An efficient approach to measure the difficulty degree of practical programming exercises based on student performances

oai:ojs.www.rev-jec.org:article/282This study examines the generality of easy to hard practice questions in programming subjects. One of the most important contributions is to propose four new formulas for determining the difficulty degree of questions. These formulas aim to describe different aspects of difficulty degree from the learner's perspective instead of the instructor's subjective opinions. Then, we used clustering technique to group the questions into three easy, medium and difficult degrees. The results will be the baseline to consider the generality of the exercise sets according to each topic. The proposed solution is then tested on the data set that includes the results of the two subjects: Programming Fundamentals, Data Structures and Algorithms from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology. The most important result is to suggest the instructors complete various degrees according to each topic for better evaluating student's performance

A novel IGHMBP2 variant and clinical diversity in Vietnamese SMARD1 and CMT2S patients

BackgroundPathogenic variants in the IGHMBP2 gene are associated with two distinct autosomal recessive neuromuscular disorders: spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress type 1 (SMARD1; OMIM #604320) and Charcot–Marie–Tooth type 2S (CMT2S; OMIM #616155). SMARD1 is a severe and fatal condition characterized by infantile-onset respiratory distress, diaphragmatic palsy, and distal muscular weakness, while CMT2S follows a milder clinical course, with slowly progressive distal muscle weakness and sensory loss, without manifestations of respiratory disorder.MethodsWhole-exome sequencing of the IGHMBP2 gene was performed for eight Vietnamese patients with IGHMBP2-related neuromuscular disorders including five patients with SMARD1 and the others with CMT2S.ResultsWe identified one novel IGHMBP2 variant c.1574T > C (p.Leu525Pro) in a SMARD1 patient. Besides that, two patients shared the same pathogenic variants (c.1235 + 3A > G/c.1334A > C) but presented completely different clinical courses: one with SMARD1 who deceased at 8 months of age, the other with CMT2S was alive at 3 years old without any respiratory distress.ConclusionThis study is the first to report IGHMBP-2-related neuromuscular disorders in Vietnam. A novel IGHMBP2 variant c.1574T > C (p.Leu525Pro) expressing SMARD1 phenotype was detected. The presence of three patients with the same genotype but distinct clinical outcomes suggested the interaction of variants and other factors including relating modified genes in the mechanism of various phenotypes

Improvement in neoantigen prediction via integration of RNA sequencing data for variant calling

IntroductionNeoantigen-based immunotherapy has emerged as a promising strategy for improving the life expectancy of cancer patients. This therapeutic approach heavily relies on accurate identification of cancer mutations using DNA sequencing (DNAseq) data. However, current workflows tend to provide a large number of neoantigen candidates, of which only a limited number elicit efficient and immunogenic T-cell responses suitable for downstream clinical evaluation. To overcome this limitation and increase the number of high-quality immunogenic neoantigens, we propose integrating RNA sequencing (RNAseq) data into the mutation identification step in the neoantigen prediction workflow.MethodsIn this study, we characterize the mutation profiles identified from DNAseq and/or RNAseq data in tumor tissues of 25 patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Immunogenicity was then validated by ELISpot assay using long synthesis peptides (sLP).ResultsWe detected only 22.4% of variants shared between the two methods. In contrast, RNAseq-derived variants displayed unique features of affinity and immunogenicity. We further established that neoantigen candidates identified by RNAseq data significantly increased the number of highly immunogenic neoantigens (confirmed by ELISpot) that would otherwise be overlooked if relying solely on DNAseq data.DiscussionThis integrative approach holds great potential for improving the selection of neoantigens for personalized cancer immunotherapy, ultimately leading to enhanced treatment outcomes and improved survival rates for cancer patients

Microscopic Observation Drug Susceptibility Assay (MODS) for Early Diagnosis of Tuberculosis in Children

MODS is a novel liquid culture based technique that has been shown to be effective and rapid for early diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). We evaluated the MODS assay for diagnosis of TB in children in Viet Nam. 217 consecutive samples including sputum (n = 132), gastric fluid (n = 50), CSF (n = 32) and pleural fluid (n = 3) collected from 96 children with suspected TB, were tested by smear, MODS and MGIT. When test results were aggregated by patient, the sensitivity and specificity of smear, MGIT and MODS against “clinical diagnosis” (confirmed and probable groups) as the gold standard were 28.2% and 100%, 42.3% and 100%, 39.7% and 94.4%, respectively. The sensitivity of MGIT and MODS was not significantly different in this analysis (P = 0.5), but MGIT was more sensitive than MODS when analysed on the sample level using a marginal model (P = 0.03). The median time to detection of MODS and MGIT were 8 days and 13 days, respectively, and the time to detection was significantly shorter for MODS in samples where both tests were positive (P<0.001). An analysis of time-dependent sensitivity showed that the detection rates were significantly higher for MODS than for MGIT by day 7 or day 14 (P<0.001 and P = 0.04), respectively. MODS is a rapid and sensitive alternative method for the isolation of M.tuberculosis from children

