SYNTHESIS OF STARCH MODIFIED MONTMORILLONITE AS AN EFFECTIVE ADSORBENT FOR Pb (II) REMOVAL FROM WATER

The adsorbent is prepared by the montmorillonite co-modification with starch for the removal of Pb (II) ions from aqueous solution. The Fourier-transformed infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopies were used to determine the structure and characteristics of the adsorbent. The main factors affecting the removal of Pb (II) ions were investigated, including the effect of pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage and the initial concentration of Pb (II). Batch process can be used for adsorption and equilibrium studies. The experimental data were fitted using Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption models. The Langmuir isotherm best fitted the experimental data with R2 0.99 and maximum Pb (II) adsorption capacity of 21.5 mg/g indicated monolayer adsorption. Kinetic studies using pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order rate models showed that the process complied well with the pseudo second-order rate model

A comparison of network embedding approaches

Network embedding automatically learns to encode a graph into multi-dimensional vectors. The embedded representation appears to outperform hand-crafted features in many downstream machine learning tasks. There are a plethora of network embedding approaches in the last decade, based on the advances and successes of deep learning. However, there is no absolute winner as the network structure varies from application to application and the notion of connections in a graph has its own semantics in different domains. In this report, we compare different network embedding approaches in real and synthetic datasets, covering different graph structures. Although our prototype currently includes only two network embedding techniques, it can be easily extended due to our systematic evaluation methodology, and available source code

Design and simulation of automotive radar for autonomous vehicles

Modern automobile technology is pushing towards maximizing road safety, connected vehicles, autonomous vehicles, etc. Automotive RADAR is core sensor technology used for ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Technology), ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control), AEB (Automatic Emergency Braking System), traffic assistance, parking aid, and obstacle/pedestrian detection. Despite being inexpensive, RADAR technology provides robust results in harsh conditions such as harsh weather, extreme temperature, darkness, etc. However, the performance of these systems depends on the position of the RADAR and its characteristics like frequency, beamwidth, and bandwidths. Moreover, the characterization of varied materials like layers of paint, polish, primer, or layer of rainwater needs to be analyzed. This performance can be predicted through real-time simulation using advanced FEM software like Altair FEKO&WinProp. These simulations can provide valuable insight into the performance of the system, allowing engineers to optimize the system for specific use cases. For example, simulation can be used to determine the optimal parameters of the RADAR system for a given application. This information can then be used to design and build a physical model or prototype that is optimized for the desired performance. These simulations play a prominent role in determining appropriate data collection and sensor fusion, which reduces the cost and time required for the development of a physical model or prototype. The continued growth and demand for advanced safety features in vehicles further highlight the importance of RADAR technology in modern automobile technology. By accurately characterizing the environment and simulating the system's behavior in real time, engineers can optimize RADAR systems for specific use cases, contributing to safer and more efficient driving experience

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF HEDYOTIS PINIFOLIA WALL. COLLECTED IN THUA THIEN HUE

This study reports the chemical constituents from the whole plants Hedyotis pinifolia Wall. Ex G. Don (now accepted as Oldenlandia  pinifolia (Wall. Ex G. Don) Kuntze) collected  in Thua Thien Hue province. Thirteen compounds were isolated by chromatography method. Their structures were elucidated using MS and NMR analysis and compared with reported data. They contain three anthraquinones, a carotenoid, two triterpenes, four iridoid glucosides and three flavonoid glycosides. Four of them were found for the first time in this genus

Prevalence of arterial hypertension in Vietnamese seafarers aboard merchant vessels: a cross-sectional study

