bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biomechanics of sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit in typical children aged 4 - 12 years and young adults
Authors:   , Mapaisansin Potjanun
Published: September 2023

The aim of study is to investigate the biomechanical pattern of sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit movement in children aged 4 to 12 years and young adults. Seventy-six participants were separated into 4 groups as following: (1) 18 children aged 4-6 years; (2) 19 children aged 7-9 years; (3) 20 children aged 10-12 years; (4) 19 adults aged 18-25 years. All participants performed their preferred pattern of sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit movement. The results showed that two patterns of sit-to-stand movement were found including sit-to-stand with and without feet moving backward. Children performed sit-to-stand with and without feet moving backward while adults only performed sit-to-stand with feet moving backward. The proportion of children who did sit-to-stand with feet moving increased as the children were older. For sit-to-stand movement, children aged 4 to 9 years completed the task faster than children aged 10 to 12 years and adults. Children aged 4 to 9 years moved trunk forward faster and had more hip flexion than children aged 10 to 12 years and adults. Moreover, the maximum knee extension moments in children aged 4 to 9 years were less than adults. For stand-to-sit movement, children aged 4 to 9 years showed less knee flexion than adults. In addition, the children aged 4 to 9 years showed lower maximum knee extension and ankle dorsiflexion moments as compared to adults.  Therefore, the children aged 10 years and older would perform sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit movement like adults. This information was useful to help the clinicians to assess and interpret the sit-to-stand and stand–to-sit capability of the children to see how their performance deviated from the typical children. Moreover, this information can be used as the supporting document for clinical decision making in order to apply an appropriate treatment.
ENHANCING H2S SENSING RESPONSE OF CALCIUM COPPER TITANATE THIN FILMS BY ADDING Ag COMPOUNDS
Authors:   , Natkaeo Aukrit
Published: September 2023

Ag-doped CaCu3Ti4O12 (CCTO) thin films with different doping concentrations were prepared by a sol-gel technique. Films were grown by depositing four layers of CCTO on alumina substrates followed by sputtering Au/Cr interdigitated electrodes to fabricate gas sensors. The films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS). The films have predominantly the perovskite CCTO crystal phase with very small amount of TiO2 secondary phases. In this thesis, both undoped CCTO and Ag-doped CCTO thin films were tested for selective sensing to H2S gas relative to NH3, H2, NO2 and ethanol vapor. For characterizing gas sensing properties of the films, gas concentrations in the range of 0.2-10 ppm were used with operating temperatures ranging from 150 to 350 °C. When compared to undoped CCTO sensor, the Ag-doped CCTO sensors presented much higher response. The best sensor response towards H2S was found in 0.9 wt% Ag-doped CCTO film and at the optimum operating temperature of 250 °C. The highest response of the sensor based on the 0.9 wt% Ag-doped CCTO film to 10 ppm of H2S is approximately 99 which is ten times than that of a sensor based on undoped CCTO film. The doped film sensor also showed stability and relatively short response and recovery times. It is found that Ag plays a role promoting the adsorption as well as the catalytic oxidation of H2S. Therefore, Ag-doped CCTO films with small doping concentration constitute an excellent candidate for developing H2S sensors operating at low-temperatures.
Plasma characteristics and ion etching performance in hard disk drive slider fabrication processes
Authors:   , Wongpanit Napakan
Published: September 2023

A hard disk drive (HDD) is the permanent magnetic data storage and one of the most important components of computers, electronic devices and cloud data storage service facility. The data reading and writing are operated by the reader and writer parts of HDD head or slider. These reader and writer were made of multilayer thin ilms of different materials, forming a tunneling magnetoresistive (TMR) device. In HDD production, the ion beam etching (IBE) process was used in the preparation of surface patterns and cleaning in many fabrication steps. The Monte Carlo-based simulation package, SRIM was applied to calculate the etching yields and %energy loss of those materials in the TMR structure. The calculation showed that the etching yields of materials reach the maximum value, at an incident angle of 70° to the normal surface. The total etching yields of compounds were calculated from the etching yield of each element. The plasma characterization in an industrial-size IBE system has been performed to extract the plasma characteristic at different process conditions. The effects of process parameters in IBE system such as incident beam angle, ion beam current and gas flow in the system were analyzed.  The floating potential of plasma in this IBE system with the electron compensation from a plasma bridge neutralizer (PBN) is 3 V, while the plasma potential is 2.5 V.  The ion current densities in the actual system and the etching rate of different TMR materials were calculated.
Tribological characterization of lapping lubricant in hard disk drive fabrication
Authors:   , Jitphayomkun Sawanee
Published: September 2023

