Thesis and Thematic paper
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Item Open Access Assessing literacy of safety and health at workplace and safety performance among logistic workers : a case study of one wholesale and retail business in Thailand(Mahidol University, 2023) Kitti Wiratgate; Ariya Bunngamchairat; Wisanti Laohaudomchok; Pratana SatitvipaweeWork-related injuries in the wholesale and retail businesses pose a significant problem with substantial repercussions for workers, organizations, and societies. The severity of incidents heightens the risk of work-related injuries within wholesale and retail trade establishments. Such workplace injuries not only result in the loss of life but also cause substantial property damage. This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to assess the relationship between safety and occupational health literacy and safety performance among 161 logistics workers in one wholesale and retail business in Thailand. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics for analysis included number, percentage, mean, and median, while chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used for determining correlations among variables. The findings of the study revealed that overall logistics workers possessed a moderate level of safety and occupational health literacy (54.7%) and a high level of safety performance (83.2%). Significant associations (p < 0.05) were observed among personal characteristics (such as gender, educational level, job position, and work group) and occupational health literacy. It was also noted that the knowledge in all six elements of occupational health literacy was correlated with safety performance with statistical significance (p < 0.05). Importantly, logistics workers with higher health literacy scores exhibited a higher level of safety performance. Implication of the Thematic Paper: The result of this study could be of use to business establishments to develop measures or interventions aimed at enhancing safety practices, specifically in workplaces with high risks. Organizations could leverage these findings by designing training programs that aim to improve workers' levels of knowledge and health literacy. Future research in this area may further extend into other types of workplaces or groups of workers. This, in turn, leads to improved realization regarding workplace safety as well as to effective interventions and practices for a safer work environment.Item Open Access The design and application of 5G technology and automation technology in military parade audio system(Mahidol University, 2023) Wittaya Niyama; Taweesak Samanchuen; Supaporn KiattisinThe article provides a detailed examination of the potential of 5G technology and voice automation in the design of military parade sound systems. The current method of transmitting audio signals through fiber optic cables and relying on personnel for operation has several drawbacks, including high costs and limited flexibility. This study proposes a new solution that leverages 5G technology and voice automation to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the sound system. The research involved conducting simulation tests to evaluate the performance of the proposed system, and the results were promising, showing significant improvements over traditional systems. The researcher concludes that this information can play an important role in the decision-making process for those responsible for selecting sound systems for military parades. The implementation of 5G technology and voice automation can lead to a more efficient, flexible, and cost-effective solution that enhances the overall audio experience during military ceremonies. Implication of the Thematic Paper: The objective of this research is to provide high-quality data for decision-making by commanders in selecting a suitable system for the audio infrastructure of military field gardens. The anticipated outcome is that commanders will receive comprehensive and reliable information to aid them in making informed decisions regarding the selection of a system suitable for operations related to the audio infrastructure in military field gardens. The success of this research will serve as a valuable tool to enhance the evaluation and adoption of appropriate systems within military institutions. Furthermore, there are additional positive implications associated with the utilization of audio systems in military field gardens, such as reducing communication interference, saving time, and improving operational efficiency. With the unwavering dedication and relentless efforts of the researchers, it is believed that this research will be significant and highly beneficial in the refinement and development of audio systems in military field gardens.Item Open Access Digital leadership in Thailand's it firms(Mahidol University, 2023) Supong Chinnawongwirojh; Rojjalak Chuckpaiwong; Addison LeelasantithamNowadays, the trend of the infringement of personal information is increasing continuously, thus causing damage to the economy and social networks all over the world. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is mandatorily applicable to all countries that are trading partners with the European Union. Therefore, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society has recently enacted the Personal Data Protection Act B.E. 2562. According to obstacles to the business sector, many gaps existing in the draft bill needed to be filled up and cordially aligned with the GDPR. In-depth interviews were conducted with 6 related professionals from six different fields including Medical, Banking, Online Trading, Export trading, Information Technology, and Law, in order to analyse comparable benchmark GDPR by considering the basic concepts and intent of the standard, the conceptual framework and intention of GDPR to be consistent with the Thai business sector and considering the fundamental rights in the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2560. The results showed that the bill does not ultimately support Thailand in global trading because of major issues that do not comply with the GDPR, including 1) The definition of personal data that is not explicitly stated, 2) The role of the director of the state with absolute power, 3) Inconsistency with the relevant legislation, 4) Exceptions to the principle of consent and measures concerning the protection of personal data, 5) Criminal penalties, and 6) Lack of good governance. Implication of the Thematic Paper: This comparison benefits security and privacy professionals since the results can be used to ensure that their organization’s practices are consistent with countries with which they may exchange information.Item Open Access An application of the analytic hierarchy process for an online exam software selection(Mahidol University, 2023) Nithiya Phatthanasiriwarakul; Taweesak Samanchuen; Theeraya MayakulThe advanced development in technology improves the educational industry. Digital tools make online learning more effective than in the past. This online learning has existed for a long time, and there is an increasing trend. However, examinations always come together with teaching for evaluation. Online learning has fewer problems compared to online examination. Security is one of the concerns which have been often discussed in the online test process. Effective tools must be employed to prevent cheating. Meanwhile, other factors like functionality and reliability, along with others, are also important to take into consideration. Nevertheless, the demand for exam software is expected to increase, and there are many products available in the market. Each product has a different character. It is a challenge to choose one among the variety of them. Consequently, the selection of exam software is an important part of supporting users in delivering a trustworthy online examination. In this paper, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was applied for the study of the selection of exam software. From the literature review in parallel with ISO/IEC 9126, 3 main criteria and 6 sub-criteria were used in the AHP process. The results show that the top three important criteria are reliability, security, and suitability. Additionally, from the comparison result of the case study for selecting an exam software product, Mettl is the exam software which received the highest score, and the result is reliable based on the consistency value. Implication of Thematic Paper: This study benefits educational institutions and other organizations that are interested in using exam software for evaluating candidates. The research results can be used as preliminary criteria for exam software selection to achieve the user's objectives.Item Open Access Characterization and functional analyses of dengue-specific memory CD8 T cells in healthy Thai subjects with HLA-B*38:02 allele(Mahidol University, 2020) Gurung, Laxmi, 1993-; Jaturong Sewatanon; Wannee Kantakamalakukul; Ladawan Khowawisetsut; Chutikarn ChaimayoDengue virus (DENV) infection is a global public health problem. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 3.9 billion people live in areas at risk of dengue, and approximately 50,000-150,000 dengue cases are reported in Thailand annually. At present, there is no effective vaccine against DENV. Robust CD8 T cell responses are associated with a lower risk of severe dengue. However, the protective role of dengue-specific memory CD8 T cells is still unclear. Recently, our laboratory identified a novel DENV NS3 epitope (NS3 296-304), which induced high levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-g) producing CD8 T cells in a healthy Thai individual upon peptide stimulation; this epitope bound to the HLA-B*38:02 allele in this person. Interestingly, this person had never been diagnosed with dengue illness. Therefore, it is hypothesized that individuals with the HLA-B*38:02 allele could develop dengue-specific memory CD8 T cells that contribute to protective immunity during subsequent dengue virus infection. This project aims to characterize dengue-specific memory CD8 T cells in Thai people with the HLA-B*38:02 allele. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from 8 regular blood donors at Siriraj Blood Bank and had been tested for HLA-B*38 by serology methods. The PBMCs were stimulated by the DENV NS3 296-304 peptide for 6 hours before flow cytometry analyses for tetramer, surface markers, and intracellular cytokines. Moreover, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for antibodies (IgG) against DENV, Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), and Zika virus (ZIKV) were performed to determine whether these study subjects had been exposed to these flaviviruses. Tetramer+ CD8 T cells were detected in all study subjects, with an average of 0.33% of CD8 T cells. The majority of these tetramer+ CD8 T cells were effector memory (CCR7- CD45RA-), with an average of 54.7%. Low levels of IFN-g and TNF-a production were observed after 6 hours of DENV-NS3-peptide stimulation, but surprisingly, they were not significantly higher than in unstimulated cells. All study subjects had anti-DENV IgG in their plasma, and 4 subjects also had anti-ZIKV IgG. In conclusion, the findings suggest that dengue-specific CD8 T cells can be detected in all study subjects who have been exposed to DENV. However, further investigation is required regarding their functions that might contribute to protective immunity against