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Under the tendency of the marketisation of tertiary education, universities/colleges and governments across the world have increasingly regarded international education as an education services export sector. Vietnam has always been regarded as a country of importing rather than exporting international education. Nevertheless, more and more evidence shows that Vietnamese tertiary education institutions are increasingly successful in recruiting international students. To gain further insight into international students in Vietnam, we conducted a survey with 49 tertiary education institutions in Vietnam. Our findings reveal that while most full-time international students in Vietnam are intra-regional (i.e., coming from Asian countries), short-time international students are both intra-regional and extra-regional. Using a Bayesian analysis as a method, we found that, first, the main concerns of international students in Vietnam do not revolve around academic-related factors; and second, the success of Vietnamese tertiary education institutions in attracting international students was mainly associated with operation-related factors.

The unanticipated switch from face-to-face learning to online education caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a lack of familiarization preparation for students, potentially hampering their learning processes in several ways. The success of online learning is primarily based on the quality of the information systems, self-regulated learning, and intrinsic learning motivation. The severe stress amid epidemic lockdowns might trigger negative impacts on students' learning motivation and self-regulated learning. Nevertheless, studies examining the relationship between information system success, self-regulated learning, perceived stress, and intrinsic learning motivation in the context of developing countries are still scarce. The current research aims to address this gap in the literature. Participants were 303 university students. The results of second-order structural equation modelling revealed the positive direct and indirect relationships between information system success, intrinsic learning motivation, and online self-regulated learning. Besides, despite the insignificant relationships between perceived stress, intrinsic learning motivation, and online self-regulated learning, most participants in this study were found to have moderate to high stress levels. Hence, the potential adverse effect of stress on students' learning process should not be ignored. The results provide implications for educators and researchers studying online learning environments and educational psychology.

This study examined a proposed model of employment quality among female immigrants after their participation in vocational training in Taiwan, drawing on the developmental-contextual model of career development. It simultaneously tested the relationship between the distal contextual variable (i.e., perceived Taiwanese attitudes toward immigrant women (PTAs)), proximal contextual variables (i.e., vocational training experiences (VTEs) and social support (SS)), the individual-level variable (i.e., self-perceived employability (SPE)), and employment quality (EQ) in the model. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 447 female immigrant trainees who had worked for over 6 months after vocational training in Taiwan. The results supported the proposed model based on the developmental-contextual approach, which explained 56.9% of the variance in EQ. The results further revealed that PTAs positively affected SPE, VTEs and SS. In turn, VTEs and SS positively directly and indirectly affected EQ through their impacts on SPE, and SPE positively influenced EQ. The three most important factors that determined the EQ of immigrant women who participated in vocational training were VTEs, SPE, and PTAs.

The capacity to successfully, positively engage with the cognitive capacities of critical thinking has become the benchmark of employability for many diverse industries across the globe and is considered critical for the development of informed, decisive global citizenship. Despite this, education systems in several countries have developed policies and practices that limit the opportunities for students to authentically participate in the discussions, debates, and evaluative thinking that serve to develop the skill set and mindset of critical thinkers. This writing examines the status of critical thinking in four different contexts across the globe as reflected in educational policies and academic experiences as a preface to investigating actual classroom practices and possible impacts the support of critical thinking skills may have on the potential development of the global citizens of the future. Each vignette reflects the contextualized difficulties that are presented by social and cultural concerns and traditions of making meaning. These stories of education also illustrate the various ways in which the skills and capacities of critical thinking are interpreted in different contexts and address the negative nuances with which thinking critically has become associated. Finally, a pedagogical model of teaching, which may support student development of the skill set of critical thinking within the boundaries of social and cultural mindsets, has been developed.

Arboviruses transmitted by mosquitoes, including Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), present a substantial global health threat. JEV is transmitted by mosquitoes in the genus Culex, which are common in both urban and rural areas in Vietnam. In 2020, we conducted a 1-year survey of Culex mosquito abundance in urban, suburban, and peri-urban areas of Hanoi using CDC-light traps. Mosquitoes were identified to species and sorted into pools based on species, sex, and trap location. The mosquito pools were also investigated by RT-qPCR for detection of JEV. In total, 4829 mosquitoes were collected over a total of 455 trap-nights, across 13 months. Collected mosquitoes included Culex, Aedes, Anopheles, and Mansonia species. Culex mosquitoes, primarily Cx. quinquefasciatus, predominated, especially in peri-urban areas. Most Culex mosquitoes were caught in the early months of the year. The distribution and abundance of mosquitoes exhibited variations across urban, suburban, and peri-urban sites, emphasizing the influence of environmental factors such as degree of urbanization, temperature and humidity on Culex abundance. No JEV was detected in the mosquito pools. This study establishes baseline knowledge of Culex abundance and temporal variation, which is crucial for understanding the potential for JEV transmission in Hanoi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to identify the level of acculturative stress and to examine the correlations between acculturative stress or its subcategories and variables such as English language proficiency. The results show that international students were challenged by social interactions, lack of English language proficiency and financial issues. The results of this study and their possible implications for educational institutions in Singapore and Asia are considered.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the use of bilingual teaching and learning methodology for Vietnamese postgraduate students from 2011-2012. Overall, the findings indicated relatively positive outcomes in most of the spectrum evaluated or assessed. These findings were then compared with previous researches and to ascertain the applicability to fundamental theories underpinning bilingual education to determine the correlation between theory and practice. This research provided an in-depth contextual based research that contributed to an extensive understanding of the effectiveness of the adoption of bilingual teaching and learning at postgraduate level within ASEAN countries. The research will also provide a platform for development nations to gain accesses to the required knowledge, skills, capabilities, and competencies that have thus far eluded them due to language barrier, thereby providing these nations with the impetus to grow and develop further as a nation via the effective development of the country's human capital. [This paper was presented at the International Conference on Teaching and Learning (ICTL) (4th, Bangkok, Thailand, Nov 13-15, 2013).]

