High Transportation Costs Research Articles

Barriers to accessing care for cardiometabolic disorders in Malawi: partners as a source of resilience for people living with HIV

BackgroundPeople living with HIV (PLWH) are at increased risk of cardiometabolic disorders (CMD). Adequate access to care for both HIV and CMD is crucial to improving health outcomes; however, there is limited research that have examined couples’ experiences accessing such care in resource-constrained settings. We aimed to identify barriers to accessing CMD care among PLWH in Malawi and the role of partners in mitigating these barriers.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative investigation of barriers to CMD care among 25 couples in Malawi. Couples were eligible if at least one partner was living with HIV and had hypertension or diabetes (i.e., the index patient). Index patients were recruited from HIV care clinics in the Zomba district, and their partners were enrolled thereafter. Interviews were conducted separately with both partners to determine barriers to CMD care access and how partners were involved in care.ResultsParticipants framed their experiences with CMD care by making comparisons to HIV treatment, which was free and consistently available. The main barriers to accessing CMD care included shortage of medications, cost of tests and treatments, high cost of transportation to health facilities, lengthy wait times at health facilities, faulty or unavailable medical equipment and supplies, inadequate monitoring of patients’ health conditions, some cultural beliefs about causes of illness, use of herbal therapies as an alternative to prescribed medicine, and inadequate knowledge about CMD treatments. Partners provided support through decision-making on accessing medical care, assisting partners in navigating the healthcare system, and providing financial assistance with transportation and treatment expenses. Partners also helped manage care for CMD, including communicating health information to their partners, providing appointment reminders, supporting medication adherence, and supporting recommended lifestyle behaviors.ConclusionsCouples identified many barriers to CMD care access, which were perceived as greater challenges than HIV care. Partners provided critical forms of support in navigating these barriers. With the rise of CMD among PLWH, improving access to CMD care should be prioritized, using lessons learned from HIV and integrated care approaches. Partner involvement in CMD care may help mitigate most barriers to CMD care.

GIS-Based Optimization for Gas Distribution Route Design: A Case Study of PT Gagas Energi Indonesia

PT Gagas Energi Indonesia is a company engaged in the trading and natural gas business, one of which is Gaslink C-Cyl. Route determination for Gaslink C-Cyl distribution is carried out subjectively based on the proximity of locations between customers, thus creating inefficient routes, affecting the number of vehicles needed, and causing high transportation costs. Based on this problem, this study aims to minimize transportation costs by determining the optimal route and number of vehicles needed using the Multi-Trip Vehicle Routing Problem Time Windows Simultaneous Pickup and Delivery (MTVRPTW-SPD). This problem is solved using Geographic Information System (GIS) based optimization. To evaluate GIS-based optimization performance, comparison between existing condition and optimization are done for 50 demand points. Then, two scenario was developed, 100 and 200 demand points to explain the decision implication related to demand uncertainty. Based on the optimization process for 50 demand points gives better solution than existing condition in term of number of fleets needed, total distance travelled, and total transportation cost which result 3 units, 46,5%, and 43,5% respectively.

Study on the Damage of Fiber-Reinforced Seawater Sea Sand Concrete by Freezing and Thawing of Seawater.

The use of seawater and sea sand as replacements for fresh water and river sand in the preparation of seawater and sea sand concrete can effectively address issues such as high transportation costs, extended construction periods, and resource wastage. Nevertheless, in northern coastal areas, the problem of concrete durability in the complex and changing marine environment is more prominent. Research on the durability of seawater sea sand concrete is beneficial to the widening of its application range. To investigate the impact of glass fiber (GF) and polyvinyl alcohol fiber (PVA) with different blending methods on the seawater freeze-thaw resistance of seawater sea sand concrete (SSC), corresponding specimens were prepared, and seawater freeze-thaw cycling tests were conducted. By adopting the slow-freezing method and combining macro-structure and micro-morphology, the damage mechanism and the deterioration law of fiber-reinforced SSC under seawater freezing and thawing were investigated. The results indicate that, macroscopically, the incorporation of GF and PVA can effectively mitigate the damage to the matrix and reduce the effects of external erosive substances on the rate of strength loss, the rate of mass loss, and the relative dynamic elastic modulus. After 75 cycles, the SSC with a total volume doping of 0.3% and a blending ratio of 1:1 showed a 41.23% and 27.55% reduction in mass loss and strength loss, respectively, and a 29.9% improvement in relative dynamic elastic modulus compared with the basic group. Microscopic analysis reveals that the combined effect of freezing and expansion forces, the expansive substances generated by seawater intrusion into the interior of the matrix, and salt crystallization all weaken the bond between aggregate and mortar, leading to accelerated deterioration of the concrete. The incorporation of fibers enables the matrix to become denser and improves its crack-resistant properties, resulting in a better durability than that of the basic group. The damage prediction model established by the NSGM(1,N) model of gray system theory exhibits high accuracy and is suitable for long-term prediction, accurately predicting the damage of seawater sea sand concrete under seawater freeze-thaw coupling.

