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The fiber of paper mulberry, which is mostly grown in the East Asian region, varies in both length and width—even if from the same species—depending on the country, soil, and climate where it is grown. This accounts for differences in the quality of handmade paper between domestic and imported products. Once handmade paper is manufactured as sheets, its origin cannot be determined from a morphological perspective, regardless of macroscopic and microscopic observations. Therefore, this study attempted to determine the origin of Korean and imported products using mulberry bast fiber and handmade paper from a chemometrics perspective. The inorganic components of wood are absorbed from the soil and exist in the bark of trees; thus, metal and rare-earth elements in the bast fibers and handmade papers were quantitatively analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy/mass spectrometry (ICP-AES/MS). Following this, a prediction model of their origin was constructed by applying multivariate statistical analysis, i.e., a partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) loading plot was constructed, which helped in identifying the discrimination factors resulting from their origin. According to the ICP-AES results, Pb was only detected in the Gyeongbuk Mungyeong dak sample of the Korean bast fibers. The Chinese bast fiber sample had high contents of Ca, and B and Zn were detected only in the Chinese bast fiber samples. Bast fiber samples from China, Japan, and Thailand showed relatively high contents of Al, Ca, and Na. Meanwhile, Cu and Zn were detected in the handmade paper manufactured from the imported materials. According to the ICP-MS results, among the Korean handmade papers, the products from Gyeongbuk Mungyeong, Andong, and Chungbuk Goesan exhibited a high U content and that from Gapyeong had high Sc, Rb, Sr, and Ba contents. Thus, the elemental analysis employed in this study effectively identified the origin of the papers. The origin prediction by PLS-DA for the domestic and imported products revealed an accuracy of 86.4% and 72.7% for ICP-AES and ICP-MS methods, respectively, which is deemed acceptable to assess the origin. We believe this method significantly contributes to determining the origin of paper mulberry bast fiber and handmade paper manufactured in East Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Borodin–Kostochka conjecture says that for a graph G , if Δ (G) ≥ 9 , then χ (G) ≤ max { Δ (G) − 1 , ω (G) }. Cranston and Rabern in [SIAM J. Discrete. Math. 27 (2013) 534–549] proved the conjecture holding for K 1 , 3 -free graphs. In this paper, we prove that the conjecture holds for K 1 , 3 ¯ -free graphs, where K 1 , 3 ¯ denotes the complement of K 1 , 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose two bilevel models to cope with problems concerning waste management. The first formulation stems from a multi-objective version of the problem present in the literature, while the second one improves upon the first by taking into account a theoretical result associated with the first formulation. For both models, we provide the optimistic and the pessimistic versions. We validate these formulations in a case study in the Pathum Thani province in Thailand. Moreover, we compare the results obtained by the bilevel formulation to those obtained by a multi-objective version of the problem. Finally, we provide our thoughts on future applications in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both the ABO and Rhesus (Rh) blood groups play crucial roles in blood transfusion medicine. Herein, we report a simple and low-cost paper-based analytical device (PAD) for phenotyping red blood cell (RBC) antigens. Using this Rh typing format, 5 Rh antigens on RBCs can be simultaneously detected and macroscopically visualized within 12 min. The proposed Rh phenotyping relies on the presence or absence of hemagglutination in the sample zones after immobilizing the antibodies targeting each Rh antigen. The PAD was optimized in terms of filter paper type, antibodies, and distance of the visualization zone. In this study, the optimal conditions were Whatman filter paper Grade 4; anti-D, –C, -E, -c, and -e antibodies; RBC suspension of 30%; and a visualization zone of 1 cm above the sample zone. The accuracy of simultaneously phenotyping the five Rh RBC antigens in the blood samples (n = 4692) was 99.19%, comparable with the accuracy of the gold-standard tube method used by blood bank laboratories in several regions of Thailand. Furthermore, decision making based on this method can be assisted by deep learning. After implementing a two-stage objective detection algorithm (YOLO v4-tiny) and classification model (DenseNet-201), the ambiguous images (n = 48) were interpreted with 100% accuracy. The PAD integrated with customized-region convolutional neural networks can reduce the interpretation discrepancies in RBC antigen phenotyping in any laboratory. [Display omitted] • Five Rh antigens typing PADs combined with deep learning algorithm for an assisted human-decision. • Rh antigens typing PADs were tested with real blood samples and compared with the standard tube method. • Dataset of photographs following Rh PADs testing were trained and evaluated by the in-house deep learning platform CiRA CORE. • Misinterpretation caused by weak or ambiguous reactions was solved by the CiRA CORE platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a statistical model for computing global spectral solar irradiance under all-sky conditions at four stations situated in main regions of Thailand. The model expresses the global spectral irradiance under all-sky conditions as a multiplication of two functions, namely, a function of global spectral irradiance under clear-sky conditions and a cloud modification function. To develop the model, global spectral solar irradiance was measured at four stations in the main regions of Thailand, namely Chiang Mai (18.77˚ N, 98.97˚ E) in the northern region of Thailand, Ubon Ratchathani (15.25˚ N, 104.87˚ E) in the north-eastern region of the country, Nakhon Pathom (13.82˚ N, 100.04˚ E) in the central region of this country, and Songkhla (7.18˚ N, 100.60˚ E) in the southern region of Thailand. The spectral data from these stations were gathered and divided into two groups. The first group (January 2017 to December 2020) was used for modeling and the second group (January 2021 to December 2021) for validating the model. The first function was developed using the first group of data. Clear-sky conditions were detected using sky images obtained from a sky camera installed at each station. To develop the second function, a satellite-derived cloud index derived from Himawari-8 data at the stations was utilized. To validate the model of the global spectral solar irradiance under all-sky conditions, the model was employed to compute the global solar irradiance at the four stations for the year 2021, and the findings were compared to the global solar irradiance determined from the measurements taken at the four stations. It was discovered that the spectral irradiance calculated from the model and that acquired from the measurements was in good agreement. There was a discrepancy in the form of root mean square difference relative to the mean measured value (RMSD) of 9.48%. We concluded that the model performed well in computing the global spectral solar irradiance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is the first empirical study on adverse selection and moral hazard in the corporate disaster insurance market. By constructing and examining a unique plant-level panel dataset on the 2011 Thailand floods, we overcome the general lack of data that has previously prevented a systematic study on the issue. By exploiting unexpected, large losses caused by a severe disaster, we find evidence of adverse selection for both property and business interruption insurance. Moral hazard, measured by impacts on recovery efforts, is also found for both types of insurance, albeit more salient effects for business interruption insurance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attention mechanisms have been shown to play a crucial role in enhancing visual perception tasks. However, in most existing approaches, channel and spatial attention maps are estimated separately without considering the varying importance of each other. This results in a coarse attention weight for objects of interest from a holistic 3-D perspective. To address this issue, we propose a novel Parameter-free Spatial Intersection Attention Module (SIAM), which estimates 3D attention maps with spatial intersection using a parameter-free way. Specifically, SIAM first generates two independent mean queries from two spatial axes and views input as keys. Then, by computing a dot product between these mean queries and keys, SIAM generates two cross-dimension (channel and spatial) attention maps from two spatial directions and combines them into 3-D attention maps. By doing so, the produced attention maps reason important areas with spatial intersection, which can capture location-aware information to facilitate difficult objects' location in the images. We evaluate our method in image classification, object detection, and object segmentation tasks. Extensive experimental results consistently demonstrate our approach is superior to its counterparts. • The paper introduces a novel, plug-and-play 3-D attention module without requiring parameters. • A parameter-free method simultaneously associates both spatial and channel information. • Combination of horizontal and vertical queries to form the attention map, which is simple and easy to implement. • The straightforward use of matrix products and average pooling operations makes inference speeds faster than prior methods. • Excellent performance improvements over other attention methods while obtaining higher FPS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As countries implement renewable energy policies, it's important to understand the impacts of policies on sustainability. Population, economic and production changes affects in land use, water consumption and emissions along with trade-offs for limited resources to achieve food and energy security. Thailand faces increasing electricity imports and agricultural production, causing residue burning, a resource utilized for electricity generation. Thailand implemented a renewable energy policy and another to curb sugarcane residue burning addressing above challenges. The paper uses an extended input-output model in Thailand and the Northeast to understand impacts of these policies on output, labor income, employment, land and water use, etc. The study concludes these policies lead to supplementary increase in income, employment and value added contributing towards achieving SDGs through energy security, climate action, decent work and economic growth. At a national level, renewable energy policy is unable to capture a large potential of biomass electricity, while the no burn policy is better able to achieve sustainability through total output, income, employment, and water use. The renewable energy policy in Northeast Thailand is better able to capture the electricity potential. The Northeast also sees land use shifts from rice to cane, which could cause food security challenges. • Thailand faces growing challenges with energy security and crop residue burning. • To address the challenges, they implemented RE policies and crop burning policies. • The study uses extended input-output models in Thailand and Northeast Thailand. • We see positive effects of the policies on the economy, society and environment. • The policies fall short in capturing the full potential of biomass electricity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

