Southern Vietnam Research Articles

Inclusive Education: Enhancing Social Integration and Academic Achievement for Students With and Without Learning Disabilities Aged 5 to 14

Inclusive education is recognized as essential for fostering the holistic development of children, irrespective of their abilities or limitations. This paper examines the effects of inclusive education on students with learning disabilities (SWLD) and students without learning disabilities (SWOLD) in Southern Vietnam, focusing on its impact on social integration and academic achievement. The study employs a mixed-methods research design, combining qualitative interviews with educators and quantitative analysis of student performance data. There are 487 participants, consisting of 132 SWLD and 355 SWOLD. These participants were drawn from inclusive and non-inclusive schools across various educational levels in southern Vietnam. Results indicate that inclusive practices significantly enhance social integration, empathy, and understanding among students. For SWLD, inclusive education leads to improved academic outcomes, particularly in the early education stages, while SWOLD reports favourable or neutral effects on academic achievements. However, at the secondary education level, the impact tends to be neutral or adverse for SWOLD. The research also identifies challenges in Southern Vietnam, including insufficient funding, inadequate teacher training and limited policy support, which hinder the effective implementation of inclusive education. Addressing these barriers is crucial for creating an equitable learning environment for all students in Vietnam.

A new species and new faunistic records of scale insects (Homoptera: Coccinea) from Indochina

A new species, Antonina kazasae sp. nov. (Pseudococcidae), is described and illustrated based on specimens collected in southern Vietnam (Cat Tien National Park). Additionally, fourteen other species from the families Coccidae, Margarodidae, and Pseudococcidae are recorded for the first time from various countries of Indochina (Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam).

Revisionary notes on the genera Symplanella Fennah, 1987 and Pseudosymplanella Che, Zhang et Webb, 2009 (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Caliscelidae, Ommatidiotinae), with description of new subgenera and new species.

The genus Symplanella Fennah, 1987 is revised, with the type species, Symplanella breviceps Fennah, 1987, is redescribed and illustrated based on new material from Thailand. A new subgenus, Bambunella subgen. nov. (type species: Symplanella zhongtua Yang et Chen, 2014), is erected in the genus Symplanella. A new species, Symplanella (Bambunella) cattiensis sp. nov., is described from southern Vietnam. The genus Pseudosymplanella Che, Zhang et Webb, 2009 is revised, with a new subgenus, Nelobamba subgen. nov. (type species: Pseudosymplanella maxima Gong, Chen et Yang, 2023), is erected. A new species, Pseudosymplanella (Nelobamba) kubani sp. nov., is described from northern Laos. Key to the subgenera and species of the genera Symplanella and Pseudosymplanella are given. Male sternal apodemes and abdominal sternites IV-VI in Augilini are briefly discussed.

Mediators of Work-Life Quality and Happy Workplace to the Link between Transformational Leadership and Employees' Organizational Commitment

The research used a quantitative methodology to examine the impact of work-life quality and a positive environment on employees' organizational commitment. The role of work-life quality (WLQ) and a happy workplace (HWP) is regarded as a mediating variable and their significant contributions to the relationship between transformational leadership and organizational commitment of employees are verified. The research involved 202 participants employed at rubber industries in southern Vietnam. The findings validated the existence of WLQ and HWP as mediators. This represents the novel focus of the research.

Distribution of some commercially valuable fishes (Pangasiidae, Polynemidae, Sciaenidae) in the Mekong Delta (Southern Vietnam) and role of the estuaries in their life cycle

