U.S. COUNTERVAILING DUTY LAW AGAINST NONMARKET ECONOMIES: LEGAL ANALYSIS AND CASE STUDIES OF VIETNAM

Since 2006, the United States has imposed countervailing duty, in addition to antidumping duty, on imports from Vietnam. This application of countervailing duty has been paradoxical: in order to apply the duty, the U.S. Department of Commerce must recognize that market forces exist in Vietnam, which are distorted by government intervention; at the same time, however, the Department of Commerce (“Commerce”) uses a “nonmarket economy” (“NME”) methodology to calculate the amount of countervailing duty. This NME methodology looks to surrogate country prices to approximate the extent of government distortion of market forces, and thus the amount of countervailable subsidies, in Vietnam. The NME methodology poses problems for Vietnamese enterprises, the Government of Vietnam, and global trade more generally. First, the methodology provides discretion for Commerce to impose unpredictable duty rates. Second, Commerce has taken an all-or-nothing approach to recognizing market-oriented industries within Vietnam; as it stands, unless all significant inputs within an industry are subject to market-driven prices, Commerce looks to surrogate-country prices as benchmarks to calculate countervailable subsidies. This paper analyzes a series of countervailing duty cases against Vietnam to determine which government programs are most frequently treated as providing countervailable subsidies, to make recommendations for Vietnamese enterprises and the Government of Vietnam, and to analyze trends in the development of Commerce’s practice of imposing countervailing duty against Vietnam as a nonmarket economy country. The author recommends that Commerce adopt a “mix and match,” or “bubbles of capitalism,” approach to calculating countervailing duty that makes greater use of in-country benchmarks to impose countervailing duty more justly and predictably

Integrated Use of Constructed Wetlands for Livestock Wastewater Treatment and Fodder Production

Constructed wetlands (CW) are widely used to treat wastewater (WW) because of its high efficiency for removal of pollutants, and low operational and maintenance costs. Plants play an important role in enhancing the WW treatment process in CW. Therefore, selection of the appropriate plant species to be grown in CW is an important criterion to ensure the success of the CW system. The performances of 5 plant species, namely, Typha (Typha spp), Dwarf Napier (Pennisetum purpureum), Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) and 2 varieties of Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L) i.e. K 465/118 (K465) and Thai Kenaf grown in cattle WW were evaluated over 4 weeks. The different plant species were ranked using Typha (a widely use plant for phytoremediation) as a control based on their percentage of mortality, rate of growth of the root system, crude protein (CP) content, dry matter yield (DMY), and palatability score. The results showed that Typha had the highest score followed by Napier, K465 Kenaf, Thai Kenaf and Guinea. Based on the results of this study three plant species (Typha, Napier and K465 Kenaf) were selected for further evaluations in experiment 2. In the second experiment, the 3 plant species were grown in 3 different concentrations of cattle WW; low (COD 2,000 mg/L), medium (COD 7,000 mg/L) and high (COD 14, 000 mg/L) in a 3 x 3 factorial experiment arranged in a RCBD design. Almost all of the Napier plants died by the end of the 2 weeks adaptation period. Typha and Kenaf had the highest above-surface fraction (stems and leaves) fresh yield (FY) and DMY in the medium WW concentration. The nutrient content of the 2 plants increased with increased WW concentration. The under-surface fraction (roots) FY and DMY of Typha was positively associated with the WW concentration, while negative relationships were obtained for Kenaf. Pollutants removal by Typha from WW was more efficient than Kenaf. The third experiment was conducted to examine the efficiency of pollutants removal from cattle WW. It consisted of a 3 hydraulic retention times (HRT) (5, 10 and 15 days) x 3 plant types [Typha, Kenaf and no plant (as control)] factorial experiment, arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 3 replications. On average, the removal efficiency ranged from 58 to 65 % for Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) for the various treatments, 77 to 94 % for Total Suspended Solids (TSS), 60 to 79 % for Ammonium Nitrogen (NH+4-N), 51 to 65% for Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN), 50 to 60% for Dissolved phosphate (DP) and 50 to 61% for Total Orthophosphate (OP). Nitrogen and P removal efficiencies of the cells with plants were 11-19 and 7-11%, respectively, higher than unplanted cells; however, plants were not effective in COD and TSS removals. HRT contributed on removal efficiency for TSS and COD but not in nutrients removal. Effluent TSS for the 15 days HRT (46.7 mg/L) is within the permissible limit for effluent discharge from livestock WW in Malaysia. However, the average COD of the effluent discharge (684 mg/L) from different treatments was marginally higher than the permissible limit (500 COD mg/L) for effluent discharge from livestock WW in Malaysia. Typha and Kenaf plants grew well in the CW and exhibited their potential as phytoremediation agents and possibly as a source of animal feed

