Determinants of Cashew Agroforestry Adoption Among Smallholder Farmers in the Gambia: Implications for Resilient Farming Systems.
Although agroforestry effectively addresses uncertainty, risk, and shocks, its adoption is slow among rural smallholder cashew farmers in the Gambia. This study investigates the factors influencing cashew agroforestry (AF) adoption through a household survey of 250 farmers from seven villages in the Kombo East District, West Coast Region. The adoption determinants were analyzed using a […]
Step-down RH improves plums drying behavior, quality attributes, and 3E (energy, environmental, economic) equipment performance by changing its ultrastructure and water distribution.
The energy consumption of China’s drying industry accounts for about 12% of the total industrial energy consumption, and material crusting is one of the main reasons for high energy consumption in drying. Studies have shown that increasing the drying medium’s relative humidity (RH) can inhibit material crusting and shorten drying time, yet the underlying mechanism […]
Three-dimensional characterization of hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) fruit development based on X-ray micro-computed tomography
Hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) is one of the most appreciated and cultivated nuts in temperate areas. Producers are now facing an increasing demand and industries need to select high-yielding and finequality cultivars. In this context, a challenge to take up is the development of a rapid, non-destructive and high-resolution method to study the growth and […]
The impact of almond supplementation on oxidative stress biomarkers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials
Oxidative stress, an imbalance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidants, contributes to chronic diseases. Almonds, rich in vitamin E, polyphenols, and monounsaturated fats, exhibit antioxidant potential, though their overall effects on oxidative biomarkers are unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluate almond supplementation’s impact on these biomarkers in adults. Following PRISMA guidelines, PubMed, Scopus, and […]
Association of nut consumption and sarcopenia in Chinese older adults
Sarcopenia emerges as a predominant health concern among the older adults, it makes the identification of relational factors crucial. Nut, a universally consumed dietary component, is posited to confer benefits to the musculoskeletal system. This study aimed to elucidate the association between nut consumption and sarcopenia in Chinese older adults. Data concerning nut consumption and […]
Incorporating date palm fibers for sustainable friction composites in vehicle brakes
The demand for eco-friendly materials in automotive components has spurred research into natural fibers as sustainable alternatives for brake pads. This study examines the potential of date palm fibers, particularly the palm frond midrib (PFM), in brake pad composites. The effects of epoxy, PFM, and calcium carbonate on the composites’ mechanical and tribological properties were […]
Cashew gum hydrogel as an alternative to minimize the effect of drought stress on soybean
The use of hydrogels helps the production of plants in drought-stress environments. Thus, this work evaluated using different hydrogels to minimize drought stress in soybean cultivation. The treatments employed two different hydrogels, one already commercialized and the other produced with cashew gum (Anacardium occidentale), five levels (0, 30, 60, 120, and 240 mg pot-1) of […]
Legumes and nuts intake in relation to metabolic health status, serum brain derived neurotrophic factor and adropin levels in adults
There is controversial evidence about the relationship between consumption of legumes and nuts with metabolic disturbances. The present study was undertaken to explore the association of legumes and nuts intake with metabolic health status among Iranian adults. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 527 adults (45.7% female, aged 20-65 years) chosen through a multistage cluster […]
Long-term intensive management reduced the soil quality of a Carya dabieshanensis forest
The evaluation of soil quality can provide new insights into the sustainable management of forests. This study investigated the effects of three types of forest management intensities (non-management (CK), extensive management (EM), and intensive management (IM)), and five management durations (0, 3, 8, 15, and 20 years) on the soil quality of a Carya dabieshanensis […]
Salinity of irrigation water selects distinct bacterial communities associated with date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) root.
Saline water irrigation has been used in date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) agriculture as an alternative to non-saline water due to water scarcity in hyper-arid environments. However, the knowledge pertaining to saline water irrigation impact on the root-associated bacterial communities of arid agroecosystems is scarce. In this study, we investigated the effect of irrigation sources […]