Search Results (803)

Maritime transportation plays a vital role in international trade and commerce, with ports serving as critical points of connection between land and sea transportation systems. The operational efficiency of port facilities is essential to ensure the uninterrupted flow of goods and services, making port safety a top priority for governments, authorities, and shipping companies. Due to the importance of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) within port environments, it is crucial to develop a structured framework in order to collect and analyze port accidents data. Today there are several different national agencies, private organizations, and/or local regulatory bodies taking charge of these data over different areas, each with variations in how they document and classify the events; in addition these are frequently limited to only major disasters and/or summary statistics. This paper aims to create a general framework to collect and fuse open-source port accident data from different sources in a structured way and to analyze the safety conditions of port facilities by conducting a comparative evaluation based on design of experiment (DoE). Through this analysis, we identify common causes of accidents and injuries in port facilities, as well as any differences in safety conditions across regions, types of port facilities, and other relevant factors. This information can be used to inform policies and practices aimed at improving port safety, reducing accidents and injuries, and ultimately enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of maritime transportation systems. The motivation to develop this research relies on the necessity to define requirements for the development of innovative solutions to be developed by the authors using modeling and simulation (M&S) and XR (extended reality) in order to increase safety in these contexts. Full article

Soil electrical resistivity is a fundamental parameter in various geotechnical, agricultural, environmental, and engineering applications, as it directly depends on the soil’s moisture content and physical properties. Understanding this relationship is crucial for improving the safety and efficiency of electrical installations. This study analyzes the relationship between soil electrical resistivity and gravimetric moisture content in three soil types, sandy, clayey, and silty, with the aim of comparing the performance of different predictive models under controlled laboratory conditions. Seven fitting models were evaluated, Logarithmic Spline, Radial Basis Function (RBF), Locally Estimated Scatterplot Smoothing (LOESS), Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO), Ridge Regression (RIDGE), Power Law and a segmented equation, using metrics such as Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) and coefficient of determination $R^2$ . The Spline and RBF models showed excellent accuracy and near-zero errors in all soils, although their applicability is limited by the lack of an explicit formulation and by the fact that, as interpolation methods, they do not guarantee predictive capacity outside the experimental dataset. Therefore, their use should be restricted to controlled laboratory conditions, as field variability factors can significantly alter soil resistivity responses. Among the explicit models, the Segmented Equation obtained a MAPE of 6.14% (sandy), 15.1% (clayey), and 13.16% (silty), with $R^2$ values of 0.91, 0.93, and 0.89, respectively, demonstrating good performance and functionality. The Power Law model, although showing an $R^2$ close to 0.96, presented significant overestimations, especially in silty soils (MAPE > 187%). The LASSO model yielded inconsistent predictions with percentage errors exceeding 120% in silty soils. In conclusion, nonparametric models provide excellent accuracy, while the segmented equation stands out as the best explicit alternative for estimating resistivity with reasonable precision. Full article

The evaluation of interfacial bonds between polymeric cementitious composites (PCCs) and concrete is considered as a critical factor to determine structural safety, durability, and service life regarding the repair and strengthening of old concrete structures. Conventional evaluations of interfacial bond strength have primarily relied on destructive testing methods, such as the pull-off and slant shear tests. However, these methods inherently possess fundamental limitations, including localized damage, non-uniform stress distribution, and uncertainty in result interpretation. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of existing standards and methods for assessing interfacial bond strength. For this purpose, the evaluation methods and results for the interfacial bond strength between cementitious composites such as PCCs and concrete were systematically reviewed. It further examines the characteristics and sources of error of the representative destructive method (pull-off test), highlighting its inherent limitations. Furthermore, this study conducted an in-depth analysis of a hybrid evaluation strategy combining non-destructive testing (NDT) and artificial intelligence (AI) to overcome the limitations of conventional interfacial bond strength assessment methods and minimize prediction errors. The results demonstrated that the NDT–AI hybrid approach, based on an ANN–BFGS model, achieved the highest accuracy in bond strength prediction and was identified as the optimal method for quantitatively and non-destructively evaluating interfacial bond behavior. Full article