DENV infection.Item Open Access Comparison of diagnostic techniques between microscopic cell-based assay and flow cytometry for evaluating AQP4-IgG serostatus in AQP4-IgG seropositive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients(Mahidol University, 2023) Aniwat Sawangsalee; Panapat Uawithya; Suwattanee KooptwutAquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G (AQP4-IgG) is an autoantibody specifically found in the majority of patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). The discovery of AQP4-IgG has facilitated the development of diagnostic techniques for evaluating AQP4-IgG in patient serum, thereby improving the accuracy of NMO diagnosis. Recent diagnostic methods have utilized AQP4-transfected cell lines in microscopic cell-based assay (CBA) and flow cytometry (FACS) to evaluate AQP4-IgG. In this study, our objective was to develop in-house AQP4-transfected cells to assess the serostatus of AQP4-IgG in suspected NMOSD patients. Additionally, we aim to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of in-house microscopic CBA and FACS compared to a commercial kit for detecting AQP4-IgG seropositive NMOSD patients at the Siriraj Hospital. This study involved generating the AQP4-M23 recombinant plasmid, which was subsequently transfected into HEK293 cells to facilitate the expression of AQP4-M23 as an antigen. Microscopic CBA was performed on 30 suspected NMOSD serum samples using in-house transfected cells, resulting in a sensitivity of 60%, a specificity of 73.3%, and an accuracy of 66.67%. The in-house microscopic CBA demonstrated superior sensitivity compared to alternative AQP4-IgG detection techniques such as immunohistochemistry (IHC) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). For FACS analysis, the number of positive GFP cells was insufficient to validate the positivity and negativity of AQP4-IgG gating, with only 0.41% and 0.14% observed in pSF and AQP4-M23, respectively. This result suggested that this expression plasmid might not be suitable for use in FACS analysis, highlighting the need for increased cell confluency and fluorescence intensity to accurately identify the cells and validate the AQP4-IgG serostatus.Item Open Access Burden of hypertension-related diseases in eastern mediterranean region countries(Mahidol University, 2023) Ahmed, Hanan Taresh Abdo, 1983-; Natkamol Chansatitporn; Sukhontha KongsinHypertension (HTN) is a major cause of premature death worldwide. This study aimed to estimate the number of premature deaths and years of life lost (YLLs) attributable to HTN in the World Health Organization-Eastern Mediterranean Region (WHO-EMR). This study applied population attributable fraction (PAF) approach to estimate the premature mortality and YLLs attributable to hypertension-related diseases; ischemic heart diseases (IHDs), stroke and chronic kidney diseases (CKDs). PAF was estimated by combining the prevalence of a HTN in EMR countries with the Hazard Ratio (HR) for each disease. The number of premature deaths was estimated by multiplying the total number of deaths among adults aged 30 to 69 years from each disease by its corresponding PAF. The total number of deaths per age, cause, sex for each country was obtained from WHO’s database. Furthermore, YLLs were estimated using the last published WHO-life tables for each country. The study revealed that HTN was accountable for 192,404 premature deaths (with 110,149 deaths among males). These deaths accounting for 29% of the total deaths of diseases considered in this study, with Pakistan having the highest number of premature deaths (73,495) and Bahrain being the lowest (194). Premature deaths attributable to HTN in males were higher than in females except in Afghanistan. While, the premature deaths rate attributable to HTN per 10,000 population was recorded to be the highest in Afghanistan and lowest in Qatar. Additionally, premature deaths attributable to HTN resulted in 4.4 million YLLs (2.5 million YLLs or 56.5% among males). Pakistan had the highest YLLs (1.7 million years) and Djibouti had the lowest (5,126 years). In EMR countries, YLLs were the highest in males except in Afghanistan, Morocco and Sudan. The burden of HTN in EMR countries was substantial. The findings of this research support the urgent need to implement national strategies to improve prevention, detection and treatment of HTN in this region. Implication of the Thematic Paper: The results of this research might help authorities in healthcare, healthcare providers, and the general public in the EMR region in understanding the significance of HTN in terms of its impact on health and developing strategies that minimize its burden on the community.Item Open Access Factors affecting mobile banking adoption in the late digital economy era(Mahidol University, 2023) Papatt Chaowanapanit; Theeraya Mayakul; Smitti DarakornOverall usage of digital banking has rapidly increased over the past several years, with the number of active online banking customers expected to reach 2196.7 million by 2022. Thailand has also seen a significant shift towards digital banking, with 49 million users of online banking and 237 million users of mobile banking in the first quarter of 2017. However, customers remain concerned about privacy and security, with reports of fraud and scams targeting mobile banking users. This investigation seeks to determine customer perceptions of risk when using mobile banking for financial transactions and how these perceptions impact their perspective regarding mobile banking. Customers' decisions to use online banking in other nations have been found to be influenced by perceived risk and trust. The outcomes of this investigation indicate that news of fraudsters influences consumers' decisions