Maritime Security Training: Evaluation of the Impact on Seafarers’ Security Awareness and Security Performance

Enrico D’agostini,조소현 해양환경안전학회 2019 海洋環境安全學會誌 Vol.25 No.2

Safety and security measures in the shipping industry play a pivotal role in ensuring efficient and reliable cargo and passengers operations at each stage of the supply chain. The ISPS Code was adopted into SOLAS convention to protect seafarers and vessels from security threats. Furthermore, according to the Manila amendments to STCW Convention in 2010, personnel employed on board are required to participate in security training. Effective seafarers’ education and training programs are of major importance to guarantee satisfactory performance levels onboard to minimize security-related risks. The study’s contribution focuses on empirically evaluating the relationship between personal level of awareness and security performance when seafarers undertake security training courses. Findings of this study suggest that (1) seafarers who undertake maritime security training have a higher awareness of ship security, (2) security training and security awareness have a positive influence on security performance, and (3) security awareness mediates the impact of security training and security performance. In conclusion, education and training programs are key tools in enhancing seafarers’ security awareness and security performance which, from an industry viewpoint, can translate into major economic, operational and reputational benefits.

이탈리아 항만의 사회경제학적 효과에 대한 연구

Enrico D’agostini,류동근 한국항해항만학회 2017 한국항해항만학회지 Vol.41 No.4

항만은 단순히 화물을 적재하고 하역하는 것뿐만 아니라 전 세계적 생산 네트워크 및 복잡한 공급망 내에서 중요한 역할을 하는 허브로 발전해 왔다. 항만은 지역적 수준에서 국가적 수준에 이르기까지 다양한 부가가치 생산 및 고용 창출에 기여하고 있으며, 이러한 점은 항만 및 항만 이해관계자에게 중요한 이슈가 되고 있다. 본 연구는 회귀모델을 활용하여 부가가치 및 고용수치에 대한 정보가 미비한 이탈리 아 내 항만 17곳의 부가가치 및 고용효과를 분석하는 것이 목적이다. 이탈리아 항만 시스템 개선의 측면에서, 본 연구는 해당 항만들의 효과 와 지역경제 내에서의 역할을 측정할 수 있는 도구를 개발하여 해당 항만의 정책 입안자들이 활용할 수 있도록 하였다. 본 연구에서는 모든 이탈리아 항만들이 지역 경제에 간접적 효과보다는 직접적 효과에 더 영향을 받는 것으로 조사되었으며, 대형 항만에서는 더 큰 사회경제적 효과가 발생하는 것으로 분석되었다. Seaports are not longer considered to be single entities for which the main activity is to load and discharge cargo, but rather as fundamental hubs within a complex supply chain serving global production networks. From a public perspective, they hold a key role in terms of their economic impact at the local, regional and national level by generating value added activity and employment. This issue is becoming increasingly pivotal for ports and their stakeholders. The objective of the study is to estimate a regression model of the value added activity and employment figures of 17 Italian ports for which there are no publications available. Concerning port system reform in Italy, the research intends to provide policy makers with a tool to measure the effects produced by ports and their importance to local communities and regions. The paper finds that in all Italian ports, the direct effects are larger than the indirect effects, and the bigger socio-economic effects are found in the biggest ports.

Comparative Port Performance Analysis of Italian Ports

Enrico D’agostini,Dong-Keun Ryoo,So-Hyun Jo 한국항해항만학회 2015 한국항해항만학회지 Vol.39 No.5

Recently, the fierce competitions in the shipping industry and the global economic downturn have heavily influenced ports’ operational strategies. In order for port authorities to remain competitive at an international level and to provide more accurate information to develop National policies, ports are required to analyse and improve operations’ efficiency. In this paper, the efficiency of 19 Italian ports in 2013, handling different types of cargoes, is assessed through the application of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), with constant return to scale (CRS) and variable return to scale (VRS). The purpose of this study is to analyze the efficiency of Italian ports and evaluate whether differences in size and specialization of each port (or cargo handled) are directly correlated with ports' efficiency.

