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This study delves into the intricate dynamics of trilingual education, focusing primarily on Vietnamese students majoring in French and simultaneously learning English as a foreign language. Themes emerging from the semi-structured interviews encompass dual linguistic socialization, constructing knowledge through French while learning English, perceived insufficiencies in real-world English exposure, language interference, and the profound role Vietnamese plays in third language acquisition. Additionally, motivational aspects, perceived hierarchies of languages, cultural isolation, cognitive space struggles, institutional prioritizations, and the interplay of cultural identities come to the fore. Utilizing the frameworks of Sociocultural Theory, Constructivist Theory, and Input Hypothesis, the research contextualizes these themes, uncovering the challenges and enrichments of this trilingual journey. The study's implications suggest the necessity for tailored pedagogical strategies and support systems for trilingual learners. This work contributes significantly to the growing discourse on multilingual education, providing educators, policymakers, and learners with valuable perspectives.

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to measure the impact of the Ajyal Salima school intervention on nutrition and physical activity outcomes in children aged 9–11 years. Design: The study was a 1-year cluster-randomised controlled trial. Ajyal Salima used a multi-component approach including classroom activities, family programme and food service adaptation. Outcomes included daily intake of breakfast, frequency of healthy and unhealthy food consumption, frequency of physical activity, knowledge score and self-efficacy score. Intervention and control groups were compared for all main outcomes and a post-intervention qualitative evaluation assessed strengths and limitations of the intervention components. Setting: Schools in five countries – Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Participants: Schools were selected by Ministries of Health and Education within their jurisdictions. Forty-five intervention schools (6052 students) and forty-six control schools (6200 students) were included in the analysis. Results: The intervention group had a significantly higher odds of consuming breakfast daily (OR 95 % CI = 1·60, 1·35, 1·90), consuming healthy foods (OR 95 % CI = 1·60, 1·39, 1·84) and a decreased odds of consuming unhealthy foods and sweetened beverages (OR, 95 % CI = 0·70, 0·60, 0·81). Additionally, school children in the intervention group, as compared with the control group, were 47 % more likely to exercise outside school hours (OR 95 % CI = 1·47, 1·23, 1·76). Lastly, children in the intervention group had a significantly improved nutritional knowledge score and improved self-efficacy by 1·3 score unit and 1·1 score unit, respectively. Conclusions: The Ajyal Salima intervention led to significant improvements in dietary and physical activity habits among school children and increased nutritional knowledge scores.

In a closed population with a limited population size, mating of related animals is unavoidable. In this study, the genealogy data of a synthetic maternal rabbit breed called Pannon Ka were used to calculate different inbreeding coefficients. The evaluated animals were born between 1995 and 2020, and the pedigree consisted of 5819 animals that originated from 4205 rabbit does and from 1314 rabbit bucks. The pedigree was further extended with 16,013 dummy progeny records in order to calculate litter inbreeding coefficients. Besides the conventional Wright inbreeding coefficients, the so-called ancestral and new inbreeding coefficients were also calculated using the gene dropping method. By the end of the evaluated period, the litter inbreeding increased to almost 11 and 60% for Wright and Ballou inbreeding, while the Kalinowski and the Kalinowski new inbreeding coefficients were 9.25 and 16.67%, respectively. Correlation coefficients were calculated for the does and for the litters. Finally, the effects of pedigree length and completeness were also taken into account using the complete generation equivalents in a partial correlation analysis. Based on the results, it could be seen that the different ancestral inbreeding coefficients had high correlation. Similarly, the conventional Wright inbreeding coefficients showed strong correlation with the new inbreeding coefficients. On the contrary, the correlation between ancestral and new inbreeding coefficients was low. Taking the complete generation equivalent into account did not give unambiguous results. It could be concluded that the different inbreeding coefficients are based on different concepts, and they are clearly different population parameters.

