Analysis of Drivers’ Characteristics Concerning Speeding Behavior and Crash Involvement in Oman

This study aims to identify the significance of driver’s socioeconomic demographics (SEDs) in the decision to speed and crash involvement. A questionnaire was designed consisting of a driver’s SEDs, speeding propensity, and crash experience. This questionnaire was conducted with the students and employees of the University of Nizwa and other drivers at the selected locations. A total of 604 usable samples were obtained. Simple frequency distribution and discriminant multivariate analysis were conducted on the driver’s responses. Survey results revealed that about 47.7% of the drivers have experienced a crash. The driver’s gender nationality, profession, age, type of vehicle drive, driving experience, and past crash experience are significant attributes of the driver’s speeding behavior. Ordered probit analysis for speeding behavior and simple probit regression analysis for crash involvement was conducted. The male drivers and those who are under the age of 30 years and have driving experience of more than 3 years have more likelihood to exceed the speed limits than other drivers. Similarly, the driver’s gender, age (≤ 30 years), and those who are employees have a significant correlation with the propensity of crash involvement. Male and young drivers have more likelihood to be involved in a crash.

In Vitrobioavailability Studies of Calcium from Various Natural Sources and Their Compartive Compositional Analysis

In this research, we parametrically study the composition of various types of shells and explore the probability of bioavailability of calcium in particularly from chicken egg shells. The research comprises of two parts. The first part is consisted of the comparative composition analysis of five types of locally available shells i.e. chicken eggshell, duck eggshell, pigeon eggshell, seashell small, and seashell large using standard methods of analysis. All five investigated shells were found to be enriched in fats, proteins and important macro and micronutrients i.e, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, zinc, iron, sodium, potassium, and copper. Certain methods to enhance the bioavailability of minerals in the selected highly nutritional shells were also investigated. The second part of study relates to evaluate the role of citrus flavonoid, hesperidin, on the bioavailability of calcium, a probable reason to prevent bone loss. Citrus flavonoid (hesperidin) in combination with citric acid and ascorbic acid was scrutinized to estimate the bioavailability of micronutrients from chicken egg shells using in vitro method. Effect of citric acid, ascorbic acid and hesperidin on the bioavailability of minerals (zinc and iron) and macroelements (calcium, magnesium, phosphorous) were evaluated and the amounts required to get maximum bioavailability were calculated. The highest bioavailability of calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, iron, and zinc was 89.25 ± 2.13, 92.28 ± 1.87, 40.32 ± 3.09, 32.81 ± 1.24 and 46.19 ± 0.83%, respectively after the addition of 3 g of citric acid, 100 mg of ascorbic acid and 4 mg of hesperidin per gram of chicken eggshell powder. Citric acid greatly affects the bioavailability of calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, and zinc, whereas addition of ascorbic acid enhances the bioavailability of Fe, and hesperidin boosts the bioavailability (p < 0.05) of micronutrients of all investigated shells.