The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an automatic irrigation system equipped with sensors in the cultivation of durian (Durio zibethinus L.) in Phuoc Loc commune, Da Huoai district, Lam Dong province. The system was designed to adapt to the actual terrain conditions and the physiological requirements of the crop, featuring pressure-compensated sprinkler heads, soil moisture sensors, and a remote control system. The experiment was conducted on three-year-old Ri6 durian trees (Durio zibethinus L. cv. Ri6) employing two irrigation techniques: automatic and manual. The observed indicators included irrigation volume, soil moisture, growth parameters, flowering rate, fruit set, fruit retention rate, and the timely ripening rate of fruit. The results indicated that the automatic irrigation group, which was watered according to demand, had a higher flowering rate (68 compared with 53%), a higher average number of fruits per tree (7.2 compared with 1.3 fruits/tree), and a significantly enhanced timely ripening rate (92 compared with 35%). The results validated that the automated irrigation system enhanced both yield and fruit quality while also optimizing water consumption and decreasing labor expenses. These findings underscore the possibility of extensive implementation of intelligent irrigation systems in durian farming.

Evergreen broad-leaved natural forests represent a critical component of tropical ecosystems, providing both timber resources and essential ecological services while maintaining biodiversity. This study aimed to analyze forest stand structure, tree species diversity, and natural regeneration potential as a scientific basis for sustainable management and conservation. The results recorded 75 tree species belonging to 59 genera and 38 families, with Dipterocarpaceae, Fabaceae, Tiliaceae, Annonaceae, Myrtaceae, and Sapindaceae being the most dominant families. Importance Value Index (IVI) analysis identified seven dominant and co-dominant species, including Dipterocarpus alatus, Grewia tomentosa, Dialium cochinchinensis, Syzygium cumini, Parinari annamensis, Vatica cinerea, and Nephelium hypoleucum. The average stand density reached 776 trees/ha with a timber volume of 85.2 m³/ha, primarily concentrated in the small diameter class (D1.3 < 20 cm) and height class of 5 - 15 m. The Shannon–Wiener diversity index indicated a moderate to high diversity level, and Pielou’s evenness index confirmed the absence of any single dominant species. The regeneration layer exhibited a high density of 6,100 seedlings/ha, mostly originating from seeds, with strong participation of Dipterocarpus alatus, Grewia tomentosa, Dialium cochinchinensis, Lagerstroemia calyculata, Syzygium cumini and Parinari annamensis. Notably, 11 rare, threatened, and endangered tree species were recorded, listed in the IUCN Red List 2025, Vietnam Red Data Book 2024, and Decree No. 84/2021/NĐ-CP. These findings provide essential scientific evidence for biodiversity conservation, assisted natural regeneration, and sustainable forest management in the Dau Tieng Protection Forest, Tay Ninh Province.

Biological characteristics of the longarm mullet Moolgarda cunnesius (Valenciennes, 1836) were investigated in the estuarine and coastal areas of Can Gio, Ho Chi Minh City. Morphometric measurements and meristic counts were obtained from 31 specimens collected in November 2022. A total of 344 specimens collected from January to December 2024 were used for biological analysis. Length-weight relationship (LWR), relative condition factor (Kn), relative gut length (RLG), length at first maturity (L50), gonadosomatic index (GSI), and relative fecundity (Fr) were estimated using standard formulas. Absolute fecundity (Fa) was determined using the gravimetric method. The length-weight relationship was W = 0.230 x L2.731 (R2 = 0.909; n = 344). The Kn was significantly higher in the rainy season than in the dry season (P < 0.001). The RLG of the fish was 2.66 (1.85 - 3.92). The gonadosomatic index (GSI) of this mullet was highest in February 2024 (2.60%) and lowest in August 2024 (0.08%). The absolute fecundity (Fa) of M. cunnesius ranged from 13,302.0 to 77,253.0 eggs per female, in females weighing 46.73 - 81.31 g. The relative fecundity (Fr) averaged 503,557.0 eggs/kg per female. The estimated length at first maturity (L50) was 159.86 mm. The results of this study provide baseline biological information on the longarm mullet and support the management and sustainable utilization of this resource in Can Gio, Ho Chi Minh City.

