This paper describes a new method to model and measure in-motion wireless power transfer for a wireless electric vehicle charger to experimentally reinforce understanding of principles, characteristics, operation, communication and control of an in-motion wireless power transfer system. It uses a real-time target executable called ‘external mode’ in MATLAB/Simulink with Arduino and Wi-Fi-Shield, inexpensive and open source hardware. With an I/O real-time controller, real-time signal acquisition and real-time parameter tuning capabilities, the system can be advantageously used for experimenting, modeling, communicating and measuring. Step by step of how the proposed system may be designed for experimenting with a wireless electric vehicle charger is included. Relevant hardware usually found in the electronic market are also indicated.
Our present investigation aimed to examine the natural convection boundary layer flow of nanofluids over a vertical flat plate embedded in a saturated Darcy porous medium containing gyrotactic microorganisms. For carrying out the numerical solution, two steps are performed. The governing partial differential equations are firstly simplified into a set of highly coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations by suitable similarity variables, and then numerically solved by applying the cubic spline collocation technique. The obtained similarity solution depends on non-dimensional parameters, i.e., the bioconvection Lewis number, bioconvection Rayleigh number, bioconvection Peclet number, Brownian motion parameter, the Buoyancy ratio, the thermophoresis parameter, the power-law variation index, and the Lewis number. A comprehensive numerical computation is carried out for various values of the parameters that describe the flow characteristics. Rescaled velocity and temperature distributions are found to be depending strongly on the bioconvection Rayleigh number and power-law variation index parameter. For making the result more reliable a comparison has been shown in the present work with existing results for some special values of governing parameters and the results are found to be in excellent accuracy.
This research aims to study the effect of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on the shelf life of cooked green mussel (Perna viridis) coated with green tea and ascorbic acid. The samples were packaged in air for the control sample (C000) and under different MAP conditions; 40%CO2: 30%N2: 30%O2 (M433), 50%CO2: 50%N2 (M550) and 60%CO2: 20%N2: 20%O2 (M622) stored at 4 ± 1 ˚C for 28 days. The results showed there were some significant declines in the microbiological and physical quality for all treatments with increasing storage time. M622 had the lowest total viable count (TVC) when compared with the other MAP treatments. Based on the total viable count (TVC) in all samples, the shelf life for M622 was more than 28 days, M550 and M433 were 24 days, while C000 was 22 days, respectively. Thus the composition of gas in the packages had an effect in retarding the autolytic and bacteria spoilage degradation of proteins. The high temperatures in the production process of cooked mussel could destroy the pathogens (Coliform bacteria, Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Salmonella spp. and Bacillus cereus). The results indicated that pathogens were not found for all samples of cooked green mussel throughout storage.
Drug-polymer miscibility is a prerequisite for a stable solid dispersion. In this study, the miscibility of ibuprofen and the polymers, i.e., Eudragit RL (ERL) and ethylcellulose (EC), were investigated by DSC. Ibuprofen in ERL solid dispersion at 0 – 100 % w/w was examined by the heating program: 25 – 140 C, 10 K/min; 140 – (-60) C, -10 K/min; and (-60) – 140 C, 5 K/min. Solid dispersion of ibuprofen in EC at the same concentration range was examined by the heating program: 25 – 180 C, 10 K/min; 180 – (-60) C, -10 K/min; and (-60) – 180 C, 5 K/min. The melting point depression and the variation of a single glass transition temperature (Tg) as a function of composition were presented in solid dispersion of ibuprofen in either ERL or EC, indicating the miscibility between blend components. Fitting the melting point of ibuprofen in either ERL or EC (Tmb) to Nishi-Wang equation by nonlinear regression analysis gave R2 equal to 0.8768 and 0.9667, respectively. Fitting experimental Tg to Gordon-Taylor and Kwei equations gave R2 equal to 0.9796 and 0.9851 for ibuprofen in ERL and 0.9753 and 0.9793 for ibuprofen in EC. The Kwei equation seemed to be better for describing the Tg of the blends, indicating the interaction between ibuprofen and the polymers, i.e., ERL and EC, which was confirmed by FTIR analysis. However, the non-randomness of residuals suggested that Nishi-Wang, Gordon-Taylor, and Kwei could not completely explain the Tmb and Tg of the blends.
