Design and analysis of a displacement sensor-integrated compliant microgripper based on parallel structure

This study evaluates the displacement sensitivity of a new compliant microgripper. The microgripper is designed based on a four-bar mechanism and the concept of a compliant mechanism. The effects of the width of the right circular hinge, the thickness of microgripper, and the material properties on the dis-placement sensitivity are considered via using the finite element method. In the beginning, the stress and deformation of the compliant microgripper are evaluated. Subsequently, the displacement of the microgripper is then analyzed. The results showed that the design parameter and the displacement sensitivity have a close relationship. To increase the grasping reliability and measure the displacement or force, a micro-displacement sensor is integrated with the proposed microgripper. Finally, the modeling and analysis of the proposed sensor are conducted

Genetic Interaction Between Two VNTRs in the SLC6A4 Gene Regulates Nicotine Dependence in Vietnamese Men

Nicotine dependence is an addiction to tobacco products and a global public health concern. Association between the SLC6A4 polymorphisms and nicotine dependence is controversial. Two variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) domains, termed HTTLPR and STin2, in the SLC6A4 gene are well characterized transcriptional regulatory elements. Their polymorphism in the copy number of the repeat correlates with the particular personality and psychiatric traits. We analyzed nicotine dependence in 1,804 participants from Central Vietnam. The Fagerström Test (FTND) was used to evaluate the nicotine dependence and PCR was used to determine the SLC6A4 HTTLPR and STin2 VNTRs. The HTTLPR VNTR was associated with difficulties to refrain from smoking in a prohibiting environment. The STIn2 10/10 genotype was associated with (1) years of smoking, (2) difficulties to quit the first cigarette, and (3) higher number of cigarettes smoked per day (CPD). Stratification analysis was used to find the genetic interaction between these two VNTRs in nicotine dependence as they may synergistically regulate the SLC6A4 expression. Smokers with the S/S HTTLPR genotypes showed a much stronger association between STin2 10/10 variant and CPD. This finding is consistent with the molecular evidence for the functional interaction between HTTLPR and STin2 in cell line models, where STin2 has described as a stronger expressional regulator. Similarly, we found that STin2 is a much stronger modifier of smoking with 10/10 genotype related to higher nicotine dependence. The present study supports genetic interaction between HTTLPR and STin2 VNTRs in the regulation of nicotine dependence with the dominance of the STin2 effects. This finding could be explained by their differential effect on the SLC6A4 expression

Genetic Interaction Between Two VNTRs in the SLC6A4 Gene Regulates Nicotine Dependence in Vietnamese Men

Nicotine dependence is an addiction to tobacco products and a global public health concern. Association between the SLC6A4 polymorphisms and nicotine dependence is controversial. Two variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) domains, termed HTTLPR and STin2, in the SLC6A4 gene are well characterized transcriptional regulatory elements. Their polymorphism in the copy number of the repeat correlates with the particular personality and psychiatric traits. We analyzed nicotine dependence in 1,804 participants from Central Vietnam. The Fagerström Test (FTND) was used to evaluate the nicotine dependence and PCR was used to determine the SLC6A4 HTTLPR and STin2 VNTRs. The HTTLPR VNTR was associated with difficulties to refrain from smoking in a prohibiting environment. The STIn2 10/10 genotype was associated with (1) years of smoking, (2) difficulties to quit the first cigarette, and (3) higher number of cigarettes smoked per day (CPD). Stratification analysis was used to find the genetic interaction between these two VNTRs in nicotine dependence as they may synergistically regulate the SLC6A4 expression. Smokers with the S/S HTTLPR genotypes showed a much stronger association between STin2 10/10 variant and CPD. This finding is consistent with the molecular evidence for the functional interaction between HTTLPR and STin2 in cell line models, where STin2 has described as a stronger expressional regulator. Similarly, we found that STin2 is a much stronger modifier of smoking with 10/10 genotype related to higher nicotine dependence. The present study supports genetic interaction between HTTLPR and STin2 VNTRs in the regulation of nicotine dependence with the dominance of the STin2 effects. This finding could be explained by their differential effect on the SLC6A4 expression

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

Studying the impact factors of climate change on agricultural land use in Phong Dien district, Thua Thien Hue province

