Assessing Participation and Position of Vietnam in Global Value Chains

Vietnam’s policy of openness to trade and investment has made it integrated very quickly with the global production networks, also known as global value chains, which has brought many visible fortunes to it in terms of socio-economic achievements. To have a deeper insight into the prospects and constraints of its integration into global value chains, and also to assess its degree of integration, this paper has employed Koopman et al. (2010) approach to measure the participation index, and position index. The analysis shows that the participation of Vietnam in global value chains has increased significantly in the last two decades based on strengthening FDI-led exports of Vietnam. It also shows that most of the exporting industries are located in the middle-stream in the value curve and are net buyers of intermediate products for exports, which infers the presence of predominant I2E practices in Vietnam. The paper also identifies and assesses the risk I2E practices are prone to. Scenario analysis suggests that Vietnam shall focus on upskilling of its labour force and developing indigenous industrial base. In the meantime, domestic firms shall be encouraged to collaborate with foreign firms and densify into global value chains.

Sustainable Production Enhancement of Valuable Products Via Operational Rectification

ADNOC LNG lies in the middle stream of the value chain, receiving and processing LP and HP gases from ADNOC Offshore. Supporting ADNOC Upstream's current oil production and future growth strategy while reducing its associated emissions of the process by delivering the associated gases to ADNOC LNG battery limit ADNOC LNG processes associated and non-associated gases to produce LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas), Propane, Butane, Paraffinic Naphtha (P. Naphtha) and Sulfur. LNG constitutes Methane, Ethane and a little Propane and butane, with minimum constraints on GHV and density. In order to deal with market competitiveness in the context of a potentially prolonged low-price environment, ADNOC LNG has embarked on various initiatives to maximize its production by driving agility and efficiency throughout the value chain process. Delivering upon efficiency improvements, one of the contributing studies included optimizing the propane content i.e. reducing the C3 content, in LNG Propane content in LNG has been varied, within operational limits, to maximize production of propane, which is more valuable/profitable when compared to LNG, whilst maintaining minimum LNG specification. In addition, slighting higher feed gas has been processed, to maintain LNG production rate. This has been achieved without hampering the plant stability. The extensive review and analysis of the rectification units has been conducted as well as optimization in terms of temperature profiles and reflux flow rates was able to generate overall better product purification, thereby increasing production of desired and more valuable products. This study has driven the investigation of additional benefits in production enhancement and quality improvements as the market value of Propane is relatively higher than that of LNG and thus yielding greater benefits. The overall performance trial basis deduced a total added benefit equivalent to 9 MMUSD/year YTD for train 3.

Study of Liquefaction Potential at Sabo dam Construction on Poi and Bangga River, Sigi Regency, Central Sulawesi

The Palukoro fault, an active sinistral fault that cuts through Sulawesi Island, was the cause of the earthquake and liquefaction disaster in Palu and Sigi Regency in 2018. A series of studies related to liquefaction have been carried out since then but more focused on the west side of the Palu River. This research will raise the potential for liquefaction on the eastern side of the Palu river, precisely in the sabo dam area at Poi and Bangga River. These rivers are located on the opposite side of the Sibalaya liquefaction area. Liquefaction potential was calculated using the Simplified Procedure Method based on NSPT values. Fifteen and twelve boreholes are located at Bangga and Poi rivers, respectively. The qualitative analysis assessed the criteria of vulnerability based on geological factors, groundwater levels, and seismicity. The Liquefaction Potential Index method was used and calculated using several earthquake scenarios based on historical data and potential earthquakes of The Palu-koro fault. Based on LPI analysis, the Poi River has meager potential at the middle stream area and moderate level potential at the downstream. Bangga River has moderate to high liquefaction potential downstream and low to very low potential at the middle stream.