The experiment was carried out to determine the chemical composition and digestibility of pond snail meal (PSM) in Thai native chicken (TNC) feed. Twenty-eight Thai native cocks.25 weeks old (Paduhangdum Chiang Mai strain) were used. Three types of pond snail preparations were used to find the nutritive value of the pond snails. The treatments were 1. snail meat (without shell), 2. cooked dried (whole snail), and 3. raw dried (whole snail). Nutrients digestibility were divided into 7 treatment groups (control, 5, 10 and 15% of cooked and snail meal) with 4 replications of one cock each. It was found that pond snail meat has the higher CP and EE than cooked and raw whole pond snail, but pond snail meat has lower CF, ash and Ca. The nutrients digestibility had no significant difference (P>0.05) in DM and CP, EE and NFE; however, DM and NFE digestibility were the highest in 5% cooked pond snails. Whereas 10% cooked pond snail had the highest digestibility of CP and Ca and 15% raw pond snail had the highest EE digestibility. Pond snail meat has high protein but whole snail has high Ca. Levels at 10% cooked pond snail meal may be suitable for Thai native chicken feed.
The genetic improvement of Eucalyptus species in Thailand has been developed at clone or variety levels. Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn. Clone A5 and Clone D1 are two of the most planted varieties at SaKaeo province in the eastern region of Thailand. Thus, the selection of clones which emphasize economic traits is not sufficient anymore. Wood density and leaf functional traits should be emphasized also because these characteristics directly affect yields of plantation. The studied area was a six-year-old clone A5 and D1 plantation with spacing of 3 m. x 3 m. in the village of Sakaeo Province, in eastern Thailand. The basic wood density (WD) of A5 and D1 was 0.7364 and 0.6345 g/cm3, respectively. Stem volume was 0.0512 and 0.0577 m3/tree and the stem dry mass was 28.10 and 26.50 kg/tree, respectively. Although the stem volume of A5 was less than D1, their WD had significant statistical differences (p 0.05) and the specific leaf weight was 0.0135 and 0.0120 g/cm2 ,respectively, which had a significant statistical difference (p < 0.05). These results indicated that the leaf thickness of A5 was more than D1. It was affected positively by photosynthesis. The results suggest that wood density of stem and thickness of leaves in this study could be used further to improve the genetic Eucalyptus.
The QuickDASH is an acceptable self-reported questionnaire for upper extremity disability evaluation. Pain and physical activity are two significant domains of the questionnaire. For more precision of the QuickDASH, the effect of dominance of arm in upper extremity musculoskeletal pain was clarified. The Cross-sectional design was conducted in offices in the Bangkok Metropolitan area, and the Ongkarak campus of Srinakharinwirot University. Participants were office workers with or without upper extremity musculoskeletal pain. Main outcomes were Thai QuickDASH disability score and the Numeric Pain Scale (NPS). Of 81.4% respondents, 142 participants returned completed questionnaires. The Spearman correlation coefficient (ρ) for Thai QuickDASH and NPS was 0.648 (p<0.001). An adjusted R2 of 0.406 obtained by multiple regression enabled the prediction of the Thai QuickDASH score based on the NPS and the effect of dominance of arm. The coefficient of pain intensity changed from 3.85(95% CI 3.28, 4.42) to 4.00(95% CI 3.44, 4.57). The coefficient of dominant arm was 5.46(95% CI 2.46, 8.45). Item 5 (difficulty of using a knife to cut food), item 6 (difficulty of recreational activities) and item 9 (rate the severity of arm, shoulder or hand pain) of the Thai QuickDASH were significantly associated with the dominant side (Kendall’s rank correlation coefficients p<0.01). The standardized coefficient (Beta) revealed that pain intensity was a main factor of the Thai QuickDASH disability outcome. In conclusion, pain intensity and dominant arm are two predictors contributing to the Thai QuickDASH outcome. These associations may help to explain 40% of the variability of disability in upper extremity musculoskeletal pain.
The textile industry is considered one of the industries with high accident rates that lead to less job satisfaction, high compensation cost, bad industry image, and low productivity. To reduce the number of accidents, a sound and practical safety implementation must be encouraged. Since management and employees are key input to enhance productivity, this study investigates the relationships between safety implementation and productivity. A total of 28 items associated with three key factors, namely the People, People Results, and Productivity factors, are used for a questionnaire survey development. Three hundred questionnaires are distributed, with 130 questionnaires returned, representing a 43.3 response rate. The exploratory factor analysis confirms four key factors with their associated items. The structural equation modelling proves a significant relationship between the People (Management) and People (Employee) factors. It is also found that these two factors have no direct relationship with the Productivity factor, but an indirect relationship through the People Results factor. To enhance the productivity, hence, management has to empower employees with a practical safety implementation plan, establish a safety committee, and enhance safety communication in the workplace. Employees, on the other hand, should participate in safety activities, help each other in improving safety, and comply with safety rules. All of these lead to higher job satisfaction, lower turnover, less rework, and eventually increased productivity.