Perception of Engineering Students on Social Constructivist Learning Approach in Classroom

The social constructivist approach to teaching and learning has garnered significant interest among educators and researchers. However, further investigation into its implementation and effectiveness in the classroom is still needed. This study aims to investigate engineering students’ perceptions of social constructivist practices in their technology classes, using the constructivist learning environment survey (CLES) as its framework. A mixed-methods approach combining quantitative and qualitative methods was used, which included online surveys and semi-structured interviews. Analysis of data from 300 responses showed that constructivism was partially implemented in the classroom. Specifically, student negotiation emerged as the most frequently perceived dimension, while shared control was perceived as seldom occurring. Most items on the personal relevance scale were frequently perceived, highlighting the importance of integrating technology learning into students’ daily lives. Similarly, the uncertainty of technology was found to be a common experience for students. In contrast, the dimension of critical voice received mixed results, emphasizing the necessity of a learning environment that fosters student expression and meaningful discussions. These findings suggest the necessity for additional investigation and integration of social constructivist practices that emphasize the enhancement of student engagement, promotion of critical thinking, and redistribution of power within the classroom setting

The effects of diet preference on feed intake, digestibility and nitrogen balance of sheep given Iseilema spp. (Flinders grass) hay and/or Desmanthus leptophyllus cv JCU 1 Ad libitum

Eighteen male Merino sheep (34.83 ± 2.73 kg) were used in this experiment with a completely randomised block design to evaluate the effects of diet preference on feed intake, apparent digestibility and nitrogen balance. The sheep were fed ad libitum one of three experimental diets: Flinders grass hay (F); freshly cut Desmanthus leptophyllus (D) and a choice of Flinders grass hay and fresh cut D. leptophyllus (D+F). The results showed that sheep had a 70% preference for D and had a 30% preference for F when they were provided the D+F diet. The highest dry matter intake (DMI) and organic matter intake (OMI) (P < 0.05) were recorded for the D+F diet compared with the other two diets. The dry matter digestibility (DMD), organic matter digestibility (OMD) and nitrogen digestibility did not differ between the D and the D+F diet, but these values were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those of the F diet. Sheep fed either the D or the D+F diet gave rise to positive nitrogen balance, while the F diet was in negative nitrogen balance. Both D and D+F diets had greater (P < 0.05) efficiency of nitrogen retention in comparison with the F diet. Lower nutrition utilisation of the F diet was relative to loss of sheep liveweight, whereas sheep given either D or D+F diet slightly increased their liveweight. It is suggested that in the semi-arid sheep country, diet quality and animal production could be enhanced by utilisation Desmanthus spp. during the dry season

Research on Factors Affecting the Intention to Maintain a Long-Term Relationship in Franchising in Vietnam

Purpose: This study examines the factors in franchising that influence satisfaction and intention to maintain a long-term relationship.   Theoretical framework: This study applies the theory of consumer behavior to prove that the factors of cooperation, support, trust, commitment, brand value, and commitment are the factors that affect customer satisfaction through table design.   Design/Methodology/Approach: This study obtained 386 valid answers that were coded and cleaned using SPSS and AMOS software, after cleaning and coding, the reliability test, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis were carried out to determine CFA and test the SEM hypothesis.   Findings:  This study shows that four independent factors are trust, cooperation, brand value, and cost, which are factors that indirectly affect the intention to maintain the relationship in franchising, franchise through the intermediate variable is satisfaction.   Research, Practical &amp; Social implications: This study proposes a number of governance implications to increase the intention to maintain the franchisor-franchise relationship.   Originality/Value: This study examined the factors that indirectly affect the intention to maintain the relationship in the franchise system through the mediating variable. At the same time, the study also tries to clarify how the influence of the identified factors has an indirect effect on the intention to maintain a relationship in the franchise