National logistics cost can be used as a key indicator to reflect a country's overall logistics performance and monitor their respective logistics policies. However, not all countries have developed this indicator, and some have used differing methodologies. This paper provides an approach for calculating national logistics cost per gross domestic product (NLC/GDP) in the context of Thailand and demonstrates its veracity and validity using an action research methodology with key stakeholders. The approach utilizes easily obtainable macro level data combined with survey data. The calculation method has progressively improved in its accuracy and efficacy to reflect Thailand's logistic context. The proposed approach contributes to the national logistics cost debate and can inform academics, managers, and policy makers not just in Thailand but, in other countries when developing their own NLC/GDP to evaluate their respective logistics development activities. • Explains methodology to calculate national logistics cost based on national accounts tables and survey. • Improves accuracy of national logistics costs calculation. • Validates calculation assumptions with empirical survey of 6000 firms. • Confirms individual cost components from previous research. • National logistics cost can be used for Thai government's logistics policy development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Airborne transmissibility of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has highlighted the urgent need for aerosol monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 to prevent sporadic outbreaks of COVID-19. The inadequate sensitivity of conventional methods and the lack of an on-site detection system limited the practical SARS-CoV-2 monitoring of aerosols in public spaces. We have developed a novel SARS-CoV-2-in-aerosol monitoring system (SIAMs) which consists of multiple portable cyclone samplers for collecting aerosols from several venues and a sensitive "sample-to-answer" microsystem employing an integrated cartridge for the analysis of SARS-CoV-2 in aerosols (iCASA) near the sampling site. By seamlessly combining viral RNA extraction based on a chitosan-modified quartz filter and " in situ " tetra-primer recombinase polymerase amplification (tpRPA) into an integrated microfluidic cartridge, iCASA can provide an ultra-high sensitivity of 20 copies/mL, which is nearly one order of magnitude greater than that of the commercial kit, and a short turnaround time of 25 min. By testing various clinical samples of nasopharyngeal swabs, saliva, and exhaled breath condensates obtained from 23 COVID-19 patients, we demonstrate that the positive rate of our system was 3.3 times higher than those of the conventional method. Combining with multiple portable cyclone samplers, we detected 52.2% (12/23) of the aerosol samples, six times higher than that of the commercial kit, collected from the isolation wards of COVID-19 patients, demonstrating the excellent performance of our system for SARS-CoV-2-in-aerosol monitoring. We envision the broad application of our microsystem in aerosol monitoring for fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Evidence suggests that manufacturing companies have tried to address the current environmental challenges derived from their operations by implementing various operational environmental sustainability approaches, including green manufacturing (GM), cleaner production (CP), green lean (GL), green supply chain management (GSCM), reverse logistics (RLs) and circular economy (CE). However, although their adoption is well documented in developed nations and few other countries, very little has been done to understand such phenomenon in a rapid developing country such as Thailand. This paper aims at filling this gap by providing light into some fundamental issues regarding the implementation of these approaches in the manufacturing sector of Thailand. A survey-based exploratory research was carried out based on 287 Thai manufacturing companies. The data was analysed using a combination of descriptive and inferential statics. The study revealed that a large amount of investment capacity, and proper training & knowledge are needed to fully implement the studied operational approaches. This resulted in some of the weakest elements of Thai manufacturing firms and hence the main barriers to their implementation. The study also showed that Thai manufacturing firms consider the impact on the environment and benefits from adopting these operational approaches as company's policy and own initiative, environmental awareness, and cost saving from conservation of energy as the main reasons for adopting the studied operational approaches. Finally, the findings also indicate that Thai manufacturing firms tend to implement them because of internal factors and that they lack of motivation from external factors and involvement from other stakeholders. The paper extends the current limited knowledge on the deployment of operational environmental sustainability approaches in Asia, and its results can be beneficial for organisations that aim at effectively adopting them to improve their operation's sustainability. Highlights • Evidence of the implementation of sustainability approaches in Thailand is limited. • Paper provides light into fundamental issues regarding their adoption. • 287 Thai manufacturing companies participated in this survey-based exploratory study. • Study reveals degree of implementation, main drivers and barriers of the studied approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a large-scale school readiness survey in Thailand, this paper presents empirical evidence of learning losses from school closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic for kindergartners. Overall results indicate that school closure during the outbreak of COVID-19 causes significant learning losses in cognitive skills, especially in mathematics and working memory. The negative impact is heterogeneous across several dimensions, including child gender, special needs, wealth, private tutoring, caregiver education, and parental absence. This paper also estimates daily learning gains, of which significant results confirm that going to school has significantly benefited young children, especially in receptive language, mathematics, and working memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mainland Southeast Asia experiences complex and variable hydroclimatic conditions, mainly due to its location at the intersection of Asian monsoon subsystems. Predicting future changes requires an in-depth understanding of paleoclimatic conditions that is currently hindered by a paucity of records in some regions. In this paper, we present the first speleothem stable isotope records from western Thailand detailing the Bølling-Allerød interstadial, Younger Dryas termination, and early- to mid-Holocene period. We find evidence of higher precipitation during the Bølling-Allerød (14,321–12,824 years before present (1950: BP)) compared to a Younger Dryas termination that starts 11,702–11,674 BP, has a rapid shift centered on 11,660–11,641 BP, and ends 11,603–11,589 BP. In addition, our records show Holocene monsoon intensity peaking at 8250 BP or before, a multi-millennia delay from the Northern Hemisphere summer insolation peak, followed by a trend to drier conditions until at least 750 BP. Assessment of the timing of the Younger Dryas termination in paleoclimate records across Southeast Asia reveals an earlier shift of the Indian Summer Monsoon to global climate shifts when compared to East Asian Summer Monsoon records. The causes of this are currently unknown. Some potentially important aspects include: an Indian Summer Monsoon influence on East Asian Summer Monsoon strength via the Indian Ocean Dipole climate pattern, the role of the Tibetan Plateau in monsoon dynamics, and exposure of the Sundaland shoreline. More high-resolution paleoclimate records, especially on the pathway of Indian Summer Monsoon to East Asian Summer Monsoon, are required for further discussion on the mechanisms controlling the differences between climate regimes. • We present two new speleothem stable isotope records from western Thailand. • Conditions trend wetter during the Bølling-Allerød. • Early and abrupt termination of the Younger Dryas (11,675–11,600 BP, ±73 years). • Change Point Analysis of records finds earlier rapid shift in Indian Summer Monsoon. • Distinct trend of increasing δ18O and δ13C values throughout Holocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Space–time parallel methods can leverage modern parallel computing architectures to further accelerate numerical simulations where parallelizing only in space limits concurrency. In this paper, we develop a high-order space–time parallel computing method for solving the Navier–Stokes equations. The method is based on revisionist integral deferred correction (RIDC) algorithm proposed by Christlieb, Macdonald and Ong [SIAM J. Sci. Comput., 32 (2010), pp. 818-835]. This parallel-in-time algorithm yields high-order accurate results within a wall-clock time comparable to that of a forward or backward Euler simulation. We extend