COMMON ERRORS IN PRONOUNCING FINAL CONSONANTS OF ENGLISH-MAJORED SOPHOMORES AT TAY DO UNIVERSITY, VIETNAM

It is not deniable that pronunciation is considered one of the most crucial parts of learning English helping learners enhance their communication in both speaking and listening comprehension. To reach a level of a clear and precise pronunciation has never been an effortless task; however, it is a far more problematic one for English majored students regardless of their learning years. For this reason, the study entitled “Common Errors in Pronouncing Final Consonants of English-Majored Sophomores at Tay Do University” was implemented with the aim at investigating the errors that English-majored students encountered in pronouncing final consonants. 80 English-majored sophomores from course 13 at Tay Do University were selected to participate in the study. Questionnaires and recording tests were delivered to the participants for collecting data and getting more information. The collected data from the two instruments mentioned above were all analyzed afterward. The findings of the research revealed that sophomores of English major often mispronounced the final consonants, particularly /s/, /z/, /ʃ/, /f/ and /v/ in two main mistakes, including omission and substitution. The results of this study may also be useful for those who are interested in this field. Article visualizations

The Role of Cultural and Institutional Distances in International Trade

Despite the effectiveness of the observed barriers such as taxes and quotas to adjust bilateral trade, they are still not well supported by governments in general and the World Trade Organization in particular. Therefore, in recent years, unobserved barriers have been critical tools to modify the trade flows between nations worldwide. China’s exports account for a massive proportion of global trade. However, the role of cultural and institutional distance in China’s trade flow has not been much explored. This study analyzes the impact of cultural and institutional differences on China's exports between 2006-2017 by adopting a system-GMM estimator. The main findings are, first, that cultural and institutional differences between China and its trading partners reduce China's exports. Second, cultural and institutional distances have the strongest influence on China's exports to high-income countries, followed by low-income countries, and finally middle-income countries. Third, manufactured products are the most sensitive to cultural and institutional distances. Based on these findings, several policies for China, as well as for emerging economies in general, are suggested for reducing cultural and institutional distances and boosting their exports. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2023-07-02-015 Full Text: PD

Advanced Method for Motion Control of a 3 DOFs Lower Limb Rehabilitation Robot

This paper presents two motion control methods for a lower limb rehabilitation robot based on compensate gravity proportional-derivative and inverse dynamic proportional-derivative (PD) control algorithms. The Robot’s mechanism is comprised of three active joints: hip joint, knee joint and ankle joint, which are driven by DC motors. Firstly, based on Robot’s mechanism, a dynamic model of the Robot is built. Then, based on Robot’s model, motion control systems for Robot are designed. Simulation results show good performances and workability of these proposed controllers. Finally, the calculation of the joint angle errors and toque of each controller is performed. The comparison of simulation results between proposed controllers and the adaptive fuzzy controller allows to choice suitable motion control methods for Robot that can meet the requirements of a 3 DOFs lower limb rehabilitation robot for post-stroke patient

The Effect of Awareness on the Behavior of Advertisement on Social Network Basis for Cosmetic Products Line

The study examines the factors affecting the perception and interaction behavior with advertising cosmetic products. The authors used SPSS and Smart PLS software to conduct statistics and analyze survey results. The results of data analysis show that there are 5 factors that directly affect the perception of avoidance: Health concerns; Doubts about advertising intermediaries; Privacy concerns; Information value; Obstructing cognitive goals. The factor that directly affects Avoidant Behavior is Perception of avoidance, there are 5 factors that indirectly affect Avoidant Behavior: Health concerns; Doubts about advertising intermediaries; Privacy concerns; Information value; Obstructing cognitive goals. At the same time, the research also shows that negative experiences do not affect the impact process from Avoidant Perception to Avoidant Behavior. This study has important practical elements for businesses, managers and even social network users in reducing users' awareness and avoidance of advertising

