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The paper focuses on the development and evaluation of rubric used to assess STEM lesson plans. The rubric was constructed based on theoretical studies on STEM education and decision tree models to ensure objectivity and scientific rigor. Two experts in the field of STEM education independently used the rubric for assessment, and Cohen’s Kappa coefficient was calculated to check the inter-rater reliability (k=0.625), indicating a high level of agreement. The study also analyzed STEM lesson plans of teachers and preservice teachers to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each plan. The results showed that the STEM lesson plans met the requirements of the guideline documents. Pre-service teachers’ lesson plans exhibited several strengths in terms of lesson plan ideas and the construction of inquiry-based activities, while teachers faced difficulties in identifying ideas and problem posing.

The subject of stimulating employees toward digital transformation has always been one of the most significant topics, attracting the interests of scientists and decision-makers. This study analyzes the impact of critical factors, including self-efficacy, attitude, leadership, and employee characteristics on employee readiness for digital transformation and job performance. The variables were selected based on the extended theory of planned behavior and personal resource adaption models. To achieve the research objective, partial least squares structural equation modeling was employed. Data were collected from a survey of 302 employees of SMEs in Vietnam. Research findings showed that employees attitude (β = 0.1148; p < 0.05), self-efficacy (β = 0.3737; p < 0.05), and characteristics (β = 0.3328; p < 0.05) affected their readiness for digital transformation. Employees self-efficacy and characteristics also demonstrated direct impacts on job performance. Meanwhile, leadership showed no direct impact (p = 0.6430) but an indirect impact on job performance through readiness (β = 0.1360, p < 0.05). Additionally, among the factors, employee readiness is the most substantial predictor of job performance (β = 0.5152). The findings can benefit Vietnamese SME managers and policymakers, as they can better understand employees and develop effective strategies and measures to promote employee readiness and job performance in a digital transformation context. AcknowledgmentThis article is a scientific product of the ministry-level project “Research on factors affecting digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises in Vietnam”, code B2022-BKA-22, funded by the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam.

Plasmonic photocatalytic nanocomposites of TiO2 and Au nanoparticles (NPs) have recently attracted the attention of researchers, who aim to improve the photocatalytic activity of potential TiO2 NPs. In this study, we report photocatalytic activity enhancement for a Au/TiO2 nanocomposite prepared by the plasma–liquid interaction method using an atmospheric microplasma apparatus. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of the prepared Au/TiO2 is demonstrated by the degradation of methylene blue (MB) in water under both ultraviolet (UV) and visible light irradiation. The prior treatment of TiO2 with microplasma in a NH3 and H2O2 solution is found to strongly improve the photocatalytic activity of both the treated TiO2 NPs, as well as the synthesized Au/TiO2 nanocomposite.

