The Ca Mau Peninsula situated in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam, features a low-lying terrain. Over recent years, the region has encountered the adverse impacts of climate change, leading to both land subsidence and rising sea levels. In this study, we assessed the land subsidence susceptibility in the Ca Mau peninsula utilizing three Boosting machine learning models: AdaBoost, Gradient Boosting, and Extremely Gradient Boosting (XGB). Eight key factors were identified as the most influential in land subsidence within Ca Mau: land cover (LULC), Groundwater levels, distance to roads, Digital Terrain Model (DTM), normalized vegetation index (NDVI), geology, soil composition, and proximity to rivers and streams. A dataset comprising 1950 subsidence sample points was employed for the model, with 1910 points obtained from the PSInSAR Radar method, and the remaining points derived from leveling measurements. The sample points were split, with 70% allocated to the training set and 30% to the testing set. Following computation and execution, the three models underwent evaluation for accuracy using statistical metrics such as the ROC curve, Area under the curve (AUC), Specificity, Sensitivity, and Overall Accuracy. The research findings revealed that the XGB model exhibited the highest accuracy, achieving an AUC above 0.9 for both the training and test sets. Consequently, XGB was chosen to construct a land subsidence susceptibility map for the Ca Mau peninsula.

Livestock farming is a major source of greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions. In this study, we estimate methane, nitrous oxide and ammonia emission from livestock sector in the Red River Delta region from 2000 to 2015 and projection to 2030 using IPCC 2006 methodologies with the integration of local emission factors and provincial statistic livestock database. Methane, nitrous oxide and ammonia emissions in 2030 are estimated at 132 kt, 8.3 kt and 34.2 kt, respectively. Total global warming potential is 9.7 MtCO_2eq in 2030, accounts for 33% greenhouse gas emissions from livestock in Vietnam. Pig farming is responsible for half of both greenhouse gases and ammonia emissions in the studied region. Other major livestock for greenhouse gas emission is cattle and for ammonia emission is poultry. Hanoi contributes for the largest emissions in the region in 2015 but will be caught up and surpassed by other provinces in 2030.

Microstructured surfaces are renowned for their unique properties, such as waterproofing and low adhesion, making them highly applicable in the biomedical field. These surfaces play a crucial role in influencing cell response by mimicking the native microenvironment of biological tissues. In this study, we engineered a series of biomimetic micropatterned surfaces using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to explore their effects on primary breast cancer cell lines, contrasting these effects with those observed on conventional flat surfaces. The surface topography was varied to direct cells’ attachment, growth, and morphology. Our findings elucidate that surface-free energy is not merely a background factor but plays a decisive role in cell dynamics, strongly correlating with the spreading behaviour of breast cancer cells. Notably, on micropillar surfaces with high surface-free energy, an increase in the population of cancer cells was observed. Conversely, surfaces characterised by lower surface-free energies noted a reduction in cell viability. Moreover, the structural parameters, such as the gaps and diameters of the pillars, were found to critically influence cellular dispersion and adherence, underscoring the importance of the microstructures’ topography in biomedical applications. These insights pave the way for designing advanced microstructured surfaces tailored to specific cellular responses, opening new avenues for targeted cancer therapies and tissue engineering.

The activated carbons (ACs) derived from okara powder waste with high surface areas were modified with ammonia aqueous solution impregnation in an autoclave to enhance their CO2 adsorption properties toward CO2. The impregnated ACs were characterized in which surface chemical composition and properties of the ACs were analyzed by SEM-EDS, FTIR. Activated carbons were functionalized with ammonia aqueous solution (25%) through a hydrothermal process within 24; 48, and 72 hours. The adsorption performance of CO2 onto carbon samples was experimentally evaluated through a breakthrough adsorption experimental setup at room temperature. FTIR spectra confirm the N-containing in N-modified activated carbons and the presence of the –C = O stretch and N-H groups. CO2 uptakes of N-modified activated carbons are 0.24; 1.47; and 1.20 mmol/g, which are relatively comparable with those of activated carbons studied in in the literature.

In this study, effects of molecular structure transformation of canna starch (CS) in oxidation condition on physicochemical characteristics of thermoplastic starch were examined. Thermoplastic starch (TPS) samples of CS and respective oxidized starch (in 1, 3 and 5% of sodium hypochlorite, w/w) were prepared by using an internal mixer with the presence of 30 wt% of glycerol as plasticizer. The physicochemical, morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties of native starch-based TPS (NTPS) and oxidized starch-based TPS (OTPS) samples were evaluated. The content of carboxyl and carbonyl groups in oxidized canna starch (OCS) increased with the increase in the content of oxidant, leading to an improvement in the plasticization of CS. FTIR spectra of OTPS samples showed the stronger interaction between oxidized starch and plasticizer. SEM images of fracture surface indicated that the morphology of OTPS samples were smoother than that of NTPS samples. XRD patterns confirmed that the crystallite type of starches was also clearly changed after extrusion process and the decrease in crystallinity of OTPS samples is attributed to effects of both oxidation and plasticization. DSC results indicated that Tg of OTPS was greatly influenced by the carbonyl and carboxyl content and the higher content of these groups in oxidized starched could help the plasticization becomes easier. The better plasticization in OTPS samples resulted in the better mechanical properties and thermal stability of OTPS. The outcome suggested that the use of oxidized starch is an effective method to improve the plasticization in preparing thermoplastic starch.

: The activated carbons (ACs) derived from okara powder waste with high surface areas were modified with ammonia aqueous solution impregnation in an autoclave to enhance their CO2 adsorption properties toward CO2. The impregnated ACs were characterized in which surface chemical composition and properties of the ACs were analyzed by SEM-EDX, FTIR. Activated carbons were functionalized with ammonia aqueous solution (25%) through a hydrothermal process within 24; 48, and 72 hours. The adsorption performance of CO2 onto carbon samples was experimentally evaluated through a TPD CO2 measurement. FTIR spectra confirm the N-containing in N-modified activated carbons and the presence of the –C = O stretch and N-H groups. CO2 uptakes of N-modified activated carbons are 0.24; 1.78; 2.24 and 1.26 mmol/g, which are relatively comparable with those of activated carbons studied in in the literature.

Reducing CO2 emissions is urgently needed to slow down the impacts of climate change. CO2 capture using an amine solution has been developed and implemented on pilot and commercial scales. However, amine scrubbing, in particular, produces a lot of degraded solvent as waste and is energy intensive. Solid sorbents have been called to overcome those drawbacks. In this work, waste biomass-derived carbon materials were developed and tested for CO2 capture and conversion. Advanced thermal chemical processes i.e. hydrothermal and pyrolysis were applied to produce materials from agri-food waste such as soybean and okara. It was found that the number of functional groups (-C=O and -OH) in activated carbon appears in the synthesized materials, implying the generation of surface oxygenated groups. Preliminary results showed that the synthesized activated carbons are obtained with good yields, and a relatively high surface area, which may be applied as CO2 adsorption materials to solve the CO2 emission problems.

Effective and rapid mixing is essential for various chemical and biological assays. The present work reports a simple and low-cost micromixer based on magnetofluidic actuation. The device takes advantage of magnetoconvective secondary flow, a bulk flow induced by an external magnetic field, for mixing. A paramagnetic stream of diluted ferrofluid and a non-magnetic stream are introduced to a straight microchannel. A permanent magnet placed next to the microchannel induced a non-uniform magnetic field. The magnetic field gradient and the mismatch in magnetic susceptibility between the two streams create a body force, which leads to rapid and efficient mixing. The micromixer reported here could achieve a high throughput and a high mixing efficiency of 90 % in a relatively short microchannel.

The science‐policy interface in climate change adaptation became better managed over the past decades. However, the scientists and other knowledge producers, as well as policy makers still need to take bolder steps to more effectively engage with others to apply science and shape up policies. This paper aims to provide practical recommendations, intended to promote conversations between science and policy sectors to address climate change issues. Here, I used two different approaches to synthesize experiences and identify recommendations: a literature review and a case study. The paper stress main findings: (1) The linear communication model is still commonly involved in the science - policy dialogue and proved to be useful to increase the relevance of science and data products to decision makers. (2) When a gap between knowledge producer and knowledge user or decision maker exists, the need for a third party to specialize in bridging the gap become essential. (3) Indigenous people and knowledge must be involved in adaptation policy making based on legitimation local and traditional knowledge, designing the consultation process to broadly engage local and indigenous people, facilitating meaningful dialogues between traditional knowledge and science, and developing initiatives to strengthen skills and capacity of indigenous communities.

This paper introduces an advanced method that integrates contingent valuation and machine learning (CVML) to estimate residents’ demand for reducing or mitigating environmental pollutions and climate change. To be precise, CVML is an innovative hybrid machine-learning model, and it can leverage a limited amount of survey data for prediction and data enrichment purposes. The model comprises of two interconnected modules: Module I, an unsupervised learning algorithm, and Module II, a supervised learning algorithm. Module I is responsible for grouping the data into groups based on common characteristics, thereby grouping the corresponding dependent variable, whereas Module II is in charge of demonstrating the ability to predict and the capacity to appropriately assign new samples to their respective category based on input attributes. Take a survey on the topic of air pollution in Hanoi in 2019 as an example, we found that CVML can predict households’ willingness– to– pay for polluted air mitigation at a high degree of accuracy (i.e., 98%). We found that CVML can help users reduce costs or save resources because it makes use of secondary data that is available on many open data sources. These findings suggest that CVML is a sound and practical method that could be widely applied in a wide range of fields, particularly environmental economics and sustainability science. In practice, CVML could be used to support decision-makers in improving the financial resources to maintain and/or further support many environmental programs in years to come.

At present, magnetic selection of genetically modified cells is mainly performed with surface markers naturally expressed by cells such as LNGFR, CD4 and H-2Kk. The disadvantage of such markers is the possibility of their undesired and poorly predictable expression by unmodified cells before or after cell manipulation, which makes it essential to develop new surface markers that would not have such a drawback. Earlier, modified CD52 surface protein variants with embedded HA and FLAG epitope tags (CD52/FLAG and CD52/HA) were developed by the group of Dr. Mazurov for selection of CRISPR-modified cells using FACS. In the current study, we tested whether these markers can be used for magnetic selection of transduced cells. For this purpose, appropriate constructs were created in MigR1-based bicistronic retroviral vectors containing EGFP and DsRedExpress2 as fluorescent reporters. Cytometric analysis of the transduced NIH 3T3 cell populations after magnetic selection evaluated the efficiency of isolation and purity of the obtained populations, as well as the change in the median fluorescence intensity (MFI). The results of this study demonstrate that the surface markers CD52/FLAG and CD52/HA can be effectively used for magnetic cell selection, and their efficiencies are comparable to that of the commonly used LNGFR marker. At the same time, the significant advantage of these markers is the absence of HA and FLAG epitope sequences in cellular proteins, which rules out spurious co-isolation of negative cells.

For consciousness to exist, an entity must have prerequisite characteristics and attributes to give rise to it. We explore these “building blocks” of consciousness in detail in this paper, which range from perceptive to computational to higher-order characteristics of an entity’s cognitive architecture. We show how each cognitive attribute is strictly necessary for the emergence of consciousness, and how the building blocks are collectively sufficient for any entity to be classified as being conscious. The list of building blocks is not limited to human or organic consciousness and may be used to classify artificial and organisational conscious entities. We further explore a list of attributes that seem intuitively necessary for consciousness, but on further investigation, are neither required nor sufficient. The building blocks do not represent a theory of consciousness but rather a meta-theory on the emergence and classification of consciousness.

This paper will present the torque control design of an AFPMSM, one stator, and one rotor, using an FLC and ANFIS in-wheels fed by a three-level T-type inverter. The Surgeon ambiguous inference file of the FLC controller is built by two input vectors, the stator current error and the derivative of the stator error. These input variables include five membership functions, Negative big (NB), Negative small (NS), Equal zero (ZE), Positive small (PS), and Positive big (PB). The FLC controller is implemented with a 5x5 matrix so that the output stator voltage of the controller is required. The ANFIS controller for the neural network-based feature set and the fuzzy system. The neural network develops the dataset on the stator current error (e) and error integral (∆e). Then, the generated dataset is fed to the fuzzy logic method, and the control rules are developed. This ANFIS controller is caused by the training and testing phases. Finally, the FLC and ANFIS torque controllers are compared with the PI controller. The correctness of the proposed control structured solution is demonstrated by the simulation results of MATLAB/SIMULINK.

AISI 1050 steel circular pocket milling under minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) surroundings including nozzle elevation angle, lubricant flow rate, air pressure and cutting speed was studied. The machined surface quality (Ra) was evaluated for Up-milling side and Down-milling side. In this study, to obtain an manifest explanation on the pivotal effective parameters of MQL surroundings and cutting speed on the machined surface quality (Ra) through analyzing Taguchi L9 (34-2) approach and ANOVA calculation to identify those parameters, by utilizing the experimental outcomes to interpret three-dimensional (3D) surface plots and the diagrams of Signal-to-Noise ratios and major impact plots of Mean. The obtained outcomes of optimal operating parameters indicated that the pivotal effective parameters of MQL surroundings are nozzle elevation angle and lubricant flow rate on the machined surface quality. Simultaneously, a quadratic mathematical paradigm generated by using response surface design (RSD) and desirableness function evaluation were utilized to forecast the optimal values of the machined surface quality compared to Taguchi method. The results unveiled that the optimal values of the machined surface quality are adjacent to experimental attained values. The machined surface quality has been significantly improved using MQL surroundings.

