Structure-Function Relationships Affecting the Sensing Mechanism of Monolayer-Protected Cluster Doped Xerogel Amperometric Glucose Biosensors

A systematic study of the structure–function relationships critical to understanding the sensing mechanism of 1st generation amperometric glucose biosensors with an embedded nanoparticle (NP) network is presented. Xerogel-based films featuring embedded glucose oxidase enzyme and doped with alkanethiolate-protected gold NPs, known as monolayer protected clusters (MPCs), exhibit significantly enhanced performance compared to analogous systems without NPs including higher sensitivity, faster response time, and extended linear/dynamic ranges. The proposed mechanism involves diffusion of the glucose to glucose oxidase within the xerogel, enzymatic reaction production of H2O2 with subsequent diffusion to the embedded network of MPCs where it is oxidized, an event immediately reported via fast electron transfer (ET) through the MPC system to the working electrode. Various aspects of the film construct and strategy are systematically probed using amperometry, voltammetry, and solid-state electronic conductivity measurements, including the effects of MPC peripheral chain length, MPC functionalization via place-exchange reaction, MPC core size, and the MPC density or concentration within the xerogel composite films. The collective results of these experiments support the proposed mechanism and identify interparticle spacing and the electronic communication through the MPC network is the most significant factor in the sensing scheme with the diffusional aspects of the mechanism that may be affected by film/MPC hydrophobicity and functionality (i.e., glucose and H2O2 diffusion) shown to be less substantial contributors to the overall enhanced performance. Understanding the structure–function relationships of effective sensing schemes allows for the employment of the strategy for future biosensor design toward clinically relevant targets

Bringing social and cultural considerations into environmental management for vulnerable coastal communities: Responses to environmental change in Xuan Thuy National Park, Nam Dinh Province, Vietnam

This paper elaborates the importance of considering social and cultural factors within management responses to environmental change in coastal areas. The case study taken is Xuan Thuy National Park in Nam Dinh Province, Vietnam. This is a marginalised coastal area where rising sea levels, increasing storm surges and saltwater intrusion place pressure on coastal ecosystems, yet where communities continue to rely on these same ecosystems for agriculture- and aquaculture-related livelihoods. We interview stakeholders in Xuan Thuy National Park, connecting these with a narrative review of existing research into social and environmental change in the park to understand research gaps and challenges for vulnerable coastal areas like the Nam Dinh coast. Based on our findings, we suggest that whilst the effects of a changing environment on physical health and economic activity are increasingly well understood, effects on wellbeing and social relations can be even more immediate and profound in daily living. In turn, we argue environmental management has a crucial role to play not only for ecosystem-based adaptation, but also in sustaining wellbeing and allowing culturally meaningful practices to continue – especially in coastal regions where changes can be even more intense and immediate. However, we caution that whilst techno-scientific solutions grounded in environmental management do have significant potential in reducing impacts of extreme events and slower-onset environmental changes, they must not divert attention away from structural issues that can make some people or areas more vulnerable in the first instance

Safety and efficacy of fluoxetine on functional outcome after acute stroke (AFFINITY): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background Trials of fluoxetine for recovery after stroke report conflicting results. The Assessment oF FluoxetINe In sTroke recoverY (AFFINITY) trial aimed to show if daily oral fluoxetine for 6 months after stroke improves functional outcome in an ethnically diverse population. Methods AFFINITY was a randomised, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial done in 43 hospital stroke units in Australia (n=29), New Zealand (four), and Vietnam (ten). Eligible patients were adults (aged ≥18 years) with a clinical diagnosis of acute stroke in the previous 2–15 days, brain imaging consistent with ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke, and a persisting neurological deficit that produced a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 1 or more. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 via a web-based system using a minimisation algorithm to once daily, oral fluoxetine 20 mg capsules or matching placebo for 6 months. Patients, carers, investigators, and outcome assessors were masked to the treatment allocation. The primary outcome was functional status, measured by the mRS, at 6 months. The primary analysis was an ordinal logistic regression of the mRS at 6 months, adjusted for minimisation variables. Primary and safety analyses were done according to the patient's treatment allocation. The trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12611000774921. Findings Between Jan 11, 2013, and June 30, 2019, 1280 patients were recruited in Australia (n=532), New Zealand (n=42), and Vietnam (n=706), of whom 642 were randomly assigned to fluoxetine and 638 were randomly assigned to placebo. Mean duration of trial treatment was 167 days (SD 48·1). At 6 months, mRS data were available in 624 (97%) patients in the fluoxetine group and 632 (99%) in the placebo group. The distribution of mRS categories was similar in the fluoxetine and placebo groups (adjusted common odds ratio 0·94, 95% CI 0·76–1·15; p=0·53). Compared with patients in the placebo group, patients in the fluoxetine group had more falls (20 [3%] vs seven [1%]; p=0·018), bone fractures (19 [3%] vs six [1%]; p=0·014), and epileptic seizures (ten [2%] vs two [<1%]; p=0·038) at 6 months. Interpretation Oral fluoxetine 20 mg daily for 6 months after acute stroke did not improve functional outcome and increased the risk of falls, bone fractures, and epileptic seizures. These results do not support the use of fluoxetine to improve functional outcome after stroke

