Promoting skills-based education in the 21st century: A dataset of Vietnamese secondary students

As the world has become more digitally interconnected than ever before in the 21stcentury, the next generation is required to possess various sets of new skills to succeed in their works and lives. The purpose of the article is to present a dataset of socio-demographic, in-school, out-of-school factors as well as the eight domains of 21st-century skills of Vietnamese secondary school students. A total of 1183 observations from 30 secondary schools in both rural and urban areas of Vietnam are introduced in this dataset. The linear regression analysis was also utilized as an analysis example for this dataset. The insights generated from the dataset are hoped to contribute to skills-based education and policy planning in Vietnam

COVID-19 Social Science and Public Engagement Action Research in Vietnam, Indonesia and Nepal (SPEAR): Protocol for a mixed methods study exploring the experiences and impacts of COVID-19 for healthcare workers and vulnerable communities

Background: When the novel coronavirus – SARS-CoV-2 – started to spread globally, there was a call for social and behavioral scientists to conduct research to explore the wider socio-cultural contexts of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), to understand vulnerabilities, as well as to increase engagement within communities to facilitate adoption of public health measures. In this manuscript, we describe the protocol for a study conducted in Indonesia, Nepal, and Vietnam. In the study, we explore how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting individuals and their communities. We focus on the wider health and economic impacts of COVID-19, in particular emerging and increased burden on mental health, as well as new or deepened vulnerabilities in the communities. The introduction of vaccines has added another layer of complexity and highlights differences in acceptance and inequalities around access.  Methods: We use mixed methods, combining survey methods and social media surveillance to gain a picture of the general situation within each country, with in-depth qualitative methods to gain a deeper understanding of issues, coupled with a synergistic engagement component. We also include an exploration of the role of social media in revealing or driving perceptions of the pandemic more broadly. Participants include health workers and members of communities from 13 sites across the three countries. Data collection is spread across two phases. Phase 1 is concerned with exploring lived experiences, impacts on working lives and livelihoods, mental health and coping strategies. Phase 2 is concerned with acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines, factors that increase and reduce acceptance, and factors that influence access. Conclusions: We will disseminate findings in multiple ways including short reports and policy briefs, articles in peer-reviewed journals, and digital diaries will be edited into short films and uploaded onto social media sites.</ns3:p

Micronutrient Deficits Are Still Public Health Issues among Women and Young Children in Vietnam

Background: The 2000 Vietnamese National Nutrition Survey showed that the population’s dietary intake had improved since 1987. However, inequalities were found in food consumption between socioeconomic groups. As no national data exist on the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies, a survey was conducted in 2010 to assess the micronutrient status of randomly selected 1526 women of reproductive age and 586 children aged 6–75 mo. Principal Findings: In women, according to international thresholds, prevalence of zinc deficiency (ZnD, 67.262.6%) and vitamin B12 deficiency (11.761.7%) represented public health problems, whereas prevalence of anemia (11.661.0%) and iron deficiency (ID, 13.761.1%) were considered low, and folate (,3%) and vitamin A (VAD,,2%) deficiencies were considered negligible. However, many women had marginal folate (25.1%) and vitamin A status (13.6%). Moreover, overweight (BMI$23 kg/m 2 for Asian population) or underweight occurred in 20 % of women respectively highlighting the double burden of malnutrition. In children, a similar pattern was observed for ZnD (51.963.5%), anemia (9.161.4%) and ID (12.961.5%) whereas prevalence of marginal vitamin A status was also high (47.362.2%). There was a significant effect of age on anemia and ID prevalence, with the youngest age group (6–17 mo) having the highest risk for anemia, ID, ZnD and marginal vitamin A status as compared to other groups. Moreover, the poorest groups of population had a higher risk for zinc, anemia and ID

Pararrhynchium de Saussure 1855

Genus Pararrhynchium de Saussure, 1855 Pararrhynchium de Saussure, 1855: 173, division of genus Rhynchium Spinola. Type species: Rynchium ornatum Smith, 1852, by monotypy. Prorhynchium de Saussure, 1855: 174, division of genus Rhynchium Spinola. Type species Rhynchium smithii de Saussure, 1855, by monotypy. Synonymized by van der Vecht 1963: 94.Published as part of Nguyen, Lien Thi Phuong, Tran, Ngat Thi, Bui, Dien Trong & Ljubomirov, Toshko, 2021, Contribution to the genus Pararrhynchium de Saussure (Hymenoptera: Vespidae Eumeninae), with description of two new species from Vietnam, pp. 159-168 in Zootaxa 5082 (2) on page 160, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5082.2.5, http://zenodo.org/record/578536

Pararrhynchium sparsum Nguyen & Ljubomirov 2021, sp. nov.

