Conservation Work Research Articles

Ocena stanu zachowania zbioru wybranych zabytków na podłożu papierowym w Archiwum Księży Zmartwychwstańców w Rzymie

The paper addresses changes in the state of preservation of a selected collection of manuscript materials belonging to the Archive of the Resurrectionist Fathers in Rome. The damage caused by the aging of paper, moisture, insects and mold processes has been shown. The attention was also paid to other factors related to the use of documents during the period of their origin: adverse physical events and storage in inappropriate conditions. The handwritten record of the message on paper is an indispensable source of information for historians and researchers of the past, therefore, measures were taken to try to diagnose the negative changes in the state of preservation and eliminate the visible threats, as well as to select those elements of the resource that require professional conservation work.

Cyberattacks, cash conversion cycle, and corporate performance

AbstractThis study examines the effect of working capital efficiency on the performance of firms that experience cyberattacks. We find robust evidence that an aggressive working capital policy improves the immediate and after‐market stock returns as well as the operating performance of firms that suffer an outside party or a malware hacker attack. Specifically, we document a negative relationship between announcement period abnormal returns and the industry‐adjusted cash conversion cycle, implying that investors react less favorably when breached firms have more conservative working capital policies. We also find a negative association between the cash cycle and long‐horizon buy‐and‐hold abnormal returns indicating that working capital efficacy has a protracted positive effect on stock performance after an attack. The cash conversion cycle is also negatively related to operating performance, as measured by industry‐adjusted market power, industry‐adjusted return on assets, and industry‐adjusted market‐to‐book ratio. In addition, we find that access to trade credit and the ability to delay payments made to suppliers (depicted via days’ payables outstanding) are the most important factors in helping breached firms mitigate the financial and operating costs of cyberattacks. Overall, our results are robust to endogeneity concerns and expand the literature on the firm‐level aspects of data breaches.

Influence of fibres on the resilient modulus and expansion of clayey subgrade soils

ABSTRACT Expansive clayey soils at the subgrade level of roads and highways in different cities can affect the performance and durability of pavements. This increases the need for maintenance and conservation work, leading to higher operating costs. Traditionally, clayey soils are stabilised by adding lime or cement. However, the handling and use of these materials are restricted in some Latin American countries due to illegal drug production, and obtaining high-quality materials from distant sources can be impractical. The goal of this study is to determine the effectiveness of incorporating fibres in improving the performance of expansive clayey subgrade soils. To achieve this goal, resilient modulus tests and measurements of compacted soil expansion were performed. Two types of fibres were selected for this study: natural Ichu fibre, which is common in the Peruvian Andes, and polypropylene fibre. The soil used was a high-plasticity clay from the city of Pucallpa, to which varying percentages of fibres were incorporated (0.25%, 0.5% and 1%). The samples were prepared with a gyratory compactor to achieve their maximum dry density as obtained with the standard compaction effort. The results indicated that the incorporation of fibres improved the value of the resilient modulus while significantly reducing soil swelling.

Dynamic analysis of soil erosion in the affected area of the lower Yellow River based on RUSLE model

With the accelerated development of urbanization, the exploration and usage of land resources is becoming more and more frequent, which leads to the decline of soil quality, resulting in a series of soil ecological issues, such as soil nutrient loss, soil quality degradation and destruction. At present, the contradiction between soil erosion and sustainable development of human society has become one of the hot issues studied by scholars. The Yellow River Basin is an important experimental area for high-quality development in China, constructing the Yellow River Ecological Economic Belt play an important role in China’s regional coordinated development. Although most of the affected area of the Lower Yellow River (AALYR) is in the plain, they have a large population density and are in the historical farming area. In latest years, because of the development and transformation of modern society, their ecological environment has become more fragile and soil erosion problems has become increasingly serious. Studying and analyzing soil erosion is of vital meaning for ecological protection and can provide scientific support for soil conservation work. Depending on the data of precipitation, soil properties, land use, population, etc., this paper studies and analyzes the soil erosion in AALYR from 2000 to 2020 through the RUSLE. We found that during the 20 years the proportion of very slight and slight grade area increased, and the distribution of moderate and above erosion grade was less, mainly in Zibo, Jinan, Anyang, Zhengzhou, and Tai 'an. Nearly three quarters of the regional soil erosion grade didn’t change, apart from the increase of slight grade area, the other erosion grades area showed a downward trend. We take the city, county and town zoning analysis find that as the scale decreases, the area of serious erosion grades increases, and the distribution is gradually detailed. Land use is the main influencing factor of erosion except DEM. Forestland and grassland are larger of the soil erosion in various types of land use. Through these conclusions in this paper, it is promising to provide theoretical references for the ecological environment governance and high-quality and sustainable development of great river basins of the world and similar regions.

