A qualitative study

Objectives The main objective of this study was to explore if there are any variations in how different generations of the educational sector in Vietnam perceive their work-life balance. This main object was achieved by firstly critically reviewing existing literature on cross-generational work-life balance situations, secondly conducting interviews with teachers of the research generations about the concept, and lastly by analyzing and interpreting the collected data. Summary This study examines the effects of factors of generational differences on how people among those generations perceive work-life balance, focusing upon educational sector in Vietnam. The literature review explains and defines work-life balance as well as generational differences in workforces; it also discusses the teaching profession in Vietnam and applies the mentioned work-life balance perceptions on this particular sector. In-depth opinions are introduced by analyzing data conducted from qualitative interviews with Vietnamese teachers. Conclusions A certain level of difference is diagnosed between the two generations Millennials and Baby Boomers in perceiving work-life balance, and the younger generation tends to pay more attention to the concept that the other one. These perceptions are largely influenced by big social events of the country that only the Boomer generation experienced. In addition, it was concluded that Baby Boomers have higher work ethics compared to the young and show more respect towards authorities in the work hierarchy as well as appreciation towards their work. However, Millennials believe that they are working smarter than Baby Boomers, instead of having to work harder

Brewer’s yeast as a protein source in the diet of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) reared in a clear water or biofloc environment

This thesis investigated the effects of dietary protein replacement of fishmeal or soybean meal with spent brewer’s yeast (SBY) in farmed tilapia and giant freshwater prawns. The effect of rearing tilapia and prawn in two different rearing systems, clear water recirculating aquaculture system (CW-RAS) and biofloc recirculating aquaculture system (Bio-RAS), were also investigated. The fish reared in Bio-RAS displayed higher growth, a higher protein efficiency ratio and a lower feed conversion rate than fish reared in CW-RAS. This difference between systems was not as apparent in the growth and protein efficiency ratio of freshwater prawns. In freshwater prawns, the survival rate was not affected by aquaculture water system nor by the replacement of fishmeal with SBY. The growth performance of prawns was not significantly different between any dietary treatments in Bio-RAS or CW-RAS. Significant differences were only found between brewer’s yeast replaced fishmeal at 60% in a CW-RAS and at 40% in Bio-RAS. Tilapia reared in CW-RAS with replacement of fishmeal with SBY showed a significantly (p<0.05) lower weight gain, daily weight and specific growth rate than fish in Bio-RAS when all diet groups per treatment was combined. However, at diet group level this difference was significant only in the 100% replacement group of CW-RAS when compared with the control in Bio-RAS. The protein requirement experiment showed that 27% and 31% crude protein can be used for tilapia in Bio-RAS and CW-RAS, respectively. The study demonstrated that tilapia reared in the Bio-RAS had a higher capacity to compensate for a reduction in dietary protein levels, as demonstrated by a higher growth rate than in fish reared in CWRAS. The apparent digestibility of crude protein by tilapia was high in diets with high crude protein, but there was no difference between the two rearing systems. SBY replace up to 100% of soybean meal without a significant reduction in tilapia growth. Tilapia exhibited the best performance when fed a diet where 30% soybean meal was replaced with SBY. This thesis concludes that SBY represents a sustainable, high-volume protein substitute for fishmeal and soybean meal in tilapia and giant freshwater prawn production and that the protein requirement of tilapia can be reduced if reared in a high-density microbial environment, i.e. a so-called Bio-RAS

Variational Analysis In Parametric Optimization

The dissertation is devoted to the development of variational analysis and generalized differentiation in infinite dimensions. We derive new calculus rules for both first-order partial subdifferentials and second-order partial subdifferentials in the framework of general Banach spaces as well as more developed rules in the framework of Asplund spaces. This calculus is applied in the study of sensitivity analysis for solution maps to the parameterized generalized equations in Asplund spaces, where both bases and fields are parameter-dependent multifunctions. We analyze the parametric sensitivity of either stationary points or stationary point multiplier multifunctions associated with parameterized optimization problems under consideration. The dissertation also focus on a family of parameterized quasi-variational inequalities and conduct a sensitivity analysis for their solution maps

The Effects of Collaborative Learning on Young ESL Learners’ L2 Anxiety and Speaking Performance

Foreign Language Anxiety (FLA) is one of the issues of interest attracting researchers in recent decades. However, while collaborative learning introduced a prospective tool for FLA, it has not been much researched in the L2 classroom context, particularly in Vietnam. This paper focuses on using collaborative learning to reduce foreign language anxiety and enhance the L2 speaking performance of young learners at an English center in Ho Chi Minh City. A combination of tools, including Aydin et al.’s (2017) Children Foreign Language Anxiety Scale (CFLAS) for the pre-tests and post-tests, the teacher’s diary, and follow-up interviews, was used to measure the changes in learner’ FLA level and speaking performance. After five-week implementations, these learners’ FLA was slightly alleviated, and their speaking performance was improved using a collaborative learning approach. Moreover, learners were found to have positive attitudes and experience with learning in the new approach. These findings implied that collaborative learning could be a potential treatment to help L2 learners uncover their anxious selves and find more confidence in using the target languag

Vietnam's visa policy for tourists

States employ travel visa as an instrument to leverage on visitor arrivals for various reasons. In tourism, visa plays a crucial role in facilitating potential and last-minute tourists’ decision making process. This paper focuses on the Vietnamese government’s visa policy in the context of tourism development. Adopting an economic approach, this paper reviews key achievements in tourist immigration policies and examines the challenges that deter tourists from visiting the country. This study purports that a stronger national strategy pertaining to simplification of visa processing and streamlining common visa entry union with neighboring countries within the AEC 2015 framework will translate to gains for Vietnamese tourism. __________________________________________________ Key words: economic approach, national visa policy, tourism developmen