Summary: Background: Encephalitis is a worldwide public health issue, with a substantially high burden among children in southeast Asia. We aimed to determine the causes of encephalitis in children admitted to hospitals across the Greater Mekong region by implementing a comprehensive state-of-the-art diagnostic procedure harmonised across all centres, and identifying clinical characteristics related to patients’ conditions. Methods: In this multicentre, observational, prospective study of childhood encephalitis, four referral hospitals in Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar recruited children (aged 28 days to 16 years) who presented with altered mental status lasting more than 24 h and two of the following minor criteria: fever (within the 72 h before or after presentation), one or more generalised or partial seizures (excluding febrile seizures), a new-onset focal neurological deficit, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) white blood cell count of 5 per mL or higher, or brain imaging (CT or MRI) suggestive of lesions of encephalitis. Comprehensive diagnostic procedures were harmonised across all centres, with first-line testing was done on samples taken at inclusion and results delivered within 24 h of inclusion for main treatable causes of disease and second-line testing was done thereafter for mostly non-treatable causes. An independent expert medical panel reviewed the charts and attribution of causes of all the included children. Using multivariate analyses, we assessed risk factors associated with unfavourable outcomes (ie, severe neurological sequelae and death) at discharge using data from baseline and day 2 after inclusion. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04089436, and is now complete. Findings: Between July 28, 2014, and Dec 31, 2017, 664 children with encephalitis were enrolled. Median age was 4·3 years (1·8–8·8), 295 (44%) children were female, and 369 (56%) were male. A confirmed or probable cause of encephalitis was identified in 425 (64%) patients: 216 (33%) of 664 cases were due to Japanese encephalitis virus, 27 (4%) were due to dengue virus, 26 (4%) were due to influenza virus, 24 (4%) were due to herpes simplex virus 1, 18 (3%) were due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, 17 (3%) were due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, 17 (3%) were due to enterovirus A71, 74 (9%) were due to other pathogens, and six (1%) were due to autoimmune encephalitis. Diagnosis was made within 24 h of admission to hospital for 83 (13%) of 664 children. 119 (18%) children had treatable conditions and 276 (42%) had conditions that could have been preventable by vaccination. At time of discharge, 153 (23%) of 664 children had severe neurological sequelae and 83 (13%) had died. In multivariate analyses, risk factors for unfavourable outcome were diagnosis of M tuberculosis infection upon admission (odds ratio 3·23 [95% CI 1·04–10·03]), coma on day 2 (2·90 [1·78–4·72]), supplementary oxygen requirement (1·89 [1·25–2·86]), and more than 1 week duration between symptom onset and admission to hospital (3·03 [1·68–5·48]). At 1 year after inclusion, of 432 children who were discharged alive from hospital with follow-up data, 24 (5%) had died, 129 (30%) had neurological sequelae, and 279 (65%) had completely recovered. Interpretation: In southeast Asia, most causes of childhood encephalitis are either preventable or treatable, with Japanese encephalitis virus being the most common cause. We provide crucial information that could guide public health policy to improve diagnostic, vaccination, and early therapeutic guidelines on childhood encephalitis in the Greater Mekong region. Funding: Institut Pasteur, Institut Pasteur International Network, Fondation Merieux, Aviesan Sud, INSERM, Wellcome Trust, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), and Fondation Total.

Removing antibiotics from water is critical to prevent the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance, protect ecosystems, and maintain the effectiveness of these vital medications. The combination of ozone and electrocoagulation in wastewater treatment provides enhanced removal of contaminants, improved disinfection efficiency, and increased overall treatment effectiveness. In this work, the removal of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) from an aqueous solution using an ozone–electrocoagulation (O–EC) system was optimized and modeled. The experiments were designed according to the central composite design. The parameters, including current density, reaction time, pH, and ozone dose affecting the SMX removal efficiency of the OEC system, were optimized using a response surface methodology. The results show that the removal process was accurately predicted by the quadric model. The numerical optimization results show that the optimum conditions were a current density of 33.2 A/m2, a time of 37.8 min, pH of 8.4, and an ozone dose of 0.7 g/h. Under these conditions, the removal efficiency reached 99.65%. A three-layer artificial neural network (ANN) with logsig-purelin transfer functions was used to model the removal process. The data predicted by the ANN model matched well to the experimental data. The calculation of the relative importance showed that pH was the most influential factor, followed by current density, ozone dose, and time. The kinetics of the SMX removal process followed the first-order kinetic model with a rate constant of 0.12 (min−1). The removal mechanism involves various processes such as oxidation and reduction on the surface of electrodes, the reaction between ozone and ferrous ions, degradation of SMX molecules, formation of flocs, and adsorption of species on the flocs. The results obtained in this work indicate that the O–EC system is a potential approach for the removal of antibiotics from water.

Polysaccharides from the pods of haricot vert (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were extracted using a simple heating method, by varying extracting temperature, heating time, solid-to-liquid ratio, and solvent compositions. The obtained results were processed using statistical analysis that helped to identify the optimal conditions for the polysaccharides’ extraction process. This study represents a promising production method of bioactive polysaccharides extract in the food and pharmaceutical industry.

