Slope instability is a major geotechnical hazard intensified by rainfall infiltration, seismic loading, groundwater fluctuations, and human disturbances. Composite reinforcement systems-such as gabion-faced geogrid walls combined with piles or geosynthetic-encased columns (GECs)-are increasingly implemented to address multi-hazard conditions. This study presents a PRISMA-guided systematic review of empirical, numerical, centrifuge, and field investigations on hybrid slope-stabilization systems. The review advances prior work by explicitly incorporating multi-field coupling and soil-structure interaction (SSI) terms into the search strategy, applying transparent screening and data-extraction procedures supported by a reusable metadata codebook, and conducting cross-study triangulation across field evidence, centrifuge modelling, and 2D/3D numerical analyses. The synthesized evidence shows that hybrid systems can significantly enhance slope performance, with reported improvements of up to ∼45 % in factor of safety and >30 % reduction in settlement, depending on reinforcement configuration, soil conditions, and coupled rainfall-seismic effects. The study further highlights current limitations in optimisation practice, long-term monitoring, and design standardisation, and outlines directions for uncertainty-aware and performance-based slope design.

Large-Bore Mechanical Thrombectomy for Acute Pulmonary Embolism: Safety, Effectiveness, and Prognostic Factors in a Real-World Tertiary Center Cohort.

A longer Achilles tendon (AT) moment arm (MA) relative to the foot length requires less muscle force for a given plantarflexion moment, thereby lowering mechanical load on the tendon. We examined whether the AT and foot MA lengths in healthy (N=28) differ from height and body mass matched individuals with AT tendinopathy (N=28) and rupture (N=29). We hypothesized that a longer AT MA has a protective effect on tendon loading with the patient groups having smaller MA compared to asymptomatic individuals. MAs were assessed using 2-D image-based method. AT MA was defined as the shortest distance from the centre line of action of the AT to the line between malleoli. Ratio of ankle lever was calculated by dividing AT by Foot MAs. AT MA was longer in healthy than either the tendinopathy (mean difference 3.86mm, p=0.02) or rupture group (5.41mm, p<0.001). Foot MA was not statistically different between the groups (p=0.06). Ratio of ankle lever differed between groups with the healthy group showing higher ratio compared to both the tendinopathy group (0.04, p=0.001), and the rupture group (0.06, p<0.001). AT and Foot MAs correlated with body mass and height, whereas the ratio of ankle lever did not. A longer AT relative to foot MA length may improve the tendon's safety factor by reducing mechanical stress. This ratio may serve as an accessible intrinsic risk factor for AT injuries, even when assessed only using simple 2-D anatomical measures.

A method to enhance drivers' hazard perception based on psychological deception induction.

• Addresses the case of a pilot project of autonomous buses in the Arctic • Theoretical basis is an extension of the Unified Theory of Acceptance (UTAUT2) • Informants prefer a human driver but are intrigued by autonomous navigation • Can be accepted by citizens, and knowledge and experience can reduce scepticism • Safety under winter conditions is of particular importance for the Arctic context The development of autonomous public transport has gained increasing attention, with user acceptance emerging as a critical factor for successful implementation. While existing studies have largely examined determinants such as safety, perceived usefulness, and demographic factors, they remain dominated by technology-oriented and model-driven approaches, often overlooking contextual influences. This gap is explored by focusing on how the Arctic context shapes citizens’ perceptions and acceptance of autonomous public transport. Drawing on the extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) and a qualitative case study of autonomous bus trials in Bodø, Northern Norway — the first above the Arctic Circle — our findings reveal that Arctic conditions fundamentally reframe key acceptance constructs to consider. Citizens assess autonomous transport through reliability, local maintenance, and human oversight, while real-world exposure transforms abstract fears into tangible concerns. With these findings, the study contributes to existing literature by contextualizing UTAUT2 and broadens the understanding of socio-technical acceptance in extreme environments. Awareness of these factors can aid policymakers in successfully implementing autonomous buses as part of the transport system with particular attention to the context.

