Characterization of Structural Transition and Heterogeneity under Compression for Liquid Al2O3 Using Molecular Dynamics Simulation

We have performed a simulation of the structural transition and Structural Heterogeneity (SH) in liquid Al2O3 at 3500 K, in the range of 0–100 GPa. The results confirmed that the network structure of liquid alumina is built mainly from AlOx (x = 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) units, which are related to each other through the common oxygen atoms. The existence of separate AlO3-, AlO4-, AlO5-, AlO6- and AlO7- phases, where SH of the network structure can be sufficiently determined, besides, the existence of separate phases is clarified for SH in the liquid of Al2O3. In particular, at a pressure below 10 and beyond 20 GPa, AlOx units are uniformly distributed in the space and non-uniformly distributed in the range 10-20 GPa. Our study is expected to contribute to a simple way to determine the structural heterogeneity and diffusion coefficients of oxide systems. Doi: 10.28991/HIJ-2022-03-02-08 Full Text: PD

Impairment of Assets Under Perspectives of International and Vietnamese Accounting

This study investigates the impairment of assets on financial reportings of three separate entities - Vietnam Prosperity Joint-Stock Commercial Bank (VPBank), The Bank of East Asia (BEA) and The Nestlé Group - in the financial year of 2017. By bringing out the differences between international accounting system of asset impairment (IAS 36) and Vietnamese accounting system (VAS), this research has determined the gap between two sets of financial statements under IFRS and VAS in conveying the business performance and financial position. The empirical results show Vietnam’s necessary for a convergence in asset impairment with international accounting system. Therefore, we provide some recommendations for Vietnam in applying asset impairment regarding to IAS 36 partly or completely. Keywords: Asset impairment, International accounting, Vietnamese accounting. DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/10-12-07 Publication date:June 30th 2019

A study on attitude towards English language learning among non-English majored students at Tra Vinh University

Achievement in language learning usually depends on both learners’ ability and attitude. If learners have negative attitude towards language learning, it can lead to some detrimental effects. The objectives of the study are to identify students’ attitude to English language learning, to find out the differences of English attitude by gender and by three specializations, and finally to draw some teaching implications at Tra Vinh university. The participants are 89 respondents from 3 main specializations: Office Administration, Tourism and Medical Physician. The questionnaire has 34 items concerning language attitudes in terms of behavioral, cognitive and emotional aspect of attitude. The results show that the students have average positive attitude towards English and interestingly there are no attitudinal differences by gender. However, the attitudes towards English of the three majors are not similar. Tourism students’ attitude is slightly lower than that of the other two specializations

AN INVESTIGATION INTO QUANG TRI PRIMARY SCHOOL ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHER’S PERSPECTIVE OF ICT INTEGRATION DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

With the transition from face-to-face classes to online classes during Covid-19 epidemic, teachers in Quang Tri have no choice but to integrate ICT into their teaching. At this time ICT has become the most essential tool in educational settings and the subject of many researchers. This study aims to investigate how English teachers perceived ICT integration in terms of the benefits, difficulties as well as challenges of incorporating ICT. The study adopted both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection, i.e., questionnaires and interviews. The findings revealed that the majority of English teachers had a positive perception of integrating ICT due to its effectiveness. However, it was also reported that lack of technical support from schools, and limited knowledge and training in ICT discouraged teachers from using ICT. The study offers useful implications for teachers to integrate ICT in teaching English during the pandemic time.  Article visualizations

STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF ACTIVE LEARNING IN INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE

There is a growing interest in active learning as a shift from traditional lecturing to improving student-centred learning in English. However, in the Vietnamese context of teaching and learning at tertiary levels, little research has examined students’ perceptions of active learning in approaching Introduction to Literature. This study is therefore aimed to look into this area of interest. Participants in this study were 94 students from junior and seniors majoring in high-quality programs at a university in the Mekong Delta. Data were collected from questionnaires. The findings show that students had positive perceptions of active learning in studying this course. Implications for teaching and learning this course are made.  Article visualizations

How has Learning Motivation of University Students in Vietnam Changed during COVID-19 Pandemic?

With the data from 2,082 students at National Economics University, this article focuses on assessing the decline in learning motivation of undergraduates during the fourth wave of COVID-19 in Vietnam. Using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), descriptive statistics, and One_Way ANOVA tests, it was evident that the decline in learning motivation was noticeable in most students surveyed. Specifically, 36.1% of the survey respondents experienced severe demotivation with all 4 expressions “Distracted”, “Exhausted”, “Uninterested” and “Lack of responsibility for learning”. Furthermore, the level of motivation decline tended to rise significantly among the groups of students with the following characteristics: first-year students, male gender, and low academic performance. The abovementioned results alert educational and training institutions to pay proper attention and comprehensively evaluate the learning motivation of their students. Moreover, supportive measures should be implemented to improve learning motivation for the young in the “post-COVID-19” period

