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Diabetes has always been a matter of concern to health experts as well as the community due to the increasing number of patients with diabetes and the severe consequences it may cause. Many attempts have been made to discover new treatment options for diabetes, and herbal medicines are currently considered to have great potential. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Camellia flava flower extract on the degeneration of the islets of Langerhans and insulin resistance in an alloxan-induced hyperglycemia model in Swiss albino mice. Hyperglycemic conditions were induced by alloxan (55 mg/kg, i.v.). The animals were then treated with glibenclamide (10 mg/kg, p.o.) and flower extract at doses of 1.09 and 2.19 g/kg, p.o. The results showed that the blood glucose, AUC, HbA1c, and HOMA-IR levels of two groups of mice receiving flower extract were considerably lower than those of the hyperglycemic untreated group (p < 0.05). The body weights of these two groups were also lower than the untreated group on the last day of the experiment, though the differences were not significant (p > 0.05). However, this was not observed when assessing insulin levels as well as relative organ weights. In biochemical tests, creatinine and AST and ALT concentrations were evaluated. There was no significant variation in creatinine and AST concentrations between the five experimental groups, whereas mice treated with glibenclamide and flower extract at both doses showed a remarkable decline in ALT concentration (p < 0.05). The hepatic histomicrographs were consistent with ALT results, while the H&E staining of kidneys showed no difference between groups. Histomicrographs of the pancreas revealed that the treatment groups using glibenclamide and flower extract had larger islets of Langerhans than those of the alloxan-treated group. Based on these results, this study demonstrated that Camellia flava flower extract exerted several beneficial effects, including blood sugar level reduction, weight loss promotion, and organ protection, hence making it a new potential herbal medication for the management of diabetes.

Abstract We show how methods of number theory can be used to study anomalies in gauge quantum field theories in spacetime dimension two. To wit, the anomaly cancellation conditions for the abelian part of the local anomaly admit solutions if and only if they admit solutions in the reals and in the p-adics for every prime p and we use this to build an algorithm to find all solutions.

This paper discusses the difficulties and solutions perceived by English-majored students when it comes to developing their speaking skills. To uncover and analyze these problems, one hundred fifty-seven students and five English lecturers at Vinh University participated in this study by completing the questionnaire and doing follow-up interviews to specify the findings. The findings indicate that students encountered difficulties in speaking proficiency attributed to two main factors: internal and external. Some suggestions given by both students and lecturers are proposed to assist students in improving their English-speaking skills.

Abstract Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp) is a significant cause of severe invasive infections in Vietnam, yet data on its epidemiology, population structure and dynamics are scarce. We screened hvKp isolates from patients with bloodstream infections (BSIs) at a tertiary infectious diseases hospital in Vietnam and healthy individuals, followed by whole genome sequencing and plasmid analysis. Among 700 BSI-causing Kp strains, 100 (14.3%) were hvKp. Thirteen hvKp isolates were identified from 350 rectal swabs of healthy adults; none from 500 rectal swabs of healthy children. The hvKp isolates were genetically diverse, encompassing 17 sequence types (STs), predominantly ST23, ST86 and ST65. Among the 113 hvKp isolates, 14 (12.6%) carried at least one antimicrobial resistance (AMR) gene, largely mediated by IncFII, IncR, and IncA/C plasmids. Notably, the acquisition of AMR conjugative plasmids facilitated horizontal transfer of the non-conjugative virulence plasmid between K. pneumoniae strains. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated hvKp isolates from BSIs and human carriage clustered together, suggesting a significant role of intestinal carriage in hvKp transmission. Enhanced surveillance is crucial to understand the factors driving intestinal carriage and hvKp transmission dynamics for informing preventive measures. Furthermore, we advocate the clinical use of our molecular assay for diagnosing hvKp infections to guide effective management.

