Effect Of Consolidation Research Articles

Anthropogenic land consolidation intensifies zoonotic host diversity loss and disease transmission in human habitats.

Anthropogenic land-use change is an important driver of global biodiversity loss and threatens public health through biological interactions. Understanding these landscape-ecological effects at local scales will help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by balancing urbanization, biodiversity and the spread of infectious diseases. Here, we address this knowledge gap by analysing a 43-year-long monthly dataset (1980-2022) of synanthropic rodents in Central China during intensive land-use change. We observed a notable increase in the mean patch size, coinciding with a substantial change in rodent community composition and a marked decline in rodent diversity; eight of the nine local rodent species experienced near-extirpation. Our analysis reveals that these irregular species replacements can be attributed to the effect of land consolidation on species competition among rodents, favouring striped field mice, a critical reservoir host of Hantaan virus (HTNV). Consequently, land consolidation has facilitated the proliferation of striped field mice and increased the prevalence of HTNV among them. This study highlights the importance of considering both direct and indirect effects of anthropogenic activities in the management of biodiversity and public health.

Media Conglomeration, Local News, and Capital Market Consequences

We examine the effect of news media consolidation on local business coverage and its consequences for firms, investors, and capital markets. Using television transcripts, we find a substantial drop in coverage of local firms following the consolidation of local television stations associated with Sinclair acquisitions. Local information search, institutional portfolio local bias, and overall retail trading decrease for firms in treated geographic areas. Results are most pronounced for small firms, for stations with higher ex ante viewership, and for stations with greater reductions in local coverage. Our results provide insight into the consequences of media consolidation for local business coverage, firms, investors, and capital markets. This paper was accepted by Eric So, accounting. Funding: Financial support from the Brigham Young University Marriott School of Business, Purdue University Mitch Daniels School of Business, and Kenan-Flagler Business School is gratefully acknowledged. Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.02247 .

Fiscal consolidation plans with underground economy

AbstractFiscal consolidation literature often neglects that there are economies characterized by sizable underground sectors, with their mechanisms of response to fiscal policy shocks. Therefore, reliable analyses of fiscal consolidation plans call for the decomposition of Gross Domestic Product in its regular and hidden components. We investigate fiscal consolidation effects in the context of tax evasion for the Italian economy. Results show that a temporary cut in public spending associated with a permanent drop in tax rate yet entails tax evasion reduction. The main underlying mechanism is the strong responsiveness of the underground sector, implying a reallocation of resources toward the regular sector.

Experimental investigation on treatment of high-water-content dredged slurry with vacuum preloading-airbag pressurization

This paper offers valuable insights for advancing the consolidation of dredged slurry, alleviating blockage, and the application of vacuum preloading-airbag pressurization (VP-AP) technology in engineering practice. This study conducted laboratory model tests on the consolidation of sludge using prefabricated vertical drains-vacuum preloading, prefabricated horizontal drains-vacuum preloading, and VP-AP methods to further investigate the effectiveness of the VP-AP technique in strengthening the consolidation of dredged slurry. Comparative analysis was conducted on the macroscopic and microscopic differences in soil drainage characteristics, settlement, water content, shear strength, and soil particle morphology under the three treatment methods. The results show that the VP-AP method surpasses traditional vacuum preloading techniques in soil consolidation, effectively guaranteeing the consolidation of deep soil layers and enhancing the uniformity and stability of foundation strength. In addition, the microstructural analysis reveals that the VP-AP method can effectively mitigate the decrease in drainage efficiency caused by the clogging of the PVD and improve the structure of the soils, allowing a significant increase in the mechanical properties of the soils. In conclusion, the VP-AP technology demonstrates significant advantages in drainage efficiency, consolidation effectiveness, thus it has a widespread application potential in engineering practices for treating soft ground and deserves further in-depth study.

Hybrid siloxane oligomer: A promising consolidant for the conservation of powdered tremolite jade artifacts

Jade has played a pivotal role in the political, economic, cultural, and technological development of ancient societies. However, numerous tremolite jade artifacts unearthed from archaeological sites exhibit various deterioration patterns due to natural weathering and human activities. Among these, powdering is the most detrimental form of degradation, significantly affecting the physical characteristics of artifacts, as well as archaeological research and museum exhibitions. This paper develops a novel hybrid siloxane oligomer as a potential consolidant for powdered tremolite jade artifacts and compares it with traditional consolidants, including acrylic resin and ethyl silicate. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses show that the jade samples used in the experiment are predominantly composed of tremolite. Various techniques are employed to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of the three consolidants, including color variation tests, open porosity tests, contact angle measurements, peeling tests, hardness tests, ultra-depth-of-field microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The novel hybrid siloxane oligomer demonstrates superior consolidation effects, with consolidated samples showing significant improvements in mechanical properties, reaching a Leeb hardness of 163 HL, while maintaining color variations within acceptable limits (ΔE = 3.87). The results demonstrate the potential of the novel hybrid siloxane oligomer in consolidating powdered tremolite jade artifacts.

