Does global warming worsen poverty and inequality? An updated review

We offer an updated and comprehensive review of recent studies on the impact of climate change, particularly global warming, on poverty and inequality, paying special attention to data sources as well as empirical methods. While studies consistently find negative impacts of higher temperature on poverty across different geographical regions, with higher vulnerability especially in poorer Sub-Saharan Africa, there is inclusive evidence on climate change impacts on inequality. Further analyzing a recently constructed global database at the subnational unit level derived from official national household income and consumption surveys, we find that temperature change has larger impacts in the short term and more impacts on chronic poverty than transient poverty. The results are robust to different model specifications and measures of chronic poverty and are more pronounced for poorer countries. Our findings offer relevant inputs into current efforts to fight climate change

Does hotter temperature increase poverty and inequality? Global evidence from subnational data analysis

Despite a vast literature documenting the harmful effects of climate change on various socioeconomic outcomes, little evidence exists on the global impacts of hotter temperature on poverty and inequality. Analysis of a new global panel dataset of subnational poverty in 134 countries finds that a one-degree Celsius increase in temperature leads to a 9.1 percent increase in poverty, using the US$1.90 daily poverty threshold. A similar increase in temperature causes a 1.4 percent increase in the Gini inequality index. The paper also finds negative effects of colder temperature on poverty and inequality. Yet, while poorer countries—particularly those in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa—are more affected by climate change, household adaptation could have mitigated some adverse effects in the long run. The findings provide relevant and timely inputs for the global fight against climate change as well as the current policy debate on the responsibilities of richer countries versus poorer countries

Measurement of neutron flux and gamma dose rate distribution inside a water phantom for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy study at Dalat Research Reactor

Exposure dose rate to the tumor and surrounding cells during neutron beam irradiation in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) comes not only from heavy charged particles produced from the 10B(n,α)7Li nuclear reaction, but also from neutron-induced reactions with other biological elements in living tissue, as well as from gamma rays leaked from the reactor core. At Dalat Research Reactor, Vietnam, the neutron and gamma dose rate distribution inside a water phantom were measured by using activation method and Thermoluminescent Dosimeter (TLD) detector, respectively. The results showed that effective thermal neutron dose rate along the center line of the water phantom had a maximum value of 479 mSv h-1 at 1 cm in phantom and then decreases rapidly to 4.87 mSv h-1 at 10 cm. The gamma dose rate along the center line of the water phantom also reach its maximum of 4.31 mSv h-1 at 1 cm depth and decreases to 1.16 mSv h-1 at 10 cm position. The maximum biological tumor dose rate was 1.74 Gy-eq h-1, not high enough to satisfy the treatment requirement of brain tumors. However, the results of this work are important in supporting of BNCT study in the upcoming stages at Dalat Research Reactor