Port-City and Local Population Relationship: the Perception of Busan Citizens of the Port

Enrico D’agostini,조소현 한국항해항만학회 2019 한국항해항만학회지 Vol.43 No.2

Ports play a key role in international trade, as integral hubs where passengers and cargoes are loaded, discharged, and transshipped. However, the function of ports is becoming more diversified, expanding on roles as industrial clusters, as well as logistical centers. Such roles combined, reap numerous and significant benefits, mainly with growth of jobs and wealth creation, for the local population living in the city, and beyond. Citizens’ awareness of the function and value of ports may not be positive, because of a range of negative factors such as emissions, noise, and road congestion, which can influence their perception. This study’s contribution focuses on empirically evaluating the perception of Busan citizens of the local port, by applying Q methodology. The links connecting the port-city and local population, are assessed by identifying: 1) The level of awareness of the Busan citizens of the port; 2) Factors perceived as positive as well as factors perceived as negative by Busan citizens. There are four main factors, derived from the analysis: 1) Port functional knowledge; 2) Lack of social connectedness port-city; 3) Environmentally concerned and; 4) Absent port’s ripple’s effect. Policy recommendations suggest focusing on improving citizens’ perception of the port, for each of the four main factors derived from the analysis.

A Study of Myanmar Seafarers’ Impact on National Economy

Enrico D’agostini 한국항해항만학회 2017 한국항해항만학회지 Vol.41 No.5

Shortage of trained seafarers is an issue, which many ship-owners are facing and, according to recent studies, the shortfall of both officers and rating will worsen in the next few years. The key role of seafarers is of fundamental importance in international trade, as they are the ones responsible for safely manning and operating ships. In developing countries, they also perform a strategic aspect in terms of contribution to GDP, mainly by earning foreign currency and increasing national consumption of goods and services. Myanmar is still considered a developing country with an economy, which has only recently started growing steady. It is also one of the major seafarers supplying nations and the contribution, which seafarers have on the national GDP may be particularly significant in comparison to other countries. This study aims at investigating seafarers’ impact towards the Myanmar national economy. The paper describes the status of Myanmar seafarers, and the seafarers’ current and forecasted impact towards the Myanmar economy through a regression model. The study concludes with recommendations to make Myanmar seafarers more competitive internationally and increase their economic contribution nationally.

Through-and-through Nasal Reconstruction with the Bi-Pedicled Forehead Flap

Agostini, Tommaso,Perello, Raffaella,Russo, Giulia Lo,Spinelli, Giuseppe Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surge 2013 Archives of Plastic Surgery Vol.40 No.6

Background Nasal reconstruction is one of the most difficult challenges for the head and neck surgeon, especially in the case of complex full thickness defects following malignant skin tumor resection. Full-thickness defects require demanding multi-step reconstruction. Methods Seven patients underwent surgical reconstruction of full-thickness nasal defects with a bi-pedicled forehead flap shaped appropriately to the defect. Patients were aged between 58 and 86 years, with a mean age of 63.4 years. All of the tumors were excised using traditional surgery, and in 4 of the patients, reconstruction was performed simultaneously following negativity of fresh frozen sections of the margins under general anesthesia. Results Nasal reconstruction was well accepted by all of the patients suffering non-melanoma skin tumors with acceptable cosmetic outcomes. The heart-shaped forehead flap was harvested in cases of subtotal involvement of the nasal pyramid, while smaller defects were reconstructed with a wing-shaped flap. No cartilaginous or osseous support was necessary. Conclusions This bi-pedicled forehead flap was a valid, versatile, and easy-to-implement alternative to microsurgery or multi-step reconstruction. The flap is the best indication for full-thickness nasal defects but can also be indicated for other complex facial defects in the orbital (exenteratio orbitae), zygomatic, and cheek area, for which the availability of a flap equipped with two thick and hairless lobes can be a valuable resource.

