Empty Containers Research Articles

Balancing empty containers at ports: A bi-level programming approach for sustainable maritime logistics

Balancing empty containers at ports: A bi-level programming approach for sustainable maritime logistics

NEGATIVELY BUOYANT DEBRIS IMPACT UNDER TSUNAMIS-LIKE CONDITIONS

Field surveys following major coastal disasters, such as the Chile tsunami in 2010 or the Tohoku tsunami in Japan in 2011, have pointed out the lack of resilience of coastal communities to such events and the need to better understand the risks associated with them (Takahashi et al. [2010]; Palermo et al. [2013]; Esteban et al. [2015]). While the primary cause of destruction during tsunamis remains associated with the hydraulic loads (hydrostatic, hydrodynamics, wave impact, etc.), it has been demonstrated that debris loading is also a major cause of damage on structures, mainly through debris impact and damming (Yeh et al. [2014]). In the past decade, multiple studies have addressed debris transport and loading in extreme events (Shafiei et al. [2016]; Ikeno et al. [2016]; Stolle et al. [2018]). However, those studies mainly focused on positively buoyant debris, like wood logs or empty containers, leaving a gap in knowledge. Indeed, Stolle et al. [2020], in a field survey following the Indonesian tsunami in 2018, identified the study of neutrally and negatively buoyant debris as one of five major needs in debris loading research, with even ASCE7-16 Chapter 6 containing limited recommendation on the load associated with those type of debris.

An Improved Large Neighborhood Search Algorithm for the Comprehensive Container Drayage Problem with Diverse Transport Requests

Container drayage, as a pivotal element of door-to-door intermodal transportation, has garnered increasing attention due to its significant influence on container logistics costs. Although various types of transport requests have been defined in the literature, no comprehensive study has addressed all of them together yet, due to the lack of an efficient model and corresponding algorithms. Furthermore, existing research on container drayage often neglects the simultaneous incorporation of two trucking operation modes, two empty container repositioning strategies, and the availability of empty containers across multiple depots. To address these issues, this study proposes a comprehensive container drayage problem (CDP) and mathematically formulates it as an innovative mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model, capturing the uncertainty and unpredictability inherent in empty container allocation, truck dispatching, and route planning. Given the problem’s complexity, obtaining an exact solution for large instances is not feasible. Therefore, an improved large neighborhood search (LNS) algorithm is tailored by incorporating the “Sequential insertion” and the “Solution re-optimization” operations. Extensive numerical experiments using randomly generated instances of varying scales validate the correctness of the proposed model and demonstrate the performance of the proposed algorithm. Additionally, sensitivity analysis on the number and distribution of depots and empty containers offers valuable managerial insights for the development of an effective container drayage system.

Enhancing Sustainable Practices for Pesticide Management and Packaging Disposal in Rice Cultivation: A Case Study of Bac Tan Uyen District, Binh Duong Province, Vietnam

Vietnam's agricultural reliance, particularly on rice cultivation, raises concerns about pesticide usage and its packaging disposal, vital for sustainable and safe practices. This study focused on Bac Tan Uyen District in Binh Duong Province, Vietnam, assessing current practices, challenges, and opportunities for improvement in pesticide management. Through interviews with 100 rice farming households and rigorous data analysis, the study reveals the extensive use of 44 pesticides and 39 active ingredients (AIs) in the district. Notably, practices varied concerning pesticide choice, application, post-spraying actions, protective gear usage, and handling of pesticide packaging. The study highlights alarming trends like the utilization of hazardous AIs and improper disposal methods like burning or leaving empty pesticide containers in fields. However, positive aspects, such as high adherence to designated bins for empty containers (93%), were identified. The results emphasize the urgency of enhancing awareness and implementing sustainable practices for safe pesticide use and packaging disposal, crucial for environmental preservation and human health in rice cultivation. Keywords: Pesticide use, pesticide packaging, rice cultivation, Binh Duong, Vietnam.