Planned expansion of transportation infrastructure in Brazil has implications for the pattern of agricultural production and carbon emissions

High transportation costs have been a barrier to the expansion of agriculture in the interior of Brazil. To reduce transportation costs, Brazil launched the National Logistics Plan, aiming to expand its railway network by up to 91 % by 2035. Such a large-scale infrastructure investment raises concerns about its economic and environmental consequences. By combining geospatial estimation of transportation cost with a grid-resolving, multi-scale economic model that bridges fine-scale crop production with its trade and demand from national and global perspectives, we explore impacts of transportation infrastructure expansion on agricultural production, land use changes, and carbon emissions both locally and nationally in Brazil. We find that globally, the impacts on output and land use changes are small. However, within Brazil, the plan's primary impacts are impressive. PNL2035 results in the reduction of transportation costs by 8–23 % across states (depending on expansion's extent) in the interior Cerrado biome. This results in cropland expansion and increases in terrestrial carbon emissions in the Cerrado region. However, the increase in terrestrial carbon emissions in the Cerrado is offset by spillover effects elsewhere in Brazil, as crop production shifts away from the Southeast-South regions and accompanying change in the mix of transportation mode for farm products from roadway to more emission-efficient railway. Furthermore, we argue that the transportation infrastructure's impact on the enhanced mobility of labor and other agricultural inputs would further accentuate the regional shift in agricultural production and contribute to carbon emission mitigation. Upon its completion, PNL2035 is expected to result in the reduction of net national emissions by 1.8–30.7 million metric ton of CO2-equivalent, depending on the impacts on labor and purchased input mobility. We conclude that the omission of spillover effects due to infrastructure expansion can lead to misleading assessments of transport policies.

Constraints Faced by the Farmers in Production and Marketing of Cauliflower in Haryana, India

Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. Botrytis) is one of the most important remunerative vegetable crops grown on commercial scale in India. It is widely grown across India and is a popular vegetable among the people. It is known for its white, tender head or curd, which is used in curries, soups, and for pickling. Cauliflower is a crucial winter vegetable grown in India. A survey was conducted among a group of cauliflower growers to understand the challenges they encounter during cauliflower production and marketing. The objective of the study was to identify the production and marketing constraints faced by the cauliflower growers. Panipat and Sonipat districts were purposively selected due to their significant cauliflower cultivation areas in the state. A total of 200 cauliflower growers were conveniently chosen to gather the necessary data. In Panipat and Sonipat district, the study revealed that the major constraints in cauliflower production included the high cost of cauliflower seeds, expensive fertilizers, labour scarcity during peak periods, and other similar challenges. In terms of cauliflower marketing, respondents reported multiple constraints such as high transportation costs, numerous intermediaries in the marketing process, price fluctuations, lack of awareness about the Bhavantar Bharpayee Yojana (BBY) and its complex procedures, and the higher margins of middlemen. To address these constraints, it is recommended to establish sufficient storage facilities that enable producers to distribute their sales throughout the year. Efforts should be made to ensure the availability of quality seeds and protect producers from experiencing low prices during peak seasons.