EFFECTS OF SALT STRESS ON PLANT GROWTH AND BIOMASS ALLOCATION IN SOME WETLAND GRASS SPECIES IN THE MEKONG DELTA

Salt stress causes serious damage to many cellular and physiological processes that leads to yield reduction. The study induced salt stress using Hoagland solution added NaCl to evaluate its effects on plant growth and biomass allocation of some wetland grass species in order to identify salt-tolerant species for replacing and/or supplementing rice/grass in rice-shrimp model and salt-affected area in the Mekong Delta. The study also seeks to evaluate the response of leaf chlorophyll (SPAD unit) and proline content in salt-treated plants to varying application of salinity. Typha orientalis, Lepironia articulata, Eleocharis dulcis and Scirpus littoralis were studied in hydroponics condition with four levels of NaCl of 5, 10, 15, 20‰ and the control treatment (without adding NaCl). The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with 3 replications. The salt-treated plants showed visually clear responses of inhibited growth under salt stress condition compared to the control plants. Among the four studied species, T. orientalis produced the highest dry shoot biomass (15.5 g DW/plant), while E. dulcis had the lowest value (2.8 g DW/plant). However, only T. orientalis showed significantly decreased in biomass as salinity increased with 9.3 and 4.6 times lower of fresh and dry biomass in plants grown at the salinity level of 20‰ compared to those grown in the control treatment. The other three plant species did not affect by salinity levels. The results indicated that S. littoralis, L. articulata and E. dulcis could tolerate at high salinity of 20‰ (eq. to the EC value in the nutrient solution of 38.0 dS/m) and could be potential candidate to grow in the rice-shrimp model or in the salt-affected soils. 

Gender income gap in Vietnam in the 2000s : evidence from household surveys

This paper investigates the determinants and characteristics of changes in the gender wage gap between 2004 and 2010 in Vietnam. Labour force structure, employment by gender, education, and skill level, labour force participation, types of enterprises, geographical area, and wage structure are key determinants analyzed in this study. Results reaffirm that traditional concepts and social bias towards women prevent their access to education and training, selection of occupations, and opportunities to improve professional and technical qualifications. Policy implications are reviewed

Effect of Polypyrrole on the Electrical, Dielectric and Mechanical Properties of Waterborne Epoxy Coatings

In this context, conducting composite based on waterborne epoxy system and polypyrrole (PPy) was investigated. The polypyrrole was synthesized by chemical oxidation polymerization. Its morphology and chemical structure were confirmed by using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Then, PPy was well-dispersed in the epoxy coating and had a good compatibility with the matrix. The effects of PPy on dielectric, electrical and mechanical properties of epoxy/PPy composites was examined. The dielectric constant and electrical conductivity of the coatings increased with addition of PPy fillers. Over to 15 wt. % of PPy loading, the volume resistivity of samples slightly decreased from 6.7 × 1010 to 1.5 × 1010 Ω cm. In contrast, the presence of PPy diminished both impact and abrasion resistance of the epoxy/PPy composites, down to 160 kg cm and 10.2 L/mil, respectively, but they stayed acceptable for the coatings. The results reveal that the epoxy containing polypyrrole is suitable for various electrical and dielectric applications

Distal radius fracture malunion: Importance of managing injuries of the distal radio-ulnar joint.

Background: Distal radius malunion is a major complication of distal radius fractures, reported in 0 to 33% of cases. Corrective osteotomy to restore normal anatomy usually provides improved function and significant pain relief. We report the outcomes in a case-series with special attention to the potential influence of the initial management. Material and methods: This single-centre retrospective study included 12 patients with a mean age of 35 years (range, 14–60 years) who were managed by different surgeons. There were 8 extra-articular fractures, including 3 with volar angulation, 2 anterior marginal fractures, and 2 intra-articular T-shaped fractures; the dominant side was involved in 7/12 patients. Initial fracture management was with an anterior plate in 2 patients, Kapandji intra-focal pinning in 5 patients, plate and pin fixation in 2 patients, and non-operative reduction in 3 patients. The malunion was anterior in 10 patients, including 2 with intra-articular malunion, and posterior in 2 patients. Corrective osteotomy of the radius was performed in all 12 patients between 2005 and 2012. In 11/12 patients, mean time from fracture to osteotomy was 168 days (range, 45–180 days). The defect was filled using an iliac bone graft in 7 patients and a bone substitute in 4 patients. No procedures on the distal radio-ulnar joint were performed. Results: All 12 patients were evaluated 24 months after the corrective osteotomy. They showed gains in ranges not only of flexion/extension, but also of pronation/supination. All patients reported improved wrist function. The flexion/extension arc increased by 40◦ (+21◦ of flexion and +19◦ of extension) and the pronation/supination arc by 46◦ (+13◦ of pronation and +15◦ of supination). Mean visual analogue scale score for pain was 1.7 (range, 0–3). Complications recorded within 2 years after corrective osteotomy were complex regional pain syndrome type I (n = 1), radio-carpal osteoarthritis (n = 3), and restricted supination due to incongruity of the distal radio-ulnar joint surfaces (n = 3). This last abnormality should therefore receive careful attention during the management of distal radius malunion. Discussion: In our case-series study, 3 (25%) patients required revision surgery for persistent loss of supination. The main error in these patients was failure to perform a complementary procedure on the distal radio-ulnar joint despite postoperative joint incongruity. This finding and data from a literature review warrant a high level of awareness that distal radio-ulnar joint congruity governs the outcome of corrective osteotomy for distal radius malunion