Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Portable Variable Message Signs in Improving Safety for Motorists and Workers at Construction Zones in Abu Dhabi

In March 2008, a single accident resulted in three people being killed and nearly 350 injured in a horrific crash involving over 60 vehicles on the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway near Ghantoot. The cause of this crash was attributed to failure by motorists to adhere to severe weather conditions (fog). In response to the increasing number of accidents on Abu Dhabi roads, the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport (DoT) has deployed approximately 40 portable Variable Message Signs (PVMSs) throughout the main DOT\u27s highway network as one of the strategies to control driver behavior and to improve road safety. The objective of these PVMSs is to provide drivers with adequate warnings; especially during severe weather conditions (e.g., fog, dust, rain). They are also used within critical areas such as construction zones on the highway, at school crossings and during major events so as to minimize the chances of accidents. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of PVMSs on road safety as well as their perceived satisfaction among road users. The effectiveness of PVMSs in Abu Dhabi has not yet been evaluated in this way the study adopted a longitudinal approach and involved the collection of vehicular speed, volume and classified data at three different highway sections. These covered one location close to a work-zone in Abu Dhabi with allowable speed limit of 100 km/hr., another location on freeway with allowable speed limit of 140km/hr. and one location on an arterial road with allowable speed limit of 120km/hr. Additionally, drivers and workers were interviewed in order to seek their perception on the use of PVMS. Using descriptive and analytical statistical methods, the mean and 85th percentile speed differences before and after the deployment of PVMS were found not to be statistically significant at the study locations. At both urban and rural locations, PVMS was shown to have a minor impact in reducing highway speeds but it was found not to be statistically significant. The study showed that PVMSs were found to be effective, though statistically not significant (p-value \u3e 0.005 at 95% confidence level), in reducing driver\u27s speeds with about 1% on freeway and arterial roads. PVMSs are not significant statistically effective in reducing speeds at the work zones. Newly deployed PVMS at work zones confuse drivers especially when the posted speed limits are reduced gradually over a short span length. Further, the proportion of vehicles speeding excessively (i.e. vehicles traveling over the posted speed limit) was slightly decreased by the use of PVMS. A significant number of road user\u27s responses were positive and highly satisfied with the usefulness of PVMS as a tool to display the traffic information to drivers and to manage traffic safety at work zones. They also stated that PVMS is an effective tool in alerting drivers about the irregular traffic conditions and/or any incidents on the highway and within work zones. There were many comments on the current operation of the PVMS that are mainly on updating PVMS messages, messages shall be changed frequently, PVMS messages shall cover the benefit areas mentioned in the driver survey and more care shall be considered for PVMS as a communication tool with the roadways users in order to increase the convenience on PVMS. In addition, surveys of road construction workers indicated that workers were aware of PVMS and considered PVMS to be the best tool available for traffic safety at work zones. Most of the road construction workers stated that they feel safer with the implementation of the PVMS during night shifts. The main comment was on implementation of the PVMS which are mainly about; not common in most of the work zone areas, it should be implemented immediately over all work zones within Abu Dhabi, should be well maintained through the whole construction period and moved away until work zone is cleared. Increasing public awareness of the use of PVMS suggested being a common tool used at work zones. Some recommendations can be drawn from the study. The operation of PVMS shall take more care from Department of Transportation and Ministry of Interior – Police Department. The PVMS messages should be updated regularly and be varied to accommodate a wider range of incident warnings to assist in accident reduction. In general, PVMS messages should also be displayed as symbols to cover the illiterate drivers and workers and non-English/Arabic speakers

Efecto de dos métodos de asado sobre la rancidez oxidativa y la oxidación del colesterol en “shawerma” de ternera y pollo

