STUDY ON HEAVY METALS IN SOILS OF VIETNAM

Joint Research on Environmental Science and Technology for the Eart

PCB CONCENTRATIONS IN SQUID, BLOOD COCKLE, SNAIL, MUSSEL AND PORK IN SOUTH-EASTERN PROVINCES OF SOUTH VIETNAM

Joint Research on Environmental Science and Technology for the Eart

Automorphism Groups of Graphical Models and Lifted Variational Inference

Using the theory of group action, we first introduce the concept of the automorphism group of an exponential family or a graphical model, thus formalizing the general notion of symmetry of a probabilistic model. This automorphism group provides a precise mathematical framework for lifted inference in the general exponential family. Its group action partitions the set of random variables and feature functions into equivalent classes (called orbits) having identical marginals and expectations. Then the inference problem is effectively reduced to that of computing marginals or expectations for each class, thus avoiding the need to deal with each individual variable or feature. We demonstrate the usefulness of this general framework in lifting two classes of variational approximation for MAP inference: local LP relaxation and local LP relaxation with cycle constraints; the latter yields the first lifted inference that operate on a bound tighter than local constraints. Initial experimental results demonstrate that lifted MAP inference with cycle constraints achieved the state of the art performance, obtaining much better objective function values than local approximation while remaining relatively efficient.Comment: Extended version of the paper to appear in Statistical Relational AI (StaRAI-12) workshop at UAI '1

An investigation into the use of culturally responsive teaching strategies: Teaching English to Muong ethnic minority students at a tertiary institution in Vietnam

Maximising student learning is a critical concern at every higher educational institution, particularly those with students from a variety of cultures, ethnicities, and linguistic backgrounds. Teachers of English as a foreign language (EFL) in the mountainous areas in Vietnam face challenges in improving students’ learning, because of the distinct ethnic groups with unique religious, linguistic, and cultural characteristics and identities who attend their classes. This research explored how to improve the English language learning (ELL) for Muong ethnic minority students in a tertiary institution in Vietnam. Applying a well-known framework of culturally responsive teaching (CRT), this mixed-method study explored Muong students’ culture and learning preferences and used these as a conduit for learning and teaching processes in ELL classrooms where Muong students constitute the majority. The study consists of two phases. Phase One explored the Muong students’ culture and their learning preferences in order to design the English language teaching (ELT) strategies culturally responsive to Muong students. It employed the data from the researcher’s autoethnographic writing, three focus group interviews with Muong villagers, four interviews with Muong college teachers, and questionnaires from 46 current college students. Phase One findings showed some Muong cultural features that were helpful for creating a safe learning environment for Muong students including hospitability and friendliness, working together, equal relationships in the family, and maintaining harmony. With regard to the learning preferences, it was evidenced that Muong learners prefer learning activities that relate to their daily life and culture, friendly relationships, learning by observing others and practice, and extra-curricular learning materials. They have emotional expectations such as to be encouraged, to be understood and cared for, to be respected and treated fairly, and to be supported. Phase Two measured the impacts the teaching strategies had on Muong students. An eight week quasi-experiment intervention was conducted. Two intact classes participated in the study, one experimental class and the other one a control. Data from video-recording, audio-recording, pre- and post-test scores, pre- and post-questionnaires, and teacher interviews were gathered. The findings showed a positive change in participation in oral learning activities, in attitude toward and confidence in ELL, and in post-test scores of Muong students. Non-Muong students were not found to be disadvantaged by the intervention. The study findings imply that CRT of Muong college students is very important to increase their academic achievement in ELL. It shows that methods culturally responsive to Muong students included a safe learning environment and learning activities integrated with their learning preferences. It lends support to the theory of CRT (Gay, 2010; Ginsberg and Wlodkowski, 2009) in that it shows knowledge of how to make the learning more effective for students from a particular group

PRELIMINARY SURVEY OF ARSENIC CONCENTRATIONS IN WATERS OF DIFFERENT SOURCES IN HOCHIMINH CITY AND OTHER PROVINCES

Joint Research on Environmental Science and Technology for the Eart

The lasting effects of innovation on firm profitability: panel evidence from a transitional economy

This study is the first to study the lasting effects of innovation on firm profitability in Vietnam. Using a unique panel dataset for the period 2005–2015, our results show that innovators achieve higher profit in comparison with non-innovating firms. The positive effects of innovation on firm profitability are observed not only in the short term but also in the longer term. The benefits of innovation for firm profitability can be seen in higher export probability, better productivity, better access to formal credit, and the ability to secure government support, but only after innovation

A Study of the Strategic Alliance for EMS Industry: The Application of a Hybrid DEA and GM (1, 1) Approach

Choosing a partner is a critical factor for success in international strategic alliances, although criteria for partner selection vary between developed and transitional markets. This study aims to develop effective methods to assist enterprise to measure the firms’ operation efficiency, find out the candidate priority under several different inputs and outputs, and forecast the values of those variables in the future. The methodologies are constructed by the concepts of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and grey model (GM). Realistic data in four consecutive years (2009–2012) a total of 20 companies of the Electronic Manufacturing Service (EMS) industry that went public are completely collected. This paper tries to help target company—DMU1—to find the right alliance partners. By our proposed approach, the results show the priority in the recent years. The research study is hopefully of interest to managers who are in manufacturing industry in general and EMS enterprises in particular

COMPARISION OF THREE DIGESTION METHODS FOR SOIL ARSENIC DETERMINATION. APPLICATION FOR HO CHI MINH CITY SOIL ARSENIC ANALYSIS

Joint Research on Environmental Science and Technology for the Eart