From the Ashes: Guarantees of Non-Recurrence for Destruction of Cultural Heritage

Because cultural heritage is a significant aspect of identity, it is often targeted during conflict or periods of repression. The danger may diminish with peace or transition, but it does not evaporate. Heritage is inherently contentious post bellum, so communities fear for the ongoing safety of their heritage, either because conflict might recur or because past patterns of cultural chauvinism or neglect might be repeated. The material integrity of heritage has gradually become a matter of concern for transitional justice. It has long been a maxim of transitional justice that dealing with the past implies preventing in the future. There is a need for regulatory schema and administrative structures serving the goal of preserving and protecting the tangible cultural riches of the state and/or communities of origin from the lingering threats that the politics of power might again be played out over heritage. Guarantees of non-recurrence (GNR) offer both an ethos and a framework in which to prioritize and think through this work of protection, conservation, and safeguarding. This article argues that the World Heritage Convention, notwithstanding its circumscribed emphasis on material and places of outstanding universal value, is nevertheless applicable to all heritage to which a GNR might be attached and provides an achievable “good enough” practice model, provided there is a threshold level of domestic political will.

Where the Wild Things Are: Children’s Book Creators Team Up for Conservation Work with Wild Tomorrow

Plenty of children’s book authors write about wild things. This past fall, a group of children’s book authors and illustrators put their words into work—taking a collective trek to South Africa, with a purpose.The newly formed Children’s Book Creators for Conservation (CBCC) spent two weeks on a volunteer trip in South Africa with Wild Tomorrow, a nonprofit focused on reconnecting and restoring habitat for threatened wildlife in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

CLASSIFICATION OF ARCHITECTURAL MONUMENTS OF TERRITORIAL COMMUNITIES OF THE CARPATHIAN REGION

The article is devoted to studying ways to classify architectural monuments of territorial communities of the Carpathian region. The study’s relevance is due to the active development of the Carpathian region, which leads to an increase in the importance and need to preserve cultural heritage sites located on its territory. The article aims to classify the architectural monuments of the amalgamated territorial communities of Prykarpattia to preserve, study, and properly use them in the context of the active development of this region. To achieve this goal, we solved several tasks: defined the essence of the concept of ‘architectural monument’ and the most common ways of classifying architectural monuments; classified architectural monuments of the united territorial communities of Prykarpattia; determined the role of classification in the preservation, study, and proper use of architectural monuments of this region and the country as a whole. The study used general scientific methods of cognition: induction and deduction, analysis and synthesis, association and analogy. The study found that architectural monuments are classified by status, type, and purpose. The classification of architectural monuments of the territorial communities of Prykarpattia is essential for their preservation, protection, and determination of cultural and historical significance. To date, many of these sites are in unsatisfactory and close to critical condition and, therefore, require urgent emergency and conservation work. The implementation of these measures is complicated by problems existing in the state system of protection of cultural heritage sites. These problems include the imperfection of existing registers, reduced funding, and the lack of a comprehensive state program of action for the protection, preservation, maintenance, use, conservation, restoration, rehabilitation, and museumification of cultural heritage sites. Their classification can partially solve these problems. The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of applying the results obtained to develop and improve strategies for the preservation, study, and proper use of architectural monuments of the communities of Prykarpattia. Keywords: architectural monument, united territorial community, cultural heritage, UNESCO, State Register of Immovable Monuments.

