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Vietnamese cassava varieties constitute the fundamental and pivotal element in the sustainable development programme for cassava. This article aims to encapsulate the advancements made over nearly five decades in breeding and enhancing Vietnamese cassava varieties. It delineates the suitable cassava variety structures for each period and ecological region. The selection of cassava varieties exhibiting high starch yield and disease resistance, coupled with the establishment of a suitable and efficient cassava cultivation model, exemplified by 10T for Vietnamese cassava varieties KM568, KM539, KM537, KM569, and KM94, stands as a cornerstone for sustaining cassava development over the years. Presently, we advocate for farmers to cultivate promising cassava varieties such as KM568 or KM539 (an enhanced version of the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) cassava variety C39, refined through multiple breeding cycles from 2004 onwards), KM537, KM569, or HN1 (originally known as TMEB419), alongside popular cassava varieties: KM440, KM419, KM94, KM7, STB1, KM414, KM98-7, KM140, KM98-5, KM98-1. We have conducted Distinctness, Uniformity, and Stability (DUS) and Value for Cultivation and Use (VCU) tests, showcasing outstanding cassava varieties in large-scale farming, thereby providing compelling evidence for the prudent conservation and sustainable development of cassava. Vietnamese cassava progression (1975 to date) has traversed six stages, with five waves of restructuring cassava varieties, aligning with target orientations, farming conditions, and market demands, culminating in 16 popular cassava varieties and four promising cassava varieties KM568, KM539, KM537, and KM569.

The extensive deposits of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) generated by marine organisms constitute the largest and oldest carbon dioxide (CO2) reservoir. These organisms utilize macromolecules like peptides and proteins to facilitate the nucleation and growth of carbonate minerals, serving as an effective method for CO2 sequestration. However, the precise mechanisms behind this process remain elusive. In this study, we report the use of sequence-defined peptoids, a class of peptidomimetics, to achieve the accelerated calcite step growth kinetics with the molecular level mechanistic understanding. By designing peptoids with hydrophilic and hydrophobic blocks, we systematically investigated the acceleration in step growth rate of calcite crystals using in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM), varying peptoid sequences and concentrations, CaCO3 supersaturations, and the ratio of Ca2+/HCO3-. Mechanistic studies using NMR, three-dimensional fast force mapping (3D FFM), and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) were conducted to reveal the interactions of peptoids with Ca2+ and HCO3- ions in solution, as well as the effect of peptoids on solvation and energetics of calcite crystal surface. Our results indicate the multiple roles of peptoid in facilitating HCO3- deprotonation, Ca2+ desolvation, and the disruption of interfacial hydration layers of the calcite surface, which collectively contribute to a peptoid-induced acceleration of calcite growth. These findings provide guidelines for future design of sequence-specific biomimetic polymers as crystallization promoters, offering potential applications in environmental remediation (such as CO2 sequestration), biomedical engineering, and energy storage where fast crystallization is preferred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a gel-like substance made up of glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine units, capable of absorbing and retaining water, present in hydrated gel form across human and animal tissues. It aids in joint lubrication and moisture retention and acts as a cushion for shock absorption. HA has unique biological properties, promoting fibroblast cell growth, aiding wound healing, and exhibiting low solubility and viscosity, making it an organic ingredient in tissue culture techniques. It is utilized in eye drops and skin ointments and plays a vital role in the extracellular matrix, rendering it invaluable in medical and cosmetic applications, such as treating osteoarthritis and enhancing skin wound recovery. Methods: The methods employed in this study involve isolating microorganisms, screening bacterial strains capable of synthesizing HA, identifying bacteria using molecular biological methods, and researching optimal conditions to select bacterial strains that produce the highest HA concentrations. Results: In this study, strain Priestia flexa N7 was studied for suitable conditions for HA biosynthesis. Bacterial strains were fermented for 48 h on medium containing the following ingredients: glucose (60 g/L); yeast extract (5.0 g/L); peptone (20 g/L); K2HPO4 (2.0 g/L); Na2HPO4 (1.0 g/L); NaCl (2.0 g/L); FeSO4 (1.0 g/l); sodium glutamate (9.0 g/L); and MgSO4.7H2O (2.0 g/L) and pH 8.0 at 37°C under the condition of continuous shaking at 150 rpm. The maximum HA production achieved was 1105 mg/L. Conclusions: The mentioned bacterial strain exhibits significant potential for HA synthesis and is extensively employed in producing items across the health care, medical, food, and cosmetic industries. These findings revealed the most effective HA acid manufacturing strategy for achieving maximum output. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The primary purpose of this study is to explore the effect of technical changes on provincial-level income inequality in Vietnam. The authors also investigate whether the quality of institutions and human capital level moderate this relationship. Design/methodology/approach – This research applies the fixed-effect and random-effect models on a balanced panel data set of 63 Vietnamese provinces/cities from 2010 to 2020. Findings – The study’s empirical results show that technical improvement has a nonlinear influence on income disparity in Vietnamese localities. When the local level of technology is limited, technological change can mitigate income disparity. However, as local technological levels increase, inequality tends to rise. Moreover, the study also reveals that the quality of a province’s institutions and the level of human resources are factors that moderate the correlation between technological change and income inequality. For provinces with better institutional quality and/or better human resources, inequality tends to decline under the impact of technological change. Practical implications – The results of this study suggest that while encouraging technology advancement, localities should also ensure sustainable development, reduce income inequality and focus on improving institutional quality and human resources development. Originality/value – There are increasing concerns about the impact of technical change on inequality in income distribution; however, empirical evidence on this relationship in developing countries remains scarce. This study is among the few attempts to examine this issue at the provincial level of a developing country considering the moderation effect of institutional quality and human capital level.

