Impacts of pollution discharges from Dinh Vu industrial zone on water quality in the Hai Phong coastal area

The hydrodynamic and water quality models (the Delft3D model) were established based on the measured data and the estimated pollution discharges from Dinh Vu industrial zones to Nam Trieu estuary. With seven separate simulation scenarios, the results show that in case of increased wastewater with the control of pollution discharge (water and concentration), the impact of pollution is only limited to a small area around the discharge point. Their influences on water quality in other areas in Nam Trieu estuary are quite small. Meanwhile, in case of environmental risk, a strongly increasing pollution load would cause the significantly increasing pollutant concentration in this area, they have almost exceeded the value in the National Technical Regulation on surface water quality (QCVN 10-MT:2015/BTNMT), such as NH4, COD, and BOD. Dissolved oxygen in the water would also decrease significantly. The spatial influence extends from the discharge point to Nam Trieu estuary, inside Cam, Bach Dang rivers, and Cat Hai coastal area

Sustainability assessment of coastal ecosystems: DPSIR analysis for beaches at the Northeast Coast of Vietnam

The Northeastern coastal zone of Vietnam possesses high biodiversity and rich ecosystems like coral reefs, seagrasses, beaches and mangroves. It also includes the Ha Long Bay Natural Heritage site (UNESCO 1994) and the Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve (MAB/UNESCO 2004) as well as hosts the Economic Development Triangle (Hai Phong-Ha Noi-Quang Ninh) established by the Government of Vietnam. As one of the coastal ecosystems, sandy beach ecosystems attracted more attention during recent decades because of their essential role for human welfare and in environmental protection. A few studies concentrated on sustainable management of sandy beach based on environmental and ecological protection and enhance the beach quality for recreational use. The DPSIR (Driving force Pressure State Impact Response) framework describes the logical interaction among systems and finds out the cause and consequence of social-economic development activities to the environment and resources. In this study, the DPSIR was applied on the sandy beaches in the Northeastern coast of Vietnam to reveal the main environmental problems on sandy beaches including the decline of the natural landscape around the beaches and the degradation of the environment. It also pointed out that tourism development in association with urbanization and sea reclamation is the main driving forces for environmental degradation of the sandy beaches. Therefore, local authorities of Hai Phong and Quang Ninh should take into account several main responses to policies on inter-province coordination and managerial measures with a wider scope, which integrate socio-economic and physical factors, proximity, accessibility, and neighborhood to manage healthy coastal ecosystems and sandy beaches in particular. An integrated coastal management program for the Northeastern coast of Vietnam needs to be developed and carried out to follow the laws of Vietnam as well as to meet local urgent requirements

Impact of sand mining on sediment transport and morphological change of Hai Phong coastal area

The paper presents the results of simulating the impact of sand mining on sediment transport and morphological change in Hai Phong coastal area based on Delft3D model. Scenario groups are established: Present scenarios without sand mining and simulated scenarios of the present sand mining (assuming 30% sand compared to plan). The scenario groups are calculated in the dry and rainy seasons for main wind directions (NE, SE, SW) in the case of moderate wind and strong wind. The results show that sand mining reduces sediment flow alongshore (2–81%) and seawards (5–83%). Besides, the increase in depth causes morphological change in this area: Rising the deposition rate (5–10 mm/month) at the sand mining locations; decreasing accretion rate and increasing the erosion rate in the neighboring areas of sand mining location

An update and reassessment of vascular plant species richness and distribution in Bach Ma National Park, Central Vietnam