Piloting an Information and Communication Technology Tool to Help Addressing the Challenge of Antimicrobial Resistance in Low-Income Countries.

Background/Objectives: Antimicrobial use (AMU) in livestock drives antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR has a significant impact on public health. While several interventions have been used to address this challenge, few have utilized Information and Communication Technology (ICT) approaches. The objective of this study was to pilot and assess an ICT system to monitor the use of veterinary drugs and disseminate information to farmers in peri-urban smallholder poultry systems in Kenya. Methods: The system was developed in collaboration with the stakeholders. It captures drug sales in veterinary pharmacies and disease incidence and treatments reported by farmers. The system was piloted from May 2023 to December 2023. Monthly follow-ups were conducted to monitor progress and address problems. Assessment was performed through focus group discussions with the users (two with farmers and two with veterinary pharmacy staff) and descriptive statistics of the data collected by the system. Results: A total of 15,725 records were obtained from veterinary pharmacies, including antibiotics (57%), dewormers (22%), and vitamins (11%). Requests for a specific product were recorded in 38% of the sales, while 63% were accompanied by some evidence (empty drug containers, old packages, old prescriptions, pictures of sick birds, and actual sick birds). A total of 91 records were obtained from the farmers. The health problems reported were mostly respiratory (40%) and digestive (30%) disorders. The percentage of customers who requested advice on animal health when visiting veterinary pharmacies ranged from 5 to 20%. Conclusions: AMU can be improved in the study area. The piloted system may help policymakers monitor the sales and usage of antibiotics, improve animal health management, and promote responsible AMU.

Evaluation of hazard quotient (HQ) of toxic and heavy metal concentration in air sediments across selected cities in Nigeria

This study evaluates Hazard Quotient (HQ) from toxic and heavy metal concentration across selected cities in Nigeria. The gravitational sedimentation method was used to collect air sediments to extract toxic and heavy metals contained in air particulates. Funnel shaped collectors which were securely attached to clean empty containers were exposed in open spaces at designated locations within the city, for a period of nine months (January to September 2023), covering the two major seasons in Nigeria. Airborne particles were allowed to settle naturally in the container along with rainwater. Samples from various sub-locations within the city were put together for spectroscopic analyses. This procedure was repeated in six cities covering various geographical and climatic regions in Nigeria. The cities include Benin (S1), Kano (S2), Abuja (S3), Lagos (S4), Enugu (S5), and Calabar (S6). The average concentration of toxic and carcinogenic elements reveals that; lead (Pb) at 5.66, nickel (Ni) at 4.58, magnesium (Mn) at 4.43, Cadmium (Cd) at 1.83, Iron (Fe) at 1.31 and chromium (Cr) at 1.06. Conversely, elements such as; (NH3) :0.042, (Al):0.36, (Co):0.02, (Cu):0.11, (Zn):0.01, (K):0.86, (N):0.32, (N):0.042, (F):0.12 and (Na):0.18 have HQs below 1, indicating safe exposure levels. Cadmium (Cd) displays the highest HQ in Kano (S2) at 2.33, suggesting significant health risks, which may include cancer and kidney failure. Nickel has highest HQ recorded in Edo State, Benin (S1) at 5.5, linked to bronchitis, asthma, and skin irritation. Manganese (Mn) has the highest HQ in Enugu (S5) at 16, with potential for lung inflammation, liver damage, and cognitive impairment. Lead (Pb) shows the highest HQ in Kano (S2) and Calabar (S6) at 8, associated with kidney damage and developmental issues. Chromium (Cr) exhibits the highest HQ in Kano (S2) at 1.3, potentially causing lung cancer and bronchitis. Potassium (K) exceeds an HQ of 1 only in Kano (S2) at 1.05, posing risks of hyperkalemia and kidney issues. This study highlights the critical need for monitoring and mitigating exposure to elements with high HQs to protect public health in these urban areas.

