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This study simultaneously explores the nexus among formal, semiformal and informal credit markets and farm households' credit demand determinants in Vietnam.

This study uses a multistage stratified random sampling process for a survey of 648 smallholder farmers in the Red River Delta (RRD), Vietnam. The trivariate probit model (TVPM) is used to address the interdependence of farm households' credit demands in different credit markets.

The results reveal complementary relationships among two pairs of credit markets (formal versus informal and semiformal versus informal). There are dissimilarities among the determinants (household characteristics, household head's characteristics, credit history and geographic factors) of farm households' credit demands in different markets, reflecting segmentation of Vietnam credit markets.

The study's empirical findings are important for policymakers and credit providers to enhance farm households' access to credit for agriculture and to improve the operations of the three credit markets.

This is the first empirical study in Vietnam and one of few in other developing countries simultaneously exploring the determinants of credit demand in and interrelationships among all three credit markets to provide more comprehensive and accurate results.

This study aims to develop a competency model for the Vietnamese workforce in the era of Industry 4.0.

A combination of an online survey and a Delphi study was conducted to identify a set of skills, abilities, knowledge and personalities that are critical for effective performance in the future workplace.

A set of 26 competencies was identified. Similar to previous findings in the context of developed countries, the set centres around a group of competencies commonly called “21st century competencies”. It also includes characteristics unique to a developing nation.

The proposed framework of competencies may not cover all human capabilities necessitated by the workplace and may include items with overlapping definitions. The study only represents the view of the business community, and its survey sample was limited in size and location. The impact of COVID-19 on the competency model was not explicitly covered during the study.

The competency model could serve as a basis for the educator to reform curricula, the policy maker to devise policies and the employer to develop training programmes. It can be used as a reference for other nations at similarly-developmental level.

The present study is among a few empirical studies regarding a model for Industry 4.0 competencies in the context of low middle-income countries and probably provides one of the first Industry 4.0 competency models for Vietnam. It also provides a novel framework for identifying and analyzing competencies.

In this work, Cr₃C₂-25NiCr coatings were deposited on 410 stainless steel substrate by using the atmospheric plasma spray technique, at varying spaying parameters. The porosity and microhardness, adhesion strength and corrosion behaviour of coatings were examined in relation to these spraying parameters.

The microstructure of prepared coatings was examined by using scanning electron microscopy. The coating compositional analysis was performed by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. The corrosion resistance of coated steel was investigated by potentiodynamic polarization. Results indicate that optimal factors for minimalizing the porosity were as follows: 10 g/min feed rate, 600 A plasma current and 100 mm spraying distance. The spraying factors influencing corrosion resistance of coating were also evaluated.

Under this optimal condition, the porosity of coating reached its minimal value of 3.1 per cent. The microhardness and adhesion of coatings also reached their maximum values of 64.8 Rockwell Hardness scale C and 60 MPa, respectively. XRD results indicated the transformation of Cr₃C₂ originating from Cr₃C₂-25NiCr source powder into Cr₇C₃ and Cr₂₃C₆ crystalline phases, due to the high temperature during spraying process. The undetectable Cr₃C₂ peaks indicating that this phase was remained in coating at very low concentrations. The potentiodynamic polarization and salt spray tests confirmed the highest corrosion resistance for the coating prepared by optimal spraying parameters.

The application of Cr₃C₂-NiCr cermet carbit coating for protection of steel from corrosion-erosion is very promising.

This paper focuses on the evolution of and changes in French colonial architectural designs over time in terms of the use of vernacular architectural features of Vietnam.

It first examines the underlying principles of spatial compositions behind traditional vernacular architecture, thus revealing vernacular architectural values that have survived from the past. Styles of vernacular houses differ by region; thus, their unique spatial characteristics are analyzed by selecting the typical houses in each region. The study also illuminates ecological features and technical norms tailored to the local climate and Vietnamese traditional architecture. It examines how local and regional characters of vernacular houses affect the developments and changes in the French colonial public buildings in Vietnam, forming an identity that represents an eclectic Indochina style with the adaptation of local discourses on climate.

