THE EFFECT OF ECOLOGICAL FACTORS ON GROWTH OF Sterculia foetida L. IN BUON DON AND EA SUP DISTRICTS, DAK LAK PROVINCE

Accurate and reliable assessment of site suitability for the growth of selected plant species is critical for afforestation projects and programs to improve rural livelihoods. This research examines the relationship between growth of Sterculia foetida L. and six ecological factors in Buon Don and Ea Sup districts, Dak Lak Province. The purpose of the research is to predict the growth in average height and trunk diameter of the trees using ecological factors that are easy to measure and observe. These include topography (slope) and soil characteristics (clay ratio, depth of soil layer, surface and subsurface rock concentrations, and agglomeration ratio). The ecological factors were evaluated by multivariable regression analysis of growth data from 31 experimental plots, 16 in Buon Don district and 15 in Ea Sup district. The results show that four of the six factors affect average growth in tree height and that five factors affect average trunk diameter growth. The findings are of practical value for households and agricultural extension officers to consider before planting Sterculia foetida L. in the two areas

Impact of electronic word of mouth to the purchase intention - the case of Instagram

This research aims to discover and confirm the factors of e-WOM that influence users' shopping intentions on Instagram. The data was collected from 700 customers who belong to Gen Y and Gen Z from 18 to 39 years old who live and work in Vietnam. The research model and the scales were built from the empirical research of e-WOM from Lim (2016); Park et al. (2007); Prendergast et al. (2010). Quantitative methods were performed by Cronbach's Alpha reliability testing, EFA discovery factor analysis, regression, and ANOVA test. The research results showed that the fourth factor of e-WOM positively impacts users' purchase intent on Instagram with decreasing levels as Information Provider's Expertise, the quantity of e-WOM, and the Source credibility of e-WOM, and the quality of e-WOM, respectively. Also, users' purchase intention on Instagram under the impact of e-WOM varies by gender, but there is no difference by age and income

The relationship between brand equity and intention to buy: the case of convenience stores

The research aims to identify the components of brand equity that affect consumer purchasing intentions and measure the effect of brand equity components on the intention of consumer purchases at the convenience stores in Ho Chi Minh City. The authors conduct the group discussions, expert discussion, and then analyze data from 200 valid questionnaires with four components of brand equity, namely perceived quality, brand loyalty, brand association, brand awareness. The results of Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) show that all four elements have a positive effect on the customer' intention to purchase in the convenience store of Ho Chi Minh City. In particular, the brand association factor has the strongest influence, followed by perceived quality, brand awareness, and brand loyalty. This research contributes that the results confirm the theory of Aaker (1991), Brown and Stayman (1992), Cobb-Walgren et al. (1995), MacKenzie (1986) in the new context of convenience stores in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Besides, the study gives some recommendations to help convenience stores improve the elements of brand equity and it, to enhance attraction for consumers

Effects of calpastain (CAST) polymorphisms on carcass and meat quality traits in Mongcai pigs

Calpastain (CAST) activity plays a major role in muscle growth and proteolytic changes post-mortem and the CAST gene has been considered as a candidate gene for carcass and pork quality characteristics. The aim of this study was to analyze the association of two polymorphisms namely CAST_HinfI (allele A and B) and CAST_MspI (allele C and D) with carcass and meat quality traits in Mongcai, a Vietnamese indigenous pig breed. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to genotype the animals at these loci. Results indicate that the CAST_HinfI single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) had a low frequency of allele A as compared to allele B, while the C and D allele distribution was almost the same for the CAST_MspI SNP. In the association analysis, significant effects on dressing percentage of carcass were detected. The CAST_HinfI locus was associated with the pH24, while the CAST_MspI position was in association with pH45 min, drip loss48 and redness color. Additional analysis showed a variation in muscle fiber type composition with higher proportion of IIx fiber in pigs with AB genotype (P < 0.05). Three constructed haplotypes namely AB/CD, AB/DD and BB/CC also had significant effects on carcass, type IIa and IIb fiber percentages.Keywords: Association, carcass, pork quality, Vietnamese local pi

Biological activities of essential oil extracted from leaves of Atalantia sessiflora Guillauminin Vietnam

Introduction: The present study aimed to determine the chemical compositions and bioactivities of the essential oil of Atalantia sessifloraGuillaumin (A. sessiflora), including antibacterial, antimycotic, antitrichomonas, anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects. Methodology: The essential oil from leaves of A. sessiflora was extracted by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger apparatus. Chemical compositions of oil were identified by GC/MS. Antimicrobial and antitrichomonas activity were determined by the microdilution method; anti-inflammatory and antiviral were determined by the MTT method. Results: The average yield of oil was 0.46 ± 0.01% (v/w, dry leaves). A number of 45 constituents were identified by GC/MS. The essential oil comprised four main components. The oil showed antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive strains as Staphylococcus; Gram-negative bacteria such as Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli; and finally four Candidaspecies. Enterococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosawere least susceptible to the oil of A. sessiflora, as seen in their MIC and MLC values over 16% (v/v). Activity against Trichomonas vaginalis was also undertaken, showing IC50, IC90 and MLC values of 0.016, 0.03 and 0.06% (v/v) respectively, after 48 hours of incubation. The oil of A. sessiflora displayed activity against the nitric oxide generation with the IC50 of 95.94 ± 6.18 μg/mL. The oil was completely ineffective against tested viruses, ssRNA+, ssRNA-, dsRNA, and dsDNA viruses. Conclusions: This is the first yet comprehensive scientific report about the chemical compositions and pharmacological properties of the essential oil of A. sessiflora. Further studies should be done to evaluate the safety and toxicity of A. sessiflora oil

Characterization of cassava production systems in Vietnam.

Using a nationally representative survey of cassava-growing households in Vietnam and a robust method of varietal identification based on DNA fingerprinting, this paper provides a broad picture of cassava production and socio-economic characteristics of cassava producers in the country. It presents a descriptive analysis of cassava production practices, varietal use, varietal preferences, as well as cassava utilization, and marketing. Results indicate that more than 85% of the cassava area in Vietnam is planted to improved varieties. The average yield at national level is 19 tons per hectare. About 69% of total cassava produced per household is sold as either fresh roots and/or dried chips. The remaining 31% is either for own consumption or for livestock feed. Of all the six regions surveyed, the Southeast is characterized by the most intensive cassava production practices. It also has the largest average cassava area per household, the highest percentage of tractor use, and a higher percentage of fertilizer application on cassava fields. The findings suggest that there are huge challenges for sustainable cassava intensification, specifically in identifying the needs for market diversification, dealing with emerging pests and diseases, and implementing adequate soil management practices. This is particularly challenging in a system that is driven by the need to maximize output with minimum investment. Future research and development should focus on integrated value chain development with multiple actors focusing attention on integrated pest and disease management, seed systems development, breeding for resistance and earliness, and climate change adaptation, among others

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

Trends in Prevalence of Advanced HIV Disease at Antiretroviral Therapy Enrollment - 10 Countries, 2004-2015.

Monitoring prevalence of advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease (i.e., CD4+ T-cell count <200 cells/μL) among persons starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) is important to understand ART program outcomes, inform HIV prevention strategy, and forecast need for adjunctive therapies.*,†,§ To assess trends in prevalence of advanced disease at ART initiation in 10 high-burden countries during 2004-2015, records of 694,138 ART enrollees aged ≥15 years from 797 ART facilities were analyzed. Availability of national electronic medical record systems allowed up-to-date evaluation of trends in Haiti (2004-2015), Mozambique (2004-2014), and Namibia (2004-2012), where prevalence of advanced disease at ART initiation declined from 75% to 34% (p<0.001), 73% to 37% (p<0.001), and 80% to 41% (p<0.001), respectively. Significant declines in prevalence of advanced disease during 2004-2011 were observed in Nigeria, Swaziland, Uganda, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe. The encouraging declines in prevalence of advanced disease at ART enrollment are likely due to scale-up of testing and treatment services and ART-eligibility guidelines encouraging earlier ART initiation. However, in 2015, approximately a third of new ART patients still initiated ART with advanced HIV disease. To reduce prevalence of advanced disease at ART initiation, adoption of World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended "treat-all" guidelines and strategies to facilitate earlier HIV testing and treatment are needed to reduce HIV-related mortality and HIV incidence