This scholarly examination qualitatively probes the pivotal functions of supporting staff in enhancing academic performance within higher education in Vietnam’s Mekong region. The research design involved purposive sampling of 10 participants from two different higher education institutions in the Mekong region of Vietnam. Five were academic staff members, including lecturers and professors, and the other five were supporting staff involved in various departments like administration, human resources, and technical support. Participants were engaged in focus-group discussions, which were transcribed and analyzed thematically to elicit a nuanced understanding of the research questions. Utilizing focus-group discussions and semi-structured interviews, it provides deep insights into the intricate dynamic between academic and non-academic roles. The study emphasizes the multifaceted contributions of supporting staff who function as stress reducers, knowledge conduits, role integrators, infrastructural overseers, and administrative efficiency boosters, among others. It calls for policy modifications that recognize and exploit the varied roles of auxiliary personnel in higher education institutions. The study also discusses implications for stakeholders like institutions, staff, policymakers, and researchers, while suggesting potential areas for further exploration. This research enriches existing literature by offering a detailed understanding of supporting staff roles within the Vietnamese higher education context.

BackgroundUnder the pressure of Human Adenovirus (HAdV)-associated acute respiratory infection (ARI) outbreak in children in Northern Vietnam in the end of 2022, this study was initiated to identify the HAdV subtype(s) and examine the associated clinical features and risk factors of more severe cases.MethodsThis study evaluated pediatric patients with ARI which had tested positive for HAdV between October and November 2022 using a multiplex real-time PCR panel. Nasopharyngeal aspirates or nasal swab samples were used for sequencing to identify HAdV subtypes. Clinical data were collected retrospectively.ResultsAmong 97 successfully sequenced samples, the predominant subtypes were HAdV-B3 (83%), HAdV-B7 (16%) and HAdV-C2 (1%). Lower respiratory manifestations were found in 25% of the patients of which 5% were diagnosed with severe pneumonia. There was no significant association between HAdV subtype and clinical features except higher white blood cell and neutrophil counts in those detected with HAdV-B3 (pConclusionHAdV-B3 and HAdV-B7 were predominant in the outbreak. Co-detection of HAdV together with other respiratory viruses was a strong risk factor for lower respiratory tract illnesses and severe pneumonia. The findings advocate the advantages of multi-factor microbial panels for the diagnosis and prognosis of ARI in children.

In conserving the genetic diversity of domestic animal breeds, strategies that emphasise between-breed diversity may not be optimal, as they neglect within-breed variation. The aim of the present study was to assess the extent of population subdivision in three Mangalica pig breeds and the contribution of migration to their substructure. Wright’s FST coefficient was calculated based on genealogical data with breeding animals born between 1981 and 2023, with three colour variants (Blonde, Swallow-Belly and Red). These Wright’s FST coefficients were analysed using multidimensional scaling to reveal the population substructure. The average FST coefficient was 0.04 for the Blonde breed and 0.047 for the Swallow-Belly and Red Mangalica breeds, while these parameters were lower in the active herds at 0.03 and 0.04, respectively. The migration of individuals between herds was 61.63% for the Blonde breed and 75.53% and 63.64% for the Swallow-Belly and Red Magalica breeds, respectively. No population substructure was observed in any of the Mangalica breeds, which can be explained by the extensive migration between herds.

Abstract Due to their extraordinarily large optical absorption coefficients, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are gaining more and more attention for photovoltaic applications. Improving the device performance of a TMD solar cell requires an optimal device architecture and reliable fabrication processes. Metal/WS2‐multilayer/metal heterojunctions are fabricated using lithography‐free processes. 20 nm thick WS2 flakes are exfoliated on template‐stripped Ag bottom electrodes, and then 10 nm thick Au top electrodes with a diameter of 2 µm are evaporated on the WS2 surface using holey carbon films as shadow masks. Current‐sensing atomic force microscope measurements reveal that the Au/WS2/Ag devices exhibit prominent rectifying characteristics, indicating the formation of Schottky diodes. The power conversion efficiency of the Schottky junction is as high as 5.0%, when illuminated by a light‐emitting diode with a peak wavelength of 625 nm and a power density of 2.5 mW cm−2. These devices also possess broadband and incident‐angle‐insensitive absorption capability due to the very large refractive indices and extremely small thickness of the WS2 flakes. The simple fabrication procedures proposed in this work demonstrate high‐performance and high‐yield TMD photovoltaic devices.

