An analysis of multi drug resistant tuberculosis control in Vietnam

Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis is a major global health problem. Viet Nam is 14th among 27 MDR-TB high burden countries with an estimated about 5,100 MDR-TB cases among notified TB cases per year. Management of MDR-TB in Viet Nam is one of the main objectives of the TB control programme. This thesis provides an understanding of the current situation of MDRlXDR-TB in Vietnam and its control policies focusing on case finding strategy, targeting groups for MDR-TB screening. MDR-TB contacts, one of the high risk groups recommended by the WHO is a focus of this thesis. The thesis presents screening practices of household contacts of TB patients, feasibility of TB contact investigations, and to identify challenges and solutions for a successful implementation of an efficient contact investigation among MDR -TB patients in Viet Nam. Since 2009, the programmatic management of drug resistant tuberculosis (PMDT) was piloted in Viet Nam following the development of 2009 country MDR TB guideline. A year after the WHO updated guideline was disseminated, the country revised its guideline and SOP to be in line with WHO's recommendations and contextualized to local capacity and resources. The PMDT has been rolled out and scaled up in the country. However, lack of resources, limited communication on policy changes to lower level, unable to provide screening to all risk groups, inadequate capacity to perform diagnosis of mono and poly resistant TB and second- line DST have posed significant challenges for the NTP to implement their policy. This study found that only about 30% MDR TB cases was detected. through the PMDT system. The possible reasons we identified were: (1) delay in fully rolling out PMDT policies and limited capacity of the system, mostly due to inadequate resources, (2) operational factors, and (3) neglecting high risk groups during MDR- TB screening, particularly close contacts of MDR TB patients. Noteworthy, the NTP strategy relies on "passive case finding" while the proportion of household contacts of smear-positive tuberculosis patients screened for TB under the current passive screening approach of the Vietnam National TB program is very low compared with prevalence of TB among contacts in high burden countries, particularly for contacts under 5 years of age. Although screening of close contacts of MDR-TB patients is recommended by the NTP of Viet Nam, this is generally not done. Therefore, a different approach is needed. This study applied Social network Analysis (SNA), which is a more comprehensive approach than traditional contact tracing. However, with SNA of 99 MDR-TB index patients we were not able to detect new MDR-TB cases. The fact we found no new MDR-TB cases may be explained by reduced fitness of MDR-TB and the short follow up time of our study of 6 months. The results of this study suggest that there are several interventions that could improve the PMDT program in Viet Nam. Firstly, the National TB control Program should standardize and decentralize training on PMDT and provide staff with updated information on policy changes through proper communication channels. Capacity on MDR-TB diagnosis and treatment should be strengthened. PMDT should expand ambulatory care of MDR-TB treatment and expand risk group for MDR-TB screening. MDR TB case finding could be strengthened by provision of information and education of close contacts of MDR-TB patients, with special attention to children; and to perform more research on how active contact investigations should be done for MD-TB to have the best yield. The NTP should allocate more resources to MDRTB control, particularly well-trained staff

DISTRIBUTION AND SOURCES OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS IN AQUATIC SEDIMENT FROM CAN GIO COASTAL WETLAND, HOCHIMINH CITY

The distribution of fifteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) indicated from USEPA as priority pollutants was studied in surface sediments (0 - 20 cm) of coastal wetland area of Can Gio district, Hochiminh City. PAHs were recovered from the sediments by solvent extraction and then analyzed by means of high performance liquid chromatography system. Total concentrations of the ∑PAHs in the range 5 – 38 ng/g dw were detected, and a distinct spatial trend was observed. The contents of Nap, Ace, Flu, Phe and dBA were below detection limit. Diagnostic ratios such as benzo[a]anthracene/chrysene and fluoranthene/pyrene were achieved to evaluate the emission sources of PAHs. These ratios indicated an anthopogenic source (pyrolysis) of PAHs for sediments. Furthermore PAHs were associated mainly with fine particle sediments. Although the PAHs contents were below Vietnamese standard but potential risk to ecosystem needs further study since the high percentages of carcinogenic PAHs

