Experiments and optimization for the WEDM process: A trade-off analysis between surface quality and production rate

This work addressed a parameter optimization to simultaneously decrease the root mean square roughness (Rq) as well as the thickness of the white layer (TW) and improve the material removal rate (MRR) for the wire electro-discharge machining (WEDM) of a stainless steel 304 (SS304). The factors considered are the discharge current (C), the gap voltage (VO), the pulse on time (POT), and the wire drum speed (SP). The interpolative radius basic function (RBF) is applied to show the correlation between the varied factors and WEDM performances measured. The optimal selection is chosen using the multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO). Moreover, a traditional one using the response surface method (RSM) and desirability approach (DA) is adopted to compare the working efficiency of two optimization techniques. The results showed that the optimal findings of the C, POT, VO, and SP are 5.0 A, 1.0 µs, 61.0 V, and 8.0 m/min, respectively. The values of the Rq and TW are decreased by approximately 33.33% and 23.53%, respectively, while the MRR enhances 47.42% at the optimal selection, as compared to the common values used. The BRF-MOPSO can provide better performance than the RSM-DA

MORPHOLOGICAL AWARENESS OF STUDENTS MAJORING IN ENGLISH STUDIES TOWARDS VOCABULARY LEARNING

For those learning a second language, vocabulary plays a vital role in mastering the new one, and possessing a colossal vocabulary is extremely necessary. The paper aims to look into and assess students' awareness of morphology and the effectiveness of this approach through vocabulary learning. The subjects in this study were juniors majoring in English at a university in the south of Vietnam. The test, questionnaire, and interview were the three instruments used in this study to triangulate the results. A total of 49 students majoring in English Studies took the test, 40 students completed the questionnaire, and four students participated in an interview to evaluate their proficiency and morphological knowledge. The results of the study showed that students' awareness levels were average, and they were knowledgeable enough to employ this strategy for acquiring vocabulary. Additionally, it also enables students to comprehend morphology's benefits and drawbacks during their learning vocabulary process.  Article visualizations

TYPES OF POLITENESS STRATEGIES AND DEGREES OF POLITENESS PERFORMED BY ENGLISH MAJOR STUDENTS IN REQUESTING FOR HELP

In social interaction, people need to pay attention to the face of others to maintain relationships and avoid losing their faces. To do this, people should use politeness strategies in communication. This study aims to investigate which type of politeness strategies are mostly used and the level of politeness shown by English major students in the High Quality Program in requesting help. This study is based on the theory of Brown and Levinson (1987). Based on the analysis of the data obtained from the questionnaire, negative politeness strategies were applied the most. This also performs a high degree of politeness. It shows that students majoring in English studies (High Quality Program) had an awareness of using politeness strategies in requesting help.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0704/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p&gt

Phlogacanthus cornutus: chemical profiles and antioxidant effects

Phlogacanthus cornutus is a rare species and the chemical profiles and the bioactivities of this plant are unknown. In present study, the chemical components of the acetone extract as well as the antioxidant activity of acetone extract and its fractions such as n-hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate of P. cornutus were firstly reported. A total of 33 constituents were identify in the acetone extract of this plant using Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry assay, in which trans-cinnamic acid (21.26%), neophytadiene (6.36%), linolenic acid (5.86%), dihydroagathic acid (5.71%), n-hexadecanoic acid (5.53%), phytol (4.14%) and cis-cinnamic acid (3.23%) were the major compounds. The acetone extract and its fractions such as n-hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate of P. cornutus showed DPPH radical scavenging activity with IC50 value of 234.31, 185.95, 758.65 and 458.52 µg/mL respectively

Growth of single crystals of methylammonium lead mixedhalide perovskites

We report the growth and characterization of different bulk single crystals of organo lead mixed halide perovskites CH3NH3PbI3−xBrx by two different crystal growth approaches: (i)anti-solvent diffusion, and (ii) inverse temperature crystallization. In order to control the size and the shape of crystals, we have investigated different experimental growth parameters such as temperature and precursor concentration. The morphology of obtained crystals was observed by optical microscope, whereas their intrinsic crystalline properties were characterized by single crystal as well as powder X-ray diffraction. The results illustrated that the growth and crystalline structure of mixed halide perovskites CH3NH3PbI3−xBrx could be easily tuned