Effect of chemical consolidation on physico-mechanical properties of porous coral reef limestone

Porous coral reef limestone (CRL) is characterized by the low strength and developed pore structure, so improving its physico-mechanical properties is important for marine engineering construction work. Chemically consolidated porous CRL was prepared by taking a non-granular chemical grout (sodium silicate) as the main consolidation material. Then, the chemical consolidation effect was evaluated from two aspects (both the physical and mechanical properties) by conducting computed tomography (CT) scanning and quasi-static uniaxial compression tests. The results indicate that the consolidation material can fill the pores in the CRL, which reduces the porosity of specimens by more than 50%. In addition, the peak strength under quasi-static compression is increased by about 20%. The fragments decrease at failure, and fracture plane slip and crack opening are inhibited. Finally, influences of the special banded shape of consolidation material retained in the specimens on the failure process and failure mode of specimens were investigated. The chemical consolidation mechanism of porous CRL was revealed by combining with the scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. Research results indicate that the non-granular chemical material (sodium silicate) improves the physico-mechanical properties of porous CRL. The research provides reference for the foundation treatment in coral reefs and the design of consolidation schemes for surrounding rocks of underground spaces in marine engineering operations.

Effect of soil consolidation on the interface direct shear behavior of excavated clay soil reinforced with a geocomposite drainage layer

Effect of soil consolidation on the interface direct shear behavior of excavated clay soil reinforced with a geocomposite drainage layer

The Output Effects of Fiscal Consolidations: Does Spending Composition Matter?

The Output Effects of Fiscal Consolidations: Does Spending Composition Matter?

Effect of shear-induced consolidation on the behaviour of a loose silt tailings

Tailings within a tailings storage facility (TSF) are subjected to monotonic loading and consolidation following tailings depositions into the impoundment and perimeter embankment raises. The aim of the current study was to identify how monotonic loading followed by consolidation influences the behaviour of a loose silt tailings deposit. The study quantified the effect of magnitude and duration of an applied monotonic load on the evolving undrained shear strength using triaxial testing. It also showed that peak undrained shear strengths are reached under lower shear-induced excess pore pressures and axial strains than inferred from standard triaxial testing. While the study showed how tailings benefitted from gains in peak undrained shear strength, it also highlighted some potential negative implications for timely detection of precursors to failure of TSFs by means of conventional monitoring.

Comparing the effects of anodal and cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation of primary motor cortex at varying intensities on motor learning in healthy young adults.

Inconsistent results are observed in the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with different montages on motor learning. This study aimed to compare the effects of anodal and cathodal tDCS (c-tDCS) over primary motor cortex (M1) at different intensities on motor learning in healthy young adults. The participants were randomly divided into: (1) 1mA M1 c-tDCS, (2) 1mA M1 anodal tDCS (a-tDCS), (3) 2mA M1 c-tDCS, (4) 2mA M1 a-tDCS and (5) M1 sham tDCS groups. The groups received 20-min stimulation with serial reaction time task (SRTT) incidentally, while the tDCS was turned off after 30 s in the sham tDCS group. Response time (RT) and error rate (ER) during SRTT were assessed prior, during and 72 h after the intervention. The results of the paired t-test indicated that online learning occurred in all groups (p< 0.05), except in M1 c-tDCS (1mA) (p> 0.05). One-way ANOVA analysis also indicated that there were differences in offline learning (RT (F(DF) =5.19(4); p< 0.001; and ER (F(DF) =9(4), p< 0.0001) among groups, with more offline learning in 1mA M1 a-tDCS, 2mA M1 c-tDCS and 2mA M1 a-tDCS groups (p< 0.05). On the other hand, the 1mA M1 c-tDCS group did not indicate any consolidation effect or even a trend toward negative offline learning. M1 a-tDCS with different intensities and also 2mA M1 c-tDCS may be helpful for the enhancement of motor learning in young healthy adults. This study enhances our understanding of tDCS intensity and polarity effects on motor learning, with potential for optimizing therapeutic protocols.