Since the economic renovation, Vietnamese higher education (HE) system has prioritised to expand student quantity, but left student equality unaddressed. While Vietnamese HE's scale rapidly expanses, its education quality raises concerns. University graduates are criticised as underequipped with soft skills, which are indispensable in the contemporary workplaces. This study investigated student inequalities on gender, family socioeconomic status (SES), and university experiences in Vietnamese HE. More importantly, how these inequalities influenced student leadership efficacy, a critical soft skill much sought-after by employers. Empirical data analysed in the study showed that female Vietnamese university students came from more diverse SES families and perceived lower leadership efficacy than their male counterparts. Regarding university experiences to leadership efficacy, not all curricular engagements were beneficial; involvements in co-curricular activities predominated by the opposite gender were particularly beneficial. These results may be attributed to the traditional culture and specific HE context in Vietnam.

Molecular data from samples encompassing 22 nominal species of Poropuntius indicate that the species-level diversity in the genus has been vastly overestimated, likely due to inadequate taxon and geographic sampling and reliance on morphological characters that vary intra-specifically. The latter includes discrete mouth morphologies related to alternate feeding strategies (ecomorphs) within populations. One new species is described, Poropuntius anlaoensis Hoàng, Phạm & Trần, sp. nov., and 17 synonyms of six valid species names of Poropuntius, P. krempfi, P. alloiopleurus, P. huangchuchieni, P. laoensis, P. kontumensis, and P. deauratus, are recognised. Additional taxonomic changes in this widespread and generally poorly known genus are likely as more molecular and morphological data become available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the tendency of the marketisation of tertiary education, universities/colleges and governments across the world have increasingly regarded international education as an education services export sector. Vietnam has always been regarded as a country of importing rather than exporting international education. Nevertheless, more and more evidence shows that Vietnamese tertiary education institutions are increasingly successful in recruiting international students. To gain further insight into international students in Vietnam, we conducted a survey with 49 tertiary education institutions in Vietnam. Our findings reveal that while most full-time international students in Vietnam are intra-regional (i.e., coming from Asian countries), short-time international students are both intra-regional and extra-regional. Using a Bayesian analysis as a method, we found that, first, the main concerns of international students in Vietnam do not revolve around academic-related factors; and second, the success of Vietnamese tertiary education institutions in attracting international students was mainly associated with operation-related factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate whether the type of keyboard used in exams introduces any construct-irrelevant variance to the TOEFL iBT Writing scores, we surveyed 17,040 TOEFL iBT examinees from 24 countries on their keyboard-related perceptions and preferences and analyzed the survey responses together with their test scores. Results suggest that controlling for their TOEFL iBT Reading, Listening, and Speaking scores, examinees' Writing scores were statistically significantly associated with examinees' prior awareness of the TOEFL iBT keyboard policy, the type of keyboard they used during the test, or examines' perceptions of the type of keyboard used. However, the score differences associated with these factors were negligible, supporting the argument that the current practice of mandatorily using the U.S. standard keyboard poses limited threat to the validity of test scores. Survey results also revealed that although most examinees considered the keyboard used during the test convenient and efficient, two-fifths of them reportedly preferred a more familiar local keyboard, which suggests room for improvement in the keyboard-related test-taking experience.

Background: In a randomized trial, Lianhuaqingwen (LHQW) capsule was effective for accelerating symptom recovery among patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the lack of blinding and limited sample sizes decreased the level of clinical evidence. Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of LHQW capsule in adults with mild-to-moderate COVID-19. Methods: We conducted a double-blind randomized controlled trial in adults with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 (17 sites from China, Thailand, Philippine and Vietnam). Patients received standard-of-care alone or plus LHQW capsules (4 capsules, thrice daily) for 14 days. The primary endpoint was the median time to sustained clinical improvement or resolution of nine major symptoms. Results: The full-analysis set consisted of 410 patients in LHQW capsules and 405 in placebo group. LHQW significantly shortened the primary endpoint in the full-analysis set (4.0 vs. 6.7 days, hazards ratio: 1.63, 95% confidence interval: 1.39-1.90). LHQW capsules shortened the median time to sustained clinical improvement or resolution of stuffy or runny nose (2.8 vs. 3.7 days), sore throat (2.0 vs. 2.6 days), cough (3.2 vs. 4.9 days), feeling hot or feverish (1.0 vs. 1.3 days), low energy or tiredness (1.3 vs. 1.9 days), and myalgia (1.5 vs. 2.0 days). The duration to sustained clinical improvement or resolution of shortness of breath, headache, and chills or shivering did not differ significantly between the two groups. Safety was comparable between the two groups. No serious adverse events were reported. Interpretation: LHQW capsules promote recovery of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 via accelerating symptom resolution and were well tolerated. Trial registrationChiCTR2200056727. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a sociocultural approach to adult learning and poststructural feminist theories, this study draws on interviews with 11 married Vietnamese women to explore the higher education learning experiences of Vietnamese immigrant women in Taiwan. On the basis of their husbands' permission and support, Vietnamese immigrant women embraced the instrumental value of education and pursued higher education to play their expected motherhood roles. During the higher education learning process, the women persevered in learning with resilience, negotiated their voices and cultural identity, and fulfilled multiple roles. Participating in and even completing higher education in Taiwan empowered these women through learning based on their bicultural competence.