Photopolymer Materials in the Practice of Restoration and Conservation Works on Objects of Historical and Cultural Value

The evolution is analyzed and modern approaches to carrying out restoration, conservation and reconstruction works at objects of historical and cultural value are presented from the standpoint of the limits of the permissibility of using non-authentic materials. The principles of choosing materials for restoration and conservation work are considered. An analysis of the experience of using photopolymer materials in the creation of protective, decorative or reconstructive layers and coatings in order to preserve or recreate objects of historical and cultural significance is presented. The results of studies on the use of liquid photopolymer compositions based on acrylates in restoration and conservation work are presented. The prospects of using photopolymer materials in the practice of restoration and reconstruction are shown, and directions for further research are formulated.

Památková obnova hradu Litice (okr. Ústí nad Orlicí) v letech 1920–1941

The paper maps the development of efforts to save and secure the ruins of Litice Castle (District of Ústí nad Orlicí) from 1920 to 1941. Based on available archival sources, the efforts to secure the castle from the 1920s onward and the circumstances surrounding the partial conservation of the castle buildings in 1925 are presented here. Subsequently, the body of the paper is devoted to the extensive conservation and reconstruction works from 1935 to 1941, when the southern castle palace and the adjacent tower were roofed and made accessible and the other castle masonry was extensively conserved. In addition to monitoring the actual progress of the rescue work, attention is paid here to the circumstances that enabled or, on the contrary, prevented their implementation, and to the evaluation of the performed repairs.

Transcriptome‐derived molecular resources for the conservation of threatened butterflies in Korea

AbstractButterflies are expedient biodiversity indicators of a healthy environment. As virtuous pollinators, they provide environmental and economic benefits to the agricultural and natural ecosystem. The global loss of the butterfly community, especially in tropical regions, is causing irreparable damage to the ecological landscape. This decline in population is due to habitat degradation, forest succession, loss of symbiotic relations, economic loss due to flooding, forest development plans, low grassland area, global warming, and reforestation. Moreover, the limited information on the molecular resources of butterflies impedes informed conservation planning. The Threatened Species Initiative (TSI) of Korea has started to utilize the benefits of transcriptome‐guided discovery of molecular resources of a few butterfly species, and a few others are in the pipeline. The cataloging of new genes and genetic markers provides the possibility to promote selective utilization of fitness traits for adaptation of the species to the wild and a newer habitat. In this review, we assessed the versatility of whole‐transcriptome information of the Korean threatened butterfly species, such as the lycaenid Protantigius superans and Spindasis takanosis, the Nymphalid butterfly, Fabriciana nerippe, and the Papilionid species Parnassius bremeri. The schema employed under TSI, including the sequencing and downstream bioinformatics pipeline, could act as a reference for research outside of Korean butterflies. While the molecular resources are available to be exploited, their utilization for conservation is still in its infancy. It is important to synthesize these studies together to catalyze further conservation work applying genomics approaches.

Static behaviour of the selected carpentry joints in the flexural elements

The paper presents the static behaviour of the selected carpentry joints in the bending wooden elements. Experimental research on beams with the carpentry joints created according to the geometry of the historical joints was conducted. It was confirmed that some of the longitudinal joints applied in the historical structures, with the proper strengthening elements, could transfer some bending moments, which is important in the flexural elements. The load-carrying capacity of the joined beams was determined and compared to the load-carrying capacity of the reference continuous beams, which was from 30 % to 40 %, depending on the joint geometry. Moreover, the stiffness level of the joined beams was determined and compared to the stiffness of the reference continuous beams, which was from 35 % to over 60 %, also depending on the joint geometry. The force-deflection plots for the tested beams were presented. The failure patterns for the joints were described and based on them the areas of stress concentrations in the joints were identified. The joints worked asymmetrically and their failure occurred as a result of gradual loosening and then cracking – interruption of the continuity of the wood fibres. The role of the applied fasteners, which to some extent protect against loosening of the joints, and partially transfer the applied load, was confirmed. The obtained results were compared to the results from the literature regarding similar connections. Research results can be helpful in designing and performing repair and conservation work in historic wooden structures with carpentry joints, in the event of, for example, the need to recreate a historical joint or replenish part of the substance in an existing joint.