In this paper, modification of dual-Halbach permanent magnet (PM) array is investigated to improve performance of tubular linear machine, in terms of flux density and output power. Instead of a classical Halbach array with only radial and axial PMs, proposed model involves insertion of mig-magnets, which have magnetized angle shifted from the reference magnetized angles of axial and radial PMs. This structure leads to elimination of flux leakage and concentration of flux linkage in middle of the coil; therefore, the performance of machine is increased.

Gravity played an important role in the development of life on earth. The effect of gravity on a living organisms can be investigated by controlling the magnitude of gravity. Most reduced gravity experiments are conducted on the lower earth orbit (LEO) in the International Space Station (ISS). However, running experiments in ISS face challenges such as high cost, extreme condition, lack of direct accessibility, and long waiting period. Therefore, researchers have developed various ground-based devices and methods to perform reduced gravity experiments. However, the search for life outside the earth requires more intensive research. Advancements in conventional methods and the development of new tools are required for this purpose. The advantages of Lab-on-a-Chip (LOC) devices make them an attractive option for simulating microgravity. This paper briefly reviews the advancement of LOC technologies for simulating microgravity in a earth-based laboratory.

Objectives: To rate the effects of low molecular weight hyaluronic acid (LMWHA) solution and high concentration oxygen (HCO) through a specific medical device (Caress Flow©), compared to topical administration of hyaluronic acid (HA) alone on symptoms of mild and moderate stress and mixed urinary incontinence in women with genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). Methods: A total of 68 postmenopausal women were enrolled (from October 2021 to September 2023). Patients were separated in two groups: one group used therapy with LMWHA solution and HCO combined and the second group used therapy with HA alone. Patient Global Impres-sion of Improvement (PGI-I) as the first outcome was used. As secondary outcomes International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - short form (ICIQ-SF) questionnaire and Internation-al Quality of Life (IQoL) questionnaire were used. Results: Sixty-eight (68) women, 35 (51%) and 33 (49%), were treated with LMWHA solution and HCO combined and HA alone for 10 weeks, respectively. 28 (80%) versus 7 (20%) women reported an improvement (PGI-I score ≤3) of the symptoms in LMWHA solution and HCO com-bined group versus HA alone group. According to the ICIQ-SF, a statistically significant differ-ence was recorded after treatment between the two groups (median, 7 [5-11] vs 10 [8-11]; P = 0.03). According to the IQoL questionnaire, a statistically significantly lower median score was recorded in the LMWHA solution and HCO combined compared with the HA group, before (71 [IQR 55-81] vs 89 [IQR 67-94]; P < 0.01) and after (78 [IQR 65-86] vs 88 [IQR 72-99]; P = 0.04) treatment. Conclusions: LMWHA solution and HCO combined might improve the mild and moderate stress and mixed urinary incontinence in this set of women and that it is superior to HA therapy alone. However, these results need to be confirmed in further studies with a controlled design and a larger population.

This paper expressed three regression models that predict the lithium-ion battery life for electric cars based on a supervised machine-learning regression algorithm. The Linear Regression, Bagging Regressor, and Random Forest Regressor models will be compared for capacity prediction of lithium-ion batteries based on voltage-dependent per-cell modeling. When sufficient test data is available, three linear regression learning algorithms will train this model to give a promising battery capacity prediction result. The effectiveness of the three linear regression models will be demonstrated experimentally. The experiment table system is built with an NVIDIA Jetson Nano 4GB Developer Kit B01, a battery, an Arduino, and a voltage sensor. The Random Forest Regressor model has evaluated the model's accuracy based on the average of the square of the difference between the initial value and the predicted value in the data set (MSE (Mean Square Error)), and RMSE (Root Mean Squared Error) is smaller than the Linear Regression model, Bagging Regressor model (MSE is 516.332762; RMSE is= 22.722957). The Linear Regression model with MSE and RMSE is the biggest (MSE is 22060.500669; RMSE is= 148.527777). This result allows the Random Forest Regressor model to remain a helpful life prediction of lithium-ion batteries. Moreover, this result allows rapid identification of battery manufacturing processes and will enable users to decide to replace defective batteries when deterioration in battery performance and lifespan are identified.

Measuring Marginal Reflex Distance-1 (MRD-1) is a crucial clinical tool used to evaluate the position of the eyelid margin in relation to the cornea. Traditionally, this assessment has been conducted manually by plastic surgeons, ophthalmologists, or trained technicians. However, with the advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, there is a growing interest in the development of automated systems capable of accurately measuring MRD-1.In this context, we introduce novel MRD-1 measurement methods based on deep learning algorithms that can simultaneously capture images and compute the results. This prospective observational study involved 154 eyes of 77 patients aged over 18 years who visited Chungnam National University Hospital between September 1, 2023, and July 29, 2023. We collected four different MRD1 da-tasets from patients using three distinct measurement methods, each tailored to the individual patient. The mean MRD1 values, measured through the manual method using a penlight, the deep learning method, ImageJ analysis from RGB eye images, and ImageJ analysis from IR eye images in 56 eyes of 28 patients, were 2.64 ± 1.04 mm, 2.85 ± 1.07 mm, 2.78 ± 1.08 mm, and 3.07 ± 0.95 mm, respectively. Notably, the strongest agreement was observed between MRD1_deep learning (DL) and MRD1_IR (0.822, p < 0.01). In the Bland-Altman plot, the smallest difference was observed between MRD1_DL and MRD1_IR ImageJ, with a mean difference of 0.0611 and △LOA (limits of agreement) of 2.5162, which is the smallest among the other groups. In conclusion, this novel MRD1 measurement method, based on an IR camera and deep learning, demon-strates statistical significance and can be readily applied in clinical settings.

In April 2019, a team of Keio University and Bucknell University students was assembled to participate in Ericsson Innovation Awards with a novel concept for generating renewable energy. This conceptual system consists of a vertical axis wind turbine, a crossflow marine hydrokinetic turbine, a floating platform integrated with a quadcopter system, and three to four temporary mooring lines with ship-type anchors. The proposed designed aims to offer solutions to two current problems of floating offshore wind energy: high construction cost of floating platforms and difficulties in maintenance of mooring lines. The combination of two vertical-axis turbines into a single floating platform would enable the system, namely ESwift, to extract energy from both wind and current resources. Additionally, due to the utilization of vertical axis turbines, the center of gravity of the proposed concept is significantly lower with respect to water level, compared to that of existing floating horizontal axis wind turbines, which would potentially reduce the floater's size and construction cost. Lastly, the integrated quadcopter mechanism would assist the floater in terms of stability and mobility, and enables an array of ESwifts to automatically rearrange for maximal energy generation. The authors hope that readers would find the idea described in this open access letter worth pursuing and would further develop and commercialize the ESwift concept.

The accurate assessment of wound size is a critical step in advanced wound care management. This study aims to introduce and validate a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technique for measuring wound size. Twenty-eight wounds treated from December 2022 to April 2023 at the Chunganam National University Hospital were analyzed. All wounds were measured using three techniques; conventional ruler methods, the LiDAR technique, and ImageJ analysis. Correlation analysis, linear regression, and Bland-Altman plot analysis were conducted to validate the accuracy of the newly introduced method. The measurement results (Mean ± Standard deviation) obtained using the Ruler method, LiDAR technique, and ImageJ analysis were 112.99 ± 110.07 cm², 73.59 ± 72.97 cm², and 74.29 ± 72.15 cm², respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient was higher in the LiDAR application (0.995) than the conventional ruler methods (Mean difference; -5.0000 cm2), as was the degree of agreement (Mean difference; 38.6933 cm2). Wound size measurement using LiDAR is a simple and reliable method that allows practitioners to conveniently assess wounds with a flattened and irregular shape. However, non-flattened wounds cannot be assessed owing to the technical limitations of LiDAR.

The H7 subtype of avian influenza viruses (AIV) stands out among other AIV. The H7 viruses cir-culate in ducks, poultry, equine and have repeatedly caused outbreaks of disease in humans. In or-der to study the pathogenicity factors of H7N1 viruses, several variants were obtained, starting with laboratory strain, with a history of 12 passages through chicken embryos. This strain, A/chicken/Rostock/R0p/1934(H7N1) (R0p) had only 3 substitution in HA relatively A/Chicken/Rostock/45/34(H7N1), substitution Arg140Gly among them. 10 variants of this strain was obtained and studied to ascertain its biological property, genome stability and factors of patho-genicity. Strain R0p had decreased virulence for chicken, comparing with described in literature virulence of A/FPV Rostock/34 and A/chicken/Rostock/34 viruses. After 10 passages through the chicken lungs variant was obtained much more pathogenic than the starting R0p. The study of in-termediate passages through the chicken lungs showed that the jump in pathogenicity had occurred sharply between the fifth and sixth passage. By cloning these variants, a pair of strains (R5p and R6p) were obtained, and the complete genomes of these strains were sequenced. Single amino acid substitution was revealed, namely reversion Gly140Arg in HA1. This amino acid is located at the head part of the hemagglutinin, adjacent to the receptor-binding site. In addition to the increased pathogenicity for chicken and mice, R6p differs from R5p in the pattern of foci in cell culture and an increased affinity for a negatively charged receptor analogue, while maintaining a pattern of recep-tor binding specificity and the pH optimum of the HA conformational change.

This paper presents experimental results of static and dynamic obstacle avoidance methods for a two-wheel mobile robot with independent control using a deep Q-learning (DQL) reinforcement learning algorithm. This is an alternative method that combines the Q-learning (QL) algorithm with a neural network. Neural networks in the DQL algorithm act as Q matrix table approximators for each pair (State - Action). The effectiveness of the proposed solution was verified through simulations, programming, and experimentation. This DQL algorithm is compared to the QL algorithm. First, the mobile robot communicated with the control script using the robot operating system (ROS). The mobile robot is code programmed using a Python in the ROS operating system combined with the DQL controller in Gazebo software. The mobile robot then performed experiments in a workshop with many different experimental scenarios. This DQL controller is improved in term of the computation time, convergence time, planning trajectory accuracy, and obstacles avoidance. Therefore, the DQL controller solved the path optimization problems for mobile robots better than the Q-learning controller.

Paper-based analytical devices have been substantially developed in recent decades. Many fabrication techniques for paper-based analytical devices have been demonstrated and reported. Herein we report a relatively rapid, simple, and inexpensive method for fabricating paper-based analytical devices using parafilm hot pressing. We studied and optimized the effect of the key fabrication parameters, namely pressure, temperature, and pressing time. We discerned the optimal conditions, including pressure of 3.8 MPa (3 tons), temperature of 80oC, and 3 minutes of pressing time, with the smallest hydrophobic barrier size (821 µm) being governed by laminate mask and parafilm dispersal from pressure and heat. Physical and biochemical properties were evaluated to substantiate the paper functionality for analytical devices. Wicking speed in the fabricated paper strips was slightly slower than that of non-processed paper, resulting from reducing paper pore size. A colorimetric immunological assay was performed to demonstrate the protein binding capacity of the paper-based device after exposure to pressure and heat from the fabrication. Moreover, mixing in two-dimensional paper-based device and flowing in a three-dimensional counterpart were thoroughly investigated, demonstrating that the paper device from this fabrication process is potentially applicable as analytical devices for biomolecule detection. Fast, easy, and inexpensive parafilm hot press fabrication presents an opportunity for researchers to develop paper-based analytical devices in resource-limited environments.

Land-use planning plays an important role in agricultural development, however it lacks tools to support planner in proposing land-use planning solutions especially, under saltwater intrusion condition in the coastal regions. This study aims to apply optimization in analyzing land-use solutions for agricultural land-use planning. In which a multi-objective optimization model is developed to optimize land-use area including land-use allocation taking into account socio-economic and environmental factors. The model has been applied in three districts of Soc Trang province, Vietnam (Long Phu, My Xuyen and Tran De) representing three ecological regions including salt water, brackish water and freshwater in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. The results showed that two multi-objective optimization scenarios (in terms of profit, labor, environment benefits and risk reduction) have been implemented: (i) Multi-objective optimization of agricultural land-use until 2030 under normal conditions; (ii) Optimizing agricultural land-use until 2030 under climate change conditions similar to the 2016 drought and saltwater intrusion phenomenon in the Mekong Delta. The results showed that the second scenario is the option considered for implementing land-use plan thanks to the balance between good profits and minimizing economic and environmental risk. The land allocation was carried out taking into account household economic, the influence of adjacent production types, local traffic and canal systems factors to allocate optimal land-use areas. The combination of land-use optimization and spatial allocation process can help planners improve the quality of agricultural land-use planning.