This research paper focuses on examining the relationship between the cash conversion cycle (CCC) and the profitability of Food and Beverage (F&B) companies in Vietnam by utilizing quantitative models. Analyzing a sample of 23 companies in the period from 2015 to 2021, the study revealsthat a reduction in the CCC positively influences profitability, as measured by the return on assets (ROA) ratio. The study further dissects the impact of CCC’s components, including days payable outstanding (DPO), days inventory outstanding (DIO), and days sales outstanding (DSO), on profitability. Based on regression analysis results, the study recommends that companies under study endeavor to reduce the durations of DPO, DIO, DSO, and CCC to improve profitability. Implementing strategies to tighten credit policies and optimize capital utilization is suggested as a means to achieve this objective.

The research was conducted from May to December 2022 in Lao Cai province. A total of 192 fish samples were collected from the traditional cultured fish group and coldwater cultured fish group. Freshoscopy method has been applied for fungal indicators, isolated culture for bacteria and PCR technique for virus indicators. The results showed that fungal agents were detected with a high infection rate in both groups of traditionally cultured fish (83.3%) and cold-water cultured fish (66.7%); Among them, more than 90% are fungus carrying Branchiomyces sp.; The remaining is Dermocystidium sp. and Aphanomyces sp, the recorded period is from May to December. Meanwhile, bacterial causes were found to be lower, infection rate of bacterial species Edwardsiella sp.; Streptococcus sp. and Aeromonas sp. recorded between 20 and 35%, especially in September and October, the infection rate is lower than other months. To limit the damage, water needs to be treated before flowing into the pond/farming tank, periodically supplement vitamin C or multivitamins to increase the fish's resistance, well control environmental factors, especially temperature, amount of ammonia and amount of organic matter in the pond.

Thí nghiệm nhằm đánh giá ngưỡng chịu mặn của cừu (Ovis aries) và được thực hiện trên 10 cừu đực, chia thành 2 giai đoạn. Giai đoạn 1 cho cừu uống nước ngọt trong 7 ngày từ hai máng uống giống nhau. Giai đoạn 2 trong 8 ngày cho cừu uống nước ngọt cho máng uống thứ nhất và nước biển pha loãng (DSW) cho máng uống thứ hai hoặc ngược lại, nồng độ DSW (diluted seawater) từ 0,5% đến 2,0%. Kết quả cho thấy khối lượng cơ thể và lượng chất khô ăn vào không khác nhau bởi DSW, trong khi lượng nước uống vào cao hơn ở giai đoạn 2 (P

To delve into the intricacies of sustainable agricultural practices, our study investigates both the behavioral and non-behavioral factors influencing farmers' decision-making processes. Employing the New Ecological Model (NEP) to capture social factors, our research framework integrates insights from the sustainable livelihood framework, which delineates five crucial types of livelihood capital: (1) human capital, (2) natural capital, (3) financial capital, (4) physical capital, and (5) social capital. This comprehensive approach enables us to incorporate additional non-behavioral factors and their impacts on farmers' decisions. We underscore the pivotal role of farmers' decisions in fostering sustainable agriculture, aligning with seven of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Leveraging survey data collected from 303 Vietnamese farmers, we validate our research framework using two analytical models: Structural Equation Model (SEM) and binary logit analysis. Our findings underscore the significant influence of farmers' risk propensity and concerns regarding food safety and environmental conservation on the adoption of organic farming practices. Notably, farmers' level of knowledge emerges as a critical determinant shaping their inclination towards sustainable agriculture. The study underscores the importance of targeted educational initiatives and awareness campaigns, identifying key determinants such as proximity to green spaces and farm size in shaping farmers' choices towards sustainable practices.

Abstract Background The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of using platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) as the apical matrix for the placement of MTA in nonsurgical endodontic therapy for teeth with periapical lesions and open apices. Methods Twelve teeth from eleven patients with periapical periodontitis and open apices were enrolled in the study. Nonsurgical endodontic therapy was performed with the PRF used as an apical barrier and the MTA manipulated as an apical plug for further thermoplasticized gutta percha in the remaining part of the root canal. Clinical signs and periapical digital radiographs were recorded and analyzed to evaluate the curing progress after periodical follow-ups of 1, 3, and 6 months. The horizontal dimension of the periapical lesion was determined, and the changes in the dimensions were recorded each time. The Friedman test was used for statistical analysis, with P