Many factors influence agricultural land, in particular, climate change show the most significant and serious effect on agricultural land in Phong Dien district. This study applied Binary Logistic analysis, using the SPSS software, on data collected through state agencies, fieldwork and interviews. The study has identified the impact of climate change on agricultural land by several factors; the most significant influence is derived from temperature and other extreme weather factors. In addition, the elements of rainfall, wind, and cold air also have a substantial impact on agricultural land causing serious consequences such as damage, loss of construction quality, overload of water supply and drainage systems, landslides, damage to infrastructure systems, etc. Some adaptive solutions to counteract the effects of climate change on agricultural land include changing crop structure, upgrading facilities, raising awareness of officials, and peo-ple about climate change.Công tác sử dụng đất nông nghiệp chịu ảnh hưởng từ rất nhiều yếu tố. Trong đó, yếu tố tác động của biến đổi khí hậu gây ảnh hưởng lớn và nghiêm trọng nhất đối với việc sử dụng đất nông nghiệp nói chung và trên địa bàn huyện Phong Điền nói riêng. Nghiên cứu đã sử dụng phân tích Binary Logistic trên phần mềm SPSS từ các số liệu thu thập được qua các cơ quan nhà nước, thực địa, phỏng vấn. Từ đó, nghiên cứu đã xác định được tác động của biến đổi khí hậu đến sử dụng đất nông nghiệp thông qua các yếu tố: Gây ảnh hưởng lớn nhất là yếu tố nhiệt độ và yếu tố cực đoan khác; ngoài ra, các yếu tố lượng mưa, chế độ gió và không khí lạnh cũng tác động không nhở vào việc sử dụng đất nông nghiệp . Các yếu tố này gây ra các hậu quả nghiêm trọng như làm hư hại, giảm chất lượng công trình, làm quá tải hệ thống cấp thoát nước, làm sạt lở, hư hại hệ thống cơ sở hạ tầng… Nghiên cứu đã đề xuất được một số giải pháp thích ứng của biến đổi khí hậu đến việc sử dụng đất nông nghiệp như thay đổi cơ cấu cây trồng, nâng cấp cơ sở vật chất, nâng cao nhận thức của cán bộ và người dân về biến đổi khí hậu

PEOPLE’S SATISFACTION WITH PUBLIC SERVICES PROVIDED BY LAND REGISTRATION AUTHORITY IN BO TRACH DISTRICT, QUANG BINH PROVINCE

The research analyses 155 questionnaires and came to a multiple regression model indicating that five factors affect people’s satisfaction with the services at the research site. The most crucial factor is Facility, followed by Service quality, Staff capacity, Confidence, and Procedural process. There is no difference among Genders, Ages, Education and qualifications, Careers, and Living spaces

FACTORS AFFECTING REAL ESTATE PRICE IN HUE CITY, THUA THIEN HUE PROVINCE

This study determines the impact of factors on property prices in Hue City, Thua Thien Hue province. It uses quantitative and qualitative analysis to statistically characterize the investigated subjects. The Likert scale with five levels and the regression method were used to evaluate the influence of relevant factors on real estate from 115 samples collected in the An Tay, An Cuu, and An Dong Wards, Hue City. The results show six factors affecting real estate prices: (i) Location, (ii) Shape and topography, (iii) Legal, (iv) Social factors, (v) Infrastructure, and (vi) Environmental conditions. The impact level of the factors are: Environmental conditions, 0.416; Shape and topography, 0.408; Location, 0.225; Infrastructure, 0.197; Legal, 0.195; and Social factors, 0.120. Depending on the type of street, the factors have different roles. For streets with good business potential, the important factor is Location with high profitability and stability, leading to high buyer demand, followed by Topographic and shape, Infrastructure, and Environment. An Cuu had the highest real estate price among the three surveyed wards, followed by An Dong and An Tay

ẢNH HƯỞNG CỦA MỘT SỐ YẾU TỐ DO DỊCH COVID-19 GÂY RA ĐẾN HOẠT ĐỘNG CỦA CÁC NHÀ ĐẦU TƯ TRÊN THỊ TRƯỜNG BẤT ĐỘNG SẢN THÀNH PHỐ HUẾ, TỈNH THỪA THIÊN HUẾ

