Water Security in the Mekong River Basin Challenges, Causes and Solutions

Water, an essential element in sustaining life is of special importance to society and economic development. Although renewable, water resources are not infinite. It can be said that equitable and sustainable water resource management in the context of climate change is a challenge that all Mekong countries have been facing. The challenge becomes bigger in the context of water scarcity when the total amount of water is sharply decreasing and the water quality is declining, failing to meet domestic and industrial needs. Based on a study into the current situation of water security in the Mekong River, the author points out the basic challenges that threaten water security in the river basin. At the same time, the author discusses the reasons leading to this situation. Based on the research on the current situation of challenges and underlying causes, the author proposes a number of necessary solutions to cope with current and upcoming challenges. These solutions, including legal, diplomatic, economic and political solutions, should be implemented in a synchronized and long-term manner in the future

Estimation of Above-Ground Mangrove Biomass Using Landsat-8 Data- Derived Vegetation Indices: A Case Study in Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam

This study aimed to map the status of mangrove forests over the coasts of Hai Ha District and Mong Cai City in Quang Ninh Province by using 2019 Landsat-8 imagery. It then developed the AGB estimation model of mangrove forests based on the AGB estimation-derived plots inventory and vegetation indices-derived from Landsat-8 data. As results, there were five land covers identified, including mangrove forests, other vegetation, wetlands, built-up, and water, with the overall accuracy assessments of 80.0% and Kappa coefficient of 0.74. The total extent of mangrove forests was estimated at 4291.2 ha. The best AGB estimation model that was selected to estimate the AGB and AGC of mangrove forests for the whole coasts of Hai Ha District and Mong Cai City is AGB= 30.38 + 911.95*SAVI (R2=0.924, PValue <0.001). The model validation assessment has confirmed that the selected AGB model can be applied to Hai Ha and Mong Cai coasts with the mean difference between AGB observed and AGB predicted at 16.0 %. This satisfactory AGB model also suggests a good potential for AGB and AGC mapping, which offer the carbon trading market in the study site. As the AGB model selected, the total AGB and AGC of mangrove forests were estimated at about 14,600,000 tons and 6,868,076 tons with a range of from 94.0 - 432.0 tons ha-1, from 44.2 - 203.02 tons ha-1, respectively. It also suggests that the newly-developed AGB model of mangrove forests can be used to estimate AGC stocks and carbon sequestration of mangrove forests for C-PFES in over the coasts of Hai Ha District and Mong Cai City, which is a very importantly financial source for mangrove forest managers, in particular for local mangrove protectors

The influences of the number of concrete dowels to shear resistance based on push out tests

To reduce the depth of floor-beam structures and to save the cost of headed-shear studs, many types of shallow composite beam have been developed during the last few years. Among them, the shallow-hollow steel beam consists of web openings, infilled with in-situ concrete (named concrete dowel) has been increasingly focused recently. In this new kind of structure, this concrete dowel plays an important role as the principal shear connector. This article presents an investigation on the shear transferring mechanism and failure behavior of the trapezoid shape concrete dowel. An experimental campaign of static push-out tests has been conducted with variability in the number of web openings (WOs). The results indicate that the mechanical behavior of concrete dowel could be divided into crushing, compression, and tension zones and exhibits brittle behavior. The longitudinal shear resistance and specimen's stiffness are strongly affected by the number of considered WO

DESIGN CONCEPTS FOR PREVENTING GAS BUBBLE INTERFERENCE IN MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES

Unintendedly introduced gas bubbles in channels can significantly interfere with performance and behavior of microfluidic systems. Thus, there is a high demand for smart microfluidic system designs which are capable of preventing gas bubbles. In this work, we develop two different bubble interference preventing system designs:a degasser device that actively removes gas bubbles from the liquid based on pressure driven gas permeation, and a passive micro channel design that provides a guiding mechanism based on the gas bubbles’ effort to minimize their surface energy. The effective performances of the devices are demonstrated

Vai trò của thiết kế tổng thể trong ứng dụng tin học vào quản lí xí nghiệp

Vai trò của thiết kế tổng thể trong ứng dụng tin học vào quản lí xí nghiệp

A Review of Challenges and Opportunities in BIM Adoption for Construction Project Management

This research investigates the transformative impact of Building Information Modeling (BIM) on construction project management, highlighting its potential to enhance traditional processes through digital innovation. As the construction industry evolves amidst global economic integration and heightened competition, the demand for quality, efficiency, and sustainability escalates, presenting new challenges for project managers. Traditional management practices, while foundational, lack the dynamism and integrative capabilities offered by BIM technology. BIM emerges as a revolutionary paradigm, facilitating a shared digital environment that promotes precision, efficiency, and improved collaboration across the project lifecycle. By integrating BIM with artificial intelligence (AI), this study explores novel synergies that further refine project management methodologies, addressing complex challenges in the design, execution, and maintenance phases. The research employs a comprehensive review of existing literature, case studies, and practical applications to assess the effectiveness of BIM in various project management contexts. The findings reveal that while BIM significantly enhances project outcomes, its adoption faces technological, organizational, and cultural barriers. This necessitates a comprehensive strategy encompassing innovation, education, and policy reform to unlock its full potential. The study underscores the critical role of BIM in driving the future of construction project management, advocating for a collaborative effort among industry stakeholders to foster a conducive environment for BIM adoption and leverage its benefits for sustainable development in the construction sector