Exclusive residential developments have drawn growing attention in South African cities, where urbanisation and socioeconomic disparities continue to reshape the built environment. This study examines the underlying drivers of their proliferation and presents a taxonomy of the key forces influencing their growth. The aim is to present results of a study that sought to examine the driving forces behind the growth of exclusive residential developments. Drawing from a literature review and a quantitative inquiry approach, primary data was also collected from 109 built environment professionals. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods, particularly exploratory factor analysis (EFA), were employed to enhance the analysis. The descriptive assessment, utilising the mean score (MS) ranking technique, revealed that one of the primary factors influencing the development of exclusive residential communities was the perception among prospective residents that these environments offer enhanced safety and security. Additionally, there is a good chance that these developments may increase in value. Furthermore, the EFA revealed that the underlying grouped factors for exclusive development were ‘free market capitalism’; ‘safety and security’; ‘local demand’; ‘public–private partnership (PPP)’; ‘affordability’; and ‘profit seeking’. These findings suggest that if housing costs rise, the average citizen may not be able to afford them due to the emphasis on maximising profits over affordability. Safety and security precautions can create a sense of exclusivity and seclusion in these communities, possibly cutting them off from the larger local community and affecting local demand for goods and services outside the community’s borders. Full article

The aim of our study is to investigate the factors that drive craft beer consumption choices in Italy. To this end, we simultaneously analyze purchase intentions and actual craft beer consumption. The theoretical approach took into account the main doctrinal frameworks, particularly those most widely used in marketing studies. Through PLS-SEM analysis (partial least squares structural equation modeling), we examine how consumption habits, liking, appeal, territorial identities, and perceived quality shape intentions and also the actual behavior of Italian consumers towards craft beer. The results highlight how attractiveness and interest in the craft beer phenomenon, lifestyle, and curiosity for new flavors and aromas demonstrate an openness to craft beer and a new cultural identity among consumers. In many cases, respondents stated that they wanted to support local craft breweries and the local economy. Consumer trust in agri-food products is closely linked to their perception of authenticity and compliance with quality and safety standards. A better understanding of these aspects could help everyone involved in the entire supply chain implement more effective and targeted campaigns. Full article

The bioaccumulation of trace metals in edible crops is a key pathway of dietary exposure, with direct implications for environmental health and food safety. This study specifically investigated the bioaccumulation and soil–plant transfer of lithium (Li) in edible crops, alongside other selected trace metals (Cu, Mn, Sr, Zn), to understand its unique environmental mobility and dietary exposure risks in onion, garlic, green salad, cucumber, and zucchini cultivated across Romania. Forty-two paired samples of vegetable tissues and rhizosphere soils were collected from eleven agricultural regions, and were analyzed using spectroscopic techniques. Soils were predominantly neutral to slightly acidic, conditions that significantly affected metal mobility and uptake. Results revealed element-specific decoupling between soil and plant concentrations. Essential micronutrients (Zn, Cu) showed higher transfer factors, consistent with active physiological uptake, while toxic non-essential metals (Pb, Cd) remained below European regulatory thresholds, reflecting effective exclusion mechanisms. Lithium exhibited spatially heterogeneous transfer patterns, strongly influenced by local geochemical variability. Curvilinear soil–plant relationships for Fe, Zn, Sr, Mn, Cu, and Li further underscored the role of soil chemistry in shaping translocation. These findings establish a robust baseline for assessing dietary risks, confirming the current low-risk status of vegetables in the surveyed regions, and provide valuable guidance for sustainable agricultural management and food safety monitoring. Full article

