Effect Of Consolidation Research Articles

The Correlation between Vocabulary Knowledge and English Language Proficiency at Undergraduate Level

The primary objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between undergraduate English language students' vocabulary knowledge and language proficiency. The population of the study was the English department students at the University of Lahore. The sample was taken from the fifth to eighth semesters using cluster sampling. Through a vocabulary test, the size of the productive vocabulary, the size of the receptive vocabulary, and the depth of knowledge of the vocabulary were all found to significantly correlate with speaking performance. In multiple regression analyses, vocabulary knowledge was found to be the cause of 26% of the variance in speaking proficiency. The sig. (two-tailed) coefficient of the relationship between the two factors, and a correlation coefficient R value of 0.784 at the 0.05 level of significance was deemed strong. It expected that there was a strong positive connection between the vocabulary information and understudies language capability. The regression explains a consolidated effect of vocabulary knowledge on students' language proficiency. Vocabulary knowledge is positively correlated with language proficiency, according to the findings. Pedagogical implications and suggestions for future research are presented on the basis of the findings of the study.

Investigation of trench effect on fatigue response of steel catenary risers using an effective stress analysis

The design of Steel Catenary Risers (SCR) heavily relies on the interaction between the riser and seabed in the touchdown zone (TDZ). To accurately estimate the SCR-seabed stiffness, the soil behaviour must be assessed in two main phases: (1) during cyclic SCR motions, which generate excess pore pressure, leading to soil softening and remoulding in the TDZ, and (2) during inactivity periods throughout the SCR’s lifespan, causing dissipation of excess pore pressure associated with the consolidation state. The latter was neglected by the existing non-linear hysteretic soil models, which are based on the total stress approach. In the current study, a global riser analysis was conducted and the consolidation effect was incorporated using an effective stress framework. Long-term soil stiffness was determined by capturing both the remoulding and consolidation effects, which are respectively associated with the damage accumulation during the SCR cyclic motions and soil strength recovery during the intervening pause period. The constructed model was then combined with a new methodology named Hybrid Trench Model to investigate how the consolidation effect contributes to the fatigue performance in different trench depths. Stochastic fatigue analysis showed that the consolidation effect might increase the damage by around 10%-40% over the long-term assessment.

Time-Varying Elasticity of Cyclically Adjusted Primary Balance and Effect of Fiscal Consolidation on Domestic Government Debt in South Africa

This paper investigates the impact of the time-varying elasticity of the cyclically adjusted primary balance (CAPB) and fiscal consolidation on government debt. The time-varying parameter structural vector autoregression (TVP-VAR) model is used on a time series of data from 1979 to 2022. The contribution of this paper is on the understanding of the impact of fiscal consolidation on domestic government debt and the need to use time-varying elasticity when calculating the cyclical adjusted primary balance to provide a more accurate representation of discretionary actions taken by fiscal authorities. It is found that there is more variation in the CAPB with time-varying elasticity than with constant elasticity. Constant elasticity is not effective in capturing fiscal consolidation episodes, and time-varying elasticity is a better alternative. There is evidence that fiscal consolidation increases domestic government debt. The shocks of fiscal consolidation through government expenditure cuts reduce domestic government debt in the long run, while taxes increase domestic government debt. It is recommended that fiscal authorities use fiscal consolidation to reduce government expenditure that is related to inefficient expenditure. In the event of government expenditure, this expenditure needs to be in productive sectors of the economy that will bring about an increase in revenue rather than an increase in the tax rate. Given the result, a tax increase should be something that fiscal authorities are not using in the effort to stimulate economic growth or reduce domestic government debt.