Bach Ma National Park (BMNP) is recognized as an essential biodiversity hotspot in Vietnam because of its diverse topography, high species richness and threatened and endemic species. This study updates the richness and distribution of vascular plant species in the BMNP by intergrading data from literature, field surveys, key-informant interviews and participatory observations. Our results showed that the park has a high diversity of vascular plants with 1,874 species belonging to 192 families, 6 phylums including Psilotophyta, Lycopodiophyta, Equisetophyta, Polypodiophyta, Pinophyta, and Magnoliophyta. It also indicates that 199 out of 1,874 vascular species in the BMNP are listed as endangered, precious and rare plant species of Vietnam. In particular, 55 species are part of the IUCN 2020 list, in which 9 are critically endangered species (CR), 15 are endangered species (EN), and 31 are vulnerable species (VU). According to the rankings of the Red List Vietnam (2007), 6 species of CR (accounting for 13.64% compared with the whole country), 36 species of EN (20%), and 52 species of VU (26%) were found in this area. The results provided that vascular plant species are distributed into 2 types based on high altitude (threshold at 900m), but there are no dominant communities. The findings may be essential information for foresters and biologists to recognize and use it as the newest update for their next scientific research in conservation and resource management.Vườn Quốc gia (VQG) Bạch Mã được xem là một điểm nóng đa dạng sinh học quan trọng ở Việt Nam vì địa hình đa dạng, độ phong phú loài cao, đặc biệt là các loài đặc hữu và nguy cấp. Trong nghiên cứu này, chúng tôi đã cập nhật sự phong phú và phân bố của các loài thực vật bậc cao tại VQG Bạch Mã bằng cách kết hợp dữ liệu từ tổng quan tài liệu, khảo sát thực địa, phỏng vấn người am hiểu và điều tra có sự tham gia. Kết quả cho thấy VQG có hệ thực vật bậc cao phong phú với 1.874 loài, thuộc 192 họ, 6 ngành bao gồm Psilotophyta, Lycopodiophyta, Equisetophyta, Polypodiophyta, Pinophyta, Magnoliophyta. Kết quả chỉ ra rằng 199 trong số 1.874 loài thực vật bậc cao tại VQG này được xếp vào danh sách các loài nguy cấp của Việt Nam. Đặc biệt, có 55 loài thuộc danh mục của IUCN năm 2020, trong đó có 9 loài Cực kỳ nguy cấp (CR), 15 loài Nguy cấp (EN) và 31 loài Sẽ nguy cấp (VU). Trong khi đó, theo xếp hạng của Sách Đỏ Việt Nam (2007), nghiên cứu cho thấy có 6 loài CR (chiếm 13,64% so với cả nước), 36 loài EN (20%) và 52 loài VU (26%). Phát hiện của chúng tôi cũng chỉ ra rằng đặc điểm phân bố của các loài thực vật bậc cao ở VQG Bạch Mã gồm 2 kiểu rừng dựa trên độ cao (mức 900m), nhưng không có quần xã nào chiếm ưu thế. Các kết quả này được kỳ vọng sẽ là nguồn thông tin cần thiết cho các nhà hoạt động lâm nghiệp và sinh vật học sử dụng nó như một bản cập nhật mới nhất cho các nghiên cứu khoa học tiếp theo trong bảo tồn và quản lý tài nguyên

Global, regional, and national burden of chronic kidney disease, 1990–2017 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Background Health system planning requires careful assessment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) epidemiology, but data for morbidity and mortality of this disease are scarce or non-existent in many countries. We estimated the global, regional, and national burden of CKD, as well as the burden of cardiovascular disease and gout attributable to impaired kidney function, for the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2017. We use the term CKD to refer to the morbidity and mortality that can be directly attributed to all stages of CKD, and we use the term impaired kidney function to refer to the additional risk of CKD from cardiovascular disease and gout. Methods The main data sources we used were published literature, vital registration systems, end-stage kidney disease registries, and household surveys. Estimates of CKD burden were produced using a Cause of Death Ensemble model and a Bayesian meta-regression analytical tool, and included incidence, prevalence, years lived with disability, mortality, years of life lost, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). A comparative risk assessment approach was used to estimate the proportion of cardiovascular diseases and gout burden attributable to impaired kidney function. Findings Globally, in 2017, 1·2 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 1·2 to 1·3) people died from CKD. The global all-age mortality rate from CKD increased 41·5% (95% UI 35·2 to 46·5) between 1990 and 2017, although there was no significant change in the age-standardised mortality rate (2·8%, −1·5 to 6·3). In 2017, 697·5 million (95% UI 649·2 to 752·0) cases of all-stage CKD were recorded, for a global prevalence of 9·1% (8·5 to 9·8). The global all-age prevalence of CKD increased 29·3% (95% UI 26·4 to 32·6) since 1990, whereas the age-standardised prevalence remained stable (1·2%, −1·1 to 3·5). CKD resulted in 35·8 million (95% UI 33·7 to 38·0) DALYs in 2017, with diabetic nephropathy accounting for almost a third of DALYs. Most of the burden of CKD was concentrated in the three lowest quintiles of Socio-demographic Index (SDI). In several regions, particularly Oceania, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America, the burden of CKD was much higher than expected for the level of development, whereas the disease burden in western, eastern, and central sub-Saharan Africa, east Asia, south Asia, central and eastern Europe, Australasia, and western Europe was lower than expected. 1·4 million (95% UI 1·2 to 1·6) cardiovascular disease-related deaths and 25·3 million (22·2 to 28·9) cardiovascular disease DALYs were attributable to impaired kidney function. Interpretation Kidney disease has a major effect on global health, both as a direct cause of global morbidity and mortality and as an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. CKD is largely preventable and treatable and deserves greater attention in global health policy decision making, particularly in locations with low and middle SDI

