Boron coordination and co-incorporation of Al, Ga in BEA borosilicate and dissolution of zeolite nanoparticles from large particles in organic solvents

Borosilicate zeolites have importance applications due to their weak acid sites, which is suitable for certain catalytic reaction and the providing new structure by using as boron source. The boron coordination in beta borosilicates can be transformed from trigonal to tetrahedral boron or vice versa upon hydration/dehydration processes. Especially, at the high degree of hydration, boron can be removed from the framework of the proton form via hydration. Based on this flexibility of the boron coordination, Al and Ga beta zeolites can be formed via post-synthetic treatments with varying the Na+/H+ ratio in dehydrated beta borosilicates. The forming of zeolite nanocrystals has received much attention due to their great potential of applications in catalysis and adsorption. A novel method with organic solvents was applied for preparation of zeolite nanoparticles. Using the polar solvents, such as DMF and DMSO, the zeolite colloidal suspensions with the particle sizes at about 200 nm are formed from the zeolite microparticles. Some parameters, e.g. water and sodium concentrations can affect to the mean particle size of the zeolite nanocrystals

Guide to Participatory Scenario Planning (PSP): Experiences from the Agro-Climate Information Services for women and ethnic minority farmers in South-East Asia (ACIS) project in Ha Tinh and Dien Bien province, Vietnam

The Participatory scenario planning (PSP) workshop is a valuable knowledge-sharing platform through which stakeholders, including those who support the implementation of PSP (i.e., meteorological and agricultural services) and those who access and use the climate information (i.e., technical experts, and farmers) meet to discuss adaptation actions within the context of climate information. The PSP approach was developed under CARE International’s Adaptation Learning Programme (ALP). It was then adapted to Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia under the Agro-Climate Information Services for women and ethnic minority farmers in South-East Asia (ACIS) project by CARE International in Vietnam and World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) Vietnam

One-Photon Absorption-Based Direct Laser Writing of Three- Dimensional Photonic Crystals

A simple and low-cost technique called low one-photon absorption (LOPA) direct laser writing (DLW) is demonstrated as an efficient method for structuration of multidimensional submicrostructures. Starting from the diffraction theory of the electromagnetic field distribution of a tightly focused beam, the crucial conditions for LOPA-based DLW are theoretically investigated, and then experimentally demonstrated using a simple optical confocal microscope. Various 1D, 2D, and 3D submicrostructures were successfully fabricated in different materials, such as commercial SU8 photoresist and magnetic nanocomposite. The advantages and drawbacks of this LOPA-based DLW technique were also studied and compared with the conventional two-photon absorption based DLW. Several methods were proposed to overcome the existing problem of the DLW, such as the dose accumulation and shrinkage effect, resulting in uniform structures with a small lattice constant. The LOPA-based DLW technique should be useful for the fabrication of functionalized structures, such as magneto-photonic and plasmon photonic crystals and devices, which could be interesting for numerous applications

HMU fluorinze mouthwash enhances enamel remineralization: An in vitro study

BACKGROUND: Fluoride therapy has long been used extensively to prevent dental caries. Fluoride appears in variety of dental care products such as mouthrinse, dentifrice, gel, etc. HMU fluorinze is the first mouthwash containing fluoride in Vietnam. AIM: This research was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of HMU Fluorinze mouthwash on remineralizing enamel in laboratory conditions. METHODS: 20 third molars teeth were cleaned and covered with nail polish , except for a 3x3 mm square on their buccal surfaces. These teeth went through two steps: demineralization using Coke and remineralization for 20 days: 1) using standard calcifying solution (control group) and 2) using standard calcifying solution + HMU Fluorinze mouthwash 2 times/day (experimental group). The mineralization index of enamel structure after demineralization and remineralization was assessed by DIAGNOdent pen 2190. RESULTS: The mineralization indexes of the control group and experimental group at baseline were 3.65 ± 0.76 and 3.35 ± 0.64, after demineralization were in turn of 21.78 ± 4.48 and 20.25 ± 2.26; and after remineralization were 6.30 ± 1.03 and 3.90 ± 1.24. The different figures  between the two groups after remineralization shows statistical significance (p<0.01). Group B using HMU fluorinze mouthwash after 20 days did not differ from the original results (p = 0.272), in contrast with the control group (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: HMU fluorinze mouthwash has better mineralization effect than standard calcifying solution