regarding mobile banking. To encourage consumers to use mobile banking, banks in Thailand should enhance their authentication and security systems for mobile banking. Customer trust in mobile banking is a key to a cashless society. Implication of the Thematic Paper: This study explores the factors that influence Thai customers’ decisions regarding using mobile banking for daily transactions. These findings will be useful for banks operating in Thailand's mobile banking market as they seek to develop and improve their mobile banking services to satisfy their customers' desires and requirements.Item Open Access A simplified closed-form solution and vision system for 5-dof robot arm(Mahidol University, 2020) Sornchai Kahanak; Kiattisak Sritrakulchai; Soranat Raibhu; Supphachan RajsiriThe introduction of modern technology in production has resulted in higher technology competition, which most industries have applied robotic arms to automation. Traditionally, most of the work of industrial robots involves humans using a joystick to direct the movement of the robot arm’s end-effector to the desired working position and then recording it to the robot controller’s memory. When changing the working position, the robot arm’s end-effector must be controlled to the new position and recorded again. In addition, robotic arms are high-priced and often have to be imported; if any parts are broken, an overseas engineer must be hired for repairs, leading to higher costs. Such problems led to research in simplified mathematical modeling and the development of a robot arm control vision system by transforming the problem into a simplified mathematical model for controlling a robot arm with 5 degrees of freedom. The fabricated robot arm device uses a servo motor drive mechanism and a Kinect camera to check the color, position, and orientation of objects. Consequently, the experiment showed that the developed system drives the robot arm to be able to move and pick up desired color objects and carry them to the appropriate storage place properly.Item Open Access The efficacy of energy-based devices for enlarged facial pores : a systematic review(Mahidol University, 2023) Sukit Chansuntinukul; Poonkiat Suchonwanit; Vasanop Vachiramon; Kunlawat Thadanipon; Suthinee RutninFacial pores, the small openings in the skin responsible for sweat and sebum passage, play a crucial role in maintaining skin health. However, when these pores become enlarged, it can lead to various cosmetic concerns and psychological impacts. Objectives: To determine the efficacy of each energy-based device for enlarged facial pores. Methods: A literature search was performed via the PubMed and Embase databases to identify relevant studies published without language restrictions through January 4th, 2023. The studies included randomized controlled studies of facial pores treated with energy-based devices and studies of energy-based devices combined with combination therapy. The primary outcome of the studies included pore count, pore volume, pore area, pore grading scales and improvement scales. The quality was assessed by using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool/ RoB2. Results: A total of 4,134 studies were identified. After removing duplicates and screening the data, 264 full-text papers were evaluated for eligibility. Among these, 242 records were excluded, leaving 21 eligible studies. Ablative fractional lasers such as fractional carbon dioxide, erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Er:YAG), and yttrium scandium gallium garnet (YSGG) lasers have shown promise in reducing facial pores, with fractional carbon dioxide laser demonstrating significant improvement in multiple trials. Ablative fractional laser resurfacing combined with topical stem cell therapy has also yielded positive results. Non-ablative fractional lasers, particularly with 1565nm and 1927nm wavelengths, have been considered effective and safe for reducing facial pores. Other treatments like microneedle radiofrequency, focused ultrasound, intense pulsed light and certain laser modalities such as Q-switch Nd: YAG (with or without topical carbon), and fractional picosecond lasers with a 1064nm wavelength have demonstrated efficacy in reducing pore size, while long-pulse Nd: YAG lasers and fractional picosecond lasers with a 755nm wavelength and broadband light have shown mixed results or no benefits in reducing pores size. Limitations: The included studies exhibit heterogeneity in the assessment method, with variations between objective and subjective measures used to evaluate treatment efficacy. Furthermore, differences in study design, including variations in the method of measuring efficacy, treatment parameters, and patient characteristics, further complicate the comparison and synthesis of results. Due to these limitations, a meta-analysis cannot be performed. Implication of Thematic Paper: This thematic has the potential to provide a non-invasive or minimally invasive solution for individuals dealing with enlarged facial pores. Our results could contribute to advancing the field of dermatology and aesthetic medicine by informing future treatment approaches and guiding healthcare professionals in recommending suitable interventions for individuals seeking pore reduction.Item Open Access Securing MQTT communication with a dynamic session key generation between ESP32 and Node-RED(Mahidol University, 2023) Kiatkachorn Saripan; Thitinan Tantidham; Assadarat Khurat; Dolvara GunatilakaOver the past few years, the Internet of Things (IoT) has become one of the most popular global trends for smart living. However, many IoT devices, such as ESP32, may transmit sensitive information with unsecured communication protocol. Communication is needed