Background: Oriental river prawn Macrobrachium nipponense is an economically important aquaculture species in China, Japan, and Vietnam. In commercial prawn farming, feed cost constitutes about 50 to 65% of the actual variable cost. Improving feed conversion efficiency in prawn culture will not only increase economic benefit, but also save food and protect the environment. The common indicators used for feed conversion efficiency include feed conversion ratio (FCR), feed efficiency ratio (FER), and residual feed intake (RFI). Among these, RFI is much more suitable than FCR and FER during the genetic improvement of feed conversion efficiency for aquaculture species. Results: In this study, the transcriptome and metabolome of hepatopancreas and muscle of M. nipponense from high RFI low RFI groups, which identified after culture for 75 days, were characterized using combined transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis. A total of 4540 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in hepatopancreas, and 3894 DEGs in muscle were identified, respectively. The DEGs in hepatopancreas were mainly enriched in KEGG pathways including the metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450 (down-regulated), fat digestion and absorption (down-regulated) and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis (up-regulated), etc. The DEGs in muscle were mainly enriched in KEGG pathways including the protein digestion and absorption (down-regulated), glycolysis/gluconeogenesis (down-regulated), and glutathione metabolism (up-regulated), etc. At the transcriptome level, the RFI of M. nipponense was mainly controlled in biological pathways such as the high immune expression and the reduction of nutrients absorption capacity. A total of 445 and 247 differently expressed metabolites (DEMs) were identified in the hepatopancreas and muscle, respectively. At the metabolome level, the RFI of M. nipponense was affected considerably by amino acid and lipid metabolism. Conclusions: M. nipponense from higher and lower RFI groups have various physiological and metabolic capability processes. The down-regulated genes, such as carboxypeptidase A1, 6-phosphofructokinase, long-chain-acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, et. al., in digestion and absorption of nutrients, and the up-regulated metabolites, such as aspirin, lysine, et. al., in response to immunity could be potential candidate factors contributed to RFI variation for M. nipponense. Overall, these results would provide new insights into the molecular mechanism of feed conversion efficiency and assist in selective breeding to improve feed conversion efficiency in M. nipponense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study, taking statistic test approach, was conducted to explore the manifest components, focusing on organizational culture, organizational empowerment, and self-efficacy, which have been approved as crucial factors vitalizing nursing staff' career enthusiasm. We adopted a cross-sectional research design, and used the organizational culture, organizational empowerment and self-efficacy scales as the research instruments. From August 10 to September 25, 2021, the head nurses collected data using questionnaires. Selected participants were the nursing staff in hospitals from Taiwan, Indonesia and Vietnam, with a total of 302 valid questionnaires were collected. Descriptive statistical analysis, independent sample t-test, analysis of variance test, Pearson correlation analysis, regression analysis was carried out. Taiwan's organizational culture score is the highest, followed by Vietnam and Indonesia; In terms of organizational empowerment, Indonesia has the highest score, followed by Taiwan and Vietnam; In terms of self-efficacy, Vietnam has the highest score, followed by Taiwan and Indonesia. Organizational empowerment indirectly affects self-efficacy through organizational culture. Organizational culture plays an important role in organizational empowerment that affects self-efficacy. It is recommended that qualitative and in-depth research and face-to-face in-depth interviews will be helpful for the depth and connotation of the research data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this chapter, the authors describe how a pedagogical commitment at one urban public school to support teaching and learning with Southeast Asian refugee students and their Vietnam veteran classmates two decades ago has continued to be meaningful for more recently arrived refugee students from other world regions, as well as for a diverse, new generation of student veterans who are facing their own issues of trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In sharing aspects of their own pedagogical practice--their pedagogies of PTSD--the authors present some of the challenges, possibilities, and critical intersections that have emerged in their work with both refugees and veterans in the classroom.

Objectives: The culturally unique Sanya Hui (SYH) people are considered descendants of ancient Cham people in Central Vietnam and exhibit a scenario of complex migration and admixture history. We aimed to characterize the genetic structure, origin, and admixture history of SYH people and explore the effect of the cultural admixture from Central/South Asia and East Asia on their genetic admixture. Materials and Methods: We sampled 94 Hui individuals from Hainan and genotyped these samples using the Infinium Global Screening Array version 2 with over 717K SNPs. We then investigated the demographic history of SYH people by combining currently available modern and ancient genome‐wide SNP data and leveraging shared allele‐ and haplotype‐based strategies. Results: Patterns of genetic differentiation showed that SYH people were genetically different from the northern Hui but harbored a close genomic affinity with indigenous Vietnamese. SYH had a relatively distant relationship with the Cham, which confirmed the hypothesis of the documented recent historical migration from Central Vietnam and assimilation with the Hainan indigenous people. The fitted three‐way admixture models and the reconstructed demographic frameworks showed that SYH was the admixture result with primary ancestry from East Asia and mainland Southeast Asia and minor ancestry related to Central/South Asia. GLOBETTRTER and ALDER‐based admixture time estimation revealed that genetic contact with Central Asia occurred around 28 generations ago. Our model was consistent with the frequent cultural communication along the Southern Maritime Silk Road and extensive interaction with East Asia. Besides, analyses focused on natural‐selected signatures of SYH people revealed some candidate loci associated with metabolism and immune function. Discussion: The SYH people are considered to be Cham refugees' descendants. A long‐standing hypothesis posits that SYH derives from different genetic and cultural origins, which hypothesizes that the genetically attested admixture history of SYH people is different from northern Hui people possessing prominent Han‐related ancestry and minor western Eurasian ancestry. We found that the genetic structure of SYH people was different from Vietnam Cham and geographically diverse Hui people. Generally, three genetically attested genealogies from Central Vietnam, East Asia, and Central/South Asia in modern SYH people supported their tripartite model of genomic origins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Applying a sociocultural approach and poststructural feminist theories as its framework, this study analyzed interviews with nine Vietnamese marriage immigrant women in Taiwan to explore their employment experiences in the process of crossing national and cultural boundaries. These low-skilled women labored to accumulate essential capital and struggled to be workers in demand. They accepted the improved employment quality that was affected by gendered racialization. Stable employment empowered these women, and some even divorced to achieve personal autonomy. The results of this study suggest that employment was significant for the daily lives of these immigrant women. Obviously, their prior socialization in Vietnam and the life experiences and economic structure in Taiwan interacted to contribute to these women's work