Presently reported study examined the length–weight relations for 11 goby species collected from a mangrove estuary of the Red River, Vietnam. A total of 1097 individuals of the following species, representing three goby families, were analyzed: Butis butis (Hamilton, 1822); Butis koilomatodon (Bleeker, 1849); Acentrogobius moloanus (Herre, 1927); Acentrogobius viridipunctatus (Valenciennes, 1837); Apocryptodon madurensis (Bleeker, 1849); Aulopareia unicolor (Valenciennes, 1837); Glossogobius giuris (Hamilton, 1822); Gobiopsis macrostoma Steindachner, 1861; Mugilogobius abei (Jordan et Snyder, 1901); Tridentiger barbatus (Günther, 1861); and Tridentiger trigonocephalus (Gill, 1859). The regression slope values (b) ranged from 2.909 to 3.621. The majority of species had positive allometric or isometric growth pattern with b ≥ 3, except for only one species (G. giuris) which had a negative allometric growth with b = 2.909. This study provided the first LWR information of four gobies that have not been reported in FishBase yet. Besides, the reference for LWRs of other gobies at an ecologically important area like Ba Lat Estuary is also provided.

While Task-based Language Teaching (TBLT) has been widely researched and accepted as a potentially powerful teaching method in language education around the world, research examining the teachers' beliefs about the impacts of a training on TBLT to date has remained limited. In Vietnam, studies on this topic were scarce (Nguyen & Jaspaert, 2021). This study thus investigates the Vietnamese English as a Foreign Language (EFL) in-service teachers' beliefs about the impact of a TBLT training program. To collect data, classroom observations followed by semi-structured interviews were conducted with five volunteer teachers. The findings showed that the teachers generally had strong beliefs in the usefulness of the TBLT training program for professional development, and their willingness to pursue TBLT teaching. Although there exist barriers hindering this TBLT training program, many teachers expressed interest to undergo more TBLT training in the future. The findings in this study are expected to provide some insightful pedagogical implications for developing a TBLT training program for in-service teachers in the similar context of language education in Vietnam and other EFL settings.

This study investigated how teachers perceived the benefits and difficulties of implementing a Lesson Study (LS) in the context of English language teaching at a university in Vietnam. The data were collected from six teachers through semi-structured interviews. To analyze the data, two addressing themes (teachers' perceived benefits and teachers' perceived difficulties) were focused on while implementing LS. The results generally showed that the teachers believed that LS brought them three benefits: encouraging teachers' exchange activities and helping them deepen knowledge of lesson content, understanding students' learning activities and working processes, and promoting teachers' motivation in pursuing their continuous professional development (CPD). Regarding teachers' perceived difficulties in LS implementation, they reported lacking confidence in actively implementing LS activities. Additionally, they had difficulties in time management and encountered problems reaching a consensus for joint work due to the influence of muti-faceted aspects. Accordingly, the study provides pedagogical implications for related stakeholders (teachers, students, and policymakers) regarding LS implementation issues contributing to the success of LS implementation in Vietnam and other similar contexts.

Abstract We report response of photoluminescence (PL) from GaN nanowires without protection in solutions. The distinct response is not only toward pH but toward ionic concentration under same pH. The nanowires appear to be highly stable under aqueous solution with high ionic concentration and low pH value down to 1. We show that the PL has a reversible interaction with various types of acidic and salt solutions. The quantum states of nanowires are exposed to the external environment and have a direct physical interaction which depends on the anions of the acids. As the ionic concentration increases, the PL intensity goes up or down depending on the chemical species. The response results from a competition of change in surface band bending and charge transfer to redox level in solution. That of GaN films is reported for comparison as the effect of surface band bending can be neglected so that there are only slight variations in PL intensity for GaN films. Additionally, such physical interaction does not impact on the PL peaks in acids and salts, whereas there is a red shift on PL when the nanowires are in basic solution, say NH4OH, due to chemical etching occurred on the nanowires.