the RIDC algorithm to a space–time parallel method and apply the method to a compressible fluid solver using the message passing interface (MPI) framework. The global communicator is split into space and time communicators to manage parallel computing in spatial and temporal domains, respectively. Accuracy tests show that the method is high-order accurate. Numerical results encompassing both smooth flows and flows with discontinuities demonstrate that the proposed method can accelerate the computation robustly. Additionally, a three-dimensional space–time parallel computation of flow around a sphere is performed. The results indicate that RIDC has the potential to be used in the field of computational fluid dynamics. • A space–time parallel method for solving the N-S equations is developed. • The method is high-order accurate based on the RIDC method. • The method can break through the space-parallel bottleneck. • A 3D case indicates the potential application of the method in engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Single-Vehicle and Multi-Vehicle Truck-Involved Crashes Injury Severities are investigated. • Transferability and temporal instability are assessed through comparison between within- and out-of-sample prediction. • Temporally unconstrained parameters and partially temporally constrained parameters model are compared. • The presence of temporal instability across both single and multi-truck collision risk determinants carries critical countermeasure translation opportunities. • Factors maintaining stability amidst change also carry long-term safety implications. Truck-involved crashes persist as a significant concern, yielding noteworthy human casualties and causing economic ramifications, particularly in developing countries. This paper aims to undertake a comprehensive analysis of the associated factors influencing injury severity in truck-involved crashes, with a particular emphasis on discerning variations between single-vehicle and multi-vehicle incidents, as well as accounting for heterogeneity and temporal stability. The data analysis involves a meticulous examination of crash data spanning the entirety of Thailand from 2017 to 2020. Employing three distinct levels of injury severities, namely PDO injury, moderate injury, and severe injury, the study employs a series of mixed logit models that account for unobserved heterogeneity in both means and variances. Results revealed significant instability in injury risk determinants over time among both single and multi-vehicle events. Aligning predictive assessments further spotlighted fluctuations in projected burdens across models and years – collectively underscoring the imperative to integrate temporal considerations into modeling and prevention. Several crash-type distinctions and priorities emerged. For single-truck events, key risks included roadway alignments and geometry, speeding, fatigue, and lighting conditions. However multi-truck collisions concentrated around exposure factors like highway traits, sightline limitations, and vulnerable road users. Ultimately, the technique permitted responsive countermeasure targeting and recalibration opportunities keyed to each crash form's evolving landscapes. While it is indeed noteworthy that several variables have exhibited instability in their effects, it is equally important to acknowledge the existence of certain variables that maintain a relative degree of temporal stability. This underscores their pivotal role in shaping the foundation of enduring strategies aimed at enhancing traffic safety in the long run. The multifaceted investigation constitutes an invaluable reference for diverse transportation stakeholders seeking to curb rising truck fatalities through evidence-based improvements in policy, engineering, usage protocols, and technologies. It provides a blueprint for nimble safety planning within complex modernizing road systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is the inaugural attempt to investigate the herding behavior of firms in the context of environmental orientation to achieve the UN SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) in the ASEAN region. Insights from the previous literature infer that peer effect is visibly seen in firms across various fields, especially amongst their CSR and ESG performance. Using data from the Thai listed firms, we document strong evidence of peer effects concerning environmental performance and its dimensions (emission reduction, product innovation, and resource reduction). The targeted time frame for the current study is from 2009 to 2019 for which we analyze the firms listed on the Thailand Stock Exchange (SET). Moreover, the results of our study support the fact that mimicking behavior is one of the common behaviors that is followed by the majority of the firms keeping in view their varied purposes which include enhancing their market reputation, increasing profits, attracting shareholders and investors and most importantly raising their sustainability standing. Thus, overall our study highlights the main perspective that peer effects and herding behavior a common practices amongst firms concerning their environmental policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Using CMOM to trace mangrove development was first used in Thailand. • Three periods of flourishing and two periods of degradation over the past ∼3,550 cal yr BP. • The air temperature and rainfall controlled by the Indian summer Monsoon, were the primary factors controlling mangrove development. • The evolution of mangrove forests in tropical Asia has regional synchronism. High-resolution reconstruction of the development of mangrove forests in the late Holocene is the basis for scientifically predicting the fate of mangroves. In this paper, we analyze the contribution of mangrove-derived organic matter (CMOM) from sediment core G in Phang Nga Province, Thailand by using a ternary end-member mixing model based on stable organic carbon isotope (δ13C) and the molar ratio of total organic carbon to total nitrogen (C/N (molar)). The variations of the CMOM in Phang Nga Province over the past ∼3,550 cal yr BP indicate that mangrove forests underwent three periods of flourishing: ∼3,550–2,720 cal yr BP, ∼1,960–1,240 cal yr BP and ∼500–0 cal yr BP, and two periods of degradation: ∼2,720–1,960 cal yr BP and ∼1,240–500 cal yr BP. Of the potential factors that affect mangrove development, relative sea level (RSL) changes and regional hydrological conditions did not have notable effects on mangrove flourishing/degradation. However, paleoclimate variations, especially the air temperature and rainfall controlled by the Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) were the primary factors. The mangrove development reconstructed by the CMOM in Phang Nga Province, Thailand was extremely synchronized with that in the Yingluo Bay and Qinzhou Bay of Southwest China and on the west coast of India Peninsula. This study provides evidence that mangrove development controlled by the Asian monsoon in tropical Asia has regional synchronism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calls for better municipal waste management practices that are in line with the principles of 'circular economy' and 'circular cities' abound in many parts of the world including Thailand. Our research aimed to understand how waste pickers in Bangkok currently operate as key actors in the recycling economy, given the lack of state funding and infrastructure for operationalizing circularity, using a situated urban political ecology (SUPE) approach. We conducted surveys and walk-along interviews with waste pickers in two districts of the city. This was supplemented by desk reviews and key informant interviews. Mainly, walking with waste pickers in their daily work routes threw light on the embodiment of waste metabolisms and everyday practices in accessing and metabolizing waste. We find how waste economies were sustained despite policy neglect through fluid relationships between humans and non-humans that operate within a messy, contested urban space. Negative affect and corporeal harm characterized such a metabolism. Characterization of power in urban political ecology can be strengthened by locating diffuse forms in which power is enacted and by looking at the political dimensions of affect. Unexpected alliances between actors posited counter-narratives to powerful instruments of regulation and global waste flows. Through the results presented in this paper, we call for UPE scholars to draw from (a) embodied and situated processes and practices in the transformations of socio-natures and (b) spatio-sensorial methods that can trace circulations and metabolisms of socio-natures. We suggest that such a SUPE can underpin grounded projects of bettering human-environment relationships in the age of planetary crisis. • A situated urban political ecology resists top-down characterisations of power and presents complex and diverse narratives of the "winners and losers" of socio-natural transformations. • Plastic recycling economies in Bangkok are sustained by fluid relationships between humans and non-humans that operate within a messy, contested urban space. • Emotions and embodiment characterize the metabolism of wastes. • Walk-along interviews, as a spatio-sensorial tool, enabled a situated understanding of the embodiment of waste flows. • Through an amalgamation of embodied and situated urban political ecologies, UPE can underpin grounded projects of bettering human-environment relationships in the age of planetary crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reclamation of slurry pond with ultra-soft soil deposit using the prefabricated vertical drains (PVDs) with preloading technique in the Mae Moh mine, Lampang, Thailand is a challenging work and is illustrated in this paper. Geotextile reinforcement was used to strengthen bearing capacity of the soil foundation prior to the installation of sand platform. The delay of excess pore water pressure dissipation at the early loading stage occurred despite the occurrence of large settlements was a distinct behavior of the ultra-soft soil. Within the delayed time, the calculated average degree of consolidation based on measured settlements, U s increased while the calculated average degree of consolidation based on measured excess pore water pressures, U e and the undrained shear strength, S u remained unchanged. Beyond the delayed time, both U e and S u increased significantly with time and