We report on the preparation of graphite-like carbon-coated ZnO nanoparticles by ball milling a powder mixture of ZnO and C. Magnetic measurements indicated that carbon coating can strongly enhance ...the room-temperature ferromagnetism of ZnO nanoparticles, depending on preparation conditions. This enhancement may stem from robust ferromagnetism at the ZnO/C interface. The origin of interfacial ferromagnetism is attributed to crystallographic defects at the surface of ZnO crystals which are stabilized by the carbon shell layer.
•Carbon coating enhances the room temperature ferromagnetism of ZnO nanoparticles.•The enhancement may stem from robust ferromagnetism at the ZnO/C interface.•The origin of interfacial ferromagnetism is due to surface defects of ZnO crystals.•The surface defects of ZnO crystals are stabilized by the carbon shell layer.
Abstract Background Vertebral fracture is associated with an increased risk of atraumatic fracture and mortality. The prevalence of vertebral fractures among postmenopausal Caucasian women has been ...reported to range between 15% and 35%. Because there is no estimate of the magnitude of the problem in Vietnam, we undertook this study to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of vertebral fracture in Vietnam. Methods Radiographs were taken from 209 postmenopausal women aged between 50 and 85 years (average 62) who were randomly sampled from various districts in Ho Chi Minh City. The presence of vertebral fracture was assessed by the Genant's semi-quantitative method with two independent readers. Bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine (LS), femoral neck (FN) and whole body was measured by DXA (Hologic QDR4500). Anthropometric and clinical data were obtained by a standardized questionnaire. Results Among the 209 women, 48 were found to have at least one radiographic vertebral fracture, which yielded a prevalence of 23% (95%CI: 18–29%). Although fracture occurred in all vertebrae, most (83%) occurred at the L1–L5. Most fractures occurred at one vertebra, and only 12% occurred at multiple vertebrae. The prevalence increased with age such that it reached 39% among those aged 70+ years. There was no significant association between vertebral fracture and back pain, fall history, and dietary calcium intake. In simple log-binomial regression analysis, higher risk of vertebral fracture was associated with advancing age (prevalence ratio PR per 10 years: 1.40; 1.16–2.05) and lower lumbar spine BMD (PR per SD: 1.51; 1.18–1.92). In multivariable analysis, the two factors remained independently associated with fracture risk, with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve being 0.66. Conclusions These data suggest that approximately one out of 4 postmenopausal women in Vietnam have a radiographic vertebral fracture, and this prevalence is as common as in Caucasian populations. The number of women needed to screen to identify one vertebral fracture is about 4 to 5, which seems to be cost-effective.
Moelleriella pumatensis, a fungal pathogen infecting scale insect nymphs (Hemiptera), is described and illustrated as a new species from Pu Mat National Park in Vietnam. This species is unique in ...producing a golden yellow spore mass surrounding the stroma. In surveys throughout
the year in Vietnam, only the anamorphic state has been found in the natural forest. Morphological characters and phylogenetic analysis of translation elongation factor 1-α (tef1) reveals this species as an anamorph of Moelleriella.
Tà Xùa and Xuân Nha special-use-forests (SUF) are located in Son La, one of two provinces chosen to pilot test the PES in Vietnam. Since 2009, Tà Xùa has received PES from 119,970 to 263,785 VND/ha ...per year. On the other hand, Xuân Nha SUF received a 5-year-fixed payment of 100,000 VND/year per ha from the forest protection system that was launched in 2015 by the Vietnamese government. To assess the effectiveness of forest protection in Tà Xùa and Xuân Nha, 21 authorities and 190 local people were interviewed and 28 group discussions were conducted. The effect on forest protection was observed by using transect walks. In both SUFs, the Management Boards (MBs) signed contracts with local Village MBs who are responsible for managing, and enforcing forest regulations. In Tà Xùa, MBs had not developed a comprehensive forest protection plan with criteria for checks. Local people's awareness of SUF management regulations and PES requirements remained weak, illegal logging still prevailed and high-valued timber continued to dwindle. In contrast, the relative small support in Xuân Nha, a forest with less high value timber, resulted in a comprehensive plan for the SUF and local governments successfully promoting forest protection through the local communities.