Global road safety reports identify human factors as the leading causes of traffic accidents, particularly behaviors such as speeding, drunk driving, and driver distraction, emphasizing the need for autonomous driving technologies to enhance transport safety. This research aims to provide a practical model for the development of autonomous driving systems as part of an autonomous transportation system for inter-building passenger mobility, intended to enable safe and efficient short-distance transport between buildings in semi-open environments such as university campuses. This work presents a fully integrated autonomous platform combining LiDAR, cameras, and IMU sensors for mapping, perception, localization, and control within a drive-by-wire framework, achieving superior coordination in driving, braking, and obstacle avoidance and validated under real campus conditions. The electric golf cart prototype achieved centimeter-level mapping accuracy (0.32 m), precise localization (0.08 m), and 2D object detection with an mAP value exceeding 70%, demonstrating accurate perception and positioning under real-world conditions. These results confirm its reliable performance and suitability for practical autonomous operation. Field tests showed that the vehicle maintained appropriate speeds and path curvature while performing effective obstacle avoidance. The findings highlight the system’s potential to improve safety and reliability in short-distance autonomous mobility while supporting scalable smart mobility development. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected Thailand’s economy, forcing many workers to return to their hometowns and engage in agricultural activities. Community-Based Tourism (CBT) has become a significant strategy to mitigate these effects by leveraging local cultural resources. This study aims to (1) assess the potential of cultural resources for tourism development in Koh Perd fishing village, Chanthaburi, Thailand, and (2) examine the determinants of revisit intentions among Thai tourists. To address the first objective, qualitative research was conducted through in-depth interviews with 15 Thai tourists, analyzed using coding analysis, while a quantitative survey of 400 respondents assessed the perceptions of cultural resources. The findings indicate that the village’s historic houses (Ruen Ran Kha) are perceived as the most valuable tourism assets, followed by cultural authenticity and aesthetics, respectively. For the second objective, data from 400 Thai tourists were analyzed using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and multiple regression. The results reveal that destination attractions, marketing and accessibility, and safety and security are significant factors influencing revisit intentions. Full article

This paper assesses the correlates of perceived well-being among young women aged 18 to 30 in five Balkan cities: Athens, Greece; Plovdiv, Bulgaria; Bucharest, Romania; Nis, Serbia; and Shtip, North Macedonia, by integrating urban, travel behavioural, and socio-economic features. A cross-sectional survey was employed using standard questionnaires including the Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS), the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and the adapted ALPHA environmental questionnaire. To answer research questions, linear regression models were developed to analyse predictors of well-being at both regional and national levels. Results show that neighbourhood and mobility features play a significant role in shaping mental well-being. Access to walkable sidewalks, green spaces, mixed land-use structure, and attractive local facilities (e.g., shops, recreational centres in the neighbourhood) were consistently associated with higher levels of well-being. Conversely, perceived insecurity, especially at night or regarding bicycle theft, significantly reduced well-being. Physical activity levels, particularly days of walking and vigorous activity, showed strong positive associations, underscoring the role of active lifestyles in promoting mental health. Socio-economic variables, including financial status, relationship status, and work status, were also found to be linked to perceived well-being. Cycling-related variables may affect Greek well-being up to 16.5 times. Perception of crime during the night may negatively affect both Bulgarian and Serbian well-being (up to 10 times), while Romanian well-being is mostly affected by the existence of shopping facilities. Finally, the most impactful factors for well-being in North Macedonia refer to cycling safety and scooter accessibility. Full article

Karst collapse columns (KCCs) represent key concealed hazard-inducing factors that threaten the safety of coal mines in North China. To clarify their primary controlling geological factors and evolutionary processes, this study focuses on KCCs in the Hancheng Mining Area, situated on the southeastern margin of the Ordos Basin, China. A comprehensive methodological approach—integrating field surveys, petrographic and mineralogical identification, geochemical analysis, and structural interpretation—was employed to investigate the dominant factors controlling KCC development and their evolutionary mechanisms. The results indicate the following: (1) Thick-bedded dolomites of the 5th Member of the Majiagou Formation (Middle Ordovician Series) serve as the material foundation for karstification. These dolomites were deposited in an oxidized shallow-water tidal flat setting, which endowed them with favorable lithological properties for subsequent dissolution. (2) NE-SW trending erosional grooves within the paleogeomorphology of the Ordovician top surface functioned as preferential flow paths for karst water, channeling fluid movement and intensifying localized dissolution. (3) Multi-phase tectonic activities, particularly extensional deformation during the Himalayan orogeny, created the necessary stress conditions to trigger cave collapse. (4) KCCs undergo a multi-stage formation and evolution process: Starting with the Majiagou Formation’s 5th Member dolomites as the primary lithology, initial modification occurred via Caledonian weathering–crust karstification. Subsequently, compressional tectonism during the Yanshanian orogeny generated void spaces that facilitated deep-seated dissolution. Rapid uplift in the Paleogene exacerbated vertical dissolution, leading to extensive cavity development, which ultimately collapsed under the extensional tectonic regime of the Neogene. This study provides theoretical support for predicting and mitigating sudden water inrushes caused by KCCs in the Hancheng Mining Area. Furthermore, it offers novel insights and a scientific basis for advancing understanding of the developmental mechanisms of North China-type KCCs. Full article