Background: Hypertension is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally. It is a major riskfactor for major cardiovascular events such as stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, kidney failure,and blindness. The aim of this research is to assess the prevalence and some factors related to arterialhypertension on Vietnamese seafarers aboard merchant vessels.Materials and methods: Seven hundred eight Vietnamese seafarers working aboard merchant ships wereexamined at the Institute of Marine Medicine before going to sea during the period from January 2022to December 2022. It was a cross-sectional descriptive epidemiological study. The following parameterswere measured: blood pressure, height, weight, waist circumference, buttock circumference to assess theprevalence of hypertension, overweight, and obesity. Seafarers we directly interviewed about workplaceon ships and physical exercise, smoking tobacco, alcohol abuse, and anxiety symptoms to identify severalfactors associated with hypertension.Results: The prevalence of hypertension in seafarers was 32.9%, prehypertension 26.4%, overweight32.4%, obesity 13.3%, abdominal obesity 47.7%. Factors related to hypertension of seafarers included: jobduration at sea > 10 years, odds ratio (OR) = 8.23 (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.34–17.27); non-officers,OR = 2.11 (95% CI 1.45–2.82); engine room crew, OR = 2.11 (95% CI 1.45–3.58); obesity, OR = 3.34(95% CI 2.15–5.63); abdominal obesity, OR = 9.12 (95% CI 4.23–18.45); current smoking, OR = 1.32(95% CI 1.02–1.99); irregular exercise, OR =1.43 (95% CI 1.03–2.18); anxiety symptoms, OR = 1.56 (95%CI 1.08–2.27).Conclusions: Hypertension is a health problem for Vietnamese seafarers. To minimise hypertension, seafarersneed to adjust their lifestyle, increase regular exercise and improve psychological issues on board

ベトナム国南部における稲遺伝資源の探索収集

Collaborative exploration between Japan and Vietnam was conducted in the Mekong Delta area of Southern Vietnam from November 17 to December 16, 1998. A total of 124 landraces and 12 wild relatives, including Oryza rufipogon and O. officinalis were collected. Land races which are adapted to deep water conditions, acid sulfurate soils, aluminum soil, or salinity were found in various locations. Some land races were grown for their high quality as aromatic rice and glutinous rice. Twelve accessions of wild relatives of rice, which include Oryza rufipogon and O. officinalis, were also collected near former fields. Oryza officinalis was collected in Ca Mau province, which is the first accession of that species from that province

Spatiotemporal evolution of SARS-CoV-2 Alpha and Delta variants during large nationwide outbreak of COVID-19, Vietnam, 2021

We analyzed 1,303 SARS-CoV-2 whole-genome sequences from Vietnam, and found the Alpha and Delta variants were responsible for a large nationwide outbreak of COVID-19 in 2021. The Delta variant was confined to the AY.57 lineage and caused >1.7 million infections and >32,000 deaths. Viral transmission was strongly affected by nonpharmaceutical interventions

Clinical features, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and genomics of bacteria causing neonatal sepsis in a children's hospital in Vietnam: protocol for a prospective observational study.

INTRODUCTION: The clinical syndrome of neonatal sepsis, comprising signs of infection, septic shock and organ dysfunction in infants ≤4 weeks of age, is a frequent sequel to bloodstream infection and mandates urgent antimicrobial therapy. Bacterial characterisation and antimicrobial susceptibility testing is vital for ensuring appropriate therapy, as high rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), especially in low-income and middle-income countries, may adversely affect outcome. Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) in Vietnam is a rapidly expanding city in Southeast Asia with a current population of almost 8 million. There are limited contemporary data on the causes of neonatal sepsis in Vietnam, and we hypothesise that the emergence of multidrug resistant bacteria is an increasing problem for the appropriate management of sepsis cases. In this study, we aim to investigate the major causes of neonatal sepsis and assess disease outcomes by clinical features, antimicrobial susceptibility profiles and genome composition. METHOD AND ANALYSIS: We will conduct a prospective observational study to characterise the clinical and microbiological features of neonatal sepsis in a major children's hospital in HCMC. All bacteria isolated from blood subjected to whole genome sequencing. We will compare clinical variables and outcomes between different bacterial species, genome composition and AMR gene content. AMR gene content will be assessed and stratified by species, years and contributing hospital departments. Genome sequences will be analysed to investigate phylogenetic relationships. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study will be conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and the International Council on Harmonization Guidelines for Good Clinical Practice. Ethics approval has been provided by the Oxford Tropical Research Ethics Committee 35-16 and Vietnam Children's Hospital 1 Ethics Committee 73/GCN/BVND1. The findings will be disseminated at international conferences and peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN69124914; Pre-results