Solutions to Enhance the Quality of the Housekeeping Department: Natural Homestay, Hoi An, Viet Nam

The purpose of this study was to focus on identifying the problems that have occurred in the Housekeeping department and the solutions to these problems, helping to reinforce the important role Housekeeping plays in the development process of the hotel. The commissioner of this study was Natural Homestay - a hotel in Hoi An, Vietnam. The results of this study would be useful in improving the service quality at the hotel for the guests staying. This thesis incorporated various theoretical sources, ideas, and overview forms of the Housekeeping department in order to fulfil the intended aim, as well as demonstrating the relevance of this department in the hotel company. Furthermore, the approach employed in this thesis was qualitative methodology, with a focus on semi-structured interviews. Accordingly, the hotel and its leadership team would recognize the challenges that the housekeeping department was having based on the findings of the interviews and proposed appropriate remedies. Through semi-structured interviews with Housekeeping staff, various information was collected about the current working situation of this department and employees' feelings when asked about customer issues. hotel. Based on the results of the above interviews, showed the necessity and importance of improving the quality and spiritual value of employees in this department

Vivendo em Transição para a Formação de Professores em Canadá: reflexões pessoais e retratos de dois Estudantes de doutorado do sexo feminino vietnamitas

Living in transition while studying teacher education leads to multiple challenges for doctoral students as they situate themselves in the intersections with new sociocultural environments. The navigation process affects their personal and professional self-formation in constructing and reconstructing their multiple identities-making. In this paper, we, two Vietnamese female teachers, examine our life experience transitioning from Vietnamese to Canadian culture while pursuing our doctoral studies. The collaborative autobiography allows us to reflect, retell and relive our stories since we arrived in Canada. Through deconstructing our stories, we were amazed at the resonances of our tensions in new life-making experiences and perspective transformation in learning and conducting research. We hope our experiences are promising to shorten the gap in understanding experiences of those doctoral students composing life in similar education landscapes, which helps ease their difficulties and cultivate their academic and professional achievements. We also contribute more personal, social, cultural, and familial narratives to the dominant institutional narratives of Canadian teacher education.Vivir en transición mientras se estudia la formación docente genera múltiples desafíos para el doctoradoestudiantes a medida que se sitúan en las intersecciones con nuevos entornos socioculturales.El proceso de navegación incide en su autoformación personal y profesional en la construccióny reconstruir sus múltiples identidades. En este artículo, nosotras, dos mujeres vietnamitasmaestros, examinen nuestra experiencia de vida en la transición de la cultura vietnamita a la canadiense mientrascursando nuestros estudios de doctorado. La autobiografía colaborativa nos permite reflexionar, recontar yrevive nuestras historias desde que llegamos a Canadá. A través de la deconstrucción de nuestras historias, estábamosasombrado por las resonancias de nuestras tensiones en nuevas experiencias y perspectivas que hacen la vidatransformación en el aprendizaje y la realización de investigaciones. Esperamos que nuestras experiencias sean prometedoras paraacortar la brecha en la comprensión de las experiencias de aquellos doctorandos que componen la vida enpanoramas educativos similares, lo que ayuda a aliviar sus dificultades y a cultivar su rendimiento académico.y logros profesionales. También aportamos más a nivel personal, social, cultural y familiar.narrativas a las narrativas institucionales dominantes de la formación docente canadiense.Vivre en transition tout en étudiant la formation des enseignants entraîne de multiples défis pour les doctorantsétudiants qui se situent aux intersections avec de nouveaux environnements socioculturels.Le processus de navigation affecte leur auto-formation personnelle et professionnelle dans la constructionet la reconstruction de leurs identités multiples. Dans cet article, nous, deux femmes vietnamiennesenseignants, examinez notre expérience de vie en passant de la culture vietnamienne à la culture canadienne tout enpoursuivre nos études doctorales. L'autobiographie collaborative nous permet de réfléchir, de raconter etrevivre nos histoires depuis notre arrivée au Canada. En déconstruisant nos histoires, nous étionsémerveillés par les résonances de nos tensions dans de nouvelles expériences et perspectives de vietransformation dans l'apprentissage et la conduite de la recherche. Nous espérons que nos expériences promettent deraccourcir l'écart dans la compréhension des expériences de ces doctorants qui composent la vie dansdes paysages éducatifs similaires, ce qui contribue à atténuer leurs difficultés et à cultiver leur scolaritéet réalisations professionnelles. Nous apportons également une contribution plus personnelle, sociale, culturelle et familialenarratifs aux récits institutionnels dominants de la formation des enseignants au Canada.Viver em transição enquanto estuda formação de professores leva a múltiplos desafios para o doutoradoalunos à medida que se situam nas intersecções com novos ambientes socioculturais.O processo de navegação afeta sua autoformação pessoal e profissional na construçãoe reconstruindo suas múltiplas identidades. Neste artigo, nós, duas mulheres vietnamitasprofessores, examinar nossa experiência de vida na transição da cultura vietnamita para a canadense enquantocontinuar nossos estudos de doutorado. A autobiografia colaborativa nos permite refletir, recontar ereviver nossas histórias desde que chegamos ao Canadá. Ao desconstruir nossas histórias, fomosespantado com as ressonâncias de nossas tensões em novas experiências e perspectivas de vidatransformação na aprendizagem e na realização de pesquisas. Esperamos que nossas experiências sejam promissoras paraencurtar a lacuna na compreensão das experiências desses doutorandos que compõem a vida emcenários de educação semelhantes, o que ajuda a aliviar suas dificuldades e cultivar suae realizações profissionais. Também contribuímos com mais recursos pessoais, sociais, culturais e familiares.narrativas institucionais dominantes da formação de professores canadenses

