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AbstractThis study presents the outcomes of empirical investigations pertaining to human-vehicle interactions involving an autonomous vehicle (AV) equipped with both internal and external Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs) within a crosswalk scenario. The internal and external HMIs were integrated with implicit communication techniques, incorporating a combination of gentle and aggressive braking manoeuvres within the crosswalk. Data were collected through a combination of questionnaires and quantifiable metrics, including pedestrian decision to cross related to the vehicle distance and speed. The questionnaire responses reveal that pedestrians experience enhanced safety perceptions when the external HMI and gentle braking manoeuvres are used in tandem. In contrast, the measured variables demonstrate that the external HMI proves effective when complemented by the gentle braking manoeuvre. Furthermore, the questionnaire results highlight that the internal HMI enhances passenger confidence only when paired with the aggressive braking manoeuvre. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study aimed to map the disease-specific Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale (SQLS) onto the three- and five-level EuroQol five-dimension (EQ-5D-3 L and EQ-5D-5 L), Health Utility Index Mark 3 (HUI3) and Short Form six-dimensional (SF-6D) preference-based instruments to inform future cost-utility analyses for treatment of patients with schizophrenia. Data from 251 outpatients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders was included for analysis. Ordinary least square (OLS), Tobit and beta regression mixture models were employed to estimate the utility scores. Three regression models with a total of 66 specifications were determined by goodness of fit and predictive indices. Distribution of the original data to the distributions of the data generated using the preferred estimated models were then compared. EQ-5D-3 L and EQ-5D-5 L were best predicted by the OLS model, including SQLS domain scores, domain-squared scores, age, and gender as explanatory predictors. The models produced the best performance index and resembled most closely with the observed EQ-5D data. HUI3 and SF-6D were best predicted by the OLS and Tobit model respectively. The current study developed mapping models for converting SQLS scores into generic utility scores, which can be used for economic evaluation among patients with schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teacher education standards are designed to guide the preparation of pre-service teachers to acquire knowledge and develop skills required for delivering high-quality educational experiences to all learners. Analysing how critical thinking (CT) is positioned in educator preparation standards is an initial step towards understanding the conceptualisation and operationalisation of CT in teacher education. In this study, a team of researchers analysed U.S. educator preparation standards across multiple disciplines and learner populations through a crosswalk standards database for the presence of CT, gaps in the standards, and relation among standards. Results indicate that most CT-related standards focus on preparing teachers to perform strategies that promote CT for students. Less prevalent, or missing, are standards that prepare teachers with essential knowledge of the role of CT in the classroom, using assessment to monitor CT, or the role of planning to provide CT learning experiences. Implications for these gaps are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pedestrian accidents contribute significantly to the high number of annual traffic casualties. It is therefore crucial for pedestrians to use safety measures, such as a crosswalk, and to activate pedestrian signals. However, people often fail to activate the signal or are unable to do so – those who are visually impaired or have occupied hands may be unable to activate the system. Failure to activate the signal can result in an accident. This paper proposes an improvement to crosswalk safety by designing a system that can detect pedestrians and trigger the pedestrian signal automatically when necessary. In this study, a dataset of images was collected in order to train a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to distinguish between pedestrians (including bicycle riders) when crossing the street. The resulting system can capture and evaluate images in real-time, and the result can be used to automatically activate a system such as a pedestrian signal. A threshold system is also implemented that triggers the crosswalk only when the positive predictions pass the threshold. This system was tested by deploying it at three real-world environments and comparing the results with a recorded video of the camera's view. The CNN prediction model is able to correctly predict pedestrian and cyclist intentions with an average accuracy of 84.96% and had an absence trigger rate of 0.037%. The prediction accuracy varies based on the location and whether a cyclist or pedestrian is in front of the camera. Pedestrians crossing the street were correctly predicted more accurately than cyclists crossing the street by up to 11.61%, while passing (i.e., non-crossing) cyclists were correctly ignored more than passing pedestrians, by up to 18.75%. Based on the testing of the system in real-world environments, the authors conclude that it is feasible as a back-up system that can complement existing pedestrian signal buttons, and thereby improve the overall safety of crossing the street. Further improvements to the accuracy can be achieved with a more comprehensive dataset for a specific location where the system is deployed. Implementing different computer vision techniques optimized for tracking objects should also increase the accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Ghana, road