This study focuses on establishing a model to assess the impact of Covid-19 on real estate investors in Hue City. The study uses the Likert scale with five levels and the regression method to analyze the data from interviewing 125 real estate investors. The factors caused by the Covid-19 pandemic affecting the activities of investors in the market were determined from the consultation with ten experts in the real estate field. The model was built with six factors: Changing investor sentiment (0.406); Direct access of investors to real estate (0.406); State policy (0.207); Change in investment method (0.195); Origin of investment money (0.159), and Bank policy (0.124). The factors caused by the Covid-19 pandemic all affected investors with an average score from 3.63 to 3.86. The study proposed several solutions to improve the efficiency of real estate investment under the influence of Covid-19.Nghiên cứu này tập trung vào việc thành lập mô hình để đánh giá mức độ ảnh hưởng của các yếu tố do Covid-19 tác động đến nhà đầu tư bất động sản tại thành phố Huế. Nghiên cứu sử dụng thang đo Likert với năm cấp độ và phương pháp hồi quy để phân tích số liệu thống kê lấy từ việc phỏng vấn 125 nhà đầu tư (NĐT) bất động sản (BĐS) tại thành phố Huế. Các yếu tố do dịch Covid-19 gây ra ảnh hưởng đến hoạt động của các nhà đầu tư trên thị trường được xác định từ kết quả tham vấn 10 ý kiến của chuyên gia trong lĩnh vực BĐS. Mô hình được xây dựng với 6 yếu tố ảnh hưởng do Covid-19 gây ra đến nhà đầu tư, bao gồm: Thay đổi tâm lý của nhà đầu tư (0,406); Khả năng tiếp cận trực tiếp của NĐT đến BĐS (0,406); Chính sách của nhà nước (0,207); Thay đổi cách thức đầu tư (0,195); Nguồn gốc tiền đầu tư (0,159) và Chính sách của ngân hàng (0,124). Các yếu tố do dịch Covid-19 gây ra đều có ảnh hưởng đến nhà đầu tư với điểm trung bình từ 3,63 đến 3,86. Nghiên cứu đã đề xuất một số giải pháp nhằm nâng cao hiệu quả đầu tư BĐS dưới ảnh hưởng của Covid-19

HIỆU QUẢ SỬ DỤNG ĐẤT SẢN XUẤT NÔNG NGHIỆP CỦA CỘNG ĐỒNG DÂN TỘC THIỂU SỐ TẠI HUYỆN A LƯỚI, TỈNH THỪA THIÊN HUẾ

The article assesses the economic, social and environmental efficiency of agricultural land use of ethnic communities in A Luoi district, Thua Thien Hue province. The data were collected from a survey of 95 households in Quang Nham, A Ngo, and Hong Thuy communes and analyzed through the efficiency indicators. The results show that the banana type has the highest economic efficiency. It is reflected in the values of the economic efficiency assessment criteria (total production value GO of VND 87 mill/ha). The efficiency of bananas is three times higher than that of rice in the Winter-Spring – Summer-Autumn season. The efficiency of maize is ten times higher than that of cassava. The study proposes three groups of measures to improve the economic, social, and environmental efficiency of agricultural land in A Luoi district in the coming time.Nghiên cứu này đánh giá hiệu quả kinh tế, xã hội và môi trường trong việc sử dụng đất sản xuất nông nghiệp của đồng bào dân tộc thiểu số tại huyện A Lưới, tỉnh Thừa Thiên Huế. Số liệu được thu thập từ việc khảo sát 95 hộ gia gia đình đồng bào dân tộc thiểu số tại ba xã Quảng Nhâm, A Ngo và Hồng Thủy và phân tích thông qua các chỉ tiêu đánh giá hiệu quả sử dụng đất sản xuất nông nghiệp. Kết quả cho thấy loại hình trồng chuối đem lại hiệu quả kinh tế cao nhất. Điều này được phản ánh qua giá trị của các chỉ tiêu đánh giá hiệu quả kinh tế (tổng giá trị sản xuất GO đạt trên 87 triệu đồng/ha). Hiệu quả kinh tế từ chuối cao hơn gấp ba lần so với lúa Đông Xuân - Hè Thu và ngô cao gấp 10 lần so với sắn. Từ đó, nghiên cứu đã đề xuất ba nhóm giải pháp nhằm nâng cao hiệu quả kinh tế, xã hội và môi trường cho loại hình sử dụng đất sản xuất nông nghiệp cho huyện A Lưới trong thời gian tới

One Village One Product (OVOP)—A Rural Development Strategy and the Early Adaption in Vietnam, the Case of Quang Ninh Province

Agriculture and rural development has continuously been a hot debate and received significant attention from literature. In this context, endogenous development is considered to be basic approach for rural development strategies in many countries of which the Japanese model namely One Village One Product (OVOP) is a successful one. This paper studies the OVOP movement and analyzes its early adaption in Vietnam, the so-called One Commune One Product (OCOP). This question is addressed by reviewing the existing literature on OVOP following by a case study in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam. The results, reveal, in practice, despite some criticism, OCOP strategy in general generate employment opportunities, incomes; enhance creativity and capability of local people