This study evaluates wellpoint and drain dewatering systems through laboratory experiments and sequentially coupled flow-deformation numerical modeling at full-scale geometry (× 20). A 1/20-scale physical model with sixteen pumping wells and six observation wells monitored groundwater drawdown around a 30 × 30 cm2 excavation. The internal deep drain (h1) achieved the greatest groundwater reduction and highest vertical base settlement (ratio Uvmax/Uhmax = 2.48; 81.8% increase relative to the dry reference), whereas the wellpoint system minimized lateral wall displacement while maintaining moderate uplift (Uvmax/Uhmax = 2.55; 24.6% rate of change), providing balanced internal stress reduction with lower shear and bending forces. Construction sequencing significantly influenced excavation response: pre-dewatering ("dewatering then excavation") reduced excavation uplift by up to - 283.5% compared with the dry reference, while the global factor of safety remained nearly insensitive (< 0.86% variation). These results indicate that combining the wellpoint system with optimized execution sequencing offers the most effective strategy to control groundwater, limit lateral wall movements, and reduce basal heave in excavations in loose to medium-dense sandy soils.
Based on a case study of the track cross-cut in Liuzhuang Coal Mine's western shaft bottom yard, this research investigates the deformation and failure behavior of weak surrounding rock in adjacent roadways subjected to excavation disturbance. A combined methodology was applied, including field measurement, similarity simulation, and numerical modeling, to analyze failure mechanisms and design a remediation strategy for the affected rock zone. Results indicate that roadway deformation primarily exhibits as cross-section convergence, influenced by surrounding rock strength, support resistance, and excavation disturbance. Stress affected zones from adjacent excavations overlap, expanding the unloading range, with the initially excavated roadway shielding stress redistribution in subsequent ones. Compared to shed support alone, the combination of full cables, steel sets, and an inverted arch reduced displacement growth by 95.31%. Numerical simulation validated that after repair, the maximum horizontal displacement increased by 63 mm while the vertical stress peak dropped by4.05 MPa. The integrated support system-combining active cables with passive shed and inverted arch-effectively stabilized the weak rock by enhancing self-bearing capacity, transferring stress deeper, and optimizing the stress environment. The findings offer practical guidance for repairing adjacent roadways under similar conditions.
Deep excavations in densely built urban areas frequently employ jet grouting to enhance base stiffness and limit diaphragm wall deformation. However, most design approaches treat the improved soil mass as homogeneous and rarely consider the spatial variability inherent in jet-grouted materials, which may lead to biased deformation predictions and incomplete risk evaluation. This study investigates the influence of spatial variability in the secant stiffness modulus (E₅₀) of jet-grouted soil on diaphragm wall displacement using a probabilistic numerical framework. A two-dimensional lognormal random field of E₅₀ was generated using the spectral representation method and incorporated into a finite element model within the Random Finite Element Method (RFEM) framework. The mean stiffness of the improved soil was taken as 1336.85 MPa based on laboratory testing, while variability was characterized by coefficients of variation (COV) ranging from 0.34 to 0.8 and spatial correlation lengths defined by scales of fluctuation of SOFₓ = 3-5 m and SOFγ = 0.5-2 m. Monte Carlo simulations were conducted with a converged sample size of 40 realizations. The results indicate that spatial variability significantly affects both the magnitude and dispersion of wall displacement, with predicted maximum values generally ranging from 11.0 to 11.8 mm and following a lognormal distribution. For an allowable displacement of 11.44 mm, the exceedance probability decreases from approximately 58% at COV = 0.34 to about 35% at COV = 0.8. Changes in spatial correlation length have comparatively smaller effects, although vertical correlation shows a slightly stronger influence than horizontal correlation. These findings demonstrate that deterministic analyses assuming uniform ground improvement may underestimate the range of possible wall movements, while incorporating spatial variability provides a more realistic basis for reliability-based assessment and risk-informed design of jet-grouting-reinforced excavations.
