Virtual reality (VR) has been adopted in various fields such as entertainment, education, healthcare, and the military, due to its ability to provide an immersive experience to users. However, 360° ...images, one of the main components in VR systems, have bulky sizes and thus require effective transmitting and rendering solutions. One of the potential solutions is to use foveated technologies, that take advantage of the foveation feature of the human eyes. Foveated technologies can significantly reduce the data required for transmission and computation complexity in rendering. However, understanding the impact of foveated 360° images on human quality perception is still limited. This paper addresses the above problems by proposing an accurate machine-learning-based quality assessment model for foveated 360° images. The proposed model is proven to outperform the three cutting-edge machine-learning-based models, which apply deep learning techniques and 25 traditional-metric-based models (or analytical-function-based-models), which utilize analytical functions. It is also expected that our model helps to evaluate and improve 360° content streaming and rendering solutions to further reduce data sizes while ensuring user experience. Also, this model could be used as a building block to construct quality assessment methods for 360° videos, that are reserved for our future work. The source code is available at https://github.com/telagment/FoVGCN .
In this study, new donor–acceptor (D–A) conjugated polymers based on 4-(4-((2-ethylhexyl)oxy)phenyl)-4H-dithieno3,2-b:2′,3′-dpyrrole (EPDP) and ...3,6-bis(5-bromothiophen-2-yl)-2,5-bis(2-ethylhexyl)-2,5-dihydropyrrolo3,4-cpyrrole-1,4-dione (BTBP) or 4,7-bis(5-bromothiophen-2-yl)benzoc1,2,5thiadiazole (BT) have been synthesized successfully via direct (hetero)arylation polymerization using Pd(OAc)2 and PCy3·HBF4 as a catalyst system. The obtained D–A conjugated polymers have been characterized via1H NMR, GPC, FTIR, DSC, XRD, PL and UV-Vis methods. Afterward, the D–A conjugated polymers have been applied for the fabrication of organic solar cells based on bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) structures.
•Social and behavioral barriers affect hepatitis B vaccine uptake at birth in Vietnam.•These barriers influence supply and demand aspects of immunization systems.•Rural areas, often with more ...barriers, may require focused intervention.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a significant public health issue in Vietnam. Our goal was to understand the determinants of attitudes towards and practices of hepatitis B vaccine birth dose (HepB-BD) in certain regions of Vietnam.
A rapid qualitative assessment was conducted in three geographically diverse provinces that reported low coverage (<50%) of HepB-BD. Using purposive sampling of participants, 29 focus group discussions and 20 in-depth interviews were held with caregivers (n = 96), healthcare providers (n = 75), and healthcare administrators (n = 16). Summary notes from these were translated, and inductive coding was used to derive themes. The SAGE Vaccine Hesitancy Determinants Matrix was used as a theoretical framework to organize barriers and facilitators associated with the themes into three levels of influence.
At the individual and group level, caregivers who had higher levels of knowledge about HepB-BD sought the vaccine proactively, while others with lower knowledge faced barriers to the vaccine. Some caregivers reported a negative attitude toward health services because of a language barrier or had generalized concerns about HepB-BD due to media reporting of the past adverse events. Distress arising from potential adverse events was equally common among healthcare providers. At the contextual level, the physical environment made it difficult for caregivers to access healthcare facilities and for providers to conduct outreach. Home births posed a challenge for timely administration of HepB-BD, while health facility births facilitated it. Vaccination-specific barriers included misinterpretation of pre-vaccination screening criteria and asking for the consent of caregivers. Inadequate resources for service delivery negatively influenced HepB-BD attitudes and practices.
Given the diversity of barriers associated with attitudes towards and practices of HepB-BD in the three provinces, tailored interventions will be necessary for both demand- and supply-side factors. Rural areas, often with more home births and geographic barriers, may require focused attention.
There is a gap in the literature on the understanding of the general Vietnamese population toward dengue fever (DF). This study aimed to explore knowledge, attitudes, practice (KAP) of dengue fever ...among Vietnamese participants and the potential associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 330 patients at the Bach Mai Hospital in Northern Vietnam. A Tobit regression model was utilized to investigate the associated factors. The average knowledge score was 4.6/19. Respondents perceived their risk of DF infection to be very low (39.5%) to low (20.7%) and had a neutral attitude about the necessity of hospitalization when being infected with DF (60.9%). A total of 17.6%, 9.8% and 6.6% of respondents reported frequently changing water, properly disposing of waste and covering water storage containers to eliminate larvae. Gender, education level, duration of illness and travel history were correlated with knowledge. Occupation, the presence of DF in the neighborhood, mosquito density at home and DF symptom severity were associated with attitudes. Occupation, mosquito density at home, type of patient, knowledge and attitudes were associated with practices. To enhance the KAP towards DF, further efforts should first be directed to improve knowledge through education, especially at the school level and people in less developed areas.
