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This study presents a novel multi-level Stacking model designed to enhance the accuracy of customer churn prediction in the banking sector, a critical aspect for improving customer retention. Our approach integrates four distinct machine-learning algorithms – K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), XGBoost, Random Forest (RF), and Support Vector Machine (SVM) – at the first level (Level 0). These algorithms generate initial predictions, which are then combined and fed into higher-level models (Level 1) comprising Logistic Regression, Recurrent Neural Network (RNN), and Deep Neural Network (DNN).

This study analyses the square diaphragm structure of a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) pressure sensor using the finite element method (FEM). The research investigates an enhancement in stress distribution achieved by coating a silicon (Si) diaphragm with a thin layer of silicon carbide (3C-SiC). Applying a thin layer of 3C-SiC material onto a Si diaphragm enhances the stress distribution of MEMS pressure sensors. The design structure of the square diaphragm of a MEMS pressure sensor is simulated and analysed using 3D FEM in COMSOL multiphysics. Four piezo-resistors are configured in a Wheatstone bridge to translate resistance variations into an output voltage. Then, the stress distributions are calculated by solving the 3D structures of MEMS pressure sensors in the stationary solver of the solid mechanics module in COMSOL multiphysics. The findings indicate a significantly higher stress distribution in the 3C-SiC layer compared to a solely silicon diaphragm. Consequently, it is posited that the stress distribution in MEMS pressure sensors could be considerably augmented with increasing pressure, increasing diaphragm length, and decreasing diaphragm thickness. Also, the output voltage of more than 20 mV can be achievable with this design for using the thin layer of 3C-SiC material on a Si diaphragm in designing MEMS piezoresistive pressure sensors.

This article introduces a new design pattern that provides an optimal solution for the systematic development of AUV controllers. In this study, a hybrid control model is designed on the basis of the OOSEM (Object-Oriented Systems Engineering Method), combined with MDA (Model-Driven Architecture) concepts, real-time UML/SysML (Unified Modeling Language/Systems Modeling Language), and the UKF (unscented Kalman filter) algorithm. This hybrid model enables the implementation of the control elements of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), which are considered HDSs (hybrid dynamic systems), and it can be adapted for reuse for most standard AUV platforms. To achieve this goal, a dynamic AUV model is integrated with the specializations of the OOSEM/MDA, in which an analysis model is clarified via a use-case model definition and then combined with HA (hybrid automata) to precisely define the control requirements. Next, the designed model is tailored via real-time UML/SysML to obtain the core control blocks, which describe the behaviors and structures of the control parts in detail. This design model is then transformed into an implementation model with the assistance of round-trip engineering to conveniently realize a controller for AUVs. Based on this new model, a feasible AUV controller for low-cost, turtle-shaped AUVs is implemented, and it is utilized to perform planar trajectory tracking.

Objectives This review aimed to synthesise evidence on (1) the prevalence of common mental health disorders (MHDs) in Cameroon; (2) the effectiveness of mental health management interventions; (3) the risk factors for common MHDs in Cameroon and (4) map the state of research on common mental disorders in Cameroon.Design A systematic review.Data sources We performed a comprehensive search for articles in major public health databases including PubMed, Scopus, Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL from inception of each database to June 2022.Eligibility criteria Published articles on the prevalence, risk factors or intervention for management of common MHDs in Cameroon met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review.Data extraction and synthesis The abstract and full-text screening, and data extraction were performed independently by at least two researchers. The results have been reported based on a narrative synthesis.Results After the screening stages, 32 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in this study. A high prevalence of common MHDs among different groups, including teenage mothers, students and people living with HIV, was observed. We identified important risk factors for these conditions in the general population and among high-risk groups. We also identified two interventions which show promising results for the management of depression among individuals with HIV in Cameroon.Conclusion Our review recorded a high prevalence of common MHDs and identified important risk factors for MHDs among different groups. Increased priority and participatory action with all stakeholders including individuals, communities/policy holders and in research where a huge gap remains to be filled, is crucial in reducing the burden of MHDs in Cameroon.PROSPERO registration number CRD42022348427.

