bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improvement of Forex Pairs trading strategy with Machine learning algorithms
Authors:   , Jirapongpan Ronnachai 
Published: September 2023

This thesis aims to study machine learning to improve the trading performance of pairs trading strategy. Pairs trading strategy is one of the most well-known algorithm trading developed in the 1980s by a group of scientists and mathematicians. The concept of the pairs trading strategy is to exploit the mispricing of two equities which their prices tend to move in the same manner. When the algorithm captures the mispricing behavior by equations or indicators, traders open a short position on the equity which its price is relatively higher than the equilibrium and open long position of the other equity. If the prices reach an equilibrium point, the trade positions are closed with realized profit/loss. However, there are many factors that influence the profitability of the algorithm. This thesis applies machine algorithms that consist of Artificial Neural Network, Logistic Regression, and XGBoost to predict the profitability from lagging indicators from the trading records. The methodology of the thesis aims to tune and maximize the performance of machine learning algorithms such as feature selection, standardization, GridSearchCV, etc. The result of using trained machine learning is quite satisfactory. The scores from implementing the machine learning on out-of-sample are mostly higher than 60%, meaning that the models are capable of predicting the profitability of signals from lagging indicators. The cumulative profit or the balance curve from using machine learning is significantly higher than the balance curve from normal pairs trading strategy.
Empowerment of indigenous women in recovery of post-earthquake 2015 in Nepal: a feminist perspective
Authors:   , Premruethairat Mintira 
Published: September 2023

Discrimination against gender and caste can be overwhelming issue to a person or a group who faces it. Similarly, indigenous women of Nepal have been facing impediments in regard to unequal power relations caused by gender, identity, as well as disaster. With the conceptualization of Feminist Political Ecology, this paper analyzes the subjectivities of a feminist perspective that highlights the lives of indigenous women pre-earthquake and their experiences on how they are affected by power relations in political ecology of Nepal. Along with the findings of the indigenous women’s lives and their experiences amid the earthquake 2015 have also been analyzed with the notion of empowerment in Nepal. In addition, the analysis on the notion of empowerment is made on political, socio-cultural, environmental governance, and economical aspects, as these dimensions are interconnected and intertwined that have consequences on indigenous women in terms of power imbalance, disaster sensitivity, and their empowerment. So, this paper finds it important to explore on such subjectivities to enlighten the stakeholder on the differences that a woman based on gender and caste is facing different forms of impediments on their lives and experiences during a disaster. Likewise, the paper is based on qualitative research with the interview of a focus group on research site named Sankhu/Shankarapur in Kathmandu district (hard-hit area by earthquake 2015), and as well on one-on-one interview with key informants, along with secondary sources for analysis. Hence, this research has been an emphasis on the dynamics of indigenous women’s lives pre-earthquake and their experiences during the earthquake 2015, with the notion of empowerment through the lens of Feminist Political Ecology.
Protection against sexual violence in the workplace: NGO programs for access to justice for female migrant workers in Thailand
Authors:   , Bano Shah 
Published: September 2023

Sexual violence in the workplace amongst female migrant worker is an under-discussed issue, due to lack of reporting, that needs to be explored in more detail. This paper examined the role of NGOs in providing protection to FMW who are survivors of sexual violence, in Thailand, who want to seek justice. This study used qualitative approach by interviewing 3 people from local NGOs and 3 people from international NGOs working in Thailand that provide services to FMW who have faced sexual violence, to deal with the culturally biased and highly patriarchal criminal justice system. The study shows that regardless of not having a specific project that focuses on providing protection to FMW who are survivors of sexual violence in the workplace with their access to justice, NGOs provide effective legal services to those FMW who visit the NGOs for help and support.
A feasibility study of diffusion weighted imaging and parametric response map analysis for treatment response prediction in nasopharyngeal cancer
Authors:   , Jirawatwanith Titiya 
Published: September 2023

