Modeling and calibrating capacity of large roundabouts

Roundabout models, available in the literature widely, vary between one method and another. Majority of the models are solely based on circulating fl ow to estimate capacity. The relationship between maximum entry fl ow of large dual and triple lane roundabouts and their geometric and traffi c characteristics is investigated here for saturated fl ow condition using multivariate analysis. The developed model, based on the data gathered from 13 roundabouts in Bahrain, matched the fi eld data reasonably well. The signifi cant predictors, out of 60 tested ones, included circulating and exiting fl ows, number of entry and circulating lanes, circulating and entry widths, inscribed diameter and fl are length. Capacities predicted through various international models varied considerably with both the developed model and the fi eld data. The international models were then calibrated against the model, and consequently the fi eld data, so as to have signifi cant match with the two. The procedure followed in developing the model and calibrating the international models consisted of eight stages. It involved identifi cation of signifi cant correlation of individual predictor with capacity, multivariate regression analysis, model smoothing, multi-collinearity test, redevelopment of the model after adjusting the variables causing collinearity, comparison analysis with seven known international models and calibration of the international model. While UK, aaSIDRA and French models required around 50% reduction to match the developed model and actual data; US FHWA and Swiss models required 25% reduction and US HCM and German models required just 8% adjustments. Such clear variations call for further research. The fi ndings assist the urban planners as when to shift from one type of intersection control into another involving roundabout, and vice versa

Roof Box Shape Streamline Adaptation and the Impact towards Fuel Consumption

The fuel price hike is currently a sensational national issue in Malaysia. Since the rationalization of fuel subsidies many were affected especially the middle income family. Vehicle aerodynamic were directly related to the fuel consumption, were extra frontal area result a higher drag force hence higher fuel consumption. Roof box were among the largest contributor to the extra drag, thus the roof box shape rationalization were prominent to reduce the extra drag. The idea of adopting water drop shape to the roof box design shows prominent result. The roof box has been simulated using MIRA virtual wind tunnel modelling via commercial computational fluid dynamic (CFD) package. This streamline shape drastically reduce the drag force by 34% resulting to a 1.7% fuel saving compare to the conventional boxy roof box. This is an effort to reduce the carbon foot print for a sustainable green world

Physiographic Characteristics Along the Ibex Protectorate: Remote Sensing Application, Hotet Bani Tamim, Central Saudi Arabia

Tuwiaq plateau is one of the most characteristic physiographic components of central Saudi Arabia. The Middle Jurassic limestone was the result of the natural harmony between the Tethys sedimentation, tectonics, and climate. The plateau was studied within the Ibex Protectorate of Hotet Bani Tamim area. Remote sensing applications on satellite images of 2019 were able to measure the geomorphology, distinguish the sedimentary units, and emphasized the role of tectonics in dividing the plateau to step-like escarpment, elevated from 1080 m at Al-Onouk the extreme northwest to 600m at Al-Hulwah with an average slope of 0.8cmm-1. The slope at catchment reaches up to 70° while at the downstream not more than 16°. Two basins are detected at the Ibex protectorate, these are Wadi Meta’am basin and Wadi Bowydan- Nokhailan basin who down flow into Wadi Meta’am  and Wadi Berek respectively). Wadi Meta’am derives its water through three tributaries Al-Ghaba, Ghafar, and Al-Agmaa, while Wadi Bowydan, on the other hand, cuts deeper and drain water with Wadi Nokhailan downstream to Wadi Berek. The high-density dendritic drainage pattern with 5th and 6th order tributaries support the vulnerability of the area to flash flood hazards. The heavy rains were able to sculpt such an amazing geomorphosite and leave its finger prints  in the form of deep streams (about 140m depth), channel lags of cobbles and pebbles, Quaternary thick colluvium, water-saturated soils,  and karstic features  such as the small pool, calcretes and travertines. The present study seeks the importance to schedule the area within the program of development according to the vision 2030 and to add among the geoheritage sites Keywords: Remote sensing, GIS, Ibex Protectorate, physiography, land classification DOI: 10.7176/JEES/9-11-04 Publication date: November 30th 201

Design and Fabrication of n-ISFET using Si3N4 as a Sensing Membrane for pH Measurement