The composition of the fish population of the Mekong River is one of the richest on the planet, however, despite the high diversity (~1200 species) and productivity, the basis of fishing in the Mekong Delta is made up of several dozen species, the most valuable of which are members of the families Pangasiidae, Polynemidae and Sciaenidae. Information on the distribution of these taxa is fragmentary, and the role of various parts of the delta in their reproduction has not been studied. Distribution of families Pangasiidae, Polynemidae and Sciaenidae in the Mekong Delta was assessed in the dry season by midwater trawl catches in 2019 (April, December), 2021 (January, April) and 2022 (March–May). A total of 237 trawls were carried out, in the catch of which 45.9 thousand fish belonging to 36 families were found. Representatives of each of the families Pangasiidae, Polynemidae, and Sciaenidae were noted in 42–57% of all catches within the studied part of the Mekong Delta, however, the frequency of their occurrence in its various parts varies significantly. According to the Mekong Delta zonation scheme, based on the analysis of the taxonomic composition of the fish population, representatives of Pangasiidae are confined to areas of the upper and middle reaches, Polynemidae—to areas of the middle and lower reaches, while significant differences in the horizontal distribution of Sciaenidae in different parts of the delta have not been identified. Significant differences in the vertical distribution of all studied taxa were also not found. The maximum concentrations of juveniles of Pangasiidae and Polynemidae were found in the middle reaches of the delta, and Sciaenidae in the lower reaches, which indicates the important role of the respective areas in the reproduction of representatives of the studied taxa.

Coniolepiota alexandri (Agaricaceae, Basidiomycota), a new species in the formerly monotypic genus and a new record of C. spongodes, from Vietnam

Coniolepiota, a genus within the family Agaricaceae, described in 2011, has been considered monotypic, embracing one species, C. spongodes, distributed in tropical Asia. Based on the morphological study and molecular analysis, two species of Coniolepiota viz. C. spongodes and C. alexandri are recognized from Southern Vietnam. Coniolepiota spongodes, a new record to Bu Gia Map National Park (Binh Phuoc), possesses attractive lilac basidiomata of medium size with flocculose squamules, white spores, and T-shaped pileal elements. Coniolepiota alexandri, proposed as a new species from Cat Tien National Park (Dong Nai), shares all the features listed above but has a different colour (white) of basidiomata. Detailed descriptions of the new species and the new record are presented herein. Field photographs of the collected basidiomata, illustrations of the microscopic structures, and phylogenetic trees generated from datasets of nrITS and LSU sequences, are provided.

Neighborhood competition and spatial patterns of tree species in an evergreen broadleaved forest of Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park, southern Vietnam

Neighborhood competition and spatial patterns of tree species in an evergreen broadleaved forest of Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park, southern Vietnam

Optimization of global gravitational potential models with detailed gravity anomalies in Southern VietnamOptimization of global gravitational potential models with detailed gravity anomalies in Southern Vietnam

This study evaluates the accuracy of several global gravity field models, specifically EGM 2008, EICGEN-6C4, SGG-UGM-1, SGG-UGM-2, and GECO, using detailed gravity anomaly data from 1968 points in the southern plains of Vietnam. The evaluation process followed a rigorous methodology to ensure precision. Results indicate that these models exhibit similar accuracy levels in the experimental area, with a mean error of approximately 6.2 mGal. Among them, The SGG-UGM-2 model, demonstrated the highest precision, with a fluctuation range of -29.2425 to +74.9010 mGal. These newer generation models, which incorporate additional satellite data, offer enhanced reliability compared to the EGM2008 model. The fluctuation ranges for other models also varied: EGM 2008 from -29.8662 to +82.2140 mGal, EIGEN-6C4 from -28.3626 to +74.2292 mGal, SGG-UGM-1 from -28.9500 to +75.5315 mGal, and GECO from -30.5641 to +73.6775 mGal. This research highlights the critical importance of accurate gravity field models for various applications, including geodesy, geophysics, natural disaster management, resource exploration, and military operations. The methodologies employed for accuracy assessment are adaptable to other regions with similar datasets, underscoring the significance of precise geophysical measurements in Vietnam's diverse geographic landscape. The findings support the essential role of gravity anomaly data in understanding Earth's physical properties and emphasize the need for continued evaluation across different regions in Vietnam to establish comprehensive applicability. This research paves the way for advanced studies and practical applications, contributing to a deeper understanding of Earth's physical properties.