Analysis and Monitoring of the SME Instrument in the Moravian-Silesian Region

Cílem bakalářské práce je zjistit, zda malé a střední podniky v Moravskoslezském kraji mají povědomí o SME Instrumentu, popřípadě jaké jsou důvody jejich nevědomosti, a navrhnout případná doporučení a návrhy, jak zlepšit povědomí o tomto schématu. První část bakalářské práce je zaměřena na teoretická východiska podpory podnikání malého a středního podniku s využitím odborné literatury. Druhá část bakalářské práce je zaměřena na analýzu a monitoring SME Instrumentu. Z analýzy a pozorování vyplynuly dvě hypotézy, které obecně tvrdí, že povědomí o SME Instrumentu v Moravskoslezském kraji je nedostatečné. Na základě dvou stanovených hypotéz o SME Instrumentu byl proveden výzkum formou dotazníkového šetření, který jednu z těchto hypotéz potvrdil. V závěrečné části bakalářské práce jsou navržena doporučení pro zlepšení povědomí o SME Instrumentu mezi malými a středními podniky v Moravskoslezském kraji.The aim of the bachelor thesis is to determine whether small and medium sized enterprises in the Moravian-Silesian Region have awareness of the SME Instrument, or what are the reasons for their ignorance, and to propose recommendations and suggestions on how to improve the awareness of this grant scheme. The first part of the bachelor thesis is focused on the theoretical basis of support of entrepreneurship small and medium-sized enterprises using professional literature. The second part of the bachelor thesis is focused on the analysis and monitoring of SME Instrument. The analysis and observation resulted in two hypotheses, which generally claim that the awareness of the SME Instrument in the Moravian-Silesian region is insufficient. On the basis of the two hypotheses set out in the SME Instrument, research was carried out in the form of a questionnaire survey, which confirmed one of these hypotheses. In the final part of the bachelor thesis, some recommendations are proposed to improve the awareness of SME Instrument among small and medium-sized enterprises in the Moravian-Silesian Region.152 - Katedra podnikohospodářskávýborn

Spatial Patterns of Hand-Foot and Mouth Disease In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Background: Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease (HFMD) is most frequently caused by Enterovirus71 (EV-A71) or Coxsackie virus A16 (CV-A16), infants and young children are at greatest risk. Describing the spatial patterns of HFMD can help develop and better target interventions. The objective of this study is to identify spatial patterns of HFMD in the first 8-months of 2023 in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam. Methods: The global Moran’s I statistic, Moran’s I scatterplot and local Moran’s I statistic and Boxplot will be applied to study spatial patterns of HFMD. Spatial patterns including spatial clusters (high-high and low-low) and spatial outliers (low-high and high-low) will be identified for HFMD cases and HFMD infection rates. Results: three high-high spatial clusters were mainly distributed in districts in the western region of the city such as Binh Tan, Binh Chanh, and Tan Phu. These high-high spatial clusters belonged to districts having the highest rates of HFMD infections in the city with their corresponding rates of 289, 283 and 281 cases/100,000 inhabitants, respectively. On the other hand, two low-low spatial clusters were detected in Districts 1 and 5 in the city center with their HFMD infection rates of 190 and 209 cases/100,000 inhabitants, respectively. Conclusions : findings in this study support the usefulness of boxplots, local and global Moran's I statistics, and Moran's I scatterplots in the identification of spatial clusters and spatial outliers of HFM

Effects of cellulose nanofibers on soil water retention and aggregate stability

Innovative solutions that address global challenges such as water scarcity and soil erosion are critical for maintaining sustainable agriculture. Due to their water-absorbing and soil-binding properties, cellulose nanofibers (CNF) can be applied to soil to enhance soil water retention and aggregate stability. In this study, we analyzed the effects of the drying temperature, dosage, irrigation water quality, and soil type on the efficacy of CNFs. Our results revealed that CNF dried at 5 degrees C is more effective at absorbing water than others, and adding 1% CNF enhanced soil water content up to 98%. The CNF samples absorbed water due to their hydrophilic molecular groups and morphological structure, as confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. CNF addition increased the soil volumetric water content and prolonged water retention by 22 days in the paddy soil samples, highlighting its potential for drought-prone areas. Furthermore, irrigation water quality, such as pH and cation values, influenced the interactions between CNF and water molecules, suggesting adjustments to the water retention curve. In its hydrated state, CNF promotes colloid flocculation and binds to soil particles, thereby strengthening the bonds crucial for aggregate formation and stability. CNF enhanced macro-aggregate formation by up to 48% and 59% in the masa and paddy soil samples, respectively. Our study emphasizes the potential of CNF for water conservation, soil health, and overall agricultural sustainability