THE DIFFICULTIES IN ORAL PRESENTATION OF ENGLISH-MAJORED JUNIORS AT TAY DO UNIVERSITY, VIETNAM

It could be broadly accepted that oral presentations are becoming important for students. It is required in almost every field and in the university environment. To succeed in the university environment and in their future jobs, these students need to improve their oral presentation skills. However, one of the drawbacks of using oral presentations in the language classroom is that students often find oral presentations extremely challenging. Therefore, the researcher conducted this research with the main goal of finding out common problems when giving an oral presentation to English-majored juniors at Tay Do University. Ninety juniors majoring in English at Tay Do University were selected to take part in the study. Data are gathered through questionnaires and interviews. The researcher used quantitative and qualitative methods to do the research. From the collected data, when they give a presentation, students usually make some mistakes such as problems in vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, psychological and background knowledge. Through this study, they would recognize their own problems when giving a presentation. Besides, understanding students' learning difficulties may also enable teachers to help students develop effective learning strategies and ultimately improve their presentation skills. It is hoped that this research can be helpful for not only students but also teachers in learning and teaching English.  Article visualizations

Polyculture of red seaweed (<i>Gracilaria tenuistipitata</i>) with different stocking densities of whiteleg shrimp (<i>Litopenaeus vannamei</i>): Effects on water quality and shrimp performance

This study was conducted to determine the impact of coculturing red seaweed (Gracilaria tenustipitata) with different densities of whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) on water quality and shrimp performance. The experiment was carried out in indoor tank systems in triplicate. Five shrimp densities (100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 shrimp/m3) were integrated with red seaweed (2 kg/m3) for 60 days. The results demonstrated that polyculture of red seaweed with shrimp maintained appropriate levels of TAN and NO2- in rearing tanks at high shrimp densities ranging from 100 to 300 shrimp/m3. Shrimp growth rates tended to decline as density increased, but there were no statistical differences (p>0.05) between treatments at stocking densities ranging from 100 to 300 shrimp/m3. Shrimp survival declined dramatically as stocking densities increased from 400 shrimp/m3 upward. The lowest and maximum shrimp yields were achieved at densities of 100 and 300 shrimp/m3, respectively. Furthermore, the sensory quality of cooked shrimp meat was highly rated by the panelists. These findings demonstrated that polyculture of red seaweed with whiteleg shrimp can be applied at stocking densities up to 300 shrimp/m3 while maintaining appropriate water quality parameters and improved production efficiency in the culture unit

Determinants of antibiotic prescribing in primary care in Vietnam: a qualitative study using the Theoretical Domains Framework

Background: To formulate effective strategies for antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) in primary care, it is crucial to gain a thorough understanding of factors influencing prescribers' behavior within the context. This qualitative study utilizes the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to uncover these influential factors. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with primary care workers in two provinces in rural Vietnam. Data analysis employed a combined inductive and deductive approach, with the deductive aspect grounded in the TDF. Results: Thirty-eight doctors, doctor associates, and pharmacists participated in twenty-two interviews and two focus group discussions. We identified sixteen themes, directly mapping onto seven TDF domains: knowledge, skills, behavioral regulation, environmental context and resources, social influences, social/professional role and identity, and optimism. Factors driving unnecessary prescription of antibiotics include low awareness of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), diagnostic uncertainty, prescription-based reimbursement policy, inadequate medication supplies, insufficient financing, patients’ perception of health insurance medication as an entitlement, and maintaining doctor-patient relationships. Potential factors facilitating AMS activities include time availability for in-person patient consultation, experience in health communication, and willingness to take action against AMR. Conclusion: Utilizing the TDF to systematically analyze and present behavioral determinants offers a structured foundation for designing impactful AMS interventions in primary care. The findings underscore the importance of not only enhancing knowledge and skills but also implementing environmental restructuring, regulation, and enablement measures to effectively tackle unnecessary antibiotic prescribing in this context

Changes in the Recovery Efficiency, Nutritional and Safety Quality of Dried Sergestid Shrimp (Acetes species) during Commercial Production

The sun-dried method is popular for producing dried Sergestid shrimp in Vietnam, but maintaining consistent product quality across seasons is challenging due to its dependence on weather conditions. A previous study used convection drying at a laboratory scale. In this study, the laboratory scale was upgraded to a commercial scale, and recovery efficiency and Sergestid shrimp images were recorded during production stages. Parameters were adjusted for economic efficiency and convenience. Results showed a decrease in recovery efficiency on the laboratory scale, while the commercial scale improved with washing and blanching. Overall, there was no significant difference in recovery efficiency between the commercial production (15.76 %) and laboratory scale (16.29 %). The commercial-scale dried Sergestid shrimp exhibited better colour than the laboratory-scale product. The product met food safety and quality criteria according to Vietnamese standards. Microorganisms such as Coliforms, E. coli, B. cereus, C. perfringens and salmonella, and total number of yeast and mold spores, were not detected in the product. On the other hand, the product of commercial production contained 256 kcal 100 g−1 of energy and a protein content of 55.50 ± 0.33 %. These findings form a foundation for scaling up production and assessing economic feasibility. Adjusting production parameters using larger equipment contributes to achieving optimal production efficiency and economic benefits