&lt;i&gt;Pararrhynchium sparsum&lt;/i&gt; Nguyen &amp; Ljubomirov, sp. nov. &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Diagnosis.&lt;/b&gt; This species can be distinguished from all other known species of the genus &lt;i&gt;Pararrhynchium&lt;/i&gt; by the following combination of characters: clypeus with flattened part well defined, in frontal view almost as high as wide, with sparse punctures, borders between punctures smooth, shining, and with micropunctures; propodeum with the carina produces to blunt tubercles behind metanotum and at lower lateral corner; T1 with distinct basal transverse carina; T2 almost as long as wide in dorsal view; and S2 strongly depressed at base, in lateral view almost straight from base to half, then straight to apical margin.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Material examined.&lt;/b&gt; Holotype, female, Vietnam: Cham Chu NR, Cao Duong, Yen Thuan, Ham Yen, Tuyen Quang, way to waterfall, 22&deg;17&rsquo;32.5&rdquo;N, 104&deg;59&rsquo;28&rdquo;E, alt. 643 m, 16 May 2019, LTP Nguyen &amp; CQ Nguyen, deposited in IEBR.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Paratypes: 4 females, same data as holotype, deposited in IEBR.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Description. Female&lt;/b&gt; (Fig. 20). Body length 13.2&ndash;13.5 mm (holotype: 13.5 mm); fore wing length 12.8&ndash;13.0 mm (holotype: 13.0 mm).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Head in frontal view subcircular, slightly wider than high (Fig. 13). Vertex with cephalic foveae situated close to each other, distance between them about one-fourth distance between posterior ocelli (Fig. 14). Distance from posterior ocelli to apical margin of vertex 2 times distance from posterior ocelli to inner eye margin (Fig. 14). Gena almost as wide as eye; occipital carina complete, present along entire length of the gena, somewhat weak at dorsal part. Inner eye margins convergent ventrally; in frontal view nearly 1.25 times further apart from each other at vertex than at clypeus. Clypeus with flattened part well defined, in frontal view almost as high as wide (Fig. 13), with basal margin strongly convex medially and distinctly separated from antennal sockets; apical margin emarginate medially forming a blunt tooth on each side, width of the truncation slightly greater than 1/3 width of clypeus between inner eye margin. Mandible with four prominent teeth. Antennal scape about 3.8 times as long as its maximum width, slightly curved; F1 about 1.7 times longer than wide, F2 and 3 slightly longer than wide, F4 as long as wide, F5&ndash; 9 wider than long, terminal flagellomere bullet-shaped, as long as its basal width (Fig. 13). Mesosoma longer than wide in dorsal view (Fig. 15). Pronotal carina strongly raised, reaching ventral corner of pronotum. Mesoscutum weakly convex, 1.1 times as long as wide between tegulae, with medial longitudinal smooth and shiny area running from apical margin to half length of the mesoscutum, with two depressed furrows running from apical margin to one-fourth length of the mesoscutum (Fig. 15). Disc of scutellum slightly convex, in lateral view at the same level of mesoscutum (Fig. 16). Metanotum weakly convex. Propodeum (Fig. 17) with propodeal dorsum forming shelf like area behind metanotum, with horizontal area slightly shorter than the length of metanotum, concavity margined by a crest, posterior surface clearly separated from dorsal side by an upper sharp and well-developed carina, the carina produces to blunt tubercles behind metanotum and at lower lateral corner (Fig. 17). Metasomal segment 1 (Fig. 18) clearly narrower than segment 2, about 0.9 times as wide as the width of segment 2, truncate at base, anterior vertical surface convex, with dense coarse punctures, clearly separable from posterior horizontal part, with completed carina. T 1 in dorsal view about 1.58 times as wide as long; T2 almost as long as wide in dorsal view; S2 strongly depressed at base, in lateral view almost straight from base to half, then straight to apical margin (Fig. 19); T1 and T2 with a narrow smooth band apically.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Vestiture. Body covered with medium silver hairs.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Sculpture. Clypeus with sparse punctures, each puncture bearing a very short bristle, border between punctures smooth, shining, and with micropunctures. Frons densely covered with very coarse punctures, border between punctures raised to form reticulations. Vertex with punctures similar to those on frons; gena with strong punctures, border between punctures smooth and much larger than those on vertex. Pronotum with punctures similar to those on vertex. Mesoscutum densely and coarsely covered with flat-bottom punctures, border between punctures raised to form reticulations; punctures on scutellum dense, smaller than those on mesoscutum, punctures on metanotum weaker than those on scutellum; scutellum with distinct median furrow. Mesepisternum with flat-bottomed punctures, punctures coarser than those on pronotum posterodorsally, small and sparse punctured and with a large smooth area anteroventrally; border between posterodorsal and anteroventral parts distinct, with epicnemial carina. Dorsal metapleuron with several strong striae, ventral metapleuron with sparse and shallow punctures, and several short striae. Propodeum with very coarse punctures and a smooth area on dorsal part, with dense and strong punctures, border between punctures sometimes weakly raised to form reticulation at lateral parts; posterior surface dull, rugose, with small shallow punctures at sides. T1 covered with strong punctures, border between punctures with minute punctures and sometimes larger than puncture diameter; punctures on T2 smaller and sparser than those on T1; T3 and T4 with weaker and smaller punctures; T5 and T6 with minute punctures. Tegula shiny, with sparse minute punctures.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Colour. Body almost black except two small orange- yellowish spots above between antennae. Wing strongly infuscated, veins dark brown.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Male.&lt;/b&gt; Unknown.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Distribution.&lt;/b&gt; North Vietnam.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Etymology.&lt;/b&gt; The specific epithet is taken from the Latin &lt;i&gt;sparsus&lt;/i&gt; (= sparse), indicating the sparsely punctured clypeus of this species&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Remarks.&lt;/b&gt; &lt;i&gt;Pararrhynchium sparsum&lt;/i&gt; Nguyen &amp; Ljubomirov, &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; is close to &lt;i&gt;P. tsunekii&lt;/i&gt; Tano &amp; Yamane, 1983 in having the female clypeus with the flattened part well defined, with sparse fine punctures; scutellum with distinct median furrow; T1 with a distinct basal transverse carina; and the apical margin of T3 not lamellate. It can be differentiated from the later by the following characters: clypeus as long as wide (versus clypeus longer than wide in &lt;i&gt;P. tsunekii&lt;/i&gt;); propodeum with superior carinae apically forming a pair of blunt teeth behind metanotum (versus propodeum with superior carinae apically forming a pair of relatively sharp teeth behind metanotum in &lt;i&gt;P. tsunekii&lt;/i&gt;), and by the color pattern.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;i&gt;Pararrhynchium sparsum&lt;/i&gt; Nguyen &amp; Ljubomirov, &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; is also close to &lt;i&gt;P. ornatum&lt;/i&gt; (Smith, 1852) but can be differentiated from the later by the following characters: clypeus as long as wide (versus clypeus longer than wide in &lt;i&gt;P. ornatum&lt;/i&gt;); and apical margin of T3 not lamellate (versus apical margin of T3 lamellate, slightly bent upward in &lt;i&gt;P. ornatum&lt;/i&gt;).&lt;/p&gt;Published as part of &lt;i&gt;Nguyen, Lien Thi Phuong, Tran, Ngat Thi, Bui, Dien Trong &amp; Ljubomirov, Toshko, 2021, Contribution to the genus Pararrhynchium de Saussure (Hymenoptera: Vespidae Eumeninae), with description of two new species from Vietnam, pp. 159-168 in Zootaxa 5082 (2)&lt;/i&gt; on pages 163-166, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5082.2.5, &lt;a href="http://zenodo.org/record/5785366"&gt;http://zenodo.org/record/5785366&lt;/a&gt