Background: Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a gel-like substance made up of glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine units, capable of absorbing and retaining water, present in hydrated gel form across human and animal tissues. It aids in joint lubrication and moisture retention and acts as a cushion for shock absorption. HA has unique biological properties, promoting fibroblast cell growth, aiding wound healing, and exhibiting low solubility and viscosity, making it an organic ingredient in tissue culture techniques. It is utilized in eye drops and skin ointments and plays a vital role in the extracellular matrix, rendering it invaluable in medical and cosmetic applications, such as treating osteoarthritis and enhancing skin wound recovery. Methods: The methods employed in this study involve isolating microorganisms, screening bacterial strains capable of synthesizing HA, identifying bacteria using molecular biological methods, and researching optimal conditions to select bacterial strains that produce the highest HA concentrations. Results: In this study, strain Priestia flexa N7 was studied for suitable conditions for HA biosynthesis. Bacterial strains were fermented for 48 h on medium containing the following ingredients: glucose (60 g/L); yeast extract (5.0 g/L); peptone (20 g/L); K2HPO4 (2.0 g/L); Na2HPO4 (1.0 g/L); NaCl (2.0 g/L); FeSO4 (1.0 g/l); sodium glutamate (9.0 g/L); and MgSO4.7H2O (2.0 g/L) and pH 8.0 at 37°C under the condition of continuous shaking at 150 rpm. The maximum HA production achieved was 1105 mg/L. Conclusions: The mentioned bacterial strain exhibits significant potential for HA synthesis and is extensively employed in producing items across the health care, medical, food, and cosmetic industries. These findings revealed the most effective HA acid manufacturing strategy for achieving maximum output.

Abstract Deep learning (DL) models currently employed in materials research exhibit certain limitations in delivering meaningful information for interpreting predictions and comprehending the relationships between structure and material properties. To address these limitations, we propose an interpretable DL architecture that incorporates the attention mechanism to predict material properties and gain insights into their structure–property relationships. The proposed architecture is evaluated using two well-known datasets (the QM9 and the Materials Project datasets), and three in-house-developed computational materials datasets. Train–test–split validations confirm that the models derived using the proposed DL architecture exhibit strong predictive capabilities, which are comparable to those of current state-of-the-art models. Furthermore, comparative validations, based on first-principles calculations, indicate that the degree of attention of the atoms’ local structures to the representation of the material structure is critical when interpreting structure–property relationships with respect to physical properties. These properties encompass molecular orbital energies and the formation energies of crystals. The proposed architecture shows great potential in accelerating material design by predicting material properties and explicitly identifying crucial features within the corresponding structures.

Climate change is the most serious challenge facing humanity. Microbes produce and consume three major greenhouse gases-carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide-and some microbes cause human, animal, and plant diseases that can be exacerbated by climate change. Hence, microbial research is needed to help ameliorate the warming trajectory and cascading effects resulting from heat, drought, and severe storms. We present a brief summary of what is known about microbial responses to climate change in three major ecosystems: terrestrial, ocean, and urban. We also offer suggestions for new research directions to reduce microbial greenhouse gases and mitigate the pathogenic impacts of microbes. These include performing more controlled studies on the climate impact on microbial processes, system interdependencies, and responses to human interventions, using microbes and their carbon and nitrogen transformations for useful stable products, improving microbial process data for climate models, and taking the One Health approach to study microbes and climate change.