Agricultural by-products such as rice husks are very popular in Vietnam, which are often burned in the fields, causing an increase in dust smoke and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To study the ...effects of different irrigation methods, quality of irrigation water and additive biochar from rice husk (BFRH) on leaching nitrate from paddy fields into shallow groundwater and CH4 emissions, we investigated a two-season experiment (2021-2023) under two irrigation methods: water-saving irrigation and flood irrigation with 120 kg N/ha. The results illustrated that seasonal CH4 emissions and leaching nitrate were affected by irrigation practices and significantly correlated with the quality of irrigation and the amount of BFRH added. To compare of control, the flood irrigation water increased the leaching of GHG and NO3- into shallow groundwater from 27.3-32.4% and 16.4 - 31.25%, respectively. Meanwhile, the saving water irrigation reduced CH4 and leaching of NO3- into shallow groundwater from 13.3-17.8% and 15.63 - 18.9%, respectively. Applying biochar with controlling fertilizer reduces CH4 and NO3- content in surface field water, contributing to the decreased leaching of NO3- into groundwater. Reducing 20% fertilizer rate of N (96 kg N/ha) with application biochar of 5% without a change in yield reduces NO3- content into shallow groundwater from 13.7 – 14.3%. We conclude that water-saving irrigation combined with biochar from rice husk incorporation simultaneously mitigates CH4 emissions, improves yield, and reduces leaching nitrate into groundwater, making it a suitable environment-friendly nitrogen management practice for sustainable farming in northern Vietnam.
Telemedicine is an evolving technology that is used for health education, health care administration, and health care distribution. The potential benefits of telemedicine include a decrease in travel ...expenses, improved continuity of care, and increased access to specialized consultants, thus meeting the needs of patients, practitioners, and communities. Telemedicine has many evolving applications, including improved access to health care in medically underserved and rural areas. Regions Burn Center assessed the efficacy and efficiency of burn visits via telemedicine and identified the barriers and benefits specific to burn care. Information regarding travel costs and financial data were evaluated from a total of 1000 burn follow-up visits with 294 patients via telemedicine during a 5-year interval. Our results indicate that telemedicine burn visits are a cost-effective clinical alternative for the patient. However, telemedicine can be a financial burden to health care systems and inefficient for health care providers.
This study explored job satisfaction and associated factors among community healthcare workers (HCWs) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 319 HCWs in charge of ...infectious disease prevention and control activities at all commune healthcare centers in Ho Chi Minh City. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire which included the 36-item Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS).
Most participants were male (56.7%), and the mean age was 34.7 (SD=7.1) years. The overall job satisfaction was relatively low. Among 9 aspects measured, coworker was found to have the highest level of satisfaction (19.6±3.9), followed by supervision (19.3±4.1). In contrast, the lowest level of satisfaction was observed in operating condition (11.4±3.4) and contingent rewards (14.3±3.8). The total score of the JSS indicated that only half of HCWs were satisfied with their job in general. Older male HCWs who were married and those who had higher income reported a higher level of job satisfaction in several aspects measured. However, there was no association between job satisfaction and other HCW's characteristics, including specialty, occupation type, and working experience.
Since this is the crucial workforce in the battle against infectious diseases, urgent interventions are needed to increase job satisfaction in this population.
Zika preparedness and response in Viet Nam Nguyen, Dong T; Do, Hung T; Le, Huy X ...
Western Pacific surveillance and response journal,
06/2018, Volume:
9, Issue:
2
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
The findings and conclusions in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official positions of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Chronic low-grade inflammation (LGI) plays a role in the pathogenesis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). LGI, on the one hand, promotes insulin resistance and at the same time, affects fetal ...development. The study aimed to use clinically feasible means to evaluate the association between maternal LGI and maternal insulin resistance and fetal growth indices by ultrasound in the third trimester.
A crossectional and descriptive study on 248 first-time diagnosed GDM in Vietnam.
Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte (PLR) indices were significantly higher in GDM than in normal glucose-tolerant pregnancies (p = 0.048 and 0.016, respectively). GDM with LGI witnessed significantly higher systolic blood pressure, BMI, HbA1c, and significantly lower quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI) than those without LGI. After adjusting for maternal BMI, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), age, and parity, C-reactive protein (CRP) was positively correlated with HOMA2-IR (B=0.13, p<0.01) and Mathews index (B=0.29, p<0.01). Regarding fetal characteristics, LGI was associated with fetal growth indices in the third trimester of GDM. NLR was negatively correlated with estimated fetal weight (EFW) (B=-64.4, p<0.05) after adjusting for maternal BMI and FPG. After adjusting for maternal BMI, FPG, age, and parity, PLR was negatively correlated with biparietal diameter (B=-0.02, p<0.01) and abdominal circumference (AC) (B=-0.16, p<0.05), and EFW (B=-1.1, p<0.01), and head circumference (HC) (B=-0.06, p<0.01); CRP was negatively correlated with AC (B=-0.16, p<0.001), EFW (B=-85.3, p<0.001), and HC (B=-5.0, p<0.001).
In the third trimester, LGI was associated with maternal glucose and insulin resistance in GDM. Moreover, LGI was associated with fetal characteristics in ultrasonic images. There were negative correlations between LGI and fetal developmental characteristics.
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