolites and breast meat quality of broilers slaughtered at different weights. 2. The study was conducted on Ross 308 broilers from 27 different flocks reared under similar conditions. Slaughter weight was classified as <2·0 kg, 2·0–2·4 kg, and >2·4 kg. Transport distance was categorised as short (65 km), medium (115 km) and long (165 km) distance representing 90, 155 and 220 minutes at an average 45 km/h speed, for each slaughter weight. 3. Higher heterophils and heterophil:lymphocyte (H/L) ratios were obtained for broilers transported over a long distance. Long distance transport increased blood albumin, glucose, and triglycerides levels for <2·0 kg broilers, which did not differ from broilers slaughtered at >2·4 kg after long-distance transport. 4. Broilers slaughtered at >2·4 kg after long-distance transport had lower pHu, and paler and tougher breast meat, than those broilers slaughtered at <2·0 kg after long-distance transport. 5. A negative correlation was obtained between pHu and L*, thawing loss and texture. The L* value was negatively correlated with a*; and positively correlated with b*, thawing and cooking losses. 6. It was concluded that the effect of transport distance could not be evaluated independently of slaughter weight. The interaction between transport distance and slaughter weight contributes to preslaughter stress and meat quality.

Changes in selected biochemical indices related to transport of broilers to slaughterhouse under different ambient temperatures

The effect of transport distance on selected biochemical parameters (corticosterone, uric acid, triglycerides, total protein, glucose, and lactate) under various ambient temperatures was monitored in a group of unsexed Ross 308 broilers aged 42 d. Broilers were transported to the slaughterhouse over 3 different travel distances (10, 70, and 130 km). They were sampled before and after each transportation in 3 various periods with different ambient temperatures (−5 to +5°C, 10 to 20°C, and 25 to 35°C), which approximately correspond to temperature conditions during transport in individual seasons of the year (winter, fall, summer). The changes in biochemical parameters were specific in their dependence on the travel distance and the ambient temperature under which the broilers were transported. The highest corticosterone concentration was found in broilers before transport (i.e., immediately after catching, crating, and loading) at all ambient temperatures. The concentration of corticosterone was higher at winter temperatures than at summer and fall temperatures. Triglycerides decreased with travel distance, although this effect was detected under summer temperatures only. The concentration of total protein was higher only after 10 km of transport and then it decreased with travel distance at all monitored ambient temperatures. A highly significant decrease (P < 0.01) in the glucose level of broilers was observed after 130 km of transport when compared with broilers before transport at fall and winter temperatures. The effect of travel distance on lactate concentrations was the same at all monitored ambient temperatures, with the lactate level decreasing with travel distance. The results obtained indicate that pretransport handling procedures (catching, crating, and loading) may be more stressful for broilers than the transport itself. To improve broiler meat quality, it is necessary to meet the need for broilers to recover before being slaughtered. With regard to different seasons of the year, we can assume that transport under conditions of low ambient temperatures in winter represents a more stressful event than transport during fall and summer.

Effects of transport distance and the season of the year on death rates among hens and roosters in transport to poultry processing plants in the Czech Republic in the period from 1997 to 2004

Poor welfare is the cause of high mortality among hens and roosters transported to poultry processing plants. In the Czech Republic, death rates among hens and roosters in transport to poultry slaughter plants were monitored between 1997 and 2004, and their total mortality rate was in the 0.925% &amp;plusmn; 0.479% range. Death rates among hens and roosters were influenced by the transport distance to poultry processing plants. The percentage of dead birds increased from 0.592% &amp;plusmn; 0.575% at transport distances up to 50 km to 1.638% &amp;plusmn; 0.952% at transport distances up to 300 km. The bird mortality was also influenced by the season of the year. Higher mortality rates were ascertained during the cold months of the year, specifically in October through to April.

The Effect of Transport Distance on Out-of-hospital Intubation and Outcome among Trauma Patients

The Effect of Transport Distance on Out-of-hospital Intubation and Outcome among Trauma Patients