Mechanisms Maintaining Biomass Stability in Woody Species Communities in Evergreen Broadleaved Forests of Dong Nai Culture and Nature Reserve, Dong Nai province, Southern Vietnam

Tropical forest ecosystems experience dynamic changes in response to environmental fluctuations and disturbances. Understanding the mechanisms governing their stability is crucial for maintaining ecosystem services. Among these ecosystems, evergreen broadleaved forests play a pivotal global role. This study investigates the impacts of overyielding, stand structure, species asynchrony, and the stability of dominant species on community biomass stability (CBS) within the Dong Nai Culture and Nature Reserve's evergreen broadleaved forests. The study utilized species richness, diameter-at-breast-height (DBH) variation coefficient, species asynchrony, and stability of dominant species as explanatory variables. The response variables included CBS, mean biomass (µ), and biomass standard deviation (σ). Three structural equation models (SEMs) were constructed to assess the relative strengths of direct and indirect effects among these variables. The results indicated that: (1) The SEMs achieved a good fit, explaining 41.8% of the variance in CBS. (2) Species richness negatively correlated significantly with µ (path coefficient = -0.112) and σ (-0.056). (3) DBH variation coefficient showed significant negative correlations with CBS (-0.161) and µ (-0.087). (4) Species asynchrony exhibited significant positive correlations with CBS (0.061), µ (0.076), and σ (0.061). (5) Dominant species stability showed significant positive correlations with CBS (0.588) and µ (0.153) and a negative correlation with σ (-0.588). These findings underscore that while stand structure and species asynchrony significantly influence CBS in evergreen broadleaved forests, the stability of dominant species emerges as the primary predictor of CBS. Therefore, effective forest management strategies should prioritize conserving and enhancing conditions that support dominant species, ensuring the sustainability of forest ecosystems in the study area.

Review of the Slender Geckos (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Hemiphyllodactylus) of the Cardamom Mountains of southwestern Cambodia, with descriptions of two new species and one country record.

The gekkonid lizard genus Hemiphyllodactylus contains small, secretive species that are often overlooked in their habitats. Recent molecular and morphological analyses have resulted in the descriptions of numerous new species of Hemiphyllodactylus in mainland Southeast Asia and southern China, many of which were historically hidden within the geographically widespread taxon H. yunnanensis (Boulenger, 1903). Little is known on species diversity and distributions of Hemiphyllodactylus in Cambodia, and all previous reports from the country have been limited to provisional identifications owing to collections containing only a single female or juvenile specimen. We report on new collections of Hemiphyllodactylus specimens from opposite ends of the Cardamom Mountain range in southwestern Cambodia. Morphological and molecular data support the hypothesis that these collections contain three distinct species, two of which are described as new species and one of which is assigned to the geographically widespread H. typus Bleeker, 1860 as a new country record for Cambodia. Hemiphyllodactylus bokor sp. nov. from Preah Monivong Bokor National Park in Kampot Province and Hemiphyllodactylus samkos sp. nov. from Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary in Pursat Province are related to species from adjacent areas in southern Vietnam, southern Laos, and southeastern Thailand, as well as a clade from India, but are readily differentiated in mitochondrial DNA and in having unique combinations of mensural and meristic morphological characters. Additional species diversity of Hemiphyllodactylus likely exists in Cambodia.

Understanding polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon accumulation in road dust of a tropical megacity in southern Vietnam: Implications on environmental management

This study investigated the characteristics of 23 PAHs in road dust from various areas in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), focusing on spatial distribution, pollution levels, human health risks, and source apportionment. PAH levels in urban samples (residential and industrial sites) ranged from 208 to 7665 (μg/kg), significantly higher than background levels (135 ± 42.2 μg/kg). A west > east gradient in PAH distribution, particularly in crowded traffic intersections, suggested traffic activities as a major source. Pollution load indices indicated moderate to very high pollution in most urban sites. Incremental lifetime cancer risk assessments showed moderate to high risks, especially for children. Statistical analyses and diagnostic ratios identified vehicular emissions as the primary PAH sources, with Positive Matrix Factorization analysis attributing 46.6% to gasoline vehicles, 21.9% to diesel vehicles and petroleum evaporation, 18.3% to tar oil, and 10.2% to coal burning. This study fills a significant information gap on PAHs in road dust, which has not been previously reported in southern Vietnam, specifically in HCMC—a dynamic and rapidly developing city in Southeast Asia. The findings highlight the need for synchronized management and technical solutions to mitigate PAH risks in road dust, contributing valuable knowledge on PAH accumulation in a major southern city of Vietnam.

