Students’ use and perceptions of feedback in a paired collaborative speaking task

Learner-centeredness is an integral part of Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) and paired conversations are promoted by this method because it is considered to effectively increase the student talking time. In paired conversations, instead of being merely interlocutors during their speaking activities, students are expected to initiatively assist each other’s performances by exchanging feedback and comments. This study examined 28 intermediate students on how they gave their partners feedback during a paired collaborative speaking task. It also investigated their perceptions on exchanging feedback. Observation and semi-structured interviews were employed for data collection. A mismatch between their viewpoints and actual performances was found. The interview analysis suggests that the students were well-aware of the roles and benefits of giving and receiving feedback. Meanwhile, the empirical data collected from the observation scheme shows that only a modest number of feedback instances, particularly corrective feedback, were actually given by the students. This was mostly resulted from the students’ lack of proper strategies and skills on giving feedback and their fear of losing their partners’ faces

STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF CALCIUM-ALGINATE AND WHEY PROTEIN ON THE SURVIVAL RATE OF Bifidobacterium bifidum IN MAYONNAISE

ABSTRACT – QMFS 2019The functional food development by adding probiotic bacteria is getting a lot of concern. In this study, Bifidobacterium bifidum AS 1.1886 was encapsulated in calcium-alginate 2% w/v (C sample) or the mix of calcium-alginate 2% (w/v) and whey protein 1% (w/v) (CW sample) or calcium-alginate 2% (w/v) coated by whey protein 1% (w/v) (CcW sample) by extrusion method, and added to mayonnaise product. The pH changes, the survival rate of probiotic bacteria, and total yeast and mold count during storage, as well as the probiotic survival in simulated gastric medium, were evaluated. The result showed that the pH changes were not significantly different in all mayonnaise samples in this test. The viability of the free probiotic cell was significant decrease about 5.85 log CFU/g compared to 0.26 ÷ 1.14 log CFU/g in encapsulated cell samples after four weeks of storage. None of the free cells survived after six weeks of storage. The total yeast and mold count in samples related to the probiotic count, the viability of probiotic cells higher 6 log CFU/g might be controlling the growth of yeast and molds in mayonnaise. Whey protein has been shown to significantly improve the survival rate of B.bifidum and calcium-alginate coated by whey protein, indicating the most effective protection. The result showed that the application potential of encapsulated probiotic in mayonnaise product

Safety and efficacy of fluoxetine on functional outcome after acute stroke (AFFINITY): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background Trials of fluoxetine for recovery after stroke report conflicting results. The Assessment oF FluoxetINe In sTroke recoverY (AFFINITY) trial aimed to show if daily oral fluoxetine for 6 months after stroke improves functional outcome in an ethnically diverse population. Methods AFFINITY was a randomised, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial done in 43 hospital stroke units in Australia (n=29), New Zealand (four), and Vietnam (ten). Eligible patients were adults (aged ≥18 years) with a clinical diagnosis of acute stroke in the previous 2–15 days, brain imaging consistent with ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke, and a persisting neurological deficit that produced a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 1 or more. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 via a web-based system using a minimisation algorithm to once daily, oral fluoxetine 20 mg capsules or matching placebo for 6 months. Patients, carers, investigators, and outcome assessors were masked to the treatment allocation. The primary outcome was functional status, measured by the mRS, at 6 months. The primary analysis was an ordinal logistic regression of the mRS at 6 months, adjusted for minimisation variables. Primary and safety analyses were done according to the patient's treatment allocation. The trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12611000774921. Findings Between Jan 11, 2013, and June 30, 2019, 1280 patients were recruited in Australia (n=532), New Zealand (n=42), and Vietnam (n=706), of whom 642 were randomly assigned to fluoxetine and 638 were randomly assigned to placebo. Mean duration of trial treatment was 167 days (SD 48·1). At 6 months, mRS data were available in 624 (97%) patients in the fluoxetine group and 632 (99%) in the placebo group. The distribution of mRS categories was similar in the fluoxetine and placebo groups (adjusted common odds ratio 0·94, 95% CI 0·76–1·15; p=0·53). Compared with patients in the placebo group, patients in the fluoxetine group had more falls (20 [3%] vs seven [1%]; p=0·018), bone fractures (19 [3%] vs six [1%]; p=0·014), and epileptic seizures (ten [2%] vs two [<1%]; p=0·038) at 6 months. Interpretation Oral fluoxetine 20 mg daily for 6 months after acute stroke did not improve functional outcome and increased the risk of falls, bone fractures, and epileptic seizures. These results do not support the use of fluoxetine to improve functional outcome after stroke

