bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TRANSPORT CAPACITY UTILISATION IMPROVEMENT FOR CONSUMER PRODUCT DISTRIBUTION
Authors:   , Wichianbanjerd Krongmal
Published: September 2023

Currently, Thailand’s economic is growing. Several companies study strategies that advice the firms to gain competitive advantages. One of widely used strategies, that aids the firms to reduce cost and utilises their resources to focus on the firms’ core competencies, is outsourcing non-core activities (e.g. a transportation process). A transportation process is one of the non-core activities that requires to be managed appropriately. Therefore, a third-party logistics (3PL) provider that has expertise in the logistics process has been established, and provides service in the logistics management. In this research, a 3PL company is considered as a case study company. A current issue is a capacity utilisation problem due to the improper collaboration of route planning system between the 3PL company and a client (i.e., a retail business). Therefore, this research is operated to improve the capacity utilisation by developing a heuristic algorithm. The proposed algorithm is based on the simulated annealing metaheuristic (SA) for vehicle routing problem (VRP). The experiments evaluate the transportation plans in three main perspectives that are the capacity utilisation, the total travelled distance, and the total transportation cost. The results show that the proposed algorithm provides superior performances than the company’s transportation plan while the constraints of the company are satisfied.
Plastics Injection Molding Process Improvement
Authors:   , Popattanachai Poom
Published: September 2023

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate, analyze the strategies that a small plastic injection molding factory uses. It emphasizes process improvement which is aligned with and support the factory's main strategies. The result from this thesis helps factory analyze, improve and monitor changes in business strategy that the company chooses to use as well as the manufacturing strategy. The aim of this framework is to ensure that the long term objectives of the company can be achieved under the trends that the company is evolving into. The principal tools and techniques that have been used in this thesis are Terry Hill's Framework, LEAN ECRS and SMED. The expected benefits from this this improvement framework is the continuous improvement in ability to compete and win in the market by improving on the company strengths. Create a unique customer perception to the compnay's products in order to have deep impact in company image. By applying the framework to the factory operation, the efficiency in the platic injection processes will be improved by eliminating the non-value-added activities. Changes in product varieties and variations can help company prioritizes the limited machine time to the right products. Reduction in machine down time is achieved by applying the Single-Minute Exchange of Dies approach. Work procedures that can help company ensure the sustainable improvement in the future is also proposed.
Conceptual Design Process Improvement For Drainage Systemusing Project Management
Authors:   , Kongpanya Wantanee
Published: September 2023

The major concern in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry is time, cost, and quality. The design for industrial building project usually complex, particularly in a field of mechanical and piping process due to the large involvement of project stakeholders. The case company, which is the specialist supplier of industrial piping solution in Thailand, reported the issue of redesigns regarding to their poor project management of conceptual design process in construction project that effect to their work performance and customer satisfaction. Thus, the purpose of this study was to improve the process of conceptual design using project management concept to reduce the number of redesign in the conceptual design phase for storm drainage design projects. The new conceptual design process was introduced in 4 stages-Initialization, Identification, Translation, and Specification. These stages were clearly defined their input, process (with project management plans, tools and techniques such as checklist, tree diagram, 3D model system and expert judgment), and output.

This was validated with 30 pilot projects of storm drainage design in factories and warehouses. The results revealed that, the total number of redesign was reduced from 102 to 24 under the satisfied of company’s KPI. In addition, the total cost of redesign was decreased form THB 1,326,000 to THB 31,200. Furthermore, the total design time from the start to finish the specification output was reduced from 327 days to 212 days. Therefore, the proposed solution was proved to be practical and fully implemented by the company.
Cloning and characterisation of alternansucrase from Leuconostoc citreum ABK-1 and role of surface aromatic acids on product size
Authors:   , Wangpaiboon Karan
Published: September 2023

The alternansucrase (ALT, EC 2.4.1.140) catalyses transferring of glucose from sucrose to produce a polymer with α-1,6 and α- 1,3 linkages, so-called “alternan”. The ALT-encoding gene from Leuconostoc citreum ABK-1 (WTalt) was successfully cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). The two versions of truncated SH3-like domains, ∆3SHALT and ∆7SHALT, were successfully constructed. The WTALT, ∆3SHALT and ∆7SHALT possessed optimum temperature of 40 °C, while optimum pH of WTALT was at 5.0 but ∆3SHALT’s and ∆7SHALT’s were shifted to pH 4.0. Their activities could be enhanced by Mn²⁺. Kinetic studies of all ALTs were mainly responsible for transglycosylation activity with less detectable hydrolytic activity in the ∆3SHALT and ∆7SHALT. Deletion of SH3-like domains affected enzyme stability and size of products compared with WTALT. The ALTs’ product patterns were not significantly dissimilar judged by NMR, methylation analysis and HPAEC-PAD. However, ∆3SHALT and ∆7SHALT produced higher the amount of oligosaccharides compared to WTALT. Importantly, the polymer product harbours irregular pattern of alternating α-1,6 and α- 1,3 glycosidic linkages as confirmed by NMR, methylation analysis, and partial hydrolysis. The polymer can undergo self-assembly, forming nanoparticles in solution. At concentrations above 15% (w/v), nanoparticles disassembled and formed a high viscous solution, while a transparent film was formed once polymer was dried. Additionally, the mutation at W675 position effected on sizes of products without detectable polymer. W675A significantly revealed the loss of acceptor binding ability, resulted in the production of different product patterns compared with the WT (∆7SHALT).
The use of a cooperative corpus consultation to promote the acquisition of adjective + preposition collocations among L1 Thai learners of English
Authors:   , Kulsitthiboon Supaporn
Published: September 2023