Tea tree oil (TTO) was extracted by the steam distillation method at 100°C for 100 min, and its antibacterial activity was tested against Bordetella bronchiseptica (B. bronchiseptica) strains isolated from dogs with respiratory symptoms. From 45 nasal and/or pharyngeal swabs, 10 B. bronchiseptica positive strains were identified in canine respiratory tract secretions using PCR. The results showed that these strains were multidrug-resistant to commonly used veterinary antibiotics, particularly amoxicillin (70%) and cephalosporins (80%). Tea tree oil appeared as a clear, pale yellow to colorless liquid with a slightly pungent odor and an extraction yield of approximately 2.6%. The inhibitory activity of TTO against B. bronchiseptica was demonstrated at concentrations ranging from 5 to 60 mg/mL, with inhibition zone diameters ranging from 7.33 to 23.33 mm as determined by the agar disk diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of TTO against B. bronchiseptica Bb3 and B. bronchiseptica Bb4 were 0.08 and 0.04 mg/mL, respectively, while the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) value for both strains was 0.156 mg/mL. The research findings suggest that tea tree oil may serve as a safe and effective alternative treatment method for canine respiratory disease caused by B. bronchiseptica.

The greenback mullet, Planiliza subviridis (Valenciennes, 1836), is a commercially important species inhabiting the estuarine and coastal areas of the Can Gio district. Morphometric and meristic characteristics of the mullet were examined in 30 preserved individuals (TL 129.87 - 178.04 mm, mean 145.42 mm; BW 19.17 - 56.82 g, mean 30.01 g). A total of 381 specimens (129 males, 245 females, and 7 unsexed) were collected from sampling sites in Can Gio from November 2023 to November 2024 to analyze the lengthweight relationship and the relative condition factor (Kn). Meristic features of P. subviridis were recorded as D1 IV; D2 I,8; A III,9; V I,5; P 14 - 15; C 16; Pect sc 7 - 8; D1 sc 9 - 10; D2 sc 19 - 21; Ll 30 - 33. The length-weight relationships were expressed as W= 0.016 x L2.859 (R2 = 0.949; n = 381) for pooled samples; W= 0.017 x L2.842 (R2 = 0.947; n = 245) for females and W= 0.030 x L2.626 (R2 = 0.899; n = 129) for males. The b value of females was significantly higher than that of males (P < 0.05). The relative condition factor (Kn) averaged 0.988 (0.720 - 1.378) in the dry season and 1.204 (0.737 - 1.254) in the wet season, indicating a highly significant seasonal difference (P < 0.01).

The study was conducted from February 2025 to August 2025 at veterinary clinics in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This retrospective study analyzed hematological and blood biochemistry data from 60 cats (30 healthy and 30 with chronic kidney disease-CKD) to evaluate the efficacy of machine learning (ML) models in diagnosing CKD and identifying biomarkers. Parameters included red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil count (Neu#), eosinophil count (Eos#), lymphocyte count (Lym#), monocyte count (Mon#), platelet count (PLT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Crea), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), and glucose (GLU). Data were preprocessed and split into 80% training and 20% testing sets. Seven ML models [Logistic Regression, K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Decision Tree, Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Naive Bayes] were assessed using accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, F1-score, and area under the curve (AUC). The SVM, Logistic Regression, and KNN achieved 92% accuracy, with SVM yielding the highest AUC (0.98). Decision Tree, Random Forest, and Naive Bayes performed less effectively (75 - 83%), often producing false positives. Creatinine was the most influential biomarker (importance score: 1,178), followed by Mon#, AST, Neu#, and WBC. The Crea, WBC, Neu#, ALT, and AST showed significant differences (P < 0.01) between healthy and CKD cats. In brief, ML, particularly SVM, holds promise for supporting the early diagnosis of CKD and enhancing clinical decision-making.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the barn temperaturehumidity index (THI) on milk yield and rumination index (RI) of lactating Holstein Friesian cows at Nutimilk Dairy Farm between July and September 2024. A total of 251 cows in four experimental groups across four barns, including 78 high-yielding cows in barn 1, 57 high-yielding cows in barn 2, 59 postpartum cows in barn 1, and 58 postpartum cows in barn 2, were observed during the experiment. Results showed that the temperature, humidity, and THI exhibited significant variation (P < 0.001) among barns, cow groups, and across different times of day. Average milk yield, RI, and DMI differed significantly (P < 0.001) among the four cow groups. Average milk yield also varied significantly (P < 0.001) across the three milking shifts: highest in the morning (shift 1: 5:00 - 7:30 AM; 12.89 kg/cow), followed by in the evening (shift 3: 9:00 - 11:30 PM; 11.81 kg/cow), and lowest in the afternoon (shift 2: 1:00 - 3:30 PM; 11.23 kg/cow). Correlation analysis indicated that THI was strongly and negatively associated (P < 0.01) with milk yield (r = -0.95), RI (r = -0.89), and DMI (r = -0.57). In brief, these findings demonstrate that THI within the barn has a substantial influence on dairy cow performance, with strong negative correlations observed between THI and milk yield, RI, and DMI during the lactation cycle.

