Salaheddine Bendak | University of Sharjah (original) (raw)

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Papers by Salaheddine Bendak

Journal of Materials Science and Engineering, 2010

Nanotechnology is concerned with manipulating matter to near atomic scales between one and 100 na... more Nanotechnology is concerned with manipulating matter to near atomic scales between one and 100 nanometers. This technology has recently gained popularity due to its potential in altering the behaviour of individual molecules and opened the door to new applications. Many researchers have pinpointed the potential risk of nanotechnology on the environment and on human health. This is due to the fact that the extremely small nanoparticles can penetrate easily into human cells. However, this technology, when used properly, has also a great potential to positively impact the environment and improve the state of human health. This paper aims at determining well-researched ways in which this new technology can benefit the environment and the state of human health through an extensive literature review. Results of the review show that nanotechnology, when used properly, has tremendous potential benefits to the environment and human health in many ways. For example, on the environmental front, nanotechnology is found to reduce pollution when silica containing nanocomposite emulsion is added to paint, reduce toxic exhaust emission gases when cerium oxide nanoparticles are used as catalyst, control air pollution by transforming CO into CO 2 which is much less toxic and improve functionalities and reduce toxic emissions in motor vehicles. Similarly, nanotechnology looks very promising in the health field. Nanotechnology has a great potential in enhancing human health. Since nanoparticles can pass more easily through cellular membranes, this allows delivering drugs to sick cells more easily with less damage to adjacent healthy cells than conventional methods. Due to their superior benefits, nano-based medical products are already used in heart valves, drug-delivery systems, wound dressings (with nanosilver coating) and imaging techniques. In light of the results, a roadmap for future research into possible beneficial effects of this technology on the environment and human health is presented.

Advances in Transportation Studies, 2008

This study aims at examining tyre characteristics of motor vehicles and how tyres with inappropri... more This study aims at examining tyre characteristics of motor vehicles and how tyres with inappropriate characteristics when combined with high ambient temperature fail and lead to traffic accidents. The first phase of this study involved assessing characteristics of tyres (like temperature rating, tread wear index, production year, etc.) to see how likely these tyres could survive high ambient temperature. Tyres in a sample of 582 randomly selected cars in Riyadh (capital of Saudi Arabia) were checked. The second phase involved assessing causes of traffic accidents to try to determine if the number of accidents caused by tyre failure increased with high ambient temperatures. Results of the first phase showed that there were a substantial percentage of cars with inadequate tyre characteristics which made them vulnerable to failure in high ambient temperatures. The most striking findings were that 23% of the cars surveyed had tyres with "B" or "C" temperature rating and 8% of the tyres were 4 or more years old. Results of the second phase showed that the number of accidents due to tyre failure peaked between June and September (hottest months of the year) and that most accidents happened between noon and 4 pm when the temperature reaches its peak. It is concluded that many cars have tyres with inadequate characteristics. This, when combined with high ambient temperature, have the potential to cause traffic accidents due to tyre failure. Practical recommendations to combat this phenomenon are finally given.

Int Journal of Occupational Safety & Ergonomics, 2013

Although millions of automatic teller machines (ATMs) are currently used all over the world, user... more Although millions of automatic teller machines (ATMs) are currently used all over the world, users of ATMs still have usability problems including inappropriate user-ATM interaction, display problems and others.

Int Journal of Injury Control & Safety Promotion, 2012

Advances in Transportation Studies

More than 6450 people get killed and more than 36400 get injured due to traffic accidents in Saud... more More than 6450 people get killed and more than 36400 get injured due to traffic accidents in Saudi Arabia annually. Many of these are the victims of reckless driving behaviour. Although red-light crossing causes more than 5% of traffic accidents, no comprehensive study has ever assessed this problem in Saudi Arabia. This study aims at assessing this problem by estimating the rate of drivers crossing red lights. It also aims to checking if there are differences between the three regions of Saudi Arabia in terms of red-light crossing rate and to see if there are differences between peak and off-peak times and due to different light cycle rates. Eighteen lighted intersections in six different cities and towns were observed for one hour during peak times and another hour during off-peak times in one direction. Cycle times, total number of cars passing and number of cars crossing red lights were recorded. Results showed that an astonishing 5.9% of drivers cross intersections on red. Results also showed that there were significant differences in red-light crossing rate between the three regions and that more drivers tend to cross red lights during peak than during off-peak times. Practical suggestions are given at the end as to combat this problem.

