Abstract: The paper attempts to elucidate the columnar structure
of the cortex by answering the following questions. (1) Why the
cortical neurons with similar interests tend to be vertically arrayed
forming what is known as cortical columns? (2) How to describe the
cortex as a whole in concise mathematical terms? (3) How to design
efficient digital models of the cortex?
Abstract: The forest fires in Thailand are annual occurrence which is the cause of air pollutions. This study intended to estimate the emission from forest fire during 2005-2009 using MODerateresolution Imaging Spectro-radiometer (MODIS) sensor aboard the Terra and Aqua satellites, experimental data, and statistical data. The forest fire emission is estimated using equation established by Seiler and Crutzen in 1982. The spatial and temporal variation of forest fire emission is analyzed and displayed in the form of grid density map. From the satellite data analysis suggested between 2005 and 2009, the number of fire hotspots occurred 86,877 fire hotspots with a significant highest (more than 80% of fire hotspots) in the deciduous forest. The peak period of the forest fire is in January to May. The estimation on the emissions from forest fires during 2005 to 2009 indicated that the amount of CO, CO2, CH4, and N2O was about 3,133,845 tons, 47,610.337 tons, 204,905 tons, and 6,027 tons, respectively, or about 6,171,264 tons of CO2eq. They also emitted 256,132 tons of PM10. The year 2007 was found to be the year when the emissions were the largest. Annually, March is the period that has the maximum amount of forest fire emissions. The areas with high density of forest fire emission were the forests situated in the northern, the western, and the upper northeastern parts of the country.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was primarily assessing how important economic factors namely: The Thai export price of white rice, the exchange rate, and the world rice consumption affect the overall Thai white rice export, using historical data during the period 1989-2013 from the Thai Rice Exporters Association, and Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. The co-integration method, regression analysis, and error correction model were applied to investigate the econometric model. The findings indicated that in the long-run, the world rice consumption, the exchange rate, and the Thai export price of white rice were the important factors affecting the export quantity of Thai white rice respectively, as indicated by their significant coefficients. Meanwhile, the rice export price was an important factor affecting the export quantity of Thai white rice in the short-run. This information is useful in the business, export opportunities, price competitiveness, and policymaker in Thailand.
Abstract: This research is to study the types of products and
services that employs 'ambient media and respective techniques in its
advertisement materials. Data collection has been done via analyses of a total of 62 advertisements that employed ambient media
approach in Thailand during the years 2004 to 2011. The 62 advertisement were qualifying advertisements of the Adman Awards
& Symposium under the category of Outdoor & Ambience. Analysis
results reveal that there is a total of 14 products and services that
chooses to utilize ambient media in its advertisement. Amongst all ambient media techniques, 'intrusion' uses the value of a medium in
its representation of content most often. Following intrusion is 'interaction', where consumers are invited to participate and interact
with the advertising materials. 'Illusion' ranks third in its ability to subject the viewers to distortions of reality that makes the division
between reality and fantasy less clear.
Abstract: The objectives of this research are to search the
management pattern of Bang Khonthi lodging entrepreneurs for
sufficient economy ways, to know the threat that affects this sector
and design fit arrangement model to sustain their business with
Samut Songkram style. What will happen if they do not use this
approach? Will they have a financial crisis? The data and information
are collected by informal discussions with 8 managers and 400
questionnaires. A mixed methods of both qualitative research and
quantitative research are used. Bent Flyvbjerg-s phronesis is utilized
for this analysis. Our research will prove that sufficient economy can
help small business firms to solve their problems. We think that the
results of our research will be a financial model to solve many
problems of the entrepreneurs and this way will can be a model for
other provinces of Thailand.
Abstract: The three steps of the standard one-way nested grid
for a regional scale of the third generation WAve Model Cycle 4
(WAMC4) is scrutinized. The model application is enabled to solve
the energy balance equation on a coarse resolution grid in order to
produce boundary conditions for a smaller area by the nested grid
technique. In the present study, the model takes a full advantage of the
fine resolution of wind fields in space and time produced by the available
U.S. Navy Global Atmospheric Prediction System (NOGAPS)
model with 1 degree resolution. The nested grid application of the
model is developed in order to gradually increase the resolution from
the open ocean towards the South China Sea (SCS) and the Gulf of
Thailand (GoT) respectively. The model results were compared with
buoy observations at Ko Chang, Rayong and Huahin locations which
were obtained from the Seawatch project. In addition, the results were
also compared with Satun based weather station which was provided
from Department of Meteorology, Thailand. The data collected from
this station presented the significant wave height (Hs) reached 12.85
m. The results indicated that the tendency of the Hs from the model
in the spherical coordinate propagation with deep water condition in
the fine grid domain agreed well with the Hs from the observations.