Exciton–polaritons (EPs) can be formed in transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) multilayers sustaining optical resonance modes without any external cavity. The self-hybridized EP modes are expected to depend on the TMD thickness, which directly determines the resonance wavelength. Exfoliated WS2 flakes were prepared on SiO2/Si substrates and template-stripped ultraflat Au layers, and the thickness dependence of their EP modes was compared. For WS2 flakes on SiO2/Si, the minimum flake thickness to exhibit exciton–photon anticrossing was larger than 40 nm. However, for WS2 flakes on Au, EP mode splitting appeared in flakes thinner than 10 nm. Analytical and numerical calculations were performed to explain the distinct thickness-dependence. The phase shifts of light at the WS2/Au interface, originating from the complex Fresnel coefficients, were as large as π/2 at visible wavelengths. Such exceptionally large phase shifts allowed the optical resonance and resulting EP modes in the sub-10-nm-thick WS2 flakes. This work helps us to propose novel optoelectronic devices based on the intriguing exciton physics of TMDs.

We fabricated hybrid nanostructures consisting of MoS2 monolayers and Au nanopillar (Au-NP) arrays. The surface morphology and Raman spectra showed that the MoS2 flakes transferred onto the Au-NPs were very flat and nonstrained. The Raman and photoluminescence intensities of MoS2/Au-NP were 3- and 20-fold larger than those of MoS2 flakes on a flat Au thin film, respectively. The finite-difference time-domain calculations showed that the Au-NPs significantly concentrated the incident light near their surfaces, leading to broadband absorption enhancement in the MoS2 flakes. Compared with a flat Au thin film, the Au-NPs enabled a 6-fold increase in the absorption in the MoS2 monolayer at a wavelength of 615 nm. The contact potential difference mapping showed that the electric potential at the MoS2/Au contact region was higher than that of the suspended MoS2 region by 85 mV. Such potential modulation enabled the Au-NPs to efficiently collect photogenerated electrons from the MoS2 flakes, as revealed by the uniform positive surface photovoltage signals throughout the MoS2 surface.

This study explores the impact of gender on the preferred English language learning strategies of self-perceived introverted students in Vietnam, given the burgeoning role of English as an international lingua franca. A mixed-methods approach, involving survey questionnaires and follow-up interviews, was utilized to gather both quantitative and qualitative data from a cohort of 68 English major undergraduates, 29 of whom self-identified as introverted via the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). The investigation provides a comprehensive understanding of the preferred language learning strategies among introverted learners, and specifically examines how gender influences these strategic choices. The results reveal that gender does not present significant differences in the preferred English language learning strategies of self-perceived introverted individuals. Regardless of gender, introverted language learners demonstrate a tendency towards compensation learning strategies, with specific strategies such as deductive reasoning, organizing physical environs, and error rectification receiving almost identical responses from both male and female participants. These findings suggest that the role of personality traits, such as introversion, should be considered in tailoring pedagogical approaches to meet individual learning preferences and needs. Further research is needed to explore this area in greater depth and to examine its broader implications for English language teaching pedagogy.

Understanding the role of English language acquisition in developing the socioeconomic status of Vietnam forms the backdrop for this study, which seeks to shed light on the potential benefits of technology-assisted vocabulary learning. Based on this context, this study employed a mixed method of quantitative and qualitative design attempting to investigate the vocabulary development of college students (n=23) who were treated by the use of Memrise (Experimental group) in combination with a traditional teaching method compared to their counterparts (n=24) who were taught by a traditional teaching method (TTM) (Control group) without the use of this application. Students' thoughts about the benefits and challenges of Memrise for their vocabulary learning after the treatment were also investigated. The study yielded noteworthy results on multiple fronts. Quantitatively, data collected from the vocabulary post-tests showed that the experimental group significantly outperformed the control group in their vocabulary scores. Qualitatively, interview data indicated that Memrise positively impacted students' motivation and interest for vocabulary learning, suggesting its effectiveness in addressing the particular problems of engagement and retention in vocabulary acquisition. However, there were logistical challenges, particularly in rural settings. Factors like unstable internet connections and inadequate mobile devices adversely affected the quality of learning experiences with Memrise. By focusing on these elements, this study highlights key pedagogical implications and underscores the value of technological interventions in language learning, offering insights into addressing infrastructure barriers and tailoring e-learning methods to diverse learning environments and needs.