At atmospheric pressure (p=101325 Pa), the effects of humidity and temperature on moist air become important when discussing the quality factor of micro-cantilever and micro-bridge resonators. The squeeze film damping (SFD) problem, the dominant damping source for micro-beam resonators, is modelled using the modified molecular gas lubrication (MMGL) equation with finite element modelling (FEM) in the eigenvalue problem. The MMGL equation is modified with the effective viscosity of moist air (µeff) to account for the effects of humidity and temperature. Other damping sources, such as thermoelastic damping (TED) and the support loss of micro-beam resonators, are also calculated. The quality factor of micro-beam resonators is then discussed over a wide range of temperatures and relative humidity levels at atmospheric pressure and gas rarefaction. The results show that the quality factor of micro-cantilever and micro-bridge resonators increases as both humidity and temperature rise in atmospheric pressure and gas rarefaction. Furthermore, the quality factor of a micro-bridge resonator with changes in humidity and temperature is significantly higher than that of a micro-cantilever resonator in atmospheric pressure and gas rarefaction.

Vitamin C plays an important role for fish survival, growth and disease resistance. However, the optimal vitamin C for rearing red drum Sciaenops ocellatus juveniles in Vietnam is not known. To address this issue, a 70-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the optimal dietary vitamin C requirements for red drum juveniles. Seven isonitrogenous (55.35% protein) and isolipidic (9.07% lipid) diets were formulated to include graded vitamin C concentrations of 23.2, 124.5, 235.2, 423.8, 626.7, 824.6, and 1,027.3 mg/kg, respectively. The results showed that fish fed on 423.8 mg/kg vitamin C diet had the highest growth rate, which can be linked to the increased feed utilization. Broken-line analysis indicated that the optimal dietary vitamin C requirements of red drum juveniles were 342.92 and 405.80 mg/kg for growth parameters, feed utilization, body composition and biochemical parameters of serum. Based on these parameters the optimal vitamin C supplementation level for red drum juveniles was estimated in the range of 342.92–405.80 mg/kg vitamin C in the diets with direct applications in producing artificial feed for rearing juveniles of this species in Vietnam.

Gnetum formosum Markgr., a member of the Gnetaceae family, is distributed in Vietnam. This plant remains a botanical enigma with an unexplored diversity of chemical constituents and pharmacological effects. In this study, two new steroidal saponins, namely gnetumosides A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the aerial parts of G. formosum. Their chemical structures were elucidated using spectroscopic techniques, including high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS) and NMR, along with chemical hydrolysis and comparison with the reported literature. The potential anti-inflammatory effects of the isolated compounds were evaluated by measuring lipopolysaccharide-stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production in murine macrophage cells. Notably, compound 1 exhibited the most potent inhibitory activity (IC50 = 14.10 ± 0.75 µM), comparable to dexamethasone. Additionally, the mechanisms underlying the observed anti-inflammatory effects were investigated through molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) proteins. This study is the first to investigate the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of G. formosum.

Coffee is a critical agricultural commodity and is used to produce premium beverages enjoyed by people worldwide. The microbiome of coffee beans has proven to be an essential tool that improves the flavor profile of coffee by creating aromatic flavor compounds through natural fermentation. This study investigated the natural microbial consortium during the wet process fermentation of coffee onsite in Thailand in order to identify the correlation between microbial diversity and biochemical characteristics including flavor, aroma, and metabolic attributes. Our study found 64 genera of bacteria and 59 genera of yeast/fungi present during the fermentation process. Group of microbes, mainly yeast and lactic acid bacteria, that predominated in the process were significantly correlated with preferable flavor and aroma compounds, including linalyl formate, linalool, cis-isoeugenol, trans-geraniol, and (-)-isopulegol. Some of the detected metabolites were found to be active compounds which could play a role in health.

Modern power systems faces various uncertainties both from conventional sources, due to stochastic nature of both the load and the availability of generation resources and transmission assets, and from renewable resources. The increasing penetration of wind and solar power generation introduces additional uncertainty, causing more difficulties in power system analysis. To deal with uncertainties, Probabilistic Power Flow (PPF) has been introduced as an efficient tool. In this paper, we develop a hybrid model that combines scenario analysis technique and cumulant based PPF approach. It can take into account various sources of uncertainty in the power system and their correlations. The proposed approach is performed on IEEE-118 bus test system, indicating good performance in comparison with Monte Carlo approach.

The road traffic monitoring system in Vietnam faces significant challenges due to the impact of uncertain factors. The problems of blurred lanes, many types of vehicles in traffic, the view from remote surveillance cameras, etc, directly affect the intelligent traffic management system. We propose an algorithm to estimate the traffic density in an uncertain environment to identify and solve the above problems. Through empirical evaluation of the data set from cameras collected on the website http://0511.vn, it has been proved that this proposed method has high performance in real-time and has an equivalent accuracy to other high-complexity methods.

Antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) in aquatic environments is attracting increasing attention. However, the spread of ARB along Perfume River in Hue City is poorly understood. This study aimed to phenotypically and genotypically characterize β-lactam- and fluoroquinolone-resistant Escherichia coli isolates from this river. Water samples were collected from the urban, rural, agricultural, and less-affected areas in March 2020. E. coli susceptibility to seven commonly employed antibiotics was analyzed using the disk diffusion method, and the antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), qnrA, qnrB, qnrS, TEM, SHV, and CTX-M, were identified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing. The antibiotic susceptibility patterns of E. coli revealed that the rate of amoxicillin resistance was the highest (60%). PCR assays and sequencing of 12 β-lactam-resistant E. coli isolates indicated the presence of blaTEM and blaCTX-M-15 in 58.3% and 16.7% of the isolates, respectively. Only one of four fluoroquinolon -resistant E. coli isolates harbored the qnrS, while qnrA or qnrB genes were not detected. These findings suggest that this water may be an essential source of transmissible ARGs in Hue City, which may have a detrimental impact on the people living in this area.

The change in the quality of rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) fruit after harvest is mainly dehydration. Rambutan fruit peel is often dark (brown) and fruit rot due to fungal disease. This study investigated the effects of Lactobacillus bacteria strains [Lactobacillus plantarum CC6 (CC6), Lactobacillus fermentum DC2 (DC2), Lactobacillus fermentum DGMC2 (DGMC2)] with/without supplement combinations [chitosan 0.03% (Chito), alginate 0.03% (SA) and carboxymethyl cellulose 0.5% (CMC)] on the quality of Java rambutan fruit during storage at 13 °C, and included a sample without treatment with bacteria and chemical considered as the control. The results showed that among 16 treatments on rambutan fruits immediately after harvesting, the four treatments that showed the best results were CC6-Chito, DC2-Chito, CC6-CMC and DC2–SA, and DC2-Chito was more effective than the others. However, all four of these treatments supported the preservation of rambutan fruit, reducing both weight loss and browning of the skin and stem, and kept the infection rate at the lowest level. The brightness and peel color values were highest for these treatments.

BackgroundThe World Health Organization recommends that primaquine should be given once weekly for 8-weeks to patients with Plasmodium vivax malaria and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, but data on its antirelapse efficacy and safety are limited.MethodsWithin the context of a multicentre, randomised clinical trial of two primaquine regimens in P. vivax malaria, patients with G6PD deficiency were excluded and enrolled into a separate 12-month observational study. They were treated with a weekly dose of 0.75 mg/kg primaquine for 8 weeks (PQ8W) plus dihydroartemisinin piperaquine (Indonesia) or chloroquine (Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Vietnam). G6PD status was diagnosed using the fluorescent spot test and confirmed by genotyping for locally prevalent G6PD variants. The risk of P. vivax recurrence following PQ8W and the consequent haematological recovery were characterized in all patients and in patients with genotypically confirmed G6PD variants, and compared with the patients enrolled in the main randomised control trial.ResultsBetween July 2014 and November 2017, 42 male and 8 female patients were enrolled in Afghanistan (6), Ethiopia (5), Indonesia (19), and Vietnam (20). G6PD deficiency was confirmed by genotyping in 31 patients: Viangchan (14), Mediterranean (4), 357A-G (3), Canton (2), Kaiping (2), and one each for A-, Chatham, Gaohe, Ludhiana, Orissa, and Vanua Lava. Two patients had recurrent P. vivax parasitaemia (days 68 and 207). The overall 12-month cumulative risk of recurrent P. vivax malaria was 5.1% (95% CI: 1.3-18.9) and the incidence rate of recurrence was 46.8 per 1000 person-years (95% CI: 11.7-187.1). The risk of P. vivax recurrence was lower in G6PD deficient patients treated with PQ8W compared to G6PD normal patients in all treatment arms of the randomised controlled trial. Two of the 26 confirmed hemizygous males had a significant fall in haemoglobin (>5g/dl) after the first dose but were able to complete their 8 week regimen.ConclusionsPQ8W was highly effective in preventing P. vivax recurrences. Whilst PQ8W was well tolerated in most patients across a range of different G6PD variants, significant falls in haemoglobin may occur after the first dose and require clinical monitoring.Trial registrationThis trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01814683).

