Abstract The influence of various drying characteristics in the experiment was explored in this study. The drying time and moisture content were used to evaluate the experimental outcomes. The drying of bitter gourd slices using a halogen dryer was done at varied thicknesses (3, 5, and 7 mm) and temperatures (60 °C, 65 °C and 70 °C). The results revealed that the drying time and equilibrium moisture content are considerably affected by the material drying thickness and drying temperature. Furthermore, the Generalized Regression Neural Network (GRNN) model is employed in this study to train and predict the moisture content of bitter gourd as an output parameter. The temperature, bitter gourd thickness, and drying time were considered as input parameters for the GRNN model. Three statistic measures as the R-square, the Root mean square error (RMSE) and the Mean relative percent error (P) were used to validate the accuracy of the trained GRNN model. In training with nine experimental condition datasets, the average score values of R-square, RMSE and P were obtained at 0.995197, 1.498966 and 0.091617, respectively. The test of trained GRNN has been conducted with good agreement between experimental data points and predicted points. The result revealed that GRNN was effective in predicting the moisture content of bitter gourd in a halogen dryer.

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the total flavonoid content (TFC), vitamin C content, and the anti-hyperglycemic activities of pomelo peel extract (PPE) from the flavedo and albedo of two pomelo cultivars namely Long Co Co and Thanh Kieu in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. Thanh Kieu PPE possessed the highest TFC of 11.18 ± 0.14 mg/100 g from the albedo while the highest vitamin C content was found in its flavedo (47.74 ± 0.34 mg/100 g). PPE from the flavedo induced the mortality after 3-4 h of oral administration at a dosage of 5000 mg/kg. In the contrast, PPE from the albedo was considered a non-toxic extract. Albedo PPE from two cultivars was observed to attenuate the blood glucose level of alloxan-hyperglycemia induced mice (from roughly 350 mg/dL to 150 mg/dL) and there was no significant difference in the anti-hyperglycemic efficacy between albedo PPE and chemical drug (Glucophage). This finding showed potential in developing new functional food products or pharmaceutical alternatives from pomelo peels (an agro-waste) for anti-hyperglycemia.

Abstract This paper introduces the LQR control algorithm for the active suspension system. Because the model of the vehicle dynamics used in this paper includes a hydraulic actuator, therefore, this model will include five state variables. Besides, the process of linearization of the hydraulic actuator is also shown in this paper. This is a completely novel and original method. It is possible to describe almost all the characteristics of hydraulic actuators with just one linear differential equation. Also, the parameters of the LQR controller are optimized through the in-loop optimization algorithm. The results of the research showed that the values of displacement and acceleration of the sprung mass were significantly reduced when this algorithm was used. In the investigation cases, these values usually do not exceed 2.68% and 43.00% compared to the situation of the vehicle using only a passive suspension system. Therefore, ride comfort and stability can be enhanced in many driving conditions when the active suspension system with the LQR control algorithm is used.

ABSTRACT Explaining where plants originated and how plants migrated between eastern Asia and other Northern Hemisphere regions is still challenging. The genus Arisaema is considered a good example to illuminate this process, due to its wide distribution in both the tropical and temperate zones. Based on comprehensive taxon sampling, the historical biogeography of Arisaema was conducted using the molecular data from four chloroplast DNA regions. The phylogeny of Arisaema was studied by using ML and BI methods. Divergence times of Arisaema species were estimated by the uncorrelated lognormal Bayesian method. The ancestral area reconstruction of Arisaema was performed with BioGeoBEARS and Bayes-DIVA. Our results indicated that the crown group of Arisaema originated in Southeast Asia ca. 31.28 Ma. After the initial origin, Arisaema was inferred to have become widespread in Southeast Asia. Members in Himalayas, Africa and North China, Japan, the Korean Peninsula region (NJK region) were derived from migrants originating in Southeast Asia. American members were derived from migrants originating in the NJK region. Arisaema originated in Southeast Asia during the Oligocene with the development of tropical rainforest and a warm, moist climate. During the Oligocene to Miocene, Southeast Asia was the original center for the diversification of Arisaema in the NJK region.

Abstract: A new soybean cultivar, Đ9, has the advantages of its parental lines: the Rpp2 resistance gene from the male parent (ĐT2000), and early maturation from the female parent (TL7). Đ9 displayed high resistance to soybean rust isolates from Vietnam, short-medium time to maturity, and high grain yield. This cultivar has been released for commercial production in northern Vietnam.

