GROUNDWATER IN CU LAO CHAM ISLAND

Joint Research on Environmental Science and Technology for the Eart

EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF DYKE ON THE PRACTICE OF USING PLANT PROTECTION CHEMICALS AND THE ENVIRONMENT IMPACT QUOTATION INDEX OF RICE CULTIVATION AREAS IN THAP MUOI, DONG THAP PROVINCE

This report presents the result of a survey to evaluate the use of crop protection chemicals (pesticides – HCBVTV) in rice-growing areas with dyke, semi-dyke and no embankment based on interview result with 112 interviewers such as farmers, agricultural specialists, and pesticide dealers in Thap Muoi District, Dong Thap Province and pesticide usage data recorded by three selected framers in 3 different dyke systems. It showed that dyke practice affects the use of pesticides of farmers. After  dykes constructed, the pesticides used were more diverse, with higher dosage compared to before having embankments. The report also evaluates the risk of using pesticides through Environmental Impact Quotient (EIQ) index. It showed that areas with dyke and semi-dyke have much higher EIQ index than areas without embankment, 167, 145 and 54, respectively

Driving Factors for Green Innovation in Vietnamese Construction Enterprises

Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine the influences of different factors on green innovation in Vietnamese construction enterprises.   Theoretical framework: The theoretical framework is built upon the resource-based view, the model of organizational innovation, and stakeholder theory.   Design/methodology/approach: The research carries out a literature survey related to construction enterprises, then empirical analysis is conducted among 450 employees and managers at all level working in this field with the results analyzed using Cronbach’s Alpha analysis, exploratory factor analysis, pearson correlation analysis, linear regression analysis and One - way ANOVA analysis.   Findings: The results demonstrate that using renewable energy is well represented for green innovation in the Vietnamese construction industry and quantitative results also show positive impacts of all factors studied on green innovation: Green dynamic capabilities, Green creativity, Green knowledge sharing, Corporate environmental ethics, Pressure from industry competitors and regulators. In addition, the result affirmed there are statistically significant differences in the level of green innovation between construction enterprises of size and age, but not types of firm.   Research, Practical & Social implications: The study proposes solutions for both enterprises and regulators – one of the external stakeholders to develop green innovation in the construction sector. 

Technical efficiency of smallholder banana production: a case study in Viet Nam

Bananas are considered one of the leading trading crops due to their high demand all over the globe. Since the increasing demand leads to the expansion of global import, the existing literature is in dire need of updating, especially from the producing economies that fall in the category of developing nations. The study, thus, intends to estimate the critical efficiency of said area. Along with it, the study aims to determine the elements of banana production in the context of Vietnam using a stochastic frontier approach and technical efficiency technique. The sample of the study is the province of Vietnam named Hung Yen, and it made sure to collect the data from 160 farmers in 2022. Results of the study reveal that the farmers' technical efficiency fluctuates between the range of 89.68- 97.81%. However, the average technical efficiency of banana farmers was reported to be 95.92%. From the result, it is gauged that factors such as potassium, manure, distance, capital, and training showed positive signs at a 0.01 significance level. Also, the education and area coefficient show a positive sign at a 0.05 significance level. Finally, distance and district variables, which were the dummy variable, show a negative sign at 0.01 and 0.05 significance levels, respectively.Hoang Van Hung (Hung Yen University of Technology and Education (UTEHY)), Nguyen Van Huong (Hung Yen University of Technology and Education (UTEHY)), Le Thi Thuong (Hung Yen University of Technology and Education (UTEHY)), Thai Thi Kim Oanh (Vinh University (VU)), Nguyen Van Chuong (University of Financial – Business Administration (UFBA)), Nguyen Cong Tiep (Viet Nam National University of Agriculture (VNUA)), Thai Van Ha (Ha Noi University of Business and Technology (HUBT)), Nguyen Thi Luong (Can Tho University (CTU))Includes bibliographical references

Energy Consumption Minimization for Autonomous Mobile Robot: A Convex Approximation Approach

In this paper, we consider a trajectory design problem of an autonomous mobile robot working in industrial environments. In particular, we formulate an optimization problem that jointly determines the trajectory of the robot and the time step duration to minimize the energy consumption without obstacle collisions. We consider both static and moving obstacles scenarios. The optimization problems are nonconvex, and the main contribution of this work proposing successive convex approximation (SCA) algorithms to solve the nonconvex problems with the presence of both static and moving obstacles. In particular, we first consider the optimization problem in the scenario with static obstacles and then consider the optimization problem in the scenario with static and moving obstacles. Then, we propose two SCA algorithms to solve the nonconvex optimization problems in both the scenarios. Simulation results clearly show that the proposed algorithms outperform the A* algorithm, in terms of energy consumption. This shows the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms

Depth-dose distribution in potatoes with low-energy X-rays

Irradiation is known as a handful measure to inhibit potato sprouting, kill harmful bacteria, and increase preservation. The absorbed dose is one of the essential characteristics of the irradiation process. In this study, the depth-dose distributions in potatoes and polymethyl methacrylate were investigated under low-energy X-ray irradiation by using the Fricke dosimeter and Gafchromic film dosimeter. The dose rates required for the rays to penetrate in polymethyl methacrylate were compared with those in potatoes. Polymethyl methacrylate could be used as a phantom in measuring the depth dose delivered in potatoes. The difference in depth-dose distribution in potatoes between one-sided and double-sided irradiation was also investigated. The calculated dose uniformity ratio values are 5.8 and 1.9 for potatoes irradiating one-sided and double-sided

Food and biosecurity: livestock production and towards a world free of foot-and-mouth disease

A key challenge for global livestock production is the prevalence of infectious animal diseases. These diseases result in low productivity in meat and dairy production, culled animals, and significant barriers to trade and lost income from meat and meat products. Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) affects both developing countries, where it is often endemic and very costly, and developed countries where incursions result in considerable economic losses in the order of billions of dollars per year. In some cases, production levels of pork meat in developed countries have still not recovered to levels prior to past disease incursions, more than a decade ago. In developing countries, the export of animal products has exhibited sluggish growth for decades, constrained by ongoing animal disease problems. We make three contributions. First, we provide an overview of worldwide meat production, consumption and trade in the context of FMD. Second, we provide insights into the economics of biosecurity measures and how these activities should be optimally designed to enhance livestock production. Third, we analyse a case study of an FMDendemic country, Vietnam, which has been trying to achieve FMD-free status for some time. Lessons learnt from this case study shed light on the challenges in achieving FMD-free status in developing countries, which is useful for a global FMD control strategy and the promotion of world food security.Partial funding from the Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis at the University of Melbourne is also greatly appreciated. This paper was part of a workshop sponsored by the OECD Co-operative Research Programme on Biological Resource Management for Sustainable Agricultural Systems