Markov decision processes for inland empty container inventory management

Container logistics companies store empty containers at depots, from where they are delivered to export customers satisfying demand for shipping freight, or to where they are returned from import customers receiving freight. Imbalances between demand and supply require frequent repositioning of empty containers. We formulate the inland single-depot empty container reposition problem as a capacitated multiple supplier periodic review inventory management problem. Our development of a discrete-time Markov decision process extends existing inventory models by explicitly accounting for varying lead-times and costs of different transportation modes for receiving empty containers from other depots. Furthermore, we suggest a detailed statistical model for the underlying process of exogenous demands and returns of containers. Extensive computational results illustrate the importance of accurately accounting for the dynamics in modeling empty container repositioning. Our test instances reveal that failure to capture varying lead times and costs may significantly inflate operating costs. We likewise quantify the impact of ignoring serial and cross-sectional dependencies in the exogenous process. Using real-world data for empty container demands and returns, we find costs to be inflated by 7–9%. Further tests, however, show that undetected serial dependencies may have much greater effects on costs under extreme conditions of further undetected and unfavorable cross-sectional dependencies.

Using the qualitative characteristics of an image for comprehensive steganalysis

Aim. The problem of image steganalysis is especially relevant given the use of steganographical concealment in graphic files for delivering malicious code and information as part of cyber attacks. That requires improvements to the existing methods of detecting steganographically embedded information. One method is to use a comprehensive steganalysis technique that involves concluding on the detection of embedded information based on the findings of a group of steganalysis methods, as well as auxiliary calculations. Methods. It is proposed improving the accuracy of hidden information detection by using qualitative image estimation. The paper demonstrates the relationship between the estimates and the increased rate of steganalysis errors. The method of comprehensive steganalysis that involves accounting for the qualitative characteristics of images allows improving the accuracy of estimation by reducing the rate of false positives. The paper uses statistical methods for calculating the qualitative characteristics of images, Spearman correlation, and machine learning. Results. A software package has been developed that integrates elements of the comprehensive steganalysis method described in the paper that includes both a group of steganalysis methods, and a set of evaluated qualitative characteristics of an image. The author evaluates the relationship between the qualitative characteristics of an image and the steganalysis errors in the case of empty containers. Test samples have been defined and machine learning models have been built that generate a conclusion as regards the detection of hidden information in an image. Conclusion. The proposed method enables improved accuracy of hidden information detection, while taking into account the estimates of the qualitative characteristics of an image as part of steganalysis, which is confirmed experimentally.

Optimization of Railway Empty Container Repositioning (ECR) with Time Window and Container Type Substitution Based on Genetic Algorithm

Optimization of Railway Empty Container Repositioning (ECR) with Time Window and Container Type Substitution Based on Genetic Algorithm

Determinants of Safe Pesticide Handling and Application Among Rural Farmers.

The study investigated the determinants of safe pesticide handling and application among farmers in rural communities of Oyo State, ssouthwestern Nigeria. A cross-sectional design utilizing 2-stage cluster sampling techniques was used to select Ido and Ibarapa central Local Government Areas and to interview 383 farmers via a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression at p = 0.05. Results showed that 41.8% of the farmers had been working with pesticides on farms for at least 5 years, 33.0% attended training on pesticide application, 73.5% had good safety and health knowledge, and 72.3% had safe pesticide handling and application practices. About half (50.2%) stated that they wear coveralls, gloves, and masks to protect their body, face, and hands when applying pesticides, 9.8% use empty pesticide containers for other purposes in the house/farm, while 11.5% blow the nozzle with their mouth to unclog it if it becomes blocked. The three major health symptoms reported by the participants were skin irritation (65.0%), itchy eyes (51.3%), and excessive sweating (32.5%). Having attended training on pesticide application and use enhanced (OR = 2.821; C.I = 1.513-5.261) practicing safe pesticide handling and application. Farmers with good knowledge (OR = 5.494; C.I = 3.385-8.919) were more likely to practice safe pesticide handling and application than those with poor knowledge about pesticide use. It is essential to develop and deliver mandatory comprehensive training programs for farmers on impacts of pesticides on health and environment, along with sustainable safe handling, application, and disposal of pesticides using proper waste management techniques and recognizing early signs and seeking medical assistance. The urgent need to strengthen policy to regulate pesticide use and limit farmers' access to banned products is also key.