Surveying entrepreneurial readiness of Business Administration students - A case study in the University of Labour & Social Affairs (ULSA)

This research is conducted to explore the entrepreneurial readiness, along with its related factors, of business administration students from ULSA. Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior by Ajzen, I., (1991), the researchers used the survey focusing on the influence of four factors: (1) the Entrepreneurial ability of students; (2) Motives/ Goals for students' entrepreneurship; (3) The impact of society on student entrepreneurship; (4) The impact of activities to support student entrepreneurship on "entrepreneurial readiness of students majoring in Business Administration at ULSA". The yielded results show that most factors have an average impact of 3/5 or more. Regarding the average impact, “Motives/ Goals for students’ entrepreneurship” has the highest rate of 4,06; followed by “The impact of society on student entrepreneurship” at 3,72; “The impact of activities to support student entrepreneurship” at 3,35; “Entrepreneurial ability of students” at 3,29

Sustainable development of clean renewable energy in Vietnam

Renewable energy plays an important role in meeting national targets for sustainable development, responding to climate change and environmental issues, and ensuring national energy security. Vietnam is considered to have potentials for developing renewable energy. In order to meet the demand for electricity for socio-economic development and to take advantage of natural resources, the Government of Vietnam has issued the Development Strategy of Renewable Energy and mechanisms,policies and incentives to support it. In the process of implementing the Strategy, regular assessment of internal and external environmental factors is essential to make appropriate adjustments. This is also the research target of this thesis. By analyzing Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) for renewable energy development in Vietnam based on collected data, oppinions of experts, investors, renewable project owners, and a case study of PetroVietnam Power Corporation the thesis will make recommendations to achieve the set strategic objectives on renewable energy development in Vietnam

An inquiry into the determinants of Vietnamese product export

Export led growth is the model of economic development that Vietnam has been following. While there are a great number of studies on the determinants of aggregate export of Vietnam, there are few that analyze the impacts of different factors on the export of different product groups. This paper aims at filling this gap in research on international trade of Vietnam. The results show that the fast GDP growth of Vietnam, the large population of importing countries, the wide economic gap between Vietnam and the importing countries, the depreciation of domestic currency, the free trade agreements that Vietnam signed and the shared border with the importing countries contribute to the increase of Vietnam’s export of all product groups. In contrast, the GDP of importing countries and population of Vietnam have no clear impacts on the export of any product groups.

CAMELLIA THUANANA (CAMELLIA SECT. CHRYSANTHA) – A NEW SPECIES FROM THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, VIETNAM

Camellia thuanana, a new species of the genus Camellia L. (Theaceae) is described and illustrated from the Central Highlands, Vietnam. Morphological features of this species are small flowers and pedicellate; leaves stalked, anastomosing venation, blades oblong-elliptic to elliptic, sparsely hirsute along the midrib below; pedicel very short; bracteoles 2–3, triangular; sepals 4–(5) in opposite pairs; corolla light greenish-yellow color; petals 7–8, glabrous; androecium 190–200 stamens, light yellow, in 3–4 circles; gynoecium 3, ovary ovoid and pubescent; styles 3, free to the base, and glabrous. C. thuanana resembles C. thuongiana in some morphological characteristics. C. thuanana is classified into sect. Chrysantha by styles completely free, flowers yellow, ovaries 3–5 locular, and partially connate. The IUCN Redlist Category of C. thuanana was assessed as Critically Endangered (CR)

Vers un modèle de vérification de la couche logique d'entreprise dans une architecture à 3 couches: modèle CPN-ECA