Objectives Tuberculosis (TB) and drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) are national health burdens in Vietnam. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of rifampicin (RIF) and/or isoniazid (isonicotinic acid hydrazide, INH) resistance in patients with suspected TB, and applied appropriate techniques to help rapidly target DR-TB. Methods In total, 1,547 clinical specimens were collected and cultured using the BACTEC MGIT system (Becton Dickinson and Co.). A resazurin microtiter assay (REMA) was used to determine the proportions of RIF and/or INH resistance. A real-time polymerase chain reaction panel with TaqMan probes was employed to identify the mutations of rpoB and katG associated with DR-TB in clinical isolates. Genotyping of the identified mutations was also performed. Results A total of 468 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates were identified using the REMA. Of these isolates, 106 (22.6%) were found to be resistant to 1 or both antibiotics. Of the resistant isolates, 74 isolates (69.8%) were resistant to isoniazid (INH) only, while 1 isolate (0.94%) was resistant to RIF only. Notably, 31 isolates (29.2%) were resistant to both antibiotics. Of the 41 phenotypically INH-resistant isolates, 19 (46.3%) had the Ser315Thr mutation. There were 8 different rpoB mutations in 22 (68.8%) of the RIF-resistant isolates. The most frequently detected mutations were at codons 531 (37.5%), 526 (18.8%), and 516 (6.3%). Conclusion To help prevent new cases of DR-TB in Vietnam, it is crucial to gain a comprehensive understanding of the genotypic DR-TB isolates.

Public space is essential for the sustainable growth of all types of cities. It significantly contributes to public mental health balance and brings a more vibrant and livable image of city life. A more invested in comprehensive design at the beginning of any master plan can result in huge potential. The research aim is to examine public space principal design and exploits with a case study method in Danang city, Vietnam. The result of the applied method proposes a public space design solution with a stainless steel structure, which is considered a flexible material for its aesthetic value in addition to economic and environmental considerations that can be used in public space design. This research delivers a potential design solution with secure public space rights, public use balancing traffic and pedestrians, and safety.

By teaching students about the concept of growth mindset and ways to cultivate it, teachers can enhance students' academic progress. This article offers concrete ideas to help teachers foster the growth mindset explicitly among their students. The lesson is flexible and can be applied to all levels.

Machilus thunbergii has a history of traditional applications including treating dyspepsia, apoplexy, headaches, abdominal pain, abdominal distension, and leg edema [1]. It is also employed for alleviating allergies, inflammation, pain relief, promoting blood circulation, addressing costal chondritis, and sinusitis [2]. Research into the chemical composition of M. thunbergii has revealed the presence of lignans, flavonoids, lactones, and essential oils [1,3-5]. While some investigations have explored the inhibitory effects of extracts and lignan compounds from this species on NO production [6–8], there has been no research into the flavonoids isolated from this plant and their potential for inhibiting NO production, given our reachable referencing. The ethyl acetate (EtOAc) soluble fraction of M. thunbergii leaves was subjected to column chromatography (CC) using silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 for compound isolation. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data primarily facilitated the determination of isolated compound structures. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in macrophage RAW264.7 cells. Anti-inflammatory activity-guided fractionation led to the isolation of twelve secondary metabolites (1−12). The compounds were identified as quercetin (1), kaempferol (2), rhamnetin (3), quercitrin (4), hyperoside (5), reynoutrin (6), guaijaverin (7), afzelin (8), astragalin (9), rutin (10), kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside (11), and rhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside (12). Compounds 3, 5, 6, 9, 11, and 12 were isolated from M. thunbergii for the first time. Evaluation against LPS-induced NO production in macrophage RAW264.7 cells showed that 1−3 exhibited potent inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 15.45, 25.44, and 19.82 µM, respectively. Compounds 4−9 demonstrated IC50 values ranging from 42.15 to 67.42 µM, while 10−12 exhibited inactivity (IC50 > 100 µM).

Abstract Background Blood urea nitrogen to albumin ratio (BAR) is increasingly recognized as an early predictor for short-term outcomes in critically ill patients, but the association of BAR with long-term outcomes in critically ill surgical patients remains underexplored. Methods We enrolled consecutive patients who were admitted to surgical intensive care units (ICUs) at Taichung Veterans General Hospital between 2015 and 2020, and the dates of death were retrieved from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database. In addition to Cox regression, we also used propensity score matching to determine the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for one-year post-hospital mortality of the variables. Results A total of 8,073 eligible subjects were included for analyses. We found that age, male gender, high Charlson Comorbidity Index, high Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, positive microbial culture, and leukocytosis were predictors for mortality, whereas high body mass index, scheduled surgery, and high platelet counts were protective factors against long-term mortality. The high BAR was independently associated with increased post-hospital mortality after adjustment for the aforementioned covariates (adjHR 1.258, 95% CI, 1.127–1.405). Notably, the association tended to be stronger in females and patients with fewer comorbidities and lower disease severity of critical illness. The propensity score matching, dividing subjects by BAR higher or lower than 6, showed a consistent association between week-one BAR and post-hospital mortality (adjHR 1.503, 95% CI 1.247–1.811). Conclusions BAR is a newly identified predictor of short-term outcome, and we identified long-term outcome-relevant factors, including BAR, and the identified factors may be useful for risk stratification of long-term outcomes in patients discharged from surgical ICUs.