One of the most important processes in hard disk drive fabrication is the lapping process. As two bodies are in contact, the friction occurs, and the softer material can be worn out by the harder. By using lubricant in the lapping process, it does not only reduce the friction, but it also transfers heat and captures debris away from the surface contacts. This thesis work focused on the effects of tribological parameters toward the characteristics of lubricants, using ball-on-disk tribometer. The tribological behaviors between using different base lubricants were investigated. At the same condition as final lapping process, EG-based and oil-based lubricants exhibited the average coefficient of friction (after 100 contact cycles) at about 0.089± 0.115 and 0.023±0.012, respectively. These values were much lower than without lubricants. Scanning electron microscopy results confirmed deeper and wilder wear tracks on dry lubricant than those with lubricants. Dry surface exhibited the boundary regime, which the normal load and sliding speed has no influence on its friction regime. By using oil-based lubricant, the friction regime transited from mixed to boundary regime, as the normal load increased. Applying EG-based lubricant, the friction regime transited from mixed for lower sliding speed to hydrodynamic regime for higher sliding speed at 0.1N but transited from mixed regime to boundary regime at 0.5N instead. Moreover, the effects of adding additives in EG based lubricant were also studied. It was found that by added surfactant on EG-based lubricant its friction belongs to boundary regime. While added corrosion inhibitors its friction belongs to mixed regimes.
Catalytic activity study of NixSny intermetallics
Authors:   , Noomnual Anchernsiri
Published: September 2023

Cinnamyl alcohol (COL), versatile chemical in fragrance, flavoring, and pharmaceutical industries, can be found in only small amounts in nature. Generally, COL can be synthesized via selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde (CALD), natural oil, at aldehyde functional group under high pressure of hydrogen gas. In this work, NixSny intermetallics were used as catalysts in selective hydrogenation to obtain COL. These catalysts were synthesized via mechanical alloying, economic and environmental method, and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). By using 43, 58, and 75% tin contents with nickel, Ni3Sn, Ni3Sn2, and Ni3Sn4 intermetallics were prepared, respectively. In addition, formic acid was used as a proton-hydride source to convert CALD to COL. The optimal time, temperature, type and amount of NixSny catalyst, and also rate of formic acid adding were studied. The result showed that the optimal conditions were 300 mg Ni3Sn4, 5 mmol CALD and 25 µl per 5 min of FA in 10 ml THF at 60 ˚C for 3 h reaction time to the maximum yield of COL. Under these conditions, COL was obtained at 1.8% yield with 36.7% conversion. However, other products (hydrocinnamyl alcohol, hydrocinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, and benzaldehyde) were also detected by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID).
Development of water-based adhesives for oriented Polypropylene (OPP) lamination
Authors:   , Ruanpan Sarocha
Published: September 2023

Eco-friendly laminating adhesive has been developed for flexible packaging industries due to urgent restriction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions from anthropogenic sources. The water-based polyurethane laminating adhesive was derived by a condensation polymerization of isophorone diisocyanate, polypropylene glycol and 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid, while the water-based polyacrylate laminating adhesive was synthesized by an emulsion polymerization of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, ethylene glycol methyl ether acrylate, styrene, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and acrylic acid. The parameters influencing the adhesive’s performance consisted of chemical composition, reinforcing fillers and manufacturing processes. Among those parameters, the fabrication of waterborne core-shell polyacrylate laminating adhesive through a two-stage seeded semi-batch emulsion polymerization was desirable with a rigid core having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of -14.9 °C encapsulated by a soft shell having Tg ranging from -18.4 °C to -32.0 °C, depending on variables. The optimal formulation was accomplished using a core-to-shell ratio of 0.5 and 10 wt% of ethylene glycol methyl ether acrylate concentration in its shell, giving a bonded joint 180° peel strength 214.5 N/m with high cohesive strength and good adhesion to various substrates. This water-based laminating adhesive system has the possibility of replacing solventborne technology.
Adaptation of terrilactibacillus laevilacticus SK5-6 for growth and d-lactic acid production in a low yeast extract concentration medium
Authors:   , Limsampancharoen Srettapat
Published: September 2023

Lactic acid has been extensively used in food, personal care, and pharmaceutical products. Besides, lactic acid can be used as the sole feedstock in the synthesis of polylactic acid (PLA), the biodegradable plastic. The demand of the bioplastics including PLA has been increased due to the environmental impact of petroleum based plastic; therefore, this expedited the market demand of lactic acid. It should be noted that the polymer grade lactic acid is unlike those commercially available products for food and pharmaceutical applications. The high purity of stereoisomer either D-lactate or L-lactate is mandatory in PLA polymerization. In addition, the production cost should be low in order to be competitive with the plastic commodities widely used nowadays. To fill those production gaps, one needs to develop the simple yet effective fermentation platform for lactic acid production. Microbial strain is one of the crucial factors. Terrilactibacillus laevilacticus SK5-6, a novel lactic acid producing genus, was preliminary isolated and screened for the production of D-lactic acid at a remarkable high production rate in a small scale culture using the enriched culture medium containing yeast extract. In industrial lactate fermentation, yeast extract is considered as the key component that facilitate cell growth and lactate production yet mainly contribute to high production cost. In this thesis, phenotypic adaptation technique was implemented in T. laevilacticus SK5-6 to produce D-lactic acid in the production medium containing a lowering concentration of yeast extract. With the new adaptive isolate of T. laevilacticus SK5-6 to be obtained, a lower medium cost required in lactic acid production was acquired. During phenotypic adaptation, it was found that at the beginning of the preculture transfer (T4-T8), the low final cell biomass concentration was obtained. After that, the final cell biomass concentration was increased and became comparable to the theoretical value (5% biomass conversion yield from glucose). Later, the adapted isolate T. laevilacticus SK5-6 T20 was used in D-lactic acid fermentation. The similar final product concentration and yield with the prolonged production to that obtained in the fermentation by the wild type isolate in the original base case medium were obtained. From the findings in this thesis, phenotypic adaptation was claimed as an excellent tool in strain improvement for enhancing the fermentation process efficiency.
Health status and behavior influences to sleep quality among community-dwelling elderly in Chanthaburi Province, Thailand
Authors:   , Siripanich Chanisa
Published: September 2023

