Genetic diversity of black soldier flies in Vietnam

The Black Soldier Fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens (Linnaeus, 1758), is found in temperate and tropical regions of the world. In recent years, BSF has been cultivated as fodder in some areas of Vietnam. The genetic diversity of BSF in Vietnam has not yet been assessed. This study aimed to investigate the nucleotide diversity in COI sequences of BSF in Vietnam. We examined the COI nucleotide sequences of 22 BSFs using flies or larval tissue samples for DNA extraction and subsequent sequencing. Our analysis showed that the nucleotide composition of BSF consisted of 25.36% A, 36.04% T, 21.25% C, and 17.35% G, with a significant prevalence of A+T nucleotides of 61.40% compared to 38.60% for G+C nucleotides. Among 22 individual BSFs samples collected from ten provinces and cities, spanning seven agro-ecological regions in Vietnam, we identified 9 different haplotypes, which were distributed in five clades but mainly clustered in two main clades: E and F. Clade E, prominently represented by branch E, showed a higher abundance in Asia, while Clade F has been identified in Europe, Uganda, South Korea, Oceania and North America. Our results highlight the relatively high genetic diversity of the Vietnamese BSF population. In addition, the COI nucleotide sequences of these Vietnamese BSF samples were similar to those of Asian and Australian countries, showing significant similarities to the Palearctic and Oriental regions. These results provide valuable insights to inform BSF breeding and development in Vietnam

Seasonal Variations in Groundwater Quality under Different Impacts Using Statistical Approaches

The objective of this study was to evaluate seasonal fluctuations in groundwater quality, determine the effects of different stressors on this resource, and recognize the potential pollution sources in a coastal region of southern Vietnam. Eleven samples collected in Ben Tre province during the dry and wet seasons were then analyzed for sixteen parameters, including pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, total hardness (TH), ammonium (NH₄⁺-N), nitrite (NO₂ˉ-N), nitrate (NO₃ˉ-N), sulfate (SO₄²ˉ), chloride (Clˉ), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), coliforms, and Escherichia coli (E. coli). Pearson correlation analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and cluster analysis (CA) were employed. The results indicated that total dissolved solids, salinity, total hardness, Clˉ, E. coli and coliform were detected as contaminants in groundwater samples. The trend of fluctuations in the parameters was mostly higher in the dry season. Which Mn and coliform significantly fluctuated between the dry and wet seasons. Activities in industrial-craft areas, landfills and seawater-intruded areas negatively impacted groundwater quality, typically TDS in industrial-craft areas, coliform and E.coliat the landfill area. Six principal components obtained from PCA could explain 93.6% of the variance, and all parameters are responsible for variations in groundwater quality. Geology, discharged wastewater, landfill leachate, agricultural activities, and saltwater intrusion can be considered representative factors. CA grouped the collected samples into four clusters based on the similarity in water properties. The analysis results showed that the locations in each cluster have outstanding water quality characteristics, clusters I and III have high TDS characteristics, cluster II has coliforms, and cluster IV sets of locations with high salinity. This study is promised to partially fill the gap in comprehensive information on groundwater quality in the coastal province so that policymakers can develop sustainable water management strategies in the future. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2023-09-03-01 Full Text: PD

Students’ Attitudes Towards Education in Biology-Related Disciplines and the Need for Internationalization : A Survey at a Vietnamese University

This survey examined the attitudes of 538 undergraduate students enrolled at a Vietnamese university towards biology-related disciplines. Employing a structured questionnaire, the study explored several aspects, including students' interests in various biology-related fields, their motivations for pursuing these disciplines, their opinions on teaching methods, their aspirations for internationalization and study abroad experiences, the essential skills they believed were crucial for success, and the areas in teaching that required improvement. The survey results indicated that students acknowledged the significance of fields such as medicine and veterinary sciences, with their motivations largely influenced by job prospects and societal needs. Moreover, the results identified specific areas in teaching that students wanted to have improvement, such as laboratory work, practical skills development, fieldwork experiences, and exchange programs, and their attitude towards internationalization and study abroad opportunities, in relations to the factors such as age, gender, grade, and major. The insights gained from this survey can contribute to the enhancement of educational strategies and the creation of an engaging learning environment for students majoring in biology-related disciplines

Ecological Risk Associated with the Occurrence of Heavy Metals in Agricultural Soil in Soc Trang Province, Vietnam