This study aimed to evaluate nitrogen removal efficiency in simulated wastewater utilizing aerobic biological technology in batch processes while varying the chemical oxygen demand to nitrogen (COD:N) ratio. Experimental results with a daily load of 1.14 kg COD/m³, a sludge concentration of 2500 - 3000 mg/L, a pH range of 7 - 8.5, and an aeration duration of 6 h per cycle (continuous 24-h operation) showed that compared to the original ratio COD:N of 100:5 (according to textbooks), the COD:N ratio of 100:7.5 was the most optimal for the treatment efficiency. Total nitrogen removal efficiency ranged from 81.7 to 93.9%, which was considered suitable for the operation of sequencing batch aerobuc tanks, with the 6-h aeration period ensuring stable performance. These results demonstrate that both assimilation and nitrification processes occurred effectively under these optimal conditions. At the same time, the system also exhibited very effective organic matter treatment capacity, maintaining COD removal efficiency above 88% regardless of the COD:N ratio applied during the study. This suggests that the treatment process is not only stable but also highly flexible, efficiently managing variations in organic loading in the wastewater.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different crushed pottery rates on the growth and flowering performance of Angelonia angustifolia Benth. A single-factor experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) comprising five treatments: G1 (Control): 40% coconut coir + 40% rice husk ash + 20% vermicompost; G2: 80% control substrate + 20% crushed pottery; G3: 60% control substrate + 40% crushed pottery; G4: 40% control substrate + 60% crushed pottery; and G5: 20% control substrate + 80% crushed pottery. Each treatment was replicated three times, with 10 pots per replicate and one plant per pot, totaling 150 plants in the experiment. The results indicated that the air-filled porosity of the substrate increased with higher proportions of crushed pottery, whereas the water-holding capacity decreased. Specifically, when 80% crushed pottery was added to the control substrate mixture, the air-filled porosity increased from 11.8% to 23.6%, while the water-holding capacity decreased from 50.74 to 18.65%. Monitoring the growth and flowering parameters of Angelonia angustifolia revealed that the substrate containing 40% crushed pottery combined with 60% of the control mixture (coconut coir, rice husk ash, and vermicompost in a 2:2:1 ratio) resulted in the best performance. Plants grown in this treatment achieved the highest values for plant height (36.9 cm), number of primary branches (15.1 branches/plant), flower spike length (25.5 cm), fresh floral biomass (15 g), dry floral biomass (8.3 g), time to bud initiation (18.6 days), and flower longevity (14.3 days).

This study aimed to survey and identify succulent plant species commercially cultivated for ornamental purposes in Ho Chi Minh City, with a focus on their application in indoor landscape design. The research employed field investigations across 10 urban districts and species identification based on morphological characteristics, supported by specialized botanical literature and online flora databases. A total of 66 succulent species were recorded, belonging to 5 families and 2 plant classes, among which the class Magnoliopsida was overwhelmingly dominant (81.8%), with the family Crassulaceae being particularly prominent, accounting for 79% of the total species identified. The most prevalent morphological form was the rosette type (82%), and the majority of succulents originated from arid regions such as South Africa and Mexico. Based on these findings, several miniature indoor landscape models were designed using balanced arrangements that integrated various plant forms, recycled materials, and decorative elements for festive occasions as well as everyday settings. These models demonstrated the affordability, versatility, aesthetic value, and ecological potential of succulent plants in contemporary urban interiors. The study provides a scientific and practical foundation for developing sustainable indoor decorative models using succulents in urban settings.