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The tumour microenvironment provides signals to support leukaemic stem cells (LSC) maintenance and chemoresistance. Here, the authors show that disrupting niche-associated signalling by inhibiting receptor-mediated endocytosis with a dynamin GTPase inhibitor overcomes chemoresistance of LSC.

The application of robot-assisted laparoscopic techniques is new and generates numerous benefits for patients. Here, we summarise the experience of our first series through 52 cases of prostate cancer treated by robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) in the Department of Urology of Binh Dan Hospital, from December 2016 to September 2017, to study the learning curves of this procedure. In this clinical comparative study, 52 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer (clinical stage T1 to T3) received RARP with and without nerve sparing as well as standard pelvic lymphadenectomy. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to their surgeon (surgeons A, B, C, and D, with 22, 12, 10, and 8 patients, respectively) for comparison. Research variables were cancer stage, preand postoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) serum levels, Gleason scores, lymph node metastasis, estimated blood loss, surgery time, urinary incontinence, hospital stay, and complications. Mean age, PSA, and stage of cancer were statistically similar (p>0.3). Operative times were 194.55, 269.17, 236.00, and 306.88 min, respectively (p

In the study, Fe was used as a dopant to enhance photocatalytic activity of TiO2. Then, the Fe-doped TiO2 was deposited on bentonite, which was pillared by Fe. The synthesized materials were characterized by SEM, XRD, UV-Vis, BET, and point of zero charge (pHPZC). Then, the synthesized materials were used for diazinon removal under both dark and visible light conditions to investigate adsorption and photocatalytic degradation abilities of the synthesized materials. The maximum diazinon adsorption capacity of the synthesized Fe-TiO2/Bent-Fe was 27.03 mg/g. The obtained results indicated that the Fe-TiO2/Bent-Fe exhibited high photocatalytic degradation activity for removal of diazinon even under visible light. The diazinon removal experiments were also conducted using different photocatalyst dosages, under different pH and light sources to figure the optimal conditions for removal processes. The obtained results indicated that optimal photocatalyst dosage and pH were 0.5 g/L and 4.5, respectively. Finally, the natural light generated from solar could be suitable used for diazinon removal by the synthesized Fe-TiO2/Bent-Fe.

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-21688-1

The surface modification of synthesized nano-BaTiO3 particles was carried out using γ-aminopropyl trimethoxy silane (γ-APS) in an ethanol/water solution. The modified particles were characterized by FTIR, TGA, surface charge analysis, and by dielectric constant measurement. The silane molecules were attached to the surface of BaTiO3 particles through SiOBaTiO3 bonds. The γ-APS grafted on BaTiO3 made the dielectric constant of the particles increase at frequencies ≥0.3 kHz in a wide range of temperature (25 °C–140 °C), due to the presence of NH2 groups. The dependence of the polarization vs. electrical field was measured in order to elucidate the dielectric behavior of the silane treated BaTiO3 in comparison to untreated BaTiO3. The nanocomposite based on epoxy resin containing BaTiO3 nanoparticles untreated and treated with γ-APS was also prepared and characterized. The results indicated that the γ-APS-modified BaTiO3 surfaces significantly enhanced the dielectric property of the nanocomposite.

The quest for global ranking has motivated higher education institutions (HEIs) in Vietnam to increase the number of international students in their enrolments. However, little is known about experiences of current international students in Vietnamese HEIs. This article offers a mosaic of international student experiences (ISE) in a Vietnamese-taught course offered by a Vietnamese university. The data show that teaching staffs play a crucial role in the satisfaction of international students, however, services and physical facilities are areas that need significant improvement. It also discusses other interactive aspects of ISE before presenting the case of an international student with disability to show how international mobility, aspiration, and personal determination can navigate him through a journey that was nothing short of extraordinary. This article is also to answer the recent scholarly call for a more geographically diverse and transformation-centred ISE literature, which is believed to remain relevant in the future.