The study was aimed at promoting the acquisition of adjective + preposition collocations of L1 Thai learners of English through a cooperative corpus consultation. The three objectives were to investigate the effects of a cooperative corpus consultation, explore learners’ strategies in dealing with the corpus consultation and study learners’ attitudes towards the approach. The study was conducted for one semester with 74 first year university students at Srinakharinwirot University. One group was assigned to be the experimental group working on the paper-based concordance handouts and hands-on concordance based tasks with a group of 3 - 4 members while the other represented the comparison group working on the same tasks individually. The research instruments included a pre-test and a post-test, a pre-project questionnaire, reflective journals, classroom observation schemes, a post-project questionnaire, a “can-do statement questionnaire and stimulated recall interviews. The findings can be summarized into three areas. Firstly, the average scores of the two groups were significantly different. Secondly, the results revealed different use of strategies. The experimental group employed group discussion, technological tools and positive interdependence while the control group relied on seeking help from the instructors and their peers and the use of their L1. Lastly, although both groups showed their positive attitudes, the control group reported problems and confusion which might have effects on future use of corpus consultation.
NEEDS ANALYSIS OF ENGLISH ORAL COMMUNICATION FOR THE AUTOMOTIVE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR PROFESSION
Authors:   , Thakadkul Witchuda
Published: September 2023

This study aims to investigate the needs of English oral communication for the automotive maintenance and repair profession based on perspectives of automotive mechanical students and stakeholders in the automotive industry in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area, and to propose an English oral communication course syllabus for automotive mechanical students’ profession. The study is a survey research consisting of two phases: needs analysis and course syllabus development. The needs analysis process was based on the framework ESP needs analysis of Brown (2016). Data were collected by means of questionnaires with one hundred and nineteen automotive mechanical students and five stakeholders, and semi-structured interview questions were used to collect in-depth information on needs of English oral communication for the automotive maintenance and repair profession. The findings revealed the needs across three language areas: linguistic aspects, functional aspects, and sociocultural aspects. The quantitative data indicated that grammatical structures were least required from both participant groups. The automotive mechanical students and stakeholders had different views on language functions that were required in their profession. Regarding the sociocultural aspects, knowledge of social etiquettes was viewed as keys to prevent communication breakdowns. Finally, the most important contents were proposed for an English oral communication course syllabus for the automotive maintenance and repair profession in 12 units based on Content-Based Instruction (CBI).
A COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF SELF-CONSUMPTION SUPPORT SCHEMES FOR ROOFTOP PV SYSTEMS IN THAILAND
Authors:   , Kokchang Kespanerai
Published: September 2023

The growth in the adoption of solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation systems has been accelerating around the world, contributing to the debate about the future of policy and regulation in a high distributed energy resources future. Thailand is one of the leaders in solar investment in Southeast Asia. It has recently shifted its policy framework from subsidizing power export through feed-in tariffs toward a policy that is focused on supporting self-consumption of PV electricity. There are three possible forms of self-consumption support scheme: net metering, net billing, and self-consumption only. Net metering and net billing are electricity policies to assign compensation to excess electricity generated from the prosumers’ sources, particular in rooftop solar PV system. The design elements on new self-consumption scheme from perspectives of various stakeholders together with the assessment of economic feasibility of rooftop PV system under self-consumption schemes can help to ensure successful implementation of the policy. It is important to analyze the possible impacts of rooftop PV system on distribution network system. This dissertation consists of three main components: economic feasibility analysis, technical analysis, and stakeholders’ perspectives analysis. First, this study assesses the economic feasibility of residential and commercial sectors on rooftop solar PV systems under Thailand’s self-consumption scheme, net metering with rolling credit and buyback scheme, and net billing with real-time buyback scheme. These three schemes are compared using 3 indicators: Net Present Values (NPV), Payback Period (PB), and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) to assess the feasibility of rooftop solar PV investment for consumers. To supplement the understanding of selected schemes, this research assesses the technical factors that support or hinder the implementation of solar PV rooftop by reviewing Thailand’s grid code and meter requirement of rooftop solar PV installation. Third, this study investigates the perspectives of stakeholders on the detailed design options of self-consumption schemes for supporting rooftop solar PV system installation. When combined the outcomes of stakeholder’s perspectives, the result also shows that most of stakeholder groups prefer a strong desire to compensate for excess generation from rooftop PV system in the form of net metering. This finding corresponds to the economic feasibility analysis, which indicate that net metering with rolling credit and buyback is economically feasible for both residential and commercial sectors. Finally, this dissertation suggests policy recommendations for each group of stakeholders in order to increase their understanding on how to contribute to a sustainable scheme to scale up rooftop solar PV installation for both residential and commercial customers in Thailand.
EXPRESSION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF α-GLUCOSIDASE FROM Weissella confusa BBK-1
Authors:   , Silapasom Lalita
Published: September 2023

