Consumer-based Brand value: A study on Foreign Banks in Ho Chi Minh City Market

The article presents an empirical study to discover consumers’ perception on foreign banks’ brand value which is said as one of key drivers for business success. The study is aimed at assisting brand managers to track their brand value and hence to improve their product and service quality. The conceptual model is founded on a consumer-based approach to brand value. To validate the model, a survey of 183 interviewees was carried out in four popular foreign banks in Ho Chi Minh City: Citibank, HSBC, ANZ and Standard Chartered (SCB). The collected data was tested and analyzed by Exploratory Factor Analysis. The study reveals that Brand Knowledge, Brand Differentiation, Brand Relevance and Brand Esteem correlate closely to each other and have a strong affect to Consumer-based Brand Value. The findings are discussed and the implications for banks’ management are presented

A Simple Procedure for Extraction of Surface Protein of Salmonella Serotypes and Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from Poultry and Pigs

Salmonella and E.coli possess different surface protein structures that can induce protective immune responses. Identification of these proteins capacitates development of diverse applications in prevention and diagnosis that contribute to effectively control disease-causing enterobacteria pathogens such as Salmonella and E.coli. A simple procedure for obtaining protein complexes of Salmonella serotypes and E.coli is performed in this study. A sonication process with heat treatment of whole bacteria induced the release of protein complexes. Concentration of the protein extract was quantified using protein quantification Kits-Rapid, and protein complex profile was obtained by SDS-PAGE (Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) and silver staining. The concentrations of protein ranged from 29.45 to 45.35 µg/mL in the  Salmonella protein extracts, and from 25.35 to 36.72 µg/mL in the E.coli protein extracts. Six major groups of proteins from E. coli (YfiO, NipB, OmpF, YfgL, Talc, YaeT) and four major groups of proteins from Salmonella (Flagellin, OmpA, Porin, SEF21) were preliminarily determined by a simple procedure of extraction based on the molecular weight

Prise en compte économique du long terme dans les choix énergétiques relatifs à la gestion des déchets radioactifs

Nowadays, the deep geological repository is generally considered as the reference solution for the definitive management of spent nuclear fuel/high-level waste, but different countries have decided different disposal deployment schedules. Via the economic calculation, we hope to offer some answers to the following question: In terms of disposal time management, how should the present generations, benefiting from the nuclear power generation, bear the costs of radioactive waste management, while taking into account future generations? This thesis proposes to analyze specifically the French decision in its context. We propose a set of tools to evaluate the Utility of the deep geological repository project according to the deployment schedule choices. Our thesis also studies the influence of disposal choices on the nuclear fuel cycle. Beyond, we also take into account the interactions between the deep geological repository, nuclear fleet and cycle choices which constitute a "complete system".Actuellement, bien que la plupart des pays nucléaires converge vers la même solution technique: le stockage profond pour la gestion des déchets radioactifs de haute activité et à vie longue, les objectifs calendaires divergent d'un pays à l'autre. Grâce au calcul économique, nous souhaitons apporter des éléments de réponse à la question suivante : En termes de temporalité, comment les générations présentes, qui bénéficient de la production d'électricité nucléaire, doivent-elles supporter les charges de la gestion des déchets radioactifs en tenant compte des générations futures ? Cette thèse se propose d'analyser spécifiquement la décision française en tenant compte de son contexte. Nous proposons un ensemble d'outils qui permet d'évaluer l'Utilité du projet de stockage profond en fonction des choix de temporalité. Notre thèse étudie également l'influence en retour des choix de stockage sur le cycle du combustible nucléaire. Au-delà, nous prenons en compte les interactions entre le stockage profond et les choix de parc nucléaire et de cycle du combustible qui constituent un « système complet »

Economic analysis of long-term energy choices related to the radioactive waste management

