Opportunities and challenges for doing business in vietnam via a multi factor model impacts

Currently, FDI inflows in Vietnam has been increasing, during impacts from Covid 19 and China-US commerce war which facilitates opportunities for US and Chinese firms to enter Vietnam market to attract qualified labor sources at competitive salary. From this fact, it is the time for us to consider to evaluate impacts from multi factors on Doing Business score (DB score) in the country.Authors use both qualitative, analytical and synthesis methods, combined with OLS regression method. Research results show us that in a 4 factor model, Export and FDI registration and export have positive correlation with DB score, while CPI and Import have negative correlation with DB score. Next, we recognize that CPI and FDI registration have higher coefficient and impact on DB score. Therefore, The authors propose recommendations for improving DB score in Vietnam from ex- import and FDI attracting policies. The model can be expanded and applied to other emerging markets

Vehicle Type Classification with Small Dataset and Transfer Learning Techniques

This study delves into the application of deep learning training techniques using a restricted dataset, encompassing around 400 vehicle images sourced from Kaggle. Faced with the challenges of limited data, the impracticality of training models from scratch becomes apparent, advocating instead for the utilization of pre-trained models with pre-trained weights. The investigation considers three prominent models—EfficientNetB0, ResNetB0, and MobileNetV2—with EfficientNetB0 emerging as the most proficient choice. Employing the gradually unfreeze layer technique over a specified number of epochs, EfficientNetB0 exhibits remarkable accuracy, reaching 99.5% on the training dataset and 97% on the validation dataset. In contrast, training models from scratch results in notably lower accuracy. In this context, knowledge distillation proves pivotal, overcoming this limitation and significantly improving accuracy from 29.5% in training and 20.5% in validation to 54% and 45%, respectively. This study uniquely contributes by exploring transfer learning with gradually unfreeze layers and elucidates the potential of knowledge distillation. It highlights their effectiveness in robustly enhancing model performance under data scarcity, thus addressing challenges associated with training deep learning models on limited datasets. The findings underscore the practical significance of these techniques in achieving superior results when confronted with data constraints in real-world scenario

Clinical Characteristics and Histopathology of Idiopathic Epiretinal Membrane in Vietnam

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM) is an avascular proliferation of different types of cells between the posterior vitreous cortex and the internal limiting membrane. That causes visual impairment including blurry, distortion, scotoma. Many studies of iERM were done to describe the clinical characteristics and investigate the histopathology of this disease. Nonetheless, there has not been a study of iERM histopathology in Vietnam. AIMS: To describe clinical characteristics and histopathological results of idiopathic retinal membrane and the association between them. METHODS: A cross sectional decriptive study of 35 iERMs (33 patients) in Vietnam National Institute of Ophthalmology (VNIO). RESULTS: High morbidity incidence was in group age >50 years (32/35), female gender (26/35), limited movement works (27/35), and high educational levels (28/35). Distortion was the highest (77.14%), scotoma and floater was less frequent (28.5%, 45.7%). Macular edema in all cases and PVD and exudate were high frequent (65.7%, 62.8%). Symptom duration was 8.2 ± 4.7 months, (1-21 months). Mean of central macular thickness was 468.51 ± 97.24 µm (656-274 µm). Six types of cell were detected, including glial cell (35/35), fibroblast (23/35), myofibroblast (23/35), macrophage (13/35), lymphocyte (5/35) and neutrophil (2/35). The number of cell types in one sample ranged from 1-5 types (2.85 ± 1.28 cell types). Number of cell types were correlated to symptom duration (r = 0.47, p = 0.004, Pearson's test) and central macular thickness (r = 0.72, p < 0.001, Pearson's test). CONCLUSION: There were 6 types of cells in iERM. Glial cell was the most frequent cell, inflammatory cells (macrophage, lymphocyte, neutrophil) was also detected. The number of cell types was stastitically correlated to symptom duration and CMT

Results of magnetotelluric survey for studying geothermal system in the Bang area, Quang Binh province