when U s > 90%, the difference between U e and U s was observed to be small. It was suggested to use U s for approximation of S u when U s > 90% based on the SHANSEP's method. The successful installation and application of PVD to improve ultra-soft soil in this research is applicable for the ground improvement of similar problematic ultra-soft soils in international land reclamation projects. • A full-scale test on PVD improved ultra-soft soil. • Geotextile reinforcement to strengthen the bearing capacity of the ultra-soft soil. • Delay of excess pore water pressure dissipation at the initial stage of loading. • Distinct behavior of Mae Moh ultra-soft soil compared with natural soft soil. • Comparison of degree of consolidations based on settlement and excess pore water pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on rural field research in three provinces of Northeast Thailand, the paper seeks to understand the ways in which life course, generational, era-defining and developmental change intersect, and why rural smallholders and smallholdings continue to persist notwithstanding deep structural change. We outline the creative ways that households and their members have sought to address the scissor effects of declining land holdings, rising needs, reduced relative returns to agriculture, and often precarious non-farm work. We posit, drawing on this work from Thailand, that while Asia’s ‘truncated agrarian transition’ goes some way to explaining the current empirical fact of persistent smallholders, we raise doubts whether the rural development agenda of modernisation, marketisation and rural exit will have the traction that governments and some scholars anticipate. A focus on production obscures how rural livelihoods also embody acts of consumption, care, reproduction and redistribution. Our study finds that the current experience of occupational multiplicity where households’ livelihoods comprise farm and non-farm, commoditised and quasi-subsistence, in situ and ex situ , production and care, and reproduction and redistribution will likely also persist, if non-farm occupations remains classically precarious and social safety nets thinly woven. The paper contributes to debates over agrarian and rural livelihood transitions in Asia, and sheds explanatory light on why the farm-size transition has not taken hold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Crystal methamphetamine (ice) has become the substance of choice among young men who have sex with men (YMSM) in urban Thailand. Yet, there is scarce data on this phenomenon, partly due to the difficulty in accessing men who will disclose and openly discuss the social contexts, meanings and risks surrounding ice practice. We present an ethnography of ice parties, critically discussing the in-depth social meanings of ice; the sexual socialities and the secrecy surrounding its use; the transactions between older and younger men; and the role of the Internet and mobile technology.Methods: Forty repeated narrative interviews (life stories), ten focus group discussions, as well as systematic online and offline observations were conducted over a three-year period. Purposive sampling was used to recruit study participants in a variety of online and offline spaces and through working closely with local Thai community-based organizations serving MSM. To be eligible, participants had to be between 18 and 29 years, able to converse in Thai, had used ice, and had anal sex with another man in the past 6 months. We also strived for sample variability with respects to socio-demographic characteristics (e.g., age, educational attainment and living situation). Data analysis was conducted in Thai by two researchers using the constant comparative method based on grounded theory.Results: On surface, participants described ice parties as exclusive, in trend, luxurious, fun and pleasurable-a kind of modern camaraderie among beautiful men. In reality, however, this group phenomenon was a social hierarchy containing several important players with relational power to one another, to the ice itself and to the physical space where ice was being consumed. These players included ice suppliers, party hosts, party guests and "icetenders." The paper also discusses the sociality of secrecy that surrounds ice parties as well as the power relations between older relatively rich men who provide ice and the younger men who crave for the chemical, pointing to the risks associated with engagement at ice parties, including instances of rape, violence and unsafe sex. For some participants, ice use was part of their "everyday life," or even believed to be a "rites of passage." For others, it involved sexual silence in cases where they were forced to have (unprotected) sex with certain persons or engage in high-risk activities against their will.Conclusions: Ice parties, where high-risk practices were common, power and agency quickly became relational and negotiable. This paper illuminated the secret sociality of ice so that public health efforts will be better equipped with understanding and reaching out to young men who may be at heightened risk for HIV, STI, violence and other health concerns. Ice parties can, for example, be seen as opportunities for harm-reduction strategies whereby young men are not judged for the activities they engage, but are instead respected and approached in a contextualized, non-judgmental way. Finally, icetenders and party hosts may be individuals where public health practitioners can target and include in the development of novel harm-reduction programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thailand had summited its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) in 2015 and ratified the Paris Agreement in September 2016. Its INDCs stated that by 2030 GHG emissions will be reduced by 20–25% when compared to the business- as -usual (BAU) scenario by using mainly domestic renewable energy resources and energy efficiency improvement. Therefore, this paper assesses the potential of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction by the use of renewable energy in Thailand's INDCs and the economic impacts from GHG emission reduction. This paper employed the Asia-Pacific Integrated Model/Computable General Equilibrium (AIM/CGE). Besides the BAU scenario, four mitigation scenarios are assessed at given GHG emission levels and renewable power generation targets. Results show that Thailand's INDC can be achieved under the current renewable energy target in Thailand's Power Development Plan 2015. As a result, macroeconomic loss will be small under the light GHG reduction target; however, it will be large under the stringent GHG emission reduction target. The GDP loss ranges from 0.2% in the case of a 20% reduction target to 3.1% in the case of a 40% reduction target in 2030. Thus, the availability of land for deploying the renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind and biomass needs to be assessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To move towards sustainability, finding sustainable ways of using rice husk ash for a large rice producing country like Thailand is essential. This review seeks to find sustainability characteristics of the uses of rice husk ash from power plants. It also reviews how rice husk ash is produced from different power generation technologies. Characteristics of rice husk ash are affected by different factors such as sources, preparation methods and combustion technologies. Different forms of rice husk ash, amorphous and crystalline, suit different applications. Ash from moving grate technology is suggested for use as adsorbent while that from fluidized bed is suggested for use as filler in polymeric composites and in the synthesis of innovative ceramic compounds. The ash from suspension fired technology is suggested for use in the construction industry and zeolite production. In addition to technical viability, using rice husk ash to substitute conventional products helps gain both environmental and economic benefits. Despite claiming sustainable applications of rice husk ash, many research papers report only technical performances of the products. This paper draws out sustainability characteristics of different rice husk ash applications using the “triple bottom line” framework. Potential reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, cost saving and employment generation of rice husk ash use options have been investigated. Results from the review suggest that using the ash to replace charcoal is the most sustainable option when comparing with other alternatives such as Portland cement, commercial silica and lime. This option could help to reduce GHG up to 1005 kg CO 2eq /t product, to save cost up to 8000 THB/t product, as well as to help generate employment for about 5 person-years/M THB spent in the sector. However, to make the sustainability assessment more comprehensive, other sustainability indicators such as fossil fuel depletion, human toxicity, ecotoxicity, particulate matter formation, total net profit (TNP), total value added (TVA), and incomes of workers are also needed to be considered in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental water requirement is important for a river or a watershed to maintain the ecosystem functions and services. Thus, it needs to be an essential component in water demand calculations for maintaining water resources. This study proposes to explicitly account the environmental water as a part of water withdrawal in the withdrawal to availability ratio of the water stress index. A revised equation is formulated and calibrated using Thailand as an example. This incorporation allows flexibility in changing different amounts and setting different priorities of environmental water requirement based on a local context. The results obtained are satisfactory for explaining the actual stress situation incorporating environmental water requirement. The method and approach proposed in this paper can also be applied to other countries based on their priorities for water allocation to various water demand sectors. This paper is proposed as a step towards developing a sustainable tool for assessing the impact on freshwater resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the changes in taxonomic diversity and demography of faunal assemblages hunted by the human inhabitants of the Tham Lod and Ban Rai rockshelters in the Pang Mapha highlands of northwestern Thailand during the Late Pleistocene (MIS 2-1) to