AbstractCarbon nanotubes (CNTs) are a promising candidate material for use in lithium batteries due to 1D tubular structure, high electrical, thermal conductivities, and extremely large surface area. In this work, the MWCNTs were purified by dispersion in a mixture of HNO3 and H2SO4acids. The oxidized-MWCNTs were used as conducting addition to prepare a nanocomposites as high performance cathode material for Li-ion batteries (LIBs). The spinel cathode materials of LiMn2O4 (LMO), doped spinel LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO) were synthesized and characterized via X-rays diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The electrochemical properties of nanocomposites based on LMO/CNTs and LMNO/CNTs were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) as well as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The EIS measurement indicated that the LMO (LNMO)/CNTs nanocomposites showed lower charge transfer resistance (Rct) than that of LMO(LNMO)/ Vulcan carbon materials. In addition, the studied nanocomposites cathodes gave a specific capacity of 145 Ah.kg–1 and 120 Ah.kg–1 for LMO/CNTs (10 wt%) and LNMO/CNTs (10 wt%), respectively, measured at a charge/discharge rate of 0.1C.

The tremendous development of location-based services and mobile devices has led to an increase in location databases. Through the data mining process, valuable information can be discovered from such location databases. However, the malicious data miner or attackers may also extract private and sensitive information about the user, and this can create threats against the user location privacy. Therefore, location privacy protection becomes a key factor to the success in privacy protection for the users of location-based services. In this paper, we propose a novel approach as well as an algorithm to guarantee k-anonymity in a location database. The algorithm will maintain the association rules that have significance for the data mining process. Moreover, there may appear new significant association rules created after anonymization, they maybe affect the data mining result. Therefore, the algorithm also considers excluding new significant association rules that are created during the run of the algorithm. Theoretical analyses and experimental results with real-world datasets will confirm the practical value of our newly proposed approach.

OBJECTIVE: To establish iodine status among pregnant women in rural northern Viet Nam and explore psychosocial predictors of the use of iodized salt in their households. METHODS: This prospective study included pregnant women registered in health stations in randomly-selected communes in Ha Nam province. At recruitment (< 20 weeks of gestation), sociodemographic factors, reproductive health, intimate partner relationship, family violence, symptoms of common mental disorders and use of micronutrient supplements were assessed. During a second assessment (> 28 weeks of gestation) a urine specimen was collected to measure urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and iodized salt use was assessed. Predictors were explored through univariable analyses and multivariable linear and logistic regression. FINDINGS: The 413 pregnant women who provided data for this study had a median UIC of 70 μg/l; nearly 83% had a UIC lower than the 150 μg/l recommended by the World Health Organization; only 73.6% reported using iodized salt in any form in their households. Iodized salt use was lower among nulliparous women (odds ratio, OR: 0.56; 95% confidence interval, CI: 0.32-0.96); less educated women (OR: 0.34; 95% CI: 0.16-0.71); factory workers or small-scale traders (OR: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.31-0.86), government workers (OR: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.13-0.89) and women with common mental disorders at recruitment (OR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.38-0.98). CONCLUSION: The decline in the use of iodized salt in Viet Nam since the National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme was suspended in 2005 has placed pregnant women and their infants in rural areas at risk of iodine deficiency disorders.

OBJETIVO Establecer los niveles de yodo entre las mujeres embarazadas del Norte de Viet Nam y examinar los indicadores psicosociales del uso de sal yodada en sus hogares. MÉTODOS: Este estudio prospectivo incluyó a mujeres embarazadas registradas en los puestos de salud de diversos municipios elegidos de forma aleatoria en la provincia de Ha Nam, Viet Nam. Durante la selección (<20 semanas de gestación), se evaluaron factores sociodemográficos, salud reproductiva, relación íntima con la pareja, violencia familiar, síntomas de trastornos mentales comunes y el uso de suplementos de micronutrientes. Durante una segunda evaluación (>28 semanas de gestación), se recogió una muestra de orina para medir la concentración de yodo urinario (CYU) y se evaluó el uso de sal yodada. Se examinaron los indicadores mediante análisis monofactorial y una regresión lineal multifactorial y logística. RESULTADOS: Las 413 mujeres embarazadas que proporcionaron datos para este estudio presentaron una CYU media de 70 μ g/l; casi el 83% presentaba una CYU inferior a 150 μ g/l (el nivel recomendado por la Organización Mundial de la Salud); solo el 73,6% informó de que utilizaba sal yodada en su hogar, en cualquiera de sus formas. El uso de sal yodada fue inferior entre mujeres nulíparas (cociente de probabilidades, CP: 0,56; intervalo de confianza del 95%, IC: 0,32-0,96); mujeres con un menor nivel educativo (CP: 0,34; IC del 95%: 0,16-0,71); trabajadoras de fábrica o comerciantes a pequeña escala (CP: 0,52; IC del 95%: 0,31-0,86), funcionarias (CP: 0,35; IC del 95%: 0,13-0,89) y mujeres con trastornos mentales comunes durante la selección (CP: 0,61; IC del 95%: 0.38-0.98). CONCLUSIÓN La reducción del uso de sal yodada en Viet Nam desde que en 2005 se suspendió el Programa de Control de Trastornos de Deficiencia de Yodo, ha puesto a las mujeres embarazadas que residen en áreas rurales, así como a sus hijos, en riesgo de sufrir trastornos por deficiencia de yodo.