This paper presents the first results from the application of magnetotelluric method (MT) using the new equipment MTU 2000 (Canada) and analysis software to investigate the structure of geothermal area around the Bang hot water source (Quang Binh province). Results of data analysis by MT 1D and 2D models to a depth of 20 km show low resistivity zone in the southwest of Bang hot water (100°C) and allow for interpreting the structural elements of athehydro- geothermal system. This includes a very low resistivity layer at depth of 2 km suggesting a clay cap (heat resistive shield), a relatively low resistivity zone at depth ≥ 2 km reflecting  fractured rocks containing geothermal fluid and hot steam. A lower resistivity body at depth of 12-14 km located about 1.5 km from the hot water source indicates the existence of a heat source or a hot mass of intrusive magma., commonly thought to be sources of typical hydro- geothermal systems potential for energy exploitation. The obtained results not only provide new information for better understanding geothermal resource in the surveyed area, but also point out the methods and technology needed to improve the effectiveness for assessing potential of geothermal resources elsewhere in Vietnam.ReferencesBản đồ Địa chất và khoáng sản Việt Nam tỷ lệ 1:1.000.000. Cục Địa chất và Khoáng sản Việt Nam xuất bản 2004. Lưu trữ Địa chất. Cumming W., 2009: Geothermal resource conceptual models using surface exploration data. In: proceedings, 34th workshop on geothermal reservoir engineering, Stanford University. Data Processing User guide. Phoenix Geophysic Ltd. 2005, 201p. Di Pippo R., 2012: Geothermal Power plant. Principles, applications, case studies. 3rd edition. Elseverdirect, 579p. Doan Van Tuyen, Tran Anh Vu, Nguyen Thi Kim Thuong, 2014: Geochemical Characteristics of Geothermal Hot Water Sources on the Territory of Vietnam. Proceeding, Thirty-Eighth Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering Stanford University, Stanford, California, February 24-26, 2014 SGP-TR-202. Duchkov A.D., Nguyen Trong Yem, Dinh Van Toan, and Trinh Viet Bac, 1992: First estimations of heat flow in northern Vietnam. Soviet Geology and Geophysics, Vol. 33, No. 5, pp 92-96. Flynn T., Quy H. H., 1997: Assessment of the geothermal resources of Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Geothermal resources Council Transactions, vol.21, 341-345. IGA report, 2013: Geothermal Exploration best practices: A Guide to resource data collection, analysis, and presentation for Geothermal projects. He Lijuan, 1999: Analysis of heat flow along a transect across the South China Sea. Geothermal Training Programme, Reports 1999, Number 5, 125-140. Hoang Huu Quy, 1998: Overview of the Geothermal potential of Vietnam. Geothermics, Vol.27, n.1, 109-115. Koenig J. et al., 1981: Evaluation of the potential for Geothermal Energy Resources in the SR of Vietnam. Berkeley, CA. Kulinich G.G., Zabolotnikov A.A, Markov Yu., 1989: Cenozoic evalution of the Earth crust and orogeny in South- Eastern Asia (Tiếng Nga). MTU2000: User guide. Phoenix Geophysic Ltd. 2000, 36p. Munoz Gerard, 2014: Exploring for Geothermal Resources with Electromagnetic Methods. Surv Geophys (2014) 35:101-122, Springer, DOI 10.1007/s10712-013-9236-0. Pellerin et al., Johnston M, Hohmann W., 1996: A numerical evaluation of electromagnetic methods in geothermal exploration. Geophysics 61(1996):121-130. Thomas Mathews, et al., 2008: Study on the sozio-economic framework for the use Geothermal energy in Vietnam. Proceedings of the 8th Asian Geothermal Symposium, Hanoi. Trần Huyên, Trương Minh, Nguyễn Tiến Bào, 1999: Về chế độ địa nhiệt ở các bể trầm tích thềm lục địa Việt Nam. Tạp chí Kinh tế Địa chất và Nguyên liệu khoáng. Cục Địa chất và Khoáng sản Việt Nam. Số 18 tháng 2 năm 1999, tr.16-25. Võ Công Nghiệp (chủ biên), 1998: Danh bạ các nguồn nước khoáng và nước nóng Việt Nam. Cục Địa chất và Khoáng sản Việt Nam. Hà Nội, 300tr. Zhdanov M., 2009: Geophysical Electromagnetic Theory and Methods. Methods in Geochemistry and Geophysics, Volume 43. ISSN: 0076-6895 Elsevier, 831pp. WinGLink User guide. Geosystem 200, 182p. www.geosystem.net.