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is an MRI technique which provides functional information of tissue by detecting microscopic motion of water molecules. The change of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) derived from DWI was used as an imaging biomarker for treatment response prediction in cancers. However, it was based on whole-tumor analysis which did not reflect heterogeneity within the tumor. To overcome this limitation, a new method called parametric response map (PRM) analysis was proposed to evaluate response by quantifying voxel-wise changes in ADC. Here we investigated the use of PRM analysis on ADC from DWI as an imaging biomarker for treatment response prediction in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. We collected twenty-six patient datasets including twenty complete response (CR) patients and six partial response (PR) patients at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital where one patient dataset consisted of DWI and ADC data acquired before (i.e. pre-treatment) and at five weeks after initiation of chemoradiation therapy (i.e. mid-treatment). For each dataset, we compared pre-treatment ADC image with co-registered mid-treatment ADC image, and calculated PRM+ which was defined as the percentage of voxels with increased ADC values with respect to total voxels within the tumor ROI. To validate the feasibility of the PRM biomarker, we computed the mean and standard deviation (SD) of percentage change in tumor volume (%ΔVol) and in ADC (%ΔADC) and PRM+ across CR and PR patients classified by RECIST1.1 guideline at 6 months. We determined if each of the three biomarker yielded difference between the two patients groups using t-test. To evaluate outcome prediction performance for each biomarker, we constructed the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and compared with random guessing using Mann-Whitney’s U-test. The results showed that no significant difference in %∆Vol and in %∆ADC between CR an PR groups. In contrast, PRM+ was significantly different between CR and PR groups ( 80.5±8.5% in CR vs 70.2±7.1% in PR, p < 0.05). In terms of prediction performance, PRM+ has higher AUC value than both %ΔADC and %ΔVol (0.817, 0.633, and 0.417 for PRM+, %ΔADC and %ΔVol, respectively). Only PRM+ was significantly different from random guessing (p < 0.05). Our results implied that the proposed PRM+ from ADC could be a potential biomarker for early treatment response prediction in NPC patients.
Dosimetric comparison between single and double isocenters Volumetric Arc Therapy for Stereotactic Radiotherapy with multiple targets
Authors:   , Kyaw Wai 
Published: September 2023

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dosimetric effects between single isocenter (SI) and double isocenters (DI) VMAT SRT of multiple brain metastases. There are two parts of study, which were experimental for energy selection, technique comparison and clinical part to use appropriate technique. As the first part, three lesions with 3 cm distance apart and 1 cm size for all lesions were created as standard plan by varying energy. Twelve VMAT SRT plans by varying energy with 6 MV, 10 MV, 6 FFF and 10 FFF were planned on simulated three lesions of CT image. 18 VMAT SRT plans with varying lesions size, number and distance were simulated on patient CT image using Eclipse treatment planning system version 15.0. The plan consisted of 3 techniques in: 2 coplanar arcs SI (2 Arcs SI), 1 coplanar combine with 2 non-coplanar arcs SI (3 Arcs SI) and 1 coplanar and 2 non-coplanar arc DI (6 Arcs DI). The VMAT plans were generated with 21 Gy prescription dose to all lesions in 3 fractions. The plans were evaluated in terms of Conformity index (CIPaddick), Homogeneity index (HIICRU), and Gradient index (GIPaddick) for PTV and V12Gy and V6Gy for normal brain. The same dose constraints were used to optimize for all cases. The results showed that 6FFF was suitable energy to apply the technique comparison because it provides the best conformity and gradient parameters when compared to 6MV, 10MV and 10FFF energy. For the technique comparison when changing the size, number and distance between the lesions using energy 6FFF, it was found that 3 arcs SI and DI were improvement in average GI (14.79±5.83, 13.70±4.72) than the 2 arcs SI (17.56±6.15) while HI and CI values were comparable for all techniques. GIPADDICK and CIPADDICK of two techniques; 3 Arcs SI and 6 Arcs DI, were not significantly showed in results with p value while HI is slightly better in 6 Arcs DI (HIICRU p value= 0.01). For normal brain, V12Gy for 2 Arcs and 3 Arcs SI plans were comparable with DI and the volumes of normal brain receiving 6 Gy in 3 arcs SI and DI (77.40 ± 34.30 cm3, 68.94 ± 30.50 cm3) were better than 2 arcs SI (108.10 ± 57.20cm3). Moreover, the number of arcs and treatment time were increased by nearly 2-fold and inconvenience in practice in DI. In conclusion, 3 arcs non-coplanar SI VMAT technique was present the best in dosimetric evaluation in 2-5 lesions metastases SRT.
Effect of oxidative stress on microglial activation and iron accumulation
Authors:   , Suntawalimp Rattanakorn 
Published: September 2023