Clinical Characteristics of Bacterial Spectrum and Antimicrobial Resistance in Urine and Stone Cultures From Patients With Kidney Stone Disease

Background It is important to understand the clinical characteristics of bacterial spectrum and antibiotic resistance of urine and stone pathogens for the prevention and treatment of urolithiasis and perioperative infection. Methods Consecutive patients with kidney stones treated by percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) from September 2016 to September 2018 were included. The bacterial species and antibiotic sensitivity test of the germs cultured from clean middle-stream urine and from stones intraoperatively were evaluated. Results In 1055 patients, the rate of positive bacterial test was higher in stones than in urine (337, 31.0% vs. 221, 20.9%, p=0.016). 167(15.8%) patients had both positive urine culture (UC) and stone culture (SC), of which 137 (82.0%) had identical bacteria in both cultures. In infection stone patients, the positive rate of bacteria was 34.7% (91/262) in urine and 52.3% (137/262) in stone, and in non-infection stone patients, was 16.4% (130/793) and 25.2% (200/793). The positive rate of SC in patients with different types of stones were higher than that of UC. E. coli was the most common organism not only in both UC (54.3% ,120/221) and SC (43.9%,148/337) but also in urine and stones from patients with infection stones (44.0%,32.8%) or non-infection stones (61.5%,51.8%). Furthermore, the pathogens isolated from urine and stones showed high resistance to fluoroquinolones, ceftriaxone, cefazolin, cefuroxime, β-lactamases and sulfonamides (all resistance>20%). Conclusions The bacterial spectra demonstrated in stones and urine samples were significantly different. Positive SC was more commonly encountered than positive UC. Compared with non-infection stones, infection stones were accompanied by higher rates of positive tests in both cultures. The antibiotic resistance was comparable between bacteria in the two cultures. A combination of antibiotic sensitivity results in urine and stones might be a useful guide for selection of effective and appropriate treatment aiming at reduced problems with bacterial antibiotic resistance.

Tingkat Bahaya Longsorlahan di Sub DAS Ngrancah Kabupaten Kulonprogo

Indonesia merupakan negara yang memiliki intensitas kebencanaan yang tergolong tinggi, termasuk bencana alam seperti longsorlahan. Dalam catatan BNPB diketahui bahwa selama tahun 2020 tercatat 573 kejadian longsorlahan. Pada wilayah Provinsi Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta khususnya wilayah Sub DAS Ngrancah yang terletak di Kabupaten Kulon Progo juga terjadi beberapa kejadian longsorlahan. Oleh karena itu untuk meminimalisir kejadian maupun kerugian akibat longsorlahan perlu dilakukan penelitian yang membahas tentang tingkat bahaya longsorlahan. Penelitian ini memiliki tujuan yaitu menganalisis tingkat bahaya longsorlahan dan persebaran tingkat bahaya longsorlahan berdasarkan zonasi Sub DAS Ngrancah. Data yang digunakan adalah data skunder yang diperoleh dari beberapa instansi pemerintahan sedangkan metode untuk analisis menggunakan tumpeng tindih antar layer parameter dan skoring pada setiap parameter yang digunakan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terdapat tiga tingkat bahaya yang tersebar di wilayah Sub DAS Ngrancah yaitu sedang (74 satuan lahan), cukup tinggi (380 satuan lahan) dan tinggi (155 satuan lahan). Sedangkan persebaran tingkat bahaya longsorlahan cukup tinggi dan tinggi sebagian besar tersebar di wilayah zona hulu (upper stream) dan zona tengah (middle stream). Diharapkan hasil penelitian ini dijadikan sebagai salah satu referensi semua stakeholders dalam pengelolaan wilayah Sub DAS Ngrancah sesuai dengan kemampuan lahan itu sendiri.