This qualitative study aims to uncover the characteristics of teacher professional development (TPD) among professional groups of Vietnamese primary schools in the context of educational reform in the light of a sociocultural perspective. Data were collected from 12 participants from four primary schools in Central Vietnam using in-depth interviews. The participants comprised one principal, one team leader and one teacher from each school. Qualitative analysis of the data showed that three characteristics of TPD, namely self-directedness, collegiality and situatedness, were evident in the professional activities of primary school teachers. The participants also reported that most teachers were active in professional activities. However, the participants reported several challenges hindering teachers from actively participating in professional learning communities. These challenges included inflexibility due to old age, limited access to information technology, financial difficulties, or unsupportive family conditions. The results also revealed that the professional activities of the groups were influenced by the school's leadership. The collegiality of teachers in professional activities was relatively high. Proficient teachers often played a leading role in professional activities. This study serves as an initial attempt to enhance teacher professional development programmes for primary school teachers in Vietnam, and beyond.

Sustainable agricultural development has become a long-term trend to protect environmental health, human well-being and enhance economic profitability all over the world, especially in developing countries like Vietnam. Thus, in order to elevate the value of Durio zibethinus Murr., this study aims to extract pectin from the peels waste and initially investigate its reduced capacity in the green approach for silver nanoparticle synthesis. The extraction yield was 11.21 % for crude pectin and 6.89 % after purification. Physiochemical characterization showed that the acidic isolated pectin was low methoxy pectin with 40 % DE and has a viscosity-molecular weight of 25.5 kDa with 60 % AUA. Spherical and stable pectin-based Ag nanoparticles prepared in alkaline medium exhibit a hydrodynamic diameter approximately 100 nm and a negative potential around -50 mV. In particular, green synthesized Ag nanoparticles with negative charge outer coating demonstrated their antibacterial ability against both gram (-) Escherichia coli and gram (+) Staphylococcus aureus at the MIC of 61.8 ppm. In consequence, durian pectin probably serves as a novel reducing and stabilizing agent for size-controlled nanoparticles synthesis.

By implementing new technologies, university technology transfer (UTT) is crucial for economic advancement. However, developing countries face numerous challenges regarding UTT. This study proposes a unique approach by combining Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methods such as Delphi and Decision-Making Trial And Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) with Fuzzy Theories, specifically Spherical Fuzzy Sets (SFSs) and T – Spherical Fuzzy Sets (T-SFSs), to examine the barriers in UTT. The distinctive aspect of this study lies in addressing the limitations of SFSs and upgrading them to T-SFSs by incorporating them with the DEMATEL approach. Initially, SFS Delphi is employed to identify and eliminate nonimportant barriers. Subsequently, SF DEMATEL is utilized to classify barriers into cause-effect groups and determine their interactive relationships. However, SFSs have revealed specific weaknesses during this step, prompting the adoption of T-SF DEMATEL as a replacement. The findings highlight the perfect compatibility of T-SFSs with the research model and identify several primary barriers that hinder UTT, including C14, inconsistent rules and regulations, C9, misalignment between research and commercialization objectives, C3- lack of recognition for university-industry linkages, and C5- lack of resources. This study not only improves the understanding of UTT for decision makers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers, facilitating the creation of solutions, but also serves as a reference for researchers in the application of T-SFSs in other research domains.

Background: This study delves into the self-perceived professional identities of pre-service English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers within a Vietnamese context. The objective of this study was to augment the understanding of the evolution of teacher identity, which would subsequently provide valuable insights for the formulation of bespoke teacher education programs. Methods: This research was anchored in grounded theory, adhering to a qualitative research design. Reflective writing was the primary instrument for data collection, with 238 pre-service teachers, enrolled in an English Teacher Education training program. Data collection took place in the academic year 2022-2023 at a university in Can Tho city, Vietnam from February 1 st until May 31 st, 2023. Pre-service teachers were tasked with writing an 80-word reflection on their perceived professional identity. Participants were chosen through convenience sampling. Data analysis encompassed open coding and a constant comparative method, culminating in the construction of a theoretical framework. Results: The findings of this study revealed a continuum of self-perceived professional identities among 238 pre-service teachers (28 identities in total), encompassing flexible teachers (n=24), student-cantered teachers (n=21), reflective teachers (n=16), growth-oriented teachers (n=13), engaging teachers (n=12), supportive teachers (n=11), enthusiastic teachers (n=10), disciplinarian teachers (n=9), subject-matter expert teachers (n=9), resourceful teachers (n=8), balanced teachers (n=8), pragmatic teachers (n=7), relationship-builder teachers (n=7), sociable teachers (n=7), attentive teachers (n=7), real-world connector teachers (n=7), professional boundaries teachers (n=7), interactive teachers (n=6), traditional teachers (n=6), holistic teachers (n=6), contextually aware teachers (n=5), cheerful teachers (n=5), authentic teachers (n=5), appreciated teachers (n=5), compassionate communicator teachers (n=5), guided teachers (n=4), feedback-driven teachers (n=4), and consistent identity teachers (n=4). Conclusions: The study offers invaluable perspectives into the genesis of professional identities in the domain of teacher education within the Vietnamese EFL context and holds significant implications for the enhancement of teacher training methodologies and pedagogical development.