Radical resection of transinfundibular craniopharyngiomas (TCs) while preserving endocrine function remains a major surgical challenge because of their origin within the pituitary stalk. The "vertical infundibular split with subpial excavation" (VISSE) technique in endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) is an effective approach that may enable gross total resection (GTR) in selected cases while aiming to preserve pituitary stalk integrity and neuroendocrine function. This procedure involves a vertical split of the pia mater of the pituitary stalk at sites with sparse pituitary portal veins, followed by subpial circumferential dissection along the tumor-stalk interface. We report two patients with TC who underwent EES using the VISSE technique, achieving GTR with pituitary stalk preservation. Case 1 was a 68-year-old woman with an 18-mm solid TC compressing the optic chiasm and involving the pituitary stalk. Case 2 was a 53-year-old man with a 65-mm mixed solid-cystic TC extending toward the frontal lobe. Postoperatively, Case 1 maintained stable endocrine function without replacement therapy, suggesting preservation of both anterior and posterior pituitary function. Case 2 developed permanent diabetes insipidus and growth hormone deficiency, whereas other anterior pituitary axes were preserved. The VISSE technique may enable GTR while preserving pituitary function to varying degrees in selected TC cases.
The design of internal bracing is critical for controlling deformations in soft-soil foundation pits, especially in congested urban areas where ground anchors are prohibited. This study investigates a novel combined support system consisting of 45° inclined H-beam strength composite piles (SCPs) and triaxial deep-mixing columns (TDCs). A full-scale field investigation was conducted in a 6.15-7.10 m deep excavation in Nanjing mucky silty clay, adjacent to sensitive metro tunnels and dense underground utilities. Field load tests on three inclined SCPs demonstrated ultimate vertical capacities of 1,350-2,090 kN, with total settlements limited to 14.07-15.17 mm. Regression analysis using a power-function model (s = aQb) predicted extrapolated ultimate capacities of 2,299-3,682 kN, indicating that current technical specifications (JGJ/T 327) provide reliable but conservative estimates (approximately 62%-84%). Continuous field monitoring revealed that the maximum lateral wall deflection was confined to 6.36 mm (less than 0.1%H), significantly superior to conventional cantilever systems. These results validate a structural system transformation from a quasi-cantilever to a quasi-simply supported configuration enabled by the inclined bracing. This study provides a practical benchmark and quantified performance data for the application of inclined SCPs as a low-carbon, high-efficiency alternative to traditional internal bracing in complex soft-soil environments.
To ensure the stability of the artificial frozen wall during the underground excavation of a proposed subway station using the artificial ground freezing method in soft soil strata, and to guarantee the construction safety of the proposed station under-crossing beneath an existing operating station. Based on the project of a proposed subway station under-crossing an existing station via underground excavation with artificial ground freezing method, four typical soft soils, namely silty clay, mucky soil, residual cohesive soil, and fully weathered ignimbrite, were selected to conduct systematic physical and mechanical tests of frozen soil under the temperature range of -20°C to -5°C. The influence mechanism of temperature and confining pressure on the thermodynamic behavior of frozen soil was revealed through the transient hot wire method, unidirectional frost heave and thaw settlement test, and triaxial shear test. The results show that the thermal conductivity of soil samples increases significantly at low temperatures, with the largest increase observed in fully weathered ignimbrite and the smallest in mucky soil. The freezing temperature of soil samples under natural moisture content ranges from -2.25°C to -0.8°C, with the lowest value recorded for residual cohesive soil. The creep of frozen soil exhibits obvious stress dependence: it presents typical three-stage creep characteristics at the stress level of 0.5σs, and its long-term strength is approximately 0.5-0.7 times the instantaneous strength. In engineering practice, lower freezing temperature or strict control of loading duration should be adopted for soil layers with high creep potential. The triaxial shear strength of frozen soil increases with the decrease of temperature, and the most significant increase occurs in the temperature range of -5°C to -10°C. The strength of the tested soils ranks as follows: fully weathered ignimbrite > residual cohesive soil > silty clay > mucky soil. The influence of confining pressure on strength varies with soil types. During construction, differentiated freezing and support control measures shall be implemented according to the characteristics of soil layers, and monitoring shall be strengthened for sections with abnormal confining pressure response. The research results can provide an important basis for design optimization and construction risk control of subway underground excavation projects using artificial ground freezing method in soft soil areas.