Long Term Trend Analysis of Upstream and Middle-Stream River in Langat Basin, Malaysia

The present study investigates the trend in long term monthly streamflow of Sungai Lui (upstream) and Sungai Kajang (middle-stream) of the Sungai Langat Basin located in Selangor, Malaysia. The Mann-Kendall (MK) and Innovative Trend Method (ITM) tests were utilized to assess the trends at the two stations. The trend free pre-whitening (TFPW) and variance correction (VC) tests were used to assess the effects of serial correlation on the established trend, and Sen’s slope estimator was used to assess the magnitude of streamflow. Based on Sen’s Slope estimator results, the trend magnitude for Lui station is very small compared to the Kajang station. The Kajang station shows the highest increase in trend magnitude for November. The results of TFPW and VC trend tests showed that the most significant increasing trend of months occurred at Kajang station, while the less increasing significant trend of months occurred at Lui station. It can be concluded that similar trend results were obtained when the modified Mann-Kendall and ITM were applied to the same data for Sungai Lui and Sungai Kajang. The study found that there is a significant difference in terms of trend and magnitud between upstream and middle-stream.

Water quality in Cidurian watershed, Indonesia

Studies about river water quality are essential since the decreasing of water quality could threaten hydrology watershed function. The objective of this study was to identify water quality in rainy and dry seasons of Cidurian watershed. Water quality data were obtained from Main River Basin Organization Territory Cidanau – Ciujung – Cidurian for 2018 and 2019. The parameters of water quality consist of total suspended solids (TSS), pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), phosphate (PO4), nitrite (NO2 – N), electrical conductivity (EC), temperature, Ca, and Mg. Water sampling location were in Jasinga (upstream), Neglasari (middle stream), Rancasumur (middle stream), and Tanara (downstream). The result showed that TSS concentration showed higher in rainy season than dry season in all sampling points with values higher than river water quality standard 50 mg/L. Therefore, need attention to adopt soil conservation practices in mixed tree crops, dry cultivation land, and crop plantation to decrease soil erosion. Downstream had values of pH, DO, COD, and BOD outside of water quality standards. Accordingly, government should issue some policies to protect from decreasing water quality. The information on river water quality in Cidurian watershed could support better watershed management for sustainable hydrology watershed function.

A two-decade record of variations in suspended sediment in the Warta River, a lowland river in western Poland

Fluctuations in suspended sediment concentration (SSC) has been investigated in the Warta River (western Poland), based on data obtained for the period 1961–1980 from three gauge stations located in upstream, middle-stream and downstream areas. Over the two decades, the SSC values demonstrated wide fluctuations and an overall increase at each gauge station. No significant correlation was generally observed between SSC and discharge but high SSC was found to follow low discharge and increasing temperature during the summer seasons in some years. Measurements of SSC and discharge were used to estimate total annual suspended sediment load (SSL). SSL values were found to increase downstream along with an increase in discharge. SSC decreases along the river course. However, when it comes to changes over time, SSL variability was mainly determined by SSC changes. The maximum SSC values were primarily caused by anthropogenic factors: the disposal of mine wastewater upstream, river training works, increased urbanisation and the intensification of sewage disposal. Where the river catchment has been greatly affected by anthropogenic factors, a denudation index calculated solely based on SSC and discharge does not appear to reflect the actual denudation rate, and must be treated with caution.

Analysis of total suspended solid content based on rain characteristics in the Ciliwung River basin

Total suspended solid (TSS) is one of the parameters that determines whether or not a body of water is polluted. One factor that influences the amount of TSS content is the characteristic of rainfall in an area. Purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the effect of rainfall characteristics and TSS content in Ciliwung River. Multiple regression analysis was used for analytical method. Results of multiple regression analysis showed that the correlation coefficient (adjusted R2) for the factors of rainfall, discharge and sediment show a low correlation to changes the content of TSS in Ciliwung River. The value of each correlation coefficient in the upstream, middle, and downstream of Ciliwung River are 0.21, 0.31, and 0.09 respectively. According to the F test, rainfall, discharge and sediment were significantly affect TSS content in the upstream and middle stream. Based on t test, it is known that only rainfall affect TSS content in the upstream and midlle stream.