IntroductionAcross communities in low-middle income countries, digital health is currently revolutionizing the delivery of health services, particularly in the field of reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health (RMNCH) services. While studies have shown the effectiveness of mHealth in delivering RMNCH services, there is little information about factors that enhance mHealth services utilization in low-cost settings including stakeholders’ level of influence on the implementation of digital health intervention in sub–Saharan Africa. This paper seeks to describe important lessons on the levels of stakeholders’ direct or indirect influence on the design and implementation of the BornFyne-PNMS digital health platform to support RMNCH services.MethodsA participatory research (PR) design approach was employed to explore stakeholders’ perspectives of a new initiative, through direct engagement of local priorities and perspectives. The process of introducing the digital application called the BornFyne-PNMS for district health delivery system and the community, and integrating it within the district health delivery system was guided by research-to-action, consistent with the PR approach. To explore stakeholders’ perspectives through a PR approach, we conducted a series of stakeholder meetings fashioned after focus group discussions.ResultsIssues around male involvement in the program, sensitization and equity concerns arose. Emergent challenges and proposed strategies for implementation from diverse stakeholders evidently enriched the design and implementation process of the project intervention. Stakeholder meetings informed the addition of variables on the mobile application that were otherwise initially omitted, which will further enhance the RMNCH electronic data collection for health information systems strengthening in Cameroon.DiscussionThis study charts a direction that is critical in digital health delivery of RMNCH in a rural and low-income community and describes the important iterative stakeholder input throughout the study. The strategy of stakeholders’ involvement in the BornFyne PNMS implementation charts a direction for ownership and sustainability in the strengthening of Cameroon's health information system.

ABSTRACT: Left ventricular diverticulum is a rare congenital left ventricular outpouchings. The disease is often diagnosed during childhood because it is frequently associated with midline thoracoabdominal defects and other congenital cardiac anomalies. Most cases are asymptomatic, often discovered incidentally. Some complications have been reported including infarction, arrhythmia, heart failure. The most severe complication is rupture of the diverticulum, which can cause a patient's death. Therefore, this congenital defect should be detected early to assess potential risks for appropriate treatment. In this article, we report a case of a 3-month-old boy with left ventricular diverticulum diagnosed with Doppler ultrasound and cardiac MSCT. Complete resection was undertaken. The patient remained asymptomatic with good heart function 2 months after surgery.

Nghiên cứu này với mục đích là kiểm tra sự tồn tại tác động của khả năng sinh lời lên cấu trúc vốn và tốc độ điều chỉnh cấu trúc vốn, bằng chứng thực nghiệm từ các công ty phi tài chính niêm yết tại thị trường chứng khoán Việt Nam. Nhóm tác giả đã kiểm định các lý thuyết đánh đổi và lý thuyết trật tự phân hạng và sự thích hợp của các lý thuyết này với các công ty Việt Nam. Với tỷ lệ nợ trên vốn chủ sở hữu chiếm 51,52% cấu trúc vốn của các công tỷ, trong đó nợ ngắn hạn chiếm tỷ lệ lớn hơn nợ dài hạn. Kết quả hồi quy cho thấy khả năng sinh lời, quy mô công ty, tính hữu hình tài sản, các cơ hội tăng trưởng có tác động lên cấu trúc vốn và tốc độ điều chỉnh, nhưng không tìm thấy bằng chứng về mối quan hệ của thuế suất hiệu quả. Ngoài ra, nghiên cứu cũng tiến hành kiểm thử biên mạnh với tác động của khả năng sinh lời lên cấu trúc vốn và tốc độ điều chỉnh của các công ty. Hầu hết các ước tính bằng kỹ thuật GMM được tiến hành kiểm định và thoả mãn yêu cầu về mặt thống kê. Dựa trên những phát hiện, nghiên cứu khẳng định là có tồn tại tác động của khả năng sinh lời lên cấu trúc vốn và tốc độ điều chỉnh của công ty tại Việt Nam.

Abstract Pancreatic cancer is a highly challenging malignancy with extremely poor prognosis. Cytoglobin (CYGB), a hemeprotein involved in liver fibrosis and cancer development, is expressed in pericytes of all organs. Here, we examined the role of CYGB in the development of pancreatic cancer. CYGB expression appeared predominately in the area surrounding adenocarcinoma and negatively correlated with tumor size in patients with pancreatic cancer. Directly injecting 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene into the pancreatic tail in wild-type mice resulted in time-dependent induction of severe pancreatitis, fibrosis, and oxidative damage, which was rescued by Cygb overexpression in transgenic mice. Pancreatic cancer incidence was 93% in wild-type mice but only 55% in transgenic mice. Enhanced CYGB expression in human pancreatic stellate cells in vitro reduced cellular collagen synthesis, inhibited cell activation, increased expression of antioxidant-related genes, and increased CYGB secretion into the medium. Cygb-overexpressing or recombinant human CYGB (rhCYGB) -treated MIA PaCa-2 cancer cells exhibited dose-dependent cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase, diminished cell migration, and reduction in colony formation. RNA sequencing in rhCYGB-treated MIA PaCa-2 cells revealed downregulation of cell cycle and oxidative phosphorylation pathways. An increase in MIA PaCa-2 cell proliferation and reactive oxygen species production by H2O2 challenge was blocked by rhCYGB treatment or Cygb overexpression. PANC-1, OCUP-A2, and BxPC-3 cancer cells showed similar responses to rhCYGB. Known antioxidants N-acetyl cysteine and glutathione also inhibited cancer cell growth. These results demonstrate that CYGB suppresses pancreatic stellate cell activation, pancreatic fibrosis, and tumor growth, suggesting its potential therapeutic application against pancreatic cancer.

