Effects of nano copper used in seed treatment for germination, growth, and productivity of maize

Recently, metal and other nanoparticles have been widely used to improve crop growth and development, reduce used chemical amount, increase safety of agricultural products and prevent soil and water pollution. Seed treatment technology with metal nanoparticles to stimulate seed germination and improve crop yields has been reported in several studies. In order to assess the safety of the use of metal nanoparticles in agriculture production, in this study the effect and safety of seed treatment with nanoparticles (nCu) prior to sowing on the germination, growth, development, productivity and quality of maize (Zea mays L.) were evaluated in the field conditions. Seeds of maize cultivar LVN 092 were treated with nCu at different concentrations before planting. Germination and plant growth rates, plants yield and grain nutrition were monitored and evaluated. The obtained results showed that treatment of maize seed with nCu at a concentration of 20 mg/kg seed increased germination after 7 days of sowing as well as the theoretical and actual yields compared to the control and the treatment of 1000 mg nCu/1 kg seeds. Other agricultural characteristics, such as the development rate, plant height, grain nutritional content including moisture, ash, total fiber, crude protein, minerals were not significantly between treatments and the control. Therefore, the seed treatments with metal nanoparticles can be contribute to improve agriculture production without impact to quality of crops.

Buckling of the initial imperfect rectangular thin plate with variable thickness

This paper analyzes the stability of the rectangular thin plate with sinusoidal changes in the plate thickness combined with initial curvature based on the large deflection theory. The buckling load for simply supported plates is defined using the energy method. The influence of the thickness variation parameter and the initial curvature parameter on the critical loads is investigated

Algorithm to Automatically Extract Body Sizes and Shapes

This study presents an algorithm to automatically extract the size and body shape of a 3D scanned model. The methods used in this research include factor analysis, linear regression equation, cluster analysis, and discriminant analysis. These are used to analyze the body’s shape and choose the best primary dimensions for establishing the sizing system table. Authors use fuzzy logic to establish the mathematical model. In this model, the input variables are the inseam height and the neck girth measurements, and the output variables are the numbers of the human size coding and body shape. In addition, the rotation matrix and the optimal function are used to write an algorithm to estimate the neck girth and inseam measurements. Furthermore, a simple approach based on vertices and surface normal vector data, together with optimal searching, is adapted to estimate the primary dimensions. This estimation algorithm, combined with the fuzzy logic model, makes the automated process of extracting the size and body shape possible. The findings of the study suggest a new research method for quickly informing people about their body shape. This supports purchasing clothes and designing tailored clothing. The automatic algorithm will be very useful for buying clothes face-to-face or online

PlantKViT: A Combination Model of Vision Transformer and KNN for Forest Plants Classification

The natural ecosystem incorporates thousands of plant species and distinguishing them is normally manual, complicated, and time-consuming. Since the task requires a large amount of expertise, identifying forest plant species relies on the work of a team of botanical experts. The emergence of Machine Learning, especially Deep Learning, has opened up a new approach to plant classification. However, the application of plant classification based on deep learning models remains limited. This paper proposed a model, named PlantKViT, combining Vision Transformer architecture and the KNN algorithm to identify forest plants. The proposed model provides high efficiency and convenience for adding new plant species. The study was experimented with using Resnet-152, ConvNeXt networks, and the PlantKViT model to classify forest plants. The training and evaluation were implemented on the dataset of DanangForestPlant, containing 10,527 images and 489 species of forest plants. The accuracy of the proposed PlantKViT model reached 93%, significantly improved compared to the ConvNeXt model at 89% and the Resnet-152 model at only 76%. The authors also successfully developed a website and 2 applications called ‘plant id’ and ‘Danangplant’ on the iOS and Android platforms respectively. The PlantKViT model shows the potential in forest plant identification not only in the conducted dataset but also worldwide. Future work should gear toward extending the dataset and enhance the accuracy and performance of forest plant identification

The acceptability of and willingness to pay for a herpes zoster vaccine: A systematic review