The reproductive data of a total of 27,783 sows from Landrace (L) of 2,016 heads (7,080 records), Large White (W) of 1,573 heads (6,016 records), and the crossbred sows between L x W of 1,581 heads (6,273 records) and W x L of 2,146 heads (8,414 records) were studied to investigate the influence of breed on reproductive performance of sows, including total piglets born (TPB), number of piglets born alive (NBA), stillbirth piglets (STB), mummified piglets (MUM), average birth weight (ABW) and average weaning weight (AWW). Breed, parity and year × season at farrowing were considered as fixed effects in a statistical model. Least Squares Means (LSM) for each subclass of breed were estimated and the different values of LSM were compared using the t-test method. The results found that breed, parity and year × season at farrowing significantly affected reproductive performance of sows in all studied traits (P < 0.01). The crossbred sows (L x W and W x L) had higher LSM for TPB, NBA, ABW and AWW than purebred sows (L and W) and had less STB than purebred sows (P < 0.05). For MUM, a small but significant difference was found in each breed (0.23 ± 0.01 to 0.32 ± 0.01 heads). The crossbred W x L had the highest LSM for TPB, NBA and AWW which implied that crossbred sow production using Landrace sows as dam line tends to have more piglets per litter and have higher weaning weight than Large White.
A series of alkaloids isolated from the roots of N. orientalis is investigated for the inhibitory activities on in vitro agonists induced human platelet aggregation. Human platelet samples were obtained to investigate the anti-platelet activity by high throughput 98-well microtiter plate format. Adenosine diphosphate (ADP), arachidonic acid (AA), thrombin and thrombin receptor activating peptide-6 (TRAP-6) were used as agonists for in vitro human platelet aggregation. All alkaloids were inactive in the AA induced platelet aggregation. Compound 2 was the only alkaloid to inhibit ADP induced platelet aggregation with the IC50 value of 27.01±7.67 μM and was more potent than the standard drug, ibuprofen (P < 0.05). The compounds 1, 3, 4, 5 and 7 were more potent than the standard drug to inhibit thrombin induced platelet aggregation with the IC50 values of 3.05±0.22, 4.41±0.47, 7.50±0.22, 45.69±1.74 and 4.89±0.13 μM (P <0.05), respectively. None of the potent alkaloids in thrombin-mediated platelet aggregation exhibited the inhibitory effect in TRAP-6 induced platelet aggregation. Compound 2 could inhibit platelet aggregation through the interference of platelet purinergic receptors (P2Y1 and P2Y12 receptors). Moreover, compounds 1, 3, 4, 5 and 7 could have inhibitory effects on thrombin-induced platelet aggregation through the proteolytic inhibition without the interferences of ligand-receptor interaction.
Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the major infectious diseases that cause health problems worldwide. Antigen 85B is a secreted protein of the infectious strain Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Our main focus is on production of proteins as a booster vaccine to replace the traditional Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmetter-Guerin (BCG) vaccine formula. The main challenge is to express a high yield of an active recombinant protein in native soluble form. To the extent of our knowledge, the cultivation conditions, such as optimal temperature, for overexpressing soluble Ag85B protein of the gene Rv1886c, have never been reported. This study showed for the first time the optimizing culturing conditions for inducing expression of soluble Ag85B protein by isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) pLysS. Protein yields were higher at a low temperature of 25 °C (for 12 h), compared to those at a high temperature of 37 °C (for 5 h). To conclude, low temperature is associated with slow expression which allows the protein to adopt a well-folded conformation and provides a high yield of soluble recombinant protein.