The extensive deposits of calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) generated by marine organisms constitute the largest and oldest carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) reservoir. These organisms utilize macromolecules like peptides and proteins to facilitate the nucleation and growth of carbonate minerals, serving as an effective method for CO 2 sequestration. However, the precise mechanisms behind this process remain elusive. In this study, we report the use of sequence-defined peptoids, a class of peptidomimetics, to achieve the accelerated calcite step growth kinetics with the molecular level mechanistic understanding. By designing peptoids with hydrophilic and hydrophobic blocks, we systematically investigated the acceleration in step growth rate of calcite crystals using in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM), varying peptoid sequences and concentrations, CaCO 3 supersaturations, and the ratio of Ca 2+ / HCO 3 - . Mechanistic studies using NMR, three-dimensional fast force mapping (3D FFM), and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) were conducted to reveal the interactions of peptoids with Ca 2+ and HCO 3 - ions in solution, as well as the effect of peptoids on solvation and energetics of calcite crystal surface. Our results indicate the multiple roles of peptoid in facilitating HCO 3 - deprotonation, Ca 2+ desolvation, and the disruption of interfacial hydration layers of the calcite surface, which collectively contribute to a peptoid-induced acceleration of calcite growth. These findings provide guidelines for future design of sequence-specific biomimetic polymers as crystallization promoters, offering potential applications in environmental remediation (such as CO 2 sequestration), biomedical engineering, and energy storage where fast crystallization is preferred., Competing Interests: Competing interests statement:The authors declare no competing interest.

Hierarchical self-assembly represents a powerful strategy for the fabrication of functional materials across various length scales. However, achieving precise formation of functional hierarchical assemblies remains a significant challenge and requires a profound understanding of molecular assembly interactions. In this study, we present a molecular-level understanding of the hierarchical assembly of sequence-defined peptoids into multidimensional functional materials, including twisted nanotube bundles serving as a highly efficient artificial light harvesting system. By employing synchrotron-based powder X-ray diffraction and analyzing single crystal structures of model compounds, we elucidated the molecular packing and mechanisms underlying the assembly of peptoids into multidimensional nanostructures. Our findings demonstrate that incorporating aromatic functional groups, such as tetraphenyl ethylene (TPE), at the termini of assembling peptoid sequences promotes the formation of twisted bundles of nanotubes and nanosheets, thus enabling the creation of a highly efficient artificial light harvesting system. This research exemplifies the potential of leveraging sequence-defined synthetic polymers to translate microscopic molecular structures into macroscopic assemblies. It holds promise for the development of functional materials with precisely controlled hierarchical structures and designed functions., (© 2024 Battelle Memorial Institute and The Authors. Angewandte Chemie International Edition published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)