Terminal Pleistocene-Early Holocene. Evidence from these excavated sites indicates that environmental changes influenced animal dispersal from high latitudes to the highland region of Pang Mapha. During the Late Pleistocene the taxonomic diversity was dominated by Cervidae and Testudines, with other faunal remains representing Himalayan goral, Suidae and Bovidae. A ternary analysis of the Suidae indicates a mixed pattern, mostly represented by Juveniles-Prime-Old (JPO), with the Prime dominating (Bovinae and Caprinae). By the Terminal Pleistocene-Early Holocene, Cercopithecidae had become dominant and the Himalayan goral absent, and presumably extinct. According to the changes in taxonomic diversity and the paleodemographic data obtained from the Pang Mapha faunal assemblages, we have increased our understanding of paleoenvironments and subsistence strategies during the Late-Terminal Pleistocene and Early Holocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Annual deterioration of PV modules were investigated using standard measurement. • Annual metallic corrosion growth of solar cells in 15 years of operation. • Corrosion area growth and corrosion products change were observed. • Annual power degradation results and degradation rate of poly-Si modules. This paper is to study the deterioration of PV modules after 15 years of operation in Thailand. All 16 modules of a string were annually measured in the standard testing laboratory, then taken back to the same position of string since the 7th year after operation. The results and data analysis can be divided into 3 parts consisting of electrical performance evaluation, physical deterioration observation, and corrosion growth on cell ribbons. From the electrical results of performance at STC, it was found that power of modules were less than 80% of the nameplate value in the 15th year for 75% of total modules. The average degradation rates, based on nameplate, was 1.47%/year. The degradation rates of modules since the 10th year after operation were in the range of 2.5 to 3.0%. From the visual failures on the front and rear side of modules were appeared in all modules. During the 12th – 15th year, the corrosion area growth on cell ribbons, calculated by ImageJ program, was around 10–17%/3 years of ribbons area, especially for cells beside junction box. The colors of corrosion products were also observed in both color appearance and color change on each cell of selected modules. For these modules, we intend to continue operation until end-of-life of the system. Another similar module was destructed and taken to investigate. The corrosion products and color of corrosion products can be justified by EDS and referred to ASTM D130 standard. Sn and Pb corrosion products were confirmed by SEM and EDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential of Thai industrial product design is still inferior to that of the leading competitors in the world market, which gives more importance to design during the product development to increase Thailand's competitive edge on a commercial scale. Product design is a very important part of sustainable growth in this industry. Thus, this research aims at investigating footwear design strategies for the Thai footwear industry to be excellent in the world market. The research has been designed with a mixed method of both qualitative and quantitative study. The quantitative data were collected through a semi-structured interview of 500 designers who presented their designs to join an award competition. The results reveal that the footwear design strategies consisted of four factors: (1) design, (2) market analysis, (3) innovation, and (4) information technology. This paper utilizes the method of structural equation modeling (SEM) to establish a strategic model for competitive advantage in the Thai footwear industry. The analysis results indicate that the footwear design strategies model could help make more effective policies and organization strategies for enterprises and designers to develop themselves towards excellence in the world market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper, as a complement to the works by Hsu et al [SIAM. J. Appl. Math. 55 (1995)] and Huang et al [J. Differential Equations 257 (2014)], aims to examine the Hopf bifurcation and global dynamics of a predator–prey system of Leslie type with generalized Holling type III functional response for the two cases: (A) system has a unique anti-saddle positive equilibrium, which is not semi-hyperbolic or nilpotent; (B) system has three distinct positive equilibria. For each case, the type and stability of each equilibrium, Hopf bifurcation at each weak focus, and the number and distribution of limit cycles in the first quadrant are studied. It is shown that every equilibrium is not a center for all parameter values. For the case (A), i limit cycle(s) can appear near the unique positive equilibrium, i = 1 , ... , 4. For i = 3 or 4, system has two stable limit cycles, which gives a positive answer to the open problem proposed by Coleman [Differential equations model,1983]: finding at least two ecologically stable cycles in any natural (or laboratory) predator–prey or other interacting system. For the case (B), one positive equilibrium is a saddle and the others are both anti-saddle. If one of the two anti-saddles is a weak focus and the other is not, then the order of the weak focus is at most 3. If both anti-saddles are weak foci, then they are unstable weak foci of order one. Moreover, one limit cycle can bifurcate from each of them simultaneously. Numerical simulations demonstrate that there is also a big stable limit cycle enclosing these two limit cycles. Our results indicate that the maximum number of limit cycles in the model of this kind is at least 4, which improves the preceding results that this number is at least 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We revisit the maximum satisfiability problem (Max-SAT) in the data stream model. In this problem, the stream consists of m clauses that are disjunctions of literals drawn from n Boolean variables. The objective is to find an assignment to the variables that maximizes the number of satisfied clauses. Chou et al. (FOCS 2020) showed that Ω (n) space is necessary to yield a 2 / 2 + ε approximation of the optimum value; they also presented an algorithm that yields a 2 / 2 − ε approximation of the optimum value using O (ε − 2 log ⁡ n) space. In this paper, we not only focus on approximating the optimum value, but also on obtaining the corresponding Boolean assignment using sublinear o (m n) space. We present randomized single-pass algorithms that w.h.p.1 yield: • A 1 − ε approximation using O ˜ (n / ε 3) space and exponential post-processing time • A 3 / 4 − ε approximation using O ˜ (n / ε) space and polynomial post-processing time. Our ideas also extend to dynamic streams. However, we show that the streaming k -SAT problem, which asks whether one can satisfy all size- k input clauses, must use Ω (n k) space. We also consider the related minimum satisfiability problem (Min-SAT), introduced by Kohli et al. (SIAM J. Discrete Math. 1994), that asks to find an assignment that minimizes the number of satisfied clauses. For this problem, we give a O ˜ (n 2 / ε 2) space algorithm, which is sublinear when m = ω (n) , that yields an α + ε approximation where α is the approximation guarantee of the offline algorithm. If each variable appears in at most f clauses, we show that a 2 f n approximation using O ˜ (n) space is possible. Finally, for the Max-AND-SAT problem where clauses are conjunctions of literals, we show that any single-pass algorithm that approximates the optimal value up to a factor better than 1/2 with success probability at least 2/3 must use Ω (m n) space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic food contributes to environmental sustainability and is becoming increasingly popular worldwide, although it is generally more expensive than conventionally produced food. Rather different sets of values and motivations are driving consumers' purchase intentions in mature compared with emerging organic food markets. To inquire about similarities and differences in consumers' motives our qualitative, comparative study employs a series of in-depth interviews with organic-food-store clients in Germany and Thailand from February to May 2021. The analysis applied means-end chain (MEC) theory to map the mental decision-making processes. Results were interpreted and compared referring to the Schwartz Theory of Basic Human Value (STV). The findings show a rather similar values base of both samples in terms of the relevance of 'quality of personal life' and 'personal well-being'. Substantial differences emerged in the Germans high emphasis on the values 'health of environment' and 'social responsibility' which were absent in Thailand, while Thais put great importance on the 'responsibility for family'. Focusing on the five most important values in each country, we conclude a more personal-focused value system in Thailand, respectively a rather social-focused one in Germany. This paper contributes to the literature as it is one of the few qualitative studies on organic food purchase intention using MEC and STV and the first one conducted in Thailand. The findings provide valuable insights for producers and marketers to better address German and Thai consumers' needs to influence their purchase intention towards organic food consumption. • Germans have a more social-focused value system when buying organics. • Thais have a more personal-focused value system when buying organics. • Similar values base: 'quality of personal life' and 'personal well-being'. • Germans emphasize 'health of environment' and 'social responsibility'. • Thais prioritize 'responsibility for family'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the first identification of an Asian spinosaurid theropod, Siamosaurus suteethorni from the Sao Khua Formation of Thailand, was published in 1986, what was in all likelihood a spinosaurid tooth was collected from the type section of the Sao Khua Formatio in the course of a stratigraphic survey of the Khorat Plateau (north-eastern Thailand) as early as 1962. The specimen, the present whereabouts of which are unknown, was described in 1963 as an ichthyosaur tooth, but apparently was the first dinosaur specimen to be reported from Thailand. On the basis of the description and figures, it is referred to the spinosaurid genus Siamosaurus. A purported plesiosaur tooth from the Phu Kradung Formation, described in the same paper, apparently belonged to a crocodile. The reasons for the initial misidentification of the spinosaurid tooth are reminiscent of those of other misinterpretations of similar teeth found in other parts of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poorly managed plastic waste ends largely in the environment. For example, visible plastic waste causes pollution in the ocean, and Thailand is ranked sixth in the world for plastic waste generation in the ocean. This study was conducted to monitor and assess plastic waste management following the launch of the 'Thailand Roadmap on Plastic Waste Management (2018–2030)'. The CIPPI model and an impact assessment were used for this purpose. Seventy-three individuals from Thailand's central and local governments were selected to study the plastic bag roadmap. Further, 2378 Thai people and foreign tourists were surveyed about their plastic bag-using behaviours, and thirteen stakeholders were selected for interviews. This study found that the input and output factors were moderate, equalling (x ‾ = 2. 