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In this paper, we propose an efficient analytical approach based on fractional calculus and singularity value theory to designing the finite-time $H_\infty $ controller for linear singular fractional differential equations with time-varying delay. By introducing new fractional-order $H_\infty $ norm, the state feedback controller is designed to guarantee that the closed-loop system is singular, impulse-free and finite-time stable with prescribed $H_\infty $ performance. New sufficient conditions for designing the $H_\infty $ finite-time controller are presented. The results of this paper improve the corresponding ones of integer-order singular systems with time-varying delay. Finally, a numerical example demonstrates the validity and effectiveness of the proposed theoretical results.

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a parasitic infection of the nervous system and is responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality. Praziquantel (PZQ) is one of the antiparasitics mostly used in managing NCC, however, there have been only a few studies on the treatment outcome of this drug. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PZQ in patients with NCC. Sixty patients with typical characteristics of NCC received three 10-day cycles of PZQ and the interruption between these cycles was 10 days. Additional treatment included antiinflammation (steroids), antiepileptics and analgesics. Clinical and imaging studies were done at baseline and six months after therapy to assess the efficacy of treatment. Laboratory evaluation was done before and after each cycle to investigate laboratory safety profiles. By six months after finishing therapy, all patients had clinical improvement and 75% of them were free of symptoms. The rates of complete, partial or no resolution of cysts on brain magnetic resonance imaging were 61.7%, 28.3% and 10% respectively. The efficacy of therapy was not associated with the number of cysts. There was no difference between the levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, urea and creatinine before and after treatment. Conclusion: Praziquantel is effective and safe in the treatment of patients with neurocysticercosis.

Semiconductor-containing porous materials with a well-defined structure could be unique scaffolds for carrying out selective organic transformations driven by visible light. We herein introduce for the first time a heterostructure of silver indium sulfide (AgInS2) ternary chalcogenide and a highly porous MIL-101(Cr) metal-organic framework (MOF) synthesised from polyethylene terephthalate plastic waste. Our results demonstrate that AgInS2 nanoparticles were uniformly attached to each lattice plane of the octahedral MIL-101(Cr) structure, resulting in a nanocomposite with a high distribution of semiconductors in a porous media. We also demonstrate that the nanocomposite with up to 40% of AgInS2 doping exhibited excellent catalytic activity for tetracycline degradation under visible light irradiation (∼99% tetracycline degraded after 4 h) and predominantly maintained its performance after five cycles. These results could promote a new material circularity pathway to develop new semiconductors that can be used to protect water from further pollution.

Semiconductor-containing porous materials with a well-defined structure could be unique scaffolds for carrying out selective organic transformations driven by visible light. We herein introduce for the first time a heterostructure of silver indium sulfide (AgInS

This paper reports for the first time about the synthesis of nano-urchin Mo-doped VO2 particles and their degradation properties in the presence of methylene blue (MB). Nano-urchin Mo-doped VO2 particles were synthesized by the hydrothermal method, and their microstructure was controlled by the concentration of Mo. The Mo-doped VO2 particles showed fast degradation of methylene blue in a relatively short time of 5–10 min. These results show the potential application of Mo-doped VO2 particles for decolorization of dyers in environmental water treatment.

Tea is the most commonly consumed beverage worldwide due to promote health and prevention of some human diseases. Soursop tea pulp is one of a new product focused on the values of total ascorbic acid (TAA), total polyphenol content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC). A study using DPPH and ABTS method to detect the maximum of active ingredients in tea simultaneously. Different pulp tea samples with varying dates of production checked for TAA, TPC, TFC, antioxidation and sensory evaluation. There is a difference in TAA between sample (1) and (4), achieved 7.43 ± 0.04 mg/g DM and 12.21 ± 0.04 mg/g DM, respectively. TFC content ranged between 0.13 and 0.18. The phenolics group in tea is high and there are differences between the 3 recent production samples with (1): 3.81 mg QC/g DM fluctuation. In sample 1, the antioxidant activity of the ethanol extract of Soursop was correlated with total phenolic and flavonoid content with values IC50 of 0.26 mgAA/g DM, 2.61 mgAA/g DM for DPPH and ABTS scavenging activity, respectively. Moreover, the Lab* colour space of the soursop tea is measured in the dark area, the L* difference achieved at 30.82 ± 1.24 (2) lowest and the highest 37.42 ± 4.77 (1). Consumer sensory evaluation is performed with results based on a 5-point scale describing: flavour, aroma, colour and favourite.