Purpose – The trend of sleep disorder is typically more common in aged changes due to health condition changes leading to poor sleep satisfies. Therefore the purpose of this study was to examine the rate and factors associated to sleep quality among Community-Dwelling Elderly in Chanthaburi Province, Thailand. Design/methodology/approach – A cross-sectional was conducted in 208 elderly by multi-stage sampling. All participants were interviewed by the questionnaire. sleep quality was assessed by Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI). Sleep quality score ≥ 5 indicating poor sleep quality. Chi-square tests and  Multivariate logistic regression models were performed to find significant associations. Findings – We found that 208 participants found 66.3% were poor sleep quality with score ≥ 5 PSQI. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for gender, age, and BMI, the multivariate logistic regression model, presented that elders had never participated social activities was increased poor sleep quality 5.962-fold odds (p.value<0.05; 95% CI 1.459 – 24.361). Elders had never prayed before sleep was increased poor sleep quality 1.478-fold odds (p.value<0.05; 95% CI 0.273 – 0.838). Perception of musculoskeletal problem was increased poor sleep quality 2.288-fold odds (p.value<0.05; 95% CI 1.249 – 4.192). Bladder problem perception was increased poor sleep quality 2.618-fold odds  (p.value<0.05; 95% CI 1.084 – 6.327). Depression was increased poor sleep quality 3.275-fold odds (p.value<0.05; 95% CI 1.179 - 9.095). Lastly, smoking was increased poor sleep quality 2.147-fold odds (p.value<0.05; 95% CI 1.062 – 4.340). Originality/value – Promoting intervention regulation strategies particularly improving social participation, health education to prevent chronic diseases, and engages the mental health among elderly are essential.
FACTORS ASSOCIATED HYPERTENSION AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN DILI MUNICIPALITY TIMOR LESTE
Authors:   , Mery Estela
Published: September 2023

Purpose: Hypertension in pregnancy is one main cause of maternal morbidity among pregnant women worldwide and is also a significant public health concern. This study aimed to find factors associated with hypertension among pregnant women in Dili municipality of Timor Leste. Design/Methodology/approach: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 438 pregnant women at the Five Community Health Centre in Dili municipality, Timor Leste between April and May 2018. Face to face interview was conducted. Descriptive analysis, bivariate analysis, and multivariate analysis logistic regression were performed by SPSS version 22.0 were used to analyze the data. Findings: The prevalence of hypertension among pregnant women was 23.5%. Salty food intake (p=0.027), noise disturbance during daytime (p=0.027), and the distance to the main road (pP=0.004) were associated with hypertension among pregnant women. In the multivariate analysis, increased a week of pregnancy (AOR = 1.031; 95% CI: 1.004, 1.058), ever been diagnosed with hypertension during pregnancy (AOR = 10.297; 95% CI: 3.133, 33.840), and quite noisy during daytime (AOR = 0.393; 95% CI: 0.183, 0.841) were increased risk of conducted developed significant associated with hypertension status among pregnant women. Conclusion: The prevalence rates were lower than pregnant women with non-hypertension within Dili municipality, Timor Leste. Having a salty food during pregnancy and noise disturbance may increase a risk of high blood pressure among pregnant women. The adequate health education program in preventive high blood pressure and promotion knowledge about related factors and counseling is extremely needed in order to reduce hypertension and the factors may influence hypertension in pregnancy.
Integrated Communicative Health Literary(ICHL) among Thai type 2 diabetic patients in SamutSongkram Province Thailand: a case study of CHL towarddiabetes type outcome
Authors:   , Prabsangob Kantapong
Published: September 2023