Alpha-glucosidase [EC 3.2.1.20; α-D-glucoside glucohydrolase] is an exohydrolase which catalyzes non-reducing end of substrates to release D-glucose. In addition, alpha-glucosidase also displays a transferase activity, which bring about the formation of α-glucosylated compounds such as soluble starch and glycogen. This research aims to express and characterize α-glucosidase from Weissella confusa BBK-1 (WcAG). WcAG gene was expressed in modified pET28b vector. This gene contained an open reading frame of 1,775 bps. Optimum expression condition of WcAG was cultured in LB medium containing 1% (w/v) glucose and induced with 0.4 mM IPTG at 20°C for 20 h. The recombinant WcAG containing his-tag at the C-terminus was successfully purified by His-Trap column with the specific activity of 45.29 U/ml, purification fold of 2.93 increased with 21.65% yields of total activity. WcAG had molecular mass of 124 kDa and existed as dimer in native form. For hydrolysis activity, the optimum temperature and pH were at 50 ºC and pH 6.0, respectively. Temperature and pH stability of WcAG were in range of 4 to 40 °C, and pH 6.0-8.0 in phosphate buffer, respectively. The most suitable substrate for hydrolysis activity of WcAG was maltotriose (G3) while maltose (G2) was for transglycosylation activity. For hydrolysis activity, the order of preferable substrate was maltotriose (G3), maltotetraose (G4), maltopentaose (G5), maltohexaose (G6) and maltose (G2), respectively. For kinetic study of WcAG, the apparent Km, kcat and kcat/ Km values for G3 substrate were 2.67 mM, 14.096 s-1 and 5.279 (s·mM)-1, respectively. The apparent Km, kcat and kcat/ Km values for G2 substrate were 16.22 mM, 0.738 s-1 and 0.046 (s·mM)-1, respectively. The optimal maltooligosacharide production was obtained of incubation using 200 mM of G2 with 0.4 unit/ml of WcAG at 37 ºC for 24 h. Four products were obtained from transglycosylation activity including product I, II, III and IV. Identification of all products using HPAEC-PAD revealed that product I was isomaltose, product II was panose while product III and IV still cannot be identified.
DRIVERS AND CONSTRAINTS OF CONVERSION TO ORGANIC FARMING IN THE KINGDOM OF BHUTAN
Authors:   , Mahat Parladh
Published: September 2023

Organic farming is one of the several approaches towards environmental conservation and aims to increase agricultural production and household income for small-scale farmers to enable them to come out of poverty and improve livelihood. The objective is to investigate the key drivers and constraints in conversion to organic farming for domestic organic certified and non-certified but organic farmers and provide policy recommendation to government and relevant agency. The survey data of 146 respondents comprising of certified organic (n=47) and non-certified (n=99) were collected from Gasa district of Bhutan during the month of October 2017. The data analysis includes the use of descriptive statistics and the study recognize the drivers and constraints in conversion to organic farming according to the ranked order of importance by the farmers.The respondents were also asked to prioritize the factors, drivers and constraints for organic practices. The result suggests that both the certified and non-certified but organic farmers has identified environmental awareness, health benefits, economic benefits, education and employment benefits as the predominant drivers for organic production. The constraints experienced by both the groups include low productivity, market aspects, education and research aspects and economic and financial aspects. To promote organic farming the Bhutanese government, non-governmental organization and farmers has significant role to play. The government should support non-certified farmers through information and awareness, product certification, capacity building and formation of groups and cooperatives and support the certified farmers through research & development, market intensification, policy support and infrastructure development. The non-governmental organization should support non-certified farmers through adult education, training program and input supply and certified farmers through implementation of projects, agricultural shows and provide linkages with research institutions. The non-certified farmers are highly recommended to form groups, cooperatives and associations, self-organize in terms of farm machineries and tools and labors and carry out off farm activities. The certified farmers should diversify products, choose better cropping practices and techniques and attend short-term courses.
The socio-economic impact of IUU-fishing and its countermeasures on small scale fishermen in Thailand : a case study of Baan Khan Kradai, Ao Noi, Prachuap Kiri Khan
Authors:   , Zwoelfer Roman
Published: September 2023