OBJECTIF: Établir le statut iodé chez les femmes enceintes dans les régions rurales du nord du Viet Nam et étudier les prédicteurs psychosociaux de l'utilisation de sel iodé dans leur foyer. MÉTHODES: Cette étude prospective a fait appel à des femmes enceintes enregistrées auprès de postes sanitaires dans des communes sélectionnées de manière aléatoire dans la province d'Ha Nam. Lors du recrutement (à moins de 20 semaines de gestation), on a évalué les facteurs sociodémographiques, la santé génésique, la relation intime avec le partenaire, la violence domestique, les symptômes de troubles mentaux communs et le recours aux apports en micronutriments. Lors d'une seconde évaluation (à plus de 28 semaines de gestation), des échantillons d'urine ont été recueillis afin d'en mesurer la concentration d'iode urinaire (CIU) et on a évalué l'utilisation de sel iodé. Les prédicteurs ont été étudiés par le biais d'analyses univariées et d'une régression logistique et linéaire multivariable. RÉSULTATS: Les 413 femmes enceintes ayant fourni les données de cette étude présentaient une CIU médiane de 70 μ g/l, pour près de 83% d'entre elles, la CIU était inférieure aux 150 μ g/l recommandés par l'Organisation mondiale de la Santé et seules 73,6% d'entre elles ont indiqué utiliser du sel iodé sous quelque forme que ce soit dans leur foyer. L'utilisation du sel iodé était inférieure chez les femmes nullipares (rapport des cotes, RC: 0,56; intervalle de confiance de 95%, IC: 0,32-0,96), chez les femmes moins éduquées (RC: 0,34; IC de 95%: 0,16-0,71), chez les ouvrières en usine ou les petites commerçantes (RC: 0,52; IC de 95%: 0,31-0,86), chez les fonctionnaires (RC: 0,35; IC de 95%: 0,13-0,89) et chez les femmes présentant des troubles mentaux communs lors du recrutement (RC: 0,61; IC de 95%: 0,38-0,98). CONCLUSION: La baisse de l'utilisation de sel iodé au Viet Nam depuis la suspension en 2005 du programme national de lutte contre les troubles dus à la carence en iode fait courir des risques de troubles liés à la carence en iode aux femmes enceintes et à leurs nouveau-nés.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the prevalence of common perinatal mental disorders their determinants, and their association with preventive health care use among women in one rural and one urban province in northern Viet Nam. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of cohorts of pregnant women and mothers of infants recruited systematically in 10 randomly-selected communes. The women participated in psychiatrist-administered structured clinical interviews and separate structured interviews to assess sociodemographic factors, reproductive health, the intimate partner relationship, family violence and the use of preventive and psychiatric health care. Associations between these variables and perinatal mental disorders were explored through univariate analyses and multivariable logistic regression. FINDINGS: Among women eligible for the study (392), 364 (93%) were recruited. Of these, 29.9% (95% confidence interval, CI: 25.20-34.70) were diagnosed with a common perinatal mental disorder (CPMD). The frequency of such disorders during pregnancy and in the postpartum period was the same. Their prevalence was higher among women in rural provinces (odds ratio, OR: 2.17; 95% CI: 1.19-3.93); exposed to intimate partner violence (OR: 2.11; 95% CI: 1.12-3.96); fearful of other family members (OR: 3.36; 95% CI: 1.05-10.71) or exposed to coincidental life adversity (OR: 4.40; 95% CI: 2.44-7.93). Fewer women with a CPMD used iron supplements than women without a CPMD, but the results were not statistically significant (P = 0.05). None of the women studied had ever received mental health care. CONCLUSION: Perinatal depression and anxiety are prevalent in women in northern Viet Nam. These conditions are predominantly determined by social factors, including rural residence, poverty and exposure to family violence. At present the needs of women with common perinatal mental disorders are unrecognized and not attended to and their participation in essential antenatal preventive care appears to be compromised.