In this brief, we propose an approach based on the Laplace transform and “inf-sup” method for studying finite-time stability of fractional-order systems (FOS) with time-varying delay and nonlinear perturbation. Based on the proposed approach, we establish new delay-dependent conditions for finite-time stability of FOS with interval time-varying delay. The conditions are presented in terms of the Mittag–Leffler function and linear matrix inequalities, which are less conservative and easier to verify than the existing ones. The proposed method is also applicable for finite-time stability of linear uncertain time-delay FOS. Numerical example are given to show the validity and effectiveness of the proposed results.

In this study, the authors present an analytical approach based on the Laplace transform and `inf-sup' method for studying the finite-time stability of singular fractional-order switched systems with delay. A constructive geometric design for switching laws based on the construction of a partition of the stability state regions in convex cones is proposed. Using the proposed method, new delay-dependent sufficient conditions for regularity, impulse-free and finite-time stability of the system are developed in terms of tractable matrix inequalities and Mittag-Leffler functions. An example is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Vietnam has experienced galloping inflation and faced serious dollarization since its reform. To effectively control its inflation for promoting price stability, it is necessary to find efficacious leading indicators and the hedging mechanism. Using monthly data over the period from January 1997 to June 2020, this study finds the predictive power and hedge effectiveness of both gold and the US dollar on inflation in the long-run and short-run within the asymmetric framework. Especially, the response of inflation to the shocks of gold price and the US dollar are quick and decisive, disclosing the sensitiveness of inflation to these two variables.

A novel oxygen-doped graphitic carbon nitride and zeolite (H-ZSM-5) composite (O–g–C3N4/H-ZSM-5) was synthesized using hydrogen peroxide and urea as the oxygen and g–C3N4 precursors, respectively, and perlite as the zeolite source, via calcination at 550 °C. BET N2 adsorption-desorption analysis verified that the 40%O–g–C3N4/H-ZSM-5 composite had a high surface area of 259.13 m2/g with mesopores and micropores, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed the existence of the O atom in the g–C3N4 framework. The obtained O–g–C3N4/H-ZSM-5 catalyst showed excellent photocatalytic performance for the photodegradation of RR 195, approximately 96.6% with a high rate constant of 0.1167 min−1 under solar light irradiation without the use of H2O2. It also exhibited remarkable stability and long-term recyclability, with the photodegradation efficiency of RR 195 above 91%. In conclusion, the O–g–C3N4/H-ZSM-5 composite photocatalyst is suitable for numerous applications in the field of the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants.

This study investigated methyl orange (MO) dye adsorption using three biochars produced from agro-waste and invasive plants; the latter consisted of wattle bark (BA), mimosa (BM), and coffee husks (BC). BC had the lowest specific surface area (2.62 m2/g) compared to BA (393.15 m2/g) and BM (285.53 m2/g). The adsorption efficiency of MO was stable at pH 2–7 (95%–96%), whilst it had reduced stability at pH 7–12. Between 0 and 30 min, MO adsorption efficiency was >82%, and at 120 min, representative adsorption equilibrium had occurred. The maximum adsorption capacity of the biochars was 12.3 mg/g. The underlying adsorption mechanisms of the three biochars were governed by electrostatic adsorption and pore diffusion. There was an abundance of active sites for adsorption in BA and BM, while chemical adsorption appeared to be more vital for BC, as it contained more functional groups on its surface. The highest MO adsorption efficiency occurred with BM. BC was not recommended for MO removal, as it was observed to stain the water when a dose exceeding 5.0 g/L was utilized.

