Musculoskeletal Pain and Work-related Risk Factors among Waste Collectors in Hanoi, Vietnam: A Cross-sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are prevalent among waste collectors (WCs) in developing countries. AIM: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of MSDs and the factors associated with the risk of persistent musculoskeletal pain among WCs in Hanoi, Vietnam. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was utilized to study 468 WCs in 2017. The Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaire and a questionnaire on demographic and work conditions were used to collect data. Descriptive and multivariate logistics regression analyzes were applied at a significance level of 0.05 to examine the factors related to the risk of persistent pain. FINDINGS: About 74.4% of the participants of this study experienced MSDs in at least one body region and 9.4% reported MSDs in all 10 body sites. The lower back was reported to be the most affected followed by the neck and shoulders. The risk of persistent musculoskeletal pain was significantly associated with age (odds ratio (OR) = 2.31, confidence interval (CI) = 1.05–5.09), gender (OR = 3.29, CI = 1.28–8.44), work hours (OR = 2.35, CI = 1.12–4.92), work shift (OR = 0.48, CI = 0.26–0.92), duration of poor postures of the neck (OR = 0.31, CI = 0.13–0.76), bent back (OR = 0.4 CI = 0.18–0.92) and for medial rotation (OR = 3.01, CI = 1.42–6.36), carrying heavy objects (OR = 2.94, CI = 1.15–7.48), and experience of work dissatisfaction (OR = 3.31, CI = 1.46-7.52), stress (OR = 7.14, CI = 3.14–16.24), or anxiety (OR = 6.37, CI = 3.07–13.21). CONCLUSIONS: High prevalence of MSDs among WCs and its association with self-assessed unfavorable work postures and work-related stress implies the need of mechanical and social support at work for WC to prevent the development of MSDs and persistent pain

NONLINEAR PROPERTIES OF STRUCTURAL HETEROGENEOUS PHOTONIC CRYSTAL FIBERS WITH As2Se3 SUBSTRATE

We examine the possibility of improving the nonlinear properties of photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) with As2Se3 substrates by creating a difference in the diameters of the air holes of the rings around the core. With the new design, all-normal dispersion properties, small effective mode area, high nonlinear coefficient, and low confinement loss were achieved in the long-wavelength range of 2.0–7.0 µm. The highest nonlinear coefficient is 4414.918 W-1.km-1 at 4.5 µm for the lattice constant (Ʌ) of 3.0 µm and the filling factor (d/Ʌ) of 0.85, while the lowest loss is 1.823´10-21 dB/cm with Ʌ = 3.5 µm and d/Ʌ = 0.8. Based on the numerical simulation results, the characteristics of two optimal structures have been analyzed in detail to guide the application in supercontinuum generation

Effects of different nutrient solutions on growth and flower quality of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) grown in hydroponic close system

The nutrient solution is the decisive factor for the growth and development of hydroponic plants. This study was conducted to determine the effect of five nutrient solutions, namely, Hoagland, Knop, Hydro Umat F, BKFAST, and Bio-Life, on the growth and development of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) in the hydroponic system. The results show that Hydro Umat F is the most suitable solution for planting gerbera in terms of plant height, number of leaves, leaf size, and root volume. In addition, the flower yield of the gerbera plants nourished on Hydro Umat F is also the highest, with 8.7 flowers per plant after five months in the hydroponic system. The flowers have a diameter of 9.8 cm and natural durability of 19.67 days. Meanwhile, gerbera plants stop growing after 15 days in the Bio-Life solution and 30 days in the Knop solution

Measuring the progress of the timeliness childhood immunization compliance in Vietnam between 2006-2014: A decomposition analysis

Vietnam launched the national Expanded Program on Immunization in 1981. Since then, this program has contributed signi cantly to the improvement of child health and to the reduction of child mortality rate. Despite of the fact that the coverage of the national EPI keeps expanding, the number of children who complied with the recommended immunization schedule remains low. This article studies the progress of the timeliness childhood immunization compliance among children between 0-5 years of age in Vietnam from 2006 to 2014 and analyzes the socio-economic factors that account for the changes of the compliance rate during this period. The dataset is extracted from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey in 2006 and 2014. We rst identify the socio-economic factors that impact on the vaccination compliance rate using a logistic regression model. Next, we apply the decomposition method to determine the contribution of each factor on the evolution of the timeliness childhood immunization compliance. The progress of the timeliness childhood immunization has been positive and the major contribution comes from the structure e ect (unmeasured e ect). Rural areas show a stronger improvement as of 2014. Among the socio-economic factors, mother education and birth order are the ones that have the larger in uence on the childhood immunization compliance rate. However, these factors have di erent implications in urban and rural areas. These ndings are critical to the current context of Vietnam where the government is designing a strategy focusing on the e ectiveness rather than the traditional coverage indicator

Measuring the progress of the timeliness childhood immunization compliance in Vietnam between 2006-2014: A decomposition analysis