Enhancing Multi-Channel Consumer Behavior Analysis: A Data-Driven Approach using the Optimized Apriori Algorithm

Purpose –In the dynamic arena of retail and e-commerce, understanding customer behavior is crucial. This research paper investigates the strategies customers use to balance convenience and cost. It notes that consumers often divide their purchases, choosing online platforms for items they perceive as reasonably priced, while preferring physical stores for products associated with high shipping costs, lack of express shipping, or higher online prices. Traditional retail analysis methods, such as identifying frequently purchased and co-occurring items, are critical to the sector. However, these insights may be skewed if the analysis is solely confined to the online shopping cart, neglecting related purchases made at physical stores either before or after the online transaction. This paper addresses this analytical gap by looking into the complex interplay between online and offline purchases. The objective is to provide a more comprehensive, detailed understanding of multi-channel shopping behaviors, allowing retailers to better cater to their customers' needs and preferences while optimizing their strategies for a more effective market presence. This comprehensive approach attempts to uncover deeper insights into the interactions between online and offline purchases, thereby contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of consumer behavior in the retail and e-commerce industries.
 Design/methodology/approach- A detailed survey questionnaire was administered, obtaining 2465 responses. The questionnaire was specifically designed to capture the complexities of online and offline purchases, with an emphasis on Apple's purchase channels. The Apriori algorithm was used twice to find frequently co-occurring items that were purchased online and then online clubbed with offline. Essential metrics like support and confidence were calculated for both online and offline purchases. To determine any significant differences between the groups, an independent-samples t-test was used. This comprehensive methodology ensures a thorough examination of multi-channel shopping behaviors, providing valuable insights into consumer behavior in the retail and e-commerce sectors.
 Findings–We find that cross channel switching in a multi-channel distribution environment occurs due to price differences, convenience and flexibility. The paper illustrates the flaws of drawing inferences with data from a single channel emphasizing the need for a more holistic, multi-channel approach to data analysis in order to capture the full range of consumer behavior.
 Research limitations/implications –
 This study assumes that self-reported purchases or acquisitions of products accurately reflect actual consumer behavior. The insights derived from this research have significant implications for various marketing strategies, including pricing, product bundling, cross-selling, and promotional activities. However, it’s important to note that the reliance on self-reported data may introduce certain limitations, as it may not fully capture the complexity of actual consumer behavior. Despite these limitations, the insights gained from the study will add value for several marketing decisions like pricing, bundling, cross-selling and promotions.
 Originality value– While there is an abundance of literature on the application of Association Rule Mining for Market Basket Analysis, the existing body of work exploring its application within a multi-channel context is notably sparse. This study aims to address this gap in the literature, offering a unique perspective and making a substantial contribution to the existing body of knowledge in this area.

Economic analysis of hydrogen production and refueling station via molten-medium-catalyzed pyrolysis of natural gas process

The urgent need for sustainable energy solutions has been underscored by escalating greenhouse gas emissions and the global commitment to net-zero emissions. Clean hydrogen energy, despite its potential for the global low-carbon transition, faces challenges such as high production and transport costs and significant carbon emissions. Herein, we investigate the molten-medium-catalyzed pyrolysis of natural gas (MPN) for hydrogen production and refueling. We highlight the urgent environmental and economic motivations for cleaner energy, specifically addressing the existing challenges faced by traditional hydrogen production methods. Our research introduces an innovative integrated system for onsite hydrogen production, showcasing its economic advantages, carbon emission reduction potential, and compatibility with current infrastructures. The study meticulously evaluates the MPN technology's economic feasibility, including a detailed analysis of cost drivers and the market value of by-product carbon materials. Furthermore, we stress the importance of further research to optimize the technology and promote its adoption for a low-carbon future. This investigation presents MPN as a promising alternative, potentially revolutionizing the hydrogen supply chain and contributing significantly to global decarbonization efforts.

Agri-silviculture community growers in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

Agriculture and forestry play a crucial role in the South African economy, contributing to poverty alleviation and economic growth. Combining the two, agroforestry is a land-use system that integrates agricultural crops with woody perennials to achieve beneficial ecological and economical interactions for food, fiber, and livestock production. A study conducted in the South African provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga demonstrated the positive impact of agroforestry on food security and community livelihoods by integrating crop production (groundnuts) into forestry plantations (eucalyptus trees), as a type of agri-silviculture. Referred to as the ´intervention´, this agroforestry initiative monitored the food security status of community growers. Before the intervention, all the community growers were moderately food insecure, facing insufficient and monotonous diets. After the intervention, food accessibility increased significantly, as 88% of the community growers indicated that they now had access to food from their land, and 62% no longer went hungry, children included. The agri-silviculture community growers were additionally able to sell their groundnuts at formal and informal markets, increasing their income and improving their livelihoods. The environmental and socioeconomic success of this study was made possible, and continues to be improved upon, thanks to the ongoing collaboration between the Agricultural Research Council and Mountain to Ocean. Public-private partnerships such as these must be prioritised, as they are instrumental in promoting, financing and developing agroforestry initiatives. Agroforestry proved to be a viable solution to enhance food security, generate income, and improve livelihoods in South Africa, but high transportation costs and the lack of transportation infrastructure need to be addressed to provide community growers easier access to their agroforestry sites. It is recommended that agroforestry be intensified across South Africa to help achieve Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, particularly zero hunger.