Abstract: At present, increased concerns about global
environmental problems have magnified the importance of
sustainability management. To move towards sustainability,
companies need to look at everything from a holistic perspective in
order to understand the interconnections between economic growth
and environmental and social sustainability. This paper aims to gain
an understanding of key determinants that drive sustainability
management and barriers that hinder its development. It employs
semi-structured interviews with key informants, site observation and
documentation. The informants are production, marketing and
environmental managers of the leading wine producer, which aims to
become an Asia-s leader in wine & wine based products. It is found
that corporate image and top management leadership are the primary
factors influencing the adoption of sustainability management. Lack
of environmental knowledge and inefficient communication are
identified as barriers.
Abstract: Yam starch obtained from the water yam (munlued)
by the wet milling process was studied for some physicochemical
properties. Yam starch film was prepared by casting using glycerol as
a plasticizer. The effect of different glycerol (1.30, 1.65 and
2.00g/100g of filmogenic solution) and starch concentrations (3.30,
3.65 and 4.00g /100g of filmogenic solution) were evaluated on some
characteristics of the film. The temperature for obtaining the
gelatinized starch solution was 70-80°C and then dried at 45°C for 4
hours. The resulting starch from munlued granular morphology was
triangular and the average size of the granule was 26.68 μm. The
amylose content by colorimetric method was 26 % and the gelatinize
temperature was 70-80°C. The appearance of the film was smooth,
transparent, and glossy with average moisture content of 25.96% and
thickness of 0.01mm. Puncture deformation and flexibility increased
with glycerol content. The starch and glycerol concentration were a
significant factor of the yam starch film characteristics. Yam starch
film can be described as a biofilm providing many applications and
developments with the advantage of biodegradability.
Abstract: In the present era of aviation technology, autonomous navigation and control have emerged as a prime area of active research. Owing to the tremendous developments in the field, autonomous controls have led today’s engineers to claim that future of aerospace vehicle is unmanned. Development of guidance and navigation algorithms for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is an extremely challenging task, which requires efforts to meet strict, and at times, conflicting goals of guidance and control. In this paper, aircraft altitude and heading controllers and an efficient algorithm for self-governing navigation using MATLAB® mapping toolbox is presented which also enables loitering of a fixed wing UAV over a specified area. For this purpose, a nonlinear mathematical model of a UAV is used. The nonlinear model is linearized around a stable trim point and decoupled for controller design. The linear controllers are tested on the nonlinear aircraft model and navigation algorithm is subsequently developed for for autonomous flight of the UAV. The results are presented for trajectory controllers and waypoint based navigation. Our investigation reveals that MATLAB® mapping toolbox can be exploited to successfully deliver an efficient algorithm for autonomous aerial navigation for a UAV.
Abstract: This study describes analysis of tower grounding
resistance effected the back flashover voltage across insulator string
in a transmission system. This paper studies the 500 kV transmission
lines from Mae Moh, Lampang to Nong Chok, Bangkok, Thailand,
which is double circuit in the same steel tower with two overhead
ground wires. The factor of this study includes magnitude of
lightning stroke, and front time of lightning stroke. Steel tower uses
multistory tower model. The assumption of studies based on the
return stroke current ranged 1-200 kA, front time of lightning stroke
between 1 μs to 3 μs. The simulations study the effect of varying
tower grounding resistance that affect the lightning current.
Simulation results are analyzed lightning over voltage that causes
back flashover at insulator strings. This study helps to know causes
of problems of back flashover the transmission line system, and also
be as a guideline solving the problem for 500 kV transmission line
systems, as well.