MONETARY POLICY TO COPE WITH COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Monetary policy is a very important macroeconomic regulatory policy of the state in a market. Economic researchers have shown that: To have a wise monetary policy suitable for each period is always a difficult "problem" economy, contributing to the success or failure of economic development. With the characteristics of Vietnam's economy, the choice of which tools and how to use them at specific stages of the economy is always a problem that must regularly be monitored and resolved. Especially in the context of a prolonged and increasingly complicated Covid-19 epidemic, the prospect of economic recovery remains uncertain. Therefore, operating monetary policy of the State Bank of Vietnam is an urgent issue. This paper gives an overall and comprehensive view of the impact of COVID-19 on inflation, banking, and production, and at the same time gives an overview and overview of our country's monetary policy so far, then proposes solutions for monetary policy in Vietnam

USING MONETARY POLICY TO REMOVE THE ECONOMY IN THE CONFIGURATION OF COVID-19

Monetary policy is a very important macroeconomic regulatory policy of the state in a market. Economic researchers have shown that: To have a wise monetary policy suitable for each period is always a difficult "problem" economy, contributing to the success or failure of economic development. With the characteristics of Vietnam's economy, the choice of which tools and how to use them at specific stages of the economy is always a problem that must regularly be monitored and resolved. Especially in the context of a prolonged and increasingly complicated Covid-19 epidemic, the prospect of economic recovery remains uncertain. Therefore, operating monetary policy of the State Bank of Vietnam is an urgent issue. This paper gives an overall and comprehensive view of the impact of COVID-19 on inflation, banking, and production, and at the same time gives an overview and overview of our country's monetary policy so far, then proposes solutions for monetary policy in Vietnam

CHÍNH SÁCH TIỀN TỆ NHẰM ĐỐI PHÓ DỊCH COVID-19

Chính sách tiền tệ là một chính sách điều tiết kinh tế vĩ mô rất quan trọng của nhà nước trong nền kinh tế thị trường, góp phần vào sự thành công hay thất bại của sự phát triển kinh tế. Các nhà nghiên cứu kinh tế đã chỉ ra rằng: Để có một CSTT khôn ngoan, phù hợp với từng thời kì luôn là một “bài toán” khó. Với đặc điểm của nền kinh tế Việt Nam thì việc lựa chọn các công cụ nào, sử dụng nó ra sao ở các giai đoạn cụ thể của nền kinh tế luôn là một vấn đề thường xuyên phải quan tâm theo dõi và giải quyết. Đặc biệt là trong bối cảnh nền kinh tế dịch Covid-19 kéo dài và ngày càng diễn biến phức tạp khiến cho triển vọng phục hồi kinh tế còn nhiều bất trắc. Vì thế điều hành CSTT của NHNN Việt Nam đang là vấn đề cấp thiết. Bài tham luận này đưa ra cái nhìn tổng thể và toàn diện về tác động của COVID-19 lên lạm phát, ngân hàng, sản xuất đồng thời phản ánh khái quát, tổng quan về nền CSTT nước ta từ trước đến nay, từ đó đưa ra các đề xuất giải pháp cho CSTT ở Việt Nam