OBJETIVO: Determinar la prevalencia de los trastornos mentales perinatales frecuentes, sus factores determinantes y su relación con el uso de la atención sanitaria preventiva en mujeres en una provincia rural y en una provincia urbana en el Norte de Viet Nam. MÉTODOS: Llevamos a cabo un estudio transversal en grupos de mujeres embarazadas y madres de lactantes reclutadas sistemáticamente en 10 comunidades seleccionadas aleatoriamente. Las mujeres participaron en entrevistas clínicas estructuradas realizadas por psiquiatras y en entrevistas estructuradas independientes para evaluar los factores socio-demográficos, la salud reproductiva, la relación íntima con sus parejas, la violencia doméstica y el uso de la atención sanitaria preventiva y psiquiátrica. Se exploraron las relaciones entre estas variables y los trastornos mentales perinatales mediante análisis monofactoriales y regresión logística multivariable. RESULTADOS: Entre las mujeres aptas para participar en el estudio (392), se reclutó a 364 (93%). De ellas, al 29,9% (intervalo de confianza [IC] 95%: 25,20-34,70) se le diagnosticó un trastorno mental perinatal frecuente (TMPF). La frecuencia de estos trastornos durante el embarazo y el puerperio era la misma. Su prevalencia era mayor en las mujeres de las provincias rurales (oportunidad relativa, OR: 2,17; IC 95%: 1,19-3,93); expuestas a violencia por parte de su pareja (OR: 2,11; IC 95%: 1,12-3,96); temerosas de otros miembros de la familia (OR: 3,36; IC 95%: 1,05-10,71) o expuestas a adversidades fortuitas de la vida (OR: 4,40; IC 95%: 2,44-7,93). El número de mujeres con un TMPF que tomaban suplementos de hierro era menor que el de mujeres sin un TMPF, si bien los resultados no fueron estadísticamente significativos (p = 0,05). Ninguna de las mujeres estudiadas había recibido en su vida atención psiquiátrica. CONCLUSIÓN: La depresión y la ansiedad perinatales son frecuentes en las mujeres del Norte de Viet Nam. Entre los principales factores determinantes de estas enfermedades están los factores sociales, incluyendo la residencia en un área rural, la pobreza y la exposición a violencia doméstica. En la actualidad, las necesidades de las mujeres con trastornos mentales perinatales frecuentes no están reconocidas ni satisfechas y parece peligrar su inclusión en la atención sanitaria prenatal preventiva fundamental.

OBJECTIF: Établir la prévalence de troubles mentaux périnataux communs, leurs déterminants et leur association à l'utilisation de soins de santé préventifs parmi les femmes d'une zone rurale et celles d'une province urbaine dans le Nord du Viet Nam. MÉTHODES: Nous avons mené une étude transversale sur des groupes de femmes enceintes et des mères de nouveau-nés recrutées de façon systématique dans 10 communes choisies au hasard. Ces femmes ont participé à des entretiens cliniques structurés, dirigés par des psychiatres ainsi qu'à des entretiens structurés distincts afin d'évaluer les facteurs sociodémographiques, leur santé reproductive, la relation intime avec leur partenaire, la violence familiale ainsi que le recours aux soins de santé préventifs et psychiatriques. Les associations entre ces variables et les troubles mentaux périnataux ont été examinées au travers d'analyses univariées et d'une régression logistique à plusieurs variables. RÉSULTATS: Parmi les femmes éligibles à cette étude (392), 364 d'entre elles (93%) ont été recrutées. Parmi celles-ci, 29,9% (intervalle de confiance de 95%, IC: 25,20-34,70) ont été diagnostiquées comme présentant un trouble mental périnatal commun (TMPC). La fréquence de ces troubles au cours de la grossesse et de la période du post-partum était identique. Leur prévalence était plus élevée chez les femmes vivant dans les provinces rurales (rapport des cotes, RC: 2,17; IC 95%: 1,19-3,93); chez les femmes exposées à une violence intime par leur partenaire (RC: 2,11; IC 95%: 1,12-3,96); chez celles ayant peur d'autres membres de leur famille (RC: 3,36; IC 95%: 1,05-10,71) ou chez celles étant exposées à des difficultés fortuites (RC: 4,40; IC 95%: 2,44-7,93). Un nombre inférieur de femmes atteintes de TMPC prenait des suppléments de fer par rapport aux femmes sans TMPC, mais les résultats n'étaient pas statistiquement significatifs (P = 0,05). Aucune des femmes participant à l'étude n'avait reçu de soins de santé mentale par le passé. CONCLUSION: La dépression et l'anxiété périnatales sont largement répandues chez les femmes du Nord du Viet Nam. Ces troubles sont déterminés en grande partie par les facteurs sociaux, notamment la vie en milieu rural, la pauvreté et l'exposition à la violence familiale. À l'heure actuelle, les besoins des femmes atteintes de troubles mentaux périnataux communs ne sont ni reconnus ni comblés, et leur participation aux soins de grossesse préventifs essentiels semble être compromise.