This study aimed to determine the influencing factors on the yield loss due to diseases in black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon Fabricius, 1798) cultured in Soc Trang province. Data for the study were collected by interviewing 334 households farming black tiger shrimp in Soc Trang province in 2017. Descriptive statistical analysis was employed to evaluate the current situation of yield, disease and yield loss due to diseases in black tiger shrimp culture of households. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the factors in influencing the yield loss of black tiger shrimp due to diseases. The results showed that the average black tiger shrimp yield fluctuated from 0.54 to 3.28 tons/ha/crop. The household percentage affected by black tiger shrimp diseases was from 33.3% to 90.8%. The percentage of yield loss due to diseases was between 34.6 and 74.2%. The influencing factors (variables) on the yield loss due to diseases included: being a member of black tiger shrimp culturing cooperative; application of trained techniques for shrimp culture and employment of tested post larva (negative correlation with the yield loss in all culture models: reformed extensive culture, semi-intensive culture and intensive culture). For semi-intensive culture and intensive culture, the yield loss due to diseases way negatively correlated with farmer's education degree, employment of accumulation pond and the total pond area for shrimp culture of household whereas farmer's age positively correlated with farmer's age.

Highlights • Food waste (FW) generation and the need for policy in Vietnam are investigated. • Each residence produced 0.29 kg p−1 d−1, accounting for 31.7 % of total waste. • Approximately 38.8 % of families discharged FW as well as municipal waste. • Prioritization of strategy, strict rules, and recycling to animal feed is highlighted. • FW will be crucial for gaining a noticeable improvement in Vietnam’s waste management., Food waste (FW) is more harmful than previously imagined. A large amount of Vietnam’s FW ends up in landfills, only 20 % of which are sanitary. This causes significant environmental problems such as greenhouse gas emissions, high carbon footprint, leachate, and landfill-related conflicts. The FW from Vietnam’s urban areas is 0.29 kg⸳p−1⸳d−1, accounting for 31.7 % of total waste. 38.81 % of families discharge FW which, along with municipal waste, corresponds to 4,429.21 ton⸳d−1 for the entire country. For FW collection, under transportation and treatment heads, 80,416.95 $⸳d−1 and 74,605.57 $⸳d−1 were spent, respectively. An analysis of Vietnam’s national strategy for the integrated management of solid waste indicates that the amount of attention and concern currently given to FW issues is not adequate to address them. To resolve FW issues, Vietnam needs to be more proactive regarding solutions and efforts, in addition to implementing strict regulations. These include the setting of national goals under the priority of national strategy, strict regulations, stakeholder engagement, FW recycling to animal feed, biorefinery, and awareness-raising campaigns.

This paper investigates robust finite-time stability problem of fractional-order systems (FOSs) with time-varying delay and nonlinear perturbation. Based on a generalized Gronwall inequality, a delay-dependent sufficient condition for robust finite-time stability of such systems is established in terms of the Mittag-Leffler function. Compared with the finite-time stability conditions in the literature, our condition is simple and convenient for testing and application. The obtained results are applied to finite-time stability of linear uncertain FOSs and linear non-autonomous FOSs with time-varying delays. A numerical example is given to show the effectiveness of the obtained result.

Bacterial leaf blight disease (BLB) caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv is one of the most widespread devastating diseases of rice worldwide. In this study, a total of 86 indigenous glutinous rice landraces were examined for BLB resistant genes included Xa4, xa5, and Xa7 by using molecular markers. The results indicated that 37 samples carrying resistant genes, in which Xa4 was found in 11 samples, xa5 determined in 6 samples, Xa7 was in 19 samples, respectively. However, both of Xa7 and Xa4 were observed in only one sample. The resistant level against 10 bacterial strains carrying the resistant genes was also evaluated. We found that the number 6, 9, and 8 out of the 10 bacterial strains were resistant to the landraces which carried the Xa4, xa5, and Xa7. The bacterial strain number 5 was revealed highly toxic, causing infection of all samples. The agronomical traits, yield and yield components of 37 rice landraces included the resistant genes (Xa4, xa5 and Xa7) were evaluated. Our findings may provide useful genetic sources in indigenous glutinous rice landraces to further develop BLB resistant rice lines via molecular breeding program.