The Vietnamese have developed unique architectural styles that are inextricably linked to their identities, cultures, climates and livelihoods – for example, vernacular houses. Although at the beginning of the colonial period, the French imported their styles, decorations and details, which were foreign to the Vietnamese, later, they perhaps realized that such direct import was no longer suitable for the natural and socio-cultural situation of the colony. Toward the end of the colonial period, it is noticeable that French colonial architects gradually started using local design principles.

Although many existing buildings can be further added for the discussion, we limit a few cases, due to the length of the paper.

This paper proves that toward the end of the colonial period, colonial architecture in Vietnam became increasingly localized, adapting to the local environment and climate. The buildings during the period were gradually associated with Vietnamese culture and sentiment.

Although few papers deal with the vernacular architecture in Vietnam with regard to local climate and regional characteristics, there are no paper that related the vernacular Vietnamese houses to influence the French colonial designs in Vietnam. Therefore the paper has value and significance.

This study aims to explore how the inhibitor-loaded nanocontainers can be used in the epoxy coating for protection of steel against corrosion. A self-healing anticorrosive coating can be easily fabricated by embedding the inhibitor-loaded nanocontainers into the epoxy coating matrices. For this purpose, first, cerium (a catholic corrosion inhibitor) is encapsulated into silica nanoparticles (SiO₂@Ce). Thereafter, an epoxy nanocomposite coating has been prepared on steel substrate using these SiO₂@Ce nanoparticles as nanofillers.

To examine the effect of SiO₂@Ce nanocontainers on mechanical properties of epoxy coating, the abrasion resistance, impact resistance and adhesion strength of coating have been evaluated. To reveal the effect of SiO₂@Ce nanocontainer on corrosion behavior of epoxy-coated steel, the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) has been conducted in NaCl solution.

Transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy/Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analyses indicate that Ce³⁺ cations have been successfully loaded into the surface of silica nanoparticles (at the content of approximately 2 Wt.%). Mechanical tests of epoxy nanocomposite coatings indicate that the nanocomposite coatings with nanoparticles content of 2.5 Wt.% provide the highest values of abrasion resistance, impact resistance and adhesion strength. EIS results show that the presence of SiO₂@Ce³⁺ nanocontainers increases both coating resistance and polarization resistance. Along with the improvement the coating barrier performance, Ce inhibitor plays an important role in improving the anticorrosive performance at the steel–electrolyte interface.

The application of self-healing epoxy/SiO₂@Ce nanocomposite coatings for the protection of carbon steel is very promising.

This study aims to explore the synergistic effect of oxide nanoparticles (ZnO, Fe₂O₃, SiO₂) and cerium nitrate inhibitor on anti-corrosion performance of epoxy coating. First, cerium nitrate inhibitors are absorbed on the surface of various oxide nanoparticles. Thereafter, epoxy nanocomposite coatings have been fabricated on carbon steel substrate using these oxide@Ce nanoparticles as both nano-fillers and nano-inhibitors.

To evaluate the impact of oxides@Ce nanoparticles on mechanical properties of epoxy coating, the abrasion resistance and impact resistance of epoxy coatings have been examined. To study the impact of oxides@Ce nanoparticles on anti-corrosion performance of epoxy coating for steel, the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy has been carried out in 3% NaCl solution.

ZnO@Ce3+ and SiO2@Ce3+ nanoparticles provide more enhancement in the epoxy pore network than modification of the epoxy/steel interface. Whereas, Fe2O3@Ce3+ nanoparticles have more to do with modification of the epoxy/steel interface than to change the epoxy pore network.

Incorporation of both oxide nanoparticles and inorganic inhibitor into the epoxy resin is a promising approach for enhancing the anti-corrosion performance of carbon steel.

Northern Vietnam is a mountainous area where most farmers' livelihoods depend on maize production. Beside training in farming techniques, since 2013 extension courses on market access have been gradually delivered to maize farmers to help them save production costs and increase earnings.

By applying robust regression and Tobit models to estimate technical efficiency (TE), the difference-in-difference (DID) technique is used in this study to determine the change in the TE of 1,035 farmers in the period 2013–2015 in Northern Vietnam.