Investigation of the Physical Properties of Thin Layer Asphalt Concrete Mixtures using by-Products from Power Plants

Bottom ash is a by-product produced from the process of burning rocks for electricity generation. The bottom ash produced requires a large enough storage area, high transportation costs to move it to a safe final disposal location so that it does not have a negative impact on humans. This research aims to analyze the effect of using bottom ash waste in the HRS WC asphalt mixture. The asphalt mixture is made in the form of a cylinder with a diameter of 101.6 mm and a thickness of 64 mm and is made in a hot mix. The test object was tested using the Marshall test to determine stability. Flow, vim and marshall quotient. The use of 20% BA to substitute sand in the asphalt mixture has a positive impact by increasing the stability value. The flow value meets the specifications required by the ministry of public works and public housing. The VIM value of the asphalt mixture also meets, indicating that the presence of bottom ash with an amount of up to 20% in the asphalt mixture can work optimally in the asphalt mixture.

Large-scale agricultural investments and local food security – Evidence from a mixed-method case study in Benin

AbstractLarge-scale agricultural investments (LSAIs) and their impacts on local communities in host countries have been controversially discussed in recent years. As scholars increasingly call for more structured and comprehensive analyses, we develop a mixed-method approach using an expanded version of the “Right to Food” (RtF) framework to systematically investigate the local food security impacts of a recently established tomato-producing LSAI in Central Benin, West Africa. We find that the LSAI keeps natural resources as accessible as possible for the local community and provides employment opportunities, leading to higher dietary diversity of employees and multiplier effects in the local economy. At the same time, we find inequalities regarding the compensation of former land users as well as high job insecurity for temporary laborers who face high transportation costs to reach the LSAI. We argue that fair and inclusive compensation, improved access to markets and machinery, access to natural resources for often overlooked groups (pastoralists, hunters, fishermen) and social infrastructure are crucial factors in promoting positive outcomes of LSAIs on communities and that strong local institutions play a key role for achieving this. We conclude that the specific characteristics of our case (relatively small size, labor-intensive crop, focus on regional markets) provide favorable conditions for positive impacts on local food security. We encourage further, structured mixed-method studies, ideally including longitudinal and comparative research designs, to investigate the multidimensional effects related to the establishment of LSAIs. The extended RtF framework can thereby serve as a structural lens to systematically analyze the findings.

A comparative analysis of the economics of cassava production and processing by IFAD VCDP participants and non-participants in Benue and Kogi States, Nigeria

This study analyzed the Economics of Cassava production and processing by IFAD VCDP participants and Non-participants in Benue and Kogi States, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to: describe the socio-economic characteristics of the participants and non-participants along the value chain; estimate the cost and returns on production and processing of cassava by participants and non-participant respondents in the study area, and to identify the constraints to cassava production and processing in the study area. Two hypotheses were formulated and tested. There is no difference between the income of participants and non-participants The study employed the survey research design of descriptive type. Simple random sampling technique and Proportionate sampling (using Taro Yamane) were used to scientifically select 333 participants and 333 non – participants from the two states making 666 respondents. However only 664 questionnaires were found useful. Data collected were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, mean scores, and gross margin. Findings from the study revealed that majority of the respondents were males (52.71%), in the active age range of 31 – 50 years, married (89.31 %,), educated (84%) and had over five years’ experience (74.25%). Gross margin analysis showed that the participants had a gross margin of N792, 952 and Benefit-cost ratio of 6.64 as against N646, 961.76 and 5.83 by non-participant farmers respectively and N820, 374.10 and Benefit-cost ratio of 3.23 for participant processors and N452, 917.85 and 2.03 for non-participant processors respectively. Lack of funds (2.61), poor rural infrastructure (2.29), high transportation (2.42) and poor access to stem cuttings (2.44) constitute constraints to cassava production while lack of funds (2.90), poor rural infrastructure (2.44) and high transportation cost (2.15) constitute constraints to cassava processing. The z-test statistical analysis result revealed income differential of N264, 081 in favour of participants with a t-value of 12.0842 significant at 1% level (Pr. = 0.000). Conclusively, the study provides valuable insights into the dynamics of participants and non-participants in the IFAD VCDP programme, shedding light on their socioeconomic characteristics, and constraints. Notably, the participants in the programme demonstrated a higher mean income compared to non-participants, indicating the positive impact of IFAD project participation on income generation. The study among others recommends that policymakers explore options for providing financial assistance such as microcredit facilities, or grants to the participants, ensuring that financial literacy training accompany these initiatives to ensure responsible use of funds and investment in cassava-related activities.

