ABSTRACT
Globally, all environmental sectors are threatened by climate change, most especially to the food and agriculture sectors. Pakistan is a developing country that is most vulnerable to extreme and harsh climatic conditions, especially in Southeast Asia. Climate change has often adverse effects on Pakistan because it is often affected by severe weather conditions. Although, some studies have reported on farmers' perceptiveness regarding climate change adaptation and mitigation, there is still insufficient awareness among Pakistanis' farmers. Key knowledge is very important for farmers to overcome the harsh climatic conditions for harvesting and saving crops. To bridge this gap, this research discovered the awareness level of climate change, weather conditions, and related factors among Pakistani farmers. Through a stratified random sampling technique, 500 structured questionnaires were distributed among the farmers in four districts of Punjab Pakistan for study analysis. The probit model was used to analyze the farmer's perception regarding climate change, socio-demographic and economic variables. The findings of this research showed that 75% of farmers are aware of climate change. Perception of climate change between farmers was directly associated with agriculture experience, farmers' age, land ownership status, level of education, information sources, and access to extension. Also, our research showed that farmers' assessment of adaptive behavior showed that farmers are actively implementing crop diversification, irrigation, and other adaptation strategies. Results of this study will help government agencies and policymakers in Pakistan and other regions to develop sustainable adaptation measures in the framework of climate change.
Globalmente, todos os setores ambientais estão ameaçados pelas mudanças climáticas, principalmente para os setores de alimentos e agricultura. O Paquistão é um país em desenvolvimento mais vulnerável a condições climáticas extremas e adversas, especialmente no sudeste da Ásia. As mudanças climáticas costumam ter efeitos adversos no Paquistão, porque muitas vezes é afetado por condições climáticas severas. Embora alguns estudos relatem a percepção dos agricultores em relação à adaptação e mitigação das mudanças climáticas, ainda há consciência insuficiente entre os agricultores paquistaneses. O conhecimento chave é muito importante para os agricultores superarem as duras condições climáticas para a colheita e economia de safras. Para preencher essa lacuna, esta pesquisa pretende descobrir o nível de consciência das mudanças e condições climáticas e fatores relacionados entre os agricultores paquistaneses. Por meio de uma técnica de amostragem aleatória estratificada, 500 questionários estruturados foram distribuídos entre os agricultores em quatro distritos de Punjab Paquistão para análise do estudo. O modelo probit foi usado para analisar a percepção do agricultor em relação às mudanças climáticas, variáveis sócio-demográficas e econômicas. Os resultados desta pesquisa mostram que 75% dos agricultores estão cientes das mudanças climáticas. A percepção da mudança climática entre os agricultores foi diretamente associada à experiência agrícola, idade dos agricultores, situação de propriedade da terra, nível de educação, fontes de informação e acesso à extensão. Além disso, nossa pesquisa mostrou que a avaliação dos agricultores sobre o comportamento adaptativo mostra que eles estão implementando ativamente a diversificação de culturas, irrigação e outras estratégias de adaptação. Os resultados deste estudo ajudarão agências governamentais e formuladores de políticas no Paquistão e em outras regiões a desenvolver medidas de adaptação sustentáveis no contexto das mudanças climáticas.
Subject(s)
Climate Change/economics , Agribusiness/policies , Surveys and Questionnaires , Adaptation to DisastersABSTRACT
Compounds having nonlinear optical (NLO) characteristics have been proved to have a significant role in many academic and industrial areas; particularly, their leading role in surface interfaces, solid physics, materials, medicine, chemical dynamics, nuclear science, and biophysics is worth mentioning. In the present study, novel peptoids (1-4) were prepared in good yields via Ugi four-component reaction (Ugi-4CR). In addition to synthetic studies, computational calculations were executed to estimate the molecular electrostatic potential, natural bond orbital (NBO), frontier molecular orbital analysis, and NLO properties. The NBO analysis confirmed the stability of studied systems owing to containing intramolecular hydrogen bonding and hyperconjugative interactions. NLO analysis showed that investigated molecules hold noteworthy NLO response as compared to standard compounds that show potential for technology-related applications.
ABSTRACT
The design of biomimetic biomaterials for cell culture has become a great tool to study and understand cell behavior, tissue degradation, and lesion. Topographical and morphological features play an important role in modulating cell behavior. In this study, a dual methodology was evaluated to generate novel gelatin methacrylate (GelMA)-based scaffolds with nano and micro topographical and morphological features. First, electrospinning parameters and crosslinking processes were optimized to obtain electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds. GelMA mats were characterized by SEM, FTIR, DSC, TGA, contact angle, and water uptake. Various nanofibrous GelMA mats with defect-free fibers and stability in aqueous media were obtained. Then, micropatterned molds produced by photolithography were used as collectors in the electrospinning process. Thus, biocompatible GelMA nanofibrous scaffolds with micro-patterns that mimic extracellular matrix were obtained successfully by combining two micro/nanofabrication techniques, electrospinning, and micromolding. Taking into account the cell viability results, the methodology used in this study could be considered a valuable tool to develop patterned GelMA based nanofibrous scaffolds for cell culture and tissue engineering.