Increasing access to viral load (VL) monitoring is essential to fight HIV epidemics. In remote settings in Vietnam, using dried blood spot (DBS) sampling for specimen collection could improve the ...situation. Here, people who inject drugs (PWID) represent many newly antiretroviral therapy (ART)-initiated patients. The goals of this evaluation were to evaluate if access to VL monitoring and the rate of virological failure differed between PWID and non-PWID.
Prospective cohort study of patients newly initiated on ART in remote settings in Vietnam. DBS coverage at 6, 12 and 24 months of ART was investigated. Factors associated with DBS coverage were identified through logistic regression, as were factors associated with virological failure (VL ≥1,000 copies/mL) at 6, 12 and 24 months of ART.
Overall 578 patients were enrolled in the cohort, of whom 261 (45%) were PWID. DBS coverage improved from 74.7% to 82.9% between 6 and 24 months of ART (p = 0.001). PWID status was not associated with DBS coverage (p = 0.74), but DBS coverage was lower in patients who were late to clinical visits and in those in WHO stage 4 (p = 0.023 and p = 0.001, respectively). The virological failure rate decreased from 15.8% to 6.6% between 6 and 24 months of ART (p<0.001). In multivariate analysis, PWID were more at risk of failure (p = 0.001), as were patients who were late to clinical visits (p<0.001) and not fully adherent (p<0.001).
Despite training and simple procedures, DBS coverage was not perfect. DBS coverage was not associated with PWID status. Close management is required for effective routine HIV VL monitoring. PWID were more at risk of failure, as were patients who were not fully adherent and patients who were late to clinical visits. Specific interventions targeting these patients are needed to improve their outcomes. Overall, efforts in coordination and communication are essential to improve global HIV care.
Clinical Trial Number: NCT03249493.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The high prevalence of chronic pain and difficulties in pain management in older people are challenging for healthcare providers globally. Patient satisfaction regarding pain management is one of the ...measures to assess efficacy of pain control as well as healthcare services. Thus, our study aimed to evaluate the older patients' satisfaction with pain management and its associated factors in Vietnam.
A cross-sectional study was conducted at National Geriatric Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam from May to October 2018. Face-to-face interviews were conducted on 495 older patients with chronic pain by using a structured questionnaire. The Pain Treatment Satisfaction Scale (PTSS) was used to assess the level of satisfaction with pain management. A Tobit regression model was used to estimate factors associated with satisfaction toward pain management.
The mean total satisfaction score was 1.77 (SD= 0.22). Older patients were most satisfied with the aspect of side effects of pain relief medication (mean=0.66, SD=0.56). On the contrary, they were most dissatisfied with information provided about pain and its treatment and efficacy of pain relief medication. Outpatients were less satisfied with information provided, the impact of current medication and pain management in general compared to inpatients. The regression model showed that patients with severe pain tended to be more dissatisfied with pain management than those with no pain.
This study indicated that the general satisfaction with chronic pain management in older patients was quite good especially in the aspect of pain medication's side effects. However, dissatisfactory factors remained, including information provided about pain and efficacy of current pain medication. Intensive training regarding pain in geriatric care, health education communication for older people, and improved quality of medical services should be performed to ensure the quality of pain management, especially in the older population.
Objectives
To determine the prevalence, patterns and determinants of drug‐related problems (DRPs) in prescribing for coronary artery diseases (CADs) in Vietnam.
Methods
Retrospective cross‐sectional ...study on outpatients with CADs at a general hospital in Can Tho, Vietnam. DRPs were classified according to Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe definitions. We determined the prevalence and patterns of DRPs. Logistic regression was used to identify the determinants of DRPs.
Results
Among 683 patients (mean age 63.4; 64.3% female), the prevalence of DRPs was 61.1%. DRPs comprised inappropriate indication (3.5%), inappropriate dosage (22.2%), wrong frequency of use (24.2%), wrong time of taking medications (4.1%), taking medications at the wrong time around meals (19.2%) and drug interactions (19.3%). Patients who took ≥ 5 drugs were more likely to have DRPs (adjusted odds ratio = 1.96; 95% confidence interval = 1.31–2.93). Patients without health insurance were more likely to have inappropriate indication (ORa = 2.93; 95%CI = 1.28–6.70). Taking medications at inappropriate times around meals was common among men (ORa = 1.82; 95%CI = 1.23–2.69) and among those with health insurance (ORa = 1.66; 95%CI = 1.05–2.63). Patients < 65 years old were more likely to be prescribed inappropriate doses (ORa = 1.67; 95%CI = 1.15–2.45). Prescriptions with ≥ 5 drugs were more likely to be taken at inappropriate frequency (ORa = 1.87; 95%CI = 1.09–3.21) and to cause drug interactions (ORa = 6.48; 95%CI = 2.59–16.24).