Impact of the New International Land–Sea Transport Corridor on Port Competition between Neighboring Countries Based on a Spatial Duopoly Model

The development of international land–sea transport corridors has provided more convenient access to the sea for inland areas and promoted the improvement of transportation efficiency, environmental improvement, and the strengthening of international cooperation. However, the construction of international land–sea transport corridors has also intensified competition among the ports, which has extended from the local and regional to the national and even international levels. This paper explores the impact of international land–sea transport corridors on oligopolistic port competition between neighboring countries using the Hotelling model. By setting up the utility of the shipper’s port selection, the equilibrium price, market share, and profit of duopoly ports in neighboring countries are analyzed under different conditions of cross-border land transportation and maritime transportation. It is found that the high cross-border transportation cost of the international land–sea transport corridor is not conducive to increasing the market share of the overseas oligopolistic ports in the region. If the maritime transportation cost of overseas oligopoly ports is too high compared with domestic oligopoly ports, it will offset the land transport advantages brought by international land–sea transport corridors. The findings in this paper could provide support for strategic decision making in port markets and cross-border transport corridor development.

“I only seek treatment when I am ill”: experiences of hypertension and diabetes care among adults living with HIV in urban Tanzania

BackgroundFor adults living with HIV (ALHIV) and comorbidities, access to comprehensive healthcare services is crucial to achieving optimal health outcomes. This study aims to describe lived experiences, challenges, and coping strategies for accessing care for hypertension and/or diabetes (HTN/DM) in HIV care and treatment clinics (CTCs) and other healthcare settings.MethodologyWe conducted a qualitative study that employed a phenomenological approach between January and April 2022 using a semi-structured interview guide in six HIV CTCs in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. We purposively recruited 33 ALHIV with HTN (n = 16), DM (n = 10), and both (n = 7). Thematic content analysis was guided by the 5As framework of access to care.FindingsThe majority of the participants were females, between the ages of 54–73, and were recruited from regional referral hospitals. HIV CTCs at regional referral hospitals had more consistent provision of HTN screening services compared to those from district hospitals and health centers. Participants sought HTN/DM care at non-CTC health facilities due to the limited availability of such services at HIV CTCs. However, healthcare delivery for these conditions was perceived as unaccommodating and poorly coordinated. The need to attend multiple clinic appointments for the management of HTN/DM in addition to HIV care was perceived as frustrating, time-consuming, and financially burdensome. High costs of care and transportation, limited understanding of comorbidities, and the perceived complexity of HTN/DM care contributed to HTN/DM treatment discontinuity. As a means of coping, participants frequently monitored their own HTN/DM symptoms at home and utilized community pharmacies and dispensaries near their residences to check blood pressure and sugar levels and obtain medications. Participants expressed a preference for non-pharmaceutical approaches to comorbidity management such as lifestyle modification (preferred by young participants) and herbal therapies (preferred by older participants) because of concerns about side effects and perceived ineffectiveness of HTN/DM medications. Participants also preferred integrated care and focused patient education on multimorbidity management at HIV CTCs.ConclusionOur findings highlight significant barriers to accessing HTN/DM care among ALHIV, mostly related to affordability, availability, and accessibility. Integration of NCD care into HIV CTCs, could greatly improve ALHIV health access and outcomes and align with patient preference.

Cut, Root, and Grow: Simplifying Cassava Propagation to Scale.