A large-size model test study on the consolidation effect of construction waste slurry under self-weight and bottom vacuum preloading

Bottom vacuum preloading (BVP) is the method of applying vacuum pressure at the bottom zone of soils to generate pore-water pressure difference between the top and bottom boundaries, thereby achieving the consolidation drainage. This study conducted a large-size model test to explore the engineering feasibility of combining self-weight and BVP to treat construction waste slurry (CWS). Through the treatment of the measures of self-weight consolidation (0–26 d) and BVP with a water cover (26–78 d), the average water content of CWS declined from 255.6% to 115.9%, and the volume reduction ratio reached 0.476. However, since these two measures could properly treat only the bottom CWS, the measures of BVP with the mud cover (78–141 d) and the natural air-drying (141–434 d) were performed to further decrease the CWS water content near the upper zone. The latter two-stage measures reduced the average water content of CWS to 84.9% and increased the volume reduction ratio to 0.581. Moreover, the measurements suggested that the treated CWS largely exhibited a shear strength of 10 kPa or more. Overall, the proposed approach appeared some engineering feasibility to treat CWS, and the performed test study could act as a reference for the practical treatment of CWS.

Estimating radial attenuation of vacuum pressure for dredged clays

The radial attenuation of vacuum pressure in dredged clays limits the effectiveness of vacuum consolidation. In this study, a series of model tests were conducted on five dredged clays with varying initial water contents to investigate this radial attenuation. The significant radial attenuation can be divided into two stages: the increasing and stabilization stages. In the stabilization stage, exponential radial attenuation is observed. Lower initial void ratio (e 0) and higher void ratio at liquid limit (e L) lead to a decrease in radial attenuation. Additionally, higher applied vacuum pressure (p v) results in a greater reduction in the magnitude of the radial vacuum pressure. In the increasing stage, the radial vacuum pressure increases exponentially to a stable state after start-up. The radial attenuation is attributed to the differential start-up time (i.e., initial time-point at which the increase begins) and varying increase rates. Lower e 0, higher e L, and higher p v values reduce the start-up time and raise the increase rate. A changing pattern is proposed to describe the exponential radial attenuation using three parameters: radial attenuation coefficient (k 2), increasing coefficient (k 3), and time-delay coefficient (D t). Furthermore, an empirical estimation for the radial attenuation is also suggested without relying on time-consuming tests

Clinical characteristics and survival outcomes of patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma treated with high-dose methotrexate-based polychemotherapy and consolidation therapies

Given the rarity of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL), evaluations of different high-dose methotrexate-(HD-MTX)-based treatment regimens is sparse. This retrospective, multicenter study evaluates clinical characteristics and outcomes (progression-free, overall and disease-specific survival) after five HD-MTX-based polychemotherapeutic regimens and two consolidation therapies. 346 patients with histologically confirmed PCNSL, treated with ≥ 1 cycle HD-MTX-based strategies (≥3g/m2/cycle) were included. The regimens included MATRIX (HD-MTX, HD-AraC, thiotepa, and rituximab), (R)MBVP±HD-AraC (HD-MTX, teniposide/etoposide, carmustine, prednisolone, ± HD-AraC, ± rituximab), (R)MP (HD-MTX, procarbazine, ± rituximab), and a combination of HD-MTX and HD-AraC. The overall response rate after induction was 69 %, 28 % complete remission and progressive disease was observed in 100 (29 %) patients. 126 (36 %) patients received consolidation, including high-dose-BCNU-thiotepa with autologous stem cell transplantation (HD-BCNU-TT/ASCT, n = 59 (17 %)) or whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT, n = 67 (19 %)). Clinical characteristics associated with adverse mortality risk by multivariable prognostication contained age > 60 years (HR 1.61, p = 0.011), elevated LDH (HR 1.75, p = 0.004) and WHO status ≥ 2 (HR 1.56, p = 0.010). Independently, induction regimens containing HD-AraC demonstrated survival benefit compared to induction regimens without HD-AraC (HR 0.59, p = 0.002). Without preference for HD-BCNU-TT/ASCT or WBRT, a favorable effect of consolidation (HR 0.44 and HR 0.42, p < 0.001) was confirmed, also with consolidation as time-dependent variable. Competing risk analysis showed similar low incidence of lymphoma-unrelated deaths in consolidated and unconsolidated patients. This study confirms that age, elevated LDH and WHO status increase the mortality risk. HD-AraC containing treatment regimens and consolidation with HD-BCU-TT/ASCT or WBRT were associated with superior survival, including a favorable low incidence of lymphoma-unrelated deaths.