Safety and efficacy of fluoxetine on functional outcome after acute stroke (AFFINITY): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background Trials of fluoxetine for recovery after stroke report conflicting results. The Assessment oF FluoxetINe In sTroke recoverY (AFFINITY) trial aimed to show if daily oral fluoxetine for 6 months after stroke improves functional outcome in an ethnically diverse population. Methods AFFINITY was a randomised, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial done in 43 hospital stroke units in Australia (n=29), New Zealand (four), and Vietnam (ten). Eligible patients were adults (aged ≥18 years) with a clinical diagnosis of acute stroke in the previous 2–15 days, brain imaging consistent with ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke, and a persisting neurological deficit that produced a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 1 or more. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 via a web-based system using a minimisation algorithm to once daily, oral fluoxetine 20 mg capsules or matching placebo for 6 months. Patients, carers, investigators, and outcome assessors were masked to the treatment allocation. The primary outcome was functional status, measured by the mRS, at 6 months. The primary analysis was an ordinal logistic regression of the mRS at 6 months, adjusted for minimisation variables. Primary and safety analyses were done according to the patient's treatment allocation. The trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12611000774921. Findings Between Jan 11, 2013, and June 30, 2019, 1280 patients were recruited in Australia (n=532), New Zealand (n=42), and Vietnam (n=706), of whom 642 were randomly assigned to fluoxetine and 638 were randomly assigned to placebo. Mean duration of trial treatment was 167 days (SD 48·1). At 6 months, mRS data were available in 624 (97%) patients in the fluoxetine group and 632 (99%) in the placebo group. The distribution of mRS categories was similar in the fluoxetine and placebo groups (adjusted common odds ratio 0·94, 95% CI 0·76–1·15; p=0·53). Compared with patients in the placebo group, patients in the fluoxetine group had more falls (20 [3%] vs seven [1%]; p=0·018), bone fractures (19 [3%] vs six [1%]; p=0·014), and epileptic seizures (ten [2%] vs two [<1%]; p=0·038) at 6 months. Interpretation Oral fluoxetine 20 mg daily for 6 months after acute stroke did not improve functional outcome and increased the risk of falls, bone fractures, and epileptic seizures. These results do not support the use of fluoxetine to improve functional outcome after stroke

MỐI QUAN HỆ GIỮA PHÁT TRIỂN DU LỊCH VÀ QUẢN LÝ DI SẢN VĂN HOÁ Ở ĐÔ THỊ HUẾ: NHỮNG QUAN ĐIỂM ĐA CHIỀU

This study applied the approach method for the relationship between heritage management and tourism development in Hue City by multidimensional perspectives obtained from tourists to managers and experts. We hypothesized that this relationship was not merely a conflict or cooperation but is still more dynamic in reality. Data were collected from in-depth interviews (n = 4), online interviews (n = 14), field observations, and a semi-structured questionnaire survey of 90 visitors at three tourist sites, including Hue Citadel (n = 30), Thien Mu Pagoda (n = 30), and Khai Dinh Tomb (n = 30). The results revealed the dynamic and complicated reality of the relationship between heritage management and tourism development with six different attributes. Accordingly, most managers and experts believed that this relationship was coexisting with a “parallelly independent” state (42.86%), followed by a “parallel symbiosis” (28.57%). The tourists who concerned with cultural heritage values indicated this relationship in diverse states. 25.37% agreed that it could “coexist peacefully”. 17.91 and 16.92% indicat-ed that this relationship was “much conflicting” and “conflicting”. The research results can serve as essential information for managers and policymakers in designing more appropriate strategies for this dynamic relationship, leading to sustainable development.Nghiên cứu áp dụng phương pháp tiếp cận về mối quan hệ giữa quản lý di sản (QLDS) và phát triển du lịch (PTDL) ở thành phố Huế trên cơ sở giả định rằng mối quan hệ này không đơn thuần chỉ là xung đột hay hợp tác, mà nó phức tạp trong thực tế. Dữ liệu được thu thập từ các cuộc phỏng vấn sâu (n = 4), khảo sát trực tuyến (online) (n = 14) và phỏng vấn trực tiếp 90 du khách tại ba điểm du lịch: Hoàng Thành Huế (n = 30), Chùa Thiên Mụ (n = 30) và Lăng Khải Định (n = 30). Kết quả nghiên cứu đã làm rõ được thực tế phức tạp trong mối quan hệ giữa QLDS và PTDL với sáu trạng thái khác nhau. Các nhà quản lý và chuyên gia cho rằng đây là mối quan hệ cùng “chung sống hoà bình” (42,86%), theo sau là “hợp tác một phần” (28,57%). Du khách đánh giá mối quan hệ này ở nhiều trạng thái, trong đó, 25,37% thiên hướng về “cùng tồn tại hoà bình”, tiếp theo sau là 17,91% và 16,92% cho rằng đây là mối quan hệ “xung đột nhiều” và “có xung đột”. Kết quả sẽ là nguồn thông tin tham khảo quan trọng cho các nhà hoạch định chính sách trong việc đưa ra các chiến lược PTDL phù hợp với mối quan hệ năng động này, hướng tới sự phát triển bền vững