Abstract Background Tracheal resection and reconstruction are the most effective treatments for tracheal stenosis, but the difficulties are surgery and maintaining ventilation performed on the patient’s same airway. High-flow oxygen has begun to be applied to prolong the apnoea time in the tracheal anastomosis period for tracheal resection and reconstruction. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of apneic conditions with high-flow oxygen as the sole method of gas exchange during anastomosis construction. Methods A prospective study was performed on 16 patients with tracheal stenosis, with ages ranging from 19 to 70, who underwent tracheal resection and reconstruction from April 2019 to August 2020 in 108 Military Central Hospital. During the anastomosis phase using high flow oxygen of 35–40 l.min-1 delivered across the open tracheal with an endotracheal tube (ETT) at the glottis in apnoeic conditions. Results The mean (SD) apnoea time was 20.91 (2.53) mins. Mean (SD) time anastomosis was 22.9 (2.41) mins. The saturation of oxygen was stable during all procedures at 98–100%. Arterial blood gas analysis showed mean (SD) was hypercapnia and acidosis acute respiratory after 10 mins of apnoea and 20 mins apnoea respectively. However, after 15 mins of ventilation, the parameters are ultimately returned to normal. All 16 patients were extubated early and safely at the end of the operation. There were no complications, such as bleeding, hemothorax, pneumothorax, or barotrauma. Conclusion High-flow oxygen across the open tracheal under apnoeic conditions can provide a satisfactory gas exchange to allow tubeless anesthesia for tracheal resection and reconstruction.

Purple sweet potato has been gradually increasing in terms of planting and consumption but, after harvesting, the leaves of the sweet potato are often discarded as waste or used for animal feed. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of drying methods on the quality of sweet potato leaf powder and its storage capacity. The nutritional and antioxidant properties of powder were analyzed. The results showed that hot air-drying could preserve the antioxidant properties more than the sun-drying method. Both methods could produce a product with high nutritional value, especially a high amount of protein and fiber. This could be considered as a supplementation ingredient for the food industry. Moreover, after storage at room temperature for 12 weeks, a slight increase in moisture content and decrease in antioxidant properties were found. Further, the application of this ingredient should be further investigated in food application to improve the income for local farmers as well as reduce the environmentally harmful waste.

Primaquine for radical cure of Plasmodium vivax malaria poses a potentially life-threatening risk of haemolysis in G6PD-deficient patients. Herein, we review five events of acute haemolytic anaemia following the administration of primaquine in four malaria trials from Indonesia, the Solomon Islands, and Vietnam. Five males aged 9 to 48 years were improperly classified as G6PD-normal by various screening procedures and included as subjects in trials of anti-relapse therapy with daily primaquine. Routine safety monitoring by physical examination, urine inspection, and blood haemoglobin (Hb) assessment were performed in all those trials. Early signs of acute haemolysis, i.e., dark urine and haemoglobin drop >20%, occurred only after day 3 and as late as day 8 of primaquine dosing. All patients were hospitalized and fully recovered, all but one following blood transfusion rescue. Hb nadir was 4.7 to 7.9 g/dL. Hospitalization was for 1 to 7 days. Hb levels returned to baseline values 3 to 10 days after transfusion. Failed G6PD screening procedures in these trials led G6PD-deficient patients to suffer harmful exposures to primaquine. The safe application of primaquine anti-relapse therapy requires G6PD screening and anticipation of its failure with a means of prompt detection and rescue from the typically abrupt haemolytic crisis.