experiences, and they continually developed agency and a voice to create their positions and life meanings by participating in the Taiwanese labor market. This study recommends further investigation of marriage immigrant women's identities and voices in the workplace and their expression of sexuality and femininity in employment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dengue encephalitis is considered as a severe but unusual clinical presentation of dengue infection. Limited molecular information is available on the neurotropism of dengue virus (DENV), highlighting the need for further research. During a dengue outbreak in Vietnam in 2013, two DENV-3 strains were isolated, in which one was isolated from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from a dengue encephalitis patient and another strain was isolated from a patient with classical dengue fever in Hai Phong, Vietnam. DENV serotype-3 (DENV-3) isolated from these samples belonged to genotype III, marking the first report of this genotype in the country at that time. Genetic variation between both strains was elucidated by using a full genome sequencing by next-generation sequencing (NGS). The infectivity of the isolated DENV-3 strains was further characterized using human and mouse neuronal cell lines. Phylogenetic analysis of the isolates demonstrated high homogeneity between the CSF-derived and serum-derived DENV-3, in which the full genome sequences of the CSF-derived DENV-3 presented a Thr-1339-Ile mutation in the nonstructural 2A (NS2A) protein. The CSF-derived DENV-3 isolate grew preferentially in human neuronal cells, with a significant proportion of cells that were positive for nonstructural 1 (NS1), nonstructural 4B (NS4B), and nonstructural 5 (NS5) antigens. These results suggest that NS2A may be a crucial region in the neuropathogenesis of DENV-3 and its growth in human neuronal cells. Taken together, our results demonstrate that a CSF-derived DENV-3 has unique infectivity characteristics for human neuronal cells, which might play a crucial role in the neuropathogenesis of DENV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (TCDD), a contaminant in Agent Orange released during the US–Vietnam War, led to a severe environmental crisis. Approximately, 50 years have passed since the end of this war, and vegetation has gradually recovered from the pollution. Soil bacterial communities were investigated by 16S metagenomics in habitats with different vegetation physiognomies in Central Vietnam, namely, forests (S0), barren land (S1), grassland (S2), and developing woods (S3). Vegetation complexity was negatively associated with TCDD concentrations, revealing the reasoning behind the utilization of vegetation physiognomy as an indicator for ecological succession along the gradient of pollutants. Stark changes in bacterial composition were detected between S0 and S1, with an increase in Firmicutes and a decrease in Acidobacteria and Bacteroidetes. Notably, dioxin digesters Arthrobacter, Rhodococcus, Comamonadaceae, and Bacialles were detected in highly contaminated soil (S1). Along the TCDD gradients, following the dioxin decay from S1 to S2, the abundance of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria decreased, while that of Acidobacteria increased; slight changes occurred at the phylum level from S2 to S3. Although metagenomics analyses disclosed a trend toward bacterial communities before contamination with vegetation recovery, non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis unveiled a new trajectory deviating from the native state. Recovery of the bacterial community may have been hindered, as indicated by lower bacterial diversity in S3 compared to S0 due to a significant loss of bacterial taxa and recruitment of fewer colonizers. The results indicate that dioxins significantly altered the soil microbiomes into a state of disorder with a deviating trajectory in restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Vietnam, "Sam Bo Chinh" [ Abelmoschus sagittifolius (Kurz.) Merr., Malvaceae] market has rapidly expanded following the COVID-19 pandemic due to its health benefits. Since the 19th century, its root has been utilized in Traditional Vietnamese Medicine with properties similar to fresh Ginseng , particularly for treating fatigue, neurasthenia, sore throat, and stomach ache. Similar applications of its root are documented in Traditional Chinese Medicine, but leaf and fruit are also employed for detoxification, phlegm expulsion, liver softening, and kidney nourishment. However, further evidence is required to assess its medicinal value and explore additional avenues for development. Articles were searched on PubMed, CNKI, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and VISTA using the four commonly used synonyms as keywords. Duplications and articles on other species were then screened out. Related books, articles, and websites were also discussed. The species has unique characteristics that are distinctive from other Malvaceae species. Traditional Vietnamese and Chinese medicine practitioners describe similar properties of A. sagittifolius root as qi and yin tonifying material. Various traditional Vietnamese formulas and Chinese patents illustrate the values of the root, leaf, or fruit to treat digestive, respiratory, neuropsychological, and genitourinary disorders. Pharmacological research and phytochemical profiles also highlight the ability of A. sagittifolius root to be an adjuvant treatment for post-COVID-19 symptoms with gastric protection, stamina enhancement, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities, and simultaneously, they suggest more potential such as neuroprotection, immunomodulatory and anti-hypertention. Moreover, cultivating and processing techniques are simple. So, A. sagittifolius production can be industrialized and developed into medicines or functional foods. However, the plant is not used in other countries and is not well-studied, so a more rigorous assessment of its phytochemical and pharmacological properties is needed. Its leaf and fruit also have different uses and can be developed and more medicinal potential. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fern species Tectaria fuscipes and morphologically similar species, which are common in tropical and subtropical mainland Asia, constitute a taxonomically confusing group. To better understand species boundaries and relationships within the T. fuscipes group, we conducted phylogenetic analyses of five plastid regions and morphological observations of herbarium specimens and living plants. As a result, we produced a generally well-resolved phylogeny of the T. fuscipes group and related species in Asia. The phylogenetic analyses supported the monophyly of the T. fuscipes group, which includes T. dissecta, T. fuscipes, T. ingens, T. paradoxa, T. setulosa, T. subfuscipes, T. subsageniacea and a new species, but excludes T. kusukusensis. However, T. fuscipes, T. subfuscipes and T. subsageniacea are almost indistinguishable in morphology, which form a complex characterised by the black linear-lanceolate stipe scales. The new species found in southern China and Vietnam is described here as T. fungii. It is similar to the T. fuscipes complex and T. kusukusensis, but differs from the former mainly by its brown-castaneous lanceolate stipe scales and from the latter by having nearly hairless laminae (versus frond axes abaxially bearing copious hairs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gymnosphaera represents a minor lineage within the scaly tree‐fern family Cyatheaceae. Tropical and subtropical mainland Asia is a main distribution area of Gymnosphaera. However, the species diversity of Gymnosphaera is currently incompletely known in mainland Asia due to lacking critical revision. Here we present new findings of species diversity and their relationships to mainland Asian Gymnosphaera based on field surveys, the examination of herbarium collections, and phylogenetic analyses of sequences of multiple chloroplast and nuclear regions. Two new species, G. saxicola from southwestern Yunnan and G. bachmaensis from central Vietnam, are established. Traditionally recognized G. podophylla is revealed to be a complex, from which G. bonii is reinstated as a distinct species. Our phylogenetic analyses identified four clades within Gymnosphaera in mainland Asia: G. denticulata clade, G. gigantea clade, G. podophylla clade, and G. salletii clade. The new species G. saxicola, which is special for its saxicolous habitat, was resolved as sister to G. austroyunnanensis in the G. salletii clade. The newly discovered G. bachmaensis, which is characterized specially by the spathulate frond, was positioned in the G. podophylla clade, being sister to G. bonii. The mountainous region from south‐central Vietnam northwards to western Yunnan is a diverse center of Gymnosphaera and more species of this group are probably to be discovered there. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates a novel hybrid model that employs Henry's gas solubility optimization algorithm to search for adaptive weights of a deep neural network for a landslide susceptibility application. The model is trained using 13 features from a case study site in Viet Nam, including topographically derived data, satellite-derived indexes, physical and climatic information. The training and validating process terminated with the Root mean square error = 0.3898, Mean absolute error = 0.3115, Area under Receiving characteristic curves = 0.862, and Overall accuracy = 0.7831. The results show that the proposed model outperforms other methods, and it was used to map the susceptible level of the entire study area. Therefore, this model can be used as an alternative method for similar landslide studies and other natural hazard analyses, given input data availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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We analyzed 2 clusters of 12 patients in Vietnam with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection during January-February 2020. Analysis indicated virus transmission from a traveler from China. One asymptomatic patient demonstrated virus shedding, indicating potential virus transmission in the absence of clinical signs and symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Between 2016 and 2019, 265 cases of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection were reported in Vietnam, predominantly in southern Vietnam. In 2016, a case of ZIKV-associated microcephaly was confirmed in the Central Highlands, and several members of the infant's family were confirmed to be infected with ZIKV. The study aims to determine the level of immunity to ZIKV in the general population of the ZIKV epidemic region.Methods: A total of 879 serum samples were collected from 801 participants between January 2017 and July 2018, during and after the ZIKV epidemic in Vietnam. The samples were tested for anti-ZIKV immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG), and anti-dengue virus (DENV) IgG antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Plaque-reduction neutralization test (PRNT) for ZIKV was performed on all samples, and for DENV on the samples that ZIKV neutralizing antibody positive.Results: A total of 83 (10.3%) participants had anti-ZIKV IgM. Of the 83, 6 were confirmed to be ZIKV antibodies positive using PRNT and anti-ZIKV IgG ELISA. Of the 718 participants who were anti-ZIKV IgM negative, a further 3 cases were confirmed as positive for antibodies against ZIKV. Of the 9 participants with ZIKV infection, 5 lived in the same village as the infant with ZIKV-associated microcephaly and the other 4 lived in 2 neighboring communes. Repeat samples were collected from the 83 ZIKV IgM positive participants 1.5 years after the first collection. No new cases of ZIKV infection were detected. In addition, 2 of 3 participants with anti-ZIKV NS1 IgG demonstrated a 4- to 8-fold increase in ZIKV neutralizing antibody titer.Conclusions: ZIKV was present in the area around Krong Buk, with the rate of ZIKV-specific antibodies was 1.1% in the community since at least 2016. While the low levels of circulation together with low seroprevalence suggests a limited outbreak in the region, the results also reflect on low levels of protective immunity to Zika within the population. These results provide a better understanding of the current ZIKV epidemic status in the region and demonstrate a need for implementation of more effective ZIKV infection control measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The monotypic genus Leifia was previously considered to be a later synonym of Odonticium. With the morphological and phylogenetic evidence provided by an additional four East Asian specimens, we propose to reinstate Leifia as an independent genus in Hymenochaetales. Leifia morphologically differs from Odonticium by its grandinioid hymenophore with hyphal strands, numerous thick-walled cystidia with an invaginated apical end and narrowly and thick-walled basidia. The phylogeny generated from the current data set of ITS and 28S regions indicates that Leifia forms a sister clade to Odonticium. Besides the generic type Leifia flabelliradiata in the Leifia clade, two specimens, collected from Hubei, Central China, are newly introduced as Leifia brevispora. This new species is the second species of Leifia and differs from the generic type by its shorter basidiospores and distribution in warm-temperate to subtropical areas in East Asia. The additional two specimens, collected from Da Lat, Viet Nam, differ morphologically, both from each other and from known species of Leifia, but more samples need to be examined before further taxonomic decisions can be made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the economic renovation, Vietnamese higher education (HE) system has prioritised to expand student quantity, but left student equality unaddressed. While Vietnamese HE's scale rapidly expanses, its education quality raises concerns. University graduates are criticised as underequipped with soft skills, which are indispensable in the contemporary workplaces. This study investigated student inequalities on gender, family socioeconomic status (SES), and university experiences in Vietnamese HE. More importantly, how these inequalities influenced student leadership efficacy, a critical soft skill much sought-after by employers. Empirical data analysed in the study showed that female Vietnamese university students came from more diverse SES families and perceived lower leadership efficacy than their male counterparts. Regarding university experiences to leadership efficacy, not all curricular engagements were beneficial; involvements in co-curricular activities predominated by the opposite gender were particularly beneficial. These results may be attributed to the traditional culture and specific HE context in Vietnam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scurrula chingii (W.C. Cheng) H.S. Kiu is a stem hemiparasite of the genus Scurrula in the family Loranthaceae distributed in southwest China and northern Vietnam. Here, we report and characterize the complete plastid genome sequence of S. chingii to provide genomic resources useful for the phylogenetic studies of Santalales. The plastome of S. chingii is 122,764 bp in length, consisted of a large single-copy region (70,726 bp), a small single-copy region (6,091 bp), and a pair of inverted repeat regions (22,974 bp). The GC content of the whole plastome is 37.2%. It contains 109 genes, including 69 CDS (protein-coding genes), eight rRNAs, and 32 tRNAs. The alignment of 14 species complete chloroplast genomes of Loranthaceae was implemented and a phylogenetic tree was constructed using maximum-likelihood (ML) method, which revealed that S. chingii clustered with Scurrula parasitica and Taxillus thibetensis as a monophyletic group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of maternal nutritional supplementation (MNS) in conjunction with a breastfeeding support program on birth outcomes and breastfeeding performance.Methods: A total of 228 singleton Vietnamese mothers aged 20-35 years at 26-29 weeks of gestation with pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) < 25.0 kg/m2 were randomized to the intervention (n = 114), receiving MNS (252 kcal/day) daily up to 12 weeks postpartum and four breastfeeding education and support sessions or to the control (n = 114), receiving standards of care.Results: The intervention was 2.09 times more likely to exclusively breastfeed over the 12 weeks