Genetic characterization of an H5N1 avian influenza virus from a vaccinated duck flock in Vietnam

This study reports the genetic characterization of a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype H5N1 isolated from a moribund domestic duck in central Vietnam during 2012. In the moribund duck’s flock, within 6 days after vaccination with a commercial H5N1 vaccine (Re-5) to 59-day-old birds, 120 out of 2,000 ducks died. Genetic analysis revealed a substantial number of mutations in the HA gene of the isolate in comparison with the vaccine strains, Re-1 and Re-5. Similar mutations were also found in selected Vietnamese H5N1 strains isolated since 2009. Mutations in the HA gene involved positions at antigenic sites associated with antibody binding and also neutralizing epitopes, with some of the mutations resulting in the modification of N-linked glycosylation of the HA. Those mutations may be related to the escape of virus from antibody binding and the infection of poultry, interpretations which may be confirmed through a reverse genetics approach. The virus also carried an amino acid substitution in the M2, which conferred a reduced susceptibility to amantadine, but no neuraminidase inhibitor resistance markers were found in the viral NA gene. Additional information including vaccination history in the farm and the surrounding area is needed to fully understand the background of this outbreak. Such understanding and expanded monitoring of the H5N1 influenza viruses circulating in Vietnam is an urgent need to provide updated information to improve effective vaccine strain selection and vaccination protocols, aiding disease control, and biosecurity to prevent H5N1 infection in both poultry and humans.Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. Grant-in-Aid for the Bilateral Joint ProjectsHeiwa Nakajima FoundationNational Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (U.S.) (Contract HHSN2662007000010C

Review on membrane module configurations used for membrane distillation process

Nowadays, with the salient advantages of the seawater desalination process, membrane distillation (MD) technology has received increased interests to achieve desalination application. As a heat-based technology, by using the hydrophobic membrane, MD provides high efficiency in the desalination process of seawater, RO water and other solutes with high concentrations of dissolved solids. Besides, this is an alternative technology to significantly reduce the environmental impacts of traditional desalination technologies commonly used, such as distillation or reverse osmosis. In many factors affecting the desalination capacity of the membrane distillation system, membrane module configuration has a strong influence in evaluating the economic and technical efficiency of the technology. This review aims to assess the suitability of MD technology under different perspectives on the current types of membrane module configurations that include flat sheet, tubular, hollow fibre and spiral wound membranes. In addition, the evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages of the membrane module configurations will guide further studies to improve the shortcomings of existing MD technologies