Apigenin (API) possesses excellent antitumor properties, but its limited water solubility and low bioavailability restrict its therapeutic impact. Thus, a suitable delivery systems is needed to overcome these limitations and improve the therapeutic efficiency. Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) is a copolymer extensively utilized in drug delivery. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a major extracellular matrix and can specifically bind with CD44 on colon cancer cells. Chitosan (CS) can serve as an intermediate binding with HA and PLGA. Herein, we aimed to perpare receptor-selective HA-coated PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) for colon cancer with high expression of CD44. Firstly, API was encapsulated in PLGA to obtain PLGA-API-NPs, which were then sequentially combined with CS and HA to form HA-coated PLGA NPs. HA coated PLGA NPs had a stronger sustained-release capability. Cellular uptake of HA coated PLGA NPs was enhanced in HT-29 cells with high expression of CD44. HA-PLGA-DiR-NPs can target specificity towards the HT-29 ectopic tumor model. Overall, HA coated PLGA NPs was an effectively drug deliver platform for API in treatment of colon cancer with high expression of CD44.

The H7 subtype of avian influenza viruses (AIV) stands out among other AIV. H7 viruses circulate in ducks, poultry, equine and have repeatedly caused outbreaks of disease in humans. In order to study the pathogenicity factors of H7N1 viruses, several laboratory variants of the A/FPV/Rostock/34 (H7N1) strain were obtained by passages in the chicken lungs. After 10 such passages, a variant was obtained that differed from the parent virus by amino acid substitutions Val109Phe in PB2, Gln621Lys in PB1, Thr32Ala and Leu586Phe in PA Gly140Arg in HA1 and Ala101Thr in HA2 (numbering by H3), Ser82Arg in M2, Arg118Lys and Met124Arg in NS1. No differences were found in proteins NA, NP, M1 and NS2. The resulting variant was hundreds of times more pathogenic for chickens than the original laboratory variant of the virus. The study of intermediate passages showed that the jump in pathogenicity occurs sharply between the fifth and sixth passage through the chicken lungs. By cloning these variants, a pair of strains (R5p and R6p) were obtained, and the complete genomes of these strains were sequenced. Single amino acid substitution was revealed, namely Gly140Arg in HA1. It is important to emphasize that this substitution is a reversion, since Arg is located in position 140 HA1 of original the A/FPV/Rostock/34 (H7N1) virus (GenBank). This amino acid is located at the head part of the hemagglutinin, adjacent to the receptor-binding site. In addition to the increased pathogenicity, R6p differs from R5p by an increased affinity for a negatively charged receptor analogue, an increased affinity for MDCK cells, while maintaining a receptor specificity profile.

Background: There has been evidence that metabolic syndrome (MetS) may increase the risk of frailty. However, there is limited evidence on this association in Asian populations. Aims: This study aims to identify the association between MetS and frailty in older people in Vietnam. Methods: This is a cross-sectional analysis of a dataset obtained from an observational study on frailty and sarcopenia in patients aged ≥60 at a geriatric hospital in Vietnam. Frailty was defined by the frailty phenotype. Participants were defined as having MetS if they had ≥3 out of 5 criteria from the definition of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adults Treatment Panel (ATP) III. Multiple logistic regression models were performed to estimate the risk of having frailty in patients with MetS. Results: There were 669 participants (mean age 71, 60.2% female), 62.3% had MetS and 39.0% was frail. The prevalence of frailty was 42.2% in participants with MetS, 33.7% in participants without MetS (p=0.029). On logistic regression models, MetS was associated with increased likelihood of being frail (adjusted OR 1.52, 95%CI 1.01-2.28), allowing for age, sex, education, nutritional status, history of hospitalisation and chronic diseases. Conclusion: There was a significant association between MetS and frailty in this population. Further longitudinal studies are required to confirm this association.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a prevalent medical condition with high morbidity, mortality, and associated cost. Anticoagulation remains the main treatment for VTE, though the decision on when, how, and for how long to administer anticoagulants is increasingly complex. This review highlights the different phases of VTE management, special circumstances for consideration such as antiphospholipid syndrome, coronary artery disease, cancer associated thrombus and COVID, and future anticoagulation options. Anticoagulation management will continue to be a complex decision, applying evidence-based medicine to individual patients with the hope to maximize effectiveness while minimizing risks.

This study examined the relationships between attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intention through the perceived value of Pilates participants. The participants of this study were 301 Pilates students using Pilates studios located in Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongbuk Province. The participants were selected by convenient sampling, a non-probability sampling method. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling analysis using SPSS 22.0 and AMOS 24.0. The results can be summarized as follows. First, among the three subfactors of perceived value, functional and social values had a positive effect on attitude. Second, attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control, which are three main components of the Theory of Planned Behavior, had a positive effect on the behavioral intention for Pilates. These results suggest that Pilates instructors require meticulous planning and efforts to develop an environment for promoting spontaneous interest and participation to attract students and engage their attention and interest in the field.

Human Pose Estimation (HPE) is a technique in computer vision and AI for detecting and tracking human body parts and poses from images or videos. Widely used in augmented reality, animation, fitness applications, and surveillance, HPE methods using monocular cameras are highly versatile due to their applicability in standard video and CCTV footage. These methods have evolved from 2D to 3D pose estimation. However, current 3D HPE methods trained on laboratory-based motion capture data encounter challenges such as limited training data, depth perception ambiguity, left/right switching, and issues with occlusions when applied in real-world environments. This study compares two representative 3D HPE methods by assessing their strengths and weaknesses with real-world videos. Then, we propose data processing techniques to eliminate and correct anomalies like left/right inversion and false detections of joint positions in daily life motions. Finally, we obtain joint angle trajectories using an optimization method based on a 3D humanoid simulator, taking as input the joint coordinate data corrected by applying the proposed human joint data processing technique. The efficacy of the proposed 3D HPE method is verified by applying it to three-dimensional freehand gymnastics exercises and comparing the joint angle trajectories during the motion.

Background: Little information exists regarding the differences in the clinical and laboratory characteristics of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) according to age. Objective: To evaluate the clinical and laboratory characteristics of KFD according to age. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated patients diagnosed with KFD at Pusan National University Hospital between 2010 and 2020. Results: Eighty patients (46 children and 34 adults) with a mean age of 21.5 ± 11.8 years (range, 3–49 years) were included in the study. Among children, the male sex ratio was higher, in adults, the female sex ratio was higher. Fever, tenderness in the lymph node, and skin rashes were more common in children, while myalgia and weight loss were more common in adults. In children, the recurrence rate was significantly higher among boys than among girls (15.8% vs 0.0%, P=0.001). EBV and ANA positivity rates were higher in boys than in girls. In adults, the recurrence rate was significantly higher in women than in men (18.2% vs 0.0%, P=0.005). ANA positivity rates were higher in women than in men. Conclusion: The clinical features, laboratory findings, and recurrence of KFD may differ depending on age and sex. Clinicians should be aware of this.

The purpose of this study was to identify subgroups of quality of life (QOL) changes in breast cancer survivors (BCS) and to determine factors associated with subgroups of consistently low or deteriorated QOL. We enrolled 101 women recently diagnosed with breast cancer in South Korea and asked them to complete a questionnaire at baseline (within 1 month of diagnosis), 1 year later (Year 1), 2 years later (Year 2), and 3 years later (Year 3). We assessed QOL using the global QOL subscale from the EORTC QLQ-C30. We defined low QOL as a global QOL score 10 points below the mean score of the general population. Based on low QOL as defined in this study, we identified subgroups of QOL changes over 3 years. We identified four subgroups of QOL changes: improved (47.4%), stable (30%), continuously low (8.8%), and deteriorated (13.8%) and considered the last two categories (22.6%) as poor QOL. Logistic regression analyses demonstrated that significant determinants of poor QOL were insomnia at Year 1, fatigue and anxiety at Year 2, and fatigue, depression, and comorbidity at Year 3. In conclusion, persistent symptoms of insomnia, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and comorbidity are potential risk factors for poor QOL in BCS.

Developing low-cost and stable materials for converting solar energy into electricity is vital in meeting the world's energy demand. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have gained attention for solar cells due to their natural porous architectures and tunable chemical structures. This review commences with an exploration of the synthetic methods of MOFs. Moreover, we discuss the various roles of MOFs, including photoanodes and counter electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells and interfacial layers and charge carriers in perovskite solar cells. Ultimately, burdensome tasks and possible directions for advancing MOFs-based nanomaterials are provided for solar cells.

In this work, alkylammonium-functionalized hollow mesoporous silica as nonocarrier of drugs was synthesized to realize enhanced cancer therapy by pH stimuli for sustained drug release. First, functionalized hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles (Hollow MSNs) were synthesized using dodecyl dimethyl(3-sulfopropyl)ammonium hydroxide (DDAPS), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and triethanolamine as structure-directing agents, and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and N-trimethoxysilypropyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride (TMAPS) as silica sources under basic condition via the sol-gel process. The structure and morphology of the alkylammonium-functionalized hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles (Hollow MSN-N+CH3) were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), N2 adsorption-desorption analysis, and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The functionalized hollow MSNs had a particle size of about 450 nm and a shell thickness of about 60 nm with uniform size. The nanoparticle had a surface area of 408 m2g-1, pore volume of 0.8 cm3g-1 and a uniform pore diameter of 45.9 Å. In the cancer cell viability test with MCF-7 cell, fludarabine-incorporated and alkylammonium-functionalized hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles (Flu/Hollow MSN-N+CH3) showed excellent cancer cell death comparable with pure fludarabine drug with the controlled drug release by pH stimuli. It is considered that our current materials have the potential applicability as pH-responsive nanocarriers in the field of cancer therapy.

Enhancing the effectiveness of search and rescue operation at sea is always a duty of utmost importance of the coastal states. The search area for distressed objects can be determined by using Monte Carlo simulation, combined with the Median-Filter. Once the search area has been identified, the success of search and rescue operations depends on the sweeping ability of search and rescue vessel at the probability area of the distress object with the minimum time. This is the important element to the success of the search and rescue operation as it minimizes the risk and cost for Search and rescue team. In this article, the authors study and propose the use of Bacterial Foraging Optimization Algorithm (BFOA) to calculate the optimal search and co-ordination route for many search and rescue vessels in Vietnam sea. The simulation results show that it is quite consistent with reality and BFOA can be effectively applied to determine a quick search.

Medical institutions, where several patients are treated and medical workers engaged, are always exposed to secondary viral and bacterial infections. It is critical to prevent infection transmission by indirect as well as direct contact through air or splash. The infections of most diseases can be transmitted through the air. HEPA filters installed in air conditioning equipment are used to prevent infection transmission through air in medical institutions, but air circulation takes a long time in a large space. Virus and bacteria smaller than 0.3 μm cannot be removed by the HEPA filter; hence, those microbes remain alive throughout the air ventilation. A plasma sterilizer has the capability to provide environmental friendly sterilization by employing reactive oxide species and reactive nitrogen species at a low cost. We developed an excellent plasma sterilizer by using a non-thermal atmospheric-pressure biocompatible plasma (NBP). Ozone concentration in plasma sources has been derived by Kuhn et al. [1]. The diffusion coefficients inside (D₀) and outside (D₁) the plasma sterilizer have been calculated to be 0.0641 m² s^-1 and 0.717 m² s^-1, respectively. To sustain high O₃ concentrations over 121 ppm inside the plasma source and low O₃ concentrations below 0.05 ppm outside the sterilizer, it is necessary to keep O₃ concentrations at the exit of plasma sterilizer below 0.28 ppm. so that diffusion coefficient D₁ has been designed to be as large as 11 times of D₀.

Due to advances in power electronics technology and the evolution of automation devices, the number of electrical devices that are sensitive to power quality is rapidly increasing, and for this reason, users are increasing their demand for high quality. To meet power quality demands, many power conversion devices are used, including dynamic voltage restorers (DVRs). DVRs are rec-ognized as devices that can effectively manage problems such as voltage segment, swells, and harmonics. DVR control requires many samples for harmonic compensation, which has the dis-advantage of being complicated to implement due to fast digital signal processing computation and the application of the cyclic discrete Fourier transform. In this paper, a high-precision DVR system configuration is proposed that compensates for harmonics using a periodically equivalent time-interval sampling technique and a novel circular structured memory filter. The proposed circular structured multi-pointer memory filter is an effective filter algorithm for high-precision input voltage measurement because it can remove noise and compensate for the delay of the phase angle of the filter in voltage measurement. A simulation and DVR prototype system was built, and the feasibility and effectiveness of the phase angle multi-filter voltage detection method and the compensation method were verified by experiments.

This study presents structural analysis and optimization for the lightweight design of a buoyant rotor-type permanent magnet (BRPM) generator, which was first presented in Bang (2010), and compares its structural performances to a conventional generator with a spoke arm-type rotor and stator. The main benefit of a BRPM is that it can be realized as a bearing-less drive system, free from the mechanical failure of rotor bearings, by using a buoyant rotor. Also, the deformation of a generator by blade vibration can be effectively suppressed using joint couplings between the blades and the rotor. For the design optimization, the objective is set as the mass of the rotor and the stator, and the maximum deformation of the airgap clearance between the rotor and the stator by external forces is constrained below 10% of the gap width. The commercial software Optistruct is used for the analysis and optimization. In this investigation, the analysis and optimization are conducted for a 10 MW wind turbine generator. However, the proposed methods can be extended to larger generator designs without requiring considerable modification. The mass of the opti-mized 10MW BRPM generator is 160.7 tons (19.3 tons for the rotor and 141.4 tons for the stator) while that of an optimized conventional spoke arm-type generator is obtained as 325.6 tons.