Knowledge and Practices on the Usage of Pesticides among Farmers in Sevanagala, Sri Lanka

Introduction: In Sri Lanka, pesticides are widely used in agriculture, and they have both beneficial effects and health hazards.Method: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Sevanagala Grama Niladhari Division in south-eastern Sri Lanka, to assess the knowledge and practices on usage of pesticides, using an interviewer-administered questionnaire, among farmers who were aged more than 30 years and selected by systematic random sampling.Results and Discussion: In the sample of 210 male farmers, 204 (97%) had received formal school education and only 21 (10%) had received formal training on pesticide use. Many subjects were aware of the health effects of pesticides including renal failure (204, 97%), dizziness (180, 86%), headache (172, 82%) and cancers (166, 79%). Regarding knowledge of pesticide use, 147 (70%) had scored “good” and above, while 62 (30%) had a “moderate” score. The majority of farmers use some kind of protective equipment including protective clothing (149, 71%) and head coverings (129, 61%). The majority of subjects removed contaminated clothes (188, 90%), bathed using soap (181, 86%) and washed hands with soap and water (144, 69%) after spraying. Empty containers were thrown away by 144 (69%). Regarding the storage of empty containers, 203 (97%) subjects store them away from children while 174 (83%) use a storage room for this purpose. However, 3 (1%) subjects store them inside bedrooms. Regarding healthy practices of pesticide use, only 38 (18%) scored “good” or above, while 170 (81%) of the sample were ranked “moderate”. Knowledge of pesticide use and healthy practices showed a weak positive linear correlation (r=0.354, p<0.001).Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight that the farmers in Sevanagala possess a satisfactory level of knowledge regarding the health effects and safe usage of pesticides, but their practices reveal gaps that need attention.

Collaborative Optimization of Container Liner Slot Allocation and Empty Container Repositioning Within Port Clusters

The imbalance between supply and demand for slot resources and empty containers has led to resource waste and excessive operating costs for liner companies. Moreover, intense competition among ports has made both container ship slots and port equipment resource allocation inefficient. To address these challenges, this paper aims to solve the collaborative optimization problem of slot allocation and empty container repositioning within port clusters concerning inventory control. A cooperative possession strategy and a hybrid (T, s) inventory control policy are incorporated in this paper. A novel mixed-integer programming model is proposed, enabling us to simultaneously track slot allocation, empty container repositioning, empty container leasing, and slot renting. To solve the model, a new branch-and-bound algorithm based on Lagrangian relaxation and the ascendancy principle (BBLRAP) is developed. Numerical experiments are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model and algorithm. The results show that the new collaborative optimization method, incorporating the cooperative possession strategy and (T, s) inventory policy, can increase liner company revenues by expanding market share, reducing costs, and improving the utilization of slot resources, ultimately achieving a win–win outcome for both liner companies and their partners. Compared to state-of-the-art studies, the following paper makes new contributions to proposing a cooperative possession strategy within port clusters for the first time. This paper ensures that liner companies and partners achieve a win–win situation in the cooperative game, expanding market shares and improving customer satisfaction.

Synthetic Pesticides and Farmer Health Awareness in Alegria, Surigao del Norte, Philippines