Spinning Circle at the Mill

Spinning Circle at the Mill

Effects of Aging on Taxi Service Performance: A Comparative Study Based on Different Age Groups

Rapid population aging has significantly impacted labor supply and posed substantial challenges for the taxi industry, which have not yet been fully comprehended. Here, for the first time, we employ a large-scale dataset of taxi driver operations from China, establishing a comprehensive indicator system of taxi service performance, encompassing economic, environmental, and safety aspects. Through the application of multivariate regression models and other statistical analysis techniques, we have thoroughly investigated the mechanisms through which aging influences taxi service performance. Our research reveals that older drivers, despite exhibiting higher operational efficiency and greater inclination towards stability, underperform in time efficiency metrics, such as income per hour worked, owing to a more conservative working style. Furthermore, aging manifests negative effects on safety and environmental performance. Adjusting the driving strategies of older taxi drivers, such as regulating daily working hours and refining passenger-searching area preferences, can help mitigate these adverse impacts.

Fifth Report on the Publication and Conservation of the Tomb of Ramesses III in the Valley of the Kings (KV 11)


 
 
 The 2021 fieldwork of The Ramesses III (KV 11) Publication and Conservation Project1 included the excavation of room H, the first upper layer of room I, the area behind pillars 1 to 7 in hall J (fol. aisle), and room Ja. Furthermore, consolidation work on pillars and the ceiling in the burial chamber began, and initial work for future conservation was carried out. Microbiological examination of the entire tomb took place to gain data for health precautions and in support of conservation. Finally, our research and the development of a site management plan proceeded successfully and will lead to the publication of KV 11 in the future.
 
 

Conservation as a Driving Force for the Sustainability of Yeşilburç Village Cultural Heritage Values

Historical environments and cultural assets, which are important components of these environments, carry values that are transferred from generation to generation and provide a link between the past and the present. Today, globalization and urbanization, which pose a significant threat to this invaluable heritage, also threaten rural settlements, where place-specific values are relatively better preserved than in urban centers. The protection of the heritage values of historical environments as a whole and the importance of protection have also been revealed by international treaties. This article focuses on Yeşilburç Village in Niğde Province, one of the villages built by Greeks migrating to Greece and later inhabited by Muslims migrating from Greece, following the forced migration agreement signed between the Turkish and Greek governments in 1924. Yeşilburç historical settlement was declared an urban conservation area in 2019, and a conservation plan is under construction in line with the current legal regulations in Turkey. In this study, it is claimed that the conservation works are a driving force and opportunity for the sustainability of the settlement, and the importance of the documentation studies carried out within the scope of the planning studies is emphasized. The data presented in this study is based on fieldwork and archival research conducted during the conservation planning process and assesses the challenges encountered in the process, the existing and potential values of the site, and the threats and opportunities that may hinder conservation. The key and triggering role of conservation and its potential resource quality is indispensable in maintaining the original values of the Yeşilburç settlement, which has a rich historical past, and new research will strengthen this situation.

The showcase of salt rocks from Cardona in the Barcelona Natural Sciences Museum: conservation and adaptation for passive climate control

The results of the conservation work carried out on an exhibition set-up dating from the early twentieth century are presented. The exhibition set-up consists of a wooden showcase containing about twenty evaporite rocks from the collection of the Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona (Spain). The work involved the remedial conservation of the rock specimens and showcase, and the improvement of the original environmental control system using sustainability criteria. An interdisciplinary team worked on the different phases of the project, which included prior historical and environmental studies. The remedial conservation of all elements in the collection has improved its accessibility and the monitoring of the environmental conditions of the new installation has confirmed the efficiency of the proposed passive environmental control system.

Interactions with fungi vary among Tripsacum dactyloides genotypes from across a precipitation gradient.