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Aiming at the prominent problems in the rapid excavation of coal roadways, namely the complex factors affecting the stability of composite roofs and the restricted excavation efficiency caused by an overly small unsupported roof distance, this study takes the 1211(1) transportation roadway of Guqiao Coal Mine in Huainan Mining Area as the research object. Through numerical simulation, the influence of unsupported roof distance on roof stability is quantitatively analyzed. Considering the actual stress characteristics of the composite roof in the unsupported area of coal roadways, a thick plate mechanical model with three fixed edges and one simply supported edge is established. Based on elasticity theory, the deflection expression for any point on the composite roof is derived, the sensitivity of deflection and subsidence of the immediate roof in the unsupported area is analyzed, and the response surface methodology is used to determine the key factors dominating the deformation of the unsupported roof and their coupling relationships. The results show that under constant geological and engineering conditions, the unsupported roof distance is the most critical factor governing the deformation and failure of the unsupported roof; when it exceeds 2 m, the roof subsidence rate increases sharply and the difficulty of roof control increases significantly. Combined with the engineering geological conditions of the roadway, the optimal unsupported roof distance is determined as 1 m. After adopting the "one-cycle excavation and one-cycle support" protocol and high-prestressed bolt-cable combined support, the average roadway excavation speed is increased from 6 to 15-18 m/d, and the roof remains stable and controllable throughout the excavation process, verifying the rationality and engineering practicability of the research findings.
The surrounding rock around deep underground excavations generally contains fractures and joints that significantly reduce mechanical integrity, particularly in zones where excavation-induced unloading, stress rotation, and anisotropic deformation generate tensile stress concentrations. These tensile regimes govern crack initiation, fracture propagation, spalling, and progressive instability around tunnels, caverns, mines, and wellbores. Although rock grouting is widely used as a reinforcement strategy, its effectiveness in restoring the inherent strength of tension-dominated surrounding rock is often assumed, and the tensile fracture behavior of fracture-grouted rock remains insufficiently understood. This study investigated the evolution of tensile strength (TS) and tensile-induced fracture behavior in fractured surrounding rock before and after fracture grouting, providing mechanistic evidence for assessing strength recovery. In addition to TS, failure modes and total fracture length (TFL) were quantified to assess fracture propagation and grout-reinforcement performance in tension-prone surrounding rock zones. Brazilian disc tests (BDT) were conducted on natural (limestone and dolomite) and synthetic (3D-printed) rock samples, allowing direct comparison of the same samples in ungrouted and fracture-grouted states. To mechanistically interpret and validate the experimental findings, a finite element model employing the cohesive zone method (FEM-CZM) implemented in ABAQUS was developed to simulate the evolution of tensile strength and the initiation and propagation of micro-fracture in the specimens before and after grouting. Results revealed that while fracture grouting does not fully restore the inherent tensile strength of fractured rocks, it significantly altered the tensile failure process. Grout-rock interfaces in the fracture-grouted rocks constrained and redirected crack propagation, reduced total fracture length, and shifted failure modes toward more localized and controlled fracture patterns. A positively correlated TS-TFL relationship observed in ungrouted samples reversed in fracture-grouted samples, indicating that higher tensile resistance in grouted rock mass corresponds to more limited fracture development. The FEM-CZM simulation confirmed the experimentally observed post-grouting delay in rock damage onset with reduced fracture path and an increase in Mode-II energy dissipation, and provided direct visualization of stress concentration, damage evolution, and fracture-path control. These findings demonstrate that surrounding rock control in tensile regimes depends not only on tensile strength recovery but also on the ability of grouting to suppress fracture propagation and damage evolution. The results provide new mechanistic insight into fracture-grouting performance in tension-prone underground environments and demonstrate that TFL, when used alongside tensile strength and other mechanical parameters, is a valuable metric for assessing reinforcement effectiveness. This work advances the understanding of grouting as a surrounding rock control strategy and informs the design of reinforcement systems aimed at stabilizing underground excavations subjected to tensile stress concentrations.
