Wadi International University (Arabic: جامعة الوادي الدولية الخاصة), commonly referred to as the German Syrian University, is a private, internationally oriented university, located in Wadi al-Nasara in Syria.The university was founded by German Syrian immigrants living in Germany with strong connections to German higher education institutions. The university was initially named as WGSU, Wadi German Syrian University, but was later changed to WIU, Wadi International University. WIU made strong agreements with multiple German universities such as Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, University of Oldenburg and Brandenburg University of Technology, to support its faculties and to distinguish itself from other private universities in Syria. WIU is the only university in Syria that teaches its programs in English.[citation needed]The university offers ten bachelor degrees, and is organized into three faculties. WIU has a student body of approximately 2500 undergraduate students.
Strengthening reinforced concrete (RC) elements is vital to rehabilitate aging infrastructure and adopting modern standards. While conventional designs focus on axial, shear, and bending forces, torsional moments become highly effective in specific beams. This study employs finite element analysis using ABAQUS to investigate effective strengthening strategies for enhancing the torsional performance of RC beams. Two strengthening systems, ferrocement and Textile Reinforced Mortar (TRM), were examined using two-sided and three-sided wrapping configurations. The numerical investigation evaluated torsional capacity, twist response, and crack propagation, with results compared to an unstrengthened control beam. The findings indicate that both strengthening techniques significantly improved stiffness and torsional resistance. Three-sided wrapping provided enhanced confinement, resulting in improved crack control and higher torsional capacity compared with two-sided strengthening. Among the investigated systems, ferrocement with three-sided wrapping achieved the best overall performance, increasing ultimate torque by approximately 50% while enhancing ductility and energy absorption due to the continuous wire mesh action that delayed crack initiation. TRM-strengthened beams exhibited increased stiffness but comparatively lower deformation capacity, achieving an ultimate torque capacity increase of about 41%. Overall, ferrocement demonstrated superior improvement in cracking and ultimate torsional moments relative to TRM. The results highlight ferrocement, particularly with three-sided application, as an efficient and practical solution for upgrading RC beams subjected to torsional loading.
Abstract This study evaluates three finite element modelling methodologies in ABAQUS to simulate the flexural behaviour of reinforced concrete T-beams, with an emphasis on steel-concrete interaction. The first model simplifies the steel reinforcement as embedded truss elements, assuming perfect bonding with concrete, which improves computational efficiency but overestimates structural stiffness. The second model incorporates detailed cohesive zone and damage-based interactions between steel and concrete to capture bond-slip and degradation phenomena, but faces convergence difficulties due to model complexity. The third approach adopts a hybrid technique, combining embedded truss elements for secondary reinforcement and cohesive interface modelling for primary tensile steel, achieving a balance between realism and computational demands. Comparisons against experimental force-displacement data demonstrate the third model that adopts a hybrid technique has superior accuracy in predicting load response and deformation. Findings highlight the critical role of accurate interface modelling in reinforced concrete analysis and suggest that hybrid cohesive-embedded approaches offer robust frameworks for simulating bond behaviour and damage evolution in structural elements subjected to flexural loading.
This study evaluates the antioxidant activity of a topical water-in-oil cream formulated with saffron (Crocus sativus) and grape seed (Vitis vinifera) extracts and characterizes its physicochemical properties. HPLC profiling confirmed that grape seed extract was rich in catechins (26.7%), epicatechins (21.9%), and procyanidins B1 and B2 (13.6% and 9.5%), while saffron extract contained high levels of trans-4-GG-crocin (28.4%), trans-2-gg-crocin (23.5%), and picrocrocin (13.4%). In vitro assays using human lymphocyte cultures demonstrated that saffron extract (2.5%) reduced fast-flash chemiluminescence from 36.1 × 104 to 14.3 × 104, while grape seed extract (5.0%) decreased the same parameter to 16.3 × 104. Light-sum ROS output similarly declined by 39%-50% across extract concentrations. Gene expression analysis revealed significant upregulation of SOD1, NFE2L2, and JUN, indicating activation of endogenous antioxidant pathways. The final cream formulation, containing 2.5% saffron and 5.0% grape seed extract, exhibited a stable pH of 5.9, viscosity of 31,869 cP, and spreadability of 24.32 g/cm3/s, with no observed irritancy during application tests. These results demonstrate that combining crocin-rich saffron and proanthocyanidin-rich grape seed extracts have a synergistic antioxidant effect and can be successfully incorporated into a stable, skin-compatible topical preparation. The formulation shows promise as a dermal antioxidant therapy aimed at reducing oxidative stress and supporting skin rejuvenation.
Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) commonly persists in endodontic infections and shows high resistance to traditional intracanal medicaments like calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2]. Alternatives such as chlorhexidine (CHX) and RG-Dent (metronidazole, iodoform, dexamethasone) are promising, but comparative evidence, especially regarding optimal application duration, remains limited. Sixty human single-rooted teeth were prepared, sterilized, and inoculated with E. faecalis for 21 days to establish an in vitro root canal infection model. Specimens were randomly assigned to three medicament groups (RG-Dent, 2
Objective To compare the internal fit of fixed dental prostheses using the cement replica technique and the sectioning after cementation technique assessed with an optical microscope under standardized conditions. Materials and Methods Thirty metal copings were produced on gypsum dies, which were created from impressions taken of a machined copper master abutment. Die spacer (Pico-Fit) was applied (axial and occlusal surfaces except apical 1 mm). Internal gap was first measured via cement replica technique. Subsequently, crowns were cemented with glass ionomer, sectioned, and internal gap measured under BX41 Olympus optical microscope at ×100 magnification at seven predefined sites. A paired t-tests assessed differences between the two measurement techniques utilized at (α = 0.05). Results The sectioning after cementation technique produced significantly larger internal gap measurements than the cement replica technique across all measurement sites (p < 0.05). Conclusion In this in vitro model, measurements obtained post-cementation and sectioning were more clinically representative and reliable. The internal gap values obtained from both assessment techniques were within the clinically acceptable range.