Quantifying the relative provenance contributions to submarine channel systems in the Qiongdongnan Basin since the Miocene: Implications for tectonic responses and channel migration

AbstractThe submarine Miocene Central Canyon and Pleistocene channel systems in the Qiongdongnan Basin constitute valuable sedimentary records that provide insight into the depositional processes and sediment routing from the hinterland to the deep sea. However, the primary source of sediment for the Pleistocene channel systems and the variation in relative sediment contributions since the Miocene from potential source terranes remain unknown. We have integrated new and published detrital zircon U–Pb ages and rare earth elements (REEs) from Pleistocene channel sands and late Miocene Central Canyon sands in the Qiongdongnan Basin to analyse the sediment routing system of these channel systems since the Miocene. Qualitative analyses of REEs, comparisons of detrital zircon age spectra, and multidimensional scaling plots suggest that the Red River is a significant source of sediment supply. The quantitative analysis of sediment mixing models indicates that the Pleistocene channel sands were mainly sourced from the Red River (62.8%–85.7%), followed by Central Vietnam rivers (4.8%–27.1%), with a minor amount derived from rivers in Hainan Island, Northern Vietnam and Southern Vietnam. Sand sediments, mainly from the Red River system, were deposited in the Yinggehai Basin, then transported and deposited again in the Qiongdongnan Basin. The relatively stable and major sediment supply from the Red River since the Miocene may have been driven by the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau. This study quantifies the relative provenance contributions to submarine channel systems in the Qiongdongnan Basin since the Miocene. It provides crucial geological implications for tectonic responses to channel migrations and the prediction of gas hydrates in sandy reservoirs.

A generalized formula for predicting soil compression index using multi-evolutionary algorithm

Correlation between soil compression index (Cc) and state parameters is frequently referenced in studies investigating the fundamental mechanisms underlying changes in soil compressibility. However, developing an efficient formula for Cc that adequately captures the complexity of soil compressive behavior has been challenging for conventional approaches. This study utilized contemporary symbolic regression (SR) to propose a generalized formula for Cc that can represent the nonlinear relationships with state parameters across various soil types. A geological database from southern Vietnam was utilized to establish this data-driven formula. Data exploration revealed the apparent combined effects of moisture content (w), initial void ratio (e0), and moist density (ρ) on soil compressive behavior. Statistical indicators and graphical analysis were adopted to comprehensively assess the performance of the proposed formula against empirical equations found in the literature, aiming to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanism influencing changes in soil compressibility. The evaluation results demonstrated the efficiency of the proposed formula in predicting Cc, as evidenced by low error metrics and a good balance between precision and accuracy. Moreover, the applicability and limitations of the proposed formula were examined using different regional soils with specified geologic origins. Given its reliability and adequacy, the proposed formula explicitly quantified the nonlinear combined effects of e0, ρ and w on the compressibility of undisturbed soils. However, further research accounting for clay minerals, specimen preparation, and geologic origins is needed to enhance the universal applicability of our understanding of soil compressive behavior.

Sharing the Burden of Care

Recent scholarship on the treatment of chronic diseases in neoliberalizing contexts frame patients as individuated selves enacting biopolitical imperatives toward self-care. However, in public psychiatric and oncology hospitals in contemporary southern Vietnam, it is instead the family unit, rather than the individual patient, that is “responsibilized” to enable access to medical care. Indeed, the norms and structures of Vietnam’s healthcare system presume the participation of informal familial caregiving. This paper argues that biopolitical governance in Vietnam is contingent on long-standing practices and ideals surrounding the family and moral sentiments.