The concrete-rock interface plays a critical role in governing stability of concrete gravity dams. Existing design practices rely on mapped joint roughness coefficient (JRC) values that neglect both excavation-induced damage and displacement-dependent degradation resulting in unconservative overestimation of interface shear capacity. This study integrates 56 in-situ direct shear tests on Class I and II behavior rocks with displacement-dependent numerical modeling. Effective JRC values back-calculated from in-situ direct shear tests using the Barton-Bandis criterion revealed reductions of 40% (Class II) and 22% (Class I) relative to mapped JRC values that is attributed to excavation-induced damage. A two-stage model capturing hyperbolic pre-peak JRC mobilization and exponential post-peak degradation is presented and validated against in-situ measurements (R2 = 0.92 and 0.89 respectively). The validated interface is implemented for a 140 m concrete gravity dam using 20 recorded seismic acceleration time histories representative of the regional seismic hazard. Under 1.0g peak ground acceleration interface shear stress reached 5.32 MPa with 968 mm permanent displacement. Seismic fragility analysis indicated a median peak ground acceleration of 0.213g for serious damage at 50% exceedance probability. The results indicate that conventional approaches are less conservative. The presented field-validated approach provides a reasonable method for performance-based seismic risk assessment of concrete gravity dams in tectonically active regions. Further work incorporating cyclic shear testing, CNS boundary conditions, three-dimensional modeling and long-term bond degradation effects is recommended to enhance the reliability of the presented framework.
(1) Background: Integrated bioarchaeological approaches combining osteological and ancient DNA analyses provide powerful insights into health, disease, and population history in past societies. However, the relationship between rare skeletal variations, genetic disorders, and ancestry remains insufficiently explored within single individuals. This study aimed to investigate the combined osteological, paleopathological, and genetic characteristics of a Roman-period individual from southwestern Anatolia. (2) Methods: A multidisciplinary approach was applied to the skeletal remains of an adult male recovered from the Sekköy excavation site. Osteological analysis was conducted to assess cranial morphology, pathological lesions, and dental status. Ancient DNA was extracted from petrous bone under strict contamination control. The hemoglobin beta (HBB) gene was analyzed using Next Generation Sequencing and validated by Sanger sequencing. Y-chromosomal STR analysis was performed to determine paternal lineage. (3) Results: Osteological examination revealed a rare craniovertebral anomaly consistent with a third occipital condyle, along with porotic hyperostosis and extensive antemortem dental pathology, indicating prolonged physiological stress. Genetic analysis identified a heterozygous hemoglobin S mutation (HbAS; rs334), confirmed by both next-generation sequencing and Sanger sequencing, providing direct molecular evidence of hereditary hemoglobinopathy. Y-STR profiling assigned the individual to haplogroup R1b (predicted based on Y-STR data), indicating affiliation with Western Eurasian paternal lineages. (4) Conclusions: Despite the presence of comparable skeletal stress indicators, the integration of osteological and genetic data revealed a complex interaction between anatomical variation, chronic physiological stress, and inherited disease. The co-occurrence of a rare cranial anomaly, HbS mutation, and a defined paternal lineage represents a unique bioarchaeological case. These findings highlight the value of integrating skeletal and molecular approaches to reconstruct individual health profiles in archaeological contexts and demonstrate the methodological potential of interdisciplinary bioarcheological analysis.