This study investigates the socio-economic effects of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing (IUU-fishing) on households of small scale fishermen, whose income derives almost entirely from fishing. The research question is “What are the socio-economic impacts of IUU-fishing and government’s countermeasures on Thai fishing communities, in particular small scale fishermen’s households, before and after 2015?”. A mixed quantitative and qualitative approach was chosen to better grasp the complexity of fishing-related changes to household income and by the case study of a small scale fishing community in Ao Noi Subdistrict of Prachuap Kiri Khan Province. This resulted to a general understanding of the extent to which the community members were aware of IUU issues, as well as in their participation in related governance processes. The main results show that the small scale fishermen were impacted by those who perform IUU-fishing. Since the enforcement of the new regulation in 2014/2015, the fishermen have felt some improvement through the regrowth of fish stock and the enforcement of stricter regulation for commercial vessels. The income situation has, after initial gains, seen some losses in 2016, mainly due to higher costs or investments. The results shall provide a set of data for future research on the socio-economic situation of small scale fishermen. This approach might be useful as a template to be applied to other small scale fishing communities in Thailand or elsewhere. The limits of this work are clearly given by the sample size and the selected target community.
Prototype development of small scale transportable fuel production system for agricultural byproducts
Authors:   , Nisamaneenate Jurarat
Published: September 2023

The objective is to study the potential of peanut shell waste and cassava rhizome conversion using a modular fixed bed gasifier coupled with thermal integration unit. The thermal integration unit improved gasification reaction in which lower tar content and high gas production efficiency can be achieved. The air flow rate had integrated effects on product yield and composition; higher air flow rate resulted in higher gas yield with less tar and char. The result from peanut shell gasification indicated the optimal conditions without catalyst addition at air flow rate of 3.06 m3/hr where carbon and hydrogen conversions were 87.10% and 57.21%, respectively. The lower heating value and cold gas efficiency were 3.95 MJ/m3 and 56.10%, respectively. In case of cassava rhizome, carbon and hydrogen conversion were 92.36%, and 65.92%, respectively at 2.5 m3/hr air flow. The lower heating value and cold gas efficiency were 4.46 MJ/m3 and 54.86%, respectively.

For improve quality of product gas from gasification, the 5%Ni/char and 5%Ni/dolomite catalyst enhanced condensable tar reforming to smaller gases resulting in increased gas heating value and cold gas efficiency with greater synthesis gas yield. The 5%Ni/dolomite catalyst can be employed as both the tar filter and also enhanced catalytic cracking reactions. With product gas connection to a generator, the conversion to electricity was 11.03% with peanut shell and 11.29% with cassava rhizome. The efficiency of the gasifier-cogeneration system from peanut shell and cassava rhizome waste was 11.84% and 12.12%, respectively. The predicted gas composition results from ASPEN PLUS simulation model for peanut shell waste were better than those of cassava rhizome. Generally, developed model is able to simulate the performance of the gasifier with acceptable gas yield estimation.
Performance and internal environment of partial nitrification-entrapped cells under changes in cell-to-matrix ratio and substrate concentrations
Authors:   , Kunapongkiti Pattaraporn
Published: September 2023

In this study, partial nitrification performance was investigated in entrapped cell-based reactors prepared using phosphorylated polyvinyl alcohol gel (PPVA) and operated using oxygen limiting strategy. The study was divided into three main parts: 1) to investigate the community of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) in the reactors operated at different bulk dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations, 2) to investigate the effect of cell-to-matrix ratio (1% and 4%) on partial nitrification performance of the entrapped-cell-based reactors and to observe internal environment, microbial community, and microbial localization within the gel matrix during long-term operation of the reactors, and 3) to study effect of ammonia and organic loading rates on performance and pathways of nitrogen removal as well as nitrous oxide (N2O) production in the entrapped-cell-based reactors. In the first part, a comparable level of partial nitrification (> 60%) was achieved in entrapped-cell-based reactors operated at bulk DO concentration of 2 and 3 mg l-1. NOB having distinct oxygen affinity, including Nitrobacter and Nitrospira lineage I and Nitrospira lineage II, coexisted in both reactors. The results indicated that the entrapped-cell system allow a variety of NOB to exist and perform some activity, although the majority of nitrite-oxidizing activity was inhibited in the system. In the second part, two entrapped-cell-based partial nitrification reactors were operated using gel beads containing different cell-to-matrix ratios of 1% and 4%. Results showed that oxygen concentration gradient determined the periods of which partial nitrification could be achieved. However, after partial nitrification was achieved, both reactors showed similar degree of nitrite accumulation during long-term operation. The oxygen-limiting zone (DO = 0.5-1.5 mg l-1), where nitrite-oxidizing activity was suggested to be suppressed, occurred at 10-230 µm from the surface of gel matrix. In the last part, varying ammonia and organic loading rates showed that partial nitrification could only be maintained in the reactors without organic feeding and with ammonia loading rate of ≥0.3 kg m-3 d-1. While, complete nitrification occurred in the reactors without organic feeding and with ammonia loading rate of ≤0.2 kg m-3 d-1. Simultaneous nitrification and denitrification was found in most reactors fed with organic. Moreover, N2O was produced between 0.1 and 0.24% of the ammonia loading rate in the studied reactors.
EVALUATION OF PUSH OUT BOND STRENGTH OF GLASS FIBER POST RELATED WITH ULTRASONIC IRRIGATION
Authors:   , Vidhyaphum Nomjit
Published: September 2023