The study examines the behavior of the Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) wall using available reinforcement materials in Danang, Vietnam. The MSE was reinforced by the self-fabricated galvanized steel grids using CB300V steel with 3 cm ribs. The backfill soil is a sandy clay soil from the local area with a low cohesion. A full-scale model with full instrumentation was installed to investigate the distribution of tensile forces along the reinforcement layers. The highest load that caused the wall to collapse due to internal instability (reinforcement rupture) was 302 kN/m2, which is 15 times the design load of 20 kN/m2. The failure surface within the reinforced soil had a parabolic sliding shape which is similar to the theoretical studies. At the failure load level, the maximum lateral displacement at the top of the wall facing was small (3.9 mm) which is significantly lower than the allowable displacements for the retaining wall. Furthermore, a numerical model using FLAC software was applied to simulate the performance of the MSE wall. The modeling results are in good agreement with the physical model. Thus, the self-fabricated galvanized steel grids could be confidentially used in combination with the local backfill soil for the MSE walls.

The selectin of a demand forecasting method is critical for companies aiming to avoid manufacturing overproduction or shortages in pursuit of sustainable development. Various qualitative and quantitative criteria with different weights must be considered during the evaluation of a forecasting method. The qualitative criteria and criteria weights are usually assessed in linguistic terms. Aggregating these various criteria and linguistic weights for evaluating and selecting demand forecasting methods in sustainable manufacturing is a major challenge. This paper proposes an extension of fuzzy Elimination and Choice Translating Reality (ELECTRE) I to resolve this problem. In the proposed method, fuzzy weighted ratings are defuzzified with the signed distance to develop a crisp ELECTRE I model. Moreover, an extension to ELECTRE I is developed by suggesting an extended modified discordance matrix and a closeness coefficient for ranking alternatives. The proposed extension can overcome the problem of information loss which can lead to incorrect ranking result when using the Hadamard product to combine concordance and modified discordance matrices. A comparison is conducted to show the advantage of the proposed extension. Finally, a numerical example is used to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method; furthermore, a numerical comparison is made to display the advantage of the proposed method.

It is unavoidable that the characteristics of the robot system alter inexactly or cannot be correctly determined during movement and are impacted by external disturbances. There are many adaptive control methods, such as sliding control or neural control, to improve the quality of trajectory tracking for robot motion systems. Still, those methods require a large amount of computation related to solving the problem of constrained nonlinear optimization problem. The article presents some techniques for determining an intelligent controller's online learning function parameters, including two circuits: the inner circuit is a state feedback linearized controller, and the outer course is an Interactive learning controller and does not use the robot's mathematical mode with function parameters online optimal learning and intelligent online learning closely following the joint model to stabilize the robot system. Finally, the 2-DOF planar robot simulation is performed on Matlab software R2022b. The findings indicate that outstanding tracking performance is achievable.

Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungus that becomes pathogenic and problematic under certain biological conditions. C.albicans may cause painful and uncomfortable symptoms, as well as deaths in immunocompromised patients. Therefore, early detection of c.albicans is essential. However, conventional detection methods are costly, slow and inaccessible to women in remote or developing areas. To address these concerns, we have developed a wearable and discrete naked-eye detectable, colorimetric platform for c.albicans detection. With some modification, this platform is designed to be directly adhered to existing feminine hygiene pads. Our platform is rapid, inexpensive, user-friendly, disposable and only requires three steps: i) addition of vaginal fluid onto sample pads; ii) addition of gold nanoparticle gel and running buffer, and iii) naked eye detection. Our platform is underpinned by selective thiolated aptamer-based recognition of 1,3-β-D glucan molecules- a hallmark of c.albicans cell walls. In the absence of c.albicans, wearable sample pads turn bright pink. In the presence of c. albicans, the wearable pads turn dark blue due to significant nanoparticle target-induced aggregation. We demonstrate naked eye colorimetric detection of 4.4 ×106 c.albicans cells per ml. We believe that this proof-of-concept platform has the potential to have a significant impact on women’s health, globally.

This study investigated the effects of icon familiarity on visual search performance. An equal number of familiar and unfamiliar icons were selected as background icons. These background icons were randomly arranged, and a visual search experiment was conducted to locate the target icon. The results showed no significant difference in the time required to find the target icon, regardless of whether the target icon was familiar or unfamiliar. This finding contrasts with previous studies that have suggested a positive effect of target icon familiarity on visual search performance, indicating that the influence of target icon familiarity may not always be consistent and could depend on the characteristics of the background icons. However, when background icons were grouped based on their familiarity, the time taken to locate the target icon was significantly reduced compared to when the icons were randomly arranged. To understand the underlying mechanism of this effect, participants' gaze fixation times were observed. The results revealed that participants spent more time fixating on areas where the target icon was located, rather than on areas without the target icon, suggesting a more efficient visual search process. Moreover, the shorter the visual search time, the higher the proportion of time spent fixating on the area containing the target icon. Additionally, this study examined the contrast ratio between the color of the background space and the dominant color of the target icon, comparing it with the visual search time. The findings indicated that as the contrast ratio increased, the visual search time decreased.

Bioethanol has been considered as an excellent alternative to fossil fuels since it importantly contributes to the reduced consumption of the crude oil and to the alleviation of environmental pollution [1]. Up to now, the baker yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the most common eukaryotic microorganism used in ethanol production. The inability of S. cerevisiae to grow on pentoses, however, hinders its effective growth on plant biomass hydrolysates, which contain large amounts of C5 and C12 sugars. The industrial-scale bioprocessing requires high temperature bioreactors, diverse carbon sources, and the high titer production of volatile compounds [2]. These criteria indicate that the search for alternative microbes possessing useful traits that meet the required standards of bioethanol production is necessary. Compared to other yeasts, Kluyveromyces marxianus has several advantages over the others, e.g. it could grow on a broad spectrum of substrates (C5, C6 and C12 sugars) [3], tolerate to high temperature, toxin [4,5] and a wide range of pH values [6], and produce volatile short-chain ester [2]. K. marxianus also shows a high ethanol production rate at high temperature and is a Crabtree-negative species [7]. These attributes make K. marxianus a promise as an industrial host for the biosynthesis of biofuels and other valuable chemicals.

Dermal interstitial fluid (ISF) is a novel source of biomarkers that can be considered as an alternative to blood sampling for disease diagnosis and treatment. Nevertheless, in vivo extraction and analysis of ISF are challenging. On the other hand, microneedle (MN) technology can address most of the challenges associated with dermal ISF extraction and is well-suited for long-term, continuous ISF monitoring as well as in situ detection. In this review, we first briefly summarise the different dermal ISF collection methods and compare them with MN methods. Next, we elaborate on the design considerations and biocompatibility of MNs. Subsequently, the fabrication technologies of various MNs used for dermal ISF extraction, including solid MNs, hollow MNs, porous MNs and hydrogel MNs, are thoroughly explained. In addition, different sensing mechanisms of ISF detection will be discussed in detail. Subsequently, we identify the challenges and propose the possible solutions associated with ISF extraction. A detailed investigation is provided for the transport and sampling mechanism of ISF in vivo. Also, the current in vitro skin model integrated with the MN arrays will be discussed. Finally, future directions to develop a point-of-care (POC) device to sample ISF are proposed.

Droughts have a substantial effect on water resources, agriculture, and ecosystems on a worldwide scale. In the Mekong Delta of Vietnam, droughts exacerbated by climate change are significantly endangering the region's agricultural sustainability and output. Conventional forecasting techniques frequently do not capture the intricate dynamics of meteorological phenomena associated to drought effectively, prompting the exploration of more advanced methodologies. This work utilises artificial intelligence, par-ticularly machine learning methods like Gradient Boosting and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), to enhance drought pre-diction in the Mekong Delta. The study utilises data from 11 meteorological stations spanning from 1990 to 2022 to create and evaluate Machine Learning models based on several climatic factors. We utilise Gradient Boosting and XGBoost algorithms to estimate the Standardised Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) and evaluate their effectiveness in comparison to con-ventional forecasting techniques. The results show that Machine Learning, particularly XGBoost, surpasses traditional approaches in predicting SPEI accuracy at various time scales. XGBoost demonstrates skill in understanding the complex relationships between climatic factors, with R² values falling between 0.90 and 0.94 for 1-month forecasts. The progress highlights the potential of Machine Learning in improving drought management and adaptation tactics, proposing the incorporation of Machine Learning forecasting models into decision-making processes to enhance drought resistance in susceptible areas.

Financial bubble prediction has been a significant area of interest in empirical finance, garnering substantial attention in the literature. This study aimed to detect and forecast financial bubbles in the Vietnamese stock market from 2001 to 2021. The PSY procedure, which involves a right-tailed unit root test to identify the existence of financial bubbles, was employed to achieve this goal. Machine learning algorithms were then utilized to predict real-time financial bubble events. The results revealed the presence of financial bubbles in the Vietnamese stock market during 2006-2007 and 2017-2018. Additionally, the empirical evidence supported the superior performance of the Random Forest and Artificial Neural Network algorithms over traditional statistical methods in predicting financial bubbles in the Vietnamese stock market.

To solve the problem of energy constraint and spectrum scarcity for cognitive radio wireless sensor networks (CR-WSNs), an underlay decode-and-forward relaying scheme is considered, where the energy constrained secondary source and relay nodes are capable of harvesting energy from a multi-antenna power beacon (PB) and using that harvested energy to forward the source information to the destination. Based on the time switching receiver architecture, three relaying protocols, namely, hybrid partial relay selection (H-PRS), conventional opportunistic relay selection (C-ORS), and best opportunistic relay selection (B-ORS) protocols are considered to enhance the end-to-end performance under the joint impact of maximal interference constraint and transceiver hardware impairments. For performance evaluation and comparison, we derive exact and asymptotic closed-form expressions of outage probability (OP) and throughput (TP) to provide significant insights into the impact of our proposed protocols on the system performance over Rayleigh fading channel. Finally, simulation results validate the theoretical results.

Evans' Syndrome (ES) is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by the simultaneous occurrence of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). Thrombotic complications in ES patients are uncommon, particularly involving Buerger's Disease (BD). We report a case of a 49-year-old male with ES and a history of diabetes and heavy smoking, presenting with a necrotic wound on his right great toe. Diagnostic evaluations revealed severe stenosis and thrombosis in the lower limb arteries, diagnosed as BD. The patient underwent successful popliteal-tibioperoneal artery bypass surgery and subsequent disarticulation and revision of the distal phalanx, followed by the application of an acellular dermal matrix (ADM) to promote healing. Post-surgery, the patient showed significant improvement in blood flow and complete epithelialization without complications. This case highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in managing complex wounds in ES patients, suggesting potential treatment pathways for future cases involving BD

The objective of this study is to design and synthesize substituted η6-chromium tricarbonyl metal complexes carrying o-carborane units as potential boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) agents. In this study, 1,2-Diphenyl-o-carborane units were used as starting materials to generate biologically active species. We investigated how the structural changes of 1,2-diphenyl-o-carborane substituted with chromium(0) tricarbonyl affect the biological properties; [(CO)3Cr]Ph2C2 (2) and [(CO)3Cr]2Ph2C2 (3) species were produced in moderate yields. The molecular structures of compounds 1–3 were identified and established by infrared (IR), 1H, 11B, and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and X-ray crystallography analyses. Crystal structures of o-carboranyl chromium complexes 1 [a = 10.859(1) Å, b = 24.953(3) Å, c = 13.938(2) Å, β = 111.854(2)º], 2 [a = 10.621(3) Å, b = 17.056(5) Å, c = 12.174(4) Å, β = 106.622(5)º], and 3 [a = 17.540(2) Å, b = 18.060(2) Å, c = 19.484(4) Å, α = 105.746(2)º, β = 110.226(2)º, γ = 91.256(2)º] were obtained. In vitro study using B16 and CT26 cancer cells containing the triphenyl-o-carboranyl chromium (0) complexes Ph3C2BCr2 and Ph3C2BCr3, which we have previously reported, the compounds 2 and 3 accumulated at higher levels than compounds Ph3C2BCr2 and Ph3C2BCr3. However, the phenylated o-carboranyl chromium(0) complexes have been found to be more cytotoxic than p-boronophenylalanine (BPA).

In the context of video background-foreground separation, we propose a compressive online Robust Principal Component Analysis (RPCA) with optical flow that separates recursively a sequence of video frames into foreground (sparse) and background (low-rank) components. This separation method can process per video frame from a small set of measurements, in contrast to conventional batch-based RPCA, which processes the full data. The proposed method also leverages multiple prior information by incorporating previously separated background and foreground frames in an n-l₁ minimization problem. Moreover, optical flow is utilized to estimate motions between the previous foreground frames and then compensate the motions to achieve higher quality prior foregrounds for improving the separation. Our method is tested on several video sequences in different scenarios for online background-foreground separation given compressive measurements. The visual and quantitative results show that the proposed method outperforms other existing methods.