Some study results of Cam Ranh - Binh Thuan mud eruption strip

Most of the mud eruption locations are distributed in a stretching strip, running in NE-SW direction from Cam Ranh - Ninh Thuan - Binh Thuan NE-SW tectonic fault zone and coinciding with a tectonically crushed zone. The erupted mud consists of sand, mud, clay. The clay contains alkaline montmorillonite, formed following chemical weathering and re-sedimentation processes from rocks containing alkaline minerals in a semi-arid climate area, located in a low terrain or a tectonic subsiding zone with a large fluctuation in groundwater level. The mud eruption  has a close relation to factors (of) climate, topography, geomorphology, hydrogeology, petrography and tectonic activities in the area. Among these, tectonic factors are the most important for they create not only soil and rock crushed zone, paving favorable conditions for strong weathering process at depth, but also to form canals to bring hot groundwater and minerals from certain depths upward, and by the effects of pressurized groundwater and partly due to the expansion in volume of bentonite clay pushing the muddy clay material through the tectonic cracks to the surface of the current terrain. The mud eruption process is not deep; but it may occur from a shallow level, about 4-18 m below, under the impact of the above elements.ReferencesCao Dinh Trieu, 2006. Characteristics of Earthquake Activities of Central Southern and Southern Sea.  Journal of Geology, Range A, 293(3-4), Hanoi.   Cao Dinh Trieu, et al., 2013. Modern geodynamics in Vietnamese territory. Natural Sciences and Technology Publishing House, Hanoi, 242.Ho Vuong Binh, et al., 1990. Research report on evaluation of prospects and possibility of using alkaline bentonite at Thuan Hai. Archived at the Center for Information Archives of Geology, Hanoi.Le Duc An, 1990. Geomorphological and neotectonic features of Thuan Hai area. Geological Science and Technique Information, (1-2), 5-25, Hanoi.Le Duy Bach, et al., 2007. Tectonic features Pliocene - Quaternary at Southeast continental shelf of Vietnam. Journal of Sciences of the Earth, 29(3), 218-227, Hanoi.Mazzini. A, A. Nermoen, M. Krotkiewski, Y. Podladchikov, S. Planke, H. Svensen, 2009. Strike-slip faulting as a trigger mechanism for overpressure release through piercement structures. Implications for the Lusi mud eruption, Indonesia. Marine and Petroleum Geology, doi:10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2009.03.001Medialdea. T, et al., 2003. Tectonics and mud eruption  development in the Gulf of Cadiz.  Marine Geology, 261(1-4), 48-63.Nguyen Duc Thai, et al., 2011. Report on survey results of land crack and mud appearance locations at Suoi Da village, Loi Hai commune, Thuan Bac district, Ninh Thuan province. Archived at Division for Water Resources Planning and Investigation for the Central Region of Vietnam.Nguyen Duc Thang (chief author) et al., 1988. Report on surveying and mapping of Geology and Minerals in Phan Rang-Nha Trang area at 1:200,000 scale. Archived at the Center for Information Archives of Geology, Hanoi.Nguyen Hong Phuong, 2004. Map of earthquake dangerous rate in Vietnam and the East Sea. Journal of Sciences of the Earth,  26(2), 97-111, Hanoi.Pham Van An, et al., 1990. Features of weathering crust at dry hot area Thuan Hai and origin of alkaline bentonite clay. Geological Science and Technique Information, (1-2), 72-79, Hanoi.Pham Van Hung, 2000. Determining kinematic properties of cracks by analyzing tectonic cracks in the South Central region, Journal of Sciences of the Earth, 29(2), 113-119, (in Vietnamese).Pham Van Hung, 2001. Quaternary - modern operational features of tectonic fault at the East edge of Kon Tum massif. Journal of Geology, 267, 43-49, Hanoi.Pham Van Nam, et al., 1988. Report on hydrogeological-engineering geological Mapping at 1:200,000 scale in Phan Rang-Nha Trang region. Archived at Division for Water Resources Planning and Investigation for the Central Region of Vietnam, Nha Trang.Phan Trong Trinh, 2012. Recent tectonics and modern geodynamics in Vietnam’s Sea and adjacent zones. Natural Sciences and Technology Publishing House, Hanoi, 331p.Pham Van Thuc, et al., 2004. Seismic zoning of the East Sea and coastal area in Vietnam. Journal of Geology, Range A, 285(11-12), Hanoi.Phung Van Phach, et al., 1996. Some research results of gases ash eruption phenomenon at Pleiku Highland in 1993. Geological Resources, 1, Science and Technique Publishing House, 396-405.Quo-Cheng Sung, Hung-Cheng Chang, HSing-Chang Liu, Yen-Chieh Chen, 2010. Mud eruption along the chihan fault in Southwestern Taiwan Arelease bend model. Geomorphology, 118, 188-198.Tran Van Thang, et al., 2006. Tectonic development characteristics of Da Lat zone and adjacent zone in late Mezozoi-Kainozoi. Journal of Sciences of the Earth, 28(2), 140-149, (in Vietnamese)..Stepanek P., Ho Trong Ty, 1986. Report on mineral geological mapping at Phan Rang-Cam Ranh at 1:50,000 scale. Archived at the Center for Information Archives of Geology, Hanoi.Vo Cong Nghiep, et al., 1998. List of hot water and minerals resources in Vietnam. Ministry of Industry, General Department of Geology and Minerals of Vietnam, Hanoi. 308p.Uong Dinh Khanh, 2004. Geomorphological characteristics of the hilly areas Ninh Thuan - Binh Thuan. Doctorate thesis, archived at National Library, Hanoi.Yin. P, S. Bern, P. Vagner, B. Loubrieu, Z. Liu, 2003. Mud eruption at the shelf margin of the East China Sea. Marine Geology, 194(3-4), 135-149.http://www.mhc.vn/. Minh Ha Bentonite Minerals JSC. 