This project is about the development of n-type ISFET using silicon nitride (Si3N4) as a sensing membrane for pH measurement in biomedical applications. The theory, design, and fabrication methods, along with the experimental results are presented in this report. The gate of the ISFET is replaced by the Si3N4 sensing membrane layer that has been deposited using PECVD system to cover the gate area. Both exposed membrane of ISFET and reference electrode were immersed in pH buffer solution to measured electrical IDVD (drain current-drain voltage) and IDVG (drain current-gate voltage) characteristic in order to identify the ISFET behavior. The best pH sensitivity achieved from the experimental testing is 40.35 mV/pH

COPPER LAYER SHEET RESISTANCE EVOLUTION AS A FUNCTION OF POST-SEED PROCESS SELF-ANNEALING TIME

Copper layer metallization is one of the important processes in integrated circuit manufacturing.  One of the issues faced in this process is the proneness of Cu interface diffusion as well as surface oxidation which degrade some of the Cu thin film properties. Due to this concern, most integrated circuit manufacturing facility imposed 12 hours maximum delay time between the Cu seed deposition and   Cu electroplating step. However, there is lack of study and data to justify support this time restriction.  This study investigated the effect of self-annealing time between Cu seeding process and Cu electroplating process to the sheet resistance, reflectance, and stress of the deposited film. The data indicated that the there is no significant deterioration or fluctuation in sheet resistance, reflectance, and stress beyond 12 hours delay time.  This suggested that the imposed 12 hours maximum delay time between Cu seed and Cu electroplating process can be further extended, which will give greater flexibility for the manufacturing scheduling

Neck, upper back and lower back pain and associated risk factors among primary school children.

Ergonomic among children is important as it will influence their growth, which mainly results from the development of the musculoskeletal system. Their anthropometric characteristics are totally different from adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 school children from two primary schools in Malaysia. Year 2 and 5 children were randomly selected and were given questionnaires to obtain information on their background, musculoskeletal pain/discomfort complaints, previous skeletal injuries and satisfaction with classroom furniture. A TANITA electronic weighing scale was used to measure their body weights, schoolbag load and relative schoolbag weight. A Harpenden anthropometer was used to measure their standing height. Neck pain (NP) was the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) with lifetime prevalence (LP) of 33% and a periodic prevalence (PP) of 15.3%, followed by the upper back pain (UBP) with a LP of 20.2% and a PP of 9.1% and lastly low back pain (LBP) with a LP of 13.1% and a PP of 8.1%. Binary logistic regression performed, showed the LP of neck pain were significantly influenced by factors namely: overall satisfaction with the classroom furniture, satisfaction with the backrest shape and desk height. Results showed that the schoolbag load and classroom furniture significantly influenced the prevalence of MSD

Genome-wide association study for systemic lupus erythematosus in an egyptian population

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) susceptibility has a strong genetic component. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) across trans-ancestral populations show both common and distinct genetic variants of susceptibility across European and Asian ancestries, while many other ethnic populations remain underexplored. We conducted the first SLE GWAS on Egyptians–an admixed North African/Middle Eastern population–using 537 patients and 883 controls. To identify novel susceptibility loci and replicate previously known loci, we performed imputation-based association analysis with 6,382,276 SNPs while accounting for individual admixture. We validated the association analysis using adaptive permutation tests (n = 109). We identified a novel genome-wide significant locus near IRS1/miR-5702 (Pcorrected = 1.98 × 10−8) and eight novel suggestive loci (Pcorrected 0.8) with lead SNPs from four suggestive loci (ARMC9, DIAPH3, IFLDT1, and ENTPD3) were associated with differential gene expression (3.5 × 10−95 < p < 1.0 × 10−2) across diverse tissues. These loci are involved in cellular proliferation and invasion—pathways prominent in lupus and nephritis. Our study highlights the utility of GWAS in an admixed Egyptian population for delineating new genetic associations and for understanding SLE pathogenesis

Roof Box Shape Streamline Adaptation and the Impact towards Fuel Consumption

The fuel price hike is currently a sensational national issue in Malaysia. Since the rationalization of fuel subsidies many were affected especially the middle income family. Vehicle aerodynamic were directly related to the fuel consumption, were extra frontal area result a higher drag force hence higher fuel consumption. Roof box were among the largest contributor to the extra drag, thus the roof box shape rationalization were prominent to reduce the extra drag. The idea of adopting water drop shape to the roof box design shows prominent result. The roof box has been simulated using MIRA virtual wind tunnel modelling via commercial computational fluid dynamic (CFD) package. This streamline shape drastically reduce the drag force by 34% resulting to a 1.7% fuel saving compare to the conventional boxy roof box. This is an effort to reduce the carbon foot print for a sustainable green world