Animals have the innate ability to select optimal defensive behaviors with appropriate intensity within specific contexts. The vomeronasal organ (VNO) serves as a primary sensory channel for detecting predator cues by relaying signals to the medial hypothalamic nuclei, particularly the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), which directly controls defensive behavioral outputs. Here, we demonstrate that cat saliva contains predator cues that signal the imminence of predator threat and modulate the intensity of freezing behavior through the VNO in mice. Cat saliva activates VNO neurons expressing the V2R-A4 subfamily of sensory receptors, and the number of VNO neurons activated in response to saliva correlates with both the freshness of saliva and the intensity of freezing behavior. Moreover, the number of VMH neurons activated by fresh, but not old, saliva positively correlates with the intensity of freezing behavior. Detailed analyses of the spatial distribution of activated neurons, as well as their overlap within the same individual mice, revealed that fresh and old saliva predominantly activate distinct neuronal populations within the VMH. Collectively, this study suggests that there is an accessory olfactory circuit in mice that is specifically tuned to time-sensitive components of cat saliva, which optimizes their defensive behavior to maximize their chance of survival according to the imminence of threat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Introduction Phyllosphere microbiome is intrinsically linked to plant performance and ecosystem functioning. However, our knowledge about the role of ecological processes in shaping the biogeography of different phyllosphere microbial communities is scarce. Materials and Methods Here, we compared the biogeographic patterns of bacterial and fungal communities in phyllosphere samples of plants belonging to the genus of Eucalyptus of the Myrtaceae family collected from an over 4000 km transect. We investigated the relative importance of two major ecosystem processes (stochastic vs. deterministic) in shaping phyllosphere microbial community assemblies. Results Our results demonstrated that the neutral community model, which can quantify the degree of a community assembly determined by stochastic processes, explained 64.2% of the variations in bacterial community assembly, which had a normalized stochasticity ratio of 71.8%. These results suggest that the dominant role of stochastic processes in shaping bacterial community assembly. In contrast, phyllosphere fungal community assembly was mainly shaped by deterministic processes as revealed by a relatively small explanation rate of the neutral community model (48.7%) and a normalized stochasticity ratio of 25.1%. Variation partitioning analysis and random forest modelling results indicated that climatic factors, particularly mean annual precipitation and aridity index, were important in driving both bacterial and fungal biogeographic patterns in the phyllosphere. Edaphic factors, such as soil organic and mineral nitrogen content, were more closely related to fungal community assembly than to bacterial community assembly. The differential responses of bacterial and fungal communities to environmental factors could be attributed to the different traits of bacteria and fungi, that is, the higher potential dispersal rate and wider habitat niche of bacteria than fungi. Conclusion Our findings demonstrated that phyllosphere bacterial and fungal communities followed distinct community assembly processes, which is supported by the ‘size plasticity’ hypothesis that smaller organisms (bacteria) are less influenced by environmental conditions and are more homogeneous across space than larger organisms (fungi). These findings provide new insights into the microbial ecology of plant phyllosphere microbiomes.