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the effects of pesticide use on the health of farmers and raise awareness and knowledge of the proper use, handling, application, and waste disposal of pesticides to prevent detrimental effects on their health.Research Method: The study used a close-ended structured survey questionnaire and employed non-probability sampling based on convenience in selecting 100 farmers. The survey gathered data on the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants, pesticide use, mixing and application of pesticides, after-spraying practices, and farmers’ health. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the collected data.Findings: The study found that over half of the participants perceived symptoms of pesticide poisoning (68%). The most prevalent complaints felt by farmers right after applying pesticides were skin irritation (50%), dry throat (35%), headache (16%), eye irritation (11%), nose irritation (9%), dizziness (4%), blurring of eyes (2%), and weakness or fatigue (1%). These symptoms were attributed to the longevity of pesticide exposure, unsafe storage practices, improper disposal of empty pesticide containers, and the lack of use of personal protective devices.Research Limitations: The study is limited by the non-probability sampling method used in selecting the participants, which may limit the generalizability of the results. Moreover, self-reporting and recall bias may have also affected the accuracy of the data collected.Originality/ Value: According to the research, farmers must be educated on pesticide usage, handling, application, and disposal to avoid health problems. The report also calls for legislative initiatives to address pesticide abuse and safety in agriculture, especially in rural regions.

A Branch-and-Price-and-Cut Algorithm for the Inland Container Transportation Problem with Limited Depot Capacity

As an effective solution to the first- and last-mile logistics of door-to-door intermodal container transportation, inland container transportation involves transporting containers by truck between terminals, depots, and customers within a local area. This paper is the first to focus specifically on the inland container transportation problem with limited depot capacity, where the storage of empty containers is constrained by physical space limitations. To reflect a more realistic scenario, we also consider the initial stock levels of empty containers at the depot. The objective of this problem is to schedule trucks to fulfill inland container transportation orders such that the overall cost is minimum and the depot is neither out of stock or over stocked at any time. A novel graphical representation is introduced to model the constraints of empty containers and depot capacity in a linear form. This problem is then mathematically modeled as a mixed-integer linear programming formulation. To avoid discretizing the time horizon and effectively achieve the optimal solution, we design a tailored branch-and-price-and-cut algorithm where violated empty container constraints for critical times are dynamically integrated into the restricted master problem. The efficiency of the proposed algorithm is enhanced through the implementation of several techniques, such as a heuristic label-setting method, decremental state-space relaxation, and the utilization of high-quality upper bounds. Extensive computational studies are performed to assess the performance of the proposed algorithm and justify the introduction of enhancement strategies. Sensitivity analysis is additionally conducted to investigate the implications of significant influential factors, offering meaningful managerial guidance for decision-makers.

Assessment of Pesticide Selection and Application Behaviors of Sugar Beet Farmers in Konya Province

This study is undertaken to determine the behaviors of sugar beet farmers regarding pesticide selection and applications in the Çumra, Altınekin, and Seydişehir districts of Konya province, where sugar beet production is concentrated in 2023. A total of 20 sugar beet farmers were randomly selected from each district through a random sampling method, and evaluations were made based on their responses to 16 face-to-face questions. The results were calculated as percentages and presented in tables. The behaviors of farmers regarding pesticide selection and application practices were assessed in two stages. It was found that sugar beet farmers often seek information from pesticide dealers when choosing and determining the dosage of agricultural chemicals, and they mostly obtain pesticides from agricultural chemical dealers. It was noted that they acquire the chemicals when they start growing the crop, do not spray regularly for pests and diseases as a preventive measure, and pay attention to the legality, cost-effectiveness, and effectiveness of the pesticides they purchase. Half of the sugar beet farmers reported conducting at least two pesticide applications during the season, and the majority stated that they perform pesticide applications in the morning and afternoon. Farmers acknowledged the importance of pesticide residues but emphasized that the effectiveness of the pesticide was more crucial. They also reported not adhering to the waiting periods between the last pesticide application and harvest. Regarding pesticide handling, application, and post-application practices, it was observed that farmers partially protected themselves. They tended to spray excess pesticide-contaminated water at the edge of the orchard or on vacant land and disposed of empty pesticide containers haphazardly on the edge of the field.