Purple rice, locally known as “Cẩm” rice, is cultivated in the southern region of Vietnam. The bran of “Cẩm” rice is often disregarded and underutilized; nevertheless, it harbours substantial nutritive value, particularly in terms of antioxidant compounds. Additionally, sonication, an emerging and “green” technological approach, has been employed to augment the extraction efficiency of these antioxidants. This research is aimed at optimizing and maximizing the antioxidant recovery capacity including phenolic and total flavonoid compounds, along with their antioxidant activities, through the assistance of ultrasound waves. The effect of the extract on the starch digestion process was also investigated. The study employed the Box-Behnken experimental design, encompassing three variables: extraction time (20-40 minutes), temperature (60-80°C), and solvent-to-material ratio (8 : 1 to 12 : 1). Analysis was conducted on total phenolic compounds, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activities. Results demonstrated that the peak yield of antioxidant compounds and their corresponding activities were attained at an extraction duration of 29.38 minutes, a temperature of 69°C, and a solvent-to-material ratio of 9.92. Under these optimal conditions, the yields were as follows: total phenolic compounds at 60.821 mg GAE/g, total flavonoid compounds at 3.2696 mg QE/g, percentage inhibition of DPPH at 74.778%, and FRAP value at 54.112 μmol Fe (II)/g. The established models were validated and exhibited a strong alignment between predicted and actual values, with disparities of less than 3% under optimal conditions. Furthermore, the extract was codigested with cooked corn starch, revealing a dose-dependent effect on starch digestibility. The sluggishness of digestion rate was observed when 20 mg of the extract was supplemented to 200 mg of cooked corn starch. This suggests that rice bran extract holds promise as an effective ingredient for mitigating starch digestion, particularly beneficial for individuals dealing with diabetes.

Stress in healthcare workers is increasingly common in recent times. Stress can have negative effects on the mental health and quality of life of healthcare workers. This study is aimed at measuring the quality of life and determining the relationship between quality of life and stress of health professionals in some hospitals in Vietnam. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 520 health professionals working at Hanoi Medical University Hospital and Thai Binh Medical University Hospital. The World Health Organization Quality-of-Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 Items (DASS-21) scale were used to assess the quality of life and the stress status of healthcare workers. Multivariate regression was performed to measure the relationships between stress and quality of life. Results showed that the level of stress of health workers according to the DASS-21 scale at mild, moderate, severe, and very severe was 10.7%, 8.7%, 5.6%, and 2.9%, respectively. The mean score of overall quality of life was 60.97±11.39. Health workers under stress had a decrease in quality of life scores in physical, mental, social, and environmental domains. Stressed health workers had a reduced quality of life. Attention should be paid to providing appropriate interventions to reduce stress and improve the quality of life in healthcare workers.

We describe the MalariaGEN Pf7 data resource, the seventh release of Plasmodium falciparum genome variation data from the MalariaGEN network. It comprises over 20,000 samples from 82 partner studies in 33 countries, including several malaria endemic regions that were previously underrepresented. For the first time we include dried blood spot samples that were sequenced after selective whole genome amplification, necessitating new methods to genotype copy number variations. We identify a large number of newly emerging crt mutations in parts of Southeast Asia, and show examples of heterogeneities in patterns of drug resistance within Africa and within the Indian subcontinent. We describe the profile of variations in the C-terminal of the csp gene and relate this to the sequence used in the RTS,S and R21 malaria vaccines. Pf7 provides high-quality data on genotype calls for 6 million SNPs and short indels, analysis of large deletions that cause failure of rapid diagnostic tests, and systematic characterisation of six major drug resistance loci, all of which can be freely downloaded from the MalariaGEN website.

This study focuses on determining the classroom management competences of novice Vietnamese teachers and aims to identify the differences in these competences among teachers with one to five years of experience. Questionnaire surveys and in-depth interviews were conducted with novice teachers from different provinces in Vietnam. The results showed that these novice teachers were not regularly performing the competences of classroom management in their classrooms. Additionally, teachers were more concerned with teacher-oriented activities, which were implemented more regularly than student-oriented activities. There were significant differences in the classroom management competences of teachers with experiences between one and five years. The teachers with five years of experience paid more attention to classroom management than those with one year of experience. They implemented the competences in their classroom practices more frequently, including building a learning environment, managing student learning activities, and managing student behavior. Finally, the study recommended the application of a social constructivist approach considering features of a Confucian heritage culture to develop a classroom management strategy to solve the remaining problems and help novice teachers manage classrooms effectively.