Microglia are the glial cell in the central nervous system. They function as resident immune cells in the brain. Microglial activation was an increase in the normal aged brain and also more found in the aged brain with neurodegenerative disease. Activated microglial were found iron accumulation leading to increase ROS generation via the Fenton reaction. Therefore, the increase of microglial activation and iron accumulation is vulnerable to neuronal survival. However, the cause of iron accumulation in the activated microglia still unknown. This study hypothesized that oxidative stress which increases in the aged and neurodegenerative disease brain may cause microglial activation and also accumulate iron. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of oxidative stress to iron accumulation and microglial activation by exposing in the directly oxidative stress and the indirectly oxidative stress via astrocyte conditioned medium. These data demonstrated that the directly expose oxidative stress to microglia did not induce iron deposition while the indirectly oxidative stress via H2O2 astrocyte conditioned medium induced iron deposition and microglial activation. These microglia evidenced the marker of activated microglia as increased ferritin expression, elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α), increased ROS level, and decreased mitochondria membrane potential. In addition, iron accumulation was found in these microglia by interrupting the iron import protein (DMT1), and the iron export protein (FPN). In conclusion, iron accumulation in microglia is a consequence of indirect oxidative stress through astrocyte, not the result of direct oxidative stress.
Effects of moderate - intensity exercise training on cardiac angiogenic capacity and fibrosis in middle-aged and aged rats
Authors:   , Mekrungruangwong Titiporn 
Published: September 2023

This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of exercise training against age-induced the reduction of cardiac angiogenic capacity associated with p-Akt1, eNOS, Mdm2, p53, VEGF, and CD31 in rat hearts. Additionally, age-induced cardiac fibrosis association with TGF-β1 was also observed. Male Wistar rats were divided into five groups: Sedentary - young group (SE-Young, aged 4 months), Sedentary - middle-aged group (SE-Mid-Age, 14 months), Sedentary – aged group (SE-Age, aged 22 months), Exercise-trained middle-aged group (ET-Mid-Age, aged 14 months), and Exercise-trained -aged group (ET-Age, aged 22 months). In the SE- groups, rats were immersed individually for 30 minutes/day, 5 days/week for 8 weeks in cylindrical tanks filled with water; depth of 5 cm, the temperature at 33-36 oC. In ET groups, rats swam individually for 60 minutes/day, 5 days/week for 8 weeks in cylindrical tanks filled with water; depth of 50-55 cm, the temperature at 33-36 oC. After 8 weeks of exercise training, the rats were rest for 24 hours before the experiment. The rats were measured blood pressure and assessed the expression of p53, Mdm2, CD31, collagen accumulation by using immunohistochemistry and Masson's Trichrome Staining, respectively. Heart homogenates were used for the assay of malondialdehyde levels (MDA) by using the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assay (TBARS) and the levels of p-Akt1, eNOS, VEGF and TGF-β1 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Our results showed that the SE-Age group had significantly high blood pressure when compared to the SE-Young and SE-Mid-Age. The ET-Age group showed significantly decreased blood pressure when compared to SE-Age. The ET-Mid-Age group showed a lower blood pressure than in the SE-Mid-Age group, but not yet significant. The levels of p-Akt1, eNOS, VEGF, and CD31 were significantly increased in all ET groups when compared with SE–Mid-Age and SE-Age. Mdm2 levels were significantly increased in SE-Young when compared to SE-Mid-Age and SE-Age. Only Mdm2 levels in the ET-Age had a significant increase when compared to SE-Age, while no significant difference of p53 in all groups. The collagen accumulation and TGF-β1 levels were significantly increased in SE-Age when compared to SE-Young and exercise training could reduce these. Furthermore, tissue MDA in ET-Mid-Age and ET-Age rats were significantly reduced when compared to SE-Mid-Age and SE-Age control. Therefore, these results implied that the exercise training program used in this study prevented age-induced the reduction of angiogenic capacity and fibrosis, and these results were associated with its effects on oxidative stress, p-Akt, eNOS, Mdm2, p53, VEGF, CD31, and TGF-β1.
Effect of Canagliflozin on liver steatosis in obese non diabetic patients with non-alcoholicfatty liver disease: A double blind randomized controlled trial
Authors:   , Tontivuthikul Borwonkhun 
Published: September 2023