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is an essential crop with increasing importance for food supply and as raw material for industrial processing. The crop is vegetatively propagated through stem cuttings taken at the end of the growing cycle and its low multiplication rate and the high cost of stem transportation are detrimental to the increasing demand for high-quality cassava planting materials. Rapid multiplication of vegetative propagules of crops comprises tissue culture (TC) and semi-autotroph hydroponics (SAH) that provide cost-effective propagation of plant materials; however, they contrast the need for specific infrastructure, special media and substrates, and trained personnel. Traditional methods such as TC and SAH have shown promise in efficient plant material propagation. Nonetheless, these techniques necessitate specific infrastructure, specialized media and substrates, as well as trained personnel. Moreover, losses during the intermediate nursery and adaptation stages limit the overall effectiveness of these methods. Building upon an earlier report from Embrapa Brazil, which utilized mature buds from cassava for rapid propagation, we present a modified protocol that simplifies the process for wider adoption. Our method involves excising single nodes with attached leaves from immature (green) cassava stems at 2 months after planting (MAP). These nodes are then germinated in pure water, eliminating the need for specific growth substrates and additional treatments. After the initial phase, the rooted sprouts are transferred into soil within 1-8 weeks. The protocol demonstrates a high turnover rate at minimal costs. Due to its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and robustness, this method holds significant promise as an efficient means of producing cassava planting materials to meet diverse agricultural needs.

Kombinasi Metode Bilqis Chastine Erma dan Sumathi Sathiya dengan Metode Stepping Stone untuk Optimasi Masalah Transportasi

Transportation problems experienced by UD. Raja Wangi in distributing Maha Dewa fragrant incense. UD. Raja Wangi incurs high transportation costs due to irregular direct distribution patterns and has not paid attention to the route to be passed. One way to solve the problem is to use transportation methods to get the optimal distribution route so that the transportation costs incurred are minimal. This study aims to solve transportation problems using the Bilqis Chastine Erma (BCE) method and the Sumathi Sathiya method with the Stepping Stone method to obtain the optimal solution. The Bilqis Chastine Erma (BCE) and the Sumathi Sathiya methods are indirect methods of solving transportation problems by obtaining an initial solution. After obtaining the initial solution, the Stepping Stone method is used to obtain the optimal solution. The results showed that the optimal solution using the Stepping Stone method based on the initial solution of the Bilqis Chastine Erma (BCE) method obtained a total transportation cost of Rp42,937.00 while the optimal solution using the Stepping Stone method based on the initial solution of the Sumathi Sathiya method obtained a total transportation cost of Rp38,727.00. In addition, the Sumathi Sathiya method gets a difference in total transportation costs of Rp11,790.00 or 23% of the total transportation costs incurred by the UD. Raja Wangi. Therefore, the Sumathi Sathiya method is the best solution for minimizing transportation costs.

AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION INJECTION FREQUENCY: Effects of Distance Traveled and Travel Support.

Although efficacious, intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy regimens for neovascular age-related macular degeneration can prove difficult for patients to adhere to because of high cost and burden of transportation. Analysis of electronic health record data from the San Francisco Veterans Administration Medical Center eye clinic (January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2019) was performed, extracting demographic data, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injection history, and enrollment in the SFVA travel benefit program. Two-tailed P -values were calculated for Poisson regression examining average number of injections per year as the outcome and distance traveled as the primary predictor. Travel benefit was evaluated as a modifying effect on the distance-injection relationship. Three hundred and eighteen patients who received intravitreal injection for treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration were included in the analysis. Median (interquartile range) distance to clinic was 31.5 miles (7.4-69.4 miles). Driving distance in miles was inversely associated with average number of injections per year. Among all 318 patients, for every additional 100 miles a patient lived from our clinic, the patient received on average 2.5 fewer injections per year ( distance = -0.0025, P < 0.001), but this was not the case for patients with travel benefits ( distance = -0.0011, P = 0.362). The greater the distance from a patient's eye clinic, the lower the average number of injections per year. However, travel benefits mitigated this relationship, highlighting opportunities for improving patient's adherence through assistance programs.

Research on the Material Performance and Forming Process of Lunar Regolith Simulant

Establishing a safe and sustainable lunar base on the moon is the foundation for human exploration and development activities. Due to the high transportation costs of the Earth Moon space, a large amount of construction materials are difficult to obtain from Earth. Therefore, how to utilize lunar resources for in-situ construction on the lunar surface has become the key challenge for the construction and operation of lunar base. Faced with special lunar simulant materials and extreme lunar environments, lunar construction faces a series of problems and challenges. This article conducted research on lunar regolith simulant and forming process, providing guidance for lunar surface construction.