Actuellement, bien que la plupart des pays nucléaires converge vers la même solution technique: le stockage profond pour la gestion des déchets radioactifs de haute activité et à vie longue, les objectifs calendaires divergent d'un pays à l'autre. Grâce au calcul économique, nous souhaitons apporter des éléments de réponse à la question suivante : En termes de temporalité, comment les générations présentes, qui bénéficient de la production d'électricité nucléaire, doivent-elles supporter les charges de la gestion des déchets radioactifs en tenant compte des générations futures ? Cette thèse se propose d'analyser spécifiquement la décision française en tenant compte de son contexte. Nous proposons un ensemble d'outils qui permet d'évaluer l'Utilité du projet de stockage profond en fonction des choix de temporalité. Notre thèse étudie également l'influence en retour des choix de stockage sur le cycle du combustible nucléaire. Au-delà, nous prenons en compte les interactions entre le stockage profond et les choix de parc nucléaire et de cycle du combustible qui constituent un « système complet ».Nowadays, the deep geological repository is generally considered as the reference solution for the definitive management of spent nuclear fuel/high-level waste, but different countries have decided different disposal deployment schedules. Via the economic calculation, we hope to offer some answers to the following question: In terms of disposal time management, how should the present generations, benefiting from the nuclear power generation, bear the costs of radioactive waste management, while taking into account future generations? This thesis proposes to analyze specifically the French decision in its context. We propose a set of tools to evaluate the Utility of the deep geological repository project according to the deployment schedule choices. Our thesis also studies the influence of disposal choices on the nuclear fuel cycle. Beyond, we also take into account the interactions between the deep geological repository, nuclear fleet and cycle choices which constitute a "complete system"

Economic assessment of the political and technical management of large-scale public projects. The deployment schedule of France’s deep geological repository of radioactive waste

In France, the 2006 act on radioactive waste management stipulated the rapid deployment of a deep geological repository (DGR) for high-level waste (HLW) management. This paper analyzes the impact of different DGR deployment schedules on project costs in order to discern an optimal schedule for the disposal of radioactive waste. It appears more economically favorable to extend the duration of storage rather than to dispose of the waste immediately. However, the French parliament has decided to act quickly, accepting a 1.5% excess cost every year, to avoid leaving the burden to future generations and to continue nuclear development. Secondly, the analysis reveals the economic benefits of shortening the duration of the disposal process.JEL classification: Q01, Q58, Q48.En France, la loi 2006 de programme relative à la gestion durable des matières et déchets radioactifs a insisté sur la mise en service rapide d’un stockage profond des déchets radioactifs de haute activité et à vie longue. Cet article analyse les coûts des différents calendriers envisageables dans le but de rechercher s’il existe une date optimale pour la mise en stockage des déchets radioactifs. Il apparaît plus préférable de prolonger l’entreposage que de stocker immédiatement des déchets radioactifs. Pourtant, le Parlement a décidé à agir rapidement en acceptant 1.5% de surcoût chaque année, afin d’éviter les charges sur les générations futures et de maintenir l’option nucléaire. Deuxièmement, l’analyse relève également l’intérêt économique du raccourcissement de la durée d’opération du stockage profond.Classification JEL : Q01, Q58, Q48

Effects of water scarcity awareness and climate change belief on recycled water usage willingness: Evidence from New Mexico, United States

The global water crisis is being exacerbated by climate change, even in the United States. Recycled water is a feasible alternative to alleviate the water shortage, but it is constrained by humans’ perceptions. The current study examines how residents’ water scarcity awareness and climate change belief influence their willingness to use recycled water directly and indirectly. Bayesian Mindsponge Framework (BMF) analytics was employed on a dataset of 1831 residents in Albuquerque, New Mexico, an arid inland region in the US. We discovered that residents’ willingness to use direct recycled potable water is positively affected by their awareness of water scarcity, but the effect is conditional on their belief in the impacts of climate change on the water cycle. Meanwhile, the willingness to use indirect recycled potable water is influenced by water scarcity awareness, and the belief in climate change further enhances this effect. These findings implicate that fighting climate change denialism and informing the public of the water scarcity situation in the region can contribute to the effectiveness and sustainability of long-term water conservation and climate change alleviation efforts

Epidemiology of facial fractures: Incidence, prevalence and years lived with disability estimates from the Global Burden of Disease 2017 study

Background: The Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) has historically produced estimates of causes of injury such as falls but not the resulting types of injuries that occur. The objective of this study was to estimate the global incidence, prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs) due to facial fractures and to estimate the leading injurious causes of facial fracture. Methods: We obtained results from GBD 2017. First, the study estimated the incidence from each injury cause (eg, falls), and then the proportion of each cause that would result in facial fracture being the most disabling injury. Incidence, prevalence and YLDs of facial fractures are then calculated across causes. Results: Globally, in 2017, there were 7 538 663 (95% uncertainty interval 6 116 489 to 9 4

The influence of human genetic variation on early transcriptional responses and protective immunity following immunization with Rotarix vaccine in infants in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam : a study protocol for an open single-arm interventional trial [awaiting peer review]