Peripapillary pachychoroid syndrome (PPS) is a recently recognized member of the pachychoroid disease spectrum characterized by peripapillary choroidal thickening, pachyvessels, intra- and sub- retinal fluid and associated serous pigment epithelial detachment. We summarize current knowledge on its clinical presentation, multimodal imaging features, differential diagnosis, and available treatment strategies, with emphasis on reported outcomes. PPS predominantly affects older, hyperopic men with short axial lengths and may coexist with other pachychoroid entities, focal choroidal excavation, chorioretinal folds, or secondary choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Multimodal imaging, particularly enhanced-depth imaging optical coherence tomography and indocyanine green angiography, is essential for distinguishing PPS from optic disc pit maculopathy, tractional macular schisis, and inflammatory or neovascular disorders. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy has shown limited benefit in the absence of CNV, whereas photodynamic therapy appears to achieve anatomical improvement in a substantial proportion of persistent or refractory cases, albeit with variable functional gains. PPS exhibits a variable natural history, and treatment outcomes remain heterogeneous. Well-designed prospective studies are required to refine therapeutic algorithms and identify imaging biomarkers predictive of response, enabling more tailored management of this emerging chorioretinal disorder.
The Rising Star cave system excavations resulted in a high number of well-preserved skeletal specimens from multiple individuals of Homo naledi, showing a high degree of morphological homogeneity, including dental variation possibly consistent with a single-sex sample. Here, we report the paleoproteomic analysis of dental enamel proteins extracted via micro-destructive acid etching from 23 H. naledi specimens belonging to a minimum of 20 individuals. After excluding the possibility of technical bias, no convincing evidence supporting the confident identification of male individuals was detected in any of the investigated samples. We also detect no variability in the recovered proteome, and we observe two amino acid substitutions: a derived one in amelogenin X compared with Homo, and an ancestral one in COL17A1, also present in Paranthropus robustus. Our results further support the homogeneity of H. naledi fossils and show how to sustainably investigate extinct hominins.
The non-excavation grouting technology of composite polyurethane materials provides an efficient and economical treatment scheme for deep-seated distresses of asphalt pavements. To quantitatively evaluate the bonding performance between composite polyurethane and cracks in cement-stabilized macadam base, Image J(v1.54p) (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA) image recognition was adopted to analyze the gradation at the interface of cement-stabilized macadam base mixture. The surface free energy theory was applied to quantitatively study the work of adhesion at the interface between three types of nano-modified composite polyurethane materials (G1-2, T-1 (0.1 wt% MWCNTs and 0 NanoSiO2@KH550), and TG-1 (0.5 wt% MWCNTs and 0.5 wt% NanoSiO2@KH550)) and cement-stabilized macadam mixture, and predict the interfacial bonding performance. The results showed the bonding performance order as T-1 > G1-2 > TG-1. In addition, the micro-interface between nano-modified composite polyurethane materials and cement-stabilized macadam base was analyzed via SEM images, revealing the bonding mechanism at the interface between them.
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a widely utilized ophthalmic imaging technique commonly used in clinical practice. The axial resolution of modern commercial OCT devices is at the micron level, facilitating the detection of retinal problems that may be unable to be detected in conventional dilated fundus examination (DFE). We evaluated the efficacy of integrating OCT as a routine ophthalmic procedure for identifying occult retinal abnormalities using a university clinical dataset. The University Optometry Clinic initiated routine OCT screening as part of comprehensive eye examinations at no additional cost in summer 2025. An ophthalmic assistant captured OCT images of patients aged 40 years or older under natural pupils before the optometrist consultation. A retrospective analysis was conducted based on these OCT images acquired with a concurrent review of electronic medical records. Overall, 1398 patients underwent routine OCT examinations in two months. Thirty-two patients were excluded because of bilateral suboptimal image quality attributed to undilated pupils. The three most common occult retinal abnormalities not identified by conventional DFE but revealed by OCT were partial posterior vitreous detachment (81 patients, 5.9%), epiretinal membrane, ERM (46 patients, 3.4%), and peripapillary intrachoroidal cavitation (43 patients, 3.1%). Other abnormalities identified by OCT included pigment epithelial detachment, thin retinal nerve fiber layer, focal choroidal excavation (FCE), and idiopathic central serous chorioretinopathy (ICSC). A more serious abnormality included lamellar holes. Patients with ERM (p < 0.001) and lamellar hole (p < 0.001) were older than those without. FCE (p = 0.003) and ICSC (p = 0.009) were more commonly occurred in male. Some occult retinal abnormalities were identified using OCT alone, but not discernible by conventional DFE. These mild abnormalities were unlikely to have serious consequence which may not affect clinical management. OCT examination might not be regarded as a necessary routine procedure.