Conclusions
DRPs are common among patients with CADs in Vietnam. The number of DRPs increases with the number of drugs in prescriptions. Further studies should identify other potential determinants of DRPs and effective interventions to improve prescribing practice in Vietnam.
Problèmes liés aux médicaments dans les prescriptions pour les maladies coronariennes au Vietnam: étude transversale
Objectifs
Déterminer la prévalence, les caractéristiques et les déterminants des problèmes liés aux médicaments (PLM) lors des prescriptions pour des maladies coronariennes au Vietnam.
Méthodes
Etude transversale rétrospective sur les patients ambulatoires atteints de coronaropathies dans un hôpital général à Can Tho, au Vietnam. Les PLM ont été classés selon les définitions du Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe. Nous avons déterminé la prévalence et les modèles de PLM. La régression logistique a été utilisée pour identifier les déterminants des PLM.
Résultats
Parmi 683 patients (âge moyen 63,4 ans; femme 64,3%), la prévalence de PLM était de 61,1%. Les PLM comprenaient une indication inappropriée (3,5%), une posologie inappropriée (22,2%), une fréquence d'utilisation inappropriée (24,2%), prendre les médicaments à des mauvais moments (4,1%), prendre les médicaments au mauvais moment autour des repas (19,2%) et les interactions médicamenteuses (19,3%). Les patients ayant pris 5 médicaments ou plus étaient plus susceptibles d'avoir un PLM (odds ratio ajusté = 1,96; intervalle de confiance à 95%: 1,31‐2,93). Les patients sans assurance santé étaient plus susceptibles d'avoir une indication inappropriée (ORa = 2,93; IC95%: 1,28‐6,70). La prise de médicaments à des moments inappropriés autour des repas était courante chez les hommes (ORa = 1,82; IC 95% = 1,23‐2,69) et chez ceux ayant une assurance santé (ORa = 1,66; IC95%: 1,05‐2,63). Les patients de moins de 65 ans étaient plus susceptibles de prendre des doses inappropriées (ORa = 1,67; IC95% = 1,15‐2,45). Les prescriptions de 5 médicaments ou plus étaient plus susceptibles d’être prises à une fréquence inappropriée (ORa = 1,87; IC95%: 1,09‐3,21) et à provoquer des interactions médicamenteuses (ORa = 6,48; IC95%: 2,59‐16,24).
Conclusions
Les PLM sont fréquents chez les patients atteints de coronaropathies au Vietnam. Le nombre de PLM augmente avec le nombre de médicaments dans les prescriptions. Des études supplémentaires devraient identifier d'autres déterminants potentiels des PLM et des interventions efficaces pour améliorer les pratiques des prescriptions au Vietnam.
Using various chromatographic techniques, a total of 15 compounds, including one novel megastigmane named tiliaceic acid A (1) and 14 known compounds, were isolated from the traditional medicinal ...Vietnamese mangrove Hibiscus tiliaceus. Their structures were confirmed based on spectroscopic experiments including, UV, 1 D- and 2 D-NMR, HR-ESI-MS, and ECD analysis. The antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of the isolated compounds from H. tiliaceus were evaluated for the first time. Compound 2 showed strong α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with an IC
50
of 77.78 ± 1.00 μM compared with the positive control acarbose at 105.71 ± 2.29 μM.
Abstract Muscle ultrasound has been shown to be a valid and safe imaging modality to assess muscle wasting in critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). This typically involves manual ...delineation to measure the rectus femoris cross-sectional area (RFCSA), which is a subjective, time-consuming, and laborious task that requires significant expertise. We aimed to develop and evaluate an AI tool that performs automated recognition and measurement of RFCSA to support non-expert operators in measurement of the RFCSA using muscle ultrasound. Twenty patients were recruited between Feb 2023 and July 2023 and were randomized sequentially to operators using AI (n = 10) or non-AI (n = 10). Muscle loss during ICU stay was similar for both methods: 26 ± 15% for AI and 23 ± 11% for the non-AI, respectively ( p = 0.13). In total 59 ultrasound examinations were carried out (30 without AI and 29 with AI). When assisted by our AI tool, the operators showed less variability between measurements with higher intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs 0.999 95% CI 0.998–0.999 vs. 0.982 95% CI 0.962–0.993) and lower Bland Altman limits of agreement (± 1.9% vs. ± 6.6%) compared to not using the AI tool. The time spent on scans reduced significantly from a median of 19.6 min (IQR 16.9–21.7) to 9.4 min (IQR 7.2–11.7) compared to when using the AI tool ( p < 0.001). AI-assisted muscle ultrasound removes the need for manual tracing, increases reproducibility and saves time. This system may aid monitoring muscle size in ICU patients assisting rehabilitation programmes.
PDF