Objective: To demonstrate whether treatment with canagliflozin had an effect on liver steatosis in obese non-diabetic patients with NAFLD compared with the control group

Methods: 82 nondiabetic patients with BMI 25-35 kg/m2 underwent 24 weeks of double blind randomized controlled trial with combined canagliflozin 100 mg daily with diet-lifestyle modification or placebo with diet-lifestyle modification (500 calories restriction and moderate intensity aerobic exercise). Primary outcome was the change in Controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) representing hepatic steatosis. Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) representing liver stiffness/fibrosis and other secondary outcomes including changes in body weight, fasting plasma glucose, lipid profile, liver function test and FIB-4 index were also evaluated.

Results: At week 24, the Controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) in the canagliflozin group showed a decreasing trend compared with the control group (-13.8 +/- 40.6 db/m vs -0.6 +/- 42.9 db/m, P = 0.168). Significant weight loss was achieved in the canagliflozin group compared with the control group (-1.97 +/- 2.14 kg vs -0.14 +/- 2.57 kg, P = 0.001). A prespecified subgroup analysis in patients with impaired fasting plasma glucose and in those with hepatitis demonstrated significant reduction in CAP (-40.00 +/- 30.7 vs 16.36 +/- 42.60, P = 0.004 and -34.75 +/- 40.84 vs 14.86 +/- 38.36, P = 0.031, respectively).

Conclusion: Treatment with Canagliflozin resulted in a significant weight reduction and may improve hepatic steatosis in obese non-diabetic patients with NAFLD especially in those with impaired fasting plasma glucose or hepatitis.
Serum microRNA profile and serum neuron specific enolase, S-100, and interleukin-6 level as biomarkers for differentiating acute vertigo between cerebellar or brainstem infarction and peripheral vertigo
Authors:   , Kijpaisalratana Naruchorn 
Published: September 2023