Silver nanoparticles were synthesized from silver sulfate by using the chemical reduction method with dextran as both a reducing agent and a protective agent. The influence of reaction temperature, time, and initial pH on the synthesis was investigated. The formation of Ag nano-particles (AgNPs) and their morphology were characterized with UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy. The antifungal and antibacterial effects of AgNPs/dextran on Xanthomonas oryzae and Pyricularia oryzae were tested.

For the successful implementation of integrated STEM education, teachers’ competence could be a key element. The purpose of this research is to identify necessary behaviors of competence for teachers’ teaching integrated STEM subjects more efficiently and their desire for professional development courses. The qualitative analysis was utilized to examine teachers’ competence and perceptions of effective STEM teacher professional developments (TPD). Semi-structure interview method with 15 teachers and survey method with 187 teachers were utilized to address our research questions in Vietnam. We found that teachers’ competence in integrated STEM education consists of four components namely, awareness, designing, implementing, assessing and adjusting the STEM teaching plan. Based on the research results, we propose an essential structural model of teachers’ competence to develop professional competence about integrated STEM education and some orientation for building the structure of the professional development program. Implications for effective STEM TPD were documented

In recent years, serosurveillance has gained momentum as a way of determining disease transmission and immunity in populations, particularly with respect to vaccine-preventable diseases. At the end of 2017, the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit and the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology held a meeting in Vietnam with national policy makers, researchers, and international experts to discuss current seroepidemiologic projects in Vietnam and future needs and plans for nationwide serosurveillance. This report summarizes the meeting and the plans that were discussed to set up nationwide serosurveillance in Vietnam.

A series of sixteen A-ring modified (2,3-indolo-, 2-benzylidene) oleanonic acid derivatives, holding some cyclic amines, linear polyamines and benzylaminocarboxamides at C28, has been synthesized and screened for antiviral activity against influenza A/PuertoRico/8/34 (H1N1) and Dengue virus serotypes of DENV-1, -2, -3, -4. It was found that 28-homopiperazine 2 and 3-N-phthalyl 22 amides of oleanonic acid demonstrated high potency with selectivity index SI 27 (IC50 21 μM) and 42 (IC50 12 μM). Oleanonic acid aminoethylpiperazine amide 6 and C-azepano-erythrodiol 23 appeared to be the most effective compounds against DENV-1 (IC50′s 67 and 107 μM) and -2 (IC50′s 86 and 68 μM correspondingly) serotypes.

Trong nghiên cứu này, vật liệu nano bạc (AgNPs) được tổng hợp bằng phương pháp khử hóa học với chất khử là natri citrate và chất bảo vệ là alginate. Các thông số ảnh hưởng tới quá trình tổng hợp nano bạc gồm nồng độ natri citrate, nồng độ bạc nitrate, nồng độ alginate và nhiệt độ của hệ phản ứng đã được nghiên cứu. Sự hình thành AgNPs, hình thái và cấu trúc của vật liệu sau khi tổng hợp được phân tích bằng quang phổ hấp thụ phân tử, hiển vi điện tử quét, hiển vi điện tử truyền qua và nhiễu xạ tia X. AgNPs có hiệu lực ức chế cao đối với nấm Pyricularia oryzae gây bệnh đạo ôn trên cây lúa.

