United Arab Emirates University
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ﻣﺴﺘﻮﯾﺎت رﺿﺎ اﻟﺠﻤﮭﻮر ﻋﻦ ﻣﺪى اﻹﺳﺘﺠﺎﺑﺔ ﻹﺣِﺘﯿﺎﺟﺎﺗﮫ ﻓﻲ ﻣُﺆﺳﺴﺎت اﻹدارة اﻟﻌﺎﻣﺔ اﻟﺨَﺪﻣِﯿﺔ: دراﺳﺔ إﺳﺘﻄﻼﻋﯿﺔ ﺗﺤﻠﯿﻠﯿﺔ ﻓﻲ إﻣﺎرة أﺑﻮظﺒﻲ
Get PDFTo maintain the efficiency of government services in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the government agencies are interested in measuring public satisfaction with various aspects of their performance, such as the level of responsiveness to the needs of the public, the quality of services provided, and the behavior of employees during their daily work. To maintain customer public service standards and to achieve high levels of customer satisfaction in various government departments, these institutions have developed practical public service quality criteria to achieve the Abu Dhabi government\u27s key performance indicators. However, many relevant studies do not reflect the actual performance and responses of the customer service sections at various government departments to fill the needs of their clients. In both cases, the Abu Dhabi government cannot rely strongly on the random non-scientific surveys conducted by institutions on their target customers. Rather, it needs solid scientific studies that can provide an objective scientific diagnosis of the reality of the degree of response of service institutions, which is an important measure standard of quality service. The lack of scientific studies on different aspects of the response leads to the inability to sustain their excellence in performance and may weaken customer trust in their relationships with the public. So, it is important to understand the needs and interrelationship behavior of the clients. This public-centered study aimed to measure the satisfaction of a segment of clients with provided public services linked to government principles, e.g., transparency, accountability, responsibility, equality, awareness-raising, and ease of service provision. It also presents governance in Abu Dhabi concerning customer service and satisfaction in the private and public sectors and the important actions taken to implement it. The responses of survey participants helped to suggest thoughtful recommendations for government customer service staff
THE THREE-DIMENSIONAL VISUALIZATION OF MARS DUST STORMS BASED ON DERIVING DIGITAL ELEVATION MAPS FROM SATELLITE IMAGERY
Get PDFThis work focuses on generating a Three-Dimensional Visualization of Mars\u27s local dust storms utilizing satellite images from publicly available archives. The work aimed to create a Three-Dimensional Visualization of two Local Dust storms, the first local dust storm occurred on May 20, 2020, in the Chryse Planitia Region of Mars, while the second one occurred on 8 June 2021, on the northern side of the Utopia Planitia Region of Mars. The visualization will assist in providing a better understanding of the dynamics of Dust Storms on Mars by indicating and analyzing the main features of dust storms on Mars. Also, describe the steps required to create a Three-Dimensional Visualization using several missions, tools, and software. The workflow began with the MeteoMARS tool identifying the Local Dust Storm by viewing global maps of Mars from the Mars Color Imager\ Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission. Following that, observation of Local Dust Storms. Then, using The Cartography and Imaging Sciences Discipline Node of the Planetary Data System to download the images and The Integrated Software for Imagers and Spectrometers processes the images and generates the files required for calculating the main features of a Mars dust storms such as the Sun azimuth angle and the Sun incidence angle of the dust storm. Then, the calculations of the dust height from the dust storm\u27s shadow began. Furthermore, for the visualization, a generation of 6 tables listing the Dust Storm Heights associated with each longitude and latitude. The visualization was then created using PYTHON and QGIS software. According to the findings, the first dust storm (20 May 2020) had a maximum height of 43.02 km at -28.8534 longitude and 24.6740 latitudes, while the second dust storm (8 June 2021) obtained a maximum vertical height of 47 km at 117.401 longitude and 54.892 latitudes. Moreover, the horizontal expansion for both was less than 2000 km; the first dust storm obtained around 1200 km horizontally, while the second dust storm reached around 1700 km, indicating local dust storm characteristics (local dust storms have an area of less than 1.6 million square km and under 2000 km horizontal expand)
CELIAC DISEASE PREVALENCE AND THE CHARACTERISTICS OF CELIAC PATIENTS IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, TWO CENTERS STUDY
Get PDFCeliac Disease (CD) is a chronic autoimmune gastrointestinal disorder caused by genetic susceptibility to gluten and affects around 1% of the population worldwide. CD can occur at any age and is diagnosed by detecting specific serological biomarkers and histopathological changes in the duodenal biopsy. In the United Arab Emirates, there is a lack of studies describing CD in children or adults; this thesis aimed at researching the epidemiology of celiac disease in among the populations in the United Arab Emirates.