Background: Rotavirus (RoV) remains the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis in infants and children aged under five years in both high- and low-middle-income countries (LMICs). In LMICs, RoV infections are associated with substantial mortality. Two RoV vaccines (Rotarix and Rotateq) are widely available for use in infants, both of which have been shown to be highly efficacious in Europe and North America. However, for unknown reasons, these RoV vaccines have markedly lower efficacy in LMICs. We hypothesize that poor RoV vaccine efficacy across in certain regions may be associated with genetic heritability or gene expression in the human host. Methods/design: We designed an open-label single-arm interventional trial with the Rotarix RoV vaccine to identify genetic and transcriptomic markers associated with generating a protective immune response against RoV. Overall, 1,000 infants will be recruited prior to Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) vaccinations at two months of age and vaccinated with oral Rotarix vaccine at two and three months, after which the infants will be followed-up for diarrheal disease until 18 months of age. Blood sampling for genetics, transcriptomics, and immunological analysis will be conducted before each Rotarix vaccination, 2-3 days post-vaccination, and at each follow-up visit (i.e. 6, 12 and 18 months of age). Stool samples will be collected during each diarrheal episode to identify RoV infection. The primary outcome will be Rotarix vaccine failure events (i.e. symptomatic RoV infection despite vaccination), secondary outcomes will be antibody responses and genotypic characterization of the infection virus in Rotarix failure events. Discussion: This study will be the largest and best powered study of its kind to be conducted to date in infants, and will be critical for our understanding of RoV immunity, human genetics in the Vietnam population, and mechanisms determining RoV vaccine-mediated protection. Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT03587389. Registered on 16 July 2018

KHẢ NĂNG SINH TRƯỞNG, NĂNG SUẤT SINH KHỐI VÀ GIÁ TRỊ DINH DƯỠNG CỦA CÂY ĐAY (HIBISCUS CANNABINUS L.) TRỒNG TẠI THỪA THIÊN HUẾ

We investigated the kenaf plants (Hibiscus cannabinus. L) on the 50th day after planting. The experiments were carried out on a 200 m2 area in the hilly area of ​​Huong Tho commune, Hue City. The plants grew well, reaching a height of 118.41 cm. The fresh biomass and dry matter were 40.16 and 7.6 kg. The yield of fresh biomass and dry matter were 2.01 and 0.38 kg·m–2. The dry matter in stems and leaves was 18.93 and 18.07%. Crude protein, lipids, and minerals of dried leaves were higher than that of stems. Crude fibre, ADF, and NDF of stems were higher than that of leaves. Crude protein, lipids, and minerals in the dried stems and leaves were 8.81–28.03, 1.03–4.28, and 6.37–8.42%, respectively, whereas the percentage in the fresh was 1.66–5.07, 0.19–0.77, and 1.18–1.52%, respectively. Crude fibre, ADF, and NDF in stems and leaves by dry matter were 47.64–12.89, 51.49–16.36, and 65.55–23.91%, respectively, whereas the percentage of these components in the fresh matter was 9.04–2.32, 9.75–2.95, and 12.41–4.31%, respectively.Đối tượng của nghiên cứu là cây đay (Hibiscus canabinus L.) 50 ngày tuổi. Thí nghiệm được tiến hành trên 200 m2 đất ở vùng gò đồi thuộc xã Hương Thọ, thành phố Huế. Cây sinh trưởng tốt với chiều cao đạt 118,41 cm. Khối lượng sinh khối thô xanh (KLSK TX) và khối lượng sinh khối vật chất khô (KLSK VCK) thu được là 40,16 và 7,6 kg. Năng suất sinh khối thô xanh (NSSK TX) và năng suất sinh khối vật chất khô (NSSK VCK) là 2,01 và 0,38 kg/m2. Vật chất khô (DM) trong thân và lá cây là 18,93 và 18,07%. Protein thô (CP), lipid thô (EE) và khoáng tổng số (Ash) theo nguyên trạng (NT) và DM trong lá cao hơn trong thân. Xơ thô (CF), xơ không tan trong chất tẩy axit (ADF) và xơ không tan trong chất tẩy trung tính (NDF) theo NT và theo DM trong thân cao hơn trong lá. Protein thô, EE và Ash trong thân/lá theo DM lần lượt là 8,81–28,03, 1,03–4,28 và 6,37–8,42%; theo NT lần lượt là 1,66–5,07, 0,19–0,77 và 1,18–1,52%. CF, ADF và NDF trong thân/lá theo DM lần lượt là 47,64–12,89, 51,49–16,36 và 65,55–23,91%; theo NT lần lượt là 9,04–2,32, 9,75–2,95 và 12,41–4,31%