Integrated bio-structural slope stabilization using terracing, brushwood beams, and soil reinforcement by roots for sustainable forest road management

Heavy metals (HMs) in agricultural soils pose a serious risk to crop safety and human health. This study evaluated the accumulation of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn) in Amaranthus cruentus L. cv. Pribina and integrated ionomic profiling with human health risk assessment to identify tissue-specific responses to metal exposure. Plants were cultivated in soils supplemented with 15mgkg-1 Cd, 200mgkg-1 Pb, 150mgkg-1 Zn, and 300mgkg-1 Mn up to full maturity. Cadmium accumulation in seeds up to 0.61mgkg-1 exceeded established safety limits, indicating potential health risk to consumers. Incontrast, Pb remained below detection limits, and Zn and Mn did not accumulate significantly in harvested seeds. Morphometric traits remained largely unaffected, although seed thickness and surface area decreased under Cd, Mn, and Zn exposure. Histochemical staining revealed Zn localization within protein bodies in seed cross sections. Elemental analysis of Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr, and Zn revealed stable total nutrient concentrations, but significant alterations in inter-element relationships, suggesting tissue-specific maintenance of nutrient homeostasis. Principal component analysis showed that the first two components explained 81.17% of the total variance (PC1 59.15%, PC2 22.02%), clearly separating plant organs based on their elemental composition. Hierarchical cluster analysis further confirmed the strongest response of roots to HM treatments, emphasizing their primary role in metal uptake and redistribution; the unique behavior of Cd relative to other elements; and the distinct separation of roots treated with Pb. These findings highlight Cd as the primary risk factor for food safety incontaminated soils and demonstrate that A. cruentus cv. Pribina maintains reproductive capacity under elevated metal concentrations, suggesting a notable degree of tolerance to HM stress. This study offers novel insights into the correlation between ionomic plasticity and potential health risks associated with the consumption of edible pseudocereals under environmental contamination.

Expansive soils exhibit pronounced swelling-shrinkage behavior, low shear strength, and high moisture sensitivity, posing significant challenges to the stability of geotechnical structures such as embankments and tailings dam slopes. In this study, a sustainable stabilization strategy integrating enzyme-induced carbonate precipitation (EICP) with iron ore tailings is investigated to improve the hydro-mechanical performance of expansive soils. A comprehensive experimental program was conducted to evaluate changes in unconfined compressive strength (UCS), swelling pressure (Ps), hydraulic conductivity (Ks), cohesion (c), and internal friction angle (φ). Microstructural characterization using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction was performed to examine calcium carbonate precipitation and its cementation effects within the soil matrix. The results demonstrate that the combined EICP-iron ore tailings treatment significantly enhances soil performance, with UCS, c, and φ increasing by approximately 113%, 48%, and 98%, respectively, while Ps and Ks decrease by approximately 98% and 69%. Furthermore, seepage and slope stability analysis using GeoStudio (SEEP/W and SLOPE/W) indicate that the stabilized soil achieves a markedly higher factor of safety (FoS = 1.896) compared to untreated soils. The findings confirm that the synergistic integration of EICP and iron ore tailings provides an effective, environmentally sustainable, and engineering-feasible solution for stabilizing expansive soils and improving slope performance in tailings dam applications.

The difficulty in predicting the horizontal displacement of the support pile top in ultra-deep foundation pits within muddy formations, combined with insufficient consideration of parameter discretization characteristics in existing methods, motivates this study. Taking the Songtao Street Station project of Suzhou Metro Line 8 as a case study, this paper classifies the soil layers and implements corresponding support technologies. First, based on the engineering geological and hydrological conditions, the discrete values of earth pressure, the discrete combination of support structure thickness, and the discrete gradient of the lateral earth pressure coefficient are selected as core discrete variables. Second, a numerical model is constructed using FLAC3D software, and the soil-structure interaction is simplified via the elastic foundation beam method. The deflection differential equation of the support structure is derived to verify the accuracy of the elastic modulus conversion formula and the earth pressure calculation method. Subsequently, the influence of key parameters, such as the lateral earth pressure coefficient and the cohesion of silty clay, on displacement is analyzed. Finally, the reliability of the model is verified using on-site monitoring data from 12 monitoring points throughout the entire construction period. The results indicate that the displacement error between numerical simulation and actual measurement is ≤ 3.3%. When the lateral earth pressure coefficient is 1.0, the horizontal displacement of the pile top is minimized. The safety factor of uniformly thick shotcrete support is 1.8-2.9 times higher than that of non-uniform schemes. Significant creep characteristics are observed during the excavation and sealing of ultra-deep foundation pits in muddy formations. This study provides a quantitative basis for the discrete selection of support parameters for ultra-deep foundation pits in similar silty formations and improves the accuracy of displacement prediction.