International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, Jan 1, 2010

Driving is getting more complex by the time due to distraction factors inside and outside the mot... more Driving is getting more complex by the time due to distraction factors inside and outside the motor vehicle. One of the major external distraction causes is roadside advertising signs. This study aims at assessing the effects of these signs on driving performance on a simulator and drivers' opinion on the distraction caused by such signs using a questionnaire. Twelve volunteers participated in the driving simulator part of this study on two identical paths with one difference. One had roadside advertising signs and one had none. Driving simulator results revealed that two driving performance indicators, drifting from lane and recklessly crossing dangerous intersections, were significantly worse in the path with advertising signs as compared with performance on the other path. The other three performance indicators (number of tailgating times, overspeeding and turning or changing lanes without signaling) were also worse in the presence of advertising signs but the difference was not statistically significant. 160 drivers responded to the questionnaire. Half of the respondents indicated being distracted at least once by roadside advertising signs. Moreover, 22% of them indicated being put in a dangerous situation due to distraction caused by such signs.In light of the results, practical suggestions are made as to the positioning of these advertising signs and the need for more research in this area.

International Journal of Injury Control and Safety Promotion, Jan 1, 2007

International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, Jan 1, 2000

It is generally agreed that workday durations of 12 h or more are not advisable where workload le... more It is generally agreed that workday durations of 12 h or more are not advisable where workload levels are very high. However, there is no clear research basis for the identification of workload levels which should preclude the introduction of extended shifts. In the present study, the effects of varying workload levels and shift durations were investigated both in the laboratory and in a workplace. In the laboratory study subjects performed either cognitive work (two workload levels) or physically demanding work (heart rate maintained at 35 beats/min above resting), and there were significant effects of both shift duration and workload level on various performance tests, bodily discomfort, hand steadiness and alertness. In the physically demanding condition, perceived workload was higher on 12 h days despite heart rate being unchanged. In a field study, 34 workers participating for three days each, half of them on 8 h days and half on 12-h days; workload data were obtained for each subject at each half-day data collection point. The combination of higher workload and 12-h workdays produced greater fatigue, as manifested in increased bodily discomfort, decreased alertness, decreased hand steadiness and increased errors on the grammatical reasoning task. In addition to these interacting effects of workload and work duration, there were main effects of both workload and work duration on bodily discomfort, and of workload on hand steadiness.Relevance to industryThe results have relevance for managers and employees regarding the adoption of extended shift systems, particularly in relation to the nature of job demands, overall workload levels, and the criticality of human performance for system safety and efficiency.

Work and Stress, Jan 1, 2003

Accident Analysis and Prevention, Jan 1, 2005

Most industrialized countries and many developing countries have passed laws that require the use... more Most industrialized countries and many developing countries have passed laws that require the use of seat belts in motor vehicles. It is widely believed that seat belt use is an effective way to reduce road accident fatalities and injuries. Saudi Arabia joined these countries when it enacted a similar law on 5 December 2000 making seat belt use compulsory for all drivers and front-seat passengers.This study measures seat belt use rate and its impact on the number of road accident injuries during the first few months that followed the enactment of the law. It also investigates drivers’ behaviour and personal characteristics and their relationship with using seat belts by using a questionnaire specially prepared for this purpose. Results show that seat belt use rate in two Riyadh suburbs were 33% and 87%, respectively, for drivers and 4% and 41%, respectively, for front-seat passengers (FSP's). Such belt use rates are considered low yet encouraging when compared with use rates before enacting the law. Results also show that there was a significant drop in certain types of injuries due to traffic accidents after the enactment of the seat belt law. Questionnaire results show that certain personal characteristics were correlated with seat belt use rate. Finally, implications of these findings in terms of future plans for improving traffic safety are discussed.

International Journal of Injury Control and Safety Promotion, Jan 1, 2006