Student mobility has become a global phenomenon with an upward trend in the past two decades, and Asian countries are becoming important receiving countries. Such phenomenon has been increasingly investigated producing a growing body of literature on Asia-bound international student mobility. However, while some countries stand in the spotlight of international student scholarship, other lesser known destinations remain underrepresented. This article provides an exploratory effort to examine factors that attract international students to Vietnam, a country which has not been visible on international student mobility landscape as a receiving destination. The study employs push-pull factors framework and a mixed methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative methods (n = 94) to examine the push-pull factors that influence the decision of international students to choose Vietnam as the destination country and a Vietnamese higher education institution as host institution. Research findings show that major push factors include aspirations for new experiences, home country economic outlook and pessimistic job prospects at home. Regarding pull factors, at national level, bright economic prospect is the top pull factor attracting international students to a developing country like Vietnam, and at institutional level, the university's reputation and its Vietnamese Studies and language programmes are the most important pull factors attracting international students to the university to study. Based on the research results, recommendations are proposed for higher education institutions in Vietnam and other developing Asian countries to attract international students with implications against the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Thiobencarb is an herbicide component extensively applied for weed control. In this study, the mixed culture of Pseudomonas sp. Th1 and Cupriavidus oxalaticus Th2 was determined for degradability towards thiobencarb at several conditions. The degradation of thiobencarb at 50 µM by the mixture of these strains in the medium without any co-substrate was 48.5±5.5% for 24 hours, increased to 78.0% with the addition of 0.5 mg/L ammonium sulfate and 0.5 mg/L succinate in to the medium. Moreover, the mixed culture could degrade the compound at quite ranges of NaCl concentrations, pH and temperatures. To increase the degradation of the compound in a commercial herbicide, bacteria were immobilized in a matrix consisting of polyvinyl alcohol and sodium alginate. The average degradation of thiobencarb in an herbicide named Satunil 60E by immobilized bacteria was 25.8% higher than that of non-immobilized bacteria at a cell density of 1.0×107 CFUs/mL.

Background: Houttuynia cordata Thunb. has long been widely used as a daily vegetable and traditional medicine. The flavonoid component of H. cordata has plenty of pharmacological effects, such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant. In this study, we applied the aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) combined with ultrasonic extraction for extracting H. cordata leaves. Methods: We optimized the extraction process to improve the extraction efficiency of the two flavonoids, hyperin and quercitrin, by Surface Method Response - Central Composite Design (RSM-CCD). Next, we investigated the antibacterial ability of H. cordata ATPS extract from optimal conditions against two bacterial strains, Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Results: The results showed that using 10% (NH4)2SO4 and 35% ethanol for ATPS extraction resulted in the highest hyperin and quercitrin contents. From the RSM-CCD results, the optimal extraction conditions were determined to be ultrasonic extraction at 50 °C for 30 min, giving results consistent with the predicted model and obtaining hyperin and quercitrin contents at 1.5681 ± 0.0114 and 4.6225 ± 0.0327 mg/g, respectively.Furthermore, ATPS extract has excellent antibacterial activity with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 250 μg/mL on both C. acnes and S. epidermidis. This MIC is significantly lower than the H. cordata ultrasound-assisted (UA) extract, with MICs of 1500.00 and 156.25 μg/mL on C. acnes and S. epidermidis, respectively. In addition, the results from the disk diffusion assay also showed that ATPS extraction has superior internal antibacterial activity with a zone of inhibition diameter at 250 μg/mL of 8.67 ± 1.15 and 5.00 ± 2.00 mm. Meanwhile, those of UA extract on C. acnes is 5.67 ± 1.53 mm (at 1500 μg/mL), and on S. epidermidis is 1.34 ± 0.58 mm (at 156.25 μg/mL). Conclusion: To sum up, our research highlights the potential of H. cordata ATPS extracts as the starting material for topical preparations for effectively treating acne.

Mangan dioxit (MnO2) được tổng hợp trực tiếp trên nền graphen oxit (GO). Chúng tôi nghiên cứu quá trình khử điện hoá vật liệu α-MnO2/GO bằng hai kỹ thuật chính là von-ampe vòng (CV) và điện thế thời gian (i-T). Các mẫu vật liệu được đặc trưngằng phổ FT-IR, phổ Raman, diện tích bề mặt và phân tích tổng trở điện hoá. Cấu trúc α-MnO2 được xác định thông qua phổ FT-IR và phổ Raman tại các bước sóng kích thích dao động 507 và 642,5 cm–1. Vật liệu khử α-MnO2/ErGOCV và α-MnO2/ErGOi-T có tổng trở điện hoá thấp (0,188 và 0,147 kΩ) và diện tích bề mặt lớn gấp 1,7 lần so với vật liệu α-MnO2/GO. Các tính ưu việt của vật liệu composite α-MnO2/ErGO thúc đẩy khả năng chuyển điện tử và tăng cường hoạt tính xúc tác điện hoá của sensor oxy hoá khử trên bề mặt của điện cực đã được biến tính. Ở các điều kiện thí nghiệm thích hợp, phương pháp LS-AdCSV sử dụng điện cực biến tính α-MnO2/ErGO có thể áp dụng để phân tích đồng thời chloramphenicol và tinidazole. Hàm lượng chloramphenicol trong thuốc mỡ tra mắt xác định trên điện cực này có giá trị đúng với số liệu ghi trên nhãn.