One‐dimensional nonlinear creep consolidation of soft soils with time‐dependent drainage boundary under construction load

AbstractTo further investigate the nonlinear creep properties of soft soils and the effect of variable loading, a one‐dimensional (1D) nonlinear creep consolidation system of soft soils under construction load is established, including time‐dependent drainage (TDD) boundary, elastic‐viscous‐plastic deformation, non‐Darcy flow (NDF), and self‐weight stress. The consolidation problem is presented by virtue of the finite volume method, and the associated calculation program is compiled. The efficiency of the numerical solutions is validated by comparing the degenerated solution against analytical, semi‐analytical, and numerical solutions. Then the influences of construction load and nonlinear creep model parameters on consolidation are studied. The results show that TDD boundary and construction load significantly affect consolidation, and the larger the loading rate and interface parameter, the faster soil's overall dissipation process of excess pore‐water pressure (EPP). Meanwhile, at the earlier consolidation stage, considering the secondary consolidation effect will cause an increase in excess pore‐water pressure (EPP). Prolonging the construction period, decreasing the interface parameter, considering the self‐weight stress, or increasing the non‐Newtonian index will all aggravate this phenomenon. Additionally, the TDD boundary, construction load, and non‐Newtonian index flow (NNIF) are not a determinant for final soil settlement.

Consolidation Effect on the Behavior of Micropiled Rafts Under Combined Loading: Case Study

This paper used finite element modeling to evaluate the consolidation effect on the performance of existing rafts underpinned with micropiles under combined vertical and lateral loads. For this purpose, a real-life case study was discussed, in which micropile underpinning was used to stop the continuous tilt of a 13-floor residential building supported by a surface raft. It was found that the building tilted towards the northeast direction because of the consolidation of a deep soft clay layer under the northeast building corner. After discussing the as-built micropiling system, a 3D numerical model, developed using the PLAXIS software, was used to conduct the numerical research. The time-dependent behavior of the raft with and without the consideration of micropiles was assessed. Moreover, the variation of load-sharing ratios with time was investigated. The numerical results emphasize that the underpinning process was effective and reduced the final raft rotation and maximum settlement by 79.9% and 73.9%, respectively, compared to the case of the absence of micropiles. The consolidation process under a steady level of vertical loads enhanced the performance of the micropiled and unmicropiled rafts against upcoming lateral loads. The vertical load-sharing ratio increased during a life span of 20 years by 10.4% due to the consolidation process, but the increase was at a decreasing rate. Comparing all the four directions in which the lateral load was applied, the micropiles carried (57.4–76.6%) of the lateral load.

Numerical modelling of plate anchors under sustained load: The enhancement of capacity from consolidation

Embedded plate anchors can be used to moor floating offshore facilities. In taut mooring systems, a sustained tension carried by the anchors affects their long-term capacity due to consolidation effects in the soil surrounding the anchor. The resulting gain in capacity provides a potential basis for more efficient anchoring system design. To quantify this effect, and to understand the underlying mechanism, a systematic numerical study has been performed, to capture the effect of sustained loading and consolidation on soil failure mechanisms around an embedded plate anchor. The modified Cam clay model is used, to capture the effect of consolidation on soil strength, and also to faithfully model the process by which a water-filled gap forms under the plate, due to a loss of contact between the plate and the soil, with seepage into the gap zone. A critical observation is the load transfer process when such a gap forms beneath the plate after the applied tension causes the effective stress to fall to zero. The formation of this gap is shown to depend, in a systematic way, on the sustained tension, or preload, the soil strength ratio, the relative sharing of the anchor load between compression above the plate and tension below, as well as the embedded depth of the anchor. Simple relationships that capture these mechanisms are provided, linking the net change in soil strength above and below the anchor to the change in undrained capacity. As an example, it is shown that in soft normally-consolidated clays, a sustained preload of 60 % of the initial capacity, can create a 25 % gain in capacity, at which point the factor of safety is raised from 1/0.6 = 1.67 to 2. This gain is only available for anchors embedded by more than twice their diameter. At shallower embedment, the loss of strength in the unloaded soil beneath the anchor outweighs the gain in strength in the smaller zone of soil above the anchor, and the consolidation process causes a net weakening.