Abstract Background Although trastuzumab and other HER2-targeted therapies have significantly improved survival in patients with HER2 overexpressed or amplified (HER2+) breast cancer, a significant proportion of patients do not respond or eventually develop clinical resistance. Strategies to reverse trastuzumab resistance remain a high clinical priority. We were the first to report the role of CXCR4 in trastuzumab resistance. The present study aims to explore the therapeutic potential of targeting CXCR4 and better understand the associated mechanisms. Methods Immunofluorescent staining, confocal microscopy analysis, and immunoblotting were used to analyze CXCR4 expression. BrdU incorporation assays and flow cytometry were used to analyze dynamic CXCR4 expression. Three-dimensional co-culture (tumor cells/breast cancer-associated fibroblasts/human peripheral blood mononuclear cells) or antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity assay was used to mimic human tumor microenvironment, which is necessary for testing therapeutic effects of CXCR4 inhibitor or trastuzumab. The FDA-approved CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100, trastuzumab, and docetaxel chemotherapy were used to evaluate therapeutic efficacy in vitro and in vivo. Reverse phase protein array and immunoblotting were used to discern the associated molecular mechanisms. Results Using a panel of cell lines and patient breast cancer samples, we confirmed CXCR4 drives trastuzumab resistance in HER2+ breast cancer and further demonstrated the increased CXCR4 expression in trastuzumab-resistant cells is associated with cell cycle progression with a peak in the G2/M phases. Blocking CXCR4 with AMD3100 inhibits cell proliferation by downregulating mediators of G2-M transition, leading to G2/M arrest and abnormal mitosis. Using a panel of trastuzumab-resistant cell lines and an in vivo established trastuzumab-resistant xenograft mouse model, we demonstrated that targeting CXCR4 with AMD3100 suppresses tumor growth in vitro and in vivo, and synergizes with docetaxel. Conclusions Our findings support CXCR4 as a novel therapeutic target and a predictive biomarker for trastuzumab resistance in HER2+ breast cancer.

Since early 2020, the world has witnessed the unprecedented accomplishments of the scientific community in the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In the meantime, we also learned valuable lessons and recognized the challenges that hindered our successes. In this article, we synthesize the ideas discussed at the ASM Virtual Symposium: Microbial Science Research in the Post-COVID Environment on 10 November 2020. We propose three new approaches that microbiology researchers can embrace to overcome these challenges. Moreover, we suggest broad systematic changes to focus on social impacts, teamwork, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe these values are needed to prepare the microbial science research community for future opportunities and challenges.

Even though the combined use of ultrasound (US) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is recommended for the surveillance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the utilization of AFP has its challenges, including accuracy dependent on its cut-off levels, degree of liver necroinflammation, and etiology of liver disease. Though various studies have demonstrated the utility of protein induced by vitamin K absence II (PIVKA-II) in surveillance, treatment monitoring, and predicting recurrence, it is still not recommended as a routine biomarker test. A panel of 17 experts from Asia-Pacific, gathered to discuss and reach a consensus on the clinical usefulness and value of PIVKA-II for the surveillance and treatment monitoring of HCC, based on six predetermined statements. The experts agreed that PIVKA-II was valuable in the detection of HCC in AFP-negative patients, and could potentially benefit detection of early HCC in combination with AFP. PIVKA-II is clinically useful for monitoring curative and intra-arterial locoregional treatments, outcomes, and recurrence, and could potentially predict microvascular invasion risk and facilitate patient selection for liver transplant. However, combining PIVKA-II with US and AFP for HCC surveillance, including small HCC, still requires more evidence, whilst its role in detecting AFP-negative HCC will potentially increase as more patients are treated for hepatitis-related HCC. PIVKA-II in combination with AFP and US has a clinical role in the Asia-Pacific region for surveillance. However, implementation of PIVKA-II in the region will have some challenges, such as requiring standardization of cut-off values, its cost-effectiveness and improving awareness among healthcare providers.