Plant-associated microbes, specifically fungal endophytes, augment the ability of many grasses to adapt to extreme environmental conditions. Tripsacum dactyloides (Eastern gamagrass) is a perennial, drought-tolerant grass native to the tallgrass prairies of the central USA. The extent to which the microbiome of T. dactyloides contributes to its drought tolerance is unknown. Ninety-seven genotypes of T. dactyloides were collected from native populations across an east-west precipitation gradient in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, and then grown together in a common garden for over 20 years. Root and leaf samples were visually examined for fungal density. Because fungal endophytes confer drought-tolerant capabilities to their host plants, we expected to find higher densities of fungal endophytes in plants from western, drier regions, compared to plants from eastern, wetter regions. Results confirmed a negative correlation between endophyte densities in roots and precipitation at the genotype's original location (r = -0.21 P = 0.04). Our analyses reveal that the host genotype's origin along the precipitation gradient predicts the absolute abundance of symbionts in the root, but not the relative abundances of particular organisms or the overall community composition. Overall, these results demonstrate that genetic variation for plant-microbe interactions can reflect historical environment, and reinforce the importance of considering plant genotype in conservation and restoration work in tallgrass prairie ecosystems.

Effective Building Surveying Using Laser Scanning for Heritage Building Documentation

In conservation works, a thorough pathology survey is required to identify building defects. Early detection of defects can prevent the increase in cost during conservation works. Conventionally, common defects that occur in heritage buildings can be observed and recorded during a walk-by inspection; however, the process is often time consuming. Furthermore, all recorded defects require a precise but conventional data collection to identify, test, and observe the level of defects. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of manual walk-in building condition assessment with the point cloud data analysis that utilises theLight Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology. A building condition assessment was conducted involving theIpoh Town Halland Post Office, Galeri Kraftangan Seremban,and Bangunan Dato’Jaafarin Johor Bahru using both conventional walk-in survey and thelaser scanning process. Thisstudy concludes that combining digital tools with the traditional methods promotes a more accurate and effective assessment for heritage building assessment, which iscrucial forensuring the sustainability of historic structures. Additionally, 3D point cloud dataallows the exploration ofbuilding deterioration from a wider perspective.

How Do We Know When We Achieve Land Degradation Neutrality in Forests? A Systematic Review

This systematic review develops a comprehensive understanding of how land degradation is measured with respect to forests, and what qualitative and quantitative methods are being utilised in the pursuit of land degradation neutrality (LDN) generally. Scopus and Environmental Abstracts (EVA) databases were searched for peer-reviewed studies from 1998–2021 using key search terms including ‘land degradation neutrality’, ‘soil’ and ‘forest’. Of the 53 included studies, most articles (n = 25) are experimental reports, and the next most common classification (n = 14) is literature reviews. Studies tended to be longitudinal (mean length of 15.4 years) and Eurasia-centric. Almost all extant research focuses on the indicators rather than the drivers of land degradation. Choosing indicators to measure remains contentious; however, most research uses those prescribed by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification: land cover, net primary productivity and soil organic carbon. Despite this convergence around which indicators to monitor, there is no standardisation in the methods used to do so. Therefore, no meaningful comparison between countries or even studies can be made. This lack of standardisation and bias towards indicators instead of drivers is important because, under the current paradigm, land managers seeking to prevent or offset forest degradation cannot do so with any certainty. Until these issues are addressed, it will be impossible to track progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15.3 for global LDN, and large-scale conservation work in this area is based on guesswork. How will we know when we achieve LDN in forests, globally? Based on current research, we will not. Future research must seek standardised ways to quantify land degradation based on its drivers: erosion, urbanisation and human activity, drought and desertification, and pollution.

Energy saving and carbon reduction schemes for hospital with photovoltaic power generation and system upgrading technology

In order to help China achieve the double carbon target of total carbon peak and high-quality sustainable economic development, and to enrich the work and content of energy conservation and emission reduction in the building sector, the most complex and energy-consuming hospitals are taken as the key projects for energy conservation and emission reduction to carry out feasibility studies. The reasons for the high energy consumption of the existing hospital buildings were analysed, and it was proposed to upgrade the existing systems (including air conditioning, hot water system and intelligent control system) and to generate photovoltaic power for the existing buildings, taking into account the characteristics of the local climate. The results of the study showed that the energy saving and emission reduction effect of the hospital was obvious after the programme was adopted.