Portable and non-invasive blood glucose monitoring over a prolonged period using whispering gallery modes at 2.4 GHz

Invasive measurement of blood glucose is not appropriate for everyone, particularly the patients with leukemia. Here, we demonstrate how the blood glucose can be non-invasively monitored over a prolonged period in the absence of any expensive equipment. Method: A portable and non-invasive glucose sensor capable of monitoring blood glucose at real-time has been successfully constructed and tested in the absence of any vector network analyzer. Using vacuum suction, the sensor head of the proposed non-invasive glucose sensor forms a whispering gallery resonator out of a skin tissue on an arm during the measurement process. The architecture of the proposed glucose sensor is equipped with standard components, including a WiFi transmitter, an RSSI sensor and a microcontroller based computer display. Results: Using the proposed glucose sensor, a healthy volunteer has been his blood glucose levels monitored over 72 minutes after consuming a loaf of bread and a cup of cow milk. The measured blood glucose rose shortly after the meal until it peaked at 40 minutes and finally fell to the initial value at around 72 minutes. Conclusion: The overall results were in general consistent with the expected results. The proposed glucose sensor is expected to be instrumental for the individuals who dislike the traditional lancets

Twelve-Month Outcomes of the AFFINITY Trial of Fluoxetine for Functional Recovery After Acute Stroke: AFFINITY Trial Steering Committee on Behalf of the AFFINITY Trial Collaboration

Background and Purpose: The AFFINITY trial (Assessment of Fluoxetine in Stroke Recovery) reported that oral fluoxetine 20 mg daily for 6 months after acute stroke did not improve functional outcome and increased the risk of falls, bone fractures, and seizures. After trial medication was ceased at 6 months, survivors were followed to 12 months post-randomization. This preplanned secondary analysis aimed to determine any sustained or delayed effects of fluoxetine at 12 months post-randomization. Methods: AFFINITY was a randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in adults (n=1280) with a clinical diagnosis of stroke in the previous 2 to 15 days and persisting neurological deficit who were recruited at 43 hospital stroke units in Australia (n=29), New Zealand (4), and Vietnam (10) between 2013 and 2019. Participants were randomized to oral fluoxetine 20 mg once daily (n=642) or matching placebo (n=638) for 6 months and followed until 12 months after randomization. The primary outcome was function, measured by the modified Rankin Scale, at 6 months. Secondary outcomes for these analyses included measures of the modified Rankin Scale, mood, cognition, overall health status, fatigue, health-related quality of life, and safety at 12 months. Results: Adherence to trial medication was for a mean 167 (SD 48) days and similar between randomized groups. At 12 months, the distribution of modified Rankin Scale categories was similar in the fluoxetine and placebo groups (adjusted common odds ratio, 0.93 [95% CI, 0.76–1.14]; P =0.46). Compared with placebo, patients allocated fluoxetine had fewer recurrent ischemic strokes (14 [2.18%] versus 29 [4.55%]; P =0.02), and no longer had significantly more falls (27 [4.21%] versus 15 [2.35%]; P =0.08), bone fractures (23 [3.58%] versus 11 [1.72%]; P =0.05), or seizures (11 [1.71%] versus 8 [1.25%]; P =0.64) at 12 months. Conclusions: Fluoxetine 20 mg daily for 6 months after acute stroke had no delayed or sustained effect on functional outcome, falls, bone fractures, or seizures at 12 months poststroke. The lower rate of recurrent ischemic stroke in the fluoxetine group is most likely a chance finding. REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.anzctr.org.au/ ; Unique identifier: ACTRN12611000774921