SiC based pressure sensors show tremendous promise for harsh environment applications thanks to their excellent mechanical, electrical, thermal, and chemical properties. This paper presents the design, fabrication, and characterisation of a highly sensitive and robust 3C-SiC/Si pressure sensor. The sensor utilises a stress amplification structure consisting of four Si pillars built up from the 3C-SiC/Si membrane, supporting a series of released n-type 3C-SiC sensing elements. When pressure is applied to the diaphragm, the pillars act to locally concentrate and amplify strain in the 3C-SiC sensing elements, resulting in over 7 times higher stresses/strains in these sensing elements compared to a traditional structure. Additionally, the front side of the sensor is fully covered by a 3C-SiC thin film, which provides a strong chemical protective capability, allowing the sensor to operate in harsh chemically corrosive environments. The robust device utilises the full Wheatstone bridge to negate the effects of temperature. Experimental results show that the fabricated sensor is highly stable, repeatable, has a high sensitivity of 0.276 mV/V/kPa and a maximum non-linearity of 2.2 % in the 0–100 kPa region. The results indicate that this smart-structure pressure sensor is promising for applications that require highly precise pressure sensing in aggressively corrosive environments.

Bài viết nghiên cứu các yếu tố tác động đến cấu trúc kỳ hạn nợ của doanh nghiệp trong giai đoạn 2007-2018, với mẫu là các công ty phi tài chính niêm yết trên Sở Giao dịch Chứng khoán Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh (HOSE) và Sở Giao dịch Chứng khoán Hà Nội (HNX). Nghiên cứu dựa trên lý thuyết đại diện, phát tín hiệu, rủi ro thanh khoản và nguyên tắc phù hợp, và không có bằng chứng về tác động của thuế. Phương pháp phân tích hồi quy bình phương nhỏ nhất gộp (POLS), hiệu ứng cố định (FEM) và hiệu ứng ngẫu nhiên (REM), hồi quy IV-GMM và hồi quy bình phương nhỏ nhất biến giả (LSDV) được thực hiện để phân tích dữ liệu. Bằng chứng thực nghiệm mới về các chỉ báo có ý nghĩa quan trọng trong phát triển tài chính bao gồm các biến đại diện cho sự phát triển của khu vực ngân hàng cũng như thị trường chứng khoán của nền kinh tế. Kết quả nghiên cứu cho thấy quyền của chủ nợ và hệ thống thông tin là những giả thuyết được xác nhận ảnh hưởng cùng chiều đến kỳ hạn nợ công ty.

High-performance concrete (HPC) using nano-silica (NS) has higher mechanical properties and durability than conventional concrete. The highly active silica ultrafine particles have improved the performance of HPC significantly. The fracture characteristics of HPC are also enhanced when using NS due to the improved quality of C-S-H gels and the interface transition zone between mortar and aggregate. The influence of NS on fracture characteristics of HPC is considered in the study as a basis for the effective application of HPC in the structure of buildings. The paper assesses the influence of NS on the strength and fracture characteristics of HPC. HPC mixes were produced by replacing Portland cement with NS at 0.5 % and 1.5 %. The fracture testing for HPC using NS was carried out based on the three-point bending test of beams with the notch. The result is the load-crack mouth opening displacement relationship curves (P-CMOD) and load-deflection (P-). Finally, fracture parameters and characteristics of HPC using NS are analyzed and calculated from the P-CMOD and P- relationship curves.

The deterioration of marine concrete structures due to corrosion damage is increasingly recognized as a serious worldwide challenge for researchers and managers in both technical and economic terms while also leading to other adverse factors. The cost of repairing corrupted and destroyed structures is enormous. The issue of how to improve durability in concrete has received considerable critical attention. There have been several reported longitudinal studies involving the durability of concrete. However, there has been little quantitative analysis of improving the durability of concrete in the seawater environment by incorporating additives. Thus, the aim of this study is to shine new light on using the Taguchi method, which is assisted by MINITAB 19 software to find out the appropriate mixing parameters between some main additives, including fly ash, silica fume, and additive reducing water changing with three levels. The effect of each parameter is evaluated based on the signal-to-noise (SN) ratio: compressive strength is analyzed according to the more significant criterion, while other indicators of durability such as absorption, permeability coefficient, and abrasion are less important. The study offers some important insights into the results of experiments showing the application of the Taguchi experimental method, which allows us to determine the reasonable percent of the additive components with the least number of tests.

The Arctic is being seen as a hotbed of strategic competition between major powers. In recent years, not only the United States, but also Russia and China have increased their engagement within the Arctic region by the implementation of research surveys, exploration activities, and gradually increased their military presence in order to consolidate influence in the resource-wealthy region (Hân, 2021) [[Graphic: see text], May 31, https://www.qdnd.vn/thoi-su-quoc-te/doi-song-quoc-te/suc-nong-cua-bac-cuc-661233]. Up to now, China has launched many strategies and related policies for the Arctic region. In the recently announced 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025), China emphasizes the importance of the “Polar Silk Road across the Arctic”, seeing it as a component of the “Belt and Road Initiative” (BRI). The Government of China also calls for enterprises to invest in the Arctic Ocean and Antarctica. The paper provides an objective and a multidimensional assessment on the formation and construction of a project known as China’s Polar Silk Road across the Arctic or Arctic Silk Road so that we can better understand this new Chinese ambition.