Objective This study compared the bond strength of glass fiber post to dentin using different irrigation methods and solutions and to evaluate the bond strength in different regions of the root. Methods One hundred human anterior maxillary teeth were randomly divided into 10 groups (n=10). Root canal filling and post space preparation were carried out followed by diverse final irrigation techniques. Groups 1 to 3 underwent syringe irrigation, groups 4 to 6 irrigation with ultrasonic instrumentation and groups 7 to 9 passive ultrasonic irrigation. Different irrigant solutions were used in each groups as 2.5% NaOCl (groups 1,4,7), 17% EDTA (groups 2,5,8) and 2.5% NaOCl followed by 10% sodium ascorbate (groups 3,6,9). Group 10 was done by syringe irrigation with distilled water. Fiber post luting was performed with Panavia SA Cement Plus. Slices of 1 mm thickness were divided into cervical and apical root regions. Push-out bond strength tests were performed. Results Bond strengths were significantly affected by different irrigants (p<0.05; 2-way ANOVA). Irrigant solution groups 3, 6, and 9 with NaOCl followed by sodium ascorbate gave higher bond strengths with group 6 showing a significant difference between cervical and apical root regions. Conclusions Bond strengths are significantly affected by different irrigant solutions. An irrigant solution of NaOCl followed by sodium ascorbate resulted in high bond strength values. The region of the root was affected only in group 6.
Synthesis of fisetin glycosides by cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase from paenibacillus sp. Rb01
Authors:   , Lorthongpanich Nattawadee
Published: September 2023

Fisetin is a flavonoid which was widely exerted in pharmacological industries. However, fisetin has low water solubility and unstable in aqueous solution. So the uses of fisetin have been limited. The purpose of this study was to increase water solubility of fisetin by transglycosylation reaction using cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase (CGTase) from Paenibacillus sp. RB01. The reaction had to perform in co-organic solvent system and DMSO at 40% (v/v) was proved to be the most suitable co-organic solvent since it provided the high enzyme stability and high production yield. Moreover, the types of glycosyl donor were also determined and β-cyclodextrin was found to be an appropriate glycosyl donor. The effects of fisetin, β-cyclodextrin, and enzyme concentration and incubation time on the fisetin glycoside synthesis were also determined. It was found that the optimum condition was to incubate 0.25% (w/v) of fisetin and 1.0% (w/v) of β-CD with 200 U/mL of CGTase at 40ºC for 24 hours. Under optimum condition, the percent conversion of fisetin (17.1% ± 4.21%) was significantly increased when compared to that of non-optimized condition (10.1% ± 1.15%). HPLC analysis showed that at least 5 fisetin glycosides were synthesized by CGTase. Structural analysis by glucoamylase and α-glucosidase revealed that fisetin linked with glucose through alpha-glycosidic bonds, while glucose molecules joined together by α-1, 4 glycosidic bond. The obtained fisetin glycoside products were purified by n-butyl acetate extraction and further refined by HPLC. LC-MS/MS revealed that CGTase synthesized two types of fisetin monoglucosides (m/z of 447), two types of fisetin diglucosides (m/z of 609) and one type of fisetin triglucoside (m/z of 771). Fragmentation patterns suggested two possible structures of fisetin monoglucoside products. The water solubility of three purified products were investigated. It was found that water solubility of fisetin glycosides increased at least 500 times higher than the parent fisetin. DPPH assay showed that the antioxidant activity of synthesized fisetin glycosides was not different when compared with fisetin.
A COMPARISON OF TAPER-IMPLANT DESIGNS AND BONE QUALITY ON THE PRIMARY STABILITY: AN IN VITRO BIOMECHANICAL STUDY
Authors:   , Chayangsu Ratchaya
Published: September 2023

Objective To investigate the effect of the taper-implant design and the effect of bone quality on the primary stability in terms of insertion torque test, removal torque test and resonance frequency analysis. Methods Five taper-implant designs were test in artificial bone blocks with four qualities. Five repetitions per implant design were placed in each bone quality started from softest bone block. The implant motor was used to prepared the osteotomy sites and implant insertion according to manufacturers' recommendation. Peak insertion torque values were measured and recorded by implant motor when the platform of the implant flush to the bone level. Resonance frequency analysis was measure by Osstell ISQ device. The implant stability quotients were recorded. Finally, the implants were unscrewed by implant motor and the peak removal torque values were recorded. Same implants were reused with the same protocol in the rest of the test, from softer to harder test blocks respectively. The data of insertion torque values, implant stability quotients and removal torque values were statistically analysed by two-way factorial ANOVA to investigate the interaction effect of two independent variables (implant design and bone quality), (p=0.05). Results In insertion torque and removal torque tests, the interaction effects of implant design and bone quality were statistically significant. However, the interaction effect was not found in resonance frequency analysis group. Conclusion Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that selecting the proper design of tapered implant regarding to the quality of surgical bone site can achieve predictable primary stability outcome in terms of insertion torque and removal torque.
HOST RESPONSES IN PERI IMPLANT TISSUE IN COMPARISON TO PERIODONTAL TISSUE
Authors:   , Madarasmi Raviporn
Published: September 2023