67 , SD = 1.24) and (x ‾ = 3. 07 , SD = 1.20), respectively. Similarly, the process factors were low (x ‾ = 2. 17 , SD 1.29). With respect to outcomes and effects, plastic bag use exhibited a decreasing trend, from 39,983 to 49,816 million bags (−67.03%–83.52%) with a total economic value of 5340–10,408 million baht/year. Carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions also decreased, at 63,173–78,809-million-kilogram CO 2 eq/year. In conclusion, plastic waste management requires cooperation on the part of all sectors. However, it is important for the government to take responsibility for monitoring, assessing, and improving plans to promote consumption and production sustainability following Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Litvak-Hinenzon et al. developed the phenomenological model to simulate the horizontal motion of particles in the atmosphere, and a series of their papers (see e.g., Litvak-Hinenzon et al. (Phys. D 164:213-250, 2002; Nonlinearity 15:1149-1177, 2002; SIAM J. Appl. Dyn. Syst. 3:525-573, 2004)) focused on studying the fate of parabolic resonance lower dimensional tori (as part of a quasi-periodic Hamiltonian pitchfork bifurcation (HPB) scenario in the unperturbed phenomenological model) under perturbations. However, the structural stability of quasi-periodic HPB involved therein has not been fully exposed theoretically (Litvak-Hinenzon et al. have only given some numerical explanations). Based on BCKV singularity theory established by Broer et al. (Z. Angew. Math. Phys. 44:389-432, 1993), we consider a more general quasi-periodic HPB triggered by the Z 2 -invariant universal unfolding N b c k v = a y 2 2 − (λ + b I 1) x 2 2 + c x 4 4 with respect to Z 2 -equivariant BCKV-restricted morphisms of the planar singularity a 2 y 2 + c 4 x 4 (the coefficients a , b , c ≠ 0 , the I 1 is regarded as distinguished parameter with respect to the external parameter λ). We prove a KAM (Kolmogorov–Arnold–Moser) theorem concerning parabolic tori in such quasi-periodic HPB, by which Diophantine parabolic tori (and the whole corresponding Diophantine HPB scenario) survive non-integrable and Z 2 -invariant Hamiltonian perturbations, parametrized by pertinent large Cantor sets. In the context of Z 2 -symmetry, our results can be seen as rigorous proof of the structural stability problem of bifurcations of Floquet-tori triggered by the universal unfolding N b c k v with distinguished parameters which is proposed by Broer et al. (Z. Angew. Math. Phys. 44:389-432, 1993). Ultimately, we similarly obtain the structural stability result of quasi-periodic HPB in the phenomenological model mentioned above, which can be utilized as a starting point for a deeper understanding of the various resonances and chaotic dynamics (in the gaps of the Cantor sets), just as Litvak-Hinenzon et al. did for normally parabolic tori undergoing a HPB. • We prove a KAM theorem in a quasi-periodic Hamiltonian pitchfork bifurcation. • We obtain the structural stability of a bifurcation in a phenomenological model. • We verify some of the previous numerical phenomena of Litvak-Hinenzon et al. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper estimates the potential impact of vocational education on wage differentials between vocational and general graduates over the life cycle in Thailand, using the national Labor Force Survey (LFS) from 2017 to 2022. The returns to vocational education are analyzed at three levels of education: upper secondary, diploma, and college. The inverse-probability-weighted regression adjustment (IPWRA) method is implemented to account for non-random assignment in choosing the academic track. The results show, on average, that vocational educated workers receive higher wages than those with general education, but it has no significant differences by comparing to university graduates in science and engineering with the same years of education. Additionally, the wage premiums associated to vocational education tend to increase at older ages. The empirical evidence corroborates the crucial role of vocational education in increasing long-term earnings and the number of technical-skilled workers in the Thai labor market. • Vocational educated workers receive higher wages than those with general education. • No significant differences by comparing to university graduates in science and engineering with the same years of education. • The wage premiums associated to vocational education tend to increase at older ages. • Females with tertiary vocational education are more likely to receive a higher long-term wage premium than males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thailand has experienced a rapid increase in utility-scale solar PV investment (>1 MWp), while the growth of investment in smaller-sized rooftop PV systems is far behind. Due to the continuous decline in PV module costs and the discontinued support in the form of feed-in tariffs, the market is gradually transitioning to installations for the purpose of self-consumption. The main barrier for market expansion is the high upfront costs of solar PV systems. Rather than buying the system, new business models are offering customers to buy the service from solar PV systems instead. The Solar PPA model is an emerging solar service business model in Thailand. This model eliminates the investment cost and operating risks for the customer. This paper takes on the view of a commercial-sized customer to compare the options between the Buying Model and the Solar PPA model. From the customer's viewpoint, the cost of electricity generation, or the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), under the Solar PPA model is more attractive. The results show an LCOE of 4.82 THB/kWh (0.14 USD/kWh) for the Solar PPA model, 9.56% less than buying the system at 5.28 THB/kWh (0.16 USD/kWh). The Solar PPA model also proves to be a more attractive option in most sensitivity cases. This paper discusses conditions under which the model is feasible and recommends that the design of future support schemes for solar PV self-consumption should enable the expansion of innovative business models, including the Solar PPA model and other third-party ownership models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In June of 2014 Angelina Jolie, actress and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Goodwill Ambassador, visited camps—home to 130,000 Burmese exiles—along the Thai-Burma border to draw international attention to one of the most protracted displacement situations in the world. Her fourth trip to the border since 2002, Jolie's day-long visit was widely commended in popular media. I draw on ethnographic research among Burmese exiles in northern Thailand to argue that the popular geopolitics of hope she engendered is constituted through contradictory impulses of, on one hand, her signification of global capital and the concurrent widespread geoeconomic hope around Burma's deepening integration into global capitalism, and on the other, the far-reaching geopolitics of fear that has materialized around the threat of repatriation resulting from rapid political-economic change in Burma. Thus, this paper builds on recent work in popular geopolitics and geographies of emotion and affect to offer a grounded illustration of the micro-macro linkages between popular culture and everyday geopolitical experience, as well as the often politically nuanced role of celebrities in humanitarian interventions. This paper contributes to ongoing conversations around the relationship between celebrity humanitarians from the global North and the political-economic implications of the affective enrollment of their intended benefactors from the global South. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The one-tambon-one-product (OTOP) project in Thailand has been successful according to statistical data from the Interior Ministry's Department of Community Development. However, there is a concern that dispatchers in the supporting trucking industry carry out both tasks of truckload assignment and driver scheduling. It is necessary to investigate more efficient and reliable alternatives to handle the growing and fluctuating quantities of inbound and outbound goods in each service area. This paper focuses on determining alternative ways for enhancing the efficiency of the transportation management system based on multi-zone dispatching (MZD) with the objective of minimising total load imbalances. This problem is considered to be a special case of the MZD but it is complex when compared to the conventional MZD, especially since planning horizons are considered and modified as a dynamic MZD (dMZD). In this paper an intelligent water drop optimisation (IWD) was used to solve the problem. In order to improve the solution quality, the novel two-phase approximated algorithm (2-PAA) with two additional processes from the variable neighbourhood and dynamic programming algorithms, were proposed. Experimental results with preferable settings showed the 2-PAA was computationally effective and feasible to generate dispatching alternatives for both static and dynamic problems. Using a set of real data, the simulation suggested a 3-period dMZD configuration for driver scheduling with preferable levels of tour length and imbalance statistics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To promote their public