Vietnam launched the national Expanded Program on Immunization in 1981. Since then, this program has contributed signi cantly to the improvement of child health and to the reduction of child mortality rate. Despite of the fact that the coverage of the national EPI keeps expanding, the number of children who complied with the recommended immunization schedule remains low. This article studies the progress of the timeliness childhood immunization compliance among children between 0-5 years of age in Vietnam from 2006 to 2014 and analyzes the socio-economic factors that account for the changes of the compliance rate during this period. The dataset is extracted from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey in 2006 and 2014. We rst identify the socio-economic factors that impact on the vaccination compliance rate using a logistic regression model. Next, we apply the decomposition method to determine the contribution of each factor on the evolution of the timeliness childhood immunization compliance. The progress of the timeliness childhood immunization has been positive and the major contribution comes from the structure e ect (unmeasured e ect). Rural areas show a stronger improvement as of 2014. Among the socio-economic factors, mother education and birth order are the ones that have the larger in uence on the childhood immunization compliance rate. However, these factors have di erent implications in urban and rural areas. These ndings are critical to the current context of Vietnam where the government is designing a strategy focusing on the e ectiveness rather than the traditional coverage indicator

Occurrence, Toxicity and Adsorptive Removal of the Chloramphenicol Antibiotic in Water: A Review

Chloramphenicol is a broad-spectrum bacterial antibiotic used against conjunctivitis, meningitis, plague, cholera, and typhoid fever. As a consequence, chloramphenicol ends up polluting the aquatic environment, wastewater treatment plants, and hospital wastewaters, thus disrupting ecosystems and inducing microbial resistance. Here, we review the occurrence, toxicity, and removal of chloramphenicol with emphasis on adsorption techniques. We present the adsorption performance of adsorbents such as biochar, activated carbon, porous carbon, metal-organic framework, composites, zeolites, minerals, molecularly imprinted polymers, and multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The effect of dose, pH, temperature, initial concentration, and contact time is discussed. Adsorption is controlled by π-π interactions, donor-acceptor interactions, hydrogen bonding, and electrostatic interactions. We also discuss isotherms, kinetics, thermodynamic data, selection of eluents, desorption efficiency, and regeneration of adsorbents. Porous carbon-based adsorbents exhibit excellent adsorption capacities of 500-1240 mg

Formation, Antimicrobial Activity, and Biomedical Performance of Plant-Based Nanoparticles: A Review

Because many engineered nanoparticles are toxic, there is a need for methods to fabricate safe nanoparticles such as plant-based nanoparticles. Indeed, plant extracts contain flavonoids, amino acids, proteins, polysaccharides, enzymes, polyphenols, steroids, and reducing sugars that facilitate the reduction, formation, and stabilization of nanoparticles. Moreover, synthesizing nanoparticles from plant extracts is fast, safe, and cost-effective because it does not consume much energy, and non-toxic derivatives are generated. These nanoparticles have diverse and unique properties of interest for applications in many fields. Here, we review the synthesis of metal/metal oxide nanoparticles with plant extracts. These nanoparticles display antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. Plant-based nanoparticles are also useful for medical diagnosis and drug delivery

Research and Design of an X-Band UHF Power Amplifier

Introduction. A method for designing power amplifiers for use in the transmitting channels of X-band transceiver modules is investigated. The design process was aimed at optimizing the relationship between the basic amplifier characteristics, including the operating frequency band, output power level, output linearity, high harmonics suppression, etc.  Aim. Investigation of a method for designing an X-band UHF power amplifier, which is capable of optimizing the relationship between its main characteristics.  Materials and methods. Theoretical calculations were combined with experimental studies into the design of a UHF power amplifier. The stages of the design process are described in detail, including major ideas, principal circuits, and strip circuits. Evaluations were conducted using the Keysight ADS high frequency circuit simulation tool.  Results. A method for designing X-band UHF power amplifiers on the basis of a close combination of theory, simulation, and experimental adjustment was described in detail.  Conclusion. A prototype of an X-band PA was developed; an approach to developing a methodology for manufacturing, measuring, and testing X-band PAs is described.Introduction. A method for designing power amplifiers for use in the transmitting channels of X-band transceiver modules is investigated. The design process was aimed at optimizing the relationship between the basic amplifier characteristics, including the operating frequency band, output power level, output linearity, high harmonics suppression, etc.  Aim. Investigation of a method for designing an X-band UHF power amplifier, which is capable of optimizing the relationship between its main characteristics.  Materials and methods. Theoretical calculations were combined with experimental studies into the design of a UHF power amplifier. The stages of the design process are described in detail, including major ideas, principal circuits, and strip circuits. Evaluations were conducted using the Keysight ADS high frequency circuit simulation tool.  Results. A method for designing X-band UHF power amplifiers on the basis of a close combination of theory, simulation, and experimental adjustment was described in detail.  Conclusion. A prototype of an X-band PA was developed; an approach to developing a methodology for manufacturing, measuring, and testing X-band PAs is described