The host response in peri-implant tissue may differ from that in periodontal tissue in a healthy individual. The purpose of this study is to investigate the expression of inflammatory cytokines in peri-implant crevicular fluid (PICF)from single implant with two different abutment types in comparison to healthy periodontal tissue. Moreover, the effect of these inflammatory cytokines on the expression of FAK and RANKL were also studied. Nineteen participants with healthy implants and teeth were recruited according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. PICF and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) was collected using sterile paper points. The expression level of inflammatory cytokines including IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IFN-y was assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). varying concentrations of PICF obtained around two abutment materials were treated with human gingival fibroblast cell cultures to study the expression of FAK and RANKL using qPCR. Expression of IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-y was not statistically different from GCF among titanium and UCLA abutment group. However, the level of IL-1α in the PICF from the implants restored with UCLA abutment was significantly higher than GCF (p- value= 0.030). Inaddition, the level of IL-1β in PICF from implants restored with titanium abutment was significantly higher than GCF (p-value=0.032). IL-8 expression in PICF from implant restored with UCLA abutment was significantly higher than titanium abutment ( p-value 0.003). Moreover an up- regulation of RANKL and down regulation of FAK gene was found to be in a concentration dependent manner for both the abutment groups.
Stability and bioactivities of Mesona chiensis Benth extract microbeads under simulated gastrointestinal digestion
Authors:   , Wongverawattanakul Chonnipa
Published: September 2023

Alginate-calcium microencapsulation of Mesona chinensis extract (MCE) was conducted in this study. Firstly, the MCE was encapsulated by using calcium chloride (3 and 5% w/v) and sodium alginate (1.5 and 1.8% w/v) to form MC microbeads (MCB). The MCB with condition of 1.5% w/v sodium alginate, 3% w/v calcium chloride and 75% w/v MCE demonstrated the highest %encapsulation efficiency and suitable spherical shape among other conditions. According to Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), there was no strong chemical interaction between alginate and MCE. After simulated digestion, the total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity measured by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of MCE was significantly decreased for 20.87 ± 3.78% and 41.95 ± 3.68% respectively. In gastric phase, alginate-encapsulation of MCE slow released the TPC and exhibited low FRAP value whereas it enhanced the release of TPC release and an increase in FRAP value in intestinal phase. The simulated gastric digestion of agar and carrageenan contained MC polyphenols, MCE and MCB, showed partially protection (~50%) and increased the gradual release of polyphenols after entering into the intestinal phase. The FRAP value of MC polyphenols in agar demonstrated the synergistic antioxidant activity. In conclusion, alginate encapsulation or incorporation in agar and carrageenan improve bioassessibility of MC polyphenols and its antioxidant activity.
Isolation and characterization of triclocarban degrading bacteria as plant growth promoter
Authors:   , Sipahutar Merry
Published: September 2023

Triclocarban (TCC) is a widely used as antimicrobial agent in household products. High usage volume of TCC results in its accumulation in sludge and lead to contamination in environments. Application of biosolid in agricultural activities leads to contamination of TCC in agricultural areas. So. development of bioremediation technique for TCC is necessary to maintain quality of agricultural ecosystem. For that purpose, this research isolated 5 soil bacteria capable of TCC degradation and with plant-growth promoting (PGP) activities including Ochrobactrum sp. MC22, Ochrobactrum sp. MC35, Sphingobacterium sp. MC43, Pseudomonas sp. MS45, and Pseudomonas fluorescens MC46. Among them, Ochrobactrum sp. MC22 and P. fluorescens MC46 were selected for further studies. The results showed that Ochrobactrum sp. MC22 could degrade TCC under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. It has ability to degrade TCC in a wide range of concentrations from 0.16-30 mg L-1. The analysis of TCC degradation kinetics and degradation pathway revealed that chloroanilines are degradative intermediates, which could be completely metabolized and detoxified as shown by the toxicity test in pot soil experiment using 2 legume plants. In the case of P. fluorescens MC46, not only TCC degradation capability, degradation kinetics, and degradation pathway were analyzed, but it was also developed into a bacterial formula in order to improve its efficiency for TCC degradation and PGP. Moreover, its usage was proven in soil experiment with mung bean plants where the soil was contaminated with TCC. The bioaugmentation of P. fluorescens MC46 formula in to the contaminated soil not only reduced TCC by 74-76% of its initial concentration, mitigated TCC toxicity, promoted plant growth, but it also improved soil quality with increasing soil enzyme activities. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the potential use of Ochrobactrum sp. MC22 and P. fluorescens MC46 for bioremediation of soil contaminated with TCC as well as chloroanilines, while they could promote plant growth.
COAL COMBUSTION PRODUCTS UTILIZATION FOR SOIL AMENDMENT
Authors:   , Tuyet Tran
Published: September 2023