Copper lighter tetrylenes are promising for inhibition towards Rhizoctonia solani-based protein PDB-4G9M and Magnaporthe oryzae-based PDB-6JBR in rice. Quantum properties of four hypothetic copper complexes of carbenes and silylenes (Cu-NHC1, Cu-NHC2, Cu-NHSi1, and Cu-NHSi2) were examined using the density functional theory. Their inhibitability towards the targeted proteins was evaluated using molecular docking simulation. Quantum analysis predicts the stability of the investigated complexes and thus their practical existability and practicable synthesisability. Their electronic configurations are justified as highly conducive to intermolecular interaction. Regarding ligand-protein as carbenes/silylenes-4G9M inhibitory structures, the stability is estimated in the order [Cu-NHC2]-4G9M (DS −12.9 kcal⋅mol−1) > [Cu-NHSi1]-4G9M (DS −11.8 kcal⋅mol−1) = [Cu-NHSi2]-4G9M (DS −11.7 kcal⋅mol−1) > [Cu-NHC1]-4G9M (DS –11.4 kcal⋅mol−1). In contrast, the corresponding order for the carbenes/silylenes-6JBR systems is [Cu-NHSi2]-6JBR (DS –13.4 kcal⋅mol−1) > [Cu-NHC2]-6JBR (DS −13.0 kcal⋅mol−1) = [Cu-NHSi1]-6JBR (DS −12.6 kcal⋅mol−1) > [Cu-NHC1]-6JBR (DS −12.3 kcal⋅mol−1). In theory, this study suggests a potentiality of copper lighter tetrylenes and their derivatives against the infection of fungi Rhizoctonia solani and Magnaporthe oryzae, thus encouraging attempts for experimental developments.

Dendritic cells (DC) are professional antigen-presenting cells that activate T cells to kill cancer cells. The extracellular products of DCs have also been reported to perform the same function. In this study, we examined the in vitro differentiation of umbilical cord blood monocytes into DCs in the presence of GM-CSF, and interferon (IFN)-α. The resulting DC population (called IFN-DCs) were then matured in the presence of TNF-α, and pulsed with total protein extracted from A549 cancer cell line. The pulsed DCs and their conditioned medium were then used to stimulate allogeneic lymphocytes (alloLym). The proliferation and cytotoxicity of alloLym were then determined. The results showed that after 5 days of differentiation, the stimulated monocytes had the typical morphology and characteristic surface markers of DCs. Both unpulsed and pulsed IFN-DCs can induce the proliferation of alloLym, especially Vγ9γδ T cells. The conditioned medium from pulsed and unpulsed IFN-DCs culture also prompted the growth of Vγ9γδ T cells. Moreover, alloLym stimulated with pulsed DCs and their conditioned medium had a greater cytotoxic effect on A549 cells than the ones that were not stimulated. Our results indicated that IFN-DCs and their conditioned medium could induce the anti-tumor immunity in vitro , providing evidence for application of cord blood monocytes-derived, interferon-α- stimulated dendritic cells and their extracellular products in anti-cancer therapy.

This cross-sectional study is to examine the prevalence of depression and associated factors among 110 ethnic minority elderly in Kon Tum city, Vietnam. Depression was assessed using 30-items Geriatric Depression Scale. Multivariate linear regression analysis was employed to identify factors associated with depression. The prevalence of depression among participants was 25.5%. All were classified as mild depression level. Depression was significantly associated with age, gender, educational level, chronic diseases, stressful life events in the past 12 months, and family history of depression. These risk factors can help formulate effective public health programs to improve mental health among ethnic minority elderly.

Monofloral honey samples (Coffea robusta) from Vietnam were determined for their chemical compositions. This is the first report on the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of coffee honey from Vietnam. These samples were characterized by their high contents of total and reducing sugars, total phenolic contents, and total flavonoid contents. The contents of seven phenolic acids (PAs) were quantified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and analyzed with the assistance of principle component analysis (PCA) to differentiate the honey samples into groups. The hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) (0.048–2.933 mg/kg) and free acid contents (20.326–31.163 meq/kg) of coffee honey were lower in Nepal, which reflected the freshness of the honey when conducting this survey. The coffee honey had total sugar and reducing sugar contents 831.711 g/kg and 697.903 g/kg, respectively. The high level of total phenolic (0.642 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid (0.0341 mg GE/g) contents of coffee honey contributed to their antioxidant activity of this honey sample. Among the coffee honey tested, the IC50 of DPPH radical-scavenging activities value was 1.134–17.031 mg/mL, while the IC50 of ABTS radical-scavenging activities value was 115.381–213.769 mg/mL. The phenolic acids composition analysis displayed that gallic acid appeared in high concentrations in all studied honey samples, ranging from 0.037–1.015 mg/kg, and ferulic acid content ranged from 0.193 to 0.276 mg/kg. The content of trigonelline and caffeine in coffee honey samples ranged from 0.314–2.399 mg/kg and 8.946–37.977 mg/kg. The data in this article highlight the relevance of coffee honey as a healthy substance.