The study aimed to evaluate the content and potential ecological risks due to the presence of toxic elements (Pb, Cu, Cr, Zn, As) in agricultural soil in Soc Trang province. Data of five heavy metals and physical factors at eight sites (from D1 to D8) in three ecological zones (fresh, brackish and saline agricultural activities) in the study were collected from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Soc Trang province. Multivariate statistical analyzes, including principal component analysis (PCA), correlation analysis (Pearson), cluster analysis (CA) and potential ecological risk index (RI), were used in the study. The results showed that the content of Pb, Cu, Cr, Zn and As fluctuated in the range of 8.54–30, 21.90–28.10, 20.60–38.70, 46.80–86, 1.35–11.30 mg/kg, respectively, within the allowable limits of QCVN 03-MT:2015/BTNMT. The soil in the study area has moderate to neutral acidity, suitable for growing crops. The Pearson and PCA results showed that the inputs in local agricultural development (fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides) have contributed to the increase of heavy metal content in the soil. The results of the CA grouped eight soil samples into two large groups belonging to the ecological areas (brackish, saline) and freshwater. The mean RI value of 68.84 indicated low potential ecological risks in agricultural land in Soc Trang province. However, As and Cr are heavy metals that would pose significant potential risks to the environment and humans. Thus, measures are needed to strictly control the sources of these metals

THE COMPETITIVENESS OF VIETNAMESE COFFE INTO THE EU MARKET

Coffee industry is a new industry in Vietnam. Coffee was introduced into Vietnam when the global coffee market was growing strongly and coffee has been known in Vietnam since 1857. Through over 150 years of existence and development, coffee has now become one of the major agricultural products for exports of Vietnam, ranked No. 2 after rice, traditional food crops in Vietnam. With that position, Vietnam is now the 2nd largest nation of exporting coffee in the world after Brazil, particularly for exporting Robusta, Vietnam is the leader in the world. Coffee exports have contributed significantly to the economic growth of Vietnam, reducing the trade deficit and partly solved the problem of poverty reduction for people, especially in rural areas. In particular, the EU market is the largest consuming market and coffee importer in the world, as well as export-oriented market of Vietnamese coffee. This is a potential market for Vietnam in particular coffee items and most other commodities in general. However, not only Vietnam, but many other countries have also focused on developing exports of coffee to the EU, competition is becoming increasingly fierce. Vietnam needs to analyze and improve the competitiveness of Vietnam's coffee products exported to the EU market. This thesis uses main methods like synthetic methods, statistical methods and analysis, comparative method. Thesis structure includes contents related to general theory of competitiveness and the need to improve the competitiveness of Vietnam's coffee exports to the EU, competitive situation of Vietnam's coffee exports to the EU and measures to improve competitiveness of Vietnam's coffee exports to the EU

Pollution and Risk Level Assessment of Pollutants in Surface Water Bodies

The study was carried out to assess the pollution, impact, and risk level to the surface water environment of pollutants in the water bodies of Soc Trang province, Vietnam. The parameters for evaluating surface water quality and risks included temperature, pH, TSS, DO, BOD, COD, NH4+-N, NO2--N, NO3--N, PO43--P, Cl-, Fet, and coliform. Surface water samples were collected at 35 locations with a frequency of six times (February, April, June, August, October, and December) in 2022. The water quality index (WQI), impact and risk level (risk quotient or RQ, RQ-F), correlation analysis, and principal component analysis (PCA) were utilized in the study. The results show that the surface water has been seriously polluted due to organic matter, nutrients, microorganisms, iron, and salinity. The values of WQI in the dry and rainy seasons fluctuated between bad and very good, indicating that surface water quality is suitable for water transport and other purposes with higher quality requirements. TSS, COD, Fet and coliform have a high impact and risk for the environment in this study area. There were no environmental impacts and risks to NO3--N. Locations with many high-risk pollutants were mainly distributed in residential and coastal areas. The significant negative correlation between the WQI and RQ indicated that the lower the WQI, the higher the environmental risk. The PCA results show that at least six polluting sources affected water quality and caused environmental risks. The results of this study contribute essential and valuable information for improving water quality in the study area through the assessment of environmental impacts and risks. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2023-09-08-03 Full Text: PD

The Law on Child Labor: A Correlational Study in Vietnam

According to the International Labsour Organization (ILO), Vietnam is the first country in Asia and the second country in the world to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Among them, are conventions related to child labor such as Convention 138, on a minimum age for employment in 1973 (Convention 138); Convention 182, which prohibits and urgently acts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor in 1999 (Convention 182). During the process of joining conventions on child labor, Vietnam’s legal system has been issued, amended, and adjusted to enforce international commitments. However, from the perspective of the conventions on labor children that Vietnam has joined, the national legal system still has shortcomings from the age of labor, occupations that are allowed to use child labor to forms of labor… The article uses the correlational research method, comparing the regulations of the ILO convention with the law regulating child labor in Vietnam and then proposing solutions to improve the Vietnam national law. Keywords: copyright, three-step test, intellectual property rights, infringement, universities… DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/138-05 Publication date: December 31st 202