The Loess Plateau is one of the most landslide-prone regions in China, where rainfall-induced shallow loess landslides severely constrain regional economic and social development. Therefore, investigating the stability of shallow loess slopes under rainfall conditions is of great significance. Taking Yuzhong County in Gansu Province as an example, this study uses the SINMAP model (Version 2.0) to assess slope stability. The areas of unstable zones under different rainfall intensities were identified, and the spatial distribution of hazard sites was analyzed to evaluate the applicability of this deterministic physical model in the study area. Furthermore, a Personnel Risk Level (PRL) determined by combining population density with the Stability Index (SI, defined as the probability that the factor of safety exceeds 1: SI = Prob (FS > 1)) was proposed and applied to assess the potential impact of landslides on local residents. The novelty of this study lies in three aspects: (1) targeting Yuzhong County (a loess region with scarce comprehensive landslide risk assessments) to fill the regional research gap, (2) quantifying PRL through a modified hazard index (HI = population density × (1/SI)) to achieve spatialized risk mapping for vulnerable populations, and (3) systematically analyzing the dynamic response of slope stability to five gradient rainfall intensities (from light rain to severe rainstorm) and verifying model sensitivity to key parameters. The results show that as rainfall intensity increases, stable areas gradually decrease while unstable areas expand, with stable zones progressively transforming into unstable ones. Greater rainfall intensity also leads to an increase in the number of landslides within unstable zones. The proposed PRL helps delineate the severity of hazards in different townships, providing new references for mitigating casualties and property losses caused by landslides. Full article

With the continuous construction and operation of urban subways, rapid changes in various urban elements have occurred, subsequently resulting in land subsidence along subway lines. Compared to the construction period, monitoring and multi-factor analysis of subway deformation during the operational period is relatively limited. In this paper, we examine the issue through the novel lens of socio factor agglomeration. Both Sentinel-1, TerraSAR-X, ascending/descending LuTan-1 images and a Block PS-InSAR method were used to monitor 8-year ground subsidence for Kemulang station on Guangzhou Metro Line 6. Compared with the leveling measurements, the root mean square error (RMSE) of the InSAR results was 2.24 mm. Furthermore, social agglomeration effects such as population concentration, property clustering, commercial aggregation and the intensification of resource consumption were considered to analyze the main reason of ground subsidence, the synergistic process of multiple factors and the mechanism of accelerated subsidence phenomenon. We can find from the results that the fundamental cause of the large-scale land subsidence along the subway line is groundwater over-extraction triggered by population agglomeration, coupled with the response of adverse geological formations. Groundwater over-extraction has caused irreversible damage to the local strata. The research shows that the social agglomeration effect will cause more complex disturbance to the subway and lead to more continuous ground subsidence and more covert safety threat for subway operation, which should not be ignored. Full article