Neutrophil to lymphocyte with monocyte to lymphocyte ratio and white blood cell count in prediction of lung cancer

BackgroundLung cancer is the most common cause of cancer deaths in both sexes, while it is very difficult for screenings and early detection. AimsThis study aims to clarify the role of systematic inflammation markers, including white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil (NEU), monocyte (MONO), platelet (PLT), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (MLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in prediction of lung cancer. Methods A case-control study was conducted on 1,315 primary lung cancer patients and 1,315 healthy adults with matched age and gender at Cho Ray hospital. NLR, MLR and PLR were calculated by using neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte and platelet count which were recalled from laboratory database. With 600 cases in the derivation set, the logistic regression with univariate analysis was used to identify the impacted marker, then developing the optimal prediction model for lung cancer by logistic regression with multivariate method. The diagnostic values of optimal model consisting of sensitivity (Sen), specificity (Spe), positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) value were extracted and verified on all data, in validation set. Results The median values of WBC, NEU, MONO, PLT, NLR, MLR and PLR in lung cancer were not significantly difference between histological subtypes and clinical stages (p > 0.05), but higher than the values in control group (p < 0.01). Multivariates analysis shows that NLR, MLR and WBC were three parameters that have the significant impact of the optimal prediction model (p < 0.01). The AUC value, sensitivity and specificity of the optimal model for lung cancer detection were 0.881, 73.5 per cent (95 per cent CI:70.3–76.6) and 87.7 per cent (95 per centCI:85.2–89.9), respectively. Whereas, the PPV and NPV values of prediction model were 85.7 per cent (95 per cent CI:82.8–88.2) and 76.8 (95 per centCI:73.9–79.5), respectively. Among three biomarkers, the AUC values of NLR (0.853) and MLR (0.842) were higher than the value of WBC (0.752) (p < 0.01).ConclusionThe results of this study show that NLR with MLR and WBC in optimal prediction model are promising biomarkers for lung cancer screening that could be applied in clinical practice with the advantage of convenience and low cost

Molecular Dynamics Simulations Suggest that Electrostatic Funnel Directs Binding of Tamiflu to Influenza N1 Neuraminidases

Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is currently the frontline antiviral drug employed to fight the flu virus in infected individuals by inhibiting neuraminidase, a flu protein responsible for the release of newly synthesized virions. However, oseltamivir resistance has become a critical problem due to rapid mutation of the flu virus. Unfortunately, how mutations actually confer drug resistance is not well understood. In this study, we employ molecular dynamics (MD) and steered molecular dynamics (SMD) simulations, as well as graphics processing unit (GPU)-accelerated electrostatic mapping, to uncover the mechanism behind point mutation induced oseltamivir-resistance in both H5N1 “avian” and H1N1pdm “swine” flu N1-subtype neuraminidases. The simulations reveal an electrostatic binding funnel that plays a key role in directing oseltamivir into and out of its binding site on N1 neuraminidase. The binding pathway for oseltamivir suggests how mutations disrupt drug binding and how new drugs may circumvent the resistance mechanisms

Familial hypercholesterolaemia in children and adolescents from 48 countries: a cross-sectional study