Nowadays, coal has a crucial role in generating energy all over the world. As a result, the consumption of coal creates a huge amount of coal combustion products, including bottom ash and fly ash. The coal ash has the potential characteristics to become a resource material in agriculture such as its texture, water holding capacity, bulk density, pH etc., and contains almost all the essential plant nutrients. However, most of the coal ash created is dumped into the landfill, which is a contributing factor in the environmental degradation. This study wants to use coal ash in agriculture as a way to dispose of coal ash and at the same time, it improves crops yield and physicochemical properties of soil. This research contains two main parts. The first part measures the effect of coal ash on soil properties of soil such as soil texture, pH, salinity, and bulk density. The second part is to evaluate the plant growth by measuring height and leaf size. The results of the experiment on soil properties show that the application of bottom ash and fly ash has a significant effect on soil texture, pH, salinity and bulk density of soil. For instance, the using of coal ash ranging from 5% wt. to 30% wt. improves bulk density of soil to a suitable condition for plant growth. This research recommends that this coal ash should be used with concentration less 5% wt. to avoid the soil become saline. From the result of growing plant, it is found that the case of bottom ash used at 5% wt. help to increase significantly the growth of Bird Pepper during the first three months of the study time. The combination of bottom ash and fertilizer in the mixture of soil, fertilizer and bottom ash by 90% wt., 5% wt., 5% wt., respectively shows the plant growth of Bird Peppers higher than that of the mixtures of fertilizer at 10% wt., 20% wt. in most of the study period. It means that bottom ash could be combined used with fertilizer to reduce production cost and increase crop yield. Furthermore, the application of fly ash does not help plants growing of both Bird Peppers and Holy Basil. From the results of this research, it is expected that bottom ash could be used wider in agriculture to bring more benefit and reduce environmental problems when disposes of coal ash.
The relationship between geochemical parameters and the communities of arsenite-oxidizing bacteria in Rayong groundwater basin
Authors:   , Pipattanajaroenkul Phurinat
Published: September 2023

As is one of toxic metalloid commonly found on the earth's surface. In groundwater, arsenite (As3+) and arsenate (As5+) are most predominant As species. Arsenite is more toxic than arsenate. As removal through bioremediation technique can be applied as an alternative method. This study aimed to investigate the community of arsenite-oxidizing bacteria in As-contaminated groundwater and to correlated them to the geochemical parameters. Nineteen groundwater samples were collected from Ban-khai and Muang districts, Rayong province, Thailand. The communities of arsenite-oxidizing bacteria were detected by using PCR-cloning-sequencing techniques, targeting aioA gene. The results showed that the detected arsenite-oxidizing bacteria were associated with α-, β-, and γ-Protebacteria. The γ-Protebacterial cluster was detected in groundwater with low to moderate As concentrations, while it was undetected in groundwater with high As concentration. PHREEQC geochemical model was used to identify the major As species in all groundwater samples. The predominant As species in most groundwater samples is arsenite (As3+) which presented in the form of H3AsO3. In addition, the statistical analysis demonstrated that the geochemical parameters affecting the distribution of arsenite-oxidizing bacteria in this study were Fe, Mn, As3+ and As5+. Fe, Mn, and As3+ showed the positive relationship to the β-Proteobacterial cluster, whereas As5+ positively correlated with α-Proteobacterial cluster. The knowledge gain from this study will help better understand the distribution of arsenite-oxidizing bacteria found in groundwater with a broad range of As concentrations.
DETERMINANTS OF THE UTILIZATION OF MATERNAL HEALTH SERVICES IN MYANMAR
Authors:   , San Myat
Published: September 2023

This study explored determinants of the utilization of three types of maternal health services in Myanmar: antenatal care (ANC), institutional delivery, and postnatal care (PNC), testing in particular the predisposing factors, enabling factors and perceived need factors. This study used a secondary dataset drawn from the Myanmar Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16 (MDHS). In this nationally representative survey, the number of households that were originally involved was 12,500, among which 12,885 women and 4,737 men were interviewed. The final sample used for analyses in this study consisted of over 3,800 women who had delivered at least one child within 5 years preceding the survey. Factors associated with the utilization of maternal health services were examined with logistic and ordered logit regressions. The results suggested that, among predisposing factors, age of mothers and levels of education of both mothers and their husbands were generally positively correlated with all three maternal health services. Parity of women was negatively correlated with all the services. Among enabling factors, household wealth had a strong and positive correlation with all three maternal health services. Correspondingly, rural residence had, as expected, a negative correlation with maternal health care utilization. Finally, among perceived need factors, having a complicated (twin or multiple) pregnancy had a significant and positive correlation with the utilization of maternal health services. The results altogether indicated a clear linkage between education and economic well-being, on the one hand, and the utilization of maternal health services (and implicitly better health outcomes), on the other, in Myanmar.
FACTORS INFLUENCING HEALTH CARE UTILIZATION AMONG MIDDLE AGED AND ELDERLY PEOPLE IN CHINA
Authors:   , - Qilimuge
Published: September 2023