Background: The primary objectives of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy are to enhance the wound-healing process, reduce pain, and minimize the loss of productivity due to recovery time. Localized application of PRP, which is enriched with growth factors such as PDGF, TGF-β1, IGF-1, VEGF, and FGF-2, as well as interleukins (IL-1, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-13), has been documented to accelerate the healing process by approximately 30–40%. This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in enhancing outcomes following circumcision in male children. Methods: The patients were divided into two groups: one undergoing standard circumcision and the other receiving PRP application during circumcision. Pain scores, edema level, bleeding, local infection, and safety of PRP were evaluated. Results: This study evaluated 80 male children undergoing circumcision, divided into two groups: Group CS (n = 44) underwent classical circumcision, and Group PRP (n = 36) received PRP application. Median ages were comparable (p = 0.101). Penile edema occurred less frequently in the PRP group (5.6%) compared to the CS group (18.2%) (p = 0.089), with no severe edema observed in the PRP group. Postoperative bleeding was present in 6.8% of the CS group but absent in the PRP group (p = 0.110). Other complications, such as nausea (CS: 6.8%, PRP: 5.6%, p = 0.816), vomiting (CS: 4.5%, PRP: 2.8%, p = 0.679), local infection (CS: 2.3%, PRP: 0%, p = 0.363), wound dehiscence (CS: 2.3%, PRP: 0%, p = 0.363), and skin tunnel formation (CS: 6.8%, PRP: 2.8%, p = 0.409), showed no significant differences. No cases of necrosis, chordee, rotational anomaly, or secondary phimosis were observed. Safety analysis of PRP revealed minor complications during blood draw: hypotension in one patient (2.8%) and local ecchymosis in two patients (5.6%), resolving without intervention. During PRP application, one allergic reaction (2.8%) occurred, presenting as a transient rash that resolved spontaneously. Group PRP consistently reported lower pain scores than Group CS at all time points. Conclusions: PRP application during circumcision is safe. The findings provide preliminary but important evidence regarding the potential benefits of PRP in pediatric circumcision. Full article

Accurate monitoring of settlement in high-speed railway embankments is critical for operational safety and long-term serviceability. This study investigates the applicability of Persistent Scatterer Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (PS-InSAR) for quantifying millimeter-scale deformations and emphasizes how surrounding environmental factors influence measurement accuracy. Using 29 TerraSAR-X images acquired between 2016 and 2018, PS-InSAR-derived settlements were compared with precise leveling survey data across twelve representative embankment sections of the Honam High-Speed Railway in South Korea. Temporal and spatial discrepancies between the two datasets were harmonized through preprocessing, allowing robust accuracy assessment using mean absolute error (MAE) and standard deviation (SD). Results demonstrate that PS-InSAR reliably captures settlement trends, with MAE ranging from 1.7 to 4.2 mm across different scenes. However, significant variability in accuracy was observed depending on local land-cover composition. Correlation analysis revealed that vegetation-dominated areas, such as agricultural and forest land, reduce persistent scatterer density and increase measurement variability, whereas high-reflectivity surfaces, including transportation facilities and buildings, enhance measurement stability and precision. These findings confirm that environmental conditions are decisive factors in determining the performance of PS-InSAR. The study highlights the necessity of integrating site-specific land-cover information when designing and interpreting satellite-based monitoring strategies for railway infrastructure management. Full article

Thyroid nodules, prevalent in 2% to 65% of the general population depending on diagnostic methodology, represent a significant clinical concern despite a low malignancy rate, typically 1% to 5%. A substantial proportion of thyroid cancers are small, indolent lesions, allowing for conservative management with favorable prognoses. Nodule detection commonly occurs via palpation, clinical examination, or incidental radiological findings. Established risk factors include advanced age, female gender, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and estrogen dominance. Despite conservative management potential, a considerable number of thyroid nodules in Europe are unnecessarily referred for surgery, incurring unfavorable risk-to-benefit ratios and increased costs. Minimally invasive techniques (MITs), encompassing ethanol and thermal ablation modalities (e.g., laser, radiofrequency, microwave), offer outpatient, nonsurgical management for symptomatic or cosmetically concerning thyroid lesions. These procedures, performed under ultrasound guidance without general anesthesia, are associated with low complication rates. MITs effectively achieve substantial and sustained nodule volume reduction (57–77% at 5 years), correlating with improved local symptoms. Thermal ablation (TA) is particularly favored for solid thyroid lesions due to its precise and predictable tissue destruction. Optimal TA balances near-complete nodule eradication to prevent recurrence with careful preservation of adjacent anatomical structures to minimize complications. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is widely adopted, while microwave ablation (MWA) presents a promising alternative addressing RFA limitations. Percutaneous laser ablation (LA), an early image-guided thyroid ablation technique, remains a viable option for benign, hyperfunctioning, and malignant thyroid pathologies. This review comprehensively evaluates RFA, MWA, and LA for thyroid nodule treatment, assessing current evidence regarding their efficacy, safety, comparative outcomes, side effects, and outlining future research directions. Full article