In this study, an optimized multi-material system was designed and developed to print samples in various applications, including biomedical fields (e.g., mandibular bone loss). To improve the mechanical and biological properties of scaffolds utilized for dental bone loss applications, a multi-material setup was devised, which employs digital light processing technology. This setup consists of a linear system comprising two resin vats and one ultrasonic cleaning tank, enabling the integration of diverse materials and structures to optimize the composition of the scaffold. This approach was used to print multi-material PLLA scaffolds containing 20 wt.%. HA on the interior side, and PLLA containing 1 wt.% GO on the exterior surface of the scaffold, which were evaluated mechanically and biologically after printing. The scaffold was designed using a triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) lattice structure, which is known to possess favorable mechanical and biological properties. Various multi-material samples were successfully printed and evaluated to illustrate the multiple-material setup's potential for ensuring proper function, cleaning, and adequate interface bonding. By numerically evaluating several TMPS structures, a novel Gyroid TPMS scaffold with a nominal porosity of 50% was developed and validated experimentally. The biological properties of the scaffolds were also evaluated, including surface morphology, (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) MTT assay, and cell adhesion. Based on the results, multi-material components with the least contaminations with suitable mechanical and biological properties were successfully printed. By combining PLLA-HA and PLLA-GO, this innovative technique holds tremendous potential for enhancing the effectiveness of regenerative procedures in the field of dentistry.

Modern agriculture demands for comprehensive information about the plant itself. Conventional chemistry-based analytical methods - due to their low throughput and high associated cost - are no longer capable of providing these data. In recent years, remote reflectance-based characterization has developed as one of the most promising solutions for rapid assessments for plant attributes. However, in many cases, expensive equipment is required because accurate quantifications need assessment of the full reflectance spectrum. We examined the versatility of visible colour sensors as reflectance measuring devices for biological / biochemical quantifications on sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum). Our results indicate for the wide potential of spectral colour sensors for quantitative determination of leaf phenolic compounds, flavonoids in particular, and non-invasive plant phenotyping in agricultural applications by low-cost sensors.

The combined use of lasmiditan and triptan is unexplored in medical literature. This study aimed to investigate whether the intake of lasmiditan following triptan improves migraine pain. Following triptan intake, if headache relief was less than 50% at 1 hour, patients took 50 mg lasmiditan within 2 hours of migraine onset. Patients recorded headache intensity and adverse events(AEs) caused by lasmiditan at 1, 2, and 4 hours after intake of additional 50 mg of lasmiditan. A significant reduction in pain scale was observed post 50 mg lasmiditan intake (p &lt; 0.001, t-test). Pain relief was reported for 32 migraine attacks (80%) at 1 hour after additional lasmiditan intake. Although AEs were observed in 63% of the patients who took an additional lasmiditan, most were mild and resolved 1 hour after lasmiditan intake. Our study revealed the significant headache reliefs provided by an additional lasmiditan for patients who did not achieve satisfactory results following initial triptan intake for treating migraine. The AEs associated with this treatment strategy were mild and lasted for a short term. This study suggested that the combination of triptan and lasmiditan is promising for the treatment of migraine and should be studied in a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Surface acoustic wave (SAW) is effective for the manipulation of fluids and particles in microscale. The current approach of integrating interdigitated transducers (IDTs) for SAW generation into microfluidic channels involves complex and laborious microfabrication steps. These steps often require the full access to clean room facilities and hours to align the transducers to the precise location. This work presents an affordable and innovative method for fabricating SAW-based microfluidic devices without the need of clean room facilities and alignment. The IDTs and microfluidic channels are fabricated in the same process and thus precisely self-aligned in accordance with the device design. With the use of the developed fabrication approach, a few types of different SAW-based microfluidic devices have been fabricated and demonstrated for particle separation and active droplet generation.

Genus Clematis is one of the largest within Ranunculaceae. Here we report the chloroplast genome of two Clematis species, C. brachyura and C. trichotoma endemic to Korea. The chloroplast genome lengths of C. brachyura and C. trichotoma are 159,532 bp and 159,170 bp, respectively. Gene contents in the complete chloroplast genomes of these two Clematis species are identical to that of most Ranunculaceae and other angiosperms. However, our data results demonstrated that genus Clematis has inversion and rearrangement events concerning gene rps4 gene, rps16 to trnH region, and trnL to ndhC region, and IR regions expansion. Comparison of IR regions among Ranunculaceae species revealed that Clematis species contained six protein coding genes (infA, rps8, rpl14, rpl16, rps3, and rpl22) usually found in the long single copy (LSC) region of other species. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that genus Clematis is closely related to genus Ranunculus. Differences in repeat structure, substitution rates, and IR expansion in genera Clematis and Ranunculus, explained their relationship. Clematis species showed slightly higher tandem repeats content than Ranunculus species. The six protein-coding genes showed lower synonymous substitution rates in the IR of Clematis species than in the LSC of Ranunculus species. Overall, the chloroplast genomes and results presented here provide important information on the evolution of Ranunculaceae.

Mangrove ecosystems play an important role in local livelihoods in coastal regions of tropical and subtropical countries. However, in recent years urbanisation has changed the income structure of residents near mangroves. Different landscapes provide different job opportunities; thus, analysis of regional landscape patterns is important for understanding income structures. In this study, surveys on the income structure and landscape patterns of the surrounding areas of three mangrove sites were conducted in the Hau and Hoang Mai River estuaries in Nghe An Province, North-Central Vietnam. The results revealed that both natural and socio-economic landscape components affected income structure. The major occupations in the study area were agriculture, including husbandry, sea fishing, and trading. Land morphology and river type were the major factors influencing the income from agriculture, while coastline morphology primarily affected income from sea fishing. Community-based trading was carried out in the study area; thus, the population inside each administrative unit was a significant factor increasing income, while the retail market size in an area had significant negative effects, potentially due to the increasing number of competitors. Our study aimed to evaluate mangrove ecosystem importance for local livelihoods in relation to landscape patterns, and the results contribute to urban planning based on the conservation and sustainable use of mangrove ecosystems.

Cisplatin-based chemotherapy has long been viewed as the first-line chemotherapy for advanced and metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC). However, many patients with UC have been classified as “cisplatin-ineligible patient”, which requires alternative chemotherapy due to their poor responses. In fact, vast majority of those who initially responded to cisplatin-based chemotherapy eventually progressed. Understanding of UC tumor immunology provided an immunopathogenic bases for immune checkpoint inhibitors, targeting PD-1 and CTLA-4, to treat cisplatin ineligible metastatic UC and patients with platinum-refractory metastatic UC. In 2020, data from the trail further showed that PD-L1 inhibitors benefit prolonged survival and progression-free survival as maintenance therapy. Besides immune-targeting therapies, manipulation of tumor microenvironment via metabolic pathways alternation, such as inhibiting tumor glycolysis, lactate accumulation and exogenous glutamine uptake, has been investigated in the past few years. In this comprehensive review, we started by introducing traditional chemotherapy of UC, and summarized current evidences supporting the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors and highlighted ongoing clinical trials. Lastly, we reviewed the tumor metabolic characteristic and the anti-tumor treatments targeting metabolic pathways.

This study examined the impact of Vibration-Assisted Drilling (VAD) on hole quality and residual stress in Ti-6Al-4V ELI material. Ti-6Al-4V ELI possesses excellent mechanical properties but presents challenges in machining, including chip evacuation, burr formation, and elevated cutting temperatures. VAD, particularly Low-Frequency Vibration-Assisted Drilling (LF-VAD), has been explored as a potential solution to address these issues. The research com-pares LF-VAD with conventional drilling (CD) under various cutting and cooling conditions. LF-VAD exhibits higher maximum cutting forces under specific conditions, which result in accel-erated tool wear. However, it also demonstrates lower RMS (Root Mean Square) forces com-pared to CD, offering better control over chip formation, reduced burr formation, and improved surface roughness within the hole. Furthermore, LF-VAD generates greater compressive residual stresses on the hole's inner surface compared to CD, suggesting enhanced fatigue performance. These findings indicate that LF-VAD holds promise for improving hole quality, fatigue life, and overall component durability in Ti-6Al-4V machining applications.

We investigated whether cigarette smoking and dietary acid load (DAL) are associated with the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in middle-aged healthy Korean men. Healthy men without diagnosed chronic disease (40-64 yrs) from the KNHANES-VI (2013–2015) included in the analysis (n=774) were subdivided by smoking status and DAL levels as estimated by the net endogenous acid production (NEAP) quartile. Current smokers tended to have a higher risk of COPD than non-smokers before and after the adjustment. When divided by the DAL quartile, the Q4 tended to have a higher risk of COPD than the Q1. Additionally, current smokers with lower (Q2), modest (Q3), and highest NEAP scores (Q4) showed more than 4-fold higher risks of COPD than the non-smokers with the lowest NEAP scores (Q1). Ex–smokers with higher NEAP scores (Q3 and Q4) showed more than 4-fold higher risks of COPD than the Q1. Interestingly, the risk of COPD was also more than 6-fold higher in non-smokers with the highest NEAP scores compared to the Q1. NEAP scores and smoking status synergistically increased the risk of COPD in middle-aged healthy Korean men. It suggests that DAL levels are an important factor for the prevention and management of COPD.

In this work, polyacrylic acid-functionalized MCM-41 was synthesized, which was further interacted with calcium ions, to realize enhanced pH-responsive nanocarrier for sustained drug release. First, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were prepared by the sol-gel method. Afterward, (3-trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (TMSPM) modified surface was prepared by using the post-grafting method, then polymerization of acrylic acid was proceeded. After adding calcium chloride solution, polyacrylic acid-functionalized MSNs with calcium-carboxyl ionic bonds in the polymeric layer, which can prevent the cargo from leaking out of the mesopore, were prepared. The structure and morphology of the modified nanoparticles (PAA-MSNs) were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and N2 adsorption-desorption analysis, etc. The controlled release of guest molecules was studied by using 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). The drug molecules-incorporated nanoparticles showed different releasing rates under different pH conditions. It is considered that our current materials have the potential as pH-responsive targeted nanocarriers in the field of medical treatment.

Face routing has been adopted in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) where topological changes occur frequently or maintaining full network information is difficult. For message forwarding in networks, a planar graph is used to prevent looping, and because long edges are removed by planarization and the resulting planar graph is composed of short edges, messages are forwarded along multiple nodes connected by them even though they can be forwarded directly. To solve this, face routing using information on all nodes within 2-hop range was adopted to forward messages directly to the farthest node within radio range. However, as the density of the nodes increases, network performance plunges because message transfer nodes receive and process increased node information. To deal with this problem, we propose a new face routing using the planar graphs of neighboring nodes to improve transfer efficiency. It forwards a message directly to the farthest neighbor and reduces loads and processing time by distributing network graph construction and planarization to the neighbors. It also decreases the amount of location information to be transmitted by sending information on the planar graph nodes rather than on all neighboring nodes. Simulation results show that it significantly improves transfer efficiency.

Alginate extraction is from seaweed, and lignin separation is from by-product corn (stalks and leaves). Alginate/lignin is a synthetic polymer rich in biological activity of great interest. Antioxidant activities of alginate/lignin were evaluated, such as total antioxidant activity, reducing power activity, DPPH free radical scavenging activity, and α – glucosidase inhibition activity. The test of anticancer activity was on four cell lines (Hep G2, fibroblast, MCF-7, and NCI H460). Determination of physical-chemistry characteristics of alginate/lignin was through FTIR, DSC, SEM_EDS, SEM_EDS mapping, XRD, XRF, and 1H-NMR. A study of acute toxicity of alginate/lignin was on Swiss albino mice. The results showed alginate/lignin possessed antioxidant activity such as total antioxidant activity, reducing power activity, especially, α – glucosidase inhibition activity, and no free radical scavenging activity. Alginate/lignin did not be typical in cancer cell lines. Alginate/lignin existed in a thermally stable regular spherical shape in the investigated thermal region. Some specific functional groups of alginate and lignin did not exist in alginate/lignin crystal. Elements such as C, O, Na, and S were popular in the alginate/lignin structure. LD0 and LD100 of alginate/lignin in mice were 3.91 g/kg and 9.77 g/kg, respectively. Alginate/lignin is the potential for application as pharmaceutical materials, functional foods, and supporting diabetes treatment.