Unraveling the complex genetic bases and mechanisms underlying salt tolerance is of great importance for developing salt-tolerant varieties. In this study, we evaluated 42 chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) carrying chromosome segments from IR64 on the genetic background of Koshihikari under salt stress. Two CSSLs, SL2007 and SL2038, produced higher plant dry weight and grain yield than did Koshihikari under the stress condition. These CSSLs also showed lower Na+ and Cl− accumulation in the leaf and whole plant at the full heading stage, which might be related to the higher grain yield and yield components. To understand the genetic control of its grain yield and yield components, a SL2007/Koshihikari F2 population was generated for quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis. Six QTLs for grain yield and yield-related traits were detected on chromosome 2. Using near-isogenic lines (NILs) from a SL2007/Koshihikari F5 population, qSTGY2.2 was delimited to a 2.5 Mb region and novel qSTPN2 was delimited to a 0.6 Mb region. We also detected a novel QTL, qSTGF2, for grain filling, which was considered an important contributor to grain yield under salt stress in this CSSL. Our results provide insights into mechanisms conferring grain yield under salinity stress and new genetic resources for cloning and breeding.

To enhance the effectiveness of TiO2 as a photocatalyst, it was believed that the drawbacks of the large bandgap and the rapid electron-hole recombination can be overcome by coupling TiO2 with plasmonic metal nanoparticles. The incorporation of the nanoparticles onto the TiO2 surface requires a suitable procedure to achieve the proper particle adhesion. In this work, we propose a simple, clean, and effective surface activation of TiO2 using plasma enhanced wet chemical surface treatment. Under only 5 min of plasma treatment in a 3% NH3/3% H2O2 solution, gold nanoparticles were found better adhered onto the TiO2 surface. Hence, the methylene blue degradation rate of the Au/TiO2 under sunlight treated was improved by a factor of 3.25 times in comparison to non-treated Au/TiO2 and by 13 times in comparison to the bare rutile TiO2.

Dengue virus (DENV) comprises four serotypes in the family Flaviviridae and is a causative agent of dengue-related diseases, including dengue fever. Dengue fever is generally a self-limited febrile illness. However, secondary infection of patients with a suboptimal antibody (Ab) response provokes life-threatening severe dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome. To develop a potent candidate subunit vaccine against DENV infection, we developed the EDII-cEDIII antigen, which contains partial envelope domain II (EDII) including the fusion loop and BC loop epitopes together with consensus envelope domain III (cEDIII) of all four serotypes of DENV. We purified Ab from mice after immunization with EDII-cEDIII or cEDIII and compared their virus neutralization and Ab-dependent enhancement of DENV infection. Anti-EDII-cEDIII Ab showed stronger neutralizing activity and lower Ab-dependent peak enhancement of DENV infection compared with anti-cEDIII Ab. Following injection of Ab-treated DENV into AG129 mice, anti-EDII-cEDIII Ab ameliorated DENV infection in tissues with primary and secondary infection more effectively than anti-cEDIII Ab. In addition, anti-EDII-cEDIII Ab protected against DENV1, 2, and 4 challenge. We conclude that EDII-cEDIII induces neutralizing and protective Abs, and thus, shows promise as a candidate subunit vaccine for DENV infection.

The aim of this paper is to study co-prolongationsof central extensions. We construct the obstruction theory forco-prolongations and classify the equivalence classes of these by kernels of ahomomorphisms between 2-dimensional cohomology groups of groups.

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