Phytoremediation of heavy metal polluted soil and water in Vietnam

Phytoremediation has been intensively studied during the past decade due to its cost-effectiveness and environmental harmonies. Most of the studies on treatment of heavy metal pollution in soil and water by plant species have been done in developed countries but are limited in Vietnam. In this study, we presented some research results of phytoremediation of polluted soils and water with heavy metals that were done by Institute of Environmental Technology for several last years. For treatment of heavy metal pollution in the water, some plants have great ability to accumulate heavy metals such as Vetiveria zizanioides, Phragmites australis, Eichhornia crassipes, Pistia stratiotes, Ipomoea aquatica, Nypa fruticans and Enhydra fluctuans. The heavy metal uptake into shoots and roots of 33 indigenous plant species in Thai Nguyen province was also determined. Two species of the plants investigated, Pteris vittata L. and Pityrogramma calomelanos L. were As hyperaccumulators, containing more than 0.1% As in their shoots while Eleusine indica, Cynodon dactylon, Cyperus rotundus and Equisetum ramosissimum accumulated very high Pb (0.15-0.65%) and Zn (0.22-1.56%) concentrations in their roots. Some experiments to clarify the potential of several plants as good candidates for phytoremediation of polluted soil by heavy metals were carried out in our institute.Phương pháp sử dụng thực vật để xử lý ô nhiễm đã được nghiên cứu nhiều trong thập kỷ qua do chi phí thấp và thân thiện với môi trường. Hầu hết các nghiên cứu về xử lý ô nhiễm kim loại nặng trong đất và nước bằng thực vật đã được thực hiện ở các nước phát triển nhưng ít có tại Việt Nam. Trong nghiên cứu này, chúng tôi giới thiệu một số kết quả dùng công nghệ thực vật để xử lý ô nhiễm kim loại nặng trong đất và nước tại Viện Công nghệ môi trường trong những năm gần đây. Dối với xử lý ô nhiễm kim loại nặng trong nước, một số thực vật có khả năng tích lũy tốt kim loại nặng như Vetiveria zizanioides, Phragmites australis, Eichhornia crassipes, Pistia stratiotes, Ipomoea aquatica, Nypa fruticans và Enhydra fluctuans. Sự hấp thụ và tích lũy kim loại nặng trong phần trên mặt đất và rễ của 33 loài thực vật bản địa tại Thái Nguyên cũng đã được xác định. Hai loài thực vật khảo sát là Pteris vittata và Pityrogramma calomelanos là những loài siêu tích lũy As, chứa hơn 0,1% As trong phần trên mặt đất của cây. leusine indica, Cynodon dactylon, Cyperus rotundus và Equisetum ramosissimum tích lũy Pb (0,15-0,65%) và Zn (0,22-1,56%) rất cao trong rễ. Một số thí nghiệm đánh giá tiềm năng của một số thực vật là đối tượng tốt cho xử lý ô nhiễm kim loại nặng trong đất đã được tiến hành trong phòng thí nghiệm của Viện Công nghệ môi trường

Can a Short Food Supply Chain Create Sustainable Benefits for Small Farmers in Developing Countries? An Exploratory Study of Vietnam

A number of studies have indicated that short food supply chains could create economic, social, and environmental benefits, but most of those chains were implemented in developed countries. This research aims to find out the characteristics of short food supply chains and their benefits to small farmers in Vietnam, which is a developing country, based on the survey results from 338 small farmers in the third quarter of 2020, with the support of Stata 14 software. The results showed that the short food supply chains in the survey sample in Vietnam were characterized by two main actors: small farmers and distributors. Farmers could sell products flexibly at the local market. There was some initial evidence to prove that these chains helped to stabilize the input, output price, and revenue; formulated sustainable income; and increased the satisfaction and confidence of farmers. They eliminated gender discrimination in rural areas and improved livelihood for ethnic minorities. These chains also enhanced the mindset on green, organic, and clean production of farmers, which in turn created environmental benefits. COVID-19 has posed a negative impact on the income of farmers and made them change their production and sales method. Therefore, the research could suggest some policies to sustainably develop the short food supply chains in Vietnam in the future

The Role of Serial NT-ProBNP Level in Prognosis and Follow-Up Treatment of Acute Heart Failure after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

BACKGROUND: After coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, heart failure is still major problem. The valuable marker for it is needed. AIM: Evaluating the role of serial NT-proBNP level in prognosis and follow-up treatment of acute heart failure after CABG surgery. METHODS: The prospective, analytic study evaluated 107 patients undergoing CABG surgery at Ho Chi Minh Heart Institute from October 2012 to June 2014. Collecting data was done at pre- and post-operative days with measuring NT-proBNP levels on the day before operation, 2 hours after surgery, every next 24 h until the 5th day, and in case of acute heart failure occurred after surgery. RESULTS: On the first postoperative day (POD1), the NT-proBNP level demonstrated significant value for AHF with the cut-off point = 817.8 pg/mL and AUC = 0.806. On the second and third postoperative day, the AUC value of NT- was 0.753 and 0.751. It was statistically significant in acute heart failure group almost at POD 1 and POD 2 when analyzed by the doses of dobutamine, noradrenaline, and adrenaline (both low doses and normal doses). CONCLUSION: Serial measurement of NT-proBNP level provides useful prognostic and follow-up treatment information in acute heart failure after CABG surgery