Modelling Sustainable Port Operations: Balancing Inputs and Outputs with the Cobb–Douglas Function

This research presents a comprehensive analysis of sustainable port operations in two countries, utilizing econometric models, including the stochastic frontier and Cobb–Douglas models, to examine critical elements such as the number of empty containers and vessel traffic. These factors, driven by globalization, significantly impact the environmental and social dynamics within port operations. By integrating these models, this study assesses efficiency and sustainability, addressing methodological gaps in existing research, particularly in the quantification and generalization of CO2 emissions. Findings indicate that, despite differences in port management and operations, CO2 levels can be estimated using operational variables without the need for complete CO2 traceability throughout the logistics chain. This study concludes by emphasizing the importance of incorporating international environmental standards into port operations and recommends the use of econometric models as tools for assessing and managing port sustainability effectively.

A forensic autopsy case of suicide using baking soda and citric acid in a bathtub.

A mixture of baking soda (sodium hydrogen carbonate) and citric acid is used for cleaning purposes, but, in recent years, this mixture has been introduced on the internet as a method for suicide. Here, we report a case in which the two agents were mixed in a bathtub to generate carbon dioxide (CO2). A man in his early 60s was found dead in his clothes in a bathtub with a lid. Postmortem changes were somewhat progressed, but only pulmonary edema was observed, with no injuries or lesions that could have led to cause of death, and no drug toxicants detected. Empty containers of baking soda (789g) and citric acid (850g) were found at the scene. We conducted a reproduction experiment showing that CO2 reached a lethal concentration (~ 60%) within 12s, but the O2 concentration was about 10%, which is not a lethal concentration. Therefore, it is highly likely that the man died of CO2 intoxication within a short period of time and before he would have suffered asphyxiation due to oxygen deficiency. Normally, this result can only be obtained with the cooperation of an investigative agency and a large-scale reproduction experiment, but we were able to diagnose the cause of his death, including a differential diagnosis of asphyxia due to oxygen deficiency, by means of a reproduction model at 1/35 scale that could easily be performed in the laboratory.

Collaborative Optimization of Container Liner Slot Allocation and Empty Container Repositioning Based on Online Booking Platform

The shipping market is unpredictable and volatile due to some uncontrollable factors such as epidemic, conflicts and natural disasters. There is always an imperfect match between the supply capacity of liner companies and the actual demand of the market, which leads to a waste of slot resources and/or unsatisfied customer demand. Furthermore, the trade off between empty container transportation and laden container transportation is the crucial problem of strategic importance for liner companies. To deal with the above problem, this paper aims to develop a new solution to the collaborative optimization problem of container slot allocation and empty container repositioning by exploring the resource allocation, storage, and repositioning methods collaboratively. An online booking platform is introduced in this paper, and no-shows and customer preferences are considered in the analysis. An innovative integer programming model is established based on an online booking mode and a delivery-postponed strategy. A new branch-and-cut algorithm is then proposed to solve the problem. Finally, numerical experiments are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed model and algorithm. The experimental results show that collaborative optimization can remarkably enhance the revenue of liner companies along with increasing the utilization of slot resources.

A Two-Stage Optimisation Approach for a Sustainable Physical Internet Multi-Modal Barge–Road Hub Terminal

The logistics and transportation sectors are struggling to manage empty containers (ECs), resulting in unused resources, inefficiencies, and increased CO2 emissions. The Physical Internet (PI) concept provides an opportunity to improve container sharing and transportation by intelligently organising logistics resources. This paper shows how PI principles can address the EC problem in truck transportation. The objective is to reduce CO2 emissions with improved space-sharing strategies. The problem is formulated and solved using a two-stage optimisation approach (2Stage-Opt) to optimise container motion. The validity of the 2Stage-Opt solutions is tested using a developed multi-agent system simulation (MASS) model to replicate the behaviour of real multi-modal hubs. This approach is evaluated using a real-world case study from a multi-modal logistics centre in the north of France. The results indicate that utilising PI-container solutions offers significant sustainability benefits, especially in reducing the number of trucks used in the simulation and the CO2 emissions from ECs.

Joint optimization of empty container repositioning and inventory control applying dynamic programming and simulated annealing

Joint optimization of empty container repositioning and inventory control applying dynamic programming and simulated annealing