to be protected against unexpected attacks. The Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) protocol is one of the most popular IoT protocols. Despite its popularity, the protocol does not provide any level of security by default. Although Transport Layer Security (TLS) can be used to secure communication, an asymmetric cipher is not suited for resource-constrained devices as it may degrade the performance of the communication. This research focuses on securing MQTT communication between ESP32 implemented with MicroPython as an IoT device and Node-RED deployed with Eclipse Mosquitto as an MQTT broker. The proposed work is to deploy a key-management server for session-key generation and device management. We divide the process into two parts: device registration and securing MQTT communication. First, each ESP32 needs to register itself to the key management server. The system administrator must configure the Node-RED server and enable ESP32 manually from the key-management-server console. The key-management server responds with a challenge content to ESP32. ESP32 must prove itself by using HMAC algorithm to obtain a secured session. The ESP32 can then transmit the data using the secured session. The communication between ESP32 and Node-RED will be encrypted using a chosen encryption algorithm, such as AES-256, configured on the key management server. Implication of the Thematic Paper: There are several potential directions for further enhancing the proposed system in this work listed as follows: 1. Other encryption algorithms can be added to the proposed system, specifically on the key management server. 2. Enhancing the security features of the MQTT broker with seamless integration by implementing a plugin for the MQTT broker.Item Open Access Children's rights to education in the digital era : barriers of the digital divide for children of low-income families in Nepal(Mahidol University, 2023) Karmacharya, Swasti, 1998-; Wasantha Senevirathe; Capaldi, MarkHuman rights in Nepal recognize education as a fundamental right for all individuals. The pathways to achieve undisrupted access to education particularly for children from low-income families are still bounded by poverty and emerging barriers, such as digital divide. Thus, the objective of this research was to identify and critically examine the relationship between the barriers of digital divide and children’s right to education, especially in the context of COVID-19 pandemic which has placed further challenges on the education system. This qualitative research employed a narrative inquiry approach by using key informant interviews (KII) as its research method. The total sample size of this research was 19 key participants including parents of children from low-income families, public school teachers, NGOs, and subject matter experts from Kathmandu, Nepal. The data were analyzed by using narrative analysis. The research findings showed that digital divide significantly impacted children’s access to education, including the divide in ownership, access to digital devices, and infrastructures. Possessing relevant knowledge, skills, adequate exposure, and experience to efficiently use the digital technologies for learning purposes were equally crucial in determining the impacts of digital divide. Moreover, the compounded impacts of digital divide in education and COVID-19 further perpetuated systemic inequalities and reinforced forms of privilege and exclusion within the Nepalese education system. The existing regulatory frameworks of Nepal also proved to be doing very little to address the problems associated with educational inequity and consequent disparities. This research concluded that children from low-income families were continuously challenged by existing and emerging barriers, thus hindering their access to education. Implication of Thesis: This research highlights the gaps in knowledge, understanding and awareness on the prevalence, and impacts of digital divide on children’s access to education in Nepal. This research helps raising awareness on the necessary actions needed by relevant duty bearers and stakeholders to ensure children from all backgrounds realize their education rights in an equitable manner in Nepal.Item Open Access The investigation on upper muscle strength, body composition and cardiopulmonary fitness during and after the long-term exercise program comparison between using and not using the adaptive upper limb prosthesis in the transradial amputee(Mahidol University, 2023) Sirikanya Nimyaem; Navaporn Chadchavalpanichaya; Guerra, GaryThe study aimed to investigate the change of a transradial amputee’s health on three dimensions after experiencing a long-term exercise program involved the adaptive prosthesis and not involving the prosthesis one. The researcher employed a single case study with A-B-A repetitively experimental design. One qualified unilateral transradial amputee had recruited. The outcome measure used in this study included surface electromyography, body composition, and maximal aerobic capacity. The result after completing all phases of exercise programs, the body fat percentage of the participant were reduced by 4.77%. For the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), the result taken after phase A1 showed the best on biceps and triceps brachii (202.28 uV and 100.35 uV), whilst the baseline and phase A2 demonstrated the maximum value on pectoralis major (104.46 uV) and anterior deltoid (276.21 uV), respectively. Phase B showed the best VO2 max among the three exercise phases, but 3 ml/kg/min was less than the baseline condition.Item Open Access The laoman’e-bulang tradition of tea-tree consecration under Theravada Buddhism : an empirical study(Mahidol University, 2023) Yan, Wenen, 