Three Distinctions of the Heideggerian Phenomenological Research Method

Using Heidegger\u27s philosophy, the author of this study attempts to demonstrate how to conduct an effective interpretive phenomenological investigation. Heideggerian phenomenologists are distinguished by their ability to see the problem of identity; their ability to recognize ontology\u27s inadequacies; and their ability to interpret the subject matter through historical critiques. Prior knowledge and data analysis processes are also discussed in the study. Validity and creditability concerns are also addressed. To recapitulate, this work proposes a five-step approach for using Heideggerian phenomenological inquiry in social science and policymaking research, where researchers are confronted with a wide range of existing and alternative worldviews

Bayesian minimax estimation of the normal model with incomplete prior covariance matrix specification

This work addresses the issue of Bayesian robustness in the multivariate normal model when the prior covariance matrix is not completely specified, but rather is described in terms of positive semi-definite bounds. This occurs in situations where, for example, the only prior information available is the bound on the diagonal of the covariance matrix derived from some physical constraints, and that the covariance matrix is positive semi-definite, but otherwise arbitrary. Under the conditional Gamma-minimax principle, previous work by DasGupta and Studden shows that an analytically exact solution is readily available for a special case where the bound difference is a scaled identity. The goal in this work is to consider this problem for general positive definite matrices. The contribution in this paper is a theoretical study of the geometry of the minimax problem. Extension of previous results to a more general case is shown and a practical algorithm that relies on semi-definite programming and the convexity of the minimax formulation is derived. Although the algorithm is numerically exact for up to the bivariate case, its exactness for other cases remains open. Numerical studies demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed algorithm and the robustness of the minimax solution relative to standard and recently proposed methods

Liquidity spillover between ETFs and their constituents

Peer reviewedPostprin

VieLens,: an interactive search engine for LSC2019

With the appearance of many wearable devices like smartwatches, recording glasses (such as Google glass), smart phones, digital personal profiles have become more readily available nowadays. However, searching and navigating these multi-source, multi-modal, and often unstructured data to extract useful information is still a relatively challenging task. Therefore, the LSC2019 competition has been organized so that researchers can demonstrate novel search engines, as well as exchange ideas and collaborate on these types of problems. We present in this paper our approach for supporting interactive searches of lifelog data by employing a new retrieval system called VieLens, which is an interactive retrieval system enhanced by natural language processing techniques to extend and improve search results mainly in the context of a user’s activities in their daily life

A randomized controlled trial of a pharmacist-led intervention to enhance knowledge of Vietnamese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess whether a pharmacist-led intervention enhances knowledge, medication adherence and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: We conducted a single-blinded randomized controlled trial in Vietnam. Individuals with T2DM were recruited from a general hospital and randomly allocated to intervention and routine care. The intervention group received routine care plus counselling intervention by a pharmacist, including providing drug information and answering individual patients' queries relating to T2DM and medications, which had not been done in routine care. We assessed the outcomes: knowledge score as measured by the Diabetes Knowledge Questionnaire, self-reported adherence and fasting blood glucose (FBG) at the 1-month follow-up. KEY FINDINGS: A total of 165 patients (83 intervention, 82 control) completed the study; their mean age was 63.33 years, and 49.1% were males. The baseline characteristics of the patients were similar between the groups. At 1-month follow-up, the pharmacist's intervention resulted in an improvement in all three outcomes: knowledge score [B = 5.527; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 3.982 to 7.072; P < 0.001], adherence [odds ratio (OR) = 9.813; 95% CI: 2.456 to 39.205; P = 0.001] and attainment of target FBG (OR = 1.979; 95% CI: 1.029 to 3.806; P = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: The pharmacist-led intervention enhanced disease knowledge, medication adherence and glycemic control in patients with T2DM. This study provides evidence of the benefits of pharmacist counselling in addition to routine care for T2DM outpatients in a Vietnam population

Assessment of the Effectiveness of Ich Tam Khang as a Supportive Therapy for Chronic Heart Failure

Background: Heart failure is a chronic disease needing lifelong management. Despite the advances that have been made in the treatment of the disease, both the longevity and quality of life for those with chronic heart failure remain impaired. A more effective therapeutic approach with less negative side effects is still needed. In this study, we evaluate Ich Tam Khang (ITK), the poly-ingredient herbal and nutritional preparation with multiple physiological actions, as a supportive therapy for patients with chronic heart failure.Aims of Study: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Ich Tam Khang as an adjunctive treatment of chronic heart failure.Methods: A total of 60 patients with chronic congestive heart failure were enrolled in this open label, cross-sectional and prospective study. All patients were treated with a conventional regimen (digoxin, diuretics, angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), beta blockers) for at least 4 weeks before being divided into two equal groups. In the treated patients with ITK, patients received conventional therapy plus 4 tablets ITK per day added in two divided doses. In the control patients, all patients kept the same conventional regimen without ITK. All patients were followed up for 3 months for clinical and para-clinical outcomes.Result: The symptoms of heart failure (dyspnea, palpitation, peripheral edema, neck vein distention, heptojugular reflex) decreased. Heart rate and blood pressure stabilized during treatment in the treated patients with ITK. Additionally, total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol normalized in the patients treated with ITK. Most of echocardiography parameters in the ITK treated patients were superior to the control patients. ITK is safe and it has no side effects.Conclusion: ITK as a combination of herbal and nutritional preparation is effective in reducing heart failure symptoms, improving patient's quality of life for the patients with decompensated heart failure and reducing total cholesterol and LDL-C

Micronutrient Intakes among Women of Reproductive Age in Vietnam

Background: Micronutrient deficiencies are a public health concern worldwide negatively affecting maternal and child health outcomes. The primary underlying causes of micronutrient deficiencies are insufficient intake and poor bioavailability of micronutrients. However, reliable data on micronutrient intakes are sparse. The objectives of this study were to identify the key local food sources providing the majority of micronutrients and assess the adequacy and determinants of micronutrient intakes. Methods: The study used data from a survey of 4,983 rural women of reproductive age (WRA) participating in a preconception micronutrient supplementation trial in Vietnam. Micronutrient intakes were assessed using a validated 107-item semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between socioeconomic status and micronutrient intakes. Results: Starchy staples were the main source of iron and zinc (37% and 54%, respectively) with only a small proportion from meat (10% and 18%, respectively). The primary source of folate and vitamin A were vegetables; vitamin B12 came from meat and eggs. The proportion of the population with intakes below the estimated average requirement was 25% for iron, 16% for zinc, 54% for folate, 64% for vitamin B12 and 27% for vitamin A. Socioeconomic status was the main determinant of micronutrient intakes. WRA in the highest quintile consumed 26% more iron, 19% more zinc, 36% more folate, 82% more vitamin B12 and 47% more vitamin A compared to those in the lowest quintile. Women in the upper quintiles of SES were more likely to obtain nutrients from more nutritious and higher bioavailable foods than those in the lowest quintile. Conclusions: Underprivileged women were at increased risk for insufficient micronutrient intakes due to poor diet quality. Targeted efforts to promote the consumption of local nutrient rich foods along with educational programs and social development are needed