People First Services: A Qualitative Study on Library Consolidations

ABSTRACTThis poster presents results from a phenomenological research study investigating the effects of a university consolidation on the affiliated libraries of three U. S. public universities. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted through purposive sampling of twelve librarians working at three different consolidated institutions within the same university system. Data was analyzed through the lens of sensemaking theory, a process where individuals attempt to construct meaning and enact their roles within an organization through their evolving experiences (Ancona, 2011; Weick, 1995), and organizational theory which provides both a theoretical and practical way of managing, understanding, analyzing, and improving organizations based on patterns of design and behavior (Daft, 2001). The use of Bolman and Deal's (1997) organizational theory, including the structural frame, the human resource frame, the political frame, and the symbolic frame, provides insight into the effects on library services and librarians' identity resulting from consolidations.

Numerical Investigation of Heterogeneous Calcite Distributions in MICP Processes

Microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) is a sustainable and environmentally friendly technology with applications in soil stabilization, concrete crack repair, and wastewater treatment. This study presents an improved Darcy-scale numerical model to simulate the MICP processes in heterogeneous porous media. It focuses on the effects of porosity heterogeneity, characterized by average porosity and correlation length, as well as injection strategies. Both average porosity and correlation length are critical factors influencing mass transport and calcite distribution during MICP treatment. An increase in average porosity leads to significant reductions in transport distance and total calcite mass. Notably, in the case of low averaged porosity, a larger correlation length results in more heterogeneous calcite distributions. However, there exists an upper threshold value of the initial averaged porosity (ϕ0=0.45) above which the heterogeneity of the calcite does not present clear dependence on the correlation length. Additionally, injection strategies significantly impact the consolidation effects. Compared to continuous injection, using the phased injection strategy can greatly improve the precipitated calcite area and mass due to its high utility and the efficiency of reactants.

Improvements in vacuum-surcharge preloading combined with electro-osmotic consolidation on soft clayey soil with high water content

This study conducted laboratory tests on soft clayey soils to investigate the effectiveness of the combinations of vacuum-surcharge preloading and electro-osmotic treatment (EOC-VPM-SPM). To minimize the loss of vacuum pressure and mitigate clogging of the drainage system during the consolidation process, two improved methods were developed by optimizing technical characteristics and geometric layout of drainage boards. In the EOC-Alternate VPM-SPM method, alternate vacuum pressure was incorporated using two drainage boards with different lengths in the VPM system, combined with EOC to improve consolidation efficiency. In the multiple-electrodes EOC-VPM-SPM method, a new design of multiple drainage boards in a square tube layout fabricated through 3D printing was employed to provide efficient connections of the consolidation system. Furthermore, electrokinetic geosynthetics (EKG) was utilized as the cathode in the EOC system to minimize erosion and passivation of electrodes for the enhancement in consolidation efficiency. The properties of tested soils were analyzed to evaluate the feasibility of the improved methods. Test results indicated that the consolidation effects were significantly improved, with effectively mitigated clogging of the drainage system. Compared to the traditional method, the water content of the tested soil was reduced through the improved methods, resulting in increased uniformity of strength distribution.

Evaluation of deterioration degree and consolidation effectiveness in sandstone and clay brick materials based on the micro-drilling resistance method

The quick and accurate measurement and evaluation of the deterioration degree and consolidation effectiveness on the surface of masonry relics is valuable for disease investigation and restoration work. However, there is still a lack of quantitative indices for evaluating the deterioration degree and consolidation effectiveness of masonry relics in situ. Based on the micro-drilling resistance method, new quantitative evaluation indices for the deterioration degree and consolidation of masonry materials were proposed. Five types of masonry samples with different deterioration degrees were prepared by artificially accelerated deterioration tests involving sandstone and clay brick as research objects. Three types of consolidants were used to consolidate the deteriorated samples. Drilling resistance tests were conducted for deteriorated and consolidated samples. The variations in deterioration depth and average drilling resistance for samples with different numbers of deterioration cycles were analysed, while the differences in consolidation depth and average drilling resistance for samples with different consolidant types and dosages were compared. Finally, the deterioration degree index (K\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$K$$\\end{document}) and consolidation effectiveness index (Rc\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${R}_{c}$$\\end{document}), which are based on the average drilling resistance, are proposed. The results can be applied to quick on-site investigations of immovable masonry relics.