The Technical Design for the COMET Phase-I experiment is presented in this paper. COMET is an experiment at J-PARC, Japan, which will search for neutrinoless conversion of muons into electrons in the field of an aluminium nucleus ($\mu-e$ conversion, $\mu^- N \to e^- N$); a lepton flavor violating process. The experimental sensitivity goal for this process in the Phase-I experiment is $3.1\times10^{-15}$, or 90 % upper limit of branching ratio of $7\times 10^{-15}$, which is a factor of 100 improvement over the existing limit. The expected number of background events is 0.032. To achieve the target sensitivity and background level, the 3.2 kW 8 GeV proton beam from J-PARC will be used. Two types of detectors, CyDet and StrECAL, will be used for detecting the \mue conversion events, and for measuring the beam-related background events in view of the Phase-II experiment, respectively. Results from simulation on signal and background estimations are also described., Comment: A minor correction applied in Eq. 3

Collagen deposition and stromal stiffening accompany malignancy, compromise treatment, and promote tumor aggression. Clarifying the molecular nature of and the factors that regulate extracellular matrix stiffening in tumors should identify biomarkers to stratify patients for therapy and therapeutic interventions to improve outcome. We profiled lysyl hydroxylase- and lysyl oxidase-mediated collagen crosslinks and quantified the greatest abundance of total and complex collagen crosslinks in more aggressive human breast cancer subtypes with the stiffest stroma. These tissues also harbored the highest number of tumor-associated macrophages (TAM), whose therapeutic ablation not only reduced metastasis, but also concomitantly decreased accumulation of collagen crosslinks and stromal stiffening. Epithelial-targeted expression of the crosslinking enzyme lysyl oxidase had no impact on collagen crosslinking in PyMT mammary tumors, whereas stromal cell targeting did. Consistently, stromal cells in microdissected human tumors expressed the highest level of collagen crosslinking enzymes. Immunohistochemical analysis of a cohort of breast cancer patient biopsies revealed that stromal expression of lysyl hydroxylase two, an enzyme that induces hydroxylysine aldehyde-derived collagen crosslinks and stromal stiffening correlated significantly disease specific mortality. The findings link tissue inflammation, stromal cell-mediated collagen crosslinking and stiffening to tumor aggression and identify lysyl hydroxylase two as a novel stromal biomarker.SignificanceWe show infiltrating macrophages induce stromal fibroblast, and not epithelial, expression of collagen crosslinking enzymes that drive tumor stiffening. Stromal enzyme LH2 is significantly upregulated in breast cancer patients with the stiffest stroma, the most trivalent HLCCs and the worst prognosis, underscoring its potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target.

This study provides a novel analytical approach to studying the solutions and stability of fractional differential delay equations without using Lyapunov function method. By applying the properties of Caputo fractional derivatives, the Laplace transform and the Mittag–Leffler function, the authors first provide an explicit formula and solution bounds for the solutions of linear fractional differential delay equations. Then, they prove new sufficient conditions for exponential boundedness, asymptotic stability and finite-time stability of such equations. The results are illustrated by numerical examples.

The title compound is the product of the Chichibabin domino reaction of 1,8-bis­(2-acetyl­phen­oxy)-3,6-dioxa­octane with 4-methyl­benzaldehyde and ammonium acetate in acetic acid. It is of inter­est with respect to its potential anti­cancer activity. The compound has a bowl-like conformation comprising a fused tetra­cyclic system containing a 4-aryl­pyridine fragment, two benzene rings and an aza-17-crown-5 ether moiety., The title compound, C30H29NO4, is a tetra­cyclic system containing a 4-aryl­pyridine fragment, two benzene rings and an aza-17-crown-5 ether moiety, in a bowl-like arrangement. The pyridine ring is inclined to the 4-methyl­phenyl ring by 26.64 (6)°, and by 57.43 (6) and 56.81 (6)° to the benzene rings. The benzene rings are inclined to one another by 88.32 (6)°. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by pairs of C—H⋯N hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers with an R 2 2(14) ring motif. The dimers are linked via a number of C—H⋯π inter­actions, forming a three-dimensional architecture.