Patients, predominantly the elderly, with Herpes Zoster (HZ) not only suffer symptoms of the disease but also bear considerable expenses. This study systematically reviewed the acceptability of and willingness to pay for the HZ vaccine. This review was registered in PROSPERO 2023 (CRD42023403062). We used “acceptance”, “willing to pay”, and “HZ vaccine” (and variations thereof) as keywords in a systematic search for original English research articles published up to April 7, 2023. The search was conducted over Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane, and Google Scholar in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The inclusion criteria were as follows: studies (1) that mentioned HZ vaccination, (2) related to acceptability or willingness to pay, and (3) with full texts available and peer-reviewed prior to final publication. Grey literature, letters to editors, commentaries, case reports or series, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, articles of poor quality, and articles with ambiguously defined and measured outcome variables were excluded. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the studies. Finally, the search yielded 24 studies, of which 9 were conducted in Asia, 8 in Europe, and 7 in America. General adults or patients aged 50 or older were often the target populations, for whom treatments were accompanied by healthcare providers’ recommendations. The willingness to pay and willingness to accept the vaccine ranged from $8 to$150 and 16.6% to 85.8%, respectively. Compared to the US, Asia and Europe had higher acceptance rates for HZ immunization. The most frequent excuses given for not being vaccinated are side effects, cost, lack of recommendations, anti-vaccination views, ignorance about the HZ vaccine, and the belief that one is not at risk for the disease. National campaigns should be developed to increase public awareness of HZ, and more international research should be conducted to understand the WTA and WTP for HZ immunizations

Impact of Education and Network for Avian Influenza H5N1 in Human: Knowledge, Clinical Practice, and Motivation on Medical Providers in Vietnam

BACKGROUND: Knowledge, clinical practice, and professional motivation of medical providers relating to H5N1 infection have an important influence on care for H5N1 patients who require early diagnosis and early medical intervention. METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Novel educational programs including training and workshops for medical providers relating to H5N1 infection in Vietnam were originally created and implemented in 18 provincial hospitals in northern Vietnam between 2008 and 2010. A self-administered, structured questionnaire survey was conducted in 8 provincial hospitals where both educational training and workshops were previously provided. A total of 326 medical providers, including physicians, nurses, and laboratory technicians who attended or did not attend original programs were enrolled in the survey. Knowledge, clinical attitudes and practice (KAP), including motivation surrounding caring for H5N1 patients, were evaluated. The study indicated a high level of knowledge and motivation in all professional groups, with especially high levels in laboratory technicians. Conferences and educational programs were evaluated to be the main scientific information resources for physicians, along with information from colleagues. The chest radiographs and the initiation of antiviral treatment in the absence of RT-PCR result were identified as gaps in education. Factors possibly influencing professional motivation for caring for H5N1 patients included healthcare profession, the hospital where the respondents worked, age group, attendance at original educational programs and at educational programs which were conducted by international health-related organizations. CONCLUSIONS: Educational programs provide high knowledge and motivation for medical providers in Vietnam caring for H5N1 patients. Additional educational programs related to chest radiographs and an initiation of treatment in the absence of RT-PCR are needed. Networking is also necessary for sharing updated scientific information and practical experiences. These enhanced KAPs by educational programs and integrated systems among hospitals should result in appropriate care for H5N1 patients and may reduce morbidity and mortality

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

Genetic Characterization of Avian Influenza A (H11N9) Virus Isolated from Mandarin Ducks in South Korea in 2018