1990-; Somboon Watana; Phibul ChoompolpaisalThis study focuses on the tea tree consecration ceremony of the Bulang ethnic people in the Laoman’e village of Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China. It aimed to investigate and explore the Bulang Theravāda Buddhist ethnic minority and how it performs the traditional tea tree festival in the region, and aimed to survey how tea tree festivals contribute to the community in terms of economy, religion, culture, and tradition in society. This study has three objectives: 1) to study the historical background of tea in Laoman’e Bulang village and its relation to people’s livelihood and religion, 2) to study tea culture and Theravāda Buddhism in the Bulang ethnic Buddhist community, and 3) to analyze the significance of the tea tree consecration tradition of the Bulang ethnic Buddhist community. The study applied the qualitative research method and the sociological approach to religious studies. This consists of in-depth interviews with 17 research subjects, and the samples were selected from the Bulang ethnic community who are knowledgeable about the tea culture and religion in the Laoman’e village of Xishuangbanna, Yunnan. At the same time, the author observed the tea tree festival, which is held once a year in the month of April. There were three major findings that emerged from the study. The first finding strongly indicates a long-standing relationship between tea-drinking culture and Buddhism, since both were brought to China from the nearby country of India. The second finding suggests that there are two methods used to perform the tea tree consecration ceremony: traditional rituals and Theravāda Buddhist culture. And the third finding shows that the Bulang ethnic group places great significance on the tea tree consecration ceremony and its culture in terms of economics, Buddhism, culture, rites and rituals, and society at large. In summary, based on the findings, tea plays a crucial role in the development of the economy, culture, religion, and tradition in the Bulang ethnic society. Tea and Theravāda Buddhism have a long-standing correlation since Buddhism and tea were introduced in Yunnan province of China.Item Open Access The development of critical consciousness in Thai student activists : understanding the role of the coup d'etat and military regime from 2014-2019(Mahidol University, 2023) Pau Supanuntaroek; Vachararutai Boontinand; Bencharat Sae ChuaAfter the coup d’état in 2014 in Thailand, the ruling junta issued a ban on all political activities. During this time, when other political and social forces were silenced, student activists unexpectedly emerged as an active force fighting against the military power. Why did the student movement re-emerge at this time when political freedom in Thailand became heavily restricted? By using the concept of critical consciousness, this research examined the process of growth and consciousness development student activists underwent while facing oppression. It was found that the pathway towards critical consciousness development for Thai student activists differed from that of their counterparts in democratic countries. In a military dictatorship, instances of state violence were more obvious, and students faced a higher level of risk and danger as a result of their activism. The research also confirmed the reciprocal and cyclical nature of critical consciousness development, whereby the development of one component strengthened the others and vice versa. Past and current student-related discourses were also examined. The result demonstrated that while interviewed students rejected the tendency of these popular discourses to glorify their own group, the students also admitted that they have benefited from them, which partly accounted for their high critical consciousness level.Item Open Access Factors associated with depression among elderly in Mahalaxmi municipality, Lalitpur, Nepal(Mahidol University, 2023) Shrestha, Gaurav Sunder, 1989-; Sukhontha Kongsin; Sukhum Jiamton; Sukhontha SiriThis cross-sectional study was conducted in Mahalaxmi Municipality, Lalitpur, Nepal, with the aim of assessing the factors associated with depression among the elderly. The study was conducted among 370 respondents aged 60 years or above in Mahalaxmi Municipality, Lalitpur. Data analysis was performed using percentages, means, standard deviations, chi-square tests, binary logistic regression, and multiple logistic regression analysis. The findings revealed a 53.2% prevalence of depression. The factors associated with depression were age, sex, education, marital status, ethnicity, occupation, income sufficiency, alcohol, financial dependency, comorbidities, social support, and quality of life. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that age (AOR = 2.05, C.I: 1.12-3.75), social support (AOR = 13.86, CI: 5.81-33.08), and quality of life (AOR = 5.64, CI: 3.06-10.41) were the factors associated with depression. Implication of Thesis: This study highlights depression as a substantial problem among the elderly. This warrants the need for planning and designing interventions for the elderly, which in turn will help reduce depression. Mental health at different levels among the elderly needs to be prioritized by policymakers.Item Open Access The implementation of the orthogonal detector arrays for patient specific QA in tomotherapy(Mahidol University, 2023) Nichuda Panpheng; Nualjun Stansook; Puangpen TangboonduangjitHelical Tomotherapy modulated the radiation beams intensity using binary multileaf movement synchronization with couch translation and gantry rotation. This complexity of delivery required a valid patient-specific quality assurance (PSQA) system to ensure the accurate delivery of treatment plans. The Delta 4 plus is the orthogonal diode arrays that enables providing 3D dose distribution and instantaneous analysis. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the efficiency of the Delta4 plus for PSQA tool in Tomotherapy H at NCI. The detector was investigated for the basic dosimetric characteristic in terms of short-term reproducibility, response linearity, and dose rate dependence including effect of PTV size and location that simulated from clinical case. Moreover, the Delta4 plus response was also evaluated for the effect of the geometry planning parameters such as field width (FW), pitch, and modulation factor (MF). Finally, the retrospective of 30 patient’s plans (10 prostate cancers, 10 head and neck cancers, and 10 breast cancers) who were treated with Tomotherapy H at NCI were studied and the gamma passing rate (GP) results were compared to the MapCHECK2, which is the routine PSQA tool at NCI. The Delta4 plus response was stable within ± 0.37% for ten repeated measurements. The dose was linearly (R2 = 1) proportional to the clinical beam on times range of 10 to 1,000 secs. The Delta4 plus showed less dependence on the dose rate variation (600 – 1,000 MU/min) with the variation of response was within 0.3%. The Delta4 plus showed no different response for PTV sizes and locations with the average GP was greater than 90% using the gamma criteria of 3% 3mm (TG148). However, the effects were exhibited when using a strict criteria of 2% 2mm. The GP was decreased when the PTV size was increased and located far away from the detector’s center. For the effect of geometry planning parameters, the Delta4 plus response showed the average GP more than 95% (3% 3mm, criteria) and demonstrated no significant difference for various FWs, pitches, and MFs (p value > 0.05). For the clinical cases, the results of PSQA in each sites of cancer provided high average GP greater than 95% with gamma criteria of 3% 3mm. Moreover, the GP results of Delta4 plus was showed moderate correlation with MapCHECK2 measurement. In addition, in this study, we also evaluated the effect of CT-image data set using to create the DQA plans and found that there were no significant difference (p value > 0.05) for both of actual and virtual CT images sets. In conclusion, the Delta4 plus can be considered as a suitable and effective quality assurance tool for the DQA of Tomotherapy H at NCI. Implication of Thesis: The Delta4 Plus is suitable for use as a DQA tool in Tomotherapy due to its excellent dosimetric characteristics exhibited by the detector, less dependence on geometric plan parameters, and high gamma passing rate results. The detector's gamma passing rate results show a moderate correlation with the MapCHECK2, which is currently the routine DQA tool used in Tomotherapy. Additionally, the results demonstrate the superior performance of the Delta4 Plus in 3D gamma analysis for searching control points for the PTVs that are large and located off-axis, resulting in a higher passing rate compared to the 2D gamma analysis of the MapCHECK2. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that the Delta4 Plus can be used for routine PSQA in Tomotherapy at NCI.Item Open Access Tuberculosis patient in Thai-Myanmar borderland during outbreaks of Coronavirus : infections situation and impact on medical treatment(Mahidol University, 2023) Supaporn Sanraun; Natnaree Aimyong; Wisit ChaveepojnkamjornSoutheast Asia is an area where tuberculosis (TB) is prevalent. The Thai healthcare system, especially in the border areas, faces challenges in controlling the spread of TB from neighboring countries. This study aimed to explore TB and the factors associated with TB infection during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Thai-Myanmar border area in Umphang District, Tak Province. Data collection took place during March 2021-March 2022. A mixed-methods approach was used, involving data analysis from the TB surveillance system and interviews with 34 TB patients who were also infected with COVID-19 (27 males, mean age = 47.21, SD = 18.4). In-depth interviews were also conducted with ten people, including hospital directors, TB clinic staff, a local shop owner employing Myanmar migrant workers, village leaders, and TB patients who were also infected with COVID-19. The study found that the number of TB patients decreased in 2020 compared to 2019. Regarding patient behavior, 41.1% did not wear a mask when leaving their homes. The quantitative analysis found that crossing the Thai-Myanmar border (OR = 10.31; 95% CI, 1.808-82.303, p = 0.004) and direct contact with foreigners, especially Myanmar migrants (OR = 12.75; 95% CI, 1.97-152.05, p = 0.003), were factors predicting TB infection from an external source. These findings provide important information for policymakers and health professionals in preventing the spread of TB and COVID-19 in border areas. From the qualitative data, the COVID-19 outbreak has had a negative impact on TB patients' physical and mental health, healthcare access, and economic status. The study suggests that after the COVID-19 pandemic ends, it is possible that there may be an increase in tuberculosis patients, particularly in the Thai-Myanmar border areas and among residents of that region. This study identifies a problem of comprehensive disease prevention, despite the public being encouraged through various media to wear masks, wash hands, and maintain social distancing. Patients with tuberculosis who need to prevent the spread of the disease still lack proper prevention measures. Therefore, creating appropriate media for disease prevention is crucial. Implication of Thesis: The present thesis has effectively utilized its research findings to make significant contributions