In order to replace conventional materials in the existing composite world, there has been a focus on adopting coir fibres, which are lightweight, adaptable, efficient, and have great mechanical qualities. This study describes the creation of environmentally responsible bio-composites with good mechanical characteristics that employ coir powder as a reinforcement, which has good interfacial integrity with an epoxy matrix. And these epoxy-coir composites supplemented with coir particles are predicted to function as a reliable substitute for traditional materials used in industrial applications. Here, untreated and alkali-treated coir fibres powder were employed as reinforcement, with epoxy resin serving as a matrix. An experimental investigation has been carried out to study the effect of coir powder reinforcement at different weight percentages (5 wt%, 10 wt%, 15 wt%, 20 wt%, 25 wt%, and 30 wt%). The morphological study, followed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and an optical microscope (OM), demonstrated that the powder and matrix had the strongest adhesion at 20 wt% coir powder-reinforced composite, with no voids, bubbles, or cracks. Based on the entire investigation, the polymer composite with 20 wt% reinforcement exhibited better mechanical qualities than the other combinations.

The electron/hole transport layer can promote charge transfer and improve device performance, which is used in perovskite solar cells. The nanoarray structure transport layers can not only further promote carrier transport but also reduce recombination. It also has a great potential in enhancing perovskite light absorption, improving device stability and inhibiting the crack nucleation of different structure layers in perovskite solar cells. This paper reviewed the research progress of perovskite solar cells with different nanoarray structure transport layers. The challenges and development directions of perovskite solar cells based on nanoarray structure transport layers are also summarized and prospected.

Dredging and reclamation operations are pivotal aspects of coastal engineering and land development. Within these tasks lie potential hazards for personnel operating dredging machinery and working within reclamation zones. Due to the specialized nature of the work environment, which deviates from conventional workplace settings, the risk of workplace accidents is significantly heightened. The aim of this study is to conduct a comprehensive risk analysis of the safety aspects related to dredging and reclamation activities, with the goal of enhancing safety and minimizing the frequency and severity of potential dangers. This research comprises a thorough risk analysis, integrating meticulous hazard identification from sample projects and literature reviews. It involves risk assessment by gathering insights from experts with direct working experience and aims to assess potential risks. The study focuses on defining effective risk management strategies, exemplified through a case study of a nearshore construction project in Thailand. The study identified numerous high and very high-risk factors in the assessment and analysis of occupational safety in dredging and reclamation work. Consequently, a targeted response was implemented to control and mitigate these risks to an acceptable level. The outcome of this study will provide a significant contribution to the advancement of guidelines and best practices for improving the safety of dredging and reclamation operations.

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of single and mixed infections of nematode (Meloidogyne javanica), fungus (Fusarium oxysporum) and bacterium (Xanthomonas axonopodis) on nodulation and pathological parameters of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterrenea (L.) Verdc.) in field condition. Nematode infested field was used while other pathogens were obtained from diseased plants. The Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was adopted in a 5 × 9 × 5 factorial design (5 blocks, 9 treatments and 5 replicates per treatments) resulting in 225 experimental units. In each experimental unit, three seeds were sown to a depth of 5cm and thinned to one plant per planting hole after germination at day 7. Treatments were inoculated into test plant following standard methods. As a result, the control treatment recorded the highest number of nodules (64.0 ± 6.91), followed by bacterium (45.2 ± 5.11) while N + F + B had the lowest number of root nodules (23.4 ± 2.42). Simultaneous treatment (N + F + B) gave the highest percentage reduction in nodulation (63.44%), followed by treatment N + F7 (56.25%). Fungus treatment recorded the highest mean wilted plants (3.8 + 0.20) followed by N + F7 treatment (3.40 + 0.40). Gall formation in the nematode treatment increased proportionately by 56.33% as the highest recorded, followed by treatment N + F7 with 50.0%. Treatment N + F7 had the highest reproduction factor (Rf) value of 9.30 followed by nematode (8.30), N + B7 (7.40), N + F + B (6.80) and N + F14 (6.50). Zero (0) Rf value was recorded in fungus, bacterium and control treatments. The observed differences in nodulation and pathological parameters among the treatments are significant (P < 0.05). The data provided in this work is important in the control of the three pathogens affecting the productivity of Bambara nut. Formulation of a single protectant should be designed to have potent effects on the three pathogens to achieve effective protection and good production of Bambara nut.

This study examines the effectiveness of Kazakhstan’s grant funding system in supporting research institutions and universities, focusing on the relationship between funding levels, expert evaluations, and research outputs. We analyzed 317 projects awarded grants in 2021, using parametric methods to assess publication outcomes in Scopus and Web of Science databases. Descriptive statistics for 1606 grants awarded between 2021 and 2023 provide additional insights into the broader funding landscape. The results highlight key correlations between funding, evaluation scores, and journal publication percentiles, with a notable negative correlation observed between international and national expert evaluations in specific scientific fields. A productivity analysis at the organizational level was conducted using non-parametric methods to evaluate institutional efficiency in converting funding into research output. Data were manually collected from the National Center of Science and Technology Evaluation and supplemented with publication data from Scopus and Web of Science, using unique grant numbers and principal investigators’ profiles. This comprehensive analysis contributes to the development of an analytical framework for improving research funding policies in Kazakhstan.

In the context of Vietnam’s extensive international integration, economic concentration emerges as a pivotal strategy employed by businesses across various sectors, notably the retail industry, to foster expansion and bolster competitiveness within the market. As this trend evolves, it necessitates the formulation by the Vietnamese Government of a comprehensive and stringent legal framework tailored to regulate economic concentration among enterprises. Such measures are imperative to preclude the curtailment of market competition, which could potentially undermine the equity and vitality of the business environment in Vietnam. This paper meticulously examines and elucidates theoretical nuances surrounding economic concentration in the retail sector. Additionally, it scrutinizes the current landscape, assessing the impact of extant legislation governing economic concentration and the efficacy of enforcement activities in this realm within the Vietnamese retail sector. Consequently, the paper proffers judicious recommendations to enhance the efficacy of legal mechanisms governing economic concentration to foster competition and fortify Vietnam’s overall economic prowess, particularly within the retail sector.