image, a growing number of companies have adopted corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects that benefit various social interests. As such, it is imperative to audit the social, environmental, and economic dimensions of CSR projects for their sustainable development. This paper presents an assessment of three CSR projects undertaken by the energy industry (renewable energy) and commercial sector (plastic waste recycling) in Thailand to transition towards the circular economy (CE) business model. A set of CE indicators were selected from the World Business Council for Sustainable Development: WBCSD 2018 European Commission 2018, and British Standard Institution 2017 and compared with the sustainability indicators listed in the ISO 26000:2010 (referenced in the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI): G4 Guidelines). These indicators were established to assess the readiness of companies to implement sustainable CSR projects. The assessment results showed that the CSR projects in the case study were conducive to the CE model, as most of the CE concepts evaluated by the performance indicators were already in place. This study aimed to support the implementation of CSR projects that contribute to adopting a CE business model and determine key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure and monitor CSR projects in terms of their CE concepts. The sustainability KPIs proposed in this study can serve as a set of guidelines to drive CE strategy adoption and allow for the identification of sustainable CSR projects that can simultaneously offer more value creation and satisfaction for all stakeholders, including society and the companies, while reducing environmental impacts. This paper integrates CSR into a CE approach that results in business sustainability and contributes to Sustainability Development Goal (SDG) targets. [Display omitted] • KPIs were adopted for the comprehensive assessment of CSR projects. • CSR projects of renewable energy and plastic waste were evaluated in their ability to CE concepts. • The KPIs can identify sustainable level and contribute to CE and SDG targets of businesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studying the impact of a carbon tax on household demand can be relevant in terms of securing public acceptance of a carbon tax and clarifying the implications for policy design. This paper aims to fill a gap in the academic literature by simulating carbon tax scenarios and estimating distributional effects of the tax on household welfare, income inequality, and poverty rates based on household consumption in Thailand. The study employs a microsimulation model incorporating the economy-wide effects of the tax on prices and consumers' behavioral responses to changes in prices. The results indicate that a carbon tax is progressive in Thailand under revenue-recycling scenarios by expanding social transfer programs. When carbon tax revenues are recycled through pensions for elderly people, the carbon tax could reduce the poverty rate and improve the welfare of households in the lowest quintile. The results imply that the distributional impacts of environmental taxes could result in favorable outcomes for income inequality and poverty reduction in developing countries. • Residential energy demand is price-inelastic. • Transport fuels are luxurious for low-income households. • High-income households are more responsive to changes in energy prices. • Carbon tax is progressive when revenues are recycled through increasing social transfer programs. • Carbon tax reduces the poverty rate under a pension scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the collection of isolated orangutan fossil teeth identified in the newly excavated material from Tham Prakai Phet, a site located in the Chaiyaphum Province in northeast Thailand. The collection is composed of 18 isolated teeth belonging to Pongo. The morphology of the upper and lower teeth is similar to that of fossil and extant orangutans from mainland Indochina and Indonesia. Only the wrinkles on the occlusal surface are less pronounced and sometimes simpler than extant orangutans. The dimensions of the teeth fall in the range of variation of fossil and extant specimens, but the distribution of the crown areas of the Tham Prakai Phet specimens fall above the mean value observed for extant orangutans. This new collection of continental orangutans confirms the persistence of this taxa in this part of Thailand up to the late Pleistocene, and provides new data useful for understanding the evolution of this hominoid and advance in the reconstitution of the evolutionary lineage of Pongo. The size of the sample from Tham Prakai Phet is not sufficient to determine an accurate taxonomic attribution; pending the increase of the current sample, we attribute the material to Pongo sp. (Pongo aff. weidenreichi). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mun River, the main right bank tributary of the Mekong River, meanders and flows eastwards across the flat and sand-dominated low-lying plain of the Khorat Plateau, northeastern Thailand. The Mun River expresses its evolution with a spectacular trace of its meander landforms on the floodplain surface. This paper reveals (for the first time) the three-dimensional shallow subsurface sedimentary architecture inside a part of a sandy point bar deposit of the Mun River based on ground penetrating radar (GPR) in comparison with outcrop observation from a road cut along the GPR line survey. As a result, we recognized subsurface scroll bars, where the expansion, rotation and transformation types corresponded well with the sedimentary structures exposed on the road cut. Dominant GPR radar facies included hummocky/wavy, group of fitful waves, shingled, curved down pattern, 15–45 degree of reflection angle, sigmoid, sets of en-echelon or sigmoid, concaved upward and isolated trough shape, parallel, horizontally continuous layers and parabolic facies. These GPR facies possibly inferred the sedimentary structures of trough cross-bedded, channel-fills, side bar deposit, erosion surface of channel or chute cut-off, secondary channel scours and fills, horizontal sand-bedded and sheet flood sand. Both GPR facies and lithofacies revealed the meandering evolution of a bar-parallel and bar-transverse mid-channel bar with small braided channels on the bar top and showed the lateral migration of the point bar. Image 1 • This work reveals (for the first time) subsurface architecture inside a part of point bar of the Mun River, in Southeast Asia. • Successful reconstruction of a 3D point bar architecture (scroll bar, mid-channel bar) by GPR.. • Remarkable GPR facies compared with sedimentary structures from real outcrop. • Brilliant example of Quaternary meandering evolution of the main river in Khorat Plateau, Southeast Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Omics were used to explore the O.viverrini – hosts interplays. • Identified GST, VPB etc. could be used as drug and vaccine target. • Mucin, peroxiredoxinetc. were identified as parasite-resisting molecules. • Integrated plan for opisthorchiasis prevention and control is accounted. Opisthorchis viverrini infection, opisthorchiasis, is a food-borne trematodiasis that is the main cause of cholangiocarcinoma, a bile duct cancer, in the Lower Mekong sub-region of Lao PDR, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand. Despite extensive research on opisthorchiasis, the eradication of this disease has yet to be achieved. One of the major reasons for this failure is due to the multi-host life cycle of the parasite, which requires complex medical and public health interventions to eradicate. Another reason is due to a lack of knowledge of not only the interactions between the parasite and the human immune system, but also the interactions between the parasite and its various hosts during its complicated life cycle. Recent advances in various high-throughput omics technologies has allowed for the identification of key biomolecules crucial to the processes of parasitic transmission, and the identification of novel drug and/or vaccine targets. In this paper, omics studies dealing with O. viverrini host-parasite biology will be reviewed. In particular, there will be a focus on the strategies O. viverrini uses to trigger, evade, and manipulate the host's defense systems. Recently-identified biological molecules with potential as targets for interventions will also be reviewed. The results obtained from these omics approaches to analyzing O. viverrini and host interactions will be of great importance in the future when developing effective and sustainable medical and public health models for the prevention and control of opisthorchiasis and opisthorchiasis-induced CCA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Declining prices of solar photovoltaic modules and consumers' interest in green electricity production are driving the prevalence of electricity "prosumers" worldwide. Prosumers are electricity consumers who produce electricity for their own consumption, using distributed energy technologies including distributed solar photovoltaics (DPVs). Many jurisdictions around the world are adjusting to this changing energy landscape by reforming their policies to support self-production and self-consumption of electricity. This paper analyzes the economics of electricity self-consumption of DPV electricity in Thailand. Based on our study, we assess the feasibility of DPV self-consumption schemes for four customer groups. Among the three schemes assessed, (no compensation for excess electricity, net metering, and net billing), all customer classes are profitable and net metering offers the most customer benefits. However, we recommend net billing for policy adoption, not only because of its sufficient level of economic viability but also its flexibility in addressing broad stakeholders' concerns. Our analytical approach captures in detail how DPV sizing relative to the load may be impacted by those compensation mechanisms. Our methodology can be replicated by countries that would like to develop or reform their national-level DPV self-consumption policies during an energy transition. Highlights • The economics of three solar PV self-consumption schemes were compared for four customer classes in Thailand. • With no compensation for excess generation, a PV investment of all four customer classes is profitable with the IRR from 10-17% in the base cases. • We recommend net billing