To compare the in vitro efficacy of minimally invasive mechanical and chemomechanical techniques for caries removal in primary molars. The objectives of the study are as follows: (1) To evaluate the time taken for caries removal; (2) To evaluate the remaining carious dentin using stereomicroscopic and polarized microscopic methods. A total of 30 primary molars exhibiting active carious lesions extending into dentin, extracted due to normal physiological root resorption, were collected for the study. Each carious lesion was sectioned into two halves, and the samples were subsequently divided into two groups: Group I-cavities prepared using a Bromelain-based gel, and group II-cavities prepared using SmartBurs™. Caries excavation was performed using both the methods. For all the samples of both groups, the area of the remaining carious dentin was measured using a stereomicroscope and a polarized microscope. Further visualization of remaining caries was done using caries-detecting dye, followed by stereomicroscopic and polarized microscopic evaluation. The mean time taken for caries removal was 8.1 minutes in group I (Bromelain gel) and 2.8 minutes in group II; the intergroup comparison of time difference for caries removal was statistically significant with p < 0.05. Group I (Bromelain gel) showing higher mean reduction efficacy of 5.96 mm2 than group II (SmartBurs™) with 1.56 mm2 mean reduction efficacy. The mean difference for the reduction of carious dentin between the two study groups was achieved as 4.40, with p < 0.001 that is statistically significant. The chemomechanical caries removal (CMCR) method using Bromelain gel significantly reduced the remaining carious lesion in comparison to SmartBurs™ with time taken by Bromelain gel being more in comparison to SmartBurs™. Kashani RN, Kaul B, Rajput S, et al. A Comparative Evaluation of Efficacy of Minimally Invasive Mechanical and Chemomechanical Techniques for Dentinal Caries Removal in Primary Teeth: An In Vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2026;19(3):285-291.
Coal-rock composite structures are common in deep roadway roofs and floors, and their instability is strongly affected by excavation-induced unloading and coal-rock relative thicknesses. To clarify their fracture characteristics and failure mechanisms under realistic stress adjustment paths, laboratory true triaxial loading-unloading tests were conducted on 100 mm cubic specimens with coal-rock ratios of 0:1, 1:2, 1:1, 2:1, and 1:0, combined with acoustic emission (AE) monitoring and PFC3D simulations to investigate their mechanical response, damage evolution and energy characteristics. The results show that with increasing coal-rock ratio, the failure mode gradually transitions from relatively stable splitting-shear failure in rock-dominated specimens to abrupt coal-dominated instability, and composite specimens with intermediate ratios exhibit the most significant interface-controlled X-shaped or semi-X-shaped conjugate shear damage. Due to the mismatch in elastic modulus and Poisson's ratio between coal and mudstone, distinct AE precursor peaks appear during the unloading and stress readjustment stages, which are stronger in composite specimens than in pure coal or pure rock specimens. The core quantitative findings are that the cumulative absorbed energy first increases and then decreases with increasing coal-rock ratio, reaching a maximum at a coal-rock ratio of 67%, whereas the peak strength decreases monotonically. This indicates that rock burst proneness is governed more directly by energy accumulation and release than by strength alone. Numerical simulations well reproduce the fracture process of specimens, and demonstrate that interface bond breakage promotes the conversion of stored strain energy into kinetic energy during final instability. These findings provide a mechanistic basis for evaluating dynamic instability and optimizing support strategies in deep composite strata.
Tunnelling-induced safety risks from adjacent piles have become increasingly severe with the rapid development of urban underground space. Model tests have become essential for revealing the complex pile-tunnel interaction mechanism. This paper reviews the research progress of model tests on the influence of single-line tunnelling on adjacent piles, focusing on test soil materials, tunnel simulation methodologies, analysis of test results, and research prospects. However, current model test studies are constrained by several critical limitations, including insufficient similarity between soil materials and prototype conditions, and overly idealized simulation of tunnel excavation. This paper identifies a significant research gap: the inability of current volume-loss techniques to capture 3D dynamic factors (e.g., face pressure and grouting timing) and the lack of meso-scale observation at the pile-soil interface. This review provides a systematic synthesis of these methodological challenges and proposes future research prospects to provide a more scientific basis for engineering design and risk control.
This study presents the first comprehensive facility-wide assessment of greenhouse-gas emissions and energy balance at a full-scale hybrid anaerobic-aerobic composting (AC) facility integrating high-solids anaerobic digestion with aerobic stabilization. Multi-season, phase-resolved monitoring was conducted using dynamic flux chambers for CO2, N2O, NH3, H2S, and NMVOCs, and UAV-based flux-curtain surveys for CH4, revealed distinct gas-specific emission patterns across operational stages. CH4, CO2, and H2S emissions were highest during curing, while NH3, N2O, and NMVOCs peaked during excavation, aerobic stabilization, and extended filling, respectively. The total operational carbon (OC) footprint was 20,300 ± 800 Mg CO2-eq yr-1 (0.460 ± 0.019 Mg CO2-eq Mg-1 dry waste). Accounting for net-positive energy generation (1,550 MWh yr-1) reduced this footprint to 19,800 Mg CO2-eq yr-1 (0.45 ± 0.018 Mg CO2-eq Mg-1 dry waste). Excluding curing-phase emissions decreased OC by ∼46%, to 10,760 Mg CO2-eq yr-1 (0.24 Mg CO2-eq Mg-1 dry waste), demonstrating that curing can nearly double total climate impacts. UAV-based CH4 fluxes (69 ± 8 kg h-1) exceeded chamber-based estimates (24 ± 3 kg h-1), highlighting the importance of multi-scale monitoring for capturing spatial variability. Fossil emissions from equipment averaged 8.2 kg CO2 Mg-1 dry waste and were dominated by diesel use. Targeted mitigation strategies, including improved aeration, optimized curing management, and equipment electrification, could reduce CH4 and N2O by up to 60% and 30%, respectively. The integrated OC-energy framework provides a robust basis for advancing cleaner production and circular-economy strategies in organic-waste management.
Although Asklepios (Asclepius), the god of medicine, was the main and most famous healing deity of Classical Antiquity, other gods and goddesses also had healing aspects and abilities - especially Eileithyia, the goddess of childbirth and labour pains and the protector of pregnant and birthing women and newborns. Unlike the main ancient deities (including Asklepios/Asclepius), the cult of Eileithyia was practiced in smaller districts, centred around an altar with a statue (sometimes the statue was placed in a small temple) and sometimes located outside the main part of city-states or directly in nature. One such rural sanctuary of the goddess Eileithyia is located on the island of Paros, on the southern slope of Mount Kounados (267 m above sea level), situated about 3.5 km northeast of the centre of Parikia, the capital of the island. The southern, slightly lower peak of this mountain (254 m above sea level) forms a small plateau, along and below the edge of which there is a zone of distinctive rock cliffs, creating smaller overhangs or caves in some places. The sanctuary of Eileithyia is located on a narrow terrace in the zone of these rocky cliffs, about 30 m below the plateau of the lower peak. It is an important site of its kind in the whole of Greece. The centre of worship here was probably a sacred spring (under a rock shelter) and a small cave (or rock overhang). However, offerings and inscriptions were also placed in several niches in the rock face east of the cave (between the cave and the spring). Excavations in the sanctuary have yielded rich finds - inscriptions, votive reliefs and, above all, dozens of (fragments of) terracotta busts and statuettes of women and ceramic sherds. The oldest finds from this site date back to the Geometric period (8th century BC), and the cult persisted here until the Late Roman Empire - probably until the 3rd century AD.