In July 2018, a novel avian influenza virus (A/Mandarin duck/South Korea/KNU18-12/2018(H11N9)) was isolated from Mandarin ducks in South Korea. Phylogenetic and molecular analyses were conducted to characterize the genetic origins of the H11N9 strain. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that eight gene segments of strain H11N9 belonged to the Eurasian lineages. Analysis of nucleotide sequence similarity of both the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes revealed the highest homology with A/duck/Kagoshima/KU57/2014 (H11N9), showing 97.70% and 98.00% nucleotide identities, respectively. Additionally, internal genes showed homology higher than 98% compared to those of other isolates derived from duck and wild birds. Both the polymerase acidic (PA) and polymerase basic 1 (PB1) genes were close to the H5N3 strain isolated in China; whereas, other internal genes were closely related to that of avian influenza virus in Japan. A single basic amino acid at the HA cleavage site (PAIASR&darr;GLF), the lack of a five-amino acid deletion (residue 69&ndash;73) in the stalk region of the NA gene, and E627 in the polymerase basic 2 (PB2) gene indicated that the A/Mandarin duck/South Korea/KNU18-12/2018(H11N9) isolate was a typical low-pathogenicity avian influenza. In vitro viral replication of H11N9 showed a lower titer than H1N1 and higher than H9N2. In mice, H11N9 showed lower adaptation than H1N1. The novel A/Mandarin duck/South Korea/KNU18-12/2018(H11N9) isolate may have resulted from an unknown reassortment through the import of multiple wild birds in Japan and Korea in approximately 2016&ndash;2017, evolving to produce a different H11N9 compared to the previous H11N9 in Korea (2016). Further reassortment events of this virus occurred in PB1 and PA in China-derived strains. These results indicate that Japanese- and Chinese-derived avian influenza contributes to the genetic diversity of A/Mandarin duck/South Korea/KNU18-12/2018(H11N9) in Korea

ẢNH HƯỞNG CỦA HOẠT ĐỘNG ĐỌC MỞ RỘNG ĐÊN VIỆC PHÁT TRIỂN KHẢ NĂNG ĐỌC HIỂU CỦA SINH VIÊN CHUYÊN NGỮ NĂM HAI TẠI TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC ĐÀ LẠT

This paper reports on an extensive reading program utilizing graded readers and the Moodle Reader for sophomore English majors at Dalat University. The main purpose of the study was to determine the impact of such a program on student reading abilities and to explore their attitudes toward the program. Data were collected from pretests, posttests, and questionnaires. Findings indicated that the extensive reading program was largely responsible for the higher mean gain on the posttest made by the experimental group, and that the majority of students expressed positive opinions toward the program. The paper concludes by putting forward some pedagogical implications on the implementation of such a program with English language students and lecturers in their courses of reading.Bài viết này báo cáo một chương trình Đọc mở rộng sử dụng một nguồn sách tiếng Anh được phân loại theo cấp độ, ứng dụng trình đọc Moodle cho sinh viên tiếng Anh năm hai tại Đại học Đà Lạt. Nghiên cứu tập trung xác định tác động của hoạt động đọc mở rộng đến việc phát triển khả năng đọc hiểu tiếng Anh và tìm hiểu thái độ của người học đối với chương trình Đọc mở rộng này. Dữ liệu được thu thập bằng cách sử dụng các bài kiểm tra trước và sau thực nghiệm và bảng hỏi. Các phát hiện chỉ ra rằng hoạt động đọc mở rộng ảnh hưởng tích cực đến khả năng đọc hiểu và thái độ của các sinh viên tham gia đọc mở rộng. Cuối cùng, bài báo đúc kết một số khuyến nghị cho việc áp dụng hoạt động đọc mở rộng với sự hỗ trợ của trình đọc Moodle cho các sinh viên và giảng viên môn Đọc hiểu tiếng Anh.

Development of a Rapid Fluorescent Immunochromatographic Test to Detect Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the most common viruses infecting the respiratory tracts of infants. The rapid and sensitive detection of RSV is important to minimize the incidence of infection. In this study, novel monoclonal antibodies (mAbs; B11A5 and E8A11) against RSV nucleoprotein (NP) were developed and applied to develop a rapid fluorescent immunochromatographic strip test (FICT), employing europium nanoparticles as the fluorescent material. For the FICT, the limits of detection of the antigen and virus were 1.25 &micro;g/mL and 4.23 &times; 106 TCID50/mL, respectively, corresponding to 4.75 &times; 106 &plusmn; 5.8 &times;105 (mean &plusmn; SD) RNA copy numbers per reaction mixture for RSV NP. A clinical study revealed a sensitivity of 90% (18/20) and specificity of 98.18% (108/110) for RSV detection when comparing the performance to that of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), representing a 15% improvement in sensitivity over the SD Bioline rapid kit. This newly developed FICT could be a useful tool for the rapid diagnosis of RSV infection