This paper presents an overview of the characteristics of the intensity-curvature term with applications in image processing and also in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the human brain. The intensity-curvature term is the key concept that merges together the value of the signal with the value of the classic-curvature, which is the sum of the second order partial derivatives of the model function fitted to the signal. The model function fitted to the signal needs to have the property of second order differentiability, and also to have at least one non null second order partial derivative calculated at the origin of the coordinate system of the pixel. The mathematical meaning of the intensity-curvature term is the mapping of the signal into a novel domain where each value of the signal is multiplied by the arctangent of the angle subtended with the horizontal, by the tangent to the first order derivative of the model function. The mapping merges the value of the signal intensity and the classic-curvature of the signal. Hence, the resulting intensity-curvature term embeds information about both signal intensity and concavity-convexity of the model function. In addition to the classic-curvature, and consequential to the mapping, the intensity-curvature term allows the calculation of three supplementary intensity-curvature measurement approaches (ICMAs): (i) the intensity-curvature functional, (ii) the signal resilient to interpolation, and (iii) the resilient curvature. This paper reviews the implications of the intensity-curvature term with specific focus on the meaning and the nature of the ICMAs, which provide additional imaging of the human brain MRI.
Metal contaminated soils are a major problem in Thailand. Plants that grow in this area will adsorb metal and broad impact across the food chain. Some types of biochar can immobilize metals and reduce the impact of such. This research was limited to study cadmium, zinc and lead adsorption. Durian and mangosteen shell were selected to produce biochar due to their high carbon content. The shells were firstly passed through the pyrolysis process. The chemical characterization of these biochars was then determined. The chemical characteristics of both materials were similar. Both were basic materials with pH around 10. They were high in percentage of C and TOC. Total Cd, Pb and Zn in both biochars were below the maximum allowed threshold according to biochar toxicity standard recommended by International Biochar Initiative. The buffering capability and acid neutralization capability were examined by adding acid and basic solution until the pH reached 2-12. The buffering capability of these two biochars was rather high. The values of acid neutralization capability (ANC) of biochar produced from durian and mangosteen shell were 1,464.80 meg/kg and 1,328.98 meq/kg, respectively. The study included an adsorption isotherm. Freundlich isotherm was a suitable isotherm to explain the adsorption of all three metals by biochar from durian shell, whereas Langmuir isotherm is better to explain the adsorption of metals by biochar from mangosteen shell. The adsorption capacity of both biochars was not much different.
Electroencephalography (EEG) is recording of the electrical signals on the scalp. These signals come from sources of activity within the brain; however it can be difficult to determine where the sources originate from just by looking at the signals. Through signal processing, these EEG signals can be analyzed and displayed as more useful information. This research explored the evolution of EEG (Brain-waves) topography. The aim of this research was to extract the origins of brain-waves within the brain from EEG data and develop an algorithm to analyze and display this information. This was done in the MATLAB environment by creating: a working software to display and pre-process multichannel EEG data; software/algorithms that could localize sources of EEG within the brain; and a clinician-friendly GUI block. Neural networks are a supervised machine learning technique that can be used to train a system based on previously seen data. Using this approach, it is possible to accurately extract signal positions within the brain.
Litter production is one of the major nutrient enrichments in a mangrove forest. Investigation on nutrient components in litter will lead to evaluation of nutrient accumulation. Therefore, this research aimed to 1) evaluate litter production in tropical mangrove forest at Klong Khone, Samut Songkhram province, Thailand; 2) investigate carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus contents in litter; and, 3) observe sediment quality and existing mangrove condition in the study area. Litter and sediment were collected at Klong Khone, Samut Songkhram province in September-October 2015. Litter samples were analyzed for biomass production, and composition of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus. Sediment samples were analyzed for pH, salinity, water content, grain size composition, organic carbon, total nitrogen and total phosphorus. Results showed that leaf, branch, and fruit litter production were 65.02, 47.94 and 19.03 g DW/m 2 /month, respectively. Carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus content in the litter were 20.36, 0.37 and 4.47 mg/g DW leaf litter, respectively. The value of pH, salinity and water content of sediment ranged from 6.66-7.50, 3.30-9.28 ppt and 52.24-69.65%, respectively. Sediment was composed of fine sand (0.125-1 mm) 7.68%, silt (0.06-0.125 mm) 6.13%, and clay (smaller than 0.06 mm) 86.19%. By using statistical analysis (t-test), results showed no difference of all parameters between months. However, during the research, it was found that organic carbon decreased 2.37 mg C/g DW sediment; meanwhile nitrogen and phosphorus increased 0.44 mg N and 0.12 mg P /g DW sediment, respectively. Finally, carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus accumulation by litterfall were found to be 1877, 34 and 734 mg/m 2 /month, respectively. These results will help in clarifying nutrient dynamic pathway by mangrove trees which play an important role in coastal and estuarine ecosystem restoration.