Use of eggshell waste: A green and effective method for the synthesis of pure calcium hydroxide suspensions

This paper presents a rapid method to obtain pure suspensions of Ca(OH)2 dispersed in 2-propanol. To this aim eggshell wastes (CaCO3) were decarbonated to calcium oxide (CaO) followed by sonication-assisted hydrolysis in water/2-propanol to form calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2). An important advantage of the method is that it does not require chemical reagents due to the high purity of eggshell in CaCO3. Moreover, CaO is fully converted into Ca(OH)2 which means that purification steps are not needed, as occurs in conventional routes of synthesis. To assess the reliability of the synthetic procedure, the purity and amount of Ca(OH)2 were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermal analysis (TG). In addition, the morphology and crystallite size were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) using Rietveld refinement method. It was found that sonicated Ca(OH)2 suspensions (5 g/L) were composed of particles that ranged in size from several nanometers to few micrometers. Finally, the suitability of Ca(OH)2 from eggshell to reinforce architectural stone was also studied by microscopy examination, colour change tests, surface hardness and surface erosion measurements. All tests confirmed the consolidation effectiveness was comparable to conventional nanolime treatments and surface erosion was visibly reduced.

The Conservation Study of a Funeral Coat of Arms (huvudbaner) with a Focus on Cleaning and Consolidation

The cleaning and consolidation of egg white tempera were evaluated to help conserve a polychrome sculpture, the funeral coat of arms of Pehr Stålhammar, dated 1701. This coat of arms was a wooden structure of carved pine and lime wood, grounded with a chalk and rabbit skin glue ground layer, and polychromed with egg white tempera in combination with smalt blue, lamp black, and red pigments. Due to the difficulties of preserving the physical properties of egg white tempera, it was necessary to evaluate the consolidation effects in terms of color, gloss, and cohesion. Four consolidants were chosen: JunFunori, sturgeon glue, Aquazol 200, and Lascaux’s Medium for Consolidation. Among these, Aquazol 200 and JunFunori performed more efficiently. Another type of difficulty occurred during the conservation cleaning treatment process, especially with the blue paint, which is more fragile and has hydrophobic qualities. To conceive a safe cleaning method, various cleaning techniques and materials were tested with a microscope, scanning electron microscopy, and an artificial aging chamber. The investigation showed that the dry cleaning method and use of hydrogels could work together and target different tasks.

Effects of paddy field non-grainization consolidation on sustainable eco-functions protection of soil bacterial: Empirical evidence from Zhejiang province, China

The increasing “non-grainization” of paddy fields affecting large-scale grain cultivation and impacting the sustainable eco-functions protection of soil bacterial in China. The same problem of “non-grainization” has threatened food security and farmland soil ecological functions in other areas of the world. Although previous research has demonstrated that soil microorganisms are strongly affected by land use change, little is known about the effects of paddy field non-grainization consolidation (NGC) on soil microorganisms. This study examined soil samples before and after paddy field NGC in Zhejiang province, China, measured soil environmental factors and performed 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing to analyze the changes in soilbacterial communities and ecosystem functions before and after NGC. Results show that NGC increased the relative abundances of Proteobacteria (27.89%) and Actinobacteria (25.25%) in the project zones. Total soil bacteria increased in all samples after NGC implementation in terms of absolute soil bacterial community content, but there were large differences. NGC improved the alpha diversity indices, including Ace, Chao1, Coverage, and Shannon indices (p < 0.01) in terms of soil bacterial community diversity. The data analysis of RDA and the significance test showed that the environmental factors which were close-knitted with the soil bacterial diversity and structure of the sample sites were TN, AP, pH, SOM, FIQ, and AK. Wilcoxon rank sum test results showed that NGC also significantly enhanced the amino acid transport and metabolic functions of soil bacterial. Our findings suggest that NGC is beneficial to improve the paddy field soil bacterial diversity, enhance the versatility of soil ecosystems, and promote sustainable arable land soil ecosystem protection. The quantitative results would be useful for better studying the use of land remediation engineering measures to the remediation and maintenance of bacterial diversity and sustainable eco-functions protection in paddy fields.