Burn injuries have profound implications for aesthetics, functionality, and patient survival. Umbilical cord lining mesenchymal stem cells (SCL-MSCs) have emerged as a potential therapeutic approach for burn wounds due to their easy isolation, favorable differentiation capabilities, and low immunogenicity. This study aimed to evaluate the growth characteristics of SCL-MSCs and their effectiveness in treating burn wounds. Mechanical isolation was employed to extract mesenchymal stem cells from the umbilical cord lining membrane. The isolated cells underwent characterization, including analysis of HLA-E, G, and DR expression, and assessment of immunogenicity against rabbit antigens using ELISA. A rabbit model was utilized to administer burn treatment. SCL-MSCs exhibited typical morphology of mesenchymal stem cells and demonstrated robust proliferation. These cells expressed CD90, HLA-E, and HLA-G markers while lacking HLA-DR expression. Intact cells and supercrushed cell fluid displayed minimal and unstable immunogenicity. SCL-MSCs exhibited remarkable differentiation potential toward fibroblast lineages, with differentiated fibroblasts showing elevated collagen production and efficient sheet formation. In the experimental rabbit model, burn wounds covered with SCL-MSC tegaderm material plates exhibited superior healing compared to controls. The stem cell material plate area demonstrated reduced inflammatory cell counts (P &lt; 0.01) and increased fibroblast count, neovascularization, and mitotic index (P &lt; 0.01). These findings highlight the potential of SCL-MSCs as a valuable resource for burn wound research and treatment.

Public restrooms are often a hub of microbial contamination, and the examination of bacterial contamination in these facilities can serve as an important indicator of the transmission of infectious diseases. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of bacterial contamination in public restrooms based on the economic class of the building. Samples were collected from various spots in 32 restrooms found in 10 shopping malls, classifying them into two categories: upper-end restrooms and lower-end restrooms. The findings showed that the level of contamination was higher in the lower-end restrooms, with the seat being the most contaminated area. The most dominant Gram-positive bacteria were coagulase-negative staphylococci species, making up 86% of the identified Gram-positive isolates. The most dominant Gram-negative bacteria identified were Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The antibiotic sensitivity test results revealed the presence of multi-drug resistant bacteria among the Gram-positive and negative isolates, including Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Staphylococcus kloosi, Acinetobacter baumanii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In conclusion, the study underscores the significance of monitoring bacterial contamination in public restrooms and the need for measures to reduce the spread of infectious diseases. Further research is crucial to gain a complete understanding of the bacterial contamination in public restrooms and their resistance patterns, to ensure the safety and health of the public. The implementation of improved cleaning practices and hands-free designs in restrooms can help reduce the risk of cross-contamination and prevent the spread of diseases.

Depressive disorder is a disease that causes a decrease in daily function, and the prevalence of depressive disorder in Korea is the highest among OECD countries. However, due to lack of manpower and negative social awareness, timely treatment is not being performed properly. As a solution to this, AI counseling chatbots are emerging, and it is essential to use labeled datasets to create chatbots. Currently, many countries around the world, including Korea, use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition, DSM-5, but there are no nine labeled datasets according to the DSM-5 depression disorder diagnosis criteria. This study collects sympathetic datasets, analyzes morphemes using Kind Korean Morpheme Analyzer and augments and builds a word dictionary using Word2Vec. As a result, we have labeled the dataset with nine criteria for diagnosing DSM-5 depressive disorder, which will enhance the performance of the counseling chatbot.

Palpation is a simple but effective method to differentiate tumors from healthy tissues. Development of miniaturized tactile sensors embedded on endoscopic or robotic devices are the key toward precise palpation diagnosis and the subsequent timely treatment. This paper reports on the fabrication and characterization of a novel tactile sensor with mechanical flexibility and optical transparency that can be easily mounted on soft surgical endoscopes and robotics. Utilizing the pneumatic sensing mechanism, the sensor offers a high sensitivity of 1.25 mbar and negligible hysteresis, enabling the detection of phantom tissues with different stiffnesses ranging from 0 to 2.5 MPa. Our configuration combining pneumatic sensing and hydraulic actuating also eliminates electrical wiring from the functional elements located at the robot end-effector, thereby enhancing the system safety. The optical transparency path in the sensors together with its mechanical sensing capability open interesting possibility in early detection of solid tumor as well as in the development of all in-one soft surgical robots that can perform visual/mechanical feedback and optical therapy.

Flow sensing in hostile environment is of increasing interest for applications in automotive, aerospace, and chemical and resource industries. Compared to their counterparts, thermal flow sensors are attractive candidates due to the ease of fabrication, lack of moving parts and higher sensitivity. Recently, a number of thermal flow sensor prototypes have been reported in the literature demonstrating the measurement of fluid flows under hostile conditions. This paper summarizes the concept of thermal flow sensing, operational modes and transduction mechanisms. Then, the choice of materials and their corresponding properties are presented in details. The paper also reports recent progress in the development of thermal flow sensors for harsh environment. In addition, the issues and considerations in packaging are reviewed. Finally, we conclude the review with the future prospects.

Elastic properties of materials and their changes with temperature are important for their applications in engineering. A study on the influence of phase composition of AISI 4130 alloy on Young's modulus (Ed), shear modulus (Gd), and damping (Q-1) was carried out by Impulse Excitation Technique (IET). The material characterization was carried out using confocal microscopy, XRD, MET, HV, and dilatometry. A stable structure, composed of ferrite (BCC) and pearlite (α-Fe+Fe3C), was obtained by annealing. Metastable structure of martensite (BCT) was obtained by quenching. The Ed, Gd, and Q-1 were measured, varying the temperature from RT to 900 °C. The values of Ed and Gd, at RT, were determined as 201.5 and 79.2 GPa (annealed), and 190.13 and 76.5 GPa (quenched), respectively. In the annealed steel, the values Ed and Gd decrease linearly on heating up to 650 °C, with the thermal expansion. In the quenched steel, weak changes in the dilatometric curve, Ed, Gd, and Q-1, in the range of 350-450 °C, indicated decompositions of the martensitic phase. Sharp decrease in the moduli and high peak of Q-1, was observed for both samples around 650-900 °C, revealing low lattice elastic stability of the phases during transformations α(BCC)+Fe3C↔γ(FCC).

Background: This study aimed to examine the obesity¬ stress, weight control behavior, and self-control in overweight and obese female university students, and identify the mediating effect of self-control in the relationship between obesity stress and weight control behavior. Methods: This study employed a descriptive correlational design. A total of 109 female university students who were overweight and obese participated in the study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis, and Bootstrapping using Hayes' PROCESS macro for mediation. Results: Significant relationships between obesity stress and weight control behavior (r=0.25, p<0.001), obesity stress and self-control (r=-0.36, p<0.001), and weight control behavior and self-control (r=.26, p<.001) were observed. Self-control showed indirect mediating effect on the relationship between obesity stress and weight control behavior. Conclusion: Therefore, development of programs and strategies for improving self-control is necessary in order to decrease obesity among female university students.

Despite intensive HIV education and prevention efforts in the past years, stigmatizing attitudes toward people living with HIV (PLWH) remain a major barrier to HIV prevention and treatment efforts in Vietnam. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of stigmatizing attitudes regarding HIV and identifying correlative factors that impact perceptions of PLWH among women migrant workers working in the industrial zones (IZ) in Hanoi, Vietnam. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1061 women migrant workers aged 18 to 29 from January to November 2020 in Hanoi, Vietnam. Stigmatizing attitudes toward PLWH were measured using a four-item scale. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to examine factors associated with stigmatizing attitudes. Over seventy-six (76.2 %) of the participants reported having at least one of the four stigmatizing attitudes. Greater levels of stigmatizing attitudes toward PLH were significantly associated with lower HIV knowledge, lower education and being Kinh (the ethnic majority in Vietnam). A high level of stigmatizing attitudes toward PWH among the study participants suggests that there is an urgent need for the development of appropriate culturally interventions and outreach education activities to reduce stigmatizing attitudes toward PWH among women migrant workers working in the IZs in Vietnam.Despite intensive HIV education and prevention efforts in the past years, stigmatizing attitudes toward people living with HIV (PLWH) remain a major barrier to HIV prevention and treatment efforts in Vietnam. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of stigmatizing attitudes regarding HIV and identifying correlative factors that impact perceptions of PLWH among women migrant workers working in the industrial zones (IZ) in Hanoi, Vietnam. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1061 women migrant workers aged 18 to 29 from January to November 2020 in Hanoi, Vietnam. Stigmatizing attitudes toward PLWH were measured using a four-item scale. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to examine factors associated with stigmatizing attitudes. Over seventy-six (76.2 %) of the participants reported having at least one of the four stigmatizing attitudes. Greater levels of stigmatizing attitudes toward PLH were significantly associated with lower HIV knowledge, lower education and being Kinh (the ethnic majority in Vietnam). A high level of stigmatizing attitudes toward PWH among the study participants suggests that there is an urgent need for the development of appropriate culturally interventions and outreach education activities to reduce stigmatizing attitudes toward PWH among women migrant workers working in the IZs in Vietnam.

While the container crane is an important part of daily port operations, it has received little attention compared with other infrastructures, such as buildings and bridges. Crane collapse due to earthquake affects the operation of the port, and indirectly impacts the economy. This study proposes fragility analyses for various damage levels of the container crane that allow the port owner and partners to better understand the seismic vulnerability presented by container cranes. A large quantity of nonlinear time history analyses was applied for a three-dimensional (3D) finite element model to quantify the vulnerability of the container crane in considering the uplift and derailment behavior. The uncertainty of demand and capacity of the crane structures were also considered through random variables, i.e. elastic modulus of members, ground motion profile, and intensity. The results analyzed in the case of a Korean container crane showed that the probability of exceeding the first uplift with or without derailment is shown before the crane reaches the structure’s limit states. This means that under low seismic excitation, the crane might be derailed without any structural damage. But when the crane reaches the minor damage state, it is always coupled with a certain probability of uplift with or without derailment. This study also proposes the fragility curves developed for different structural periods to enable port stakeholders to assess the risk of their container crane.

The incidence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) has been increasing considerably annually since being first reported in 2008. Gyeonggi Province has the largest number of healthcare facilities in South Korea, which contribute to its regional vulnerability to CRE infections. Thus, there is a need to obtain up to date information on the occurrence of CRE infections in the Gyeonggi Province to take corrective measures. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the overall trends of CRE occurrence in Gyeonggi Province over the past 4 years and the epidemiological characteristics of CRE-related mortality. Patients admitted to a healthcare facility in Gyeonggi Province from January 2018 to December 2021 with positive blood cultures to CRE were included in the study and investigated. Additionally, the risk factors for CRE-related death were determined using data from CRE-positive patients who died within 30 days of last blood sampling. Older adults aged 70 and over accounted for the highest percentage of both survivors and non-survivors with CRE bacteremia. The number of non-survivors was higher in tertiary hospitals and among patients in intensive care unit. There were no significant differences in the mortality risk according to the use of antibiotics. Moreover, non-survivors were predominant among patients with hypertension, malignant tumor, and those having two or more underlying diseases. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most common CRE strain in both survivors and non-survivors. Among the survivors, carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae was detected in 151 cases (71.2%) and 49 cases (23.1%) in the KPC and NDM groups, respectively. Among the non-survivors, it was detected in 25 cases (86.2%) and 5 cases (17.2%) in the KPC and NDM groups, respectively. The endemicity of CRE in South Korea has been proposed for several years; our results have suggested endemicity of CRE in the Gyeonggi Province. Despite the strengthened infection control policies in healthcare facilities during the pandemic, there has been an increasing trend in the isolation of CRE strains in South Korean long-term care hospitals and hospitals within Gyeonggi Province. Factors such as history of hospitalization and underlying diseases have been identified as risk factors for CRE-related deaths. However, to address this issue strictly, it is important to establish infection control infrastructure tailored based on each type of healthcare facility, and elaborate specific government support measures, accordingly.

Aquaporin-3 (AQP3) is one of the aquaglyceroporins, which is expressed in the basolateral layer of the skin membrane. Studies have reported that human skin squamous cell carcinoma overexpresses AQP3 and inhibition of its function may alleviate skin tumorigenesis. In the present study, we have applied a virtual screening method that encompasses filters for physicochemical properties and molecular docking to select potential hit compounds that bind to the Aquaporin-3 protein. Based on molecular docking results, the top 20 hit compounds were analyzed for stability in the binding pocket using unconstrained molecular dynamics simulations and further evaluated for binding free energy. Furthermore, examined the ligand-unbinding pathway of the inhibitor from its bound form to explore possible routes for inhibitor approach to the ligand-binding site. With a good docking score, stability in the binding pocket, and free energy of binding, these hit compounds can be developed as Aquaporin-3 inhibitors in the near future.

Neurofibromas, rare benign tumors of the peripheral nerve sheath, present diagnostic challenges, particularly in diabetic patients with toe ulcers. This case involves a 55-year-old female with type 2 diabetes mellitus who developed an enlarging ulcer on her right second toe. The initial evaluation suggested a diabetic ulcer; however, advanced imaging revealed a mass-like lesion. Partial excision and biopsy confirmed a neurofibroma with spindle cells within the myxoid stroma and S100 protein expression. One month later, total excision and Z-plasty reconstruction were performed under general anesthesia. The patient’s postoperative recovery was uneventful, and the patient was discharged without complications. Follow-up revealed successful healing with no recurrence or functional issues. This case highlights the importance of considering neurofibromas in the differential diagnosis of diabetic toe ulcers to avoid misdiagnosis and ensure appropriate management.