Several clinical trials have shown the benefit of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in patients with large ischemic core infarction. However, the imaging selection modalities used for patient selection have differed across studies. This study aimed to assess the efficacy, safety, and prognostic factors of EVT in patients with large ischemic core selected only on the basis of Diffusion-Weighted Imaging Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (DWI-ASPECTS). This single-center study, conducted from 2019 to 2024, included patients with anterior circulation acute large vessel occlusion and stratified them into three groups according to DWI-ASPECTS: non-large ischemic core (≥ 6) treated with EVT (n = 77), large ischemic core (3-5) treated with EVT (n = 91), and large ischemic core (3-5) treated with medical management alone (n = 70). The primary outcome was functional independence at 90days, defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0-2. Secondary endpoints included symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) within 48h and mortality within 90days. Multivariate binary logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with functional independence in the large-ischemic-core EVT group. Patients with large ischemic core treated with EVT had a significantly higher rate of 90-day functional independence than those who received medical management (53.8% vs 28.6%, P = 0.001). No significant differences in sICH or mortality were observed between the large-ischemic-core EVT and medical management groups. However, compared with patients with non-large ischemic core treated with EVT, those with large ischemic core treated with EVT had a lower rate of functional independence (53.8% vs 70.1%, P = 0.039). In the large ischemic core EVT group, intravenous thrombolysis (OR 0.164, P = 0.018) and parenchymal hematoma type 2 (PH2) hemorrhage (OR 25.641, P = 0.012) were independent predictors of 90-day outcomes. In this cohort, EVT was associated with improved 90-day functional outcomes in patients with large ischemic core (DWI-ASPECTS 3-5) compared with medical management alone, without a statistically significant increase in sICH or mortality. Intravenous thrombolysis and PH2 hemorrhage were identified as independent predictors of outcome. These results require further confirmation in larger and adequately powered studies.

Surgeon fatigue is a recognized risk factor for patient safety; however, reduced working hours may limit surgical training exposure. In 2005, Switzerland introduced a maximum 50-hour workweek for resident surgeons. In view of current discussions on further reductions (42 + 4h), concerns persist regarding training quality and workforce capacity. This study evaluates the impact of the 2005 Swiss labor law on patient outcomes, operative characteristics, and intraoperative teaching utilizing a standardized trauma procedure. A retrospective analysis of anonymized data from a national database was performed. All patients undergoing operative fixation of trochanteric femur fractures (ICD-10 S72.1) were included. Two four-year periods were compared: pre-regulation (2001-2004) and post-regulation (2016-2019). Primary endpoints were in-hospital complications, mortality, and length of stay. Secondary endpoints included patient characteristics, surgeon seniority, teaching status, operative duration, and time to surgery. Post-regulation patients were older and exhibited higher American Society of Anesthesiologists classifications despite fewer comorbidities. Complications increased from 9.1% to 17.7%, and mortality from 1.6% to 3.5%. Length of stay decreased from 14 to 9 days. Operative duration decreased by 10min across all surgeon levels. Resident surgeons independently performed 10% fewer procedures, but teaching operations increased significantly among resident surgeons. Following the introduction of working hour limitations, supervised teaching increased substantially. Although complication and mortality rates rose-likely reflecting an older and more complex patient population-hospital stays shortened. The proposed 42 + 4-hour model will require targeted compensatory measures to maintain surgical training quality and patient safety.

Traditional slope stability analyses rely on 2-D cross-section models that assume rivers act as groundwater divides. However, these simplifications may misrepresent groundwater flow and affect calculated factors of safety. This study evaluates when such assumptions are appropriate by comparing 2-D and 3-D hydrogeological models for slopes of meandering rivers in postglacial marine clays. Results show that for models representing one side of a valley, 2-D modeling is appropriate or conservative for straight slopes without an underlying till layer, as hydraulic head differences remain below 0.5m. If a till layer is present, imposing a no-flow boundary beneath the river produces higher simulated heads (up to 3m) yielding conservative factors of safety at the cut banks for meandering and straight slopes. However, in most cases, when a till layer is present, groundwater flow beneath the river necessitates modelling both valley sides to avoid unrealistic flow paths. In such cases, 2-D models that include both sides of the valley remain suitable for straight slopes with underlying till, as well as at the point bar in meandering slopes, regardless of till presence. In all other configurations, 2-D models produce lower hydraulic heads and factors of safety by up to 10% relative to 3-D simulations.

Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a viral skin infection that poses significant physical and psychosocial burdens, particularly in pediatric and immunocompromised populations. Despite the availability of various treatment options, comparative efficacy and safety data remain limited. This systematic review, conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, evaluates and compares the efficacy, safety, recurrence, and adverse effects of MC treatments. A total of 89 studies encompassing 12,955 participants were analyzed. Curettage, potassium hydroxide (KOH), autoinoculation, and podophyllotoxin demonstrated high clearance rates (97.8%, 73.8%, 79.4%, and 75.0%, respectively) with minimal local side effects. Cryotherapy and laser therapies offered rapid lesion resolution though laser treatment was associated with more discomfort and higher cost. Emerging therapies such as berdazimer gel demonstrated favorable safety profiles, particularly for pediatric patients, while intralesional immunotherapies like Candida and MMR vaccine showed encouraging results in patients with persistent or recurring lesions. The management of MC requires an individualized approach, balancing efficacy, safety, and patient-specific factors such as age, lesion severity, and immune status. Cantharidin, KOH, cryotherapy, autoinoculation, and podophyllotoxin offer high clearance rates, with immunotherapies and lasers offering additional options for resistant cases. Further standardized trials are needed to optimize treatment strategies and long-term recurrence.

Slope stability analysis is a crucial task in the design of geotechnical structures. In many computational methods, such as those combining displacement-based finite element methods and strength reduction techniques, no assumptions are made a priori about the shape or position of the failure mechanism. This is usually considered to be a positive feature but there are situations where the ability to control the search domain for the critical slip surface might be of interest. These are the cases where the critical slip surface converges towards a local (unintended) one, or when it is necessary to determine the factor of safety for slopes with varying inclinations such as the upstream and downstream slopes of embankment dams. This article presents the Finite Element Limit Equilibrium Method (FELEM), which integrates stress states computed by the finite element method along a predefined trial slip surface to determine the factor of safety. This method is combined with a swarm-based metaheuristic optimization algorithm to identify the critical slip surface with the lowest factor of safety. The combined approach is tested on two numerical examples, addressing issues such as discretization error, optimization procedure settings, and non-associated plastic flow. Finally, the combination of FELEM and the optimization algorithm is applied to a boundary value problem of a newly designed embankment dam. Slope stability is evaluated independently for both the upstream and downstream slope, each with a different inclination. Computations are performed for the hydrostatic and steady-state seepage conditions.

A problem frequently encountered in pavement design is the uncertainty and variability of certain design parameters. Empirical safety factors are generally employed to account for the uncertainties involved, but this can lead to significant design errors. This work proposes an improved probabilistic design approach to the design of asphalt pavements, based on the principles of a deterministic method, but taking into account the variability of different design parameters. In this work, the methodology is validated using full-scale experimental data from an Accelerated Pavement Testing (APT) facility. By leveraging results from controlled, full-scale loading, this study demonstrates that APT-derived variability serves as a realistic proxy for real-world field stochasticity. The proposed approach successfully predicts the primary stages of pavement deterioration, providing a robust bridge between controlled experimental results and mechanistic-empirical design reliability. These findings offer a validated methodology for improving pavement design methods and advancing the practical application of probabilistic engineering.

Nepal’s Himalayan terrain, characterized by extreme elevational gradients and heterogeneous lithology, presents region-specific challenges for slope stability and infrastructure resilience. This study evaluates the geotechnical properties of soils from five climatically distinct regions—Kathmandu Valley (subtropical urban basin), Pokhara (humid alluvial valley), Chitwan (forested sub-Himalayan tract), Mustang (arid trans-Himalayan zone), and Terai Plains (tropical lowland)—to establish predictive relationships between soil behaviour, environmental factors, and slope failure mechanisms. Laboratory analyses, including triaxial shear testing under unsaturated conditions and advanced permeability profiling were paired with limit equilibrium stability modelling. Results demonstrate that moisture content (R² = 0.87, p &lt; 0.01) and clay mineralogy dominate stability outcomes, with safety factors (FoS) ranging from 0.8 (Terai) to 2.5 (Mustang). A novel regional classification framework is proposed to guide slope management in Nepal’s rapidly developing landscapes.

To address the issues of cable sticking, fracture, and stress instability in deep and complex wellbores, this paper presents a mechanical analysis model of the wireline cable that incorporates the effect of the crawler. The model integrates key factors such as wellbore trajectory, cable service life degradation, and frictional resistance, with a focus on analyzing the crawler’s role during the cable run-in process. The study shows that the cable run-in depth and safety factor are significantly affected by the cable diameter, tool string weight, run-in speed, and drilling fluid density. The introduction of the crawler effectively compensates for the cable tension, suppresses cable buckling, and ensures that the tool string reaches the bottom of the well smoothly. Comparison with field data shows that the model’s predicted results are in high agreement with the measured values, demonstrating the model’s validity. The research provides a theoretical basis and engineering guidance for optimizing wireline logging parameters, controlling operational risks, and improving operational efficiency.

Large-scale supply chain (SC) disruptions have exposed the limitations of conventional SC-oriented resilience strategies in addressing long-term component shortages. This study proposes a product change strategy with stress testing to enhance SC viability. First, a three-layer supplier-component-supplier network model is constructed to quantify change propagation effects caused by component changes and identify components requiring synchronous changes. Second, a simulation-embedded mixed integer programming stress test model is developed. Third, a two-stage solution approach is proposed, whereby the identification of changed components is prioritised, followed by the optimisation of supply portfolios and production plans. Simulation results illustrate managerial implications. The product change strategy improves customer order fulfillment rates by up to 60.28 percentage points and reduces profit losses by up to 4.88 percentage points under severe disruptions. Increasing the component design margin from 0–0.006 to 0.03–0.05 reduces the number of components requiring synchronous changes from 18 to only 2, thereby lowering the implementation costs by approximately 4.86 percentage points and improving profit levels by 8.89 percentage points. The findings demonstrate that the proposed strategy extends the SC viability theory from concept to SC recovery practices from an integrated product-SC perspective. The methods provide quantifiable decision-making tools and actionable managerial guidance for enterprises.

ABSTRACT Landslide susceptibility analysis is a common approach for assessing the risk of slope failures in areas affected by rainfall. During the rainy season, the city of Salvador, Brazil, often experiences slope failures and landslides. This research applied the infinite slope model using GIS as a screening method to assess landslide susceptibility in Salvador. The GIS-based model calculated the slope stability factor of safety by integrating spatial data, including soil parameters, slope angles, and depths of water penetration, to identify areas prone to landslide during rainfall events. Soil parameters were obtained from laboratory analyses of 392 samples collected from various locations in Salvador, which is considered an administrative subdivision organized by districts. Four water penetration depths (h = 1, 2, 3, and 4 metres) in the soil were simulated, and their influence on the slope factor of safety was analyzed. Susceptible areas for landslide were obtained by calculating the thickness of the unstable material or the weight of the surface layer as a function of water penetration depth. For h = 1 m, the total landslide-susceptible area was 1.24 km2, while for h = 4 m, the area increased to 42.75 km2. The 4-Liberdade/São Caetano district showed the largest area susceptible to landslides. The results from the GIS model were consistent with the historical landslide data and landslide susceptibility maps from Serviço Geológico do Brasil (CPRM – Brazil Geological Service) official dataset. The integration of the infinite slope model into GIS provided a valuable tool for improving landslide hazard management by screening landslide-susceptible areas at both regional and local scales.

Information Sharing as a Safety Factor