The study examines the relationship between money supply and inflation in Vietnam in the period of 2005-2021. The relationship between money supply and inflation is addressed in economic theories and models and has been studied by many experts in different economies in different periods. To examine the relationship between money supply and inflation in Vietnam in the period of 2005-2021, the research team collected data on money supply and inflation rate, then analyzed this relationship during three periods of 2005-2011, 2012-2019 and 2019-2021. Next, the research team collected data on money supply (MS - total means of payment) and consumer price index (CPI), quarterly data from the first quarter of 2005 to the fourth quarter of 2021 and uses Eviews 8 software for analyzing. The research team uses a linear regression model to evaluate the impact of money supply growth (GMS) on consumer price index (CPI), a variable representing the inflation rate, of Vietnam during the research period. The model results support the view that money supply growth and past inflation are among the factors affecting inflation in Vietnam. From the research results and the actual money supply, the money supply growth rate as well as the inflation rate in Vietnam during the research period, the research team makes some policy recommendations to achieve the targets of supporting economic recovery, controlling inflation, stabilizing the macro-economy in Vietnam after the Covid-19 pandemic.

To address inborn errors of immunity (IEI) which were underdiagnosed in resource-limited regions, our centre developed and offered free genetic testing for the most common IEI by Sanger sequencing (SS) since 2001. With the establishment of The Asian Primary Immunodeficiency (APID) Network in 2009, the awareness and definitive diagnosis of IEI were further improved with collaboration among centres caring for IEI patients from East and Southeast Asia. We also started to use whole exome sequencing (WES) for undiagnosed cases and further extended our collaboration with centres from South Asia and Africa. With the increased use of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), we have shifted our diagnostic practice from SS to WES. However, SS was still one of the key diagnostic tools for IEI for the past two decades. Our centre has performed 2,024 IEI SS genetic tests, with in-house protocol designed specifically for 84 genes, in 1,376 patients with 744 identified to have disease-causing mutations (54.1%). The high diagnostic rate after just one round of targeted gene SS for each of the 5 common IEI (X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) 77.4%, Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome (WAS) 69.2%, X-linked chronic granulomatous disease (XCGD) 59.5%, X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (XSCID) 51.1%, and X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome (HIGM1) 58.1%) demonstrated targeted gene SS should remain the first-tier genetic test for the 5 common X-linked IEI.

BackgroundInfants are at highest risk of pneumococcal disease. Their added protection through herd effects is a key part in the considerations on optimal pneumococcal vaccination strategies. Yet, little is currently known about the main transmission pathways to this vulnerable age group. Hence, this study investigates pneumococcal transmission routes to infants in the coastal city of Nha Trang, Vietnam.Methods and findingsIn October 2018, we conducted a nested cross-sectional contact and pneumococcal carriage survey in randomly selected 4- to 11-month-old infants across all 27 communes of Nha Trang. Bayesian logistic regression models were used to estimate age specific carriage prevalence in the population, a proxy for the probability that a contact of a given age could lead to pneumococcal exposure for the infant. We used another Bayesian logistic regression model to estimate the correlation between infant carriage and the probability that at least one of their reported contacts carried pneumococci, controlling for age and locality. In total, 1,583 infants between 4 and 13 months old participated, with 7,428 contacts reported. Few infants (5%, or 86 infants) attended day care, and carriage prevalence was 22% (353 infants). Most infants (61%, or 966 infants) had less than a 25% probability to have had close contact with a pneumococcal carrier on the surveyed day. Pneumococcal infection risk and contact behaviour were highly correlated: If adjusted for age and locality, the odds of an infant's carriage increased by 22% (95% confidence interval (CI): 15 to 29) per 10 percentage points increase in the probability to have had close contact with at least 1 pneumococcal carrier. Moreover, 2- to 6-year-old children contributed 51% (95% CI: 39 to 63) to the total direct pneumococcal exposure risks to infants in this setting. The main limitation of this study is that exposure risk was assessed indirectly by the age-dependent propensity for carriage of a contact and not by assessing carriage of such contacts directly.ConclusionsIn this study, we observed that cross-sectional contact and infection studies could help identify pneumococcal transmission routes and that preschool-age children may be the largest reservoir for pneumococcal transmission to infants in Nha Trang, Vietnam.