Background and PurposeAcute vertigo is a common presentation of inner ear disease. However, it can also be caused by more serious conditions, especially posterior circulation stroke. Differentiation between these 2 conditions by clinical presentations and imaging studies during acute phase can be challenging. This study aims to evaluate the serum microRNA profile and serum neuron specific enolase (NSE), S-100, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) level as potential biomarkers to differentiate between patients with central vertigo due to cerebellar or brainstem infarction and peripheral vertigo.MethodsIn the discovery phase, miRNA expression profiling was performed by Nanostring nCounter Technology in serum of patients with central vertigo due to cerebellar or brainstem infarction (n=3) and peripheral vertigo (n=3) during acute phase within 72 hours after vertigo onset (day 0) and on day 90. MiRNAs that expressed only in acute phase of patients with stroke were selected as potential candidates. Subsequent validation was performed by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in the serum of patients with posterior circulation stroke (n=23) and peripheral vertigo (n=35). The serum NSE, S100 and interleukin-6 (IL-6) measurements were performed by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA).ResultsIn the discovery phase, miR-342-3p, miR-376-3p, and miR-433-5p were identified by Nanostring nCounter Technology as potential biomarker candidates. In subsequent validation phase, serum miR-433-5p was the only miRNA expressed at significantly high levels in patients with central vertigo during acute phase (median (IQR) central: 92.13 (49.06-183.2) copies/µL vs. peripheral: 53.45 (35.37-102.3) copies/µL, P=0.0056). Only miR-433-5p had discriminative ability to differentiate between central and peripheral vertigo with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.71. Using a serum miR-433-5p cut off at level >46 copies/µL, the sensitivity and specificity were 87% and 49% respectively. Both S100 (central: 0.111 (0.049-0.335) µg/L vs. peripheral: 0.054 (0.039-0.082) µg/L, P=0.005), and IL-6 central: 7.42 (4.23-14.47) pg/mL vs. peripheral: 2.44 (0.70-4.68) pg/mL, P< 0.001) had significantly higher level in patients with central vertigo.ConclusionThis is the first study to demonstrate the potential of serum miR-433-5p as a biomarker to differentiate between cerebellar or brainstem infarction and peripheral vertigo among patients with acute vertigo.
Use of digital panoramic radiographs as a screening tool for diagnosis of osteoporosis in Thai postmenopausal women
Authors:   , Chongruangsri Net-nada 
Published: September 2023

Purpose: To investigate the correlation between panoramic radiographic indices and osteoporosis, and to determine whether digital panoramic radiographs could be used as a screening tool for the diagnosis of osteoporosis in Thai postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of sixty Thai postmenopausal women with and without osteoporosis. The subjects were divided into three groups based on diagnosis by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA): normal, osteopenia, and osteoporosis equally in each group. The panoramic radiographic indices measured were mental index (MI) and mandibular cortical index (MCI). Pearson’s correlation test was performed to analyze any correlation between MI, MCI, and BMD (Bone Mineral Density) T-scores. To determine the ability of the indices to classify disease and investigate the cut-off value of MI for diagnosis of osteoporosis, the receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed. The P value was set at 0.05. Results: The MCI was significantly different in the 3 different groups (p<0.001). There were correlations between the panoramic radiographic indices and BMD in the regions of the hip bone and the lumbar spine. MI was positively correlated with BMDs: lumbar spine: r=0.566, femoral neck: r= 0.554, and total hip: r= 0.524 (p<0.001). The MCI was negatively correlated with BMDs: lumbar spine: r= -0.514, femoral neck: r= -0.507, total hip: r=-0.513 (p<0.001). The cut-off value of MI for the reduced skeletal bone mineral density groups (both osteopenia and osteoporosis groups) was 3.9 mm and for the diagnosis of osteoporosis was 3.8 mm.
Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that MI and MCI can be used as a screening tool for diagnosis of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
Comparison the accuracy of implant position between static and dynamic computer-assisted implant surgery with two-implant support fixed partial prosthesis
Authors:   , Yimarj Paweena 
Published: September 2023

Objectives: To compare the accuracy of position and parallelity of two implants, using static and dynamic CAIS systems.

Materials & Methods: 30 patients received two implants randomly allocated to 2 different CAIS systems. Optimal implant position and absolute parallelity was planned based on preoperative CBCT. Implants were placed using surgical guide (static CAIS, n = 15) and real time navigation (dynamic CAIS, n = 15). Implant 3-dimentional deviation and parallelity was calculated after surgery.

Results: The mean deviation at implant platform, apex and angulation in the static and dynamic CAIS group was 1.04 ± 0.67 mm, 1.54 ± 0.79 mm, 4.08 ± 1.69 degree and 1.24 ± 0.39 mm, 1.58 ± 0.56 mm, 3.78 ± 1.84 degree respectively. The parallelity achieved between two placed implants in static and dynamic CAIS groups were 4.32 ± 2.44 degrees and 3.55 ± 2.29 degrees respectively. There were no significant differences in all parameters between two groups.

Conclusions: Static and dynamic CAIS provides similar accuracy of the 3d implant position and parallelity between two implants.