Two Studies were conducted to achieve the research objectives, study one was conducted in Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi (CCAD) and study two was conducted in AlJalilah Children’s Specialty Hospital. Study one used data based on electronic medical records of the patients who attended CCAD for CD screening between Jan 1st 2015 to Dec 31st 2020. Patients who were screened for CD (screening tests: tTG IgA, tTG IgG, DGP IgA and DGP IgG) and had no previous history of the disease were included in the study. Prevalence of positive cases was calculated, and differences were assessed between patients with CD compared to 165 controls who are free from the disease. Study two was based on electronic medical records of children who were screened for CD at Al Jalilah hospital between Jan 1st 2018 to June 30th 2021. All children who had no previous history of CD were included in the study. Celiac disease confirmation was based on the ESPGHAN criteria. Information collected for patients in both study sites included demographics, laboratory findings, clinical presentation and associated comorbidities.
Results: Study one: Of the 6,239 adult patients screened at CCAD, 1.4%, 2.9%, 4.7%, and 4.9%, were seropositive to Anti-tTG-IgG, Anti-TtG-IgA, Anti-DGP-IgA, and Anti-DGP-IgG, respectively. Of the biopsy-screened patients (n=300), 38.7% (1.9% of the total patients screened) were confirmed with CD. The majority of CD patients (\u3e80%) were younger than 45 years and females were 72.4% of the cases. Anaemia was
the most associated comorbidity at 52.6%, followed by gastroesophageal reflux disease in 21% of CD cases. When compared the 165 unmatched controls (who are free from the disease) with those with CD, the patients with CD were more likely to be Emirati (OR:2.72, CI 1.41-8.17), having anaemia (OR:1.75 CI 1.08-2.84) and having a higher probability of other autoimmune diseases (OR:9.27 CI 3.02-40.4). The highest sensitivity was for tTG IgA with 89.7% followed by DGP IgG with 87.9%. Study two: Among the 851 children screened for CD at AlJalilah children’s hospital, 23 children were found to have confirmed celiac disease yielding a prevalence of 2.7%. Of the 23 diagnosed with CD, 10 patients had no gastrointestinal symptoms. Diabetes type 1, iron deficiency anaemia and Hashimoto thyroiditis were the most associated comorbidities with values of 31%, 30% and 9% respectively. The prevalence of CD among children with autoimmune thyroiditis was 12.5% and among children with diabetes type 1 was 6.5%.
Significant contributions: The main empirical findings showed that CD prevalence among our population (adults and children) was higher than the global prevalence Another major finding is that 10% of adult CD patients would have gone undiagnosed and thus untreated if only the most commonly used test (tTG IgA) was relied upon for the diagnosis. Almost half of the children diagnosed had no gastrointestinal symptoms (asymptomatic), suggesting that clinicians have a high index of suspicion of CD in children with associated comorbidities even when asymptomatic. Thus, the results of this research guide clinicians towards the use of the comprehensive CD panel of investigations so as not to miss all patients “at risk or high-risk”. Gap filled: Studies have shown that the prevalence of celiac disease in developed countries ranges from 0.5% to 1%, with higher rates in certain populations such as those of European descent. In contrast, studies in some developing countries have reported a
lower overall prevalence, ranging from 0.1% to 0.5%. It is important to note that the prevalence estimates are based on studies with varying methodologies, and thus the true prevalence of celiac disease in different regions of the world is still uncertain. However, it is generally believed that the increasing availability of diagnostic tools and greater awareness of CD in developing countries may lead to a higher rate of diagnosis in the future. Thus, this research contributes to the available data and body of knowledge in the field of CD prevalence and the characteristics of newly diagnosed patients in the UAE. Furthermore, this Ph.D. thesis also measured for the first time the accuracy of the four commonly used biomarkers for CD screening
Brain-based Learning Principles in the Science Curricula Content of the Basic Education Stage in the Sultanate of Oman: An Analytical Study
Get PDFThe study aimed to identify the level of including the principles of brain-based learning in the content of Oman science curricula for grades (5-8). The study followed the analytical method. The analyses included two units of the science curriculum for each grade from grades 5 to 8 in government schools for the academic year 2020/2021. The total number of units was 16 including the student’s book and the activity book for the first and second semesters. An analysis card was designed for the content of science curricula. Experts in the field verified the validity of the instrument. The reliability was obtained using inter-rater and test-retest methods. The results showed that the twelve principles of brain-based learning were included in the content of Omani science curricula for grades 5 to 8 with varying proportions. The results also indicated statistically significant differences in including the standards of the principles of brain-based learning among the grade levels. The percentage of including these standards in each grade was different from the other grades. The rate of including principles increased with the progression of the school level. There is consistency and continuity in including the standards of the principles of brain-based learning across grades at the school level covered by the current study. The study recommended taking advantage of the list of indicators of brain-based learning principles when developing the books of basic education 2.
Keywords: brain-based learning principles, science curricula, grades (8-5(, Oman, Analytical Study
USING METAL-ORGANIC FRAMEWORKS (MOFs) IN PRODUCING SELF-CURING CONCRETE
Get PDFCuring of concrete is the presence of adequate moisture content in concrete throughout its early stages to produce the desired properties, as it is significant in improving the concrete microstructure and pore structure and hence in developing its performance and durability. However, good curing is not always practical in several cases, such as in hot weather regions and areas of water inadequacy. For that reason, the need to develop self-curing concrete attracted several researchers. The use of self-curing agents minimizes the water evaporation from concrete and consequently increases its water retention capacity compared to conventional concrete. This thesis is concerned with producing sustainable and eco-friendly concrete that integrates Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) to capture H2O; its capability makes it an ideal candidate to be used as an ingredient in the production of self-curing concrete. The main objective is to synthesize a MOF capable of capturing moisture from the surrounding environment into the concrete and to assess its impact on concrete performance. Different parameters were examined, including the MOF content and curing regimes. The parameters were evaluated through compressive strength, water absorption, permeable pore voids volume, and degree of hydration. The microstructure of MOF-embedded concrete was evaluated using X-ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy. The study revealed the possibility of incorporating MOFs in concrete to capture moisture without compromising mechanical and durability performance. Up to 6% MOF by cement mass, cured at 70% relative humidity, achieved the highest compressive strength at 39 MPa, with 6.5 and 15.25% water absorption and permeable pores values, respectively, at 7 days. The MOF mix revealed a slight reduction in strength (8%) compared to continuously moist cured concrete without MOF. This reduction can be accepted given the saving of 7 days of water curing. On the other hand, the highest late age strength at 28 days was attained by incorporating 3% MOF, by cement mass, at 50% relative humidity, at 45 MPa, with 5.9 and 15.36% water absorption and permeable pores values, respectively. Similarly, at 90 days, the highest compressive strength was achieved by incorporating 3% MOF, at 50% relative humidity, at 46 MPa, with 5.59% and 14.29% water absorption and permeable pores values, respectively. The microstructure analysis of different mixes highlighted the formation of calcium silicate hydrate, calcium hydroxide, dolomite, and ettringite in the MOF-incorporated mixes. Exceeding 6% MOF addition did not seem to improve the performance of concrete. This study concludes that adding 3% to 6% MOFs to concrete resulted in eco-friendly concrete and helped save water resources by minimizing days of moist-curing. The developed self-curing concrete can be used in construction applications to reduce the need for moist-curing while maintaining concrete properties. Limitations of the study and recommendations for future investigations are also furnished
THE IMPACT OF SCHOOL-BASED INTERVENTION FOR OVERWEIGHT AND OBESE 9-13-YEAR-OLDS ON ANTHROPOMETRY, NUTRITION KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, SELFEFFICACY AND DIETARY BEHAVIORS
Get PDFChildhood obesity has emerged as a significant public health concern in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The study evaluated the effects of school-based nutrition education on knowledge, attitude, dietary practices, self-efficacy, and anthropometric measurements of overweight and obese school children aged 9-13 years. Additionally, the parents\u27 perceptions on factors contributing to childhood obesity were examined. A 6-month intervention program based on Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) was undertaken by children from 36 public schools located in Dubai and Sharjah emirates, UAE. The overweight/obese school children (n = 403) were classified into three categories, including two intervention groups (1 and 2) and one control group. In group 1 (n=148), the nutritional intervention was offered to the schoolchildren only, whereas in group 2 (n=141), it was delivered to the children and their parents. The control group (n=114) did not receive extra-curricular interventions apart from the typical school curriculum-based nutrition education, which was offered to all the participants. At the baseline, the schoolchildren filled out questionaries assessing nutritional knowledge, attitude, dietary practices, and self-efficacy parameters. Additionally, their anthropometric measurements (height, weight, waist circumference, fat (kg), and muscle mass (kg)) were measured. Next, the intervention groups received virtual nutritional education lectures (30 minutes) weekly. The other interventions included health coach monitoring, stocking of foodstuffs with nutritional information labels in school canteen, and distribution of poster educational materials. Eventually, the school children filled out the questionnaires at the end of the study and their anthropometric measurements were obtained. The mean change in knowledge scores of group 2 was higher by two folds compared to the control group (36.26 vs 1.81, respectively). Similarly, the mean change in Group 1 was higher the control group value (2.61 vs 