THE VALUE CHAIN OF EXPORTED WHITELEG SHRIMP: CASE STUDY IN KHANH HOA PROVINCE, VIETNAM

This study focuses on systematic mapping and verification of benefit distribution among stakeholders in the value chain of white-leg shrimp in Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam. The question is, can reorganization of small farmer groups enhance participation and efficiency of the value chain? Convenient sampling and face-to-face interview method were employed in 2014 and 2015 to solicit information from 100 shrimp producers, 10 middlemen and 3 exporters. Males account for 98 percent of small independent producers. There is an involvement of middlemen (middlemen type #1 and middlemen type # 2) in the chain. The middlemen are the drivers in the chain and engage in risk shifting on producers. The distribution of shrimp materials by middlemen type #1 to the processing plant is based on shrimp size. An alternate design to assist collective bargaining by unified small farm *groups shows in order to attain a sustainable value chain for white-leg shrimp, one should improve vertical integration and coordination among the market participants; and seek government intervention to build the image of Vietnam seafood in international markets

Food Safety and Vietnam EU Pangasius strategy

Using Hirschman’s theoretical framework we evaluated the competitive position of Vietnamese pangasius export industry and the strategies employed by the private sector to increase market share in the EU. The authors organized focus group discussions, and interviewed 50 pangasius processors and exporters, and five government officials. The results show that most enterprises exploit the compliant, reactive and defensive strategies to maintain market share. A few firms employ the proactive/offensive strategies. These command larger EU market share; have more years of experience in processing; and are more vertically integrated than those adopting an offensive/reactive or reactive/defensive stance

The asymmetric ARDL findings.

The sustainable development goal seems challenging for governments worldwide, including Indonesia, which has faced an ecological deficit due to rapid economic development and population growth since 1999. The study aims to probe the potential asymmetric effects of foreign direct investment and globalization on ecological footprint in Indonesia from 1971 to 2019, which was ignored by previous studies. By adopting the autoregressive distributed lags (ARDL) and nonlinear autoregressive distributed lags (NARDL) approaches, the results clearly reveal that (i) The positive shock of globalization has a positive and statistically significant impact on the ecological footprint; (ii) the impact of foreign direct investment on the ecological footprint is asymmetric in the long run. Accordingly, the study found that the influence of negative changes in foreign direct investment is larger than positive changes. Based on the findings, the study recommends that the Indonesian government carefully consider the long-term consequences of globalization on the environment and reasonable control of foreign direct investment inflows.</div

The BDS test.

The sustainable development goal seems challenging for governments worldwide, including Indonesia, which has faced an ecological deficit due to rapid economic development and population growth since 1999. The study aims to probe the potential asymmetric effects of foreign direct investment and globalization on ecological footprint in Indonesia from 1971 to 2019, which was ignored by previous studies. By adopting the autoregressive distributed lags (ARDL) and nonlinear autoregressive distributed lags (NARDL) approaches, the results clearly reveal that (i) The positive shock of globalization has a positive and statistically significant impact on the ecological footprint; (ii) the impact of foreign direct investment on the ecological footprint is asymmetric in the long run. Accordingly, the study found that the influence of negative changes in foreign direct investment is larger than positive changes. Based on the findings, the study recommends that the Indonesian government carefully consider the long-term consequences of globalization on the environment and reasonable control of foreign direct investment inflows.</div

The Wald test results.

The sustainable development goal seems challenging for governments worldwide, including Indonesia, which has faced an ecological deficit due to rapid economic development and population growth since 1999. The study aims to probe the potential asymmetric effects of foreign direct investment and globalization on ecological footprint in Indonesia from 1971 to 2019, which was ignored by previous studies. By adopting the autoregressive distributed lags (ARDL) and nonlinear autoregressive distributed lags (NARDL) approaches, the results clearly reveal that (i) The positive shock of globalization has a positive and statistically significant impact on the ecological footprint; (ii) the impact of foreign direct investment on the ecological footprint is asymmetric in the long run. Accordingly, the study found that the influence of negative changes in foreign direct investment is larger than positive changes. Based on the findings, the study recommends that the Indonesian government carefully consider the long-term consequences of globalization on the environment and reasonable control of foreign direct investment inflows.</div