Development of Bus-Stop Time Models in Dense Urban Areas: A Case Study in Washington DC

Bus transit reliability depends on several factors including the route of travel, traffic conditions, time of day, and conditions at the bus stops along the route. The number of passengers alighting or boarding, fare payment method, dwell time (DT), and the location of the bus stop also affect the overall reliability of bus transit service. This study defines a new variable, Total Bus Stop Time (TBST) which includes DT and the time it takes a bus to safely maneuver into a bus stop and the re-entering the main traffic stream. It is thought that, if the TBST is minimized at bus stops, the overall reliability of bus transit along routes could be improved. This study focused on developing a TBST model for bus stops located near intersections and at mid-blocks using ordinary least squares method based on data collection at 60 bus stops, 30 of which were near intersections while the remaining were at mid-blocks in Washington DC. The field data collection was conducted during the morning, mid-day, and evening peak hours. The following variables were observed at each bus stop: bus stop type, number of passengers alighting or boarding, DT, TBST, number of lanes on approach to the bus stop, presence of parking, and bus pad length. The data was analyzed and all statistical inferences were conducted based on 95% confidence interval. The results show that the TBST could be used to aid in improving planning and scheduling of transit bus systems in an urban area

Sampietrini stone pavements: Distress analysis using pavement condition index method

In several Italian cities, it is possible to find historical pavements such as the Sampietrini pavements, which are mainly located in the center of the city of Rome. The Sampietrini pavement is a particular road surface paved in natural stone with irregular sharp elements that are assembled by hand with the evident not plan effect. Because of their peculiarities, they are not suitable for streets where high speed is allowed. In many cases, high vibration and noise levels due to road traffic traveling on Sampietrini pavements are caused by inadequate maintenance, which is also affected by the absence of specific evaluation criteria regarding surface conditions and performances of Sampietrini pavements. It is not possible, in fact, to adopt common approaches developed to be used for flexible and rigid pavements, because they present completely different features and distresses. In this paper, to overpass this problem, a new evaluation criterion based on Pavement Condition Index (PCI) method established for block pavements is proposed. Furthermore, to fully characterize this kind of pavements, other analyses, i.e., International Roughness Index (IRI) and comfort level evaluation based on ISO 2631 standard, were also carried out. The results showed a good correlation between PCI and IRI approaches (R 2 = 0.82), also highlighting that new or reconstructed Sampietrini pavements present not negligible roughness level. This aspect was also confirmed estimating the comfort level perceived by users traveling at several speeds (≤50 km/h). Finally, speed related threshold values to be adopted for PCI and IRI methods are proposed. The proposed method can be implemented by pavement managers in a PMS ad hoc for stone block paving and thus, it can be integrated with other equivalents methods of visual inspection based on PCI

Gold in Plant: A Biogeochemical Approach in Detecting Gold Anomalies Undercover- A Case Study at Pelangio Gold Project at Mamfo Area of Brong Ahafo, Ghana

Many plants have the ability to take up gold from soils and accumulate them in their tissues. Their concentrations and distributions reflect the nearby gold deposits masked by complex regolith. The 50 vegetation samples collected at Pelangio Tepa concession recorded low and subtle gold (Au) concentrations of 0.2 to 10.4 ppb at Pokukrom target, 0.3 to 28.3 ppb at Nfante East target and 0.1 to 1.7 ppb at Subriso target. Each target area had different concentration populations enough to distinguish the anomalous areas from the background contrary to Au-geochemical expressions derived from the gold in soils. So many uncertainties were placed on the soil-Au-geochemistry because the defined anomalies were not strong and generally appear patchy, weak and subtle that led to the assumption of no associated bedrock mineralisation. The gold in plant samples confirmed the Pokukrom anomaly that has been drilled and known to relate to underlying mineralisation. Much better and robust anomaly was defined by the biogeochemical Au data in plants sampled and analysed for Au at Nfante East target and isolated high patchy anomalies were identified at Subriso area. The case study at Pelangio Mamfo project reveals and recommends the significant application of biogeochemistry in mineral exploration particularly in the field of gold prospecting at the regional exploration stage and endorses it as being practically feasible in regolith-dominated terrains where regolith-landform modifications may impact on the true geochemistry in anomaly delineation. Keywords: Biogeochemistry, Regolith-Dominated-Terrain, Plant, Gold, Pelangi

An Organizational Communication Approach to Information Security

Organizations thrive on efficient information management systems as they support activities. Hence, these systems need to be protected from attacks that threaten their existence and use. Although non-technical information security ideas have been espoused by researchers, they have excluded the role of organizational communication. As such, this study explains information security from an organizational communication perspective. Drawing upon a framework of discourse and organizational change, we analyze an empirical case of how information security in an organization is implicated by communicative actions, deep structures, and communication traits. The analysis reveals that (1) prevention of security breaches is achieved by structures of domination and clarity in communicative action mediated by a reserved communication trait; and (2) response to information security breaches is achieved by structures of signification and legitimation, inter-departmental collaboration, and knowledge-rich communication mediated by an outspoken communication trait. Implications of these insights for theory and practice are discussed

African American race is associated with worse sleep quality in heavy smokers.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To examine the association of self-identified race with sleep quality in heavy smokers. METHODS: We studied baseline data from 1965 non-Hispanic White and 462 African American participants from SPIROMICS with ≥ 20 pack-years smoking history. We first examined the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Indexs (PSQI) internal consistency and item-total correlation in a population with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We then used staged multivariable regression to investigate the association of race and sleep quality as measured by the PSQI) The first model included demographics, the second added measures of health status, and the third, indicators of socioeconomic status. We next explored the correlation between sleep quality with 6-minute walk distance and St. Georges Respiratory Questionnaire score as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-relevant outcomes. We tested for interactions between self-identified race and the most important determinants of sleep quality in our conceptual model. RESULTS: We found that the PSQI had good internal consistency and item-total correlation in our study population of heavy smokers with and without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. African American race was associated with increased PSQI in univariable analysis and after adjustment for demographics, health status, and socioenvironmental exposures (P = .02; 0.44 95%CI: .06 to .83). Increased PSQI was associated with higher postbronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second and lower household income, higher depressive symptoms, and female sex. We identified an interaction wherein depressive symptoms had a greater impact on PSQI score for non-Hispanic White than African American participants (P for interaction = .01). CONCLUSIONS: In heavy smokers, self-reported African American race is independently associated with worse sleep quality. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; Name: Study of COPD Subgroups and Biomarkers (SPIROMICS); URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01969344; Identifier: NCT01969344. CITATION: Baugh AD, Acho M, Arhin A, et al. African American race is associated with worse sleep quality in heavy smokers. J Clin Sleep Med. 2023;19(8):1523-1532

Chieftaincy and Partisan Politics: The Case of Agona Ashanti Traditional Area

The paper provides detailed analysis on chieftaincy in Ghana and their involvement in partisan politics from 1992 to 2010. The 1992 Constitution of Ghana debars chiefs from taking an active part in partisan politics. This constitutional provision as argued by many scholars, policy analyst and civil society organisations is to maintain the respect, neutrality and dignity of the institution. This notwithstanding, some chiefs have openly involved themselves in partisan politics. With this background, the study used largely qualitative research methods to examine why chiefs involve themselves in partisan politics and the effects of their involvement on sustainable development. The study found that, politicians play major roles in chiefs involving themselves in partisan politics. It was also established that it is in the right direction that chiefs are not allowed to participate in partisan politics even though it appears as an infringement on their political rights. Keywords: Chieftaincy, Chief, Political party, Partisan politics, Agona Ashant

APPLICATION OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY FOR POSITIVE SCHOOL CLIMATE: GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

Social psychology principles have been important strategies for helping students gain a better life in school because it promotes supportive, safe and empowering learning environment that enhance learners’ outcomes. Relevant evidence-based interventions using social psychology principles have proven improvements in school climates and also increased educational opportunity for students. Drawing on theoretical and empirical literature, the authors reviewed studies on the role of social psychology in promoting academic success in schools. In particular, the authors first defined social psychology, its importance to teachers and then examined four social psychological domains relevant to classroom management. Two themes which are prevalent in this paper: the importance of social psychology to teachers, and how teachers can incorporate social psychology theories into teaching and learning activities to promote a healthier school climate. In conclusion, the writers argued that classroom teachers need to employ social psychology principles in their teaching activities to help the school achieve its broader educational objectives.  Article visualizations

Chasing the Elephant's Tail: Youngmen and the Elusive 'Big Man' in Ghana

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Exploring Strategies to Improve Mobility and Safety on Roadway Segments in Urban Areas

Several strategies have been proposed and developed to alleviate the congestion and throughput problem usually experienced in urban areas. These strategies include the use of Intelligent Transportation Systems, signal re-timing and signal coordination, among others. In urban areas, there are often combinations of signalized and un-signalized intersections on corridors that may impact throughput and mobility. This research investigated driver compliance rate (CR) with STOP-signs at All-Way STOP Control (AWSC) intersections that are in close proximity to upstream or downstream signalized intersections. Also, strategies to improve mobility and throughput on segments in an urban area were explored via modeling and simulation. Thirty isolated segments with combinations of signalized and un-signalized intersections in the District of Columbia were selected for the study. Field data (traffic volumes, signal timing, lane configurations, etc.) were collected at each intersection of the segments. Driver compliance with STOP-signs at AWSC intersections within the segments was also observed. In all, 13,956 observations were made at 57 AWSC intersections. The segments were then modelled in the software program, and two scenarios were simulated. The “before” scenario simulated the existing conditions on the segments. In the “after” scenario, the AWSC intersections in each segment were signalized (and optimized), while maintaining the same conditions at the signalized intersections. Control delay and average travel speed were the measures of effectiveness (MOEs) that were used to assess the performance of the segments in both scenarios. The results of a regression analysis showed a positive relationship between CR and the distance between the existing AWSC and signalized intersections. A nonlinear regression model developed indicates that, to achieve a minimum compliance rate of 95%, a minimum distance of approximately 1,298 ft. between the intersections is required. Also, a test of comparison of means of the segments’ MOEs in the “before” and “after” scenarios showed significant improvements in the “after” scenarios. Statistically significant reductions in control delays on the segments were reported, while the average travel speed of vehicles significantly increased. The study revealed that even though some un-signalized intersections may not meet the MUTCD warrants for signalization, signalizing and coordinating them with existing signalized intersections will improve mobility and throughput