1.81, respectively). In the attitude scores, the mean difference in group 2 was higher than the control by two folds (1.54 vs 0.7, respectively). In practice scores, the mean change in group 2 was slightly higher than the control (0.59 vs 0.48, respectively). Additionally, the mean change in group 1 was higher than the control (0.54 vs 0.48, respectively). The mean difference was significant at p \u3c 0.05 for knowledge (p=0.004) and self-efficacy scores (p=0.039). Essentially, group 2 had the greatest difference in post intervention post-hoc analysis of knowledge and attitude scores, whereas group 1 had the highest difference in post-intervention post-hoc analysis scores of practice and self-efficacy. Within the group comparison indicated that knowledge (-0.58 ± 0.18, p=0.004), attitude (-0.52 (0.19), p=0.016), and self-efficacy scores (0.20 ± 0.08, p = 0.039) significantly improved in group 2 when compared to the control. The percentage change of children who ate five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day was higher in group 2 (37.58%) compared to the control (26.32%), and the difference was not significant in the intervention groups (p = 0.954). Additionally, the percentage change of vegetable intake in intervention group 1 (35.86%) was also higher than in the control. Notably, the change between the intervention groups and the control was significant at (p \u3c 0.001). Furthermore, in group 1, the BMI and weight decreased by -0.38 ± 0.06 kg/m2 and -0.56 ± 0.13 kg, respectively. Similarly, in group 2, the BMI and waist circumference reduced by 0.22 ± 0.09 kg/m2 and −1.86 ± 0.33 cm, respectively. Nonetheless, no significant difference was observed when anthropometric measurements were adjusted based on age and sex. The parents’ interviews uncovered three main themes, including (i) the negative impact of obesity on children\u27s lives, (ii) the barriers to weight management and healthy eating, and (iii) the factors that promote healthy eating. The findings indicate that school-based nutrition interventions can effectively increase nutrition knowledge and promote fruit and vegetable consumption in obese school children. Additionally, including parents in the nutrition interventions yields a better outcome compared to involving the school children only
NOVEL INVESTIGATION OF CATALYTIC HYDROGENATION AND OXIDATION OF 1,3-BUTADIENE
Get PDFThe hydrogenation of 1,3 Butadiene (BD) is an important industrial process that is generally used to generate butene, which is a key feedstock to produce a variety of chemicals such as polymers, plastic, and synthetic rubber. This process involves reacting BD with hydrogen using different metallic Ni-based catalysts. In this study, Ni/Al2O3 and Ni/Nb2O5 catalysts were used and investigated to perform the hydrogenation reaction because of their commercial availability, effective hydrogenation activity, and affordability compared to Platinum Group Metal (PGM) catalysts.The catalytic reactions were conducted using a quartz tube reactor between a temperature range of 50 and 400°C at regular intervals of 50°C under operating pressures of 1 atm. A comprehensive analysis of the products from the reaction was done using Gas-Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) detector, where we noticed both mono-substituted aromatics, and gases products such as butenes. We noticed that a 100% conversion of BD occurred at 200°C and collaborated our GC-MS results with infrared spectroscopy in order to develop a reaction mechanism and confirm the presence of certain products. In this way, we show the low-temperature conversion of BD represents an economically efficient method to add value to less-useful, more-reactive hydrocarbons with conjugative double bonds into high-value petrochemicals such as Benzene, Toluene and Xylene (BTX).The oxidation of butadiene is an efficient method of converting unsaturated hydrocarbons with a high degree of toxicity like butadiene to less harmful products such as CO2. For this purpose, we investigate the use of Ni and Cu based catalysts such as 5% Ni/Al2O3, 5% Ni/Nb2O5 and 5-10% Cu-CeO2/Nb2O5 to analyze the different products possible, their chemical nature, selectivity/relative yields, and through GC-MS, Gas Chromatography-Thermal Conductivity Detector (GC-TCD) and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. Furthermore, in order to investigate the catalysts’ properties, their structure and its effect on the hydrogenation and oxidation reactions more deeply, we employed comprehensive characterization methods such as X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), FTIR, Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy-Dispersive Spectra (SEM-EDS), Nitrogen Adsorption and Desorption (N2-adsorption-desorption), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Hydrogen-Temperature Programmed Reduction (H2-TPR). An important side product obtained in our reactions was acetaldehyde, which was a result of carbonylation of the double bonds in BD. The results show the role of ceria and niobium supports to enhance the catalyst performance and activity by changing the oxygen vacancies and their capability to store oxygen. With their role in both metallic based catalysts, Ce and Nb activated copper oxide surface catalyst to deliver the desired products and results. The prepared 10 wt.% copper catalyst with 10 wt.% of ceria and 80% niobium has the utmost catalytic performance with 100% conversion of butadiene, and highest selectivity towards CO2 of 98% at the temperature range of 300-500°C. The findings of this study provide a practical environmental application of oxidation reactions and introduce a catalytic enhancement of Cu-based catalysts with Nb and Ce supports for unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds studies