crossing accidents account for more than 70% of all pedestrian fatalities as the task of road crossing is challenging, even in so-called 'protected' midblock crosswalks. This paper assesses pedestrians perception of midblock crosswalks safety along major arterials in the Sunyani municipality. Following the identification and ranking of twenty-four (24) pedestrian crash-prone locations using the MAAP IV software, identified pedestrian crosswalks were inventorized, their degree of utilization were investigated and some active pedestrians were interviewed. There is a strong correlation between pedestrian perceptions and use behavior behaviour as over 90% of pedestrians stated they did not use the midblock crosswalks, and about 77% stated the location of the facility influenced their crossing behaviour. In the strict use of designated midblock crosswalks, only 8.7% of active pedestrians complied. Findings suggest that the incorporation of pedestrian views into the design and construction of pedestrian facilities could significantly improve the use of these facilities and consequently the occurrence of crashes. These findings have implication particularly for transport managers in developing countries with limited budgets for infrastructure provision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) will become evident as the next generation of students enter higher education. With a focus on thresholds and authentic learning opportunities, the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy along with the CCSS and the American Association of School Librarians Standards for the 21st-Century Learner can be the foundational bridge between elementary and higher education, making it imperative that librarians work with one another to ensure student success. Discussion of the commonalities and intersectionalities among the CCSS, the AASL Standards, and the ACRL Framework are based on an examination of the results of the crosswalk developed by the authors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We develop a methodology to analyze pedestrian-vehicular interactions in urban streets in a mixed traffic environment, and then apply it to Bliss Street, an urban street in Beirut. Data on the street was collected before and after a crosswalk was installed using videography, radar speed guns, and manual counts. A pedestrian gap acceptance model indicated that installing the crosswalk did not have any significant effect on the pedestrians' sensitivity to waiting time, gap size, or the speed of the approaching vehicles. However, it caused reductions in the speed of approaching vehicles which in turn encouraged pedestrians to accept shorter gaps. A micro-simulation model indicated that the crosswalk would reduce the speed on the street slightly, with significant reductions observed if more pedestrians who currently cross at midblock locations shift to use the crosswalk. The results of this study can be used to test interventions for enhancing pedestrian safety in Lebanon, and are generalizable to similar contexts in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Postmenopausal (PM) women taking therapies using estrogens plus progestogens (EPTs) can experience side effects (breast pain, vaginal spotting/bleeding). Sensitivity of the European Quality of Life Five Dimension Five Level (EQ-5D-5L) in measuring quality of life of PM women experiencing side effects of EPTs is unknown. A crosswalk between the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) questionnaire and the EQ-5D-5L was assessed.Methods: The measures were administered to 352 PM women (side effects = 202; control = 75; untreated = 75) in a non-interventional study. MENQOL total scores, treated as continuous and categorical predictors, were mapped onto EQ-5D-5L utilities using regression. Ordinary least-squares regression using averaged scores over time, goodness of fit, and estimated coefficients was also assessed.Results: Mean age was 53.7 years. The first model (MENQOL as a continuous variable) showed a moderate correlation (-0.589) and statistically significant relationship with the EQ-5D-5L (p < 0.001), with an equation of EQ-5D-5L = 0.992 - 0.042 × MENQOL. The EQ-5D-5L mean scores were comparable (side effects = 0.854; control = 0.927; untreated = 0.836) to MENQOL mean scores estimated in the first model (side effects = 0.865 [standard deviation 0.07]; control = 0.909; untreated = 0.833). Linearity assumptions were supported with MENQOL scores as a categorical predictor. Goodness of fit was moderate (R2 = 0.347; root mean squared error = 0.093).Conclusion: The crosswalk supports conversion of MENQOL scores to EQ-5D-5L-derived health utilities for group-level analyses in PM women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents an investigation into the motorists' voluntary yielding behavior to bicycles and pedestrians at uncontrolled midblock crosswalk locations. Two study sites in the state of Montana with light emitting diode (LED) rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFB) warning devices were used in this investigation. Video records were acquired at the two study sites and video data was reduced to investigate the motorist's voluntary yielding of right of way to pedestrians and bicycles as they approach the crosswalks. The study found that the motorists' voluntary yielding increased with the activation of the RRFB devices at the two study sites. This finding is very consistent with the few recent studies that reported increases in the overall yielding behavior associated with the use of those devices. The study also found that the waiting position of crosswalk user(s), the presence of children and elderly, the number of crosswalk users, and peak periods are all important factors that affect the voluntary yielding behavior of motorists. Study results suggest that the visibility of crosswalk users by motorists is very important consideration in the selection of crosswalk