Abstract: This paper presents design features of a rescue robot, named CEO Mission II. Its body is designed to be the track wheel type with double front flippers for climbing over the collapse and the rough terrain. With 125 cm. long, 5-joint mechanical arm installed on the robot body, it is deployed not only for surveillance from the top view but also easier and faster access to the victims to get their vital signs. Two cameras and sensors for searching vital signs are set up at the tip of the multi-joint mechanical arm. The third camera is at the back of the robot for driving control. Hardware and software of the system, which controls and monitors the rescue robot, are explained. The control system is used for controlling the robot locomotion, the 5-joint mechanical arm, and for turning on/off devices. The monitoring system gathers all information from 7 distance sensors, IR temperature sensors, 3 CCD cameras, voice sensor, robot wheels encoders, yawn/pitch/roll angle sensors, laser range finder and 8 spare A/D inputs. All sensors and controlling data are communicated with a remote control station via IEEE 802.11b Wi-Fi. The audio and video data are compressed and sent via another IEEE 802.11g Wi-Fi transmitter for getting real-time response. At remote control station site, the robot locomotion and the mechanical arm are controlled by joystick. Moreover, the user-friendly GUI control program is developed based on the clicking and dragging method to easily control the movement of the arm. Robot traveling map is plotted from computing the information of wheel encoders and the yawn/pitch data. 2D Obstacle map is plotted from data of the laser range finder. The concept and design of this robot can be adapted to suit many other applications. As the Best Technique awardee from Thailand Rescue Robot Championship 2006, all testing results are satisfied.
Abstract: The governing two-dimensional equations of a heterogeneous material composed of a fluid (allowed to flow in the absence of acoustic excitations) and a crystalline piezoelectric cubic solid stacked one-dimensionally (along the z direction) are derived and special emphasis is given to the discussion of acoustic group velocity for the structure as a function of the wavenumber component perpendicular to the stacking direction (being the x axis). Variations in physical parameters with y are neglected assuming infinite material homogeneity along the y direction and the flow velocity is assumed to be directed along the x direction. In the first part of the paper, the governing set of differential equations are derived as well as the imposed boundary conditions. Solutions are provided using Hamilton-s equations for the wavenumber vs. frequency as a function of the number and thickness of solid layers and fluid layers in cases with and without flow (also the case of a position-dependent flow in the fluid layer is considered). In the first part of the paper, emphasis is given to the small-frequency case. Boundary conditions at the bottom and top parts of the full structure are left unspecified in the general solution but examples are provided for the case where these are subject to rigid-wall conditions (Neumann boundary conditions in the acoustic pressure). In the second part of the paper, emphasis is given to the general case of larger frequencies and wavenumber-frequency bandstructure formation. A wavenumber condition for an arbitrary set of consecutive solid and fluid layers, involving four propagating waves in each solid region, is obtained again using the monodromy matrix method. Case examples are finally discussed.
Abstract: This paper examines the depiction of Muslim militants in Thai newspapers in 2004. Stuart Hall-s “representation" and “public idioms" are used as theoretical frameworks. Critical Discourse Analysis is employed as a methodology to examine 240 news articles from two leading Thai language newspapers. The results show that the militants are usually labeled as “southern bandits." This suggests that they are just a culprit of the violence in the deep south of Thailand. They are usually described as people who cause turbulence. Consequently, the military have to get rid of them. However, other aspects of the groups such as their political agenda or the failures of the Thai state in dealing with the Malay Muslims were not mention in the news stories. In the time of violence, the researcher argues that this kind of newspaper coverage may help perpetuate the discourse of Malay Muslim, instead of providing fuller picture of the ongoing conflicts.
Abstract: Nowadays, several techniques such as; Fuzzy
Inference System (FIS) and Neural Network (NN) are employed for
developing of the predictive models to estimate parameters of water
quality. The main objective of this study is to compare between the
predictive ability of the Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System
(ANFIS) model and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model to
estimate the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) on data from 11
sampling sites of Saen Saep canal in Bangkok, Thailand. The data is
obtained from the Department of Drainage and Sewerage, Bangkok
Metropolitan Administration, during 2004-2011. The five parameters
of water quality namely Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Chemical Oxygen
Demand (COD), Ammonia Nitrogen (NH3N), Nitrate Nitrogen
(NO3N), and Total Coliform bacteria (T-coliform) are used as the
input of the models. These water quality indices affect the
biochemical oxygen demand. The experimental results indicate that
the ANN model provides a higher correlation coefficient (R=0.73)
and a lower root mean square error (RMSE=4.53) than the
corresponding ANFIS model.