International audienceThis paper proposes a model for building a flexible system, which accepts and verifies the change on business logic, including both business processes and business rules, while the system has to cover the properties as reliability and reuse. In this model, the business process will be designed with Colour Petri Net and translated into a set of Event-Condition-Action rules, this set will be combined with business rules for checking the respect of a business process to the business rules in design and modifying the process. Hierarchical Colour Petri Net is also used to guarantee the reliability and to reuse properties of the system.Ce document propose un modèle pour la création d'un système flexible, qui accepte et vérifie les modifications apportées à la logique métier, y compris les processus et les règles métier, tandis que le système doit couvrir les propriétés en termes de fiabilité et de réutilisation. Dans ce modèle, le processus de gestion sera conçu avec un réseau Pétri coloré et traduit en un ensemble de règles Event-Condition-Action (ECA). Cet ensemble sera combiné à des règles de gestion permettant de vérifier le respect du processus de gestion par modifier le processus. Un réseau Pétri coloré hiérarchisé est également utilisé pour garantir la fiabilité et pour réutiliser les propriétés du systèm

Factors Affecting Responsibility Accounting: Evidence from Vietnamese Manufacturing Enterprises

Purpose: This study aims to examine (i) the number of product lines and steps in the manufacturing process affect the responsibility cost center in a responsibility accounting system (ii) the level of technology application, the qualification of managers at all levels affect the budgetary control system integrated to the responsibility accounting system in Vietnamese manufacturing enterprises.   Theoretical framework: The research identifies and examined the impacts of the number of product lines, the number of steps in the manufacturing process on the number of responsibility cost centers, and the impacts of the level of technology application, the qualification of managers at all levels on the budgetary control system to contribute the responsibility accounting system theory.   Design/methodology/approach:  A quantitative approach was applied with a sample of 108 Vietnamese manufacturing enterprises that is listed on the Vietnamese financial securities markets in 2020. OLS regression is applied to give a further analysis.   Findings: The regression findings support the significant positive impacts of the number of product lines and the number of steps in the manufacturing process on the number of cost centers as well as the significant positive correlation between the level of technology application and the effective budgetary control system, however, the effect of the qualification of managers at all levels is insignificant.   Research, Practical & Social implications: This study provides factors impacting the number of cost centers and the budgetary control system. The results of this study support the contingency theory.   Originality/value: These findings can be useful for Vietnamese manufacturing enterprises to take measures to strengthen cost control through the responsibility accounting system, thereby improving business efficiency

THE IMPACT OF QUESTIONING AND SEMANTIC MAP IN PRE-READING STAGE ON STUDENTS' READING COMPREHENSION: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Pre-reading activities play an important role in language reading classrooms since they help to activate students’ background knowledge of the topics being taught, which results in improving students’ reading comprehension. Most studies in the literature focus on exploring the effects of individual pre-reading activities such as brainstorming, pre-teaching vocabulary, questioning on students’ performance in doing comprehension tasks. Few studies have been conducted to explore whether one technique is better than the others in activating students’ schemata in reading lessons. The current study investigates the impact of Questioning and Semantic map in Pre-reading stage on EFL gifted high school students’ reading comprehension. The participants were 52 gifted students from two science classes for twelfth graders (they were non gifted English students). They shared the same culture, native language, educational background and age. The data were collected through two reading proficiency tests (pre-test and post-test) and individual interviews. The findings revealed that both Questioning and Semantic map had positive impacts on gifted students’ reading comprehension. Especially, the students who received Semantic treatment had significantly better improvement in their reading skill. The findings shed lights on what can be done to improve EFL students’ reading performance.  Article visualizations

Factors Affecting the Bank Credit Accessibility of Rural Households in Vietnam

The research identifies and measures factors affecting the bank credit accessibility using Heckman (1979). The research uses data from dataset of Vietnam Household Living Standard Survey (VHLSS) in 2014 and 2016 to eliminate the shock due to the global economic crisis in 2008-2009 making the estimate unsustainable. The results show that among the factors that can affect the bank credit accessibility considered in the first stage of Heckman model, there are six factors that significantly and statistically affect the bank credit accessibility of rural households. These factors include the household’s average income, householder’s age, ethnic group, marital status, previous loan period and members of the Farmers Associations. The estimate results obtained from the second stage of Heckman model on the possibility to receive loans of rural households in Vietnam indicates seven factors affecting the value of loans received from bank credit institutions are the household’s average income, householder’s age, ethnic group, marital status, previous loan period and members of the Farmers Associations