Prognostic Values of Serum Lactate-to-Bicarbonate Ratio and Lactate for Predicting 28-Day IN-Hospital Mortality in Children With Dengue Shock Syndrome

This study aimed to assess the clinical utility of blood lactate-to-bicarbonate (L/B) ratio, as a prognostic factor for 28-day in-hospital mortality in children with dengue shock syndrome (DSS), admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). This single-center retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary children hospital in southern Vietnam from 2013 to mid-2022. Prognostic models for DSS mortality were developed, using a predefined set of covariates in the first 24 hours of PICU admission. Area under the curves (AUCs), multivariable logistic and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regressions, bootstrapping and calibration slope were performed. A total of 492 children with DSS and complete clinical and biomarker data were included in the analysis, and 26 (5.3%) patients died. The predictive values for DSS mortality, regarding lactate showing AUC 0.876 (95% CI, 0.807-0.944), and that of L/B ratio 0.867 (95% CI, 0.80-0.934) (P values of both biomarkers \u3c .001). The optimal cutoff point of the L/B ratio was 0.25, while that of lactate was 4.2 mmol/L. The multivariable model showed significant clinical predictors of DSS fatality including severe bleeding, cumulative amount of fluid infused and vasoactive-inotropic score (\u3e30) in the first 24 hours of PICU admission. Combined with the identified clinical predictors, the L/B ratio yielded higher prognostic values (odds ratio [OR] = 8.66, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.96-38.3; P \u3c .01) than the lactate-based model (OR = 1.35, 95% CI, 1.15-1.58; P \u3c .001). Both the L/B and lactate models showed similarly good performances. Considering that the L/B ratio has a better prognostic value than the lactate model, it may be considered a potential prognostic biomarker in clinical use for predicting 28-day mortality in PICU-admitted children with DSS

Multiple Recurrent Acute Ischemic Strokes Treated by Thrombectomy in a Patient with Acute Pulmonary Embolism

BACKGROUND: Thrombectomy is recommended to treat for an acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patient with anterior large vessel occlusion. However, there were neither detailed guidelines nor systematic reviews of acute ischemic stroke patients having multiple times or re-occluded arteries. CASE REPORT: In our case report, we struggled a multiple (4-times) AIS patient underwent by one intravenous r-tpA and 3 remaining of endovascular treatment of thrombectomy. Especially, the finding of both pulmonary embolism and cerebral arteries occlusion in this patient made us difficult to decide the appropriate treatment plan. The patient was considered having multiple cardiac thrombi pumping out to the brain and pulmonary vessels even in treatment with NOAC (New Oral Anticoagulant). Our priority, normally, was to recanalize the brain vessels compared to the pulmonary arteries. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, based on this noticed case study, we want to share our experiences on the diagnosis of ischemic stroke, the strategy in treatment and prevention with anticoagulant therapy

Experimental cultivation of Spirulina platensis using My An mineral water, Thua Thien Hue province

Spirulina platensis was experimentally cultivated by semi-continuous method at 20m2 scale pilot to effectively use the available bicarbonate and minerals of the My An mineral water, Phu Vang district, Thua Thien Hue province, and reduce production cost. Analyses of My An water quality showed that this mineral water source was suitable to cultivate Spirulina Platensis after removing H2S. The average algal yield reached to 10gDW/m2.day. The obtained algal biomass contained high nutrient compositions and was a suitable source for functional food (68.32 % protein, 7.32 % lipids containing Omega-3 and Omega-6, and low heavy metal concentration). The obtained results indicated that the My An mineral water source was indeed a suitable water source for producing Spirulina platensis biomass as a functional food

Activated platelet-rich plasma improves adipose-derived stem cell transplantation efficiency in injured articular cartilage

INTRODUCTION: Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have been isolated, expanded, and applied in the treatment of many diseases. ADSCs have also been used to treat injured articular cartilage. However, there is controversy regarding the treatment efficiency. We considered that ADSC transplantation with activated platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may improve injured articular cartilage compared with that of ADSC transplantation alone. In this study, we determined the role of PRP in ADSC transplantation to improve the treatment efficiency. METHODS: ADSCs were isolated and expanded from human adipose tissue. PRP was collected and activated from human peripheral blood. The effects of PRP were evaluated in vitro and in ADSC transplantation in vivo. In vitro, the effects of PRP on ADSC proliferation, differentiation into chondrogenic cells, and inhibition of angiogenic factors were investigated at three concentrations of PRP (10%, 15% and 20%). In vivo, ADSCs pretreated with or without PRP were transplanted into murine models of injured articular cartilage. RESULTS: PRP promoted ADSC proliferation and differentiation into chondrogenic cells that strongly expressed collagen II, Sox9 and aggrecan. Moreover, PRP inhibited expression of the angiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor. As a result, PRP-pretreated ADSCs improved healing of injured articular cartilage in murine models compared with that of untreated ADSCs. CONCLUSION: Pretreatment of ADSCs with PRP is a simple method to efficiently apply ADSCs in cartilage regeneration. This study provides an important step toward the use of autologous ADSCs in the treatment of injured articular cartilage