Despite their promise, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)-based assays for multi-cancer early detection face challenges in test performance, due mostly to the limited abundance of ctDNA and its inherent variability. To address these challenges, published assays to date demanded a very high-depth sequencing, resulting in an elevated price of test. Herein, we developed a multimodal assay called SPOT-MAS (screening for the presence of tumor by methylation and size) to simultaneously profile methylomics, fragmentomics, copy number, and end motifs in a single workflow using targeted and shallow genome-wide sequencing (~0.55×) of cell-free DNA. We applied SPOT-MAS to 738 non-metastatic patients with breast, colorectal, gastric, lung, and liver cancer, and 1550 healthy controls. We then employed machine learning to extract multiple cancer and tissue-specific signatures for detecting and locating cancer. SPOT-MAS successfully detected the five cancer types with a sensitivity of 72.4% at 97.0% specificity. The sensitivities for detecting early-stage cancers were 73.9% and 62.3% for stages I and II, respectively, increasing to 88.3% for non-metastatic stage IIIA. For tumor-of-origin, our assay achieved an accuracy of 0.7. Our study demonstrates comparable performance to other ctDNA-based assays while requiring significantly lower sequencing depth, making it economically feasible for population-wide screening.

Plant hormones play important roles in seed development; however, transcriptional regulation of their metabolism and levels of the respective bioactive forms during barley seed development is poorly understood. To this end, this study performed a comprehensive analysis of changes in the expression patterns phytohormone metabolism genes and levels of the respective bioactive forms in the embryo and endosperm tissues. Our study showed the presence of elevated levels of abscisic acid (ABA), bioactive forms of gibberellins (GAs), jasmonate (JA) and cytokinins (CKs), auxin and salicylic acid (SA) in the endosperm and embryo tissues at early stage of seed filling (SF). The levels of all hormones in both tissues, except that of ABA, decreased to low levels during SF. In contrast, embryonic ABA level increased during SF and peaked at physiological maturity (PM) while the endospermic ABA was maintained at a similar level observed during SF. Although its level decreased high amount of ABA was still present in the embryo during post-PM. We detected low levels of ABA in the endosperm and all the other hormones in both tissues during post-PM phase except the relatively higher levels of jasmonoyl-isoleucine and SA detected at late stage of post-PM. Our data also showed that spatiotemporal changes in the levels of plant hormones during barley seed development are mediated by the expression of specific genes involved in their respective metabolic pathways. These results indicate that seed development in barley is mediated by spatiotemporal modulation in the metabolism and levels of plant hormones.

Background: Theabrownins (TBs), which are produced from tea leaves, have been shown to have biological. To extract biologically active chemicals from polyphenol structures, an oxidizing enzyme (i.e. laccase) is used to oxidize the polyphenol structure, releasing smaller and more soluble molecular compounds, including TBs. This is a biologically active compound that is beneficial to human health. Therefore, using laccase to purify is significant in enhancing the oxidation process of polyphenols from fresh tea leaves to improve the efficiency of harvesting theabrownins. Methods: to purify laccase, we use a diethylaminoethyl-cellulose (DEAE), Sephadex G-75, and Q Sepharose® columns in a three-step column chromatography procedure. In addition, TBs formed by hydrolysis were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with a refractive index detector (ultra violet-Vis 271 nm) and ICSep WA-1 Analysis column. Results: In this study, CliLac was effectively purified with a specific activity of 7.58 U/mg from strain Clitopilus prunulus BV18. Using DEAE, Sephadex G-75, and Q Sepharose® columns in a three-step column chromatography procedure, the enzyme was purified to a level of 21.4-fold purity. The enzyme with a molecular weight of 55.2 kDa demonstrated increased pH stability in the acidic range. Biochemical properties of CliLac showed that the optimum pH and temperature were 5.0 and 50°C, respectively. The activity retention was over 80% at pH 5.0 for more than 7 h of incubation. CliLac denatured at temperatures over 60°C. TBs production release increased up to 159 ppm after 72 h of incubation using a purified CliLac (10 U/gds) at 50°C. Conclusions: The study indicates that CliLac is appropriate for oxidizing the polyphenol structure and releases the TBs, which are smaller and more soluble molecular compounds.