The drought response index (DRI) is an indicator of drought tolerance after adjustment for variation in flowering date and potential yield under well-watered conditions. Using a temperate japonica mapping population of 97 recombinant inbred lines from a cross between Otomemochi (OTM) and Yumenohatamochi (YHM), we evaluated DRI during the reproductive stage under very severe drought in one year and under severe drought in the next year. DRI under very severe drought (−6.4 to 15.9) and severe drought (−3.9 to 8.3) positively correlated with grain dry weight under drought. Three QTLs for DRI were identified: RM3703–RM6911–RM6379 and RM6733–RM3850 both on chromosome 2 in both years combined;. and RM8120–RM2615–RM7023 on chromosome 6 in the second year. The latter collocated with putative genes for signaling and defense mechanisms (e.g., PIN1B, BZIP46) revealed by database analysis. Top-DRI lines retained root dry weight and had bigger steles. QTL-by-environment interaction had a greater relative contribution than the main effects of QTLs. Comparison with three previous studies revealed that the QTLs for DRI were unique to each experiment and/or population; most of them closely colocalized with reported drought-yield QTLs.

Articular cartilage injuries are found in up to 60 % of patients who undergo an arthroscopic knee procedure, those that totally affect articular cartilage (grade IV) have limited regenerative capac-ity and extended time for recovery, 3-D scaffolds represent a novel solution to address this type of injury. Our purpose was to analyze MRI findings and functional status of patients that underwent repair of chondral defects either by microfractures or Hyaluronan (HA) 3-D Scaffold. We con-ducted a retrospective study of patients with chondral defects. The outcomes analyzed in this study included anatomical changes envaulted by the Henderson score (based on MRI findings) at baseline, 6, and 12 months after surgery; and improvement in functionality, evaluated by the Modified Cincinnati Knee Rating System (MCKRS) at baseline and 6 months after surgery. Clini-cal and demographic characteristics were similar for both groups. There was a statistically sig-nificant improvement in Henderson score for the 3-D scaffolding treated group at 6 months, ver-sus the microfracture group (p < 0.0001). Improvement in functionality, measured by MCKRS was more frequently found in the 3-D scaffold treated group. In conclusion the use of HA 3-D scaf-folding was superior with faster recovery, evident after 6 months of the surgery, that progress to full recovery in all patients after a year of surgery. Future studies with a randomized design might help to sustain our findings. This study provides a level III of evidence.

As the development of high-throughput technologies, more and more high-dimensional or ultra high-dimensional genomic data are generated. Therefore, how to make effective analysis of such data becomes a challenge. Machine learning (ML) algorithms have been widely applied for modelling nonlinear and complicated interactions in a variety of practical fields such as high-dimensional survival data. Recently, the multilayer deep neural network (DNN) models have made remarkable achievements. Thus, a Cox-based DNN prediction survival model (DNNSurv model) , which was built with Keras and Tensorflow, was developed. However, its results were only evaluated to the survival datasets with high-dimensional or large sample sizes. In this paper, we evaluate the prediction performance of the DNNSurv model using ultra high-dimensional and high-dimensional survival datasets, and compare it with three popular ML survival prediction models (i.e., random survival forest and Cox-based LASSO and Ridge models). For this purpose we also present the optimal setting of several hyper-parameters including selection of tuning parameter. The proposed method demonstrates via data analysis that the DNNSurv model performs overall well as compared with the ML models, in terms of three main evaluation measures (i.e., concordance index, time-dependent Brier score and time-dependent AUC) for survival prediction performance.

Tilapia tilapinevirus, or tilapia lake virus (TiLV), is a virus that has caused disease outbreaks in many countries worldwide since 2009. We recently developed two simple but effective TiLV vaccines based on heat-killed virus (HKV) and formalin-killed virus (FKV). In the present study, we evaluated the immunological response and efficacy of MontanideTM ISA 763A VG oil-based vaccines (O-HKV and O-FKV) in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and compared these responses in fish vaccinated with water-based formulations (W-HKV and W-FKV). Juvenile Nile tilapia were given primary and booster vaccinations with the vaccine formulations. The relative fold change in expression of five immunoglobulin genes (IgM, IgT, IgD, CD4 and CD8) was assessed before and after booster vaccination, and a challenge with TiLV was performed to evaluate the efficacy of the vaccines. The results showed that the water-based vaccines induced higher levels of Ig transcripts and conferred significantly higher levels of protection compared to the oil-based formulations, with relative percent survival (RPS) values ranging from 54.6% to 59.7% for W-HKV and W-FKV vaccinated fish, and 32% and 0% for the O-HKV and O-FKV vaccinated fish, respectively. These findings suggest that water-based vaccines are more effective at protecting tilapia against TiLV infection, and MontanideTM ISA 763A VG may not be a suitable adjuvant for formulating whole-inactivated TiLV vaccines.

A heat pump with thermal storage system is a system that operates a heat pump during night-time using inexpensive electricity; during this time, the generated thermal energy is stored in a thermal storage tank. The stored thermal energy is used by the heat pump during daytime. Based on a model of a dual latent heat storage tank and a heat pump, this study conducts control simulations using both conventional and advanced methods for heating in a building. Conventional methods include the thermal storage priority method and the heat pump priority method, while advanced approaches include the region control method and the dynamic programming method. The heating load required for an office building is identified using TRNSYS, used for simulations of various control methods. The thermal storage priority method shows a low coefficient of performance (COP), while the heat pump priority method leads to high electricity costs due to the low use of thermal storage. In contrast, electricity costs are lower for the region control method, which operates using the optimal part load ratio of the heat pump, and for dynamic programming, which operates the system by following the minimum cost path. According to simulation results for the winter season, the electricity costs using the dynamic programming method are 17% and 9% lower than those of the heat pump priority and thermal storage priority methods, respectively. The region control method shows results similar to the dynamic programming method with respect to electricity costs. In conclusion, advanced control methods are proven to have advantages over conventional methods in terms of power consumption and electricity costs.

This paper reports the design, development, and testing of a novel, yet simple and low-cost portable device for the rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2. The device performs loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and provides visually distinguishable images of the fluorescence emitted from the samples. The device utilises an aluminium block embedded with a cartridge heater for isothermal heating of the sample and a single-board computer and camera for fluorescence detection. The device demonstrates promising results within 20 minutes using clinically relevant starting concentrations of the synthetic template. Time-to-signal data for this device are considerably lower compared to standard qPCR machine (~10-20 minutes vs &gt;38 minutes) for 1×105 starting template copy number. The device in its fully optimized and characterized state can potentially be used as simple to operate, rapid, sensitive, and inexpensive platform for population screening as well as point-of-need SARS-CoV-2 detection and patient management.

Cellular response to mechanical stimuli is a crucial factor for maintaining cell homeostasis. The interaction between extracellular matrix and mechanical stress plays a significant role in organ-izing the cytoskeleton and aligning cells. Tools that apply mechanical forces to cells and tissues, as well as those capable of measuring the mechanical properties of biological cells, have greatly contributed to our understanding of fundamental mechanobiology. These tools have been exten-sively employed to unveil the substantial influence of mechanical cues on the development and progression of various diseases. In this report, we present an economical and high-performance uniaxial cell stretching device. This paper reports the detailed operation concept of the device, ex-perimental design, and characterization. The device was tested with MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Experimental results agree well with previously documented morphological changes re-sulting from stretching forces on cancer cells. Remarkably, our new device demonstrates compa-rable cellular changes within a 30-minute compared to the previous 2-hour stretching duration. Moreover, the device design incorporates an open-source software interface, facilitating conven-ient parameter adjustments such as strain, stretching speed, frequency, and duration. Its versatil-ity enables seamless integration with various optical microscopes, thereby yielding novel insights into the realm of mechanobiology.

The unique properties and morphology of liquid marbles (LMs) make them potentially useful for various applications. Non-edible hydrophobic organic polymer particles are widely used to prepare LMs. It is necessary to increase the variety of LM particles to extend their use into food and pharmaceuticals. Herein, we focus on hydrophobically modified gelatin (HMG) as a base material for the particles. The surface tension of HMG decreased as the length of alkyl chains incorporated into the gelatin and the degree of substitution (DS) of the alkyl chains increased. HMG with a surface tension of less than 37.5 mN/m (determined using equations based on the Young-Dupré equation and Kaelble-Uy theory) successfully formed LMs of water. The minimum surface tension of a liquid in which it was possible to form LMs using HMG particles was approximately 53 mN/m. We also showed that the liquid-over-solid spreading coefficient S_(L/S) is a potential new factor for predicting if particles can form LMs. The HMG particles and the new system for predicting LM formation could expand the use of LMs in food and pharmaceuticals.

We report on an immunofluorescent paper-based assay for the detection of severe acute respiratory symptom coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) humanized antibody. The paper-based device was fabricated by using lamination technique for easy and optimized handling. Our approach utilises a two-step strategy that involves (i) initial coating of the paper-electrode with recombinant SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antigen to capture the target SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies, and (ii) subsequent detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies using fluorophore-conjugated IgG antibody. The fluorescence readout was observed with fluorescence microscopy. The images were processed and quantified using a MATLAB program. The assay can selectively detect SARS-CoV-2 humanized antibodies spiked in PBS and healthy human serum samples with the relative standard deviation of approximately 6.4% (for n = 3). It has broad dynamic ranges (1 ng to 50 ng/µL in PBS and 5 to 100 ng/µL in human serum samples) for SARS-CoV-2 humanized antibodies with the detection limits of 2 ng/µL (0.025 IU/mL) and 10 ng/µL (0.125 IU/mL) in PBS and human serum samples, respectively. We believe that our assay has the potential to be used as a simple, rapid, and inexpensive paper-based diagnostic device with a portable fluorescent reader to provide point-of-care diagnosis. This assay can be used for rapid examination of a large batch of samples toward clinical screening of SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies as a confirmed infected active case or to evaluate the immune response to a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.

Global agriculture has been forced to increase food production to feed the growing human population, while confronting various environmental obstacles such as global warming, resistance to pathogens, and constraints on arable land caused by soil salinity, drought, rising sea level, saltwater intrusion, and urbanization. Regarding abiotic stresses, salinity is a worldwide problem for agricultural production. Many efforts, therefore, have been made to cope with the environmental challenges, however, the progress of salinization, which is mainly caused and accelerated by anthropogenic activities, is likely faster than our progress in finding ways to deal with this problem. In addition, drought represents a global threat to the production of major crops. In addition, pests and pathogens cause significant crop losses and diminish global food security. Among the various strategies that have been investigated and applied in plant science, antimicrobial peptides derived from plants have caught widespread attention from scientists since these peptides exhibit beneficial biological activities. In agricultural science, there have been reports on the roles of antimicrobial peptides with active properties against biotic and abiotic stresses. Non-specific plant lipid transfer proteins, thionins, systemins, defensins, cyclotides, and heveins-like antimicrobial peptides are common antimicrobial peptides that have been found to be involved in the defense system against fungi and insect pests. Based on their potential ability to protect crops from pests, bacteria, and pathogenic fungi, the use of antimicrobial peptide genes in creating transgenic plants has been largely conducted during the last decades, and these studies have obtained positive results against the growth of fungi and bacteria. This review will focus on the latest progress in studies of antimicrobial peptides related to biotic and abiotic stress tolerance in plants. We will also update the current progress in the development of antimicrobial peptide-based transgenic crops.

Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), the most crowded city and economic hub of Viet Nam, has been experiencing land subsidence over the past decades. This effort aims to contribute the spatial distribution of subsidence in HCMC in its horizontal and vertical components using synthetic aperture radar interferometry (InSAR) time series. To this purpose, an advanced Persistent Scatterers and Distributed Scatterers (PSDS) InSAR technique was applied to two European Space Agency (ESA) Sentinel-1 datasets consisting of 96 ascending and 202 descending images, acquired from 2014 to 2020 over the HCMC area. A time series of 33 COSMO-SkyMed ascending images was also used for comparison. The combination of ascending and descending satellite passes is used to decompose the light of sight velocities into horizontal east-west and vertical components. Taking into account the presence of east-west horizontal motion, our findings indicate that the accuracy of the decomposed vertical velocity can be improved by up to 3 mm/year for Sentinel-1 data. The obtained results revealed that subsidence is most pronounced in the areas along the Sai Gon River, in the northwest-southeast axis, and in the southwest of the city, with a maximum value of 80 mm/yr, which is in accordance with the findings of the literature. The amplitude of east-west horizontal velocities is relatively small and large-scale eastward movement can be observed in the west of the city at a rate of 3-5 mm/yr. This confirmed that the displacement in Ho Chi Minh City area is mainly vertical downward. Together, these results reinforced the remarkable suitability of ESA's SAR Sentinel-1 for subsidence applications, even for non-European countries such as Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

Though melatonin is known to improve ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced oxidative damage and inflammatory conditions via blockade of nuclear factor (NF)-κB, interleukin (IL)-6, there is no report on anti-wrinkle effect of melatonin to date. Hence in the present study, anti-wrinkle mechanism of melatonin was elucidated in UVB treated HaCaT keratinocytes and hairless mice. Herein melatonin protected against a radical initiator tert-Butyl hydroperoxide (t-BOOH) induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, matrix metalloprotease 1 (MMP-1) and cytotoxicity in HaCaT keratinocytes. Also, melatonin suppressed the expression of sonic hedgehog (SHH) and GLI for hedgehog signaling, p-NF-kB, cyclooxygenase (COX-2), p-ERK for inflammatory responses in UVB treated HaCaT keratinocytes. Furthermore, melatonin protected skin from wrinkle formation, transdermal water loss in hairless mice irradiated by UVB for 8 weeks. Notably, melatonin prevented against epidermal thickness and dermal collagen degradation in UVB irradiated hairless mice by Hematoxylin & Eosin and Masson’s trichrome staining. Taken together, these findings suggest that melatonin reduces wrinkle formation via inhibition of ROS/SHH and inflammatory proteins such as NF-kB/COX-2/ERK/MMP1.