for policy adoption due to its economic viability and flexibility in addressing broad stakeholders' concerns. • All else equal, choosing a larger PV system relative to load could result in worse economics if excess generation is valued below the retail rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal is an irreplaceable part of the world energy structure and the condition will not be changed in the near future. Under the Belt and Road initiative, more and more Chinese energy enterprises are planning to invest in coal-fired power plant (CFPP) abroad. However, there are multiple potential risks in investing in CFPP overseas. So, assessing the risk level can help the investors avoid too risky countries and at the same time facilitate the government to take measures to reduce the potential risks to attract more investors. To reasonably assess overseas investment risk of CFPP in countries along the Belt and Road initiative, this paper establishes an evaluation criteria system from eight dimensions which consists of a total of 39 criteria. Then, these criteria weights are determined through a combined analytic network process-Entropy method. Furthermore, considering the psychological characteristics of decision-makers, a TODIM (an acronym in Portuguese for Interactive Multi-criteria Decision Making) approach is used to rank the overall risk level of CFPP investment for 23 nations. The findings indicate that the criterion of economic foundation owns the largest weight. Moreover, among these evaluated nations, Singapore have the lowest risk for China's CFPP investment, followed by New Zealand and Thailand. • Coal-fired power plant investment risk assessment along the "Belt & Road Initiative" is evaluated. • An evaluation criteria system including 39 criteria from eight dimensions is established. • Criteria weights are determined through a combined ANP-Entropy method. • TODIM approach is used to rank the overall risk level for 23 nations. • Singapore New Zealand and Thailand are the ideal investment choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The distribution of pneumococcal serotypes in Thailand is currently poorly understood. • Serotypes 6B, 23F, 14, 19A and 19F were the most common in pneumococcal disease. • In those ≤5 years, 'paediatric' serotypes 6B, 23F and 14 were most prevalent. • There was insufficient data regarding non-invasive pneumococcal disease. Streptococcus pneumoniae infection is associated with a high morbidity and mortality worldwide. There are currently >98 known serotypes; the most burdensome are covered by current pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) such as PCV10 (Synflorix®) and (Prevnar 13®) PCV13. However, at present no PCV is available on the National Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI) in Thailand. Here we report a systematic review of studies regarding pneumococci associated with invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) and non-IPD in Thailand. The NCBI PubMed database and Google Scholar were used to identify relevant papers published from 1st January 1990 to 21st August 2017. The quantitative analysis was reported as the distribution of serotypes across two age groups, ≤5 and >5 years old, as these were the most commonly reported. Where age was not stated, or data was combined, data were categorised as all ages. The search returned 15 relevant articles. From these the five most common disease-causing serotypes, in rank order, were 6B, 23F, 14, 19A and 19F. Vaccine coverage would be 55.3% for PCV10 and 69.7% for PCV13. There was insufficient data to draw conclusions regarding non-invasive disease-causing pneumococcal serotypes. This review demonstrates that the serotypes which were most responsible for disease in Thailand are included in PCV10 and PCV13. Better surveillance data of IPD and non-IPD are required for monitoring vaccine effectiveness if PCV is implemented nationally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The paper presents the results of a series of full-scale trials carried out in Thailand examining the performance of geosynthetics as reinforcement for flexible pavements. The geosynthetics were embedded at different pavement depths and the structural response was monitored across four test sections by means of strain gauges, pressure sensors, deflection points and deflection plates. The results show that all reinforcement configurations helped reduce the vertical static stresses developed at the base of the pavement by up to 66% and by up to 72% for dynamic stresses. The performance enhancement expected to prolong the lifespan of the base layers. The reinforcement layers closer to the base experienced the highest lateral strains of up to 0.13%, providing evidence that geosynthetics can also effectively reduce lateral spreading. All reinforcement configurations helped enhance rut resistance with maximum traffic benefit ratio (TBR) of 13.70, effectiveness ratio (EF) of 12.70 and minimum rutting reduction ratio (RRR) of 0.74. The best configuration included a geotextile within the asphalt concrete layer and a geogrid under the base layer. Non-linear finite element analyses of the test sections predicted very well the strains and stresses in the pavement. The study provides a benchmark for future studies in this field and concludes that geosynthetics can help increase maintenance periods and extend the lifetime of flexible pavements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) subtype H5N1 virus persists in many countries and has been circulating in poultry, wild birds. In addition, the virus has emerged in other species and frequent zoonotic spillover events indicate that there remains a significant risk to human health. It is crucial to understand the dynamics of the disease in the poultry industry to develop a more comprehensive knowledge of the risks of transmission and to establish a better distribution of resources when implementing control. In this paper, we develop a set of mathematical models that simulate the spread of HPAI H5N1 in the poultry industry in Thailand, utilising data from the 2004 epidemic. The model that incorporates the intensity of duck farming when assessing transmision risk provides the best fit to the spatiotemporal characteristics of the observed outbreak, implying that intensive duck farming drives transmission of HPAI in Thailand. We also extend our models using a sequential model fitting approach to explore the ability of the models to be used in "real time" during novel disease outbreaks. We conclude that, whilst predictions of epidemic size are estimated poorly in the early stages of disease outbreaks, the model can infer the preferred control policy that should be deployed to minimise the impact of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There have been a series of contaminated food crises over the world in recent decades. FSMSs have been used by food producers to ensure food safety. However, there are various challenges and difficulties that exist which impede the effective implementation of FSMS. This paper aims to 1) identify and prioritize those challenges and difficulties in an effort to more effectively implement FSMS by Thai BRC certified production, 2) indicate the contextual factors of food organization (i.e. firm size and QA systems) and investigate their impact on the effectiveness of BRC implementation, and 3) examine whether the Food Safety Team (FST) number could moderate the association between firm size and effectiveness. To achieve the objectives and answer the questions, a quantitative methodology approach was used to develop a survey to gather data from 217 food safety and quality managers throughout the country. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. The results showed that sampling was dominated by larger-sized firms (67.1%), meaning firms employed in excess of 200 people. By exploratory factor analysis, four difficulty constructs were extracted and named in descending order of mean value as organizational and staff capacity, finance and budgeting, human characteristics, and system requirements. The study of contextual factors showed a significant outcome in firms with BRC-certified production together with the complement of ISO 9001 and HACCP systems, i.e., these firms were considered to be more effective. However, there was no significant effect due to interaction by FST number on the relationship of firm size and effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • High variation in starch content of cassava roots significantly affect yield of starch production. • Regression, ANN, and HDBN were used to predict and identify key factors affecting starch contents. • Observational data in five categories are collected from 242 farmers at a manufacturing plant. • HDBN performs the best in starch prediction with MAPE of 6.226% and RMSE of 2.35 percent of starch. • Key factors include harvest age, planting density, growing season, farm location, among others. Abstract This paper involves an application of prediction models to study quality of incoming raw materials of a tapioca starch manufacturer in Thailand. The objectives are to estimate starch content of fresh cassava roots and to identify significant factors that affect starch content in cassava roots. Three prediction models, including multiple regression, artificial neural network (ANN), and hybrid deep belief network (HDBN), are implemented. Input data were collected from 242 farmers from 49 different sub-districts in Nakhon Ratchasima province in the Northeast of Thailand, who supply fresh cassava roots to the manufacturing plant. Potential factors are classified into four categories: farmers' demographics, cultivation activities, harvesting activities, and logistics activities, a total of 38 variables. Regression models, ANNs with one hidden layer, and HDBNs were constructed for starch content prediction. Prediction performances were evaluated using the root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute percentage errors (MAPE), which were 2.44 percent of starch content and 7.283% for the best regression model; 2.41 and 7.055% for the best ANN, and 2.35 and 6.226% for the best HDBN, respectively. The results indicate that HDBN outperforms the other two models in terms of prediction performance. The final regression model and the best ANN are primarily used to identify seven important factors that can potentially describe starch content. These include harvest age, planting density, growing season, farm location, