Damascus University

Public automobile parks' soil dust is a significant source of inhalable particulate matter in metropolitan environments worldwide. This study aims to examine the health risks associated with ten potentially toxic elements (PTEs) (As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Hg, Li, Zn and Pb) and their composition in 13 different motor parks in the Northwest region of Nigeria. The samples were digested with acids and analysed using an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer, while cold vapour atomic fluorescence spectrophotometers were used to analyse mercury. The highest mean concentrations followed the sequence Ba (189 mg/kg), followed by Zn (157 mg/kg), Cu (115 mg/kg), Cr (58.93 mg/kg), Ni (34.27 mg/kg), Pb (23.72 mg/kg), Cd (9.63 mg/kg), Li (1.07 mg/kg), and Hg (0.08 mg/kg). Ba and Zn exhibited the highest enrichment factor (EF) and contamination factor (CF). The health risk assessment for PTEs showed that As, Pb, Cr, and Ba have the greatest health index, suggesting a possible health risk where ingestion is the primary pathway, with children having higher vulnerability than adults. The geo-accumulation index reflected different pollution levels, with certain elements presenting serious ecological risks. The study also revealed different pollution patterns in automobile parks by comparing its findings with those of other studies conducted around the world. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified the sources of PTEs in the motor parks' dust includes human activities, vehicular emissions and lithogenic occurrences through leaching and runoffs. The study further showed that metals particularly Cr present slight to high ecological risks. Health hazard evaluation uncovered that the occupants of the area particularly children are more inclined to non-cancer-causing health risks. The study highlights the necessity of implementing remedial measures to address the environmental and public health problems associated with metal pollution.

The compaction process in powder metallurgy plays a crucial role in distributing the physical and mechanical characteristics along the compaction axis of the compacts. In this study, a newly developed die, proposed as a cost-effective alternative to conventional double-action dies, was designed, modeled, and analyzed using FEM to enhance the compaction efficiency of AA7075 matrix composites. D3 tool steel was used to manufacture the die parts. This die design is intended for fabricating cylindrical roller elements of bearings, which require high strength, excellent tribological characteristics, and low manufacturing costs. Composites of AA7075 with 6

This study presents an integrated and reliable approach for identifying optimal sites for check dam construction in the Al-Kabir Al-Shimali River Basin, Syria. The methodology combines Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for spatial analysis with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) for multi-criteria decision-making. Eight topographic and hydrological indicators derived from a 30-m Digital Elevation Model (DEM)—including the Topographic Wetness Index (TWI), Terrain Ruggedness Index (TRI), Topographic Position Index (TPI), The Sediment Transport Index (STI), Stream Power Index (SPI), Slope, Drainage Density (DD), Strahler Stream Order (SO)—were analyzed to evaluate land suitability for check dam placement. The resulting suitability map classifies the basin into low, medium, and high suitability zones. Highly suitable areas are concentrated along main and secondary streams, especially in the central and southern basin. Detailed insets show that these areas often align with tributary channels and depressions that exhibit favorable conditions for water harvesting and sediment control. A complementary map highlights specific proposed check dam locations, primarily distributed along smaller tributaries and the upper to middle stream segments. This pattern supports early interception of runoff and sediment before reaching downstream areas, thereby mitigating erosion and flood risks. The high site density provides decision-makers with flexibility to choose feasible sites based on logistics, accessibility, and local resources. The model's accuracy was validated using the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve, achieving an Area under the Curve (AUC) of (88.8

AIMS:To compare lean mass changes between incretin-based therapies (GLP-1 receptor agonists and dual GLP-1/GIP agonists) and intensive lifestyle interventions in adults with overweight or obesity, and to determine whether the proportion of total weight lost as lean mass differs between these treatment modalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS:PubMed, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Web of Science were searched from inception through 20 January 2026. Randomised controlled trials of semaglutide, tirzepatide, liraglutide or lifestyle interventions reporting body composition outcomes measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry or magnetic resonance imaging were included. The co-primary outcomes were the absolute change in lean mass (kg) and the proportion of total weight loss attributable to lean mass. Data were pooled using random-effects models. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane RoB 2, and certainty of evidence was evaluated using GRADE. RESULTS:Twenty randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comprising 15 782 participants met inclusion criteria. Lean mass constituted 25%-39% of total weight lost with incretin agonists: semaglutide (35.2% [95% CI: 31.5-38.9]), tirzepatide (25.4% [22.8-28.0]) and liraglutide (26.8% [23.1-30.5]). Lifestyle interventions showed comparable proportional lean mass loss (26.2% [24.1-28.3]; p = 0.42 for comparison), while lifestyle plus resistance training demonstrated the most favourable profile (17.5% [14.2-20.8]). Heterogeneity was moderate (I2 = 68%). No publication bias was detected (Egger's test p = 0.23). CONCLUSIONS:Lean mass loss during significant weight reduction is substantial, and the proportion of weight lost as lean mass is broadly comparable between incretin-based pharmacotherapy and lifestyle interventions. Muscle mass can be significantly preserved by integrating resistance training, adequate protein intake, and body composition monitoring into weight-loss treatment programs.

The long-term behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) structures under sustained loading is strongly affected by creep and cracking, particularly under service conditions where tension stiffening and curvature changes are significant. This study investigates the flexural response of cracked RC beams through combined numerical and experimental analyses. A new 1D finite element model is proposed, integrating nonlinear material behavior, damage mechanics, and time-dependent effects, including creep in both compression and tension. The model relies on a layered fiber section approach and uses a Newton-Raphson iterative procedure to solve equilibrium, allowing accurate prediction of strain, curvature, and internal force evolution over time. The model shows excellent agreement with experimental observations and ABAQUS simulations, accurately capturing deflection trends and crack development. Its performance is further validated using a database of 55 RC beams, including specimens with recycled aggregates and fiber reinforcement. Across this dataset, 84.5% of predicted deflections fall within +/- 1 mm of measured values, with an R2 of 0.960, demonstrating strong reliability. A Sobol-based sensitivity analysis identifies load ratio as the most influential parameter on long-term deflection, followed by concrete strength and humidity. Overall, the model offers an efficient and robust tool for long-term deflection prediction, bridging simplified design rules and complex 3D simulations.