This multi –phasing study aimed to develop and evaluate an integrated communicative health literacy program (ICHL Program) for type 2 diabetic patients in Bangkonthee district, Samut Songkram province, Thailand.  The study divided into four phases. Phase 1-2 : Cross sectional study was conducted using quantitative (n =415) and qualitative study (n =14) which aimed to assess the level of health literacy of the DM patients aged 50-80 years old and  describing providers’ and patients’ perception towards promoting health literacy. Phase 3: Developing and implementing ICHL (based on  the findings of   cross-sectional study). Phase 4: Evaluating the effect of the ICHL.  The cross-sectional study shown that the participants has moderate level of health literacy.  The quasi experimental study was employed to evaluate the effect of the ICHL. 70 diabetes patients aged between 50 and 80 years, living in a rural Thai community was purposively selected and divided into two groups of 35 patients. Then, they were selected to be an intervention groups receiving the ICHL program and a control group receiving a regular health literacy promotion program. A questionnaire was used to assess socio-demographic characteristics, and self-care behavior. The 3-level Health Literacy Scale developed by Ishikawa was used to assess health literacy level. Patients’ blood sugars (HbA1c) were retrieved from hospital patient health records. The measurements of dependent variables were conducted three times: at baseline, after the intervention (three months), and during six months follow up. Descriptive statistic, Chi square, t-test, and repeated-measure ANOVA were used for data analysis. The finding showed the significant improvement in health literacy, self-care behavior, and HbA1c after 3 month participation in the program ( p-value <0.05), but not sustainable through 6 month participation. It was concluded that the Integrated Communicative Health Literacy program could enable diabetic patients to control their blood sugar, increase health literacy and enhance their self-care behavior to control their blood sugar.
Effectiveness of a personally-tailored oral care program on improving periodontal status among Thai persons with physical disabilities in Pathum Thani province, Thailand
Authors:   , Sermsuti-anuwat Nithimar
Published: September 2023

The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate the Personally-Tailored Oral Care Program on improving periodontal status among Thai persons with physical disabilities.

This quasi-experimental study was conducted at Independent Living Center, a community club for persons with disabilities in Pathum Thani province, Thailand from February to May 2018. Total of 80 members who registered in Ladlumkaeo district (control) and Thanyaburi district (intervention), Pathum Thani Province were included (each group comprising 40 participants). Data were analyzed by using Chi-square test, t-test and repeated measures analysis of variance.

The results, there were strongly significant difference in bleeding on probing (BOP), plaque index (PI) and oral health behavior knowledge mean score (p<0.001) and there was a significant difference in oral health literacy (p = 0.027) between the intervention and control group at the 12-week follow-up. Substantially significant differences in BOP, PI, OHB and OHL mean score were found within the intervention group after they received the Personally-Tailored Oral Care Program (p< 0.001).

The Personally-Tailored Oral Care Program was effective for improving periodontal condition and generated oral health behavior knowledge and oral health literacy among Thai persons with physical disabilities.
Prevalence of Salmonella Spp. Contamination in Hen egg and Relationship among Sociodemographic Knowledge and Behavior of the Egg Consumer in Bangkok Thailand
Authors:   , Sriruengsuk Pollawat
Published: September 2023

Hen egg is the main of protien source in food ingredient and frequently contaminated by Salmonella spp. This research was aimed to study about the prevalence of Salmonella in egg sold in Sukhumvit area and the relationship between socio-demographic knowledge and behavior of the egg consumer in Bangkok, Thailand. This study was collected the egg samples of each grade such as Ordinary, Salmonella free and Chemical free grades that being sold in fresh market or supermarket in Sukhumvit area. Then all samples were isolated to detect Salmonella spp. according ISO6579 method. For the second part to find the relationship between socio-demographic factors affected on knowledge level and egg consumption behavior.This study was used the questionnaire reviewed by food safety expert then taken the result to calculate the relation between each other socio-demographic factors using statistical method. This study was indicated the prevalence of Salmonella spp. was not significant different in each grade of the collected eggs. The socio-demographic factors were shown the age ,education level and household income effected on knowledge of egg hygiene level however there were reveal that no any socio-demographic factor effected on egg consumption behavior.
Relationship between workload and obesity among dentists in regional health no.8, Northeastern, Thailand
Authors:   , Gaysorn Satianpong
Published: September 2023

Propose: Primary Objective is to find a relation between dentist’s workload and obesity while secondary objective is to find a relation between other independent factors and Obesity.

Design: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study with population of all 365 dentists in Regional Health no.8 area. From formulation, the sample size need at least 191 but will send out questionnaire to all individual in population in case of people unwillingness or unqualified for the study. Dental Workload questionnaire will adapted from ADA, Iowa, Utah, and Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Thailand. Other than that standardized questionnaires from WHO GPAQ, WHO Audit, WHO MPOWER, Ramathibodi Hospital Sleep Disorder Center, Mahidol University, and Bureau of Health Promotion. All questionnaires were sent to all MOPH hospital within Health Region No.8. There’s an envelope with stamp inside each questionnaire’s sealbag so that the participant or hospital staff will send back to the author without any fee.

Findings: 209 participants sent the survey back. Relationship between overall working time and working time in office hour and BMI are only little positive correlation while working time outside office hour and number of patient doesn't significantly related to BMI at all. Completing all request appointment and felt overworked leads to higher chance of being obesity and abdominal obesity. 