in the development of easily comprehensible and globally communicable media materials. Specifically, visual communication tools have been employed to effectively disseminate knowledge about tuberculosis prevention among foreign residents residing in the Thai-Myanmar border areas. This approach has successfully facilitated the understanding and active involvement of the target audience in tuberculosis prevention efforts. Moreover, the thesis serves as a valuable guideline for the implementation of public health policies, particularly in the context of preventing communicable diseases in border areas characterized by diverse populations, which may differ from other regions.Item Open Access A new business model for cross-border telemedicine in Thailand(Mahidol University, 2023) Purinut Butdee; Theeraya Mayakul; Smitti Darakorn Na AyuthayaTelemedicine is a technology that allows patients and doctors to communicate in real-time to exchange useful information for diagnosis, treatment, and disease prevention. Nowadays, telemedicine technology is increasingly being used in medical services around the world. The Thai government has campaigned to develop a strategy to transform Thailand into a medical hub. Therefore, a development plan must be set to make Thailand an international health center that can compete with other countries. Many private hospital businesses in Thailand have been certified by HA and JCI standards, ranking first in Southeast Asia. Thailand's strength factor is the service guarantee as an international standard according to US accreditation standards. Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, foreigners cannot travel to receive treatment in Thailand. Telemedicine is the critical solution to improve accessibility. Furthermore, this technology also allows patients to receive continuous treatment without limitations of time, language and high costs. This study aims to design and develop a new cross-border telemedicine business model as a one-stop solution in a virtual format to support the international market, reduce restrictions, and help people access online medical services quickly and without borders. The research tools are the business model canvas for analysis and the enterprise architecture to design the framework. The result is the framework consisting of policy, business, application, related data, and technology to enhance the medical service and comply with the standard and regulations. The overall framework's effectiveness in relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability is expected. Implication of the Thematic Paper: This research was conducted to develop a framework that allows people to access medical services at any time, from anywhere in the world, reducing barriers regarding language, travel and cost. It can also be used as information and business guidelines for entrepreneurs in the health industry. The research results can be used as guidelines to inspire and increase income opportunities. It helps reduce limitations and increase efficiency, as well as the potential to compete with existing businesses in the industry.Item Open Access Retail business chatbot implementation with Dialogflow and IBM Watson(Mahidol University, 2023) Kritima Klomnoi; Taweesak Samanchuen; Supaporn KiattisinThis study focuses on integrating chatbots, a popular artificial intelligence tool, with social and business channels to alleviate human workload by providing frequently asked questions and practical solutions. The research proposes a two-phase method for evaluating chatbot platforms. In the first phase, the chatbot is designed, and results are collected with confidence values. Two prominent chatbot platforms, IBM Watson and Google Dialogflow, are selected for evaluation using a test set comprising 57 questions from nineteen intents. The results of the first phase reveal that Dialogflow exhibits higher confidence values and intent classification. However, both platforms demonstrate similar accuracy results for context testing. The second phase employs Nielsen's heuristics and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method to compare and evaluate the chatbot platforms. Ten conversation designers participated in this evaluation process. The AHP survey results indicate that intent and flow accuracy are considered the most critical criteria, whereas aesthetic and minimalist design receive the lowest significance. Google Dialogflow achieves the first rank with a score of 0.55, while IBM Watson achieves a score of 0.44. Overall, this research contributes to understanding chatbot integration in businesses and provides insights into the evaluation of chatbot platforms based on confidence values, intent classification, accuracy, and user perceptions. Implication of the Thematic Paper: The findings of this study suggest that when evaluating chatbot platforms, aesthetic and minimalist design should be given less importance compared to other metrics. On the other hand, intent and context accuracy emerge as the most crucial factors to consider. These results can serve as a valuable guideline for designing chatbot interfaces focusing on core features that enhance flow accuracy, provide helpful error messages, and offer user control freedom. Beyond platform providers, conversation designers can leverage these findings to develop their methods and forms for evaluating chatbots. Designers can create chatbot systems that better meet user needs and expectations by emphasizing intent and context accuracy. Overall, this research provides practical implications for the design and evaluation of chatbots, emphasizing the significance of core functionality and accuracy while highlighting the need for user-friendly interfaces that prioritize seamless user experiences.