SỬ DỤNG CHÍNH SÁCH TIỀN TỆ ĐỂ ĐIỀU TIẾT NỀN KINH TẾ TRONG BỐI CẢNH DỊCH COVID-19

Chính sách tiền tệ là một chính sách điều tiết kinh tế vĩ mô rất quan trọng của nhà nước trong nền kinh tế thị trường, góp phần vào sự thành công hay thất bại của sự phát triển kinh tế. Các nhà nghiên cứu kinh tế đã chỉ ra rằng: Để có một CSTT khôn ngoan, phù hợp với từng thời kì luôn là một “bài toán” khó. Với đặc điểm của nền kinh tế Việt Nam thì việc lựa chọn các công cụ nào, sử dụng nó ra sao ở các giai đoạn cụ thể của nền kinh tế luôn là một vấn đề thường xuyên phải quan tâm theo dõi và giải quyết. Đặc biệt là trong bối cảnh nền kinh tế dịch Covid-19 kéo dài và ngày càng diễn biến phức tạp khiến cho triển vọng phục hồi kinh tế còn nhiều bất trắc. Vì thế điều hành CSTT của NHNN Việt Nam đang là vấn đề cấp thiết. Bài tham luận này đưa ra cái nhìn tổng thể và toàn diện về tác động của COVID-19 lên lạm phát, ngân hàng, sản xuất đồng thời phản ánh khái quát, tổng quan về nền CSTT nước ta từ trước đến nay, từ đó đưa ra các đề xuất giải pháp cho CSTT ở Việt Nam

Gelatin-stabilized composites of silver nanoparticles and curcumin: characterization, antibacterial and antioxidant study

This is a preliminary study of a material comprising gelatin (Gel), silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and curcumin (Cur) aimed for wound-healing treatment. Gelatin was used to stabilize AgNPs and encapsulate curcumin to form a therapeutic composite (GelCurAg) for their strong bactericidal and antioxidant properties. GelCurAg formulations with different gelatin concentrations were characterized to attain information about their physiochemical properties and the loading efficiency of therapeutic agents. In vitro assessment of GelCurAg focused on antibacterial, antioxidant and cytotoxic aspects. The results suggested that Gel1CurAg (synthesized from 1% gelatin solution) could be utilized as potential therapeutic agents in treating infectious wound owing to its bactericidal and antioxidant effects and low toxicity for clinical uses

Higher education in Vietnam: flexibility, mobility and practicality in the global knowledge economy (Series: Palgrave Studies in Global Higher Education)

Abstract not available

Proteomic analysis of ceftazidime and meropenem-exposed Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027

Abstract Background Pseudomonas aeruginosa is well known for its intrinsic ability to resist a wide range of antibiotics, thus complicates treatment. Thus, understanding the response of the pathogen to antibiotics is important for developing new therapies. In this study, proteomic response of P. aeruginosa to the commonly used anti-pseudomonas antibiotics, ceftazidime (Caz) and meropenem (Mem) was investigated. Methods P. aeruginosa ATCC 9027, an antibiotic-susceptible strain, was exposed to sub-MIC values of antibiotics either Caz or Mem for 14 days to obtain E1 strains and then cultured in antibiotic-free environments for 10 days to obtain E2 strains. Proteomes of the initial and E1, E2 strains were identified and comparatively analyzed using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) in cooperation with nano LC–MS/MS. Noted up and down-regulated proteins were confirmed with quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR). Results Overall, 1039 and 1041 proteins were identified in Caz and Mem-exposed strains, respectively. Upon antibiotic exposure, there were 7–10% up-regulated (Caz: 71, Mem: 85) and down-regulated (Caz: 106, Mem: 69) proteins (1.5-fold change cut-off). For both Caz and Mem, the DEPs were primarily the ones involved in metabolic process, membrane, virulence, protein synthesis, and antibiotic resistance in which proteins involved in antibiotics resistance tended to be up-regulated while proteins involved in protein synthesis and metabolic process were down-regulated. Noted proteins included beta-lactamase AmpC which was up-regulated and OprD which was down-regulated in both the antibiotic-exposed strains. Besides, biofilm formation related proteins TssC1 and Hcp1 in Caz- exposed strains and the membrane/ periplasmic proteins Azu and PagL in Mem-exposed strains were found significantly down-regulated. qRT-PCR results confirmed the expression change of AmpC, Hcp1 and OprD proteins. Conclusion Exposure of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to sub-MIC values of Caz and Mem resulted in around 10% change in its proteome. Not only proteins with confirmed roles in antibiotic resistance mechanisms changed their expression but also virulence- associated proteins. Both Caz and Mem response involved up-regulation of AmpC and down-regulation of OprD. While TssC1 and Hcp1 were responsible for Caz response, Azu and PagL were more likely involved in Mem response