Background: Approximately 450 000 children are born with familial hypercholesterolaemia worldwide every year, yet only 2·1% of adults with familial hypercholesterolaemia were diagnosed before age 18 years via current diagnostic approaches, which are derived from observations in adults. We aimed to characterise children and adolescents with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HeFH) and understand current approaches to the identification and management of familial hypercholesterolaemia to inform future public health strategies. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, we assessed children and adolescents younger than 18 years with a clinical or genetic diagnosis of HeFH at the time of entry into the Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Studies Collaboration (FHSC) registry between Oct 1, 2015, and Jan 31, 2021. Data in the registry were collected from 55 regional or national registries in 48 countries. Diagnoses relying on self-reported history of familial hypercholesterolaemia and suspected secondary hypercholesterolaemia were excluded from the registry; people with untreated LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) of at least 13·0 mmol/L were excluded from this study. Data were assessed overall and by WHO region, World Bank country income status, age, diagnostic criteria, and index-case status. The main outcome of this study was to assess current identification and management of children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia. Findings: Of 63 093 individuals in the FHSC registry, 11 848 (18·8%) were children or adolescents younger than 18 years with HeFH and were included in this study; 5756 (50·2%) of 11 476 included individuals were female and 5720 (49·8%) were male. Sex data were missing for 372 (3·1%) of 11 848 individuals. Median age at registry entry was 9·6 years (IQR 5·8-13·2). 10 099 (89·9%) of 11 235 included individuals had a final genetically confirmed diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolaemia and 1136 (10·1%) had a clinical diagnosis. Genetically confirmed diagnosis data or clinical diagnosis data were missing for 613 (5·2%) of 11 848 individuals. Genetic diagnosis was more common in children and adolescents from high-income countries (9427 [92·4%] of 10 202) than in children and adolescents from non-high-income countries (199 [48·0%] of 415). 3414 (31·6%) of 10 804 children or adolescents were index cases. Familial-hypercholesterolaemia-related physical signs, cardiovascular risk factors, and cardiovascular disease were uncommon, but were more common in non-high-income countries. 7557 (72·4%) of 10 428 included children or adolescents were not taking lipid-lowering medication (LLM) and had a median LDL-C of 5·00 mmol/L (IQR 4·05-6·08). Compared with genetic diagnosis, the use of unadapted clinical criteria intended for use in adults and reliant on more extreme phenotypes could result in 50-75% of children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia not being identified. Interpretation: Clinical characteristics observed in adults with familial hypercholesterolaemia are uncommon in children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia, hence detection in this age group relies on measurement of LDL-C and genetic confirmation. Where genetic testing is unavailable, increased availability and use of LDL-C measurements in the first few years of life could help reduce the current gap between prevalence and detection, enabling increased use of combination LLM to reach recommended LDL-C targets early in life

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

Restitution d’une chose autre qu’une somme d’argent dans le nouveau Code civil vietnamien de 2015

In the new Vietnamese civil code no. 91/ 2015 / QH13 of 24 November 2015, which came into force on 1 January 2017 (hereinafter referred to as C. civ 2015), the rules relating to the restitution of a “ non-sum of money” are not brand new. Like the old civil code of 2005, restitution is not only governed in a scattered way but its sources also remain the same. One of the innovations of the latter is the strengthening of the protection of the third party to whom the object of the restitution was transmitted. The study of Vietnamese law and other legislation (including French law, the Principles of European Contract Law, the UNIDROIT Principles) in this regard proves that if such legal systems agree on the fact that restitution shall be in kind, or in value ; its perimeter is governed differently. Reference to other legal systems could provide experience, reflection, legislative and legal trend enrichments to the Vietnamese law relating to the restitution of something other than a sum of money.Dans le nouveau Code civil vietnamien n° 91/ 2015/ QH13 du 24 novembre 2015 entrée en vigueur le 1er janvier 2017 (ci-après dénommé C. civ. 2015), les règles relatives à la restitution d’une chose autre que d’une somme d’argent ne sont pas toutes nouvelles. À l’instar de l’ancien Code civil de 2005, non seulement la restitution est toujours régie de manière éparse mais ses sources restent également inchangées. L’une des innovations de ce dernier est notamment liée à ce qu’il renforce la protection du tiers à qui l’objet de la restitution a été transmis. L’étude du droit vietnamien et d’autres législations (notamment le droit français, les Principes du droit européen des contrats, les Principes UNIDROIT) en la matière démontraient que si ces ordres juridiques s’accordent sur le fait que la restitution s’effectue en nature, à défaut, en valeur ; son périmètre est gouverné différemment. La référence à d’autres systèmes juridiques pourrait apporter des expériences, des réflexions et des enrichissements législatifs et jurisprudentiels au profit du droit vietnamien relatif à la restitution d’une chose autre que d’une somme d’argent.Truong Ke An Thai Thanh Hien. Restitution d’une chose autre qu’une somme d’argent dans le nouveau Code civil vietnamien de 2015. In: Revue internationale de droit comparé. Vol. 69 N°3,2017. pp. 675-689