Demanda Gold sandstone (Burgos): effect of consolidation and ageing tests on its petrographic and petrophysical properties

Sandstones have been widely used in construction for their abundance, aesthetics, and ease of extraction. To determine sandstones’ quality, it is essential to analyse their petrographic and petrophysical properties and sensitivity (durability and conservation) to environmental agents. This paper evaluates the physical-mechanical changes undergone by Sierra de la Demanda (Burgos, Spain) sandstone under combined and induced water and salt aggression and assesses ESTEL 1100’s effectiveness and suitability as a treatment. This sandstone is porous, permeable, dense and quartz-rich with high hardness and strength. The treatment improved its petrophysical properties by modifying its pore geometry and connectivity, reducing absorbency, permeability and anisotropy, and further increasing its hardness and resistance. Salts did not substantially modify its properties as its porosity type absorbed the crystallisation pressure. Ultimately, its pore system and predominantly quartz composition make it a high-quality, weather-resistant material compatible with the treatment applied.

A Propensity-Matched Retrospective Comparative Study with Historical Control to Determine the Real-World Effectiveness of Durvalumab after Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy in Unresectable Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

This study aimed to add real-world evidence to the literature regarding the effectiveness and safety of durvalumab consolidation (DC) after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in the treatment of unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Using a hospital-based NSCLC patient registry and propensity score matching in a 2:1 ratio, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC who completed CCRT with and without DC. The co-primary endpoints were 2-year progression-free survival and overall survival. For the safety evaluation, we evaluated the risk of any adverse events requiring systemic antibiotics or steroids. Of 386 eligible patients, 222 patients-including 74 in the DC group-were included in the analysis after propensity score matching. Compared with CCRT alone, CCRT with DC was associated with increased progression-free survival (median: 13.3 vs. 7.6 months, hazard ratio[HR]: 0.63, 95% confidence interval[CI]: 0.42-0.96) and overall survival (HR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.27-0.82) without an increased risk of adverse events requiring systemic antibiotics or steroids. While there were differences in patient characteristics between the present real-world study and the pivotal randomized controlled trial, we demonstrated significant survival benefits and tolerable safety with DC after the completion of CCRT.

State formation and market integration: Germany, 1780–1830

The rise of modern states is an important factor for economic development. We test the effects of territorial consolidation and the increase in legal capacity on market integration. The political transformation of Germany in the wake of the Napoleonic Wars, which reduced territorial fragmentation and transformed former semi-autonomous estates to sovereign polities, serves as a natural experiment. We apply a difference-in-differences framework to a new dataset of grain prices and show that territorial consolidation reduced trade costs conditional on trade reforms that replaced heterogenous internal duties by a unified system of external tariffs. The effect was equivalent to a reduction of price gaps by 31 percent. Cities that were part of Prussia both before and after the Wars and experienced trade reform saw a reduction in price gaps of similar magnitude. By contrast, there was no market integration in late-reformer states such as Hanover and Saxony. Trade reforms were the main channel through which territorial consolidation fostered market integration.

Study on the Pb2+ Consolidation Mechanism of Gangue-Based Cemented Backfill

Coal mining produces a large amount of gangue that pollutes the environment, causing surface subsidence and damaging the groundwater systems. Backfill mining is an effective technology used to solve this problem, but there is a risk of polluting the groundwater due to the heavy metal ions present in the backfill material. Pb2+ has been determined to be a representative element because of its existence in coal gangue samples but not in fly ash. The risk of gangue-based cemented backfill causing groundwater pollution can be evaluated by studying the Pb2+ leaching from gangue under various conditions. When comparing the leaching amounts of Pb2+ from the coal gangue particles and the test blocks, it was found that cement filling has an obvious consolidation effect on the Pb2+ in coal gangue. The above process shows that cemented backfill has an obvious consolidation effect on the Pb2+ in gangue. The results of the theoretical analysis, X-ray, and SEM show that the consolidation mechanism can be divided into four modes: physical encapsulation, ion exchange, ion adsorption, and chemical reaction. The results are of great significance for revealing the leaching mechanism of the heavy metals in coal gangue, assessing the risk of heavy metal pollution in groundwater via gangue-cemented backfill, and improving the mining theory of the gangue-cemented filling and groundwater protection.