COORDINATED LOCATION AND CAPACITY PLANNING OF FAST CHARGING STATIONS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES USING MULTI OBJECTIVE APPROACH
Get PDFWith the growing concerns on the energy depletion and CO2 emissions, electric vehicles (EVs) have marked a new paradigm in the transport sector. Installation of publicly accessible charging stations (CS), namely fast CSs are crucial for the large-scale deployment of EVs. However, randomly placing CSs without prior research affect EV owners, CS operators and grid operators. For instance, the location and size of charging stations affect the accessibility and convenience of EV users since users prefer charging stations that are easier to access without much traffic congestion in road networks. At the same time station should offer good service quality as the waiting time at CSs is high compared to refueling at gasoline stations, which eventually annoys EV drivers. Thus, CSs should have appropriate chargers to satisfy the charging demand of users. However, increasing the station capacity by building a greater number of chargers to satisfy the charging demands will subsequently increase the station costs. Furthermore, establishment of new charging stations impair the power grid functioning owing to the unpredictable charging behavior of EVs. The issues associated with EV charging are demand-supply unbalance, voltage fluctuation, and power loss. The above-mentioned characteristics of charging stations makes choosing the location and size of charging stations both intriguing and challenging research topic. Furthermore, charging station placement is irreversible due to the high cost of construction. Therefore, the dissertation focuses on charging station location and capacity planning for EVs considering EV owners benefits, distribution network safety and station related economy. The contributions of this project are in three-folds. Firstly, a location and capacity planning model for fast charging stations is proposed that addresses multiple aspects, such as the convenience of EV users, station operator economy, distribution networks impact and environmental impact simultaneously. Further a queuing algorithm to determine the CS capacity is developed which is beneficial for EV users as well as improving the efficiency of CSs, leading to minimum waiting time and maximum CS utilization. The conventional optimization methods have their limits in resolving the charging station location problem since the objective functions are inherently conflicting and competing. Hence the second contribution of this study is the development of a Pareto dominance based binary version of the atom search optimization (ASO) algorithm. The proposed method uses quantum operations to binarize the algorithm and achieve a higher convergence rate than the existing binary ASO algorithm. Additionally, a modified atom selection function is used to improve the searching capability of the ASO algorithm. It is expected that the modified function efficiently guides the atom particles to search the global optimum and thus enhances the global optimization capability of ASO. The efficiency of the proposed quantum atom search optimization algorithm is tested using both benchmark functions and by solving charging station location problem. Thirdly, a multi-level charging system that allows EV users to specify their charging needs and provide them charging at the best charging rate possible is developed. The proposed system allows the EV user to select the charging rate based on the user priority for battery lifetime and recharging time. Further, the proposed charging method is integrated to the location and capacity planning model in order to evaluate the benefits of combining charging characteristics with location planning. Finally, the proposed charging station location and capacity model is validated on a real UAE road network
ASSESSING SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES’ INNOVATION CAPABILITIES WITHIN A RAPID ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY IN SAUDI ARABIA
Get PDFThe theory of dynamic capability posits that environmental uncertainty and organizational flexibility drive the growth of innovation capability at the firm level. Environmental uncertainty is the inability of the firm to quickly and accurately forecast changes in economic conditions. Building innovation capability can mitigate environmental uncertainty and enable the firm to gain a competitive advantage by innovating continually in response to evolving circumstances. Organizational flexibility, a key element of the firm’s managerial capabilities, is necessary but not sufficient to attenuate environmental uncertainty. Organizational flexibility enables the firm to identify and assess emerging opportunities, but pursuing those opportunities requires innovation capability. In Saudi Arabia, several studies have noted that despite their positive macroeconomic impact, the government’s ambitious interventions under Vision 2030 have had ambiguous effects on the private sector, implying that the country’s rapid economic transformation may be increasing environmental uncertainty, especially among small and medium enterprises.