Abstract: Regulatory relationships of 686 intronic miRNA and 784 intergenic miRNAs with mRNAs of 51 intronic miRNA coding genes were established. Interaction features of studied miRNAs with 5'UTR, CDS and 3'UTR of mRNA of each gene were revealed. Functional regions of mRNA were shown to be significantly heterogenous according to the number of binding sites of miRNA and to the location density of these sites.
Abstract: In this paper, a method for deriving a group priority vector in the Fuzzy Analytic Network Process (FANP) is proposed. By introducing importance weights of multiple decision makers (DMs) based on their experiences, the Fuzzy Preferences Programming Method (FPP) is extended to a fuzzy group prioritization problem in the FANP. Additionally, fuzzy pair-wise comparison judgments are presented rather than exact numerical assessments in order to model the uncertainty and imprecision in the DMs- judgments and then transform the fuzzy group prioritization problem into a fuzzy non-linear programming optimization problem which maximize the group satisfaction. Unlike the known fuzzy prioritization techniques, the new method proposed in this paper can easily derive crisp weights from incomplete and inconsistency fuzzy set of comparison judgments and does not require additional aggregation producers. Detailed numerical examples are used to illustrate the implement of our approach and compare with the latest fuzzy prioritization method.
Abstract: The objective of this paper is to study the analysis and testing for determining the torsional stiffness of the student formula-s space frame. From past study, the space frame for Chulalongkorn University Student Formula team used in 2011 TSAE Auto Challenge Student Formula in Thailand was designed by considering required mass and torsional stiffness based on the numerical method and experimental method. The numerical result was compared with the experimental results to verify the torsional stiffness of the space frame. It can be seen from the large error of torsional stiffness of 2011 frame that the experimental result can not verify by the numerical analysis due to the different between the numerical model and experimental setting. In this paper, the numerical analysis and experiment of the same 2011 frame model is performed by improving the model setting. The improvement of both numerical analysis and experiment are discussed to confirm that the models from both methods are same. After the frame was analyzed and tested, the results are compared to verify the torsional stiffness of the frame. It can be concluded that the improved analysis and experiments can used to verify the torsional stiffness of the space frame.
Abstract: The purposes of this research were 1) to survey the
number of drugstores that unlawful dispense of asthma prescription
drugs, in form of drug combinations in the Phaya Thai district of
Bangkok, 2) to find the steroids contained in that drug combinations,
3) to find a means for informing general public about the dangers of
drugs and for a campaign to stop dispensing them.
Researcher collected drug combinations from 69 drugstores in
Phaya Thai district from Feb 15, 2012 to Mar 15, 2012. The survey
found 30.43%, 21, drug stores, sold asthma drug combinations to
customers without a prescription. These collected samples were
tested for steroid contamination by using Immunochromatography
kits. Eleven samples, 52.38%, were found contaminated with
steroids. In short, there should be control and inspection of
drugstores in the distribution of steroid medications. To improve the
knowledge of self health maintenance and drug usage among public,
Thai Government and Department of Public Health should educate
people about the side effects of using drug combinations and steroids.
Abstract: To strengthen the capital market, there is a need to
integrate the capital markets within the region by removing legal or informal restriction, specifically, stock market liberalization. Thus the paper is to investigate the effects of the subsequent stock market liberalization on stock market integration in 4 ASEAN countries (Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore) and Korea from 1997 to 2007. The correlation between stock market liberalization and stock
market integration are to be examined by analyzing the stock prices
and returns within the region and in comparison with the world
MSCI index. Event study method is to be used with windows of ±12
months and T-7 + T. The results show that the subsequent stock
market liberalization generally, gives minor positive effects to stock
returns, except for one or two countries. The subsequent
liberalization also integrates the markets short-run and long-run.
Abstract: This study investigated the pattern and seasonal index of influenza cases in Thailand. Our results showed that southern Thailand had the highest influenza incidence among the four regions of Thailand (i.e. north, northeast, central and southern Thailand). The influenza pattern in southern Thailand was similar to that of northeastern Thailand. Seasonal index values of influenza cases in Thailand were higher in the hot season than in the wet season. Influenza cases started to increase at the beginning of the hot season (April), reached a maximum in August, rapidly declined in the middle of the wet season and reached the lowest value in December. Seasonal index values for northern Thailand differed from other regions of Thailand.