Adipofascial Anterolateral Thigh Flap Safety: Applications and Complications

Agostini, Tommaso,Lo Russo, Giulia,Zhang, Yi Xin,Spinelli, Giuseppe,Lazzeri, Davide Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surge 2013 Archives of Plastic Surgery Vol.40 No.2

Background A thinned anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap is often harvested to achieve optimal skin resurfacing. Several techniques have been described to thin an ALT flap including an adipocutaneous flap, an adipofascial flap and delayed debulking. Methods By systematically reviewing all of the available literature in English and French, the present manuscript attempts to identify the common surgical indications, complications and donor site morbidity of the adipofascial variant of the ALT flap. The studies were identified by performing a systematic search on Medline, Ovid, EMBASE, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Current Contents, PubMed, Google, and Google Scholar. Results The study selection process was adapted from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement, and 15 articles were identified using the study inclusion criteria. These articles were then reviewed for author name(s), year of publication, flap dimensions and thickness following defatting, perforator type, type of transfer, complications, thinning technique, number of cases with a particular area of application and donor site morbidity. Conclusions The adipofascial variant of the ALT flap provides tissue to fill large defects and improve pliability. Its strong and safe blood supply permits adequate immediate or delayed debulking without vascular complications. The presence of the deep fascia makes it possible to prevent sagging by suspending and fixing the flap for functional reconstructive purposes (e.g., the intraoral cavity). Donor site morbidity is minimal, and thigh deformities can be reduced through immediate direct closure or liposuction and direct closure. A safe blood supply was confirmed by the rate of secondary flap debulking.

Rational Design of Low Cost and High Energy Lithium Batteries through Tailored Fluorine-free Electrolyte and Nanostructured S/C Composite

Agostini, M.,Lim, D.-H.,Sadd, M.,Hwang, J.-Y.,Brutti, S.,Heo, J. W.,Ahn, J. H.,Sun, Y. K.,Matic, A. Wiley (John WileySons) 2018 ChemSusChem Vol.11 No.17

<P>We report a new Li-S cell concept based on an optimized F-free catholyte solution and a high loading nanostructured C/S composite cathode. The Li2S8 present in the electrolyte ensures both buffering against active material dissolution and Li+ conduction. The high S loading is obtained by confining elemental S (approximate to 80%) in the pores of a highly ordered mesopores carbon (CMK3). With this concept we demonstrate stabilization of a high energy density and excellent cycling performance over 500 cycles. This Li-S cell has a specific capacity that reaches over 1000 mA hg(-1), with an overall S loading of 3.6 mg cm(-2) and low electrolyte volume (i.e., 10 mu L cm(-2)), resulting in a practical energy density of 365 Wh kg(-1). The Li-S system proposed thus meets the requirements for large scale energy storage systems and is expected to be environmentally friendly and have lower cost compared with the commercial Li-ion battery thanks to the removal of both Co and F from the overall formulation.</P>

Free-Standing 3D-Sponged Nanofiber Electrodes for Ultrahigh-Rate Energy-Storage Devices

Agostini, Marco,Lim, Du Hyun,Brutti, Sergio,Lindahl, Niklas,Ahn, Jou Hyeon,Scrosati, Bruno,Matic, Aleksandar American Chemical Society 2018 ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES Vol.10 No.40

<P>We have designed a self-standing anode built-up from highly conductive 3D-sponged nanofibers, that is, with no current collectors, binders, or additional conductive agents. The small diameter of the fibers combined with an internal spongelike porosity results in short distances for lithium-ion diffusion and 3D pathways that facilitate the electronic conduction. Moreover, functional groups at the fiber surfaces lead to the formation of a stable solid-electrolyte interphase. We demonstrate that this anode enables the operation of Li-cells at specific currents as high as 20 A g<SUP>-1</SUP> (approx. 50C) with excellent cycling stability and an energy density which is >50% higher than what is obtained with a commercial graphite anode.</P> [FIG OMISSION]</BR>

Minimizing the Electrolyte Volume in Li-S Batteries: A Step Forward to High Gravimetric Energy Density

Agostini, Marco,Hwang, Jang-Yeon,Kim, Hee Min,Bruni, Pantaleone,Brutti, Sergio,Croce, Fausto,Matic, Aleksandar,Sun, Yang-Kook Wiley (John WileySons) 2018 ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS Vol.8 No.33