A course-level early final study status prediction task is to predict as soon as possible the final success of each student after studying a course. It is significant because each successful course accomplishment is required for a degree. Further, early predictions provide enough time to make necessary changes for ultimate success. This article aims at an effective solution to this task. Different from the existing works, we resolve the task in a more practical context. First, the temporal aspects of the task and its data are considered. For the task, historical datasets are used to support the task on current ones. For the data, both labeled and unlabeled data before the midterm break are used. Second, our solution examines assessment data for the task, and thus, requires less data collection cost and effort over time. Third, we propose a semisupervised learning method, ST_OS, to obtain a better prediction model because ST_OS handles data insufficiency when exploiting all the labeled and unlabeled data. Moreover, ST_OS combines Self-Training and Tri-Training to create a resulting ensemble model in an effective semisupervised learning process with local learning for each selected unlabeled instance. Above all, the task is addressed in a general manner for different course types. As a result, our solution outperforms several existing supervised and semisupervised learning ones with higher Accuracy and F-measure. Therefore, it can be used as a forecasting tool before their courses end. More activities can be then improved to help the students complete the courses successfully.

This paper reports polymer composites′ microstructure and dielectric properties based on an epoxy resin matrix containing different amounts (from 2–10 wt. %) of barium strontium titanate nanoparticles. (Ba,Sr)TiO3 was prepared using the hydrothermal method, showing an average particle size of 100 nm. The composites′ thermal properties and morphology were characterized using thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. Our studies show that the (Ba,Sr)TiO3 nanoparticles were well dispersed in the epoxy resin matrix thanks to controlled silane functionalization. Accordingly, the glass transition temperature (Tg) value of the nanocomposites was found to be 159.0 °C at 10 wt. % (Ba,Sr)TiO3 loading and is higher than the neat epoxy resin Tg (Tg=154.7 °C). Moreover, the dielectric composite properties were investigated comprehensively via a wide range of frequencies from 10 Hz to 100 kHz. The results indicate that (Ba,Sr)TiO3 nanopowders and the surface modifying filler play a crucial role in the significant increase of the dielectric constants, approximately 1.5 times at the optimum added amount (Ba,Sr)TiO3. The limited functionalization of (Ba,Sr)TiO3 nanoparticles by the silane affords to control the nanocomposite dielectric loss. Furthermore, the nanocomposites also exhibited good thermal stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the adsorption of doxycycline (DOX) from aqueous solutions onto biochar derived from banana peel, which was prepared using a potassium hydroxide activation method (KOH-BPB). The biochar properties were characterized based on morphology, surface area (SBET of 710.241 m² g-1), functional groups, and surface charge (pHPZC = 7.7). Parameters, including initial pH, DOX concentration, and ionic strength, that influenced the DOX adsorption capacity of KOH-BPB were examined. Adsorption equilibrium of DOX on KOH-BPB was assessed through four isothermal models: the Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin-Radushkevich models. The obtained data were most compatible with the Langmuir model (R² = 0.9879). KOH-BPB has a maximum DOX absorption capacity of 121.95 mg g-1 which exceeds that of many comparable absorbents. The maximum DOX removal was 96.7% at pH 6, a DOX concentration of 20 mg L-1, and a KOH-BPB dose of 1.0 g L-1. These findings reveal that biochar from banana peel effectively removes antibiotic residues from water. This study provides a potential, low-cost, and environmentally friendly adsorbent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, Fe3O4@TiO2 was synthesized by a facile precipitation–impregnation method and applied as a magnetic photocatalyst for degrading synthetic and actual textile dyeing wastewater in the presence of peroxymonosulfate (PMS). In Rhodamine B (RhB) degradation, the removal efficiency reached 99.86% (for RhB) and 93.67% (for color) under optimal operating conditions of 80 mg L–1 RhB, 0.5 g L–1 PMS, 0.5 g L–1 Fe3O4@TiO2, at pH 6, and after 30 min of UVA irradiation. The influence levels of anions on the RhB removal and decolorization were in the order of Cl− < SO42− < CO32− < PO43−. In addition, the Fe3O4@TiO2 composite exhibited good applicability for treating other dyes (e.g., 99.6% of tartrazine and 60.3% of methylene blue after 30 min) in water and actual textile dyeing wastewater with high color (70.3% after 5 min) and COD removal (71.4% after 120 min). The radical scavenging tests indicated the role of reactive oxygen species in the order of O2•− ∼ 1O2 > h+ > SO4•− > HO• for RhB degradation but O2•− > h+ > 1O2 > SO4•− > HO• for decolorization. These results suggest the potential application of PMS activation using Fe3O4@TiO2 in the photocatalytic treatment of textile and dyeing wastewater with the dominant role of O2•−. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]