Experimental and finite element assessment of stabilizing configurations for underground heritage sites

Heritage sites in Alexandria, Egypt, are some of the UNESCO world heritage sites at high risk from geo-environmental hazards, in particular caused by sea level rise and heavy rain due to the climate change. Recently, safeguarding UNESCO world subterranean and built heritage draws more attention. After recent environmental catastrophies in Alexandria, sustainable conservation materials and stabilizing configurations of underground monumental structures has also become urgent and highly demanded. Based on typical damage due to the heavy weathering caused by the ground water table and salt, this paper offers a guide for engineers and conservators, where rock structures consolidation and stabilizing configurations to protect these structures in the static state and against strong seismic events is presented. In this paper, typical geotechnical problems and damage to the Catacombs of of Kom El-Shoqafa are presented first, followed by an experimental evaluation methodology that includes spectroscopic and morphological characterization in addition to the mechanical testing of untreated and treated rock samples with synthetic organosilicone and acrylic compounds. The effectiveness of the new silica-based consolidants was evaluated in terms of the amount of solid adsorbed, mechanical properties (e.g., surface hardness, ultrasonic velocity, modulus of elasticity and modulus of compressive strength), and resistance to salt crystallization. The treated groups showed better mechanical strength than the control group. The ability of the treated samples to resist climate change negative impact was also greatly improved. According to laboratory tests, new silica-based hardeners and hydrophobic materials have great potential for strengthening weathered Calcarenitic rock structures. It was observed that the rock samples containing the modified binder (MTMOS + Wacher BS 15) reach higher mechanical strength parameters. After the experimental study (testing procedures), FEM analysis was performed using PLAXIS 2D code to validate the silica-based consolidants and verify their efficiency in improving the response of rock structures in static and seismic states against strong earthquake events. The results of this work confirm the high potential of low-cost injection techniques and stabilizing configurations (pre- stressed anchors and concrete friction piles) technology, confirming the possibility of achieving significant improvement in the geotechnical properties of Calcarenitic rock structures and enhancing the seismic performance of underground archaeological structures using low-cost injection technology that is easy to manufacture.

Investigation of the effect of relative humidity on micro lime consolidation of degraded earthen structures

Micro lime, hydrated lime (Ca (OH)2) with particle sizes of 1-3μ dispersed in isopropanol, can be used to reinforce deteriorated earthen structures. The consolidation effect depends on the amount of moisture present in the structure or in the ambient air. This study investigates the influence of different levels of relative humidity (RH) on the consolidation effect of micro lime on earthen structures, the chemical processes responsible for the consolidation and the physical changes to the structure. The aim is to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying chemical reactions and to identify a potential limit to the applicability of this consolidation method in low RH environments. The fact that many of these sites are located in arid climates greatly influences the practical application of micro lime in the conservation of historical earthen structures. To characterize the consolidation effect of micro lime, unconfined compressive strength and exposure to wet and dry cycles were used. The properties of the reaction products and the bonding between soil particles and micro lime were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). At RH levels of 25%, 45%, 65% and 90%, the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and the modulus of deformation at 50% strength (E50) of the micro lime-reinforced specimens demonstrated an increase with humidity. This led to a significant improvement in their ability to resist the effects of dry–wet cycles. Results from thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicate that micro lime interacts with the soil matrix via carbonation, with the reaction rate increasing with humidity. At 25% RH, vaterite was produced and residual free lime was observed, whereas at humidity levels of 45% and above, the reaction yielded vaterite and aragonite. The lime treatment did not significantly alter the pore structure of the soil specimens. The total porosity of the specimens was only slightly reduced, with the main effect of the lime treatment being a reduction in the number of large pores.

Does the digital economy improve female autonomy?

Based on China's long-term implementation of gender equality, the rapid development of the digital economy has provided new opportunities for improving female autonomy and releasing the “gender dividend”. This study explores the impact of the digital economy on female autonomy, using digital economy index we constructed and the 2014-2020 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) data. We find that the development of the digital economy can significantly improve female autonomy, both economically and spiritually. Meanwhile, the digital economy can also alleviate the “marriage penalty” and “motherhood penalty”. Furthermore, we find that digital economy's career guarantee effect and capital consolidation effect are important mechanisms, which can promote women's participation in employment, as well as enable them to have higher human capital and social capital.