The effect of direct blue and charcoal radiation heat grilling on the oxidative rancidity of fat and cholesterol oxidation in beef and chicken shawerma was studied during the first 3 hours of grilling process. The oxidative rancidity of the fat was measured by thiobarbituric acid value (TBA), while that of cholesterol by evaluating the concentration of 7-ketocholesterol. No significant effect (p≤ 0.05) of the source of the grilling radiation heat was found on TBA values or 7-ketocholesterol content. The degree of unsaturation of the fat had significant effect (p≤0.05) on TBA and 7-ketocholesterol values. TBA values and 7-ketocholesterol for both samples grilled either by direct blue or charcoal radiation heat reached maximum values after 30 min of the heat treatment then they remained relatively constant throughout the rest time of the experiment.El efecto de dos formas de asado sobre la rancidez oxidativa de la grasa y la oxidación de colesterol en “shawerma” de ternera y pollo fue estudiado durante las tres primeras horas del proceso de asado. La rancidez oxidativa de la grasa fue medida por el índice de ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBA), mientras que el colesterol fue determinado evaluando la concentración de 7-cetocolesterol. No hubo efecto significativo (p .0.05) de la fuente de radiación utilizada en el proceso de asado sobre los índices de TBA o el contenido de 7-cetocolesterol. El grado de instauración de la grasa tuvo un efecto significativo (p .0.05) sobre los índices de TBA y el 7-cetocolesterol. Los valores de TBA y 7-cetocolesterol para las dos formas de asado alcanzaron los máximos después de 30 minutos de calentamiento para luego permanecer relativamente constante durante el resto del tiempo del experimento

EFFECTS OF MALTODEXTRIN AS FAT REPLACER ON THE CHEMICAL AND SENSORY PROPERTIES OF BARAZEQ, GHURIBEH AND MA'AMUL

ABSTRACT   Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the effect of maltodextrinas fat replacer at various levels on some structural and sensory properties of Ma'amul, Barazeq and Ghuribeh.Methods: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of fat replacing with maltodextrin at various levels (i.e., 10, 20, 30, and 40%) on Ma'amul, Barazeq and Ghuribeh chemical and quality characteristicsResults:Fat and energy were significantly (P<0.05) reduced with the increase of maltodextrin level in these bakery products. Overall acceptance, flavor, color and softness of Ma'amul, Barazeq and Ghuribeh were not significantly affected by the replacement in ratio ranging from 10-20% when compared to controls. Greater replacements (i.e., 30 and 40% maltodextrin) showed significant reduction on sensory acceptability of the three products.Conclusion:Ma'amul, Barazeq and Ghuribeh are rich fat traditional sweet bakery products that are usually consumed in the Middle East. The maximum fat level that could be replaced in Ma'amul, Barazeq and Ghuribeh were 40%, 30% and 20%, respectively.  Keyword: Fat Replacer, Brazzaq, Ma'amul, Ghuribeh, Maltodextrin, Sensory properties

The Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity of Oriental Strawberry (Arbutus andrachne L.): A Review Article

Oxidation is one of the most critical processes in food systems. It has an impact on a variety of dietary ingredient interactions, resulting in both desired and unwanted results. It was found in many studies that high concentrations of synthetic antioxidants may havesome carcinogenic effects in some animals, thus natural antioxidants would be analternative to synthetic antioxidants in food. These natural antioxidants can be present in any plant part, including grains, fruits, leaves, nuts, seeds, roots and barks. Many studies showed that there is an inverse relationship between the dietary intake of medicinal plants rich in antioxidants and the prevalence of human diseases. Oriental strawberry (Arbutus andrachne L.) is one of many medicinal plants for which antibacterial and antioxidant activity have been widely documented for a long time. This review intends to discuss the use of Arbutus andrachne L. as antibacterial and antioxidant

Actividad antioxidante de extractos alcohólicos de flores de camomila, semillas de anís y eneldo en dos aceites vegetales y dos grasas animales