Value: This study could be a supporting evidence if there’s an establishment of policy on protecting and improving Thai dentist’s quality of life.
Effects of short-term growth hormone administration on plasma leptin levels in normal and diet-induced obesity rats
Authors:   , Likitnukul Sutharinee
Published: September 2023

Obesity has related to the alteration of hormonal profiles, i.e. growth hormone (GH), insulin and leptin.  Because of the pleiotropic mechanisms of GH, it plays important roles both in the pathophysiological mechanisms and the therapeutic hormonal supplementation, which probably affected plasma leptin. The present research aimed firstly to demonstrate the effect of short-term GH administration on plasma leptin in 3 conditions; basal, meal-induced and fasting condition, from the rats with different adipose tissue mass. Secondly, to investigate short-term effect of GH on insulin sensitivity and body adiposity in control, diet resistant (DR) and diet-induced obesity (DIO) rats. In this regard, the rats were divided to control and hypercaloric (HC) diet-feeding rats. After 6 weeks of feeding period, HC diet-feeding rats were selected for DR and DIO rats. Exogenous GH (1 mg/kg, twice daily) was injected and compared with saline-treated rats. Short-term GH treatment decreased plasma leptin only in DIO rats that significantly occurred at 32 h after the first GH injection. The leptin response probably depended on the higher body adiposity in DIO rats than that of control and DR rats. For meal-induced plasma leptin, short-term GH treatment had no effect in all rats. For fasting condition, GH treatment attenuated the effect of fasting on plasma leptin in control and DR rats, which had the lower adiposity than that of DIO rats. Insulin resistance (IR) was induced by short-term GH treatment, which demonstrated by the higher fasting insulin and increased surrogate indexes of insulin resistance in DR rats, including the homeostasis model IR and adipose tissue IR. Therefore, we conclude that the effect of short-term GH treatment on plasma leptin might depend on body adiposity and energy status. These findings reveal the evidence of short-term GH treatment on plasma leptin and may suggest the short-term GH treatment as adjunctive therapy in obese stage.
INCREASING VIABILITY OF PROBIOTIC BACTERIA CO-ENCAPSULATED WITH PREBIOTIC FOR DISEASE RESISTANCE IN WHITE SHRIMP Litopenaeus vannamei
Authors:   , Jantarathin Suppharada
Published: September 2023

The main problem of probiotics is the low survival of these microorganisms in food products and sensitive to harsh conditions during food processing, storage and in the gastrointestinal tract. The suitable technology for protecting probiotics to maintain the high number of probiotic cells in product and survived within the host which is microencapsulation technique. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of prebiotic which is inulin or Jerusalem artichoke on the survival of encapsulated Lactobacillus acidophilus TISTR 1338 within alginate matrix and double-coated with chitosan after freeze-drying process and heat processing at 70°C for 60 min. Furthermore, the effects of co-encapsulated cells on growth performance, survival and disease resistance in white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei also determined. The results showed that the highest survival after freeze-drying process of co-encapsulated cells was 3% alginate, 3% prebiotic and double coated with 0.8% chitosan condition which the survival percentage was 84.2% in inulin treatment and 85.3% treatment. In addition, the results showed that survival of co-encapsulated cells with inulin and Jerusalem artichoke were 62.8% and 68.16%, respectively that was significantly different higher than control after heat processing. From these results, co-encapsulated cells with Jerusalem artichoke could be useful to protect probiotic cells from feed processing. Consequently, the encapsulated cells were incorporated into shrimp feed supplement and cultured white shrimp for 60 days. The result showed that shrimp fed with co-encapsulated cells with Jerusalem artichoke had higher average shrimp weight gain and survival rate than control. Moreover, shrimp fed with feed supplement diet showed the cumulative mortality lower than control after challenge test with Vibrio harveyi. The study concluded that the L. acidophilus could be protected by microencapsulation technique, it can be further developed and applied in the aquaculture feed industry to prolong the life and viability of probiotic cells.
FACTORS INFLUENCING THE UTILIZATION OF INTERMITTENTPREVENTIVE TREATMENT FOR MALARIA CONTROL DURING PREGNANCY AMONG MOTHERS OF UNDER ONE CHILDREN IN RURAL LILONGWE, MALAWI
Authors:   , Mafuleka Taonga
Published: September 2023