Vector geographic data play an important role in the natural resources and environment sector and other location information services. This is also one of the types of data where the cost to create it is relatively large because of the difficulty in surveying, collecting, and authorizing. The rapid development of the Internet has created many advantages in the distribution, exploitation, and use of vector geographic data, but it also gives rise to many problems such as duplication, redistribution, forgery, and illegal data use. The theft on the Internet is becoming more and more sophisticated and the number of violations is increasing, showing the urgent need to research and develop an effective solution to protect the copyright of vector geographic data and prevent them from being illegally collected and used. Among the major studies and solutions, digital watermarking emerges as an effective method and is an active research area for copyright protection. Towards a good solution for copyright protection of vector geographic data, our study proposes a new algorithm with three main contributions, including: (1) generating short, pseudo-random meaningful watermarks to increase robustness and to enable automated as well as visual manual verifying; (2) building a uniformly distributed mapping between the vertex coordinates and the watermark bit indexes to increase the robustness of the watermarks; and (3) integrate two types of watermarks, namely, spatial domain-based watermarking and zero-watermarking to be resistant to most common attacks on geographic vector data. The algorithm also allows working on all types of vector geographic data, including points, polylines, and polygons.

Though Bangladesh is often labelled as "climate change ground zero," the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) were never considered a significant climate change hotspot until heavy rainfall and consequent landslides in 2017. This shift in problem narrative seemingly overlooks myriad environmentally unsustainable 'development' initiatives along with (il)legal deforestation. This paper examines climate change trends and impacts on the lives and livelihoods of diverse local groups in CHT. By analysing changing patterns in meteorological data and qualitative information on changes and challenges in everyday life and the livelihoods of local people, we show a shortfall of captured climate data on CHT to make a strong case for climate change. Yet, this study finds that this region is exposed to a substantial threat of land degradation, flash floods, water scarcity, landslides, and other slow and quick onsets due to a combined effect of deforestation, neoliberalised development, and slight changes in temperature and precipitation patterns. This paper calls for proactive measures to address climate change impacts by endorsing sustainable development strategies prioritizing environmental stewardship, social justice, and economic prosperity.

Antibiotic-free approaches are more important than ever to deal with the rapidly growing problem of antibiotic resistance. The blue light 460nm (BL460nm) has been shown to effectively attenuate Staphylococcus aureus to chemical and physical agents through photolysis of the bacterial virulence factor Staphyloxanthin. However, the phototherapy using BL640nm has yet to be investigated in detail for its safety in eradicating Staphylococcus aureus in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we used a LED source producing a continuous wavelength of 460 nm along with hydrogen peroxide to treat S. aureus in culturing conditions and a wound abrasion mouse model. The results proved the safety of the combined therapy when it did not modify the bacterial virulence factors or the susceptibility to the widely used antibiotics. In addition, the experimental results on the mouse skin infection model also showed that the combined therapy is safe to apply to mouse skin and that it did not cause adverse skin irritation. Furthermore, the therapy can help Staphylococcus aureus-infected wounds heal with efficacy comparable to the topical antibiotic Fucidin. The above results suggest that the combination therapy of 460nm blue light and hydrogen peroxide can be safely used as an alternative to or adjunct to antibiotics in treating S. aureus-infected wounds.

To evaluate whether the extent of cardiac damage in severe aortic stenosis (AS) might be associated with the occurrence of conduction system disorders after TAVI. A total of 153 symptomatic patients with severe AS who had a TAVI were categorized before the procedure according to the extent of cardiac damage: stage 1 (13.5%): no or LV damage; stage 2 (58.8%): left atrial/mitral valve damage, atrial fibrillation (AF); stage 3 (27.7%): low-flow state, pulmonary vasculature/tricuspid valve/RV damage. After TAVI, 34% of patients exhibited LBBB and 10% high-degree atrioventricular block (HD-AVB). No patient in group 1 developed HD-AVD whereas new LBBB was frequent in groups 2 and 3. Twenty-one patients presented with resolutive paroxysmal AF with a higher rate for each group increment (group 1: n=0, 0%; group 2: n=11,15.7%; group 3: n=10, 30.3%) (p = 0.012). Patients in group 3 had the higher rate of permanent pacemaker implantation (PPMI) (group 1: n=1, 6.3%; group 2: n=7,10%; group 3: n=9, 27.3%) (p=0.012). No patient in group 1 died during the hospital stay. In conclusion, cardiac damage staging of AS might help identify patients at higher risk of conduction disorders and PPMI requirement after TAVI.

Synthesis of new series of 1-phenyl-3-(4-(pyridin-3-yl) phenyl) urea derivatives and its in vitro antiproliferative activities against NCI-60 human cancer cell lines of nine different cancer types are described. Fourteen compounds 5a-n have been synthesized with three different hydrogen bondable moieties (4-hydroxylmethylpiperidinyl and trimethoxyphenyloxy and 4-hydroxyethylpiperazine) attached to the core structure 1-phenyl-3-(4-(pyridin-3-yl) phenyl) urea. Different substituents with different π and σ values were added on the terminal phenyl group. Compounds with 4-hydroxymethylpiperidine moiety showed higher mean percentage inhibition values over the 60-cell line panel at 10-µM concentration. They showed broad-spectrum antiproliferative activity over many cell lines of different cancer types. For instance, compound 5a elicited some lethal rather than inhibition effects on SK-MEL-5 melanoma cell line, 786-0, A498, RXF 393 renal cancer cell lines, and MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cell line by 146.1, 108.7, 136.2, 134.8, 116.6 % at 10 µM, respectively. Compounds 5a-e exhibited superior antiproliferative activity than Paclitaxel and Gefitinib against the most sensitive cell lines. Two compounds, 5a and 5d showed promising mean growth inhibitions and thus were further tested at five-dose testing mode to determine their IC₅₀ values. The data revealed that 5a and 5d urea compounds are the most active derivatives with significant efficacies and superior potencies than Paclitaxel in 21 different cancer cell lines, belonging particularly to renal cancer and melanoma cell lines. Moreover, 5a and 5d had superior potencies than Gefitinib in 38 and 34 cancer cell lines, respectively; belonging particularly to colon cancer, breast cancer and melanoma cell lines.

This study examines the change in customer satisfaction and the value relevance of customer satisfaction during COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented experience and has caused difficulties for all areas of businesses. Customer relations are one of the biggest paradigm shifts of this period. Companies have placed great importance on customer relations, and customer relations are a critical factor in corporate sustainability. It is very important for firms to retain their customers in the market, create a potential demand, and, thus, increase the firm value. However, prior studies have provided mixed results on whether companies financially benefit from customer relations. Employing the value relevance model, we find that the customer satisfaction score has increased during the pandemic but that the value relevance of customer satisfaction has declined during the pandemic. Together, we interpret the results as indicating new customer satisfaction trends, especially reduction trends. The results are robust even after controlling endogeneity and outliers. This study has several implications for practitioners and academia regarding the new trends in the value relevance of customer satisfaction.

The production of anatase titanium dioxide particles plays a crucial role in the sulfate process used for manufacturing white pigment. A key factor in improving the quality of white pigments is enhancing the thermal mixing process within the precipitation tank. This improvement ensures the uniform dispersion of seed particles instead of their agglomeration, leading to the formation of particles with uniform sizes. The objective of this study was to enhance three-phase CFD simulations involving the mixing process of H₂SO₄ solution, steam as a gas phase, and solid seed particles. By analyzing the trajectories of the seed particles using CFD, the optimal injection position for the seed particles within the mixing process was determined. Subsequently, lab scale test and real field test were conducted based on the insights gained from the CFD simulations. The particle size distribution of two different types of seed inlets was analyzed and compared using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The findings of this study demonstrate that the developed multi-phase CFD simulation can be effectively utilized to enhance the precipitation process for the production of anatase titanium dioxide particles.

Hungateiclostridium thermocellum ATCC 27405 is a promising bacterium with a robust ability to degrade lignocellulosic biomass complexes, including crystalline cellulose components, through a multienzyme cellulosomal system. In contrast, it exhibits poor growth on simple monosaccharides such as fructose and glucose. This phenomenon raises many important questions concerning its glycolytic pathways and sugar transport systems. Until now, the detailed mechanisms of H. thermocellum adaptation to growth on monosaccharides have been poorly explored. In this study, adaptive laboratory evolution was applied to train the bacterium on monosaccharides, and genome resequencing was used to detect the genes that had mutated during adaptation. RNA-seq data of the 1st-generation culture growing on either fructose or glucose revealed that several glycolytic genes in the EMP pathway were expressed at lower levels in these cells than in cellobiose-grown cells. After 8 generations of culture on fructose and glucose, the evolved H. thermocellum strains grew faster and yielded greater biomass than the nonadapted strains. Genomic screening also revealed several mutation events in the genomes of the evolved strains, especially in genes responsible for sugar transport and central carbon metabolism. Consequently, these genes could be applied as targets for further metabolic engineering to improve this bacterium for bioindustrial usage.

The COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictive measures implemented may considerably affect people’s lives. This study aimed to assess the well-being of Vietnamese people after COVID-19 lockdown measures were lifted and life gradually returned to normal. An online survey was organized from 21st to 25th April 2020 among Vietnamese residents aged 18 and over. Besides collecting socio-demographic and COVID-19-related data, the WHO-5 Well-Being Index (scored 0–25) was used to score participants’ well-being. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to determine the predictors of well-being. A total of 1922 responses were analyzed (mean age: 31 years; 30.5% male). Mean well-being score was 17.35±4.97. Determinants of high well-being score (≥13) included older age, eating healthy food, practising physical exercise, working from home, and adhering to the COVID-19 preventive measures. Female participants, persons worried about their relatives’ health, and smokers were more likely to have a low well-being score. In conclusion, after the lockdown measures were lifted, the Vietnamese people continued to follow COVID-19 preventive measures and most of them scored high on the well-being scale. Waiting to achieve large scale COVID-19 vaccine coverage, promoting preventive COVID-19 measures remains important, together with strategies to guarantee the well-being of the Vietnamese people.

Fibrillin (FBN) is a plastid lipid-associated protein found in photosynthetic organisms from cyanobacteria to plants. In this study, 10 CsaFBN genes were identified in genomic DNA sequences of cucumber (Chinese long and Gy14) through database searches using the conserved domain of FBN and the 14 FBN genes of Arabidopsis. Phylogenetic analysis of CsaFBN protein sequences showed that there was no counterpart of Arabidopsis and rice FBN5 in the cucumber genome. FBN5 is essential for growth in Arabidopsis and rice; its absence in cucumber may be because of incomplete genome sequences or that another FBN carries out its functions. Among the 10 CsaFBN genes, CsaFBN1 and CsaFBN9 were the most divergent in terms of nucleotide sequences. Most of the CsaFBN genes were expressed in the leaf, stem, and fruit. CsaFBN4 showed the highest mRNA expression levels in various tissues, followed by CsaFBN6, CsaFBN1, and CsaFBN9. High-light stress combined with low temperature decreased photosynthetic efficiency and highly induced transcript levels of CsaFBN1, CsaFBN6, and CsaFBN11, which decreased after 24 h treatment. Transcript levels of the other seven genes were changed only slightly. This result suggests that CsaFBN1, CsaFBN6, and CsaFBN11 may be involved in photoprotection under high-light conditions at low temperature.

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is the most common sensory disorder in the elderly. It is associated with aging and hair cell death due to oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Although transgenic mice and long-term cultures for induction of aging have been used to study ARHL, there are presently no ARHL animal models stimulated by intermittent environmental change for aging. In this study, an ARHL animal model was established by inducing continuous oxidative stress to promote short-term aging of cells, determined based on the expression of the hearing loss-induced phenotype and aging related factors in the short term. The incidence of hearing loss was significantly different among the groups subjected to intermittent hypoxic environment, high-fat diet (HFD), and injection with D-galactose. Continuous oxidative stress and HFD were factors that accelerated cellular aging. Increase in UCP2 affected oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. CDH23, SLC26A4, KCNQ4, Myo7a, and Myo6, which are ARHL-related factors, were modified by oxidative stress in cells of the hearing organ. We found that intermittent hypoxic, HFD, and galactose injection accelerated cellular aging in the short term. Thus, we anticipate that the development of this hearing loss animal model, which reflects intermittent environmental changes, will benefit future research on ARHL.