The DID estimator indicated the initial success of extension courses by showing a faster increase in the TE of the receivers compared to that of non-receivers. However, co-operation in production and marketing by maize farmers and access to micro-credit resulted in an insignificant impact on the TE of maize farmers in 2015. These low impact results highlighted the inefficiency of the extension and micro-credit programmes and that raised the concern of policymakers. The distance to local market signifies the determination of farmers on their crops affected by how close their location to their input/output marketplaces.

The Land Policy of the government should take into careful consideration measures to exploit all potential production and to mitigate poverty as well as foster the development of the region.

The expansion of extension courses on access to market has been recognised as an effective method to increase farmer's efficiency.

Public–private partnership (PPP) projects play a pivotal role in fostering infrastructure development in developing countries. This study aims to identify major barriers and critical success factors (CSFs) for PPP projects in Vietnam.

The study initially conducted an extensive literature review and interviewed industry experts to compile a comprehensive list of barriers and success factors. Subsequently, a survey involving 250 construction professionals was conducted to assess these identified factors. The research used both ANOVA test and hierarchical regression analysis to explore the relationship between participants’ characteristics and assessments.

The results could provide a valuable reference for practitioners by assessing barriers and CSFs in PPP projects. Specifically, the ANOVA analysis indicated a positive correlation between barrier assessment and participants’ experience, while the influence of participants’ sector on the evaluation was minor. Furthermore, the hierarchical regression analysis demonstrated that participants’ sector did not moderate the relationship between barrier assessment and industry experience.

This research contributes to the existing literature by offering empirical insights into barriers and CSFs specific to PPP projects in a developing country context. The findings highlight the crucial role of experienced professionals in ensuring PPP project success. Moreover, the study provides construction practitioners with a better understanding of the essential factors and supports the development of effective management strategies for future PPP projects.

This study aims to enhance to corrosion protection of NiZn-plated steel by electroplating multilayer coating.

The multilayer coating consists of three layers on mild steel substrate, such as Cr³⁺ chromate conversion layer (CCC), electrodeposited nanosilica zinc-nickel composite layer (ZnNiSi) and electrodeposited zinc-nickel alloy layer (ZnNi). Its morphology, composition and corrosion behaviour were investigated by various methods.

Polarization curves indicated that polarization resistance and corrosion current density of CCC/ZnNiSi/ZnNi/Fe (6.956 kO.cm2; 2.56 µA.cm⁻²) were two times higher and five times lower than that of ZnNiSi/ZnNi/Fe (3.42 kO.cm²; 12.52 µA.cm⁻²), respectively. From electrochemical impedance spectroscopy data, charge transfer resistances were 1.344, 2.550 and 2.312 kO.cm² for ZnNi, ZnNiSi/ZnNi and CCC/ZnNiSi/ZnNi, respectively. Salt spray test indicated that after 48 h, surface of ZnNi and ZnNiSi was covered by white rust, whereas no white rust was observed on surface of CCC/ZnNiSi/ZnNi. After 600 h, there were red rust spots (1% surface coverage) on surface of Zn-Ni, whereas only white rust was observed on both ZnNiSi/ZnNi (100% surface coverage) and CCC/ZnNiSi/ZnNi (10% surface coverage).

Multilayer coating enhanced significantly the corrosion protection for steel, as compared to the single-layer coating.

The purpose of this paper is to identify the best practices of industrial engineering (IE) programs that could be learnt and used at other educational institutions.

Nine IE programs in the USA are benchmarked using a conceptual framework that considers an educational program as a system consisting of a purpose, a curriculum, resources, and quality processes. The information used in benchmarking is collected from the program self-study reports, course catalogs, and websites which are available on the internet.

It is found that in spite of their diversity in history, missions, sizes, and reputations, the studied programs are rather unified in terms of purpose definition, curriculum formation, resource selection, and quality process usage. From the analysis, a template of IE curriculum is proposed.

As the selection of the studied programs is based on the availability of the information, the findings may not be representative for IE programs in the USA. Future work can aim at comparing IE programs from various countries.

The findings could be used as benchmarks by IE schools interested in the improvement of operations.

A conceptual framework for benchmarking is proposed and proves useful for comparing educational programs. The findings represent the current best practices at IE schools in the USA.