location. Further, the study recommends the pushbutton RRFB devices be located as close as practically possible to the roadway for increased device activation and motorists' voluntary yielding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Left- and right-turning vehicles are allowed to make a turn through the crosswalk allocated for pedestrians to cross the road safely. When drivers share this space with pedestrians, they are expected to travel at a low or near-walking speed. Before approaching the crosswalk, left- and right-turn drivers must adapt their speed so as to not endanger the pedestrians. This article presents a study comparing the effectiveness of brick and red-colored pavement on changing the speed of the driver when they make a turn through the crosswalk at a signalized intersection. Three intersections with different pavement design scenarios (no pavement design, brick pavement, and red-colored pavement) were selected for the field study. The speed at three situations—free flow condition, at yellow onset, and when accepting the gap with a pedestrian—were analyzed to evaluate the speed behavior. This data were analyzed using multiple linear regression. Results show a positive effect of brick pavement on the crosswalk on reducing a driver's speed in left and right turns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide guidelines have been studied to identify the most common parameters being considered for making a decision regarding identification of most suitable road crossing infrastructure. Delay being the most common parameter needs to be considered to make a decision regarding most suitable crossing infrastructure. This study proposes a methodology to select road crossing infrastructure type based on the delay caused to pedestrians and vehicle passengers. To estimate the average delay caused to pedestrians and vehicle users, data through videography have been collected at six locations in Delhi. At all six locations, average delay caused to pedestrians and vehicles users has been estimated using existing methods suitable for Indian traffic conditions and behavior. Total delay caused to all pedestrians and vehicle users has been calculated based on average delay, traffic volume count and number of pedestrians. Estimated gross delay for all users (total delay of pedestrians and vehicle users) for alternate road crossing infrastructures (at-grade signalized and grade-separated) has been compared to identify the one which causes minimum gross delay. Total delay has been compared for various scenarios developed considering the equal and higher priority for non-motorized and public transport users compared to personalized vehicle users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complexity of cataloging manuscripts, particularly medieval manuscripts, has meant that these materials have remained largely inaccessible to the public. The quantity and quality of the descriptive data, the time and money it takes to catalog manuscripts, and the fragility of the materials themselves explain the dearth of searchable data on these valuable resources. Even when manuscripts have been cataloged, they have often been physically available only to a few elite scholars who are able to gain access to them. Certain institutions have embarked on projects to reverse this situation. This paper deals with three of these projects: the British Library's Digital Catalogue of Illuminated Manuscripts (DigCIM), a European consortium's database entitled Manuscripts And Letters Via Integrated Networks in Europe (MALVINE), and Columbia University's Digital Scriptorium (DS). The author explores the history of each project, compares the metadata utilized by each one through the creation of a crosswalk, and analyzes the usefulness of these catalogs to the user. doi:10.1300/J104v45n02_03 [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective . To evaluate if precrash vehicle movement is associated with the severity of pedestrian injury. Methods . We used comprehensive information on pedestrian, vehicle, and injury-related characteristics gathered in the Pedestrian Crash Data Study (PCDS), conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) (1994–1998). The odds ratio of severe injuries (injury severity score ≥ 15) and crash fatality rate for right- and left-turn collisions at intersection compared with straight vehicle movement were compared using a logistic regression model and taking into consideration the type of vehicle and age of the pedestrians as potential effect modifiers. Later we evaluated the intermediate effect of impact speed on the association by adding it to the logistic regression model. Results . Of 255 collisions eligible for this analysis, the proportion of pedestrian hit during straight movement, right turns, and left turns were 48%, 32%, and 10%, respectively. Sixty percent of the pedestrians in left-turn crashes and 67% of them in right-turn collisions were hit from their left side. For straight movements the pedestrians were equally likely to be struck beginning from the left or right side of the street. After adjustment for pedestrian's age, vehicle movement was a significant predictor of severe injuries (p < 0.0001) and case fatality (p = 0.003). The association between vehicle precrash movement and severe injuries (p = 0.551) and case fatality (p = 0.912) vanished after adjusting for impact speed. This indicated that the observed association was probably the result of the difference in impact speed and not the precrash movement of the vehicle. Conclusion . Pedestrian safety interventions that aim at environmental modifications, such as crosswalk repositioning, might be the most efficient means in reducing right- or left-turn collisions at intersection, while pedestrians' behavioral modifications should be the priority for alleviating the magnitude of the collisions that happen in vehicles' straight movements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]