Badania nad zabezpieczeniem społecznym przez buddyzm w dynastii Tran

During the period from 8th Century to early decades of the 14th Century, Dai Viet was in the course of prosperous development with reigns of Tran Thai Tong (ruled from 1226-1258), Tran Thanh Tong (1258-1278), Tran Nhan Tong (1278-1293), Tran Anh Tong (1293-1314), Tran Minh Tong (1914-1329), and Trang Hien Ton (1329-1341). We can say that this is time of prosperity and advance of Tran Dynasty. The Tran Kings’ piety upon Buddhism had a great impact on thought and government policies, especially the spirit of equality and humanity. Kings of Tran express a great care on life of the people, try to relieve their toils, reduce their duties, help the poor, and enhance the social security.116 From Tran Du Tong onwards, all was not as before anymore. Research on social security by Buddhism in Tran dynasty can be presented in many aspects, but this article just focuses on clarifying the social security through Buddhism’s care on material and spiritual life of the people.W okresie od VIII wieku do wczesnych dekad XIV wieku - za czasów panowania: Tran Thai Tong (rządził od 1226-1258), Tran Thanh Tong (1258-1278), Tran Nhan Tong (1278-1293), Tran Anh Tong (1293-1314), Tran Minh Tong (1914-1329), i Trang Hien Ton (1329-1341) - Dai Viet był w na drodze rozwoju. Można powiedzieć, że jest to czas prosperity i postępu dynastii Tran. Pobożność królów Tranu wobec buddyzmu miała wielki wpływ na myślenie i politykę rządu, zwłaszcza na ducha równości i człowieczeństwa. Królowie dynastii Tran wyrażają wielką troskę o życie ludzi, starają się ulżyć im w trudach, zmniejszają ich obowiązki, pomagają biednym i zwiększają bezpieczeństwo społeczne. Od czasów Tran Du Tong, wszystko nie było już takie jak dawniej. Badania nad zabezpieczeniem społecznym przez Buddyzm w dynastii Tran można przedstawić w wielu aspektach, niniejszy artykuł koncentruje się jednak tylko na wyjaśnieniu zabezpieczenia społecznego poprzez opiekę Buddyzmu nad materialnym i duchowym życiem ludzi

Efficient symptomatic treatment and viral load reduction for children with influenza virus infection by nasal-spraying Bacillus spore probiotics

Abstract Influenza virus is a main cause of acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) in children. This is the first double-blind, randomized, and controlled clinical trial examining the efficacy of nasal-spraying probiotic LiveSpo Navax, which contains 5 billion of Bacillus subtilis and B. clausii spores in 5 mL, in supporting treatment of influenza viral infection in pediatric patients. We found that the nasal-spraying Bacillus spores significantly shortened the recovery period and overall treatment by 2 days and increased treatment effectiveness by 58% in resolving all ARTIs’ symptoms. At day 2, the concentrations of influenza virus and co-infected bacteria were reduced by 417 and 1152 folds. Additionally, the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-8, TNF-α, and IL-6 in nasopharyngeal samples were reduced by 1.1, 3.7, and 53.9 folds, respectively. Compared to the standard control group, treatment regimen with LiveSpo Navax demonstrated significantly greater effectiveness, resulting in 26-fold reduction in viral load, 65-fold reduction in bacterial concentration, and 1.1–9.5-fold decrease in cytokine levels. Overall, nasal-spraying Bacillus spores can support the symptomatic treatment of influenza virus-induced ARTIs quickly, efficiently and could be used as a cost-effective supportive treatment for respiratory viral infection in general. Clinical trial registration no: NCT05378022 on 17/05/2022

Nasal-spraying Bacillus spores as an effective symptomatic treatment for children with acute respiratory syncytial virus infection

Abstract Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of Acute Respiratory Tract Infections (ARTIs) in young children. However, there is currently no vaccine or treatment available for children. Here, we demonstrated that nasal-spraying probiotics containing 5 billion of Bacillus spores (LiveSpo Navax) is an effective symptomatic treatment in a 6-day randomized controlled clinical study for RSV-infected children (n = 40–46/group). Navax treatment resulted in 1-day faster recovery-time and 10–50% better efficacy in relieving ARTI symptoms. At day 3, RSV load and level of pro-inflammatory cytokines in nasopharyngeal samples was reduced by 630 folds and 2.7–12.7 folds respectively. This showed 53-fold and 1.8–3.6-fold more effective than those in the control-standard of care-group. In summary, nasal-spraying Bacillus spores can rapidly and effectively relieve symptoms of RSV-induced ARTIs while exhibit strong impacts in reducing viral load and inflammation. Our nasal-spraying probiotics may provide a basis for simple-to-use, low-cost, and effective treatment against viral infection in general

Promising clinical and immunological efficacy of Bacillus clausii spore probiotics for supportive treatment of persistent diarrhea in children

Abstract Persistent diarrhea is a severe gastroenteric disease with relatively high risk of pediatric mortality in developing countries. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of liquid-form Bacillus clausii spore probiotics (LiveSpo CLAUSY; 2 billion CFU/5 mL ampoule) at high dosages of 4–6 ampoules a day in supporting treatment of children with persistent diarrhea. Our findings showed that B. clausii spores significantly improved treatment outcomes, resulting in a 2-day shorter recovery period (p < 0.05) and a 1.5–1.6 folds greater efficacy in reducing diarrhea symptoms, such as high frequency of bowel movement of ≥ 3 stools a day, presence of fecal mucus, and diapered infant stool scale types 4-5B. LiveSpo CLAUSY supportive treatment achieved 3 days (p < 0.0001) faster recovery from diarrhea disease, with 1.6-fold improved treatment efficacy. At day 5 of treatment, a significant decrease in blood levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-17, and IL-23 by 3.24% (p = 0.0409), 29.76% (p = 0.0001), and 10.87% (p = 0.0036), respectively, was observed in the Clausy group. Simultaneously, there was a significant 37.97% decrease (p = 0.0326) in the excreted IgA in stool at day 5 in the Clausy group. Overall, the clinical study demonstrates the efficacy of B. clausii spores (LiveSpo CLAUSY) as an effective symptomatic treatment and immunomodulatory agent for persistent diarrhea in children. Trial registration: NCT05812820