The multi modal study of transport investment plans.

In 1998 the UK Department for Transport commissioned a programme of 22 studies to examine the most acute congestion problems on the English road network. The studies promised a new approach to reducing road congestion by examining the contribution that all modes of transport could make to solve these problems. The studies have provided the most convincing evidence to date that road building alone will not be able to solve congestion and pollution problems. Extra road infrastructure will, in most cases, buy a few years’ respite from congestion on the inter-urban road network. The studies have proposed substantial packages of road and public transport improvements, combined with demand management and traffic restraint measures, to tackle the problems. The evidence suggests that some form of road-user charging will be required in many areas to ensure that the efficiency benefits gained from the extra road capacity will not simply be eroded by traffic growth as has been seen to date on routes such as the M25. The outcomes of the studies have prompted the Government to undertake a review of the potential for a national road-user charging system. The multimodal studies have undoubtedly brought about a more balanced and integrated approach to transport planning. There have been quite significant changes to the roads schemes that were initially remitted to the studies and evidence to suggest that significant environmental concerns are now playing a much stronger role in decisions taken by the Department for Transport. The challenge now is to ensure that all of the major parts of the integrated strategies proposed are delivered. A failure to do so will not only reduce the benefits the proposals offer but will also devalue the multi-modal approach taken to the studies

A review of urban climatology

The review attempts to elucidate the history of interest and the developing research work done in the field of urban climatology, with special emphasis on temperature. References are made to the works of certain researchers whose publications have not yet been translated into the English language. The reference list is by no means complete but contains most of the important works in this field

Report on geophysical and geological surveys at Blackmount, Argyllshire

Blackmount, on the southern fringe of Rannoch Moor is largely drift covered but, where exposed, the underlying Precambrian Moine psammite contains granitic veins which probably stem from the adjacent (Devonian) Moor of Rannoch granite. These veins are generally pyritiferous and, at one locality, carry small amounts of molybdenite. Blackmount is also traversed by the Ericht-Laidon Fault, which, in theory, and by analogy with a similar fault to the south-east (the Tyndrum Fault), could be a site of significant sulphide mineralisation. Magnetic, very low frequency electro-magnetic (VLF EM), slingram EM and induced polarisation measurements carried out in the area of the veins suggest that the mineralisation has little or no lateral or depth continuation. Similar surveys were successful in locating the Ericht-Laidon Fault beneath drift, but suggest no associated mineralisation down to the\ud greatest depth investigated

Road traffic pollution monitoring and modelling tools and the UK national air quality strategy.

This paper provides an assessment of the tools required to fulfil the air quality management role now expected of local authorities within the UK. The use of a range of pollution monitoring tools in assessing air quality is discussed and illustrated with evidence from a number of previous studies of urban background and roadside pollution monitoring in Leicester. A number of approaches to pollution modelling currently available for deployment are examined. Subsequently, the modelling and monitoring tools are assessed against the requirements of Local Authorities establishing Air Quality Management Areas. Whilst the paper examines UK based policy, the study is of wider international interest

Shopper Questionnaire Surveys at Convenience Foodstores in West Yorkshire

This report sets out the preliminary findings of a series of questionnaire shopper surveys at five convenience foodstores in West Yorkshire. The surveys, which form the second phase of a current research study, followed an earlier series of surveys, the results of which were given in a report produced earlier this year 1 . The questionnaire surveys were carried out in May-June 1983 and the information obtained comprised that on the shopper and shopper's household together with trip, travel mode and attitudinal data

Disseminated sulphide mineralisation at Garbh Achadh, Argyllshire, Scotland

A brief investigation of low-grade copper mineralisation associated with a small, talc-alkaline porphyry intrusion of Caledonian age is described. Geological mapping has delineated a small stock of biotite-feldspar 2 porphyry, 0.25 km in area, intruded into a sequence of Dalradian schists and quartzites with inter-bedded epidiorites. Disseminated sulphides occur within the porphyry and the hornfelsed epidiorite but do not normally , exceed 3% of the rock by volume. Assays of both rock types obtained maximum levels of 0.24% Cu. Hydrothermal alteration is prominent within the porphyry, with the widespread development of sericite and kaolinite. Subsequent faulting apparently exerted some control on the present limits of alteration and mineralisation. Several small strata-bound lenses of massive sulphide within the metasediments were recorded but were not investigated in detail. Geochemical rock-sampling delineated a strong arcuate copper anomaly over the northern epidiorite/porphyry contact and a more subdued anomaly along the southern faulted contact. Molybdenum shows a similar distribution but is more closely confined to the porphyry. Overburden sampling demonstrated that little or no metal dispersion occurred within the overlying till, and stream sediment sampling of the catchment area showed that concentrations of copper decrease to background levels within 1 km of the intrusion. 1 Induced polarisation (IP) surveys produced a clearly defined grouping of chargeability anomalies around the edges of the porphyry stock but these showed no increase in magnitude at depth. Above background chargeability values recorded over the centre of the intrusion increase markedly towards the margins , possibly reflecting a pyritic halo. Most resistivity 'lows' coincide with fault zones and the results of a total intensity magnetometer 1 survey showed that, while most magnetic anomalies occur over epidiorites, I significant anomalies are also produced in the vicinity of fault zones. The results of the geological, petrographic, geochemical and I geophysical studies demonstrate the presence of several features : characteristic of 'porphyry copper style' mineralisation but the small 1 surface area and low grade of the deposit, combined with a lack of encouraging geophysical responses at depth, suggest that there is little II chance of discovering an economic orebody by exploratory drilling

Determination of Priorities for Footway Reconstruction

This report describes a study conducted for Sheffield City Council to obtain pedestriansr reactions to the quality and acceptability of footways of different construction in different conditions, and to assess pedestriansr preferences for different types of footway construction. The results are intended to aid the Council in identifying priorities for the maintenance of existing footways, and preferred surfaces for new or reconstructed footways. The study involved four stages; a new survey to identify footway characteristics of concern to pedestrians; interviews and objective measurements at a total of 13 sites; interviews at a set of eight purpose built trial sites; and analysis and interpretation of the results

Dietary-based gut flora modulation against Clostridium difficile onset

Clostridium difficile infection is a frequent complication of antibiotic therapy in hospitalised patients, which today is attracting more attention than ever and has led to its classification as a 'superbug'. Disruption of the composition of the intestinal microflora following antibiotic treatment is an important prerequisite for overgrowth of C. difficile and the subsequent development of an infection. Treatment options for antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and C. difficile-induced colitis include administration of specific antibiotics (e.g. vancomycin), which often leads to high relapse rates. More importantly, both the rate and severity of C. difficile-associated diseases are increasing, with new epidemic strains of C. difficile often implicated. For the prevention and treatment of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and C. difficile infection, several probiotic bacteria such as selected strains of lactobacilli (especially Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG), Bifidobacterium longum, and Enterococcus faecium and the non-pathogenic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii have been used. Controlled trials indicate a benefit of S. boulardii and L. rhamnosus GG as therapeutic agents when used as adjuncts to antibiotics. However, the need for more well designed controlled trials with probiotics is explicit