Background: China's one-child policy, significant advancement in health care, increase in life expectancy and decrease in birth rate all contribute to rapidly aging society. Proportion of elderly will continue to grow, which will put more burden on an already troubled health care system. This study tries to assess factors influencing health care utilization among middle-aged and elderly people in China. Objective: To analyze factors influencing health care utilization among middle-aged and elderly people in China. Methods: The study used secondary data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) 2013 wave survey. The outcomes of interest include outpatient and inpatient utilization, physical examination and dental care visit. For outpatient and inpatient utilization, the study looked at the choice between public versus private facility. The independent variables are chosen based on the Andersen health care utilization conceptual model. Binary logit is employed as the main estimation method. The study is performed for full sample as well as two sub-samples of the middle-aged and elderly groups. Finally, likelihood ratio test is used to decide whether a full or sub-sample analysis is more appropriate for the data. Furthermore, the magnitude of the impact of each variable on the outcome is interpreted by using marginal effects. Result: For predisposing factors, age has a positive effect on outpatient at public facility, inpatient care and physical examination. Females are more likely to admit and have dental checkup. Higher education attainment has positive effect on getting physical examination and dental care. For enabling factors, those with urban employee basic medical insurance are more likely to use outpatient and inpatient care, and get physical examination. For need factors, people with good self-rated health are less likely to use outpatient, inpatient, physical examination and dental care compared to poor self-rated health counterpart. Conclusions: The increasing demand of health services leads to a shortage of supply, which causes the low accessibility of health care services. In order to cope with this problem, the Chinese government should promote scientific and rational use of health services. Thus, according to evidence from analysis results, the Chinese government must pay attention to factors like health insurance access and reimbursement method, as well as promoting preventive measures to maintain people’s good health, like encouraging socialized and physical exercise.
TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY OF PUBLIC DISTRICT HOSPITALS IN VIETNAM
Authors:   , Lam Thi
Published: September 2023

The objectives of this study aimed to evaluate the Technical Efficiency of public district hospitals in Vietnam and to determine factors affecting the hospitals’ efficiency. Input-Oriented Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model was applied to estimate the technical efficiency scores among 52 public district hospitals in 6 provinces of Vietnam in 2014. Then, Tobit regression model was employed to explore the determinant factors. Results of the DEA indicated that there were considerable variations of efficiency scores in terms of return to scale assumptions. The average variable return to scale technical efficiency (VRSTE) and constant return to scale technical efficiency (CRSTE) were 84.7% and 77.2%, respectively. While, mean scale efficiency (SE) was 90.9%. In this study, 35 (accounted for 67.3%) of DPHs were running inefficiently. In addition, the pattern of scale inefficiency showed that all 44 scale inefficient public district hospitals were increasing return to scale efficiency. Results of the Tobit regression model revealed that non-medical staff-physician ratio (NMSPR) and inpatient admission-physician ratio (IPAPR) were significantly correlated to VRSTE at 95% Confidence Interval. While bed occupancy rate (BOR), outpatient visit-physician ratio (OPVPR) and revenue from user fee-total revenue ratio (RUFTRR) were found insignificantly. Besides, most of determinant variables have the same signs as expected, exception BOR due to the current overload in Vietnamese hospitals. Finally, the findings showed that NMSPR ratio was the most influent explanatory variable because of its highest value coefficient among significant variables.
EFFECTS OF MEMORY COLOR ON COLOR PERCEPTION OF NATURAL OBJECTS UNDER DIFFERENT ILLUMINATION
Authors:   , Cheawsopon Nadol
Published: September 2023

This study aimed to investigate the effects of memory color on color perception of natural objects under different illuminations. A series of experiments were carried out and launched on the Internet through a website (https://memorycolor.net). Seventy-eight observers participated in the experiments. In Experiment 1, observers were asked to provide a typical color of five natural objects (blueberry, broccoli, salmon, sunflower and tomato) based on their memory. The results showed that memory colors were different for different observers. In Experiment 2, observers were shown an image of natural objects and selected the color they perceived. The experimental images of natural objects consisted of a natural object images taken under daylight simulators D65 and modified images to simulate illumination changes. Four different illuminants were tested: red, green, blue and yellow. The results showed that in almost all cases the perceived colors were closer to the match in D65 than to memory color. This indicated that observers were able to separate the illuminant color from the object and perceived the object color as close to its original image. The contribution of memory color to color constancy was weak. In Experiment 3, Mondrian images having the same colors as the images in Experiment 2 were created to investigate color perception of an image without natural objects. The results showed that the color constancy in the object images was higher than in the Mondrian images. The color constancy index averaged across objects and illuminants for the object image was 68%, and 41% for the Mondrian image. Memory color of the familiar object in the scene was not the only cue for discounting the illuminant.