Fiscal consolidation in China: a dynamic computable general equilibrium analysis

ABSTRACT Inflation and overcapacity caused by fiscal expansion have begun to plague China’s economy. The surge in public debt caused by the perennial high deficit rate has led to accumulated debt risk. The lessons of the European debt crisis have forced China to re-examine its debt sustainability. A larger and more systematic fiscal consolidation is urgent. Based on China’s multiple fiscal accounts, this paper constructs a dynamic computable general equilibrium (CGE) model suitable for China’s scenario. By simulation, we evaluated the economic effects of revenue-based and spending-based fiscal consolidation and mixed consolidation and drew the following conclusions: (1) The success of fiscal consolidation requires paying a certain economic price. The industrial sectors closely related to the government bear more pressure from consolidation, which makes spending-based consolidation measures more advantageous in terms of cost because of their lower negative externalities. (2) China’s social security system has mitigated the effect on households during periods of fiscal consolidation, but the social insurance fund bears greater losses. (3) The mixed strategy of combining revenue and spending balance the contradiction between economic development and industrial structure in consolidation. While protecting the industrial structure, this strategy can complete the consolidation goal at a small economic cost.

Assessing the effect of construction-induced consolidation on groundwater travel time distribution under unconfined conditions

Assessing the effect of construction-induced consolidation on groundwater travel time distribution under unconfined conditions

Fiskalna konsolidacija i ekonomski rast u posttranzicijskim zemljama EU

Concerns about sustainability of public finances during global economic crisis in 2008 resulted in stronger implementation of fiscal consolidation measures. The literature does not offer a consensus on the impact of these measures. Empirical research offers a rationale for both contractionary and expansionary effect of fiscal consolidation on economic activity. Studies that examine the macroeconomic and fiscal effects of consolidation in developed countries are neither frequent nor have a long history, while the same effects in the post-transition countries are un-investigated. This paper tries to shed some light on this relationship. The research results do not support the expansionary fiscal consolidation hypothesis. Therefore, descriptive analysis suggests that, apart from minor corrections of current account of the balance of payment and lower labor costs, fiscal consolidation in post-transition countries did not achieve declared goals such as economic growth. The results of the analysis have to be observed with caution. Namely, this research did not include an econometric estimate of the effects of fiscal consolidation, which would take into consideration other factors (control variables) that affect the observed fiscal and macroeconomic variables.

Умная бюджетная консолидация

Budget consolidation aims at the correction of budget imbalances and the reduction of national debt. There are approaches to defining budget consolidation through the primary budget deficit reduction and through the improvement of the ratio of the adjusted primary balance to potential gross domestic product. As a rule, the focus of budget consolidation measures is associated with the budget expenditure austerity or revenue growth promotion. The study of the International Monetary Fund and the budget consolidation programs of selected OECD countries identified tools and activities that can be classified as hard, aggressive, soft, and smart budget consolidation. The paper provides an overview of budget consolidation tools and their impact on macroeconomic indicators. The empirical analysis completes the study in relation to the national debt sustainability for the domestic economy and the economy of foreign countries. The author analyzes the dynamics of national debt parameters for individual countries, as well as for groups of countries depending on the economic development level, and concludes on the necessity of implementing budget consolidation measures in the post-crisis period. The approaches to budget consolidation are typologized. The key smart tools for smart budget consolidation are the technologies of budget account liquidity management, the technologies of tax administration, electronic public procurement, the “social treasury” mechanism, and pooling of subsidies. Institutional smart tools include rapid budget expenditure reviews, tax expenditure optimization, and the enhancement of the role of budget councils. Smart budget consolidation tools do not depend on the crisis and recovery periods, but are aimed at the permanent efficiency improvement both of expenditures and revenues of the budgets of the budgetary system. Using flexible tools, it is possible to mitigate the negative effects of budget consolidation, including lag. The advantages of smart budget consolidation are proved through the socio-economic effects, which are provided by the education and healthcare expenditures. Correlation-regression analysis showed a direct strong interelation between these expenditures and the income index of the population. The author proposes to increase the level of efficiency of budget expenditures and budget revenues through the application of a dynamic set of budget consolidation tools related to the use of management and digital technologies.