The antioxidant activity of alcohol extracts of chamomile flowers (CFE), anise seeds (ASE) and dill seeds (DSE) in corn oil, soybean oil, beef tallow and anhydrous butter fat (ABF) was investigated during storage at 65ºC. The extent of oxidation was followed by peroxide value (PV). In addition, reducing power of these extracts was determined. Alcohol extracts of these plants at 3 g kg-1 were more effective as antioxidant than BHA (0.2 g kg-1) in corn and soybean oils, while they were less effective in beef tallow and ABF. CFE was more effective in retarding fat oxidation in corn and soybean oil than ASE and DSE, which both showed similar activity. However, in beef tallow and ABF all extracts showed similar activities. On the other hand, the reducing power of these extracts showed different behavior. CFE, which was the most active as antioxidant among the extracts showed the lowest reducing power. Furthermore, ASE and DSE, which exhibited similar antioxidant activity, the former has lower reducing activity than the latter, indicating that the antioxidant activity didn’t correlate linearly with the reducing power of these extracts.Se investigó la actividad antioxidante de extractos alcohólicos de flores de camomila (CFE), semillas de anís (ASD) y eneldo (DSE) en aceites de maíz y soja, sebo y grasa de mantequilla anhidra (ABF), almacenados a 65ºC. El seguimiento de la oxidación se realizó mediante el índice de peróxidos. Además, se determinó el poder reductor de los mismos. La actividad antioxidante de los extractos alcohólicos de estas plantas (3 g k -1) resultó más eficaz que la del BHA (0.2 g kg-1), en cambio, resultaron menos eficaces en el sebo y ABF. El extracto de manzanilla resultó ser mejor antioxidante para los aceites de maíz y soja que los extractos ASE y DSE, ambos mostraron una actividad similar. Sin embargo, en el sebo y la ABF todos los extractos revelaron una actividad antioxidante parecida. El poder reductor de estos extractos mostró un comportamiento diferente. El CFE que fue el extracto más activo como antioxidante presentó el menor poder reductor, además, mientras que los extractos ASE y DSE presentaron una actividad antioxidante similar, el primero de ellos mostró un poder reductor inferior, indicando que la actividad antioxidante no se correlaciona linealmente con el poder reductor de estos extractos

A capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer

A Capacitive Micro-machined Ultrasonic Transducer (cMUT) is presented. It is a new type of transducer that can be used to transmit and receive ultrasonic signals in medical scanners and a variety of other applications. The behavior of cMUT is investigated based on a proposed model of an equivalent circuit by which the characteristics are predicted. The simulation is carried out using microwave office simulator. The various elements of equivalent circuit and the signals produced by the cMUT are discussed and the results are shown in the following sections

CFD Modelling of pump as turbine with various number of blade for microhydro system

Pump as Turbine is an electromechanically component that is largely used in microhydro system. The main advantages of pump as turbine compared to commercially available turbines are lower cost, easier to maintain and readily available. These key features make them appealing to conditions in many developing countries. However, pump as turbine has poor hydraulic performance and low efficiency thus modifications were applied to improve the performance. The aim of this paper is to study the effect of impeller blade number to the pump as turbine performance. The investigation was carried out by using commercial Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) software, ANSYS CFX. A centrifugal pump with a specific speed of 70 with an impeller diameter of 214.0 mm was used to generate the CAD model. The original number of the blade was at 6 and varied to 5, 7 and 8 while other geometric dimensions were kept unchanged. The simulation results reveal that the highest efficiency was attained at 7 blade number with the efficiency recorded at 76.24%. The corresponding pressure was at 20.83 meters. It was found that with increase of blade number, the efficiency and corresponding pressure of the pump as turbine also increases. However, the additional blade number reduce the cross-area flow path, consequently increase the blockage effect thus decrease the net power generated by the rotating impeller

ملة إبراهيم - رؤية قرآنية = Millah Ibrahim - Quranic perspective

This article aims to explain about Millah Ibrahim (peace be upon him) from Quranic perspective. Basically it is a guidance and happiness for humanity. Allah SWT ordered His Messenger, Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his Ummah to follow it. This is the way that Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) was to deny polytheism (shirk) of all kinds, and to avoid idolatry in all its forms. It is also the way in his call and argument of his people, and in the work of Hajj, and in his declaration of innocence of polytheism and polytheists and how to reach the peak of faith and ideal that should be followed. The sacrifices and works done by Ibrahim (peace be upon him) are the models to be followed which demonstrated the sincerity of attachment to the commands of God Almighty. The features of Millah Ibrahim (peace be upon him) can be seen in his struggle and his diligence in communicating the religion of Allah, with the attendant of charity (iḥsān) and sincerity (ikhlās). Its fruit, which Allah SWT promised, obtained happiness in this world and the hereafter