Self-organising (Kohonen) maps for the Vietnam banking industry

This is the first study to use the self-organisation (Kohonen) map technique, an artificial neural network based on a non-supervised learning algorithm, to categorise Vietnamese banks into super-class groups. Drawing on unbalanced yearly data from 2008 to 2017, this study identifies two super-class groups (one and two). While group one consists of joint stock banks, group two consists of commercial state and joint stock banks. Using the non-structural indicator, the Lerner index, to capture market power, and the data enveloped analysis technique to measure bank performance, our result shows significant differences in Lerner scores (which represent bank market power) of the two groups of banks. Differences in the Lerner scores provide evidence of a group of strong banks that is isolated from other banks. This implies that this strong bank group has the potential to be monopolist and impairs Vietnam’s competitive banking environment. The reason is that group two banks may be more profitable due to greater market power, whereas group one banks may struggle to cut costs to remain viable. These findings provide a better understanding for bank executives, policymakers and regulators of the Vietnam banking industry, and ensure an efficient and competitive Vietnam banking environment

Méthode d'implémentation non intrusive de l'analyse isogéométrique dans un code éléments finis : vers la prédiction de l'endommagement dans les composites.

L'utilisation des matériaux composites est devenue un des enjeux technologiques majeurs dans l'industrie, et les exigences sont croissantes pour l'utilisation de ces matériaux et la prédiction fine de leur comportement. Un choix indispensable pour réduire le nombre d'essais expérimentaux est de les remplacer par la simulation numérique (Virtual Testing) qui permet de prévoir numériquement le comportement des matériaux composites dans les structures mécaniques, jusqu'à la ruine. Parmi les méthodes numériques les plus avancées, l'analyse isogéométrique (IGA) émerge comme le candidat le plus prometteur étant donné sa robustesse et sa grande précision. Initiée dans [HUG05], cette méthode a fortement attiré l'attention de la communauté scientifique et de l'industrie, et elle a été appliquée avec succès dans de nombreux domaines duvCalcul de Structures [NGUXU14]. Lorsque l'on s'intéresse à la simulation de l'endommagement de composites, le coût de calcul en éléments finis classiques est trop important à l'heure actuelle pour satisfaire les exigences industrielles et donc la méthode IGA pourrait être intéressante. La méthode IGA permet de connecter plus efficacement la CAO et le calcul numérique, en utilisant les mêmes fonctions pour décrire la géométrie et la solution approchée, les fonctions B-splines ou NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines). Elle permet ainsi une description exacte de la géométrie et utilise des fonctions plus régulières pour le calcul.  Les premiers travaux présentés portent sur l'utilisation de l'analyse isogéométrique pour les matériaux composites. Certains travaux ont préalablement été réalisés sur l'utilisation de l'IGA dans les matériaux composites et sur le délaminage mais pas avec de l'endommagement plus complexe. C'est pourquoi en s'appuyant sur les travaux sur l'extraction de Bézier [BOR10], un lien sera créé entre la géométrie isogéométrique et un code élément fini industriel dans lequel est déjà présent la modélisation du comportement des composites, parfois complexe: rupture de fibre, décohésion fibre/matrice, fissurations diffuses dans la matrice, fissuration transverse, délaminage, etc. Cette transformation permettra d'utiliser un code élément fini tel que SAMCEF dans lequel est implémenté le mésomodèle [LAD14]. Une comparaison avec une résolution par éléments finis classiques sera faite afin de mettre en avant les avantages de l'analyse isogéométrique dans cette situation. Dans un dernier temps, des stratégies de couplages global/local non-intrusives [BOU16] seront mises en place pour profiter d'une meilleure description locale du mésomodèle tout en limitant le coût de calcul à l'échelle macroscopique. [HUG05] Hughes T.J.R, Cottrell J.A, Bazilevs Y. Isogeometric analysis: CAD, finite elements, NURBS, exact geometry and mesh refinement. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 194(39-41):4135-4195 (2005). [NGUXU14] Nguyen-Xuan H, Tran L.V, Thai C.H, Kulasegaram S, Bordas S.P.A. Isogeometric analysis of functionally graded plates using a refined plate theory, Composite Part B, 64:222?234 (2014). [BOR10] Borden M.J, Scott M.A, Evans J.A, Hughes T.J.R., Isogeometric finite element data structures based on Bezier extraction of NURBS, International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, 87:15-47 (2011). [LAD14] Ladevèze P, Daghia F, Abisset E, Le Mauff C. A micromechanics-based interface mesomodel for virtual testing of laminated composites. Advanced Modeling and Simulation in Engineering Sciences, 1:7 (2014). [BOU14] Bouclier R, Passieux J-C, Salaün M. Local enrichment of NURBS patches using a non-intrusive coupling strategy : geometric details, local refinement, inclusion, fracture. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 300:1-26 (2016)

Tannins: Extraction from Plants

The chapter presents mainly on different extraction methods of tannin. Some technical means required for effective extraction are also presented, for example, collection and treatment of plant and drying and storage of plant. Opportunity and challenges in application of extraction methods are also exhibited in the chapter

