Research on aerodynamics of a wing-in-surface-effect ship by theory and experiment

The paper presents the results of theoretical and experimental studies of the aerodynamic characteristics of a wing-in-surface-effect ship (WISES), which was made under coordination of the Institute of Mechanics, Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology. The theoretical researches are carried out by the half analytical method and together by the linear and nonlinear vortex lattice methods. The experiment was conducted by the model on wind tunnel OTl of The Technical Institute of Air Force - Air Defense

New Forests and New Forest People in Central Vietnam: The Acacia Boom

Vietnam is the country with the largest area of plantations of Australasian Acacia species (‘wattles’) in South-East Asia. Between 6 and 9% of the national land area is cultivated with tropical wattles (A. auriculiformis, A. mangium and A. × mangiiformis). From the perspective of its promoters, the wattle plantation industry in Vietnam may be seen as a success beyond expectations. We review the origins of this boom and ask what it has done to and for the coun- try’s landscape and people. The chapter combines findings and insights from an interdisciplinary research project in Thừa Thiên Huế province, north-central Vietnam. Research took place across upland and lowland wattle-growing regions, with ethnic minorities as well as the Kinh majority, and with long-term wattle growers as well as new en- trants. It drew on questionnaires, interviews and observations, as well as information from remote sensing, eco- logical surveys and hydrological assessments. We first describe how substantial areas of ‘new forest’ (short-rotation wattle plantations) were created, initially in degraded bushland, but now sometimes through clearing of highly bi- odiverse natural forest stands. These wattle plantations alter local hydrology, soils and biodiversity, and are exposed to risks including soil erosion and plant pathogens. The plantations provide wood chips and timber, supporting rev- enue, employment and a strong forestry industry. Incomes have risen appreciably for many, although unequally, and a class of successful entrepreneurs has emerged. These plantations alter the livelihoods and identities of upland ‘forest people’, historically shifting cultivators, contributing to what might be called ‘new forest people’. Ethnic mi- nority villagers are building new identities around the wattle economy and around their contracts with state forest agencies, seeing themselves increasingly as forest growers and protectors. We conclude by raising some questions regarding the social changes and issues of environmental sustainability linked to this wattle boom

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

Understanding Vietnamese Farmers’ Perception toward Forest Importance and Perceived Willingness-to-Participate in REDD+ Program: A Case Study in Nghe An Province

Climate change continues to pose a constant threat to nature and human beings, and thus demands adaptability and flexibility in forestry and domestic land use management. In this context, the Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) project was introduced to harness forests to curb greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to combat climate change. As of 2020, REDD+ was implemented in 65 countries across the world, including Vietnam. While the missions of afforestation and forest protection cannot be accomplished without the aid of local residents, low participation from stakeholders, particularly poor farmers, is an obstacle in climate mitigation projects. To contribute to improving REDD+ with a useful Vietnam reference, this study uses a random sample approach coupled with a face-to-face interview method to survey 215 households in Chau Thai, one of 206 poor communes in Nghe An province, to learn about (1) residents’ perception towards the importance of forests, (2) how forests contribute as a source of livelihood, (3) potential for household engagement in REDD+. The research findings show that the important role of forests is well acknowledged, the majority of forestland was allocated to plantation forests, and the seeds are carefully selected to satisfy market demand. In addition, forests are recorded to make major contributions to residents’ income and roughly four-fifths of households revealed their willingness to get involved in the REDD+ project with a monthly subsidy of 500–2000 kVND (22.3–89.2 USD). The study provides valuable information about forest-based rural livelihood and policy options to facilitate REDD+ participation among farmers. This, in turn, helps devise more appropriate policies for climate change mitigation and sustainable rural mountainous development nationwide and beyond

Factors associated with deforestation probability in Central Vietnam: a case study in Nam Dong and A Luoi districts

Vietnam is undergoing a forest transition stage with an overall increase in forest cover since the 1990s; however, deforestation and forest degradation of natural forests still occur in several areas, especially in the Central region of the country. In order to better manage and protect natural forests, predicting deforestation probability and understanding its associated factors are necessary. In the present study, we focused on the two mountainous districts (Nam Dong and A Luoi) in Central Vietnam as a case study. We used Landsat satellite images for identifying changes of natural forests over the period of 1989–2020. The logistic regression model showed a good performance in prediction of deforestation (testing AUC = 0.874) in the study area. Our data showed that deforestation probability of natural forests in the study area in the period of 1989–2020 could be influenced by 11 socio-economic and topographical factors. In particular, forest areas with low elevation, gentle slopes, nearby rivers and residential areas have a high deforestation probability. Production forest, forest areas not included in payment for environmental service (PFES) schemes, forest with no ownership and forest areas managed by private owners may also have a high deforestation probability. The total area of very high level of deforestation probability in A Luoi (8,988 ha) and Nam Dong (5,304 ha) districts occupied about 11.4% of natural forests in the study area. Our study suggests that protection activities should be focused on high deforestation probability-prone forest areas

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