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

Targeted gene sanger sequencing should remain the first-tier genetic test for children suspected to have the five common X-linked inborn errors of immunity

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT : The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/Supplementary Material. Further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.To address inborn errors of immunity (IEI) which were underdiagnosed in resource-limited regions, our centre developed and offered free genetic testing for the most common IEI by Sanger sequencing (SS) since 2001. With the establishment of The Asian Primary Immunodeficiency (APID) Network in 2009, the awareness and definitive diagnosis of IEI were further improved with collaboration among centres caring for IEI patients from East and Southeast Asia. We also started to use whole exome sequencing (WES) for undiagnosed cases and further extended our collaboration with centres from South Asia and Africa. With the increased use of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), we have shifted our diagnostic practice from SS to WES. However, SS was still one of the key diagnostic tools for IEI for the past two decades. Our centre has performed 2,024 IEI SS genetic tests, with in-house protocol designed specifically for 84 genes, in 1,376 patients with 744 identified to have disease-causing mutations (54.1%). The high diagnostic rate after just one round of targeted gene SS for each of the 5 common IEI (X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) 77.4%, Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome (WAS) 69.2%, X-linked chronic granulomatous disease (XCGD) 59.5%, X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (XSCID) 51.1%, and X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome (HIGM1) 58.1%) demonstrated targeted gene SS should remain the first-tier genetic test for the 5 common X-linked IEI.The Hong Kong Society for Relief of Disabled Children and Jeffrey Modell Foundation.http://www.frontiersin.org/Immunologyam2023Paediatrics and Child Healt

An Assessment of Agricultural Vulnerability in the Context of Global Climate Change: A Case Study in Ha Tinh Province, Vietnam

Climate change is considered a major challenge of mankind in the 21st century. Agriculture is known as one of the most vulnerable sectors to climate change. This study aims to evaluate agricultural vulnerability to climate change in Ha Tinh province. The agricultural vulnerability zoning map is presented by using the index method with eight influential indicators across three components: exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. Agricultural vulnerability is quantified and classified into five levels, namely very low, low, moderate, high, and very high. The results indicated that Ha Tinh’s agriculture was heavily affected by climate change, and the most vulnerable area is found in Huong Khe district and Thach Ha district. People and their activities play an important role in mitigating the vulnerability of agriculture to climate change. The results obtained from this study provide useful information for planning and determining guidelines to help farmers in the area

An Assessment of Agricultural Vulnerability in the Context of Global Climate Change: A Case Study in Ha Tinh Province, Vietnam

Climate change is considered a major challenge of mankind in the 21st century. Agriculture is known as one of the most vulnerable sectors to climate change. This study aims to evaluate agricultural vulnerability to climate change in Ha Tinh province. The agricultural vulnerability zoning map is presented by using the index method with eight influential indicators across three components: exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. Agricultural vulnerability is quantified and classified into five levels, namely very low, low, moderate, high, and very high. The results indicated that Ha Tinh&rsquo;s agriculture was heavily affected by climate change, and the most vulnerable area is found in Huong Khe district and Thach Ha district. People and their activities play an important role in mitigating the vulnerability of agriculture to climate change. The results obtained from this study provide useful information for planning and determining guidelines to help farmers in the area

Bioaccumulation of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in molluscs and fish at the Sai Gon - Dong Nai estuary