Routine administration of Sulphadoxine Pyrimethamine (SP) to pregnant women for intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp) of malaria during pregnancy leads to improved maternal health and pregnancy outcomes. This study explores determinants for IPTp-SP utilization among mothers of under-one children in rural Lilongwe, Malawi. Using multi-stage sampling method, this cross sectional study recruited 355 mothers of children under the age of one year from six health facilities. Respondents were aged 18-49 years and were interviewed using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Bivariate analysis using Chi-Square and multivariate analysis (binary logistic regression) were performed. Overall, 84.0% of the mothers attended at least three antenatal care (ANC) visits, exposing them to the prospect of receiving optimal IPTp-SP. However, only 24.8% of the mothers received optimal (3+) doses of IPTp while 52.7% took partial (1-2) doses, and 22.5% did not utilize the intervention during pregnancy. Factors associated with IPTp utilization include knowledge (p = 0.005), attitudes (p < 0.001), timing of ANC visit (p < 0.001) and frequency of visits (p = 0.005), health education (p < 0.001), and perceived benefits of IPTp (p < 0.001). Women who were observed by a health worker while taking the SP were more likely to receive optimal IPTp (AOR 6.96; 95%CI 2.04-23.71). Women who expressed satisfaction with service delivery at ANC clinics also had higher likelihood of optimal IPTp-SP utilization (AOR 1.94; 95%CI 1.07-3.51). Despite a high ANC coverage, optimal IPTp-SP utilization in the study area is low. Apart from the influence of the identified client-level factors, this is low coverage can be attributable to health workers’ non-adherence to IPTp guidelines leading to missed opportunities. Program efforts should aim at addressing the identified knowledge gaps and reinforcing community trust in the intervention. Operational research is recommended to explore bottlenecks limiting effective coverage of the intervention.
Barriers to Prompt and Effective Malaria Treatment among Malaria Infected Patients in Palaw Township, Tanintharyi Region,Myanmar : Cross Sectional Study
Authors:   , Naing Zar
Published: September 2023

Barriers to Prompt and Effective Malaria Treatment among Malaria Infected Patients in Palaw Township, Tanintharyi Region, Myanmar : Cross Sectional Study Background: In Greater Mekong Sub regions, Myanmar is the highest malaria burden country. At the Myanmar–Thailand border, Artemisinin resistance in Plasmodium falciparum has been present for several years . Prompt and effective malaria treatment is the corner stone to reduce malaria morbidity , mortality and drug resistance malaria. Although National Malaria Control Program leads to fill the gaps for prompt and effective treatment of malaria, gaps are still present related to sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge of malaria, treatment seeking behaviors, health system factors such as accessibility, availability, affordability of services and accountability of health providers. There were no previous studies to assess these barriers in this area. The objective of the research is to assess barriers (sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of malaria, behaviors related to treatment seeking and health system factors) regarding prompt and effective malaria treatment among malaria infected patients in Palaw Township, Tanintharyi Region, Myanmar. Method: The study design is descriptive cross sectional study. The study population were 18 to 65 years old malaria infected patients from January 2018 to March 2018 in 17 high risk malaria villages of Palaw Township. Sample size is 204 malaria infected patients and selected randomly from each village. Face to face interview was done by using structured questionnaires. Bivariate analysis and binary logistic regression were used to assess association, strength of association and determine the model of determinants. Results: The respondents of 85.8% did not get prompt and effective malaria treatment within 24 hours due to barriers. There were statistically significant with sociodemographic characteristics (marital status, ethnicity, education status and monthly family income) (p value <0.05), good knowledge of malaria (p value < 0.001, AOR= 65.3, 95% CI), good behaviors related to treatment seeking (p value = 0.021, AOR = 3.889, 95% CI) , health system factors (p value<0.05) and prompt and effective malaria treatment at 95% Confidence interval. Conclusion: The findings suggested that prompt and effective malaria treatment was influenced by sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of malaria, behaviors related to treatment seeking and health system factors. Enhancing the knowledge and promotion of good behaviors about malaria should be done through health education sessions and health system factors due to health providers should be managed by Local Health Authority.
Chinese Tourists' perception for Medical Tourism Services in Bangkok, Thailand
Authors:   , Liu Zhuang
Published: September 2023

The objectives of this research, a cross-sectional study, were twofold: 1) to investigate the factor structure of medical tourism perception among Chinese tourists, 2) to investigate the correlation between medical tourism perception and demographic, health characteristics among Chinese tourists. The data were analysed by performing Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) with varimax rotation method. The questionnaire was distributed to the samples covering 481 Chinese tourists currently travelling to Thailand through travel agency as tour group and as Free Individual Tourists (FIT). The purposive sampling technique, a non-probability sampling, was used for data collection. The research findings can be summarized as follows: a) the Chinese tourists’perception for medical services consists of 4 factors: 1) country environment 2) tourism destination 3) medical tourism cost and 4) medical facility and services, b) the tourists’education level correlated with total perception, tourism destination, medical tourism cost and medical tourism facility and services, the coefficient correlation constituted -0.27; -0.20; -0.14 and -0.36, respectively. Besides, the results indicated that the structure of Chinese tourists’ perception towards medical tourism services corresponded to the previous studies. Worth pointing out is that, the samples’level of education has negative correlation to their medical tourism services perception. It is recommended that the further study of medical tourism should focus on the following aspects: 1. the role of medical intermediaries in medical tourism, 2. the economic impacts of medical tourism on developing countries and, last but not least, the steady increase of medical tourism costs and services in developed countries.
A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COURT-TYPE TRADITIONAL THAI MASSAGE VERSUS TOPICAL DICLOFENAC TO TREAT FROZEN SHOULDER
Authors:   , Tankitjanon Puangpaka
Published: September 2023

