Validating HCS and SIDRA Software for Estimating Delay at Signalized Intersections in Jordan

The main objective of this research was to validate the Highway Capacity Software (HCS) and the Signalized and Unsignalized Intersection Design and Research Aid (SIDRA) Software which are widely used for estimating delay at signalized intersections in Jordan. Fifty four hours of data from eighteen legs at five signalized intersections were collected from Irbid city; the second largest city in Jordan. Traffic volumes and control delay were measured during peak and off-peak periods using video cameras. Data on geometric design elements, signal timings and phasings and vehicular speeds were measured through a field survey. The results of the analysis indicated that both models can be improved significantly by calibrating the basic saturation flow rate or bus PCE factor. However, the best improvement was obtained by calibrating both the basic saturation flow rate and the bus PCE factor simultaneously. It was also found that the two software are good predictors for control delay at signalized intersections in Jordan after calibration. However, SIDRA was found to be better than HCS 2000

STUDY OF ADHESIVE CONNECTIONS IN TIMBER GLASS COMPOSITE BEAMS

In this paper, the bonding nature of various adhesives as a structural connection in glass timber composite beams has been studied. This paper gives clear idea about the glued joints in the composite glass timber beams. The critical factors to be considered for the application of adhesives as a structural connection in glass timber composite beams has been investigated in the paper. In temporary structures, the glass timber composite beams will be a considerable alternative for the conventional beams. In addition, the glass web portion permits the light to pass through it. Thus, the artificial light energy required inside the structure will be reduced. This makes the composite beams to be energy efficient structural component in the temporary structures. This paper mainly focuses on the application of various adhesives as structural connection. The review on the connection property of the adhesives is made for the clear understanding of the connection in glass timber composite I – beams

Using Machine Learning to Predict Pedestrian Compliance at Crosswalks in Jordan

This study employs machine learning (ML) techniques to predict pedestrian compliance at crosswalks in urban settings in Jordan, aiming to enhance pedestrian safety and traffic management. Utilizing data from 2437 pedestrians at signalized intersections in Amman, Irbid, and Zarqa, four models based on different ML algorithms were developed: an artificial neural network (ANN), a support vector machine (SVM), a decision tree (ID3), and a random forest (RF). The results have shown that local infrastructure and traffic conditions influence pedestrian behavior. The RF model, with its excellent accuracy and precision, has proven to be an excellent choice for accurately predicting pedestrian behavior. This research provides valuable insights into the demographic and spatial aspects that influence pedestrian compliance with laws and regulations in the local environment. Additionally, this work highlights the ability of ML algorithms to improve urban traffic dynamics. Policymakers and urban planners, particularly with the rise of theories and trends toward the humanization of urban roads, should firmly establish this understanding among themselves to create environments that make pedestrians safer. This strategy could be a measurable solution for international urban situations if future research focuses on integrating these prediction models with real-time traffic management systems to improve pedestrian safety dynamically

Simultaneous electrical, UHF, current and optical PD measurements on floating potential under DC stress

In this contribution, the partial discharge behavior of two types of floating electrodes under DC stress in air at atmospheric pressure are investigated. Either a hexagonal-shaped nut or a sphere are positioned at a distance of 0.4 mm to the high voltage electrode. The influence of the geometry of the floating electrodes as well as the level and polarity of the applied DC voltage on the partial discharge activity are investigated. Several PD measurement techniques are used simultaneously, namely electrical measurement, ultra-high frequency (UHF) and both high frequency current transformer (HFCT) and shunt measurements. The obtained data is post-processed and visualized with Pulse Sequence Analysis (PSA) diagrams in order to provide characteristic patterns of the investigated defect. In addition, a corona camera detecting the light emissions generated by the discharges provide a further understanding of the defect mechanisms.DC systems, Energy conversion & Storag

Development of Bigels Based on Date Palm-Derived Cellulose Nanocrystal-Reinforced Guar Gum Hydrogel and Sesame Oil/Candelilla Wax Oleogel as Delivery Vehicles for Moxifloxacin

Bigels are biphasic semisolid systems that have been explored as delivery vehicles in the food and pharmaceutical industries. These formulations are highly stable and have a longer shelf-life than emulsions. Similarly, cellulose-based hydrogels are considered to be ideal for these formulations due to their biocompatibility and flexibility to mold into various shapes. Accordingly, in the present study, the properties of an optimized guar gum hydrogel and sesame oil/candelilla wax oleogel-based bigel were tailored using date palm-derived cellulose nanocrystals (dp-CNC). These bigels were then explored as carriers for the bioactive molecule moxifloxacin hydrochloride (MH). The preparation of the bigels was achieved by mixing guar gum hydrogel and sesame oil/candelilla wax oleogel. Polarizing microscopy suggested the formation of the hydrogel-in-oleogel type of bigels. An alteration in the dp-CNC content affected the size distribution of the hydrogel phase within the oleogel phase. The colorimetry studies revealed the yellowish-white color of the samples. There were no significant changes in the FTIR functional group positions even after the addition of dp-CNC. In general, the incorporation of dp-CNC resulted in a decrease in the impedance values, except BG3 that had 15 mg dp-CNC in 20 g bigel. The BG3 formulation showed the highest firmness and fluidity. The release of MH from the bigels was quasi-Fickian diffusion mediated. BG3 showed the highest release of the drug. In summary, dp-CNC can be used as a novel reinforcing agent for bigels

Isolation and Characterization of Alpha and Nanocrystalline Cellulose from Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Trunk Mesh

Highly pure cellulosic polymers obtained from waste lignocellulose offer great potential for designing novel materials in the concept of biorefinery. In this work, alpha-cellulose and nanocrystalline cellulose were isolated from the date palm trunk mesh (DPTM) through a series of physicochemical treatments. Supercritical carbon dioxide treatment was used to remove soluble extractives, and concentrated alkali pretreatment was used to eliminate the lignin portion selectively to obtain alpha-cellulose in approximately 94% yield. Further treatments of this cellulose yielded nanocrystalline cellulose. The structure–property relationship studies were carried out by characterizing the obtained polymers by various standard methods and analytical techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy-attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), energy dispersive X-ray diffraction (EDX-XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Almost 65% yield of pure cellulose was achieved, out of which 94% is the alpha-cellulose. This cellulose shows good thermal stability and crystallinity. The microscopic analysis of the nanocellulose showed a heterogeneous mix of irregular-shaped particles with a size range of 20–60 nm. The percentage crystallinity of alpha-cellulose and nanocellulose was found to be 68.9 and 71.8, respectively. Thus, this study shows that, this DPTM-based low-cost waste biomass can be a potential source to obtain cellulose and nano-cellulose

Mechanism of Enhanced Carbon Substitution in CNT-MgB 2 Superconductor Composite Using Ball Milling in a Methanol Medium: Positive Role of Boron Oxide

In the present work, we report on the role of the methanol medium and ball-milling time in the substitution of carbon in carbon nanotube CNT-MgB superconductors. In our samples, we find that the CNTs are intact and well dispersed. However, the liquid medium (methanol) used for dispersion of the constituent materials is also acting as a source of C for substitution. However, the substitution of C from methanol is not direct; rather, B O , which had been considered as just an impurity, plays a positive role in binding the methanol molecules to the surface of B. The detailed mechanism of methanol absorption and the role of B O and ball-milling time are presented here. In addition, we present the J (H, T) data, which show that approximately 3% of C substitution provides the best critical current density at 20 K