This study empirically tested the relationship between environmental uncertainty, organizational flexibility, and firm-level innovation capability by collecting surveys from 211 small and medium enterprises in the Saudi service sector and analyzing the results through partial least squares structural equation modeling. The findings showed that environmental uncertainty and each of its dimensions (munificence, dynamism, and complexity) positively affect firm-level innovation capability, and that organizational flexibility moderates the relationships between innovation capability and environmental uncertainty and between innovation capability and munificence. This study contributes to the literature on innovation management, and it has important implications for policymakers in developing countries striving to observe and mitigate the effects of environmental uncertainty. These implications include providing them with a necessary checklist for their interventions
LATE CRETACEOUS OPHIOLITE EMPLACEMENT AND CENOZOIC COLLISIONAL TECTONICS IN THE NORTHERN UAE: INSIGHTS FROM BROADBAND MAGNETOTELLURIC DATA
Get PDFThe Late Cretaceous obduction of the Semail Ophiolite onto the rifted passive Arabian margin and the Cenozoic collisional tectonics with the final closure of the Neotethys Ocean are major contributors to the present-day crustal architecture of the northern United Arab Emirates. The emplacement of the Semail Ophiolite and the progressive accretion of the underlying thrust sheets onto the previous Arabian rifted margin in the Cenomanian resulted in lithospheric flexure of the Arabian Platform and led to the formation of a Foreland basin adjacent to the mountain belt in the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Tectonic stacking of the foreland sediments and thrusting of the platform and the basement resumed as a result of the collisional tectonics in the Cenozoic with the final closure of the Neotethys Ocean.
The geological structures associated with the emplacement of the Semail Ophiolite during the Late Cretaceous and the subsequent collisional tectonics in the Cenozoic hold considerable scientific and economic significance. The acknowledgment of ophiolites as structural counterparts to oceanic lithosphere played a vital role in the progression of the plate tectonic theory during the 1960s. Ophiolites have proven to be of significant economic importance to human societies and civilizations due to their abundant reserves of minerals and ore deposits, as viewed through an economic lens. Foreland basins and Fold and Thrust Belts provide important information regarding crustal shortening and mountain-building processes in convergent orogens.
In this study, broadband magnetotelluric data were acquired for the first time in the northern United Arab Emirates to examine subsurface structures related to these two major tectonic events. The main objective of this study is to image the base of the ophiolite blocks in the northern United Arab Emirates and to map subsurface deformation related to the post-obduction Cenozoic collisional tectonics in the northern United Arab Emirates. This study presents the first three-dimensional resistivity model of the crustal structure of the northern section of the United Arab Emirates.
The recovered resistivity model from the three-dimensional inversion of the broadband magnetotelluric data reveals the subsurface geometry of the highly resistive ophiolite blocks, the underlying conductive thrust sheet (Haybi-Hawasina nappe), a second wedge-shaped conductive foreland basin flanking the Hajar mountain ranges, and at depth underneath the conductive foreland sediments, a high resistivity structure associated with a fold-thrust belt adjacent to the allochthonous units. The ophiolite in Fujairah and Khor Fakkan is thicker than 20 km and dips eastward. Along the Wadi Ham fault, the resistive ophiolite displays a gap indicative of the out-of-sequence Bani Hamid metamorphic rocks that cut across the mantle sequence. The thin-skinned thrust sheets of the proximal-distal Tethyan sedimentary units (Haybi-Hawasina complexes) exhibit low resistivity in the Dibba zone. In contrast to its gently east-dipping geometry in the Dibba Zone, the conductive Haybi-Hawasina structure in the southern portion of the study area appears nearly vertical beneath the dense (\u3e 20 km) Khor Fakkan and Fujairah Ophiolites. This could suggest extensive deformation of the thrust sheets beneath the southerly dense ophiolite blocks