As part of an attempt to improve computer-based test scoring on traditional grid answer sheets, which are used by 76.36% of interrogated schools in Thailand, this paper proposes an algorithm to segment the problematic handwritten-style student identification number. The method used is based on profile features supported by digit width-height ratio analysis. Non-touching digits are segmented by vertical histograms and the flood fill algorithm. Touching digits are segmented by considering the distances between upper and lower profiles as well as the derivatives of consecutive points of their profiles. Among 231 six-digit image sequences, the average segmentation accuracy rate was 98.20%, which is considered satisfactory. The results showed that an increased number of consecutive cursive digits decreased the segmentation accuracy, and was significant from 5 connecting digits.
In this paper, the problem of natural convective heat transfer of kerosene-cobalt nanofluid inside a quarter circular enclosure in the presence of oriented magnetic field has been studied numerically using two-component non-homogeneous model. The round wall of the enclosure is maintained at constant low temperature; the left vertical wall is adiabatic whereas the bottom wall is considered as heated uniformly and non-uniformly. The effects of Brownian motion and thermophoresis are incorporated into the nanofluid model. The Galerkin weighted residual finite element method has been employed to solve the governing partial differential equations after converting them into a non-dimensional form using a suitable transformation of variables. Comparison with previously published work is performed and excellent agreement is obtained. The effects of various model parameters such as Hartmann number, Rayleigh number and magnetic field inclination angle on the streamlines, isotherms and isoconcentrations have been displayed graphically for both uniformly as well as non-uniformly heated bottom wall. In addition, the heat transfer augmentation for various model parameters as well as various thermal boundary conditions have been done in light of the average Nusselt number from the bottom heated wall. The obtained numerical results show that the average Nusselt number is an increasing function of the Rayleigh number, while it is a decreasing function of the Hartmann number.
Copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes of 14-membered hexaazamacrocyclic ligand with C- methyl substituent have been synthesized by one-pot reaction and characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR, electronic spectra, and LC-MS. Complex types are [Cu(C 18 H 42 N 6 )(ClO 4 ) 2 ] (1), [Ni(C 18 H 42 N 6 )](ClO 4 ) 2 (2), and [Cu(C 22 H 50 N 6 )(ClO 4 ) 2 ] (3). The results of spectroscopic techniques indicated that both complexes 1 and 3 containing copper(II) are octahedral geometry, whereas the complex 2 is a square-planar geometry in which the metal center coordinates to the four nitrogen atoms of macrocyclic ligand in a square planar fashion.All complexes were also screened for their antibacterial activity against on two bacteria strains. These results show that copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes were tested for antibacterial activity against gram positive, Staphylococcus aureus which was more active than the against gram negative, bacteria Escherichia coli .The results showed a good antibacterial activity of all complexes which suggests their potential applications as antibacterial agents.
The Robusta coffee flowers were analyzed for phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity. Flower powders at three different stages were extracted successively with hexane, dichloromethane and methanol, resulting in the extracts of varying yields (1.61-16.01%). All crude extracts were constituted of flavonoids, terpenoids and alkaloids. The methanol crude extracts exhibited the best antioxidant activity on both DPPH (EC 50 0.03-0.13 mg/mL) and reducing power (EC 50 0.19-0.46 mg/mL). It also contained the highest amount of total phenols (28.32-139.88 mg GAE/g extract).
The Birnbaum-Sanders (BS) distribution was first introduced in 1969 by Birnbaum and Saunders as a combination of inverse Gaussian distributions with a length-biased inverse Gaussian distribution. Later, in 2008, Ahmed et al. introduced a new parametrization of the BS distribution based on Birnbaum-Sanders, and they also proposed a parameter estimation using the method of moments and regression-quantile estimation. In this paper, we emphasize the Birnbaum-Sanders distribution presented by Ahmed et al., and we develop an EM-algorithm to estimate two unknown parameters of this distribution. The EM-algorithm is a general method used to estimate the parameters when the probability density function is complicated and it is the best alternative for the estimation of a mixture distribution. We assumed that this problem has a missing value, and maximized complete data log-likelihood function instead log-likelihood function because it is analytically easier. Moreover, some simulation experiments were conducted in order to examine the performance of the proposed parameter estimation, and it was observed that the performances were quite satisfactory. Specifically, the MSE, variance and bias tend to decrease as n increases.