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the court-type traditional Thai massage (CTTM) in treating patients suffering from frozen shoulder in comparison with topical diclofenac (TD). A randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Thai Traditional Medical Service Center, Sukhothai Thammatirat University, Nonthaburi province. The participants of idiopathic frozen shoulder were diagnosed by the orthopedic doctor. Sixty female patients aged were randomly assigned to receive CTTM (treatment group, n=30) and TD (control group, n=30). CTTM was performed for 12 sessions during a 1–6 week period, and followed up at week 8th, 10th. TD was administered 5 g three times a day for 6 weeks, and followed up at week 8th, 10th. The outcomes of this research were assessed by shoulder range of motion (SROM), pain intensity (by VAS), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), shoulder function assessment (by VAS) and quality of life (QoL). Descriptive statistics was used as percentage, mean and standard deviation. Inferential statistics was used by repeated ANOVA, Friedman test, paired t-test and student t-test. The results found that the comparison within the same group in both CTTM and TD groups showed the significant improvement of SROM (P<0.05) but the average values of SROM of CTTM group at week2 nd week4th and week6 th were significantly better than those of TD group (p<0.05). Both CTTM and TD groups showed the significant relief pain intensity at week2 nd week4th and week6 th (P<0.05), but VAS scores of CTTM group were significantly better than those of TD group. DASH and VAS (shoulder function assessment) score significantly decreased after treatment (p < 0.0001). In addition, the scores between CTTM and TD groups after treatment were not significantly different. The overall picture of quality scores indicated that both CTTM and TD showed significant improvement of QoL within the same group (P<0.05). In addition, the scores of QoL between CTTM and TD groups after treatment showed that CTTM group was significantly better than TD group. Both CTTM and TD were capable to heal frozen shoulder and demonstrated a positive effect but CTTM could cure frozen shoulder better than TD. The side effects of CTTM were not found.
Effectiveness of healing touch technique among autistic patient : a randomized control trial
Authors:   , Sresumatchai Vanvisa
Published: September 2023

This randomized control trial study aimed to compare of effectiveness of healing touch technique in changing of behavior problem of autism patient between intervention group and control group of autistic children in Nonthaburi Autistic Center, Nonthaburi province. Data was collected by using a self-administered questionnaire from parent of autistic among 64 sampled (59 Male, 5 female) age of samples ranged from 13-26 years were included in this study. Binary logistic regression, Generalized Linear Model, and Generalized Estimating Equations were applied for the analysis.For main symptom of autistic, most of them were repetitive behavior and fixated interests 78.5% and 75.0% respectively. Lack of imaginative seemed to more proportion for male more than female 65.6% and 6.3% respectively. However, model variance explained in – 2Log Likelihood to goodness of fit test in two model for 7 independent variables for deficits in social-emotional reciprocity of autistic behavior (-2Log Likelihood= 135.230). The Hosmer and Lemeshow test to goodness for fit model divided by equal case to ten groups present Wald Chi-Square and P-value (15.846, 0.045) whereof chi-square was 15.846 while significance was 0.045 which more than 0.05 that mean this model is goodness for fit and reject null hypothesis. The omnibus test of model coefficients present in 3 value chi-square of Model, Block, and Step as follow: Model present in the model chi-square for hypothesis test (109.192) and value of significance = .000 thereby reject null hypothesis, Block chi-square was chance of value in -2LL for block of 7 independent variable was equal value in model chi-square, Step chi-square was the value of -2LL with changed on model create that coefficient of added variable in each step of two model in parent used healing touch technique and parent use usual care accordingly Model, Block, and Step were equal value of Chi-square.
Plan member’s heterogeneity, economic regime effect and their implication on the management and sustainability of retirement funds
Authors:   , Danswasvong Thepdanai
Published: September 2023

This research studies the importance of plan members’ heterogeneity to the management of defined benefit (DB) pension fund. We propose a new multi-member model of DB pension fund that allows for heterogeneity in plan members’ retirement ages, salary growths, and other characteristics. We first solve analytically for optimal management strategy and show that the sponsor’s supplementary contribution and the fund’s allocation in risky assets are determined by the cross-product between the fund’s expected retirement liabilities and some heterogeneity-adjusted discount factors. We then demonstrate that the presence of heterogeneity can have a significant influence on the optimal management strategy and that a management decision made while ignoring heterogeneity will be suboptimal. However, solving for the true optimality decision under multi-member setting requires high computational resources, which is exponentially increasing with the number of members. We suggest a way to reduce dimensionality by approximating the multi-member problem with a series of single-member (adaptive representative agent or ARA) problems. Our ARA is the weighted average of all the remaining plan members. Higher weight is given to plan member with higher heterogeneity-adjusted expected benefit liability. Compared to the simple average approach, our novel approach is shown to be better especially under unfavorable market conditions. Lastly, we looked at the effect of heterogeneity on a country-level scale and try to understand its effects on the sustainability of a country’s social security system. In our model, we argue that population heterogeneity is the key in unifying competing theories on strategic reforms and their effects on sustainability. Different aspects of heterogeneity have characteristically different effects to the system’s aggregate taxation credit and investment return and thus the system’s lifetime estimate.
A case study of an english teacher learning community in Thailand
Authors:   , Duangmani Hasakamon
Published: September 2023

One of the current approaches to improving instructional quality is to form a Teacher Learning Community (TLC), in which teachers collaborate and support each other’s development. In this study, the learning and instructional practices of five English teachers working in public schools in Sisaket were examined over the period of three months while they were collaborating in one TLC that the group established on their own free will. Data from the observations, journals, and lesson plans were then analyzed using the coding method.