Τhe effects of fiscal consolidation in OECD countries

Fiscal consolidation is essential for safeguarding fiscal sustainability in many OECD countries in the post COVID-19 era. Several empirical studies have presented evidence in favor of expansionary fiscal consolidations. This paper using the local projection method, investigates the short-to medium-term effects of unanticipated fiscal consolidation shocks in 24 OECD countries from 1990 to 2019. Fiscal consolidations are contractionary according to our baseline model. This effect is more pronounced in recessions, in high debt countries, in closed economies and when monetary conditions are tight. Therefore, the decline in the public debt ratio is relatively small. Spending-based adjustments that are implemented in recessions, in periods with tight monetary conditions and when the debt ratio is above 80% are self-defeating. Fiscal consolidations that are initiated in expansions, in low debt countries, when monetary conditions are loose and in open economies can be expansionary and lead to a more pronounced decline in the debt ratio. • A fiscal consolidation is contractionary delaying the reduction of the debt ratio. • Spending-based adjustments can be self-defeating if implemented in recessions. • The same holds for tight monetary conditions and when the debt ratio is above 80%. • However, fiscal adjustments can be expansionary when monetary conditions are loose. • The same holds when the debt ratio is below 60% and in more open economies.

Research on the ecological effect of rural residential land consolidation under "three rights separation"

Research on the ecological effect of rural residential land consolidation under "three rights separation"

The Effect of Total Laboratory Automation on Urine Culture Result Times in a Consolidated Laboratory.

The Provincial Health Directorate of Istanbul province (Turkey) established a consolidated laboratory network consisting of four regional central laboratories to reduce general laboratory costs and increase laboratory efficiency and quality in all affiliated hospitals. As part of the consolidation project, the Total Laboratory Automation (TLA) system was installed in the microbiology department of the ISLAB-2 central laboratory. In this study, the turnaround time (TAT) of urine samples of a satellite laboratory where the system was not installed and the ISLAB-2 central laboratory were compared to evaluate the effect of consolidation and the TLA. The TAT values of all urine samples processed between March 2021, when the TLA was installed, and October 2021, were retrospectively examined in the laboratory information system. While the TLA was used for the processing and evaluation of samples in the ISLAB-2 central laboratory, manual methods were employed in the satellite laboratory. Both laboratories used MALDI-TOF MS (bioMérieux, France) for bacterial identification and VITEK 2 Compact (bioMérieux, France) for antibiotic sensitivity testing. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare TAT between the two laboratories. p < 0.05 was taken as the level of statistical significance. A total of 78,592 urine cultures (71,906 in the central laboratory and 6,686 in the satellite laboratory) were included in the study. Negative samples were reported in 23.5 hours in the central laboratory and 37.1 hours in the satellite laboratory and positive samples in 55 hours and 61.7 hours in the same laboratories, respectively. The mean TAT of both positive and negative urine cultures were found statistically significantly lower in the central laboratory than in the satellite laboratory (p < 0.0001). While 82% of negative urine cultures were completed within the first 24 hours in the central laboratory, only 17% were processed in the satellite laboratory. While 61% of positive samples were processed within the first 48 hours in the central laboratory, 38% were completed in the satellite laboratory. We assume that TLA has a positive effect on the diagnosis and treatment of patients, thanks to its contribution to standardization, efficiency, increased quality, and earlier reporting.