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In this paper, we propose a mixed methods quantitative and qualitative approach to capture fully the measurable and less tangible social impacts of transport projects on local people and communities. The approach was used to assess the potential social impacts of a strategic road by-pass project case study in a deprived region of Wales in the UK. The project specifically aimed to stimulate local economic growth and regeneration in the local areas it serves. In a 'before and after' case study, we combined fine-grained, GIS-based spatial analysis of secondary datasets with qualitative participative exercises with the local residents of the five communities living adjacent to the road, and interviews with professional local stakeholders. This mixed methods approach significantly enhanced understanding of both the social benefits and disbenefits of the road project. It helped to reveal local concerns that would not otherwise have been apparent from secondary dataset analysis alone. The qualitative studies were also successful in bringing to the table new 'hard to reach' voices that had not been heard through the formal consultation and public engagement process. The study revealed that the social benefits accruing to local people from the project could have been significantly enhanced, whilst a number of its locally occurring negative social impacts could have been avoided had social assessment been employed earlier in the decision processes concerning its routing and design. Recommendations to improve the practice and uptake of social assessments at the option appraisal, project design mitigation and post evaluation stages of transport projects are included in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Re-introduction of Eurasian Lynx to Scotland is being considered. Work by others has provided an ecological rationale for reintroduction and trial re-introductions are proposed on the Scottish border. This paper presents an Agent Based Model which simulates the potential for individual lynx to successfully disperse from a release point, using movement rules derived from observation of wild lynx in Europe. Results suggest high mortality from road crossings could hinder effective dispersal. The model is used to suggest the strongest candidate release site based on dispersal with and without a road mortality effect. This occurs in the Galloway Forest Park. The model is built using open source tool Netlogo, the programming language is relatively straightforward and extensible so other life events and human interactions can be modelled. Movement parameters can easily be reset to explore other hypothesised movement patterns. This paper contributes to spatio-temporal understanding of lynx dispersal, via a dynamic visual representation of movement in an ABM. This may help appraise the case for re-introduction in a particular location as well as providing a discursive tool that may help to understand and resolve concerns of community stakeholders, which would aid development of suitable policies. Model code is available via online repository: https://github.com/DrIanPhilips/LynxABM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objective: Intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) monitoring during surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) could improve cure rate and simplify current care pathways. This study assesses the performance of US, MIBI and IOPTH monitoring and their impact on outcomes and perioperative strategy. Design: This is a retrospective study of a prospectively maintained database of patients who underwent parathyroidectomy guided by preoperative US, MIBI and IOPTH monitoring. Test performance (sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, accuracy) and IOPTH added value (percentage of patients in whom test contributed to achieving cure) were calculated. Results: A total of 617 patients (median age 59 years, 75% females), 603 (97.7%) of them cured, were included in analysis. Sensitivity of US was higher than MIBI (78.2% vs 70%, P < 0.05), but both were inferior to IOPTH (98.6%, P < 0.05). US and MIBI were more sensitive at detecting single gland disease (SGD) than multigland disease (MGD) (85% vs 55% and 77.5% vs 45.5%, respectively, P < 0.05), while IOPTH performed well in both situations (98.8% vs 96.7%, P > 0.05). In 41 patients with incorrect US predictions, MIBI gave correct result only in 12 (29.3%) cases, while IOPTH gave correct predictions in all but one patient (97.6%). Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP) was completed in 409 patients, with a similar completion rate regardless whether both or one scan was positive. IOPTH added value was significant in whole cohort (14%) and in subgroups of patients with concordant vs discordant scans, minimally invasive vs conventional surgery, and initial vs reoperative surgery. Conclusions: Intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring is more accurate at predicting cure than US and MIBI are at identifying abnormal glands in patients undergoing parathyroidectomy for PHPT and significantly contributes to cure rate in range of clinical scenarios. This implies that its routine use could facilitate successful surgery in patients with single positive imaging and increase number of MIPs while maintaining high cure rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a novel method to estimate capability to make bicycle journeys, specifically considering the individual physical capability (IPC) of entire populations of individuals from all population segments of an area, not just current cyclists. IPC considers the physical constraints on the maximum distance people could cycle given the typical topography of where they live (Distance IPC), and then estimates their ability to make a particular journey (Journey IPC). IPC, when estimated in this way for a particular point in time, may be informed by antecedent behavioral choices and capabilities, and may be a constraint or enabler of subsequent capabilities, potential adaptations and behavior. The focus of the present paper is on explaining a generic method of estimating Distance IPC and Journey IPC by constructing an individually based spatially fine-grained model. We show how such an individual-level model may be implemented for a population resident in many small spatial zones by use of spatial micro-simulation (population synthesis), to generate the individual attributes required as inputs to the model. We present a case-study for the city of Leeds, UK. We explain the range of data sources used, explore sensitivity of the results to assumptions of the model, and illustrate the ability of the model to simulate the effects of policies. Finally, we identify several possible application areas and opportunities to further develop the model. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Nonlinear Fourier transform (NFT) and eigenvalue communication with the use of nonlinear signal spectrum (both discrete and continuous) have been recently discussed as promising transmission methods to combat fiber nonlinearity impairments. In this paper, for the first time, we demonstrate the generation, detection, and transmission performance over transoceanic distances of 10 Gbd nonlinear inverse synthesis-based signal (4 Gb/s line rate), in which the transmitted information is encoded directly onto the continuous part of the signal nonlinear spectrum. By applying effective digital signal processing techniques, a reach of 7344 km was achieved with a bit error rate (2.1 × 10−2) below the 20% FEC threshold. This represents an improvement by a factor of ∼12 in data capacity × distance product compared with other previously demonstrated NFT-based systems, showing a significant advance in the active research area of NFT-based communication systems. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Unrepeatered 100 Gbit/s per channel wave-division-multiplexed dual-polarization-QPSK transmission with random distributed feedback fiber laser-based Raman amplification using fiber Bragg grating is demonstrated. Transmission of 1.4 Tb/s ( $14 \times 100$ Gbit/s) was possible in 352.8 km link and 2.2 Tb/s ( $22 \times 100$ Gbit/s) was achieved in 327.6 km without employing remote optically pumped amplifier or speciality fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Electrically-assisted cycling can make a major contribution to sustainable mobility. For some people, hills are a barrier for cycling. This paper focuses on how and why electrically-assisted bikes make a difference to cycling in hilly contexts, and can thus be an important element of sustainable mobility in hilly geographies. It makes a novel contribution in being able to draw on recorded sensor data of the actual use of assistance in relation to the specific geography of the route cycled (GPS data), and interview/survey material. It shows that e-bikes extend the range, nature and scope of journeys manageable by bike, and therefore the general viability of e-bikes as alternative to other modes. It highlights that the benefits of using e-bikes are often also psychological, since they can change the overall enjoyability of the cycling experience in hilly areas. Resulting policy recommendations, that could lead to significant CO2 savings through the uptake of e-cycling in hilly contexts, include 'try before you buy' schemes, training for e-bike users and investing in relevant cycling infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The in-vitro antibacterial activity of Sch 29482 (SCH) was assessed against recent clinical isolates of common bacteria and also against reference strains that produced known β-lactamases. The compound was highly active against most staphylococci and streptococci, but enterococci, penicillin-resistant pneumococci and methicillin resistant staphylococci were somewhat less susceptible. SCH was also active against enterobacteria, Acinetobacter sp., Haemophilus infiuenzae and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, including β-lactamase producers, but was inactive against Pseudoinonas aeruginosa. It was active against Ps. acidovorans, Ps. cepacia and Ps. thomasii, but other pseudomonads were resistant. The compound was active against all the anaerobes tested, though the isolates of Clostridium difficile were among the least susceptible. SCH was resistant to all the β-lactamases tested. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]