The findings revealed benefits of TLC on teacher learning and instructional practices. The English teachers in this study seemed to learn how to improve their instructional practices from the processes in TLC including lesson plan preparation using online resources, lesson plan sharing, and classroom implementation. The findings also indicated that TLC improved the teachers’ instructional practices in a few areas. The findings suggest the promotion of establishing TLC based on the interests of the members, rather than as a requirement. Due to the time constraints for face to face meetings, future research may explore how online collaboration may help overcome this challenge in TLC.
Students’ Motivation and Teachers’ Motivational Strategies in English Language Classrooms in Unstable Socio-political Contexts
Authors:   , Nra Hkawn
Published: September 2023

This study investigated students’ motivation, teachers’ use of motivational strategies in English classrooms in an unstable socio-political state in Myanmar. In addition, how the situation affected the use of motivational strategies was also explored. Since previous studies have shown how students and teachers in such areas may be affected by the situation, this study will provide insights into how teacher education institutions can prepare and support the teachers in such areas. Sequential explanatory mix-method was employed and the data were collected from 172 students and 5 teachers in eleventh grade English classrooms from five upper secondary schools. Questionnaires, classroom observations, and semi-structured interviews were used to collect the data. The quantitative data were analyzed using a statistical package and the qualitative data were analyzed using the coding method with an emphasis on themes and patterns.

Three major findings were revealed. First, the data from all sources suggested that most students recognized the importance of learning English and internally interested in English. In the classes, they were observed to participate in the learning activities actively. However, some of the students were found to lack motivation—not paying close attention to the lesson. The interviews also showed how the students’ motivation in learning in general was affected by the unstable socio-political situation in the state. The students reported feeling insecure about their future and that had affected their interests in learning. Second, the five teachers were observed to employ controlling strategies to motivate the students. Last, this use of controlling strategies was not found to be influenced directly by the unstable socio-political situation however. All teachers, regardless of their awareness of the effects the war had on students’ learning and motivation, relied heavily on controlling motivational strategies such as giving commands, using punishment, and so on. These findings suggest teachers’ lack of understanding of how to nurture students’ intrinsic motivation in vulnerable situations; therefore, further investigation on teacher knowledge and teacher beliefs about motivational strategies is recommended.
Measurement of organisational innovativeness of public agencies in Asean
Authors:   , Thipayang Salinthip
Published: September 2023

As public sector organisations strive to balance priorities to meet increasing public demands, they need to be more innovative and changes bureaucratic behaviors, administrative methods, and implementing new way of conducting routine work processes. This study combines both qualitative and quantitative empirical research methods with the objectives to 1) review how organisational innovativeness (OI) has been measured and identify the important factors affecting OI of public agencies, 2) develop and validate a suitable measurement framework model and indicators for measuring OI in ASEAN public agencies, 3) to create an online web-based application (POINTinno.com) to adequately measure OI, and 4) test how POINTinno.com was perceived by the potential users and assess its commercialisation potential. In order to be more innovative and competitive, public organisations require 1) innovative culture, 2) strong transformation leadership, 3) innovative strategy with effective followed-through mechanism to mitigate changes, 4) motivated and capable workforce, 5) sufficient resources and funds, 6) innovative management capability and practices, 7) effective performance monitoring and evaluation system, and 8) outreach collaborative networks and supportive external contexts and regulations to foster innovation.  POINTinno.com was developed to assess OI across ASEAN and the results showed that the scales have high internal consistency and reliability with Cronbach’s Alpha values of 0.896 – 0.955 (n = 290). First order confirmatory factor analysis results revealed that the latent variables and indicators in POINT fitted the empirical data with indices of comparative fit index (CFI) of 0.997, Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI) of 0.995, chi-square χ2 (14, N = 290) = 20.024, p =.129, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) of 0.039, and standardized root mean squared residual (SRMR) of 0.011. Moreover, the observed factor loadings of the eight factors of POINT ranged from 0.662 - 0.902 and were significant at p <.01 indicating that the eight factors are the important indicators of public OI.  User technology acceptance test of POINTinno.com revealed that the users were satisfied in using the application as a multi criteria decision analysis and decision support program with high mean average score of 4.12 (SD 0.771). The commercialisation analysis revealed that the NPV of the POINTinn.com was estimated at 1.60 million Baht, IRR=170%, and the estimated payback period of initial total investment at approximately 12 months. This research study contributes to a much needed empirically validated OI framework model as well as the development of a reliable tool to adequately measure, benchmark, and assess public OI in ASEAN developing countries.