than the control (95%CI: 1.05-4.13, p = .0358), after controlling for potential confounders. Infant's breast milk intake was significantly higher in the intervention than the control among mothers with baseline mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) < 50th (p = .0251). Infants in the intervention had significantly higher birth weight (p = .0312), birth weight-for-age (p = .0141) and birth head circumference-for-age (p = .0487), and higher head circumference-for-age z-score (p = .0183) development over the postnatal period, compared with the control.Conclusions: Use of MNS and breastfeeding support improve birth outcomes and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rate in Vietnamese mothers. Additionally, it promotes breast milk production among mothers with lower baseline MUAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is an empirical exploration of whether internal marketing activities can positively influence self-initiated expatriate’s (SIE’s) work-role adjustment and knowledge sharing. Leader–member exchange is considered in developing a moderated-mediation model. Using data collected from 140 SIEs in Vietnam, the findings support the mediation model and specifically indicate that internal marketing activities can increase the degree of work-role adjustment which, in turn, influences SIEs’ knowledge-sharing. However, moderated-mediation analyses fail to support the role played by leaders in the implication of internal marketing activities. This model is intended to present an agenda for future research. Some theoretical and practical implications are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the global effort against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), developing countries with middle to low income are still burdened by them. Vietnam has been undergoing substantial economic growth and urbanization, but underprivileged people living in rural and suburban areas are still having little access to public health infrastructure and proper sanitation. Hitherto, limited information is available for seroprevalence and risk factors of several parasitic diseases in Vietnam. Methods: A retrospective study was performed on diagnostic results of Fasciola spp., Toxocara spp., Strongyloides stercoralis and Taenia solium IgG ELISA tests from Medic Medical Center Laboratory, Ho Chi Minh City in 2012. The data were first stratified before statistical analyses were performed. Seroprevalence of fascioliasis, toxocariasis, strongyloidiasis and cysticercosis was determined and the age and gender risk factors were evaluated. Results: Seroprevalence of fascioliasis, toxocariasis, strongyloidiasis and cysticercosis was 5.9 % (590/10,084; 95 % CI: 5.44–6.36), 45.2 % (34,995/77,356; 95 % CI: 44.85–45.55), 7.4 % (3,174/42,920; 95 % CI: 7.15–7.65) and 4.9 % (713/14,601; 95 % CI: 4.55–5.25), respectively. Co-exposure to multiple parasites was detected in 890 males (45.7 %; 95 % CI: 43.49–47.91) and 1,059 females (54.3 %; 95 % CI: 52.09–56.51). Social structure and differences in behavioural factors caused the gender factor to have a significant effect on the prevalence of all the diseases, while the seropositivity for fascioliasis and strongyloidiasis were age group-related. Conclusions: The seroprevalence of fascioliasis, toxocariasis, strongyloidiasis and cysticercosis in the blood samples diagnosed in Medic Medical Center Laboratory, Ho Chi Minh City, in year 2012 were comparatively high. The Vietnamese customs and cultures, dietary habits and agricultural practices exposed them to high risk of contracting NTDs. Despite the possibility of false positive results due to antigenic cross-reactions, detection of IgG antibodies remains as a reliable method in sero-epidemiological study as it is non-invasive and demonstrates previous exposure of individuals to the parasites. Besides the implementation of strategies to control these diseases, epidemiological analysis and surveillance of diseases should also be continually strengthened to monitor the effectiveness of regimens and interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study primarily centered on determining the impact of leadership style effectiveness of managers and department heads to employees’ job satisfaction and performance on selected small-scale businesses in Cavite, Philippines. It utilized the descriptive research design and survey questionnaires as its research instrument which were floated to 150 employees randomly selected for the purpose of this study. The questionnaires contained the leadership interaction characteristics of the managers and the department heads to his/her employees or subordinates in relation to its impact to the job satisfaction and performance of these employees. All the questionnaires were retrieved and the responses were analyzed with the use of percentages. Findings of the study revealed that the leadership style prevalent is the participative leadership, the impact of the leadership style on employees’ job satisfaction is satisfactory as well as increased productivity in terms of performance. Statistical analysis using correlation and multiple regression, the results revealed that, leadership styles significantly impacts both job satisfaction and performance. Based on these findings, the author concluded that the company should continuously utilized and sustain the participative leadership style which will promote employees’ productive performance and satisfactory level of job satisfaction although there is always room for improvement. However, the author has recognized that further studies shall be conducted to further investigate the effect of leadership style in another setting and contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vietnam Robusta Coffee was roasted at different roasting degree and roasting Vietnam Robusta Coffee was roasted at different roasting degree and roasting temperature and 9 element concentrations (K, Mg, Ca, Na, Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn and Pb) of roasted coffee were analyzed by Flame atomic absorption method (FAAS) in this study. The results showed that the concentrations were ranged in 1447.97 ~ 1342.10 (mg/100g), 768.22 ~ 1259.44 (μg/g),10.35 ~ 13.15 (μg/g), and 17.38 ~ 20.97 (μg/g) for element of K, Ca, Cu and Mn in green and roasted coffee beans, respectively. All determined elements were the smallest value in green coffee, then increased with increasing roasting level and reached the highest value in Spain roast (roasting temperature of 250°C). Mg concentration ranged in 682.70 ~ 3647.73 (μg/g); Fe concentration ranged in 37.20 ~ 53.44 (μg/g); Zn concentration ranged in 5.97 ~ 6.89 (μg/g) and Pb concentration ranged in 2.18 ~ 15.04 (μg/100g). Concentrations of all determined elements didn't change with the increased roasting process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goal alignment among members of a project team is important so that individual team members can work towards common project outcomes. This study aims to identify effective goal alignment practices to improve construction project outcomes in Vietnam. With the aid of a survey questionnaire, 31 sets of data were collected from practitioners in Vietnam's construction industry. The overall results show that although there is significant schedule overrun, projects in Vietnam are generally completed within budget. These projects also have significantly good quality and client satisfaction. It was found that schedule performance may improve if buyers and sellers have high degree of alignment in project objectives, and have shared goals that are adjustable. The finding shows project quality may improve if sellers communicate problems relating to quality to buyers, and there is proper documentation of project objectives. Effective communication of problems pertaining to delivery and quality may lead to better client satisfaction. It is recommended that project team members share, align and adjust their goals and objectives in order to achieve a better schedule outcome. It is also recommended that consultants and contractors make adjustments and customize their products to derive higher quality and client satisfaction. Clients should also be fair in sharing project benefits and assessing claims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Southern