The aim of this study is to assess the biological accumulation of pesticide residues in aquatic organisms in Sai Gon - Dong Nai (SG-DN) estuary. Fish and mollusks were collected directly at the Soai Rap and Long Tau estuary of the SG-DN river system, washed and separated for taking the tissue. The organochlorine compounds from the tissue were then extracted and analyzed by gas chromatography system. The results showed that, the concentration of OCPs in Tegillarca granosa, Meretrix lyrata, Margaritifera auricularia and Bostrychus sinensis varied from 6.4 to 59.9 μg/kg, 7.2 to 322 μg/kg, 4.5 to 62.1 μg/kg and 2.9 to 114.3 μg/kg fresh weight, respectively. In general, molluscs species that accumulate more heptachlor, aldrin, endrin or dieldrin tend to accumulate less DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane). Endosulfan was the most commonly found in three bivalve mollusks while DDTs (1.5–75.2 μg/kg, averaging 8.7 μg/kg weight) was the most popular OCPs in the fish (Bostrychus sinensis) samples. In DDT group, the p,p’-DDT metabolite accounted for the largest percentage, reaching 50% of total DDTs. In HCH (Hexachlorocyclohexane) group, β-HCH isomer was predominant in almost samples.Mgr đích ccc nghiên cch này là đánh giá tích lũy sinh hhn ccn thuu trr sâu trong các sinh vvn ssnh dưưh nưưh ttư khu vvu ccu sông Sài Gòn - ĐĐn Nai (SG-DN). Cá và nhuyyu thh đưưy llư trry tiiy iicửa sông Soài RRà và Lòng Tàu thuu hh thhu sông SG-DN, đư-D rư- ss-D và tách llc phhh mô thht. Các hhc chh clo hho cơ sau đó đưưđ tách chii và phân tích bbch hh thhh ssh ký khí. Kết quả nghiên cứu cho thấy, dư lượng OCPs tích tụ trong sò điệp (Tegillarca granosa), ngao (Meretrix lyrata), trai nước ngọt (Margaritifera auricularia) và cá bớp (Bostrychus sinensis) dao động tương ứng từ 6,4 đến 59,9 μg/kg, 7,2 đến 322 μg/kg, 4,5 đến 62,1 μg/kg và 2,9 đến 114,3 μg/kg trọng lượng tươi. Nhìn chung, loài nhuyễn thể nào tích lũy nhiều heptachlor, aldrin, endrin hoăc dieldrin có xu hướng tích lũy ít DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane). Endosunfan là nhóm thuốc được tìm thấy nhiều nhất trong các loài nhuyễn thể nghiên cứu. Ngược lại, nhóm DDT lại phổ biến ở cá Bostrychus sinensis (1.5–75.2 μg/kg, trung bình 8.7 μg/kg trọng lượng). Dạng p.p’-DDT trong nhóm DDT chiếm tỷ lệ cao nhất, tới 50% DDT tổng. Trong khi đó, đồng dạng β-HCH của nhóm HCH (Hexachlorocyclohexane) chiếm đa số trong hầu hết các mẫu

Assessing water quality in the Dong Nai River (Vietnam): implications for sustainable management and pollution control

Dong Nai River provides essential water resources for millions of people across 11 provinces and cities in Vietnam. However, the different pollution sources such as household, farming, and industrial operations have caused the river water quality to deteriorate over the past decade. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the river's surface water quality, this study employed the water quality index (WQI) across 12 different sampling sites. In total,144 water samples with 11 parameters were analyzed in accordance with the Vietnamese standard 08:2015/MONRE. Results revealed a range of surface water quality, from poor to good according to the VN-WQI (Vietnamese standard), and a medium even bad level in some months according to the NS-WQI (American standard). The study also identified temperature, coliform, and dissolved oxygen (DO) as strong contributors to WQI values (VN_WQI standard). Principal component analysis/factor analysis was used to determine pollution sources, with the results highlighting agricultural and domestic activities as the main contributors to river pollution. In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of effective planning and management of infrastructure zoning and local activities to improve the river's surface water quality and surrounding areas, as well as safeguard the well-being of the millions who depend on it. HIGHLIGHTS Surface water quality of the Dong Nai River varies from poor to good according to the VN-WQI and medium to bad according to the NS-WQI.; Agricultural and domestic activities are the main contributors to river pollution according to the study's results.; The study's findings could assist researchers and policymakers in taking comprehensive actions for sustainable water management.