Background & aims: Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the primary cell type in liver fibrosis, a significant global health care burden. Cytoglobin (CYGB), a globin family member expressed in HSCs, inhibits HSC activation and reduces collagen production. We studied the antifibrotic properties of globin family members hemoglobin (HB), myoglobin (MB), and neuroglobin (NGB) in comparison with CYGB. Approach & results: We characterized the biological activities of globins in cultured human HSCs (HHSteCs) and their effects on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced cirrhosis in mice. All globins demonstrated greater antioxidant capacity than glutathione in cell-free systems. Cellular fractionation revealed endocytosis of extracellular MB, NGB, and CYGB, but not HB; endocytosed globins localized to intracellular membranous, cytoplasmic, and cytoskeletal fractions. MB, NGB, and CYGB, but not HB, scavenged reactive oxygen species generated spontaneously or stimulated by H2O2 or transforming growth factor β1 in HHSteCs and reduced collagen 1A1 production via suppressing COL1A1 promoter activity. Disulfide bond-mutant NGB displayed decreased heme and superoxide scavenging activity and reduced collagen inhibitory capacity. RNA sequencing of MB- and NGB-treated HHSteCs revealed downregulation of extracellular matrix–encoding and fibrosis-related genes and HSC deactivation markers. Upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 was observed following MB and NGB treatment, and MMP-1 knockdown partially reversed globin-mediated effects on secreted collagen. Importantly, administration of MB, NGB, and CYGB suppressed CCl4-induced mouse liver fibrosis. Conclusions: These findings revealed unexpected roles for MB and NGB in deactivating HSCs and inhibiting liver fibrosis development, suggesting that globin therapy may represent a new strategy for combating fibrotic liver disease.

Mục tiêu của nghiên cứu là sử dụng phương pháp phân tích mô tả định lượng (QDA) để đánh giá các thuộc tính cảm quan của sản phẩm củ cải trắng và dưa leo muối chua trong môi trường cám gạo. Ba mươi cảm quan viên được lựa chọn và đào tạo để đánh giá các thuộc tính màu sắc, hình dạng, kết cấu, hương vị và khả năng chấp nhận tổng thể của hai sản phẩm. Phương pháp phân tích thành phần chính (PCA) được sử dụng để xác định hai thành phần chính quan trọng chiếm lần lượt là 88,75% và 81,40% phương sai. Tỷ lệ phối chế cám gạo: nước: muối là 49: 48: 3 (mẫu củ cải F3), 49: 48: 3 (mẫu dưa leo M3) và 45: 52: 3 (mẫu dưa leo M4) cho giá trị cảm quan cao và được yêu thích nhất. Kết quả thu nhận đã chứng minh tính hữu ích của phương pháp phân tích mô tả định lượng trong việc xác định và đo lường các đặc tính cảm quan của sản phẩm củ cải trắng và dưa leo muối chua trong môi trường cám gạo.

Cement concrete has always played an essential role in the general development of the construction industry. Many studies improve the properties and durability of cement concrete by adding chemical additives and mineral additives. One of them, fly ash, is one of the most preferred applied mineral additives. Currently, the demand for fly ash is becoming an urgent problem, as it is also can reduce environmental pollution from by-products of thermal power plants not only in Vietnam but also all around the world. To evaluate the factors affecting compressive strength of concrete, such as fly ash, type of cement used, date and designed concrete grade, we based our study on the design of experiment (DOE). The influencing variables have different levels of investigation, which are based on previous studies. With the useful statistical analysis tools, the number of experiments, and the results of the experimental analysis, we can see the influence of each element and their interaction on the compressive strength of the concrete. On that basis, it is possible to choose the option with reasonably selected ingredients to achieve the expected optimal compressive strength.

The discovery and development of vaccines remain one of the major successes of global health with millions of lives saved every year through routine vaccination. Although vaccines provide a safe and cost-effective solution to vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), VPDs are still a serious public health problem in most parts of the world, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and Asia. In this review, we discuss the burden of VPDs and vaccine coverage several decades after the introduction of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in Cameroon. We also discuss how different factors affect the implementation of the EPI, highlighting context-specific factors such as the ongoing civil conflict in Cameroon, and the presence of other infectious diseases like COVID-19.