Every day industrial production emissions accounts for a significant share of overall greenhouse gas emissions, in particular carbon dioxide (CO2). The issue of CO2 emissions management has always been of particular interest in the context of the industrialization process and urbanization taking place more and more complex. Ho Chi Minh is a large city in Vietnam, where many industrial parks (IPs) and export processing zones (EPZs) are located. In Vietnam, there are not many assessments of CO2 emissions from industrial processes with unrealistically and seriously surveyed data. This paper aims to evaluate and estimate CO2 emissions of the industrial and export processing zones based on the fuel consumption and power consumption surveyed in industrial / processing zones in order that proposing the long-term solutions for low-carbon metropolis. The results show that the CO2 emissions of 13 HCMC IPs / EPZs in the atmosphere is 227214.1869 tons CO2/year. This is the annual CO2 emissions calculated from the emissions of facilities in Ho Chi Minh industrial / export processing zones. Tan Phu Trung industrial park had the highest emissions (133010.7499 tons CO2/year) and Linh Trung 2 export processing zones is the lowest with 1745.817984 tons CO2/year. Evaluating and calculating the CO2 emissions of individual sources makes it possible for experts to adopt appropriate and effective policies to reduce national emissions and easily reach the goal of building a low carbon city.

The classical problem of equilibrium of elastic half-plane loaded along boundary contour can be resolved with different methods. In this paper, the solution is received with a new method that is founded on Cauchy-type integral and Plemelj identity. First, we solve with the general half-plane. Then we consider four special half-planes x2 ≤ 0, x2 ≥ 0, x1 ≤ 0, x1 ≥ 0.

Jackfruit is a common fruit, which grows in Asian areas, including Thailand, India, China and Vietnam. Jackfruit seeds are a by-product of the food industry, and are typically ignored as a source of nutrients in the human diet given their possible application.. Starch production is a conventional ways to take advantage of this by-product source. The wet milling and purification process are the two main processes for extracting and improving the color of starch. Therefore, this research aims to determine the impact of wet milling and purification process on yield and color of starch as well as evaluate some parameters of physicochemical properties in jackfruit seed starch. In this study, the ratio of jackfruit seed:water (1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4 and 1:5) and the time of wet milling (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 min) are investigated. Three main factors observed in the purification process were the type of solvent (water and ethanol), solvent ratio (1:2, 1:4, 1:6 and 1:8) and the number of purification (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 times). The result revealed that the ratio of jackfruit seed : water reached the highest starch yield was 1:3 (32.11±1.06%, db) and the time achieved 3 min (40.77±1.25%, db). The selected solvent for purification of starch was ethanol with the ratio of sample : water was 1:4 and the number of purification was two times for the best color. Some of characteristic nutrition values was evaluated, including %protein: 3.8, %ash: 0.08, %carbohydrate 86.99 and %lipid 0.20). The water solubility index and viscosity of starch were contradictory. When the temperature increased, the viscosity of starch decreased but the solubility index increased. Jackfruit seed starch was spherical or semi-oval which was presented by SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) method.

Human widely uses starch as a rich carbohydrate source and inexpensive. They are used in many fields such as food, cosmetics, medicine due to the diverse structure and functionality of starch. Corn and tapioca starch are widely used and available in the market. Meanwhile, jackfruit starch is a new starch and people are concerned because they can bring economic benefits for manufacturers as well as their physical and chemical properties. The purpose of this study is therefore to evaluate the physicochemical properties of starch from jackfruit seeds, corn starch and cassava starch to select appropriate starch and apply jackfruit seed starch in food. Jackfruit starch was extracted from jackfruit seeds by alkaline steeping extraction method. Corn starch and tapioca starch were bought in the market. Some biological and physiochemical properties of starch seed from jackfruit such as nutrition, morphology, particle size distribution, viscosity, XRD and FTIR were approximately similar with tapioca and corn starch. The obtained results showed that jackfruit seed starch could be a potential alternative to the conventional starches. Moreover, can replace 15% of wheat flour into jackfruit seed starch in the process of cupcake. These result will generalize the characteristics of type of starches so that it can be applied to each specific process.

This publication describes uniform definitions for cardiovascular and stroke outcomes developed by the Standardized Data Collection for Cardiovascular Trials Initiative and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA established the Standardized Data Collection for Cardiovascular Trials Initiative in 2009 to simplify the design and conduct of clinical trials intended to support marketing applications. The writing committee recognizes that these definitions may be used in other types of clinical trials and clinical care processes where appropriate. Use of these definitions at the FDA has enhanced the ability to aggregate data within and across medical product development programs, conduct meta-analyses to evaluate cardiovascular safety, integrate data from multiple trials, and compare effectiveness of drugs and devices. Further study is needed to determine whether prospective data collection using these common definitions improves the design, conduct, and interpretability of the results of clinical trials.