rice black-streaked dwarf virus (SRBSDV) threatens rice production in China and Vietnam. The virus is vectored by the migrating white-backed planthopper (WBPH, Sogatella furcifera) in a circulative, propagative, and persistent manner. A persistently-transmitted plant virus might affect its vector's development and fecundity directly by infecting the vector itself and/or indirectly altering the host plant. This study evaluated the direct and indirect effects of SRBSDV on WBPH performance to better understand the virus-vector-host plant relationship in terms of its effects on the biological parameters of the vector. Methods: Three experimental WBPH populations were established. Viruliferous and non-viruliferous populations were fed on SRBSDV-infected rice seedlings for 48 h as first-instar nymphs; infection status was confirmed by RT-PCR after they died. The control population was fed on healthy rice. Each insect was individually transferred to a healthy rice plant grown in a glass tube at 20°C, 25°C, or 28°C. Life parameters, including nymphal duration, survival rate, adult sex ratio, macropterous proportion, longevity, and oviposition amounts, of each population were measured at each temperature. Results: The life parameter data indicated that SRBSDV and infected rice plants adversely influenced WBPH; the effects were temperature dependent. Compared with the control population, viruliferous populations showed significant changes, including prolonged nymphal stages and reduced survival rates at 20°C, while the non-viruliferous population had higher survival rates at 20°C and lower rates at 28°C compared with the control. Both populations had significantly shorter adult life spans at 25°C and lower oviposition amounts at 28°C relative to the control. Conclusions: Both SRBSDV-infection and feeding on infected rice plants affected vector performance. Although a longer nymphal period benefits viral acquisition and transmission by nymphs and might increase rice infection rate, in general, SRBSDV infection of the vectors and host plants was unfavorable to WBPH population expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public owners and private contractors and consultants are expected to maintain arm’s length relationships with each other to avoid any accusation of corruption. In the context of public construction projects in Vietnam, this study examines: the relational contracting (RC) related behavioural patterns that lead to better interpersonal relations during the construction stage and at the end of the project among public project owners, and private contractors and consultants; and the extent to which better interpersonal relations affect project performance. Using a questionnaire survey, data were collected from public owners and private contractors and consultants in Vietnam. Correlation analysis shows that there exist several behavioural patterns that significantly affect interpersonal relations among project team members during the construction stage and at the end of the project, and the general harmony during the construction stage. It was also found that cost performance is significantly correlated with project harmony level. Schedule performance is significantly correlated with interpersonal relations between project team members during the construction stage, and at the end of the project. The findings indicate the important role that interpersonal relations play in project outcomes and vice versa. The behavioural patterns that are found to be significantly correlated with harmony during the construction stage and/or relationships among project team members suggest that concrete actions may be taken by owners, consultants and contractors to improve relationships, and thereby improve cost and schedule outcomes. It is recommended that owners, consultants and contractors adopt some of the behavioural patterns identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – A construction project typically involves many participants such as owners, consultants, contractors, subcontractors and suppliers. It is important for them to have harmonious relationships so that the project can be completed expeditiously. Trust is a critical factor to maintain harmonious relationships. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the ingredients to bring about trust in construction project teams in Vietnam. The specific objectives were to investigate the existence of personal trust, explore relationship between trust and project outcomes, and identify attributes that help to improve trust. Design/methodology/approach – This research employed questionnaire survey as the research method and collected data via face-to-face and e-mail interviews. The sample comprised randomly selected construction practitioners in Vietnam. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software. Findings – The results showed that trust exists between members of construction project team members in Vietnam. It was found that trust can leverage project quality and client satisfaction. In this regard, a number of factors were found to be significantly important to the development of trust. Research limitations/implications – The sample size was relatively small. Practical implications – When operating in Vietnam, practitioners should adopt a long-term mindset so as to develop trust. They should also select partners who have good reputations as these are more trustworthy. Originality/value – This study contributes to knowledge by showing that trust exists between individuals participating in construction projects in Vietnam and it leads to higher output quality and client satisfaction. Unique attributes to increase trust in Vietnam were also uncovered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recently in China, HCV 6a infection has shown a fast increase among patients and blood donors, possibly due to IDU linked transmission. Methodology/Findings: We recruited 210 drug users in Shanwei city, Guangdong province. Among them, HCV RNA was detected in 150 (71.4%), both E1 and NS5B genes were sequenced in 136, and 6a genotyped in 70. Of the 6a sequences, most were grouped into three clusters while 23% represent emerging strains. For coalescent analysis, additional 6a sequences were determined among 21 blood donors from Vietnam, 22 donors from 12 provinces of China, and 36 IDUs from Liuzhou City in Guangxi Province. Phylogeographic analyses indicated that Vietnam could be the origin of 6a in China. The Guangxi Province, which borders Vietnam, could be the first region to accept 6a for circulation. Migration from Yunnan, which also borders Vietnam, might be equally important, but it was only detected among IDUs in limited regions. From Guangxi, 6a could have further spread to Guangdong, Yunnan, Hainan, and Hubei provinces. However, evidence showed that only in Guangdong has 6a become a local epidemic, making Guangdong the second source region to disseminate 6a to the other 12 provinces. With a rate of 2.737 × 10-3 (95% CI: 1.792 × 10-3 to 3.745 × 10-3), a Bayesian Skyline Plot was portrayed. It revealed an exponential 6a growth during 1994-1998, while before and after 1994-1998 slow 6a growths were maintained. Concurrently, 1994-1998 corresponded to a period when contaminated blood transfusion was common, which caused many people being infected with HIV and HCV, until the Chinese government outlawed the use of paid blood donations in 1998. Conclusions/Significance: With an origin from Vietnam, 6a has become a local epidemic in Guangdong Province, where an increasing prevalence has subsequently led to 6a spread to many other regions of China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The PoSen complex, located closely adjacent to the southwestern margin of the Red River shear zone represents the uplifted basement of north Vietnam and may record the motion of the shear zone. However, its thermochronological history has not been fully examined yet. Here we applied U–Pb and 40Ar/39Ar dating methods to reveal its thermochronological history. U–Pb analysis of composite zircon grains by TIMS yielded an average age of 760±25Ma, clustering on the concordia line. Twelve SHRIMP U–Pb analyses also yielded a consistent result of 751±7Ma. Along with the geochemical features, the U–Pb dating results suggest the PoSen complex was a late Proterozoic magmatic complex, which could correspond to the Chengjiang orogeny, a widespread thermal event in southwest China. Results of 40Ar/39Ar dating of micas and K-feldspars were in the range of 36–30Ma, revealing a rapid cooling and exhumation history of the PoSen complex during the late Paleogene. The time span of cooling and exhumation of the PoSen complex is slightly older than the main cooling phases of the Ailao Shan–Red River (ASRR) metamorphic massifs (28–17Ma), but is synchronous with the early igneous activity stage in the eastern Indo-Asian collision zone of southeast China and north Vietnam. Owing to the ongoing debate about the initiation and offset of the ASRR shear zone, the tectonic force for the late Paleogene cooling of the PoSen complex is still inconclusive. The rapid exhumation of the PoSen complex could be in response to either the detachment of the Neo-Tethyan slab or a transpressional phase of continental subduction along the ASRR shear system in the eastern Indo-Asian collision zone. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study employs threshold error-correction model with bivariate Glosten-Jagannathan-Runkle-generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity model to examine the relationship between the Vietnam stock market and its major trading partners, the United States, Japan, Singapore and China. The results indicate that the Vietnam stock market and return risks are influenced by Japan and Singapore stock markets. We also find that the volatility of stock market in Vietnam and its trading countries have an asymmetrical effect. These findings could be valuable to individual investors and financial institutions holding long-run investment portfolios in the Vietnam stock market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the demand for built products from foreign investors and the growing economy, Vietnam’s construction industry experiences strong growth. While some of the construction projects are successfully executed, others faced difficulties. The aim of this study is to examine the factors that lead to successful outcomes in construction projects in Vietnam. Using the case study research design, three successful projects and another three unsuccessful projects were investigated. Data were collected from face-to-face interviews with several project participants in each project and archival data. The results show that major enablers that lead to project success are foreign experts’ involvement in the project, government officials inspecting the project, and very close supervision when new construction techniques are employed. A factor which leads to poor performance is the lack of accurate data on soil, weather, and traffic conditions. The findings may be useful to construction professionals operating in Vietnam to put in place factors that can lead to good project performance. For foreign practitioners entering Vietnam’s market, the study may assist them in focusing on the more important factors to achieve good project outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research is to investigate the political, economic, and legal (PEL) risks faced by foreign firms when undertaking construction projects in Vietnam. The specific objectives are to investigate the types of PEL risks faced and the risk response techniques adopted. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire with open ended questions. The data collection method was in-depth face to face interviews with 18 experts from France, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, and the United States who have managed construction projects in Vietnam. The major risks faced include corruption, termination of public projects, bureaucratic administrative system to obtain permits and approvals, changing and inconsistent regulations, inadequate legal framework, fluctuation of exchange, and interest and inflation rates. Ways to respond to these risks are recommended by the experts. Foreign firms undertaking construction projects in Vietnam may make use of these findings to identify their PEL risks and determine the appropriate risk response measures to give their projects a higher chance of success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After Vietnam became a member of the World Trade Organization, Vietnamese architectural, engineering, and construction (A/E/C) firms face competition from not only their domestic competitors but also from foreign A/E/C firms. As most Vietnamese firms are used to operating under a protected setting, they may face difficulties competing in the globalized environment. This study undertakes a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis of Vietnamese A/E/C firms, investigates how they respond to opportunities and threats, and recommends how foreign A/E/C firms operating in Vietnam could respond. Using semistructured interview questions, face-to-face interviews were conducted with Vietnamese and foreign A/E/C firms. The SWOT analysis reveals that Vietnamese A/E/C firms are lagging behind foreign firms in financial capacity, experience in complex projects, knowledge in advanced design and construction technology, and management ability. Industry practitioners from outside Vietnam who are contemplating entering the Vietnamese market can leverage on Vietnamese firms’ strengths by forming joint ventures with strong and reputable private Vietnamese firms. To improve their competitive advantage, it is recommended that foreign A/E/C firms offer superior products and services and familiarize themselves with local culture and regulations. They should be mindful of corruption and set up surveillance systems to curb wasteful spending. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Indochina block is located at the junction of four major plates. It has a close relationship with the uplift of Tibet plateau and the sea-floor spreading of the South China Sea in the geological evolution histories. We deployed a temporary broadband seismograph array in Vietnam from February 2000 to October 2005, and measured shear-wave splitting of core-refracted phases to investigate the upper mantle anisotropy beneath the Indochina block and adjacent regions. The observed delay times of up to 1.5s are large, indicating a mantle source for the anisotropy. Two distinct regimes of seismic anisotropy are revealed. The fast polarization directions in the northern Indochina block with a main trend of N100°E are almost consistent with the direction of both the surface displacement and the absolute plate motion. These observations suggest the anisotropy is possibly generated by the present-day asthenospheric flow caused by the India–Eurasia collision. The fast polarization directions in the southern Indochina block and the Hainan island are nearly N60°E. The anisotropy in this area may reflect a combination of the India–Eurasia collision and the past orogenies in the lithosphere, or an abrupt variation in the asthenospheric flow. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A collection of 515 rice landraces originating from Vietnam and China were screened for the reaction to brown planthopper (BPH) infestation. Most of the resistant landraces were indica types from Vietnam and the Guangxi province in China. An F2 mapping population was created from the cross between a BPH resistant Vietnamese landrace Yagyaw and the susceptible cultivar Cpslo17. Four quantitative trait loci (QTL) contributing to BPH resistance were mapped on chromosomes 2, 4, 7 and 9, respectively. The individual QTL accounted 5.64% to 12.77% of the phenotypic variance, and three resistant alleles were harbored in the resistant landrace Yagyaw. Two QTL located on chromosomes 2 and 4 were identified with significant additive effects and are useful in breeding new rice inbred lines. One resistant allele was harbored by the susceptible parent Cpslo17. This gene is important in selecting rice inbred lines with stronger resistances to BPH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Explores the vulnerability of Vietnamese women to sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Effects of gender role and perception on the interpretation of women on STD; Association of STD with sexual promiscuity; Biological consequences of STD.