This study aims to investigate the factors affecting farmers' market access in Ninh Thuan Province. Data was gathered through direct interviews with 433 smallholder farmers using a structured questionnaire. Results from the logit model revealed seven significant factors influencing market access: education level, experience, farm size, production linkages, agricultural extension training, information access, and distance to markets. Notably, agricultural extension was found to have the most substantial positive impact on farmers' market access in Ninh Thuan Province. The study offers new insights for policymakers seeking to improve market access for farmers in the province.
Abstract This study aims to investigate the effect of organically modified zirconium dioxide nanoparticles (m‐ZrO 2 NPs) on the mechanical properties, morphology, and weather stability of fluoroethylene/vinyl ether copolymer (FEVE). To modify the surface of ZrO 2 NPs, a 3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate silane (TMSPM) organic coupling agent was utilized. The ZrO 2 NPs were treated with 3 wt.% of TMSPM using a solution method with ultrasonication assistance at 50°C. Various amounts of m‐ZrO 2 NPs (1, 2, and 4 wt.% of FEVE weight) were dispersed in a xylene solvent and mixed with FEVE resin. The mixture was then cured with polyisocyanate. The mechanical properties of the FEVE nanocomposite coatings, including impact resistance, adhesion, and abrasion resistance were measured. The morphology of the coatings was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). To evaluate the weather stability of the coatings, an accelerated weathering test was conducted in a QUV/SPRAY chamber. This test could potentially affect the chemical structure, weight/thickness, and surface characteristics of the coatings. The carbonyl index, weight loss, and changes in mechanical properties of the coatings were monitored and discussed at different intervals during the accelerated weathering test. In addition, the morphology of the coatings after undergoing 42 cycles of accelerated weathering testing was analyzed. The results indicated that m‐ZrO 2 NPs had a positive impact on the weather durability of FEVE resin, particularly in significantly enhancing the weather resistance of the FEVE‐based coatings. Therefore, these coatings exhibit potential for outdoor applications. Highlights Silane modified ZrO 2 nanoparticles improve the mechanical properties of FEVE resin. The weather stability of FEVE resin increases as using modified ZrO 2 nanoparticles. The suitable content of modified ZrO 2 nanoparticles for FEVE resin is 2 wt.%. Mechanical properties of the nanocomposite reduce slightly after 42 cycle testing. Propose the mechanism for weather resistance of the nanocomposite coating.
A novel TENG with a 3D-printed PHMG-GA-PVA polymer composite film as a positive electrodes exhibits high output efficiency, remarkable durability and antibacterial properties, making it ideal for advanced energy-harvesting applications.
Abstract This study focused on 3D printing‐preparation of novel biomaterials based on fish scale collagen and the following plant extracts: Eclipta alba L. Hassk leaf (EA), Piper betle L. leaf (PB), Perilla frutescens L. Britt leaf (PF), and Styphnolobium japonicum L. Schott flower bud (SJ). The characterizations of the obtained biomaterials were analyzed using infrared spectroscopy and stereo microscopy. Additionally, assessments of the biomaterials were conducted on the water contact angle, simulated body fluid contact angle, scratch resistance, color changes, and swelling degree in simulated body fluid. Furthermore, in‐vitro blood clotting time and the anti‐inflammatory ability of these biomaterials were also performed. The results indicated that the plant extracts contributed to modifying collagen, significantly improving the scratch resistance and water contact angle of the collagen/plant extract biomaterials. The plant extracts were dispersed consistently with the collagen matrix, impacting the vibrations of specific functional groups of collagen. Collagen/plant extract dressings exhibited great biocompatibility and anti‐inflammatory. The in‐vitro tests demonstrated that the ethanol EA extract notably enhanced the hemostatic effectiveness of collagen, suggesting the potential of collagen/plant extract biomaterials in hemostatic applications.
The numbers surrounding the world coconut industry are substantial – 55,500,000,000 coconuts produced every year from 12,000,000 hectares supporting an industry worth USD 6 billion at wholesale. Yet despite the size and wealth of the industry most coconut growers are among the poorest in their society and over 1 million tonnes of coconut dust are dumped into the environment every year.
In the Mekong Delta, riverbanks shaded with coconut trees are an iconic part of the landscape, but only in the last decade has the local coconut industry taken the first steps to becoming a modern, competitive industry. Much of this recent development has happened in Ben Tre province, at the heart of the industry in the Delta with the greatest concentration of coconut trees and businesses. The Ben Tre authorities and industry leaders are now looking to help the industry mature into an internationally competitive and sustainable coconut industry that maximises the value created for the local community, businesses and coconut farmers.
This study is part of that process and aims to provide evidence of the current state of the global coconut industry and the local industry in Ben Tre and the wider Mekong Delta and to assess specific opportunities for the industry’s future development. The study also identifies several promising commercial opportunities for local coconut businesses and the impacts these could have on the company’s own bottom-line profits as well as the wider industry. It supplements extensive secondary data with insights and evidence gathered through an international benchmarking exercise with leading competitor countries, including the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand as well as the local industry in Ben Tre.
Abstract Collagen derived from freshwater fish scales is a potential material for hemostatic and wound healing. 3D printing method is an environmentally friendly technique to geometrically‐controlled samples and is widely applied to prepare collagen‐based materials. This work aims to compare the advantages of preparation methods for hemostatic materials based on collagen, in which, the traditional method, solution will be compared with the modern method, 3D printing. Collagen in gel form was crosslinked with glutaraldehyde and was first time modified with ginsenoside Rb1 and Camellia chrysantha polyphenols. The characteristics of biomaterial samples, including functional groups, morphology, and element composition of samples have been assessed using infrared spectroscopy, energy‐dispersive x‐ray, field emission scanning electron microscopy. The swelling degree and hemostatic ability of biomaterial samples prepared according to two methods would be tested. The antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory tests, and in vivo test on mice were carried out on these biomaterials. The findings confirmed that the 3D printing method with direct ink writing technique is more suitable for the preparation of hemostatic collagen‐based membrane than the solution method. The time to hemostasis when using collagen‐based membrane was found to be 104.0 ± 16.7 s. Moreover, the collagen‐based biomaterials also have anti‐inflammatory and antibacterial activity. This opens potential applications of the biomaterials from fish scale collagen in practice.
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