Monthly and Interannual Variations in Upwelling and Chlorophyll off the Vietnam Coast in Summer Based on Deep Learning

AbstractThe deep learning technique is used to automatically identify upwelling regions off the Vietnam coast using Sea Surface Temperature (SST) data from satellite imagery. After delineating these upwelling areas, this study is pioneering in deriving the upwelling probability off the Vietnam coast, pinpointing two significant upwelling hotspots. To deepen the understanding of the individual impacts of wind and sea surface height anomalies on monthly and spatial variations in upwelling probability and chlorophyll distribution, the Empirical Orthogonal Function method was employed to analyze this data set. The upwelling probability demonstrates a close relationship with wind and sea surface height anomalies, while chlorophyll concentration correlates with the strength of the southwesterly wind. The southwesterly wind, Ekman pumping, eddy dipole, and northeastward jet have been identified as key drivers of the formation and spatial variability of upwelling in summer, albeit with varying contributions to different parts of the coastal region. The distribution of upwelling probability correlates with chlorophyll variation off the northern Vietnam coast. High chlorophyll concentration off the southern Vietnam coast is primarily influenced by the southwesterly wind that carries the Mekong River plume eastward. Furthermore, two abnormal scenarios in upwelling and chlorophyll concentration during 2010 and 2018 were analyzed, attributed to the abnormal southwesterly monsoon and coastal circulation influenced by an El Niño event and a weak La Niña event with a positive Indian Ocean Dipole, respectively. This study elucidates the dynamic processes underlying the intricate chlorophyll distribution over the continental shelf, which is influenced by both the river plume and upwelling.

Survey of sand fly fauna in six provinces of Southern Vietnam with species identification using DNA barcoding

BackgroundSand flies, belonging to the Psychodidae family, represent small, hairy insects that serve as significant vectors in various important medical and veterinary diseases. Despite being recognized by the World Health Organization as an endemic area for leishmaniasis, Southeast Asia lacks comprehensive information on the species composition and biology of sand flies. To address this, the current study aimed to survey sand fly biodiversity.MethodsSand flies from six provinces in Southern Vietnam were collected using CDC light traps. Sand flies were subsequently identified morphologically and confirmed molecularly using mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase c subunit I (COI) and cytochrome b (cytb) sequences. BLASTN searches were conducted, and the species identity of sand flies was further confirmed through a Barcode of Life Database (BOLD) search utilizing COI sequences. Subsequently, nucleotide sequences were subjected to a panel of analyses including intraspecific variation, phylogenetic relationships and haplotype network. The average densities of collected sand flies (sand flies/trap/night) and species richness were also recorded.ResultsA total of 753 sand flies were collected. After excluding damaged specimens, six sand fly species, namely Phlebotomus stantoni, Sergentomyia khawi, Se. silvatica, Se. barraudi, Se. bailyi and Grassomyia indica, were identified. All conspecific sand fly sequences, including Ph. stantoni, Se. barraudi, Gr. indica, Se. bailyi, Se. khawi and Se. silvatica, clustered with their reference sequences, corroborating the results of morphology-based identification, BLASTN analysis and BOLD search. For intraspecific variation of sand flies obtained from the current study, COI diversity indices were consistently higher than those of cytb.ConclusionsThis study provides the first updates on morphological and molecular characterization of sand flies in Southern Vietnam. This acquired knowledge on sand fly species composition is essential for controlling sand fly-borne diseases in this potentially endemic region.Graphical

Rework in civil construction projects at design phase: Influencing factors and suggested solutions

Among the various project phases, the design phase often contains errors that result in rework in civil construction projects. This rework can lead to budget overruns, schedule delays, and a decline in construction quality. There is rare knowledge of reworks in civil construction projects, especially in the design phase. This paper presents an overview of the influencing factors and solutions for reworks in civil construction projects at the design phase. To achieve this objective, a survey on the causes of rework was conducted with experts experienced in designing and constructing civil projects in southern Vietnam. Civil engineers and investors involved in the project at the design phases were targets of the survey. Five groups, including designers, design managers, investors, subcontractors, and objective conditions, were selected for designing survey questionnaires. Then, the PCA (principal component analysis) was applied to the collected data to reveal the most influencing factors on rework causes. Based on the results obtained, several suggestions are proposed to minimize rework in civil construction projects. These findings can serve as valuable insights for investors and design consultants, fostering learning and process improvements to reduce rework in future projects.

Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Entamoeba and Cryptosporidium in Pigs and Wild Boars in Central and Southern Vietnam: Implications for Zoonotic Risks and Surveillance.

Background: Parasites of Entamoeba and Cryptosporidium genera, prevalent among various vertebrates such as humans and pigs, pose a zoonotic threat as common protozoan pathogens. This study investigated the prevalence and genetic diversity of Entamoeba and Cryptosporidium species in pigs and wild boars across central and southern Vietnam, to ascertain parasite transmission dynamics. Methods: A total of 113 independent stool samples from 77 pigs and 36 wild boars were analyzed using PCR-based molecular methodologies to detect the presence of Entamoeba spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. The identified species were further characterized through Sanger sequencing, and phylogenetic relationships were analyzed. Results: The study revealed a high prevalence of Entamoeba spp. (62%, n = 70/113) and Cryptosporidium spp. (31%, n = 35/113). Entamoeba suis (57%, n = 40) was predominant, followed by Entamoeba polecki (40%, n = 40) and Entamoeba hartmanni (3%, n = 2). Among Cryptosporidium species, Cryptosporidium scrofarum (89%, n = 31) was the most common, followed by Cryptosporidium suis (11%, n = 4). Wild boars exhibited a higher prevalence of Entamoeba infection compared with domestic pigs (p = 0.019). Conclusions: The study highlights a high prevalence of Entamoeba and Cryptosporidium, suggesting a potential for zoonotic transmission in Vietnam. Further investigations are necessary to determine the extent to which these parasites in pigs and wild boars contribute to the burden in the human population.

Nature-inspired optimization of weighted-feature ensemble model to predict the deflection of corroded reinforced concrete beam

Steel corrosion is a significant concern for the structural integrity of reinforced concrete (RC) beams, leading to a decline in durability throughout a building's lifespan. Assessing the deflection of corroded RC beams is essential for maintaining structural safety and longevity. This study introduces a novel nature-inspired weighted-feature ensemble model (NiwE) that integrates two distinct machine learning algorithms: least squares support vector regression and radial basis function neural network, both optimized by beluga whale optimization to predict the deflection of corroded RC beams. The primary objective is to enhance the predictive accuracy of deflection measurements, offering a robust tool for evaluating structural performance under corrosion-induced damage. The model was developed and validated using a comprehensive dataset comprising 180 samples collected from aging residential buildings in southern Vietnam. A cross-validation approach was employed in this process to ensure a robust and reliable evaluation of the models. The results show that the NiwE model achieved superior predictive accuracy compared to existing methods, with an RMSE of 1.739 mm, MAE of 1.115 mm, and R2 of 0.926 in testing. Remarkably, the NiwE model was able to determine weight values that facilitate the discovery of new feature combinations, achieving significantly higher accuracy than existing models. The proposed model offers civil engineers a valuable tool for estimating deflection in corroded RC beams and opens new pathways for optimizing building structures, developing early warning systems, and implementing timely maintenance measures to ensure safety and resilience.

Microplastic pollution in coastal surface seawater of Southern Vietnam.

Microplastics have recently emerged as a significant environmental concern due to their direct impacts on marine ecosystems. Vietnam, with its 3260-km coastline, faces an elevated risk of microplastic pollution due to various coastal anthropogenic activities. This study explored microplastic distribution in coastal surface seawater in the Southern Vietnam regions of Tien Giang, Can Gio, and Vung Tau. A total of 45 samples were collected in April, 2019, and the results showed that microplastics present at all sampling sites, with the abundance varying from 0.074 ± 0.109 pieces/m3 in Can Gio to 0.56 ± 0.35 pieces/m3 in Tien Giang. Estuarial sites showed higher abundances for all regions. Most microplastics were under 2.8mm, fragmented, and primarily white or transparent. Polypropylene, polyethylene, and ethylene-vinyl acetate were the dominant polymers. This research indicates the urgency of further investigations to comprehensively understand the influence of wind patterns and other environmental factors on microplastic distribution.