Ecology of the Granular Spiny Frog <em>Quasipaa verrucospinosa</em> (Amphibia: Anura - Dicroglossidae) in Central Vietnam

We conducted a large-scale assessment at 35 primary forest sites and 42 secondary forest sites in Bach Ma National Park, central Vietnam, using the detection/non-detection data for each site over multiple visits, to quantify the site proportions that were occupied by granular spiny frogs (Quasipaa verrucospinosa). We additionally investigated the effect of site covariates (primary versus secondary forests) and sample covariates (temperature, humidity, and precipitation) to examine the environmental needs that may be incorporated for conserving rain forest amphibians in Vietnam. From the best model among all candidate models, We estimated a site occupancy probability of 0.632 that was higher than the naïve occupancy estimate of 0.403 and a 57% increase over the proportion of sites at which frogs were actually observed. The primary forest variable was an important determinant of site occupancy, whereas occupancy was not associated with the variable of secondary forest. In a combined AIC model weight, the detection model p (temperature, humidity, precipitation) included 90.9% of the total weight, providing clear evidence that environmental conditions were important sample covariates in modeling detection probabilities of granular spiny frogs. Our results substantiate the importance of incorporating occupancy and detection probabilities into studies of habitat relationships and suggest that the primary forest factor associated with environmental conditions influence the occupancy of granular spiny frogs

Phase Shift Design for RIS-Aided Cell-Free Massive MIMO with Improved Differential Evolution

This paper proposes a novel phase shift design for cell-free massive multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) systems assisted by reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), which only utilizes channel statistics to achieve the uplink sum ergodic throughput maximization under spatial channel correlations. Due to the non-convexity and the scale of the derived optimization problem, we develop an improved version of the differential evolution (DE) algorithm. The proposed scheme is capable of providing high-quality solutions within reasonable computing time. Numerical results demonstrate superior improvements of the proposed phase shift designs over the other benchmarks, particularly in scenarios where direct links are highly probable.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures. Accepted by IEEE WC

Structural assessment based on vibration measurement test combined with an artificial neural network for the steel truss bridge

Damage assessment is one of the most crucial issues for bridge engineers during the operational and maintenance phase, especially for existing steel bridges. Among several methodologies, the vibration measurement test is a typical approach, in which the natural frequency variation of the structure is monitored to detect the existence of damage. However, locating and quantifying the damage is still a big challenge for this method, due to the required human resources and logistics involved. In this regard, an artificial intelligence (AI)-based approach seems to be a potential way of overcoming such obstacles. This study deployed a comprehensive campaign to determine all the dynamic parameters of a predamaged steel truss bridge structure. Based on the results for mode shape, natural frequency, and damping ratio, a finite element model (FEM) was created and updated. The artificial intelligence network’s input data from the damage cases were then analysed and evaluated. The trained artificial neural network model was curated and evaluated to confirm the approach’s feasibility. During the actual operational stage of the steel truss bridge, this damage assessment system showed good performance, in terms of monitoring the structural behaviour of the bridge under some unexpected accidents.This research was funded by FCT/MCTES through national funds (PIDDAC) from the R&D Unit Institute for Sustainability and Innovation in Structural Engineering (ISISE), under the reference UIDB/04029/2020, and from the Associate Laboratory Advanced Production and Intelligent Systems ARISE, under the reference LA/P/0112/2020, as well as financial support of the project research “B2022-GHA-03” from the Ministry of Education and Training. And The APC was funded by ANI (“Agência Nacional de Inovação”) through the financial support given to the R&D Project “GOA Bridge Management System—Bridge Intelligence”, with reference POCI-01-0247-FEDER069642, which was cofinanced by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) through the Operational Competitiveness and Internationalisation Program (POCI)

Environmental Radionuclides in Surface Soils of Vietnam

A database on 238U, 232Th, 40K, and 137Cs in surface soils was established to provide inputs for the assessment of the collective dose to the population of Vietnam and to support soil erosion studies using 137Cs as a tracer. A total of 292 soil samples was taken from undisturbed sites across the territory and the concentrations of radionuclides were determined by gamma spectrometry method. The multiple regression of 137Cs inventories against characteristics of sampling locations allowed us to establish the distribution of 137Cs deposition density and its relationship with latitude and annual rainfall. The 137Cs deposition density increases northward and varies from 178 Bq m–2 to 1,920 Bq m–2. High rainfall areas in the northern and central parts of the country have received considerable 137Cs inputs exceeding 600 Bq m–2, which is the maximum value that can be expected for Vietnam from the UNSCEAR global pattern. The mean activity concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides 238U, 232Th, and 40K are 45, 59, and 401 Bq kg–1, respectively, which entail an average absorbed dose rate in air of 62 nGy h–1, which is about 7% higher than the world average

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

Associations of Underlying Health Conditions With Anxiety and Depression Among Outpatients: Modification Effects of Suspected COVID-19 Symptoms, Health-Related and Preventive Behaviors

Objectives: We explored the association of underlying health conditions (UHC) with depression and anxiety, and examined the modification effects of suspected COVID-19 symptoms (S-COVID-19-S), health-related behaviors (HB), and preventive behaviors (PB).Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 8,291 outpatients aged 18–85 years, in 18 hospitals and health centers across Vietnam from 14th February to May 31, 2020. We collected the data regarding participant's characteristics, UHC, HB, PB, depression, and anxiety.Results: People with UHC had higher odds of depression (OR = 2.11; p &lt; 0.001) and anxiety (OR = 2.86; p &lt; 0.001) than those without UHC. The odds of depression and anxiety were significantly higher for those with UHC and S-COVID-19-S (p &lt; 0.001); and were significantly lower for those had UHC and interacted with “unchanged/more” physical activity (p &lt; 0.001), or “unchanged/more” drinking (p &lt; 0.001 for only anxiety), or “unchanged/healthier” eating (p &lt; 0.001), and high PB score (p &lt; 0.001), as compared to those without UHC and without S-COVID-19-S, “never/stopped/less” physical activity, drinking, “less healthy” eating, and low PB score, respectively.Conclusion: S-COVID-19-S worsen psychological health in patients with UHC. Physical activity, drinking, healthier eating, and high PB score were protective factors

Feeding ecology of the common sun skink, Eutropis multifasciata (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae), in the plains of central Vietnam

Ngo, Chung D., Ngo, Binh V., Hoang, Thuong T., Nguyen, Thi T.T., Dang, Hai P. (2015): Feeding ecology of the common sun skink, Eutropis multifasciata (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae), in the plains of central Vietnam. Journal of Natural History 49 (39): 2417-2436, DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2015.102187

Figure 2 in Feeding ecology of the common sun skink, Eutropis multifasciata (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae), in the plains of central Vietnam

Figure 2. Expected prey-taxon accumulation curves from the data of (A) stomach contents and (B) food item counts consumed by Eutropis multifasciata in the plains of central Vietnam. Circles represent the expected mean values, and the graphs show the 95% confidence intervals for male (filled circles) and female (open circles) skinks.Published as part of Ngo, Chung D., Ngo, Binh V., Hoang, Thuong T., Nguyen, Thi T.T. & Dang, Hai P., 2015, Feeding ecology of the common sun skink, Eutropis multifasciata (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae), in the plains of central Vietnam, pp. 2417-2436 in Journal of Natural History 49 (39) on page 2427, DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2015.1021876, http://zenodo.org/record/400016