A modern purification by accelerated solvent extraction and centrifugal partition chromatography and biological evaluation of capsaicin from Capsicum chinense

A special alkaloid compound known as capsaicin, which can only be found in the fruit of the Capsicum plant, was isolated and tested for its anti-inflammatory activity. The purpose of this work is to establish a simple and quick approach for capsaicin purification utilizing centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) as well as an effective method - accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), for extracting capsaicin from Capsicum chinense. After purification, capsaicin was validated by HPLC-DAD at 281 nm to be > 90% purity. The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of the isolated capsaicin was also investigated, and the IC50 value of the capsaicin was determined to be 57.61 µg/mL. The current work emphasizes how an ASE and CPC system may combine to extract high-purity capsaicin from Capsicum chinense, which have the anti-inflammatory activity, as we evaluated in the experiment

In vitro bioactivities of Codonopsis javanica root extract from Kon Tum province, Vietnam

Dangshen Codonopsis javanica exhibits invaluable medicinal properties in herbal remedies; however, there has currently not been much specific analysis of the phytochemicals and bioactivities of this plant. The root ethanol extract of C. javanica contains substances such as saponins, phenolic acids, terpenoids, and alkaloids. It displays an antibacterial effect against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus with the IC50 values of 150, 100, 150, and 90 μg/mL, respectively. The antioxidant capacity of the root extract was also observed with an IC50 value of 46.8 ± 6.8 μg/mL. Furthermore, the extract exhibits activity on human cancer cell lines HepG2 (IC50 = 83.6 ± 2.7 μg/mL) and MCF-7 (IC50 = 95.3 ± 2.3 μg/mL). Hence, this study provides the basic data for further research on the bioactivities of natural compounds of Dangshen C. javanica for the first time

Deficient Mismatch Repair Proteins in Gastric Mixed Neuroendocrine Non-Neuroendocrine Neoplasm: A Rare Case Report

Mixed neuroendocrine non-neuroendocrine neoplasm (MiNEN) is a rare type of gastric carcinoma with controversial diagnosis and treatment. Recent data implies that deficiency mismatch repair proteins inducing microsatellite instability are considered one of the potential drivers of this disease. Hence, we report a stomach MiNEN with MMR protein loss. An admitted 60-year-old woman complained of epigastric pain. The pathological analysis of the gastro-endoscopic biopsy specimen revealed gastric adenocarcinoma. The radiological staging was cT3N1M0; therefore, she received D2 distal gastrectomy. Suspecting neuroendocrine component admix with adenocarcinoma part on the resected specimen microscopy, applying biomarkers including AE 1/3, synaptophysin, and chromogranin A to confirm the diagnosis of MiNEN. The neuroendocrine part was classified as neuroendocrine tumor grade 2 with Ki 67 at 16.5%. To further understand the molecular characterization of this disease, we evaluated mismatch protein expression by staining MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2 antibodies. Interestingly, both components lost MLH1 and PMS2 proteins. Her radical surgery followed oxaliplatin/capecitabine adjuvant chemotherapy. The patient is still well after eight cycles of chemotherapy. dMMR gastric MiNENs and dMMR gastric cancer share many clinical and genetic characteristics. Further studies are necessary to survey the role of dMMR in the prognosis and treatment of this entity

CSA: Thực hành nông nghiệp thông minh với khí hậu ở Việt Nam

During the last five years, Vietnam has been one of the countries most affected by climate change. Severe typhoons, flooding, cold spells, salinity intrusion, and drought have affected agriculture production across the country, from upland to lowland regions. Fortunately for Vietnam, continuous work in developing climate-smart agriculture has been occurring in research organizations and among innovative farmers and entrepreneurs. Application of various CSA practices and technologies to adapt to the impact of climate change in agriculture production have been expanding. However, there is a need to accelerate the scaling process of these practices and technologies in order to ensure growth of agriculture production and food security, increase income of farmers, make farming climate resilient, and contribute to global climate change mitigation. This book aims to provide basic information to researchers, managers, and technicians and extentionists at different levels on what CSA practices and technologies can be up scaled in different locations in Vietnam

Functional-Antioxidant Food

Nowadays, people face many different dangers, such as stress, unsafety food, and environmental pollution, but not everyone suffers. Meanwhile, free radicals are the biggest threat for humans because they lead to over 80 different diseases composed of aging. Free radicals can only be eliminated or minimized with antioxidant foods or antioxidants. The chapter on the functional-antioxidant food presents the antioxidant functional food concept, the classification, the structure, and the extraction process of antioxidant ingredients. Various antioxidant substances such as protein (collagen), polysaccharides (fucoidans, alginates, glucosamines, inulins, laminarins, ulvans, and pectins), and secondary metabolites (polyphenols (phlorotannins, lignins, polyphenols), alkaloids, and flavonoids) also present. The production technology, the mechanism, the opportunity, and the challenge of antioxidants functional food also present in the current chapter. The current chapter also gives the production process of functional-antioxidant food composed of the capsule, the tablet, tube, the pills, the powder, and the effervescent tablet