This paper investigates the role of personality traits in nurturing entrepreneurial intention in South Korea and Vietnam. We developed a research model to examine the integrated influence of both positive entrepreneurial characteristics and dark triad on entrepreneurial intention in South Korea and Vietnam. Primary data was collected from 550 students in South Korea and 700 students in Vietnam using the convenient sampling method in a self-administered questionnaire survey. We used structural equation modelling (SEM) to analyse structural relationships between positive entrepreneurial attributes, dark triads, and entrepreneurial intention in two samples. T-tests were also performed to explore any differences in students’ entrepreneurial intention in South Korea and Vietnam regarding their family background and gender. Findings showed that positive entrepreneurial attributes and dark triads influence entrepreneurial intention differently in the two countries. While the dark triad mainly influenced Vietnamese students’ intention to startup, Korean students received more impact from the positive entrepreneurial characteristics such as risk tolerance, locus of control, and entrepreneurial alertness. Surprisingly, both gender and family tradition do not affect students’ entrepreneurial intention. Based on our findings, we suggested that policymakers and higher education institutions in both South Korea and Vietnam promote students’ entrepreneurial intentions in the future.

Waste frying oil (WFO) can take a heavy toll on people’ health and the environment; however, they can still be useful in reality if they are appropriately collected and recycled. Specifically, we can take their advantages to create a nutritious carbon source for bacteria growth. In this research, due to a strong desire to enhance the value of such products, Pseudomonas putida KT2440 is employed to produce polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) which is a group of natural biodegradable polyesters synthesized by microorganisms.

Smart doorbells have become a critical component of smart homes and modern offices. However, a smart doorbell, particularly designed for a leader’s office, has not been introduced. In this study, a smart doorbell is developed for a leader’s office. The system includes an application that allows availability status notification on the doorbell module and voice communication with the visitor from inside the office based on a private Wi-Fi network without an Internet connection to prevent the leader from potential privacy and security issues. It also features a live video capture of the visitor with face recognition by implementing a MobileNet model. In training and testing this model, 1,549 free face images of 125 people were augmented to generate training, validation, and testing datasets of 9,185, 2,500, and 5,000 face images, respectively. An additional authentication testing dataset of 1,068 AI-generated face images was also used to evaluate the system’s False Acceptance Rate (FAR). A high confidence level of 0.945 was selected for the developed MobileNet model to obtain zero FAR and high accuracy, recall, and F-score values of 0.960, 0.960, and 0.978, respectively. Therefore, the proposed doorbell could be used for an office leader, showing potential use for biometric authentication.

AbstractThe effects of board gender diversity (BGD) on financial stability of financial institutions have long been an important topic, creating a rich strand of literature that focuses extensively on banks. Meanwhile, little is known about the implications of BGD on risk in microfinance institutions (MFI). This study aims to fill this gap. Using a data sample retrieved from the MIX Market database spanning the 2009–2018 period and the random-effects estimator, we find that the proportion of female directors on the board is positively associated with financial stability of MFIs measured by the Z-score. The result is robust when using alternative measures of financial stability and BGD, and alternative estimation techniques. In addition, we document a negative relationship between BGD and risk-taking behavior of MFIs. Further, the research result favors the critical mass theory rather than tokenism. Lastly, we find that BGD links with financial stability in a monotonic instead of non-monotonic manner.