CONSTRAINTS FACING AGROSILVOPASTORAL PRACTICES AMONG HOUSEHOLDS IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Agrosilvopastoral practices are recognized as a link between agriculture, forestry and a sustainable strategy for land management, particularly in tropical and subtropical developing nations. This study examined the limitations of agrosilvopastoral practices among households in Ogun State. A well thought out questionnaire was used to gather information from 240 respondents in total. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data collected. Findings revealed that agrosilvopastoral practices were dominated by men, with a mean age and family size of 54 years and 6 persons respectively. More over half (62.25%) of the farmers were literate with mean years of experience in farming being 26years. Result revealed that inadequate capital (1st) is the most serious challenge facing the agrosilvopastoral households, followed by insect infestation (2nd), instability in market price (3rd), inadequate access to land for farming (4th), high cost of transportation (5th), insufficient market centers (6th), source of inputs (7th), technical knowledge (8th), mode of land acquisition (9th) and animal destruction of crops (10th). The study thereby recommends that extension workers from different organizations should educate farmers about agrosilvopastoral practices through seminars, and backing being offered to farmers in the terms of loans, hybrid seeds and credit provision for increased production.

INFLUENCE OF POSTHARVEST CHALLENGES FACED ON INCOME OF ACHA FARMERS IN PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

Acha is widely grown in Plateau State where it provides food, income and employment for many farmers. However, there are postharvest challenges associated with its cultivation which have implications on their income. This study examined the effects that acha postharvest challenges have on the income of acha farmers in Plateau State. The population of this study comprised all the registered acha farmers in two of the three agricultural zones in Plateau State. The two zones are Plateau North and Plateau Central with an estimated 3,143 registered acha farmers according to Plateau Agricultural Development Programme (PADP). Of the population, 400 acha farmers were randomly selected. The study adopted semi-structured questionnaire and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). Data were analysed with frequencies and percentages while the assumption was analyzed with the use of Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). Findings showed that the main post-harvest challenges facing the farmers were high cost of transportation (95.7%), inadequate harvesting equipment and high cost of labour (93.6%), low quality packaging sacks and lack of access to improved processing equipment (90.5%). On income, 31.5% earned between 41,000 -60,000 while 30.5% earned 81,000 and above. PPMC analysis indicated that challenges faced during threshing and packaging had inverse significant relationship with income of the farmers. The study thus concluded that challenges faced during threshing and packaging adversely affected income of the farmers. Therefore, special extension intervention is needed to assist the farmers to overcome challenges facing acha farmers during threshing and packaging of acha in Plateau State.

Problems and Prospects of Small Tea Growers in Himachal Pradesh: A Study of Kangra and Mandi Districts

Tea is an aromatic beverage prepared by pouring hot or boiling water over cured or fresh leaves of camellia sinensis, an evergreen shrub native to East Asia, which probably originated in the border hands of South Western China and Northern Myanmar. Tea has a stimulating effect in human primarily due to its caffeine content. Tea production in small holding has been growing worldwide. The contribution of small tea plantations has been growing significantly and currently shares a good proportion in the total tea production in the country. The small tea growers (STGS) are an alternative tea model of tea cultivation that fosters the growth of entrepreneurship and provides both direct and indirect employment. Emergence of small tea growers (STGs) has made the country self-reliant in the production of the beverage and to meet domestic requirements and exports. STGs have also helped local economic conditions and livelihood of the people in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The land holding of 96 percent of Small Tea Growers of Himachal Pradesh is less than 0.5 hectare. The average annual production of tea is around 10 lakh kg of which 4000kg tea is exported to the UK, Germany and France. Himachal Pradesh Small Tea Growers contribute 59.2 percent of the total production. The present study is an attempt to identify major problems and future prospects of small tea growers in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The study is descriptive and analytical in nature for which data have been collected through primary as well as secondary sources. The study found major problems faced by Small Tea Growers like, lack of subsidy, high cost of transportation, high labour rates, high labour turnover, lack of knowledge, high effect of climate changes, low quality of tea leaves etc. The study highlighted significant suggestions to overcome the major problems faced by Small Tea Growers and to improve the production of Small Tea Growers.&#x0D;