GRADIENT KIẾN TẠO HIỆN ĐẠI KHU VỰC NINH THUẬN VÀ LÂN CẬN

The estimation of the present day tectonic movement and tectonic gradient (strain rate) has an important practical signification in the assessment of active fault and seismic hazards for the selection of Ninh Thuan nuclear power plant. Based on the three campaigns of GPS measurement between 2012 - 2013, we used BERNESE 5.0 software to determine present day slip rates of 13 stations in ITRF08 frame. The GPS stations move eastwards at the slip rates of 22 - 25 mm/yr, southwards at the velocities of 5 - 10 mm/yr. The standard errors in latitudinal and longitudinal directions are 1.2 mm/yr and 0.9 mm/yr, respectively. Combined with GPS data from the project of the study on actual geodynamics in Tay Nguyen TN3/06, we determined the strain rate ranging from 50 to 100 nanostrains with the standard error of 50 nanostrains. The direction of  maximum compressive strain rate is from northwest - southeast to east - west.Đánh giá vận tốc chuyển động kiến tạo hiện đại và gradient kiến tạo hiện đại có ý nghĩa thực tiễn quan trọng trong việc đánh giá đứt gãy hoạt động nguy hiểm động đất phục vụ xây dụng nhà máy điện hạt nhân Ninh Thuận. Trên cơ sở đo 3 chu kỳ GPS vào các năm 2012 - 2013, sử dụng phần mềm BERNESE 5.0, chúng tôi đã xác lập được vận tốc chuyển động kiến tạo hiện đại tại 13 điểm đo GPS trong khu vực lân cận bao gồm kéo dài từ Nha Trang tới đảo Phú Quý. Vận tốc chuyển dịch kiến tạo hiện đại về phía đông thay đổi từ 22 - 25 mm/năm và chuyển dịch về phía nam với vận tốc giao động từ 5 - 10 mm/năm trên hệ tọa độ toàn cầu ITRF08. Sai số vận tốc chuyển dịch kiến tạo về phía đông giao động trong khoảng 1,2 - 1,5 mm/năm và về phía nam giao động trong khoảng 0,9 - 1,2 mm/năm. Liên kết với giá trị đo GPS từ đề tài nghiên cứu địa động lực hiện đại khu vực Tây Nguyên mã số TN3/T06, chúng tôi đã xác định được giá trị vận tốc biến dạng giao động từ 50 nano tới 100 nano biến dạng với sai số giao động trong khoảng 50 nano biến dạng. Trục biến dạng nén cực đại giao động theo phương thay đổi từ bắc nam sang đông bắc - tây nam. Trục biến dạng căng cực đại có phương thay đổi từ tây bắc - đông nam sang phương đông - tây

Tree species diversity and utilities in a contracting lowland hillside rainforest fragment in Central Vietnam

Abstract Background Within the highly bio-diverse ‘Northern Vietnam Lowland Rain Forests Ecoregion’ only small, and mostly highly modified forestlands persist within vast exotic-species plantations. The aim of this study was to elucidate vegetation patterns of a secondary hillside rainforest remnant (elevation 120–330 m, 76 ha) as an outcome of natural processes, and anthropogenic processes linked to changing forest values. Methods In the rainforest remnant tree species and various bio-physical parameters (relating to soils and terrain) were surveyed on forty 20 m × 20 m sized plots. The forest's vegetation patterns and tree diversity were analysed using dendrograms, canonical correspondence analysis, and other statistical tools. Results Forest tree species richness was high (172 in the survey, 94 per hectare), including many endemic species (>16%; some recently described). Vegetation patterns and diversity were largely explained by topography, with colline/sub-montane species present mainly along hillside ridges, and lowland/humid-tropical species predominant on lower slopes. Scarcity of high-value timber species reflected past logging, whereas abundance of light-demanding species, and species valued for fruits, provided evidence of human-aided forest restoration and ‘enrichment’ in terms of useful trees. Exhaustion of sought-after forest products, and decreasing appreciation of non-wood products concurred with further encroachment of exotic plantations in between 2010 and 2015. Regeneration of rare tree species was reduced probably due to forest isolation. Conclusions Despite long-term anthropogenic influences, remnant forests in the lowlands of Vietnam can harbor high plant biodiversity, including many endangered species. Various successive future changes (vanishing species, generalist dominance, and associated forest structural-qualitative changes) are, however, expected to occur in small forest fragments. Lowland forest biodiversity can only be maintained if forest fragments maintain a certain size and/or are connected via corridors to larger forest networks. Preservation of the forests may be fostered using new economic incentive schemes

AIDの発現はB細胞特異的及び刺激応答性のエンハンサーによる抑制解除によって起こる

京都大学0048新制・課程博士博士(医学)甲第15572号医博第3475号新制||医||982(附属図書館)28093京都大学大学院医学研究科分子医学系専攻(主査)教授 武田 俊一, 教授 三森 経世, 教授 長澤 丘司学位規則第4条第1項該当Doctor of Medical ScienceKyoto UniversityDA

Transformer vibration and noise monitoring system using internet of things

Abstract During continuous operation, transformer problems can occur due to various reasons. In reality, the operating parameters of the transformer have been collected and monitored through the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems. However, these systems face many challenges when applied to no‐human substations. Currently, noise signals have been used to detect transformer errors. Abnormal noise recognition and vibration monitoring can recognize the transformer's potential defects and errors. In this study, the authors built an internet of things (IoT) system that allows remote control centres to monitor the condition of transformers through noise and vibration at non‐human substations. The proposed model was equipped with a wireless sensor network node consisting of vibration sensors, audio collectors, Arduino modules, and Lora modules. The authors set up two schemes for the IoT network: one sensor node for a 220‐kV transformer and three sensor nodes for all three phases of the 500‐kV transformer. The data obtained from the sensor node were sent to LoRa Gateway and displayed on the computer through LabVIEW. The study also enabled monitoring of parameters through IoT devices such as Desktops, Laptops, Smartphones from LabVIEW NXG Web VI platform, ThingSpeak, and Amazon S3 storage cloud. In addition, a Model Predictive Control (MPC) algorithm was applied to predict the deterioration of transformer health to maintain the system stability and, hence, prolong the transformer life and operability