The effect of different media and temperature conditions for Salmonella bacteriophage preservation

This research aimed to determine the optimal media and temperature conditions for the long-term storage of bacteriophages. In this study, the viability of Salmonella phages in 50% glycerol, 10% sodium chloride-magnesium sulfate (SM) buffer, and 5% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) media at room temperature, 4oC, -20oC, and -80oC for 12 months was determined. In 50% glycerol, at the end of the experiment, no significant difference was found between four temperature conditions on phage density, ranging from 6.20-6.23 log10 PFU/mL (P>0.05). Under 10% SM medium, phage preservation at room temperature provided the optimum density at 6.31 log10 PFU/mL. In addition, phages preserved in a 5% DMSO medium were of similar density values across all temperature treatments. Still, their availability after 12 month-storage (88.0-88.5%) was significantly lower (P<0.05) than that of 50% glycerol and 10% SM. Moreover, for phage lysis capacity, low temperatures (4oC, -20oC, and -80oC) were superior to room temperature used for preservation. Considering the density, lysis capacity, and practical convenience, storing phages at 4°C in a 50% Glycerol medium is recommended

CSA: Thực hành nông nghiệp thông minh với khí hậu ở Việt Nam

During the last five years, Vietnam has been one of the countries most affected by climate change. Severe typhoons, flooding, cold spells, salinity intrusion, and drought have affected agriculture production across the country, from upland to lowland regions. Fortunately for Vietnam, continuous work in developing climate-smart agriculture has been occurring in research organizations and among innovative farmers and entrepreneurs. Application of various CSA practices and technologies to adapt to the impact of climate change in agriculture production have been expanding. However, there is a need to accelerate the scaling process of these practices and technologies in order to ensure growth of agriculture production and food security, increase income of farmers, make farming climate resilient, and contribute to global climate change mitigation. This book aims to provide basic information to researchers, managers, and technicians and extentionists at different levels on what CSA practices and technologies can be up scaled in different locations in Vietnam

HIV-Associated TB in An Giang Province, Vietnam, 2001–2004: Epidemiology and TB Treatment Outcomes

BACKGROUND: Mortality is high in HIV-infected TB patients, but few studies from Southeast Asia have documented the benefits of interventions, such as co-trimoxazole (CTX), in reducing mortality during TB treatment. To help guide policy in Vietnam, we studied the epidemiology of HIV-associated TB in one province and examined factors associated with outcomes, including the impact of CTX use. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We retrospectively abstracted data for all HIV-infected persons diagnosed with TB from 2001-2004 in An Giang, a province in southern Vietnam in which TB patients receive HIV counseling and testing. We used standard WHO definitions to classify TB treatment outcomes. We conducted multivariate analysis to identify risk factors for the composite outcome of death, default, or treatment failure during TB treatment. From 2001-2004, 637 HIV-infected TB patients were diagnosed in An Giang. Of these, 501 (79%) were male, 321 (50%) were aged 25-34 years, and the most common self-reported HIV risk factor was sex with a commercial sex worker in 221 (35%). TB was classified as smear-positive in 531 (83%). During TB treatment, 167 (26%) patients died, 9 (1%) defaulted, and 6 (1%) failed treatment. Of 454 patients who took CTX, 116 (26%) had an unsuccessful outcome compared with 33 (70%) of 47 patients who did not take CTX (relative risk, 0.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.3-0.5). Adjusting for male sex, rural residence, TB smear status and disease location, and the occurrence of adverse events during TB treatment in multivariate analysis, the benefit of CTX persisted (adjusted odds ratio for unsuccessful outcome 0.1; CI, 0.1-0.3). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: In An Giang, Vietnam, HIV-associated TB was associated with poor TB treatment outcomes. Outcomes were significantly better in those taking CTX. This finding suggests that Vietnam should consider applying WHO recommendations to prescribe CTX to all HIV-infected TB patients

Spatiotemporal evolution of SARS-CoV-2 Alpha and Delta variants during large nationwide outbreak of COVID-19, Vietnam, 2021

We analyzed 1,303 SARS-CoV-2 whole-genome sequences from Vietnam, and found the Alpha and Delta variants were responsible for a large nationwide outbreak of COVID-19 in 2021. The Delta variant was confined to the AY.57 lineage and caused >1.7 million infections and >32,000 deaths. Viral transmission was strongly affected by nonpharmaceutical interventions

The Effectiveness of Oral Mini-Pulse Methylprednisolonein - the Treatment of Alopecia Areata in Vietnam

BACKGROUND: Systemic corticosteroid is used to treat alopecia areata, but it is associated with side effects. Mini-pulse therapy is thought to be effective but able to reduce side effects. AIM: The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of oral mini-pulse methylprednisolone in the treatment of alopecia areata. METHODS: Patients received methylprednisolone 16 mg orally for 2 consecutive days every week. RESULTS: After 3 months, among patients, 40% recovered well, and 55.6% recovered fairly. After 6 months, 82.2% recovered well, 17.8% recovered fairly. No adverse events were detected, and the recurrence rate was low (2.2%). CONCLUSION: Oral mini-pulse methylprednisolone therapy is an effective and safe therapeutic option for alopecia areata without side effects, and the time of the treatment is short