BackgroundCharacterising dengue virus (DENV) infection history at the point of care is challenging as it relies on intensive laboratory techniques. We investigated how combining different rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) can be used to accurately determine the primary and post-primary DENV immune status of reporting patients during diagnosis.Methods and findingsSerum from cross-sectional surveys of acute suspected dengue patients in Indonesia (N:200) and Vietnam (N: 1,217) were assayed using dengue laboratory assays and RDTs. Using logistic regression modelling, we determined the probability of being DENV NS1, IgM and IgG RDT positive according to corresponding laboratory viremia, IgM and IgG ELISA metrics. Laboratory test thresholds for RDT positivity/negativity were calculated using Youden's J index and were utilized to estimate the RDT outcomes in patients from the Philippines, where only data for viremia, IgM and IgG were available (N:28,326). Lastly, the probabilities of being primary or post-primary according to every outcome using all RDTs, by day of fever, were calculated. Combining NS1, IgM and IgG RDTs captured 94.6% (52/55) and 95.4% (104/109) of laboratory-confirmed primary and post-primary DENV cases, respectively, during the first 5 days of fever. Laboratory test predicted, and actual, RDT outcomes had high agreement (79.5% (159/200)). Among patients from the Philippines, different combinations of estimated RDT outcomes were indicative of post-primary and primary immune status. Overall, IgG RDT positive results were confirmatory of post-primary infections. In contrast, IgG RDT negative results were suggestive of both primary and post-primary infections on days 1-2 of fever, yet were confirmatory of primary infections on days 3-5 of fever.ConclusionWe demonstrate how the primary and post-primary DENV immune status of reporting patients can be estimated at the point of care by combining NS1, IgM and IgG RDTs and considering the days since symptoms onset. This framework has the potential to strengthen surveillance operations and dengue prognosis, particularly in low resource settings.

The present research broke new ground by investigating the influence of instructing English as a foreign language (EFL) learners in Vietnam to employ analytical rubrics for self-assessment on their writing proficiency. Sixteen students who were English majors were subjected to a 17-week training course on refining their writing abilities via the use of analytical rubrics. The study applied a comprehensive and rigorous experimental mixed-methods approach, consisting of two writing tests and semi-structured interviews. The research findings revealed that the practice of self-assessment utilizing analytical rubrics had a favourable influence on the writing performance of the students. This practice encouraged introspective thinking, reinforced self-regulation and self-monitoring, and improved language competence. The study suggests that EFL teachers in Vietnam and those in other contexts integrate the utilization of analytical rubrics for selfevaluation in their teaching procedures to upgrade their assessment techniques and pedagogical efficiency, which would eventually result in improved language learning outcomes for their students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to investigate the beliefs and practices of task-based language teaching (TBLT) among lecturers in English as a foreign language (EFL) at technical universities in Vietnam. A total of 136 lecturers completed the questionnaire and seven of whom participated in semi-structured interviews. Findings indicated that the lecturers had positive views toward the TBLT approach and showed a willingness to use it in their classrooms, although they also shared notable challenges related to the technique. The results also showed significant differences in understanding of TBLT among lecturers with different years of experience; however, years of experience and qualifications did not affect the lecturers’ views on or implementation of TBLT. The study offers several implications for better understanding and more effectively implementing TBLT approaches in the classroom.

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Abstract Background Challenges in recruiting and retaining medical staff in preventive medical specialties have recently been the subject of numerous studies. To improve selection procedures, it is important to understand the career preferences and incentives of students in preventive medicine (PM), who initially marked the program as either their first choice or second choice. 1386 PM students in four Vietnamese medical schools participated in a survey using a structured, written questionnaire. Students were asked about their reasons for entering medical school and studying PM, their perceptions of PM during the academic course, and their expected career path following graduation. Results First-choice PM students (group 1) more often had siblings working as a preventive doctor, while second-choice PM students’ siblings (group 2) were more often medical students or clinical doctors. Group 1 had gathered more information about PM by consulting their high-school teachers and the national career guide. They were mainly drawn to the PM program by the newness of the profession, the prospect of a high-income job, its low entry criteria and low study burden compared to general medicine, their desire to uphold their family tradition, and to fulfill their family’s wish of having a doctor in the family. Group 2 chose to study PM because they wanted to pursue their dream of becoming a doctor. Compared to the first group, their perception of PM more frequently changed during the later years of the curriculum and they more frequently envisioned becoming a clinical doctor following graduation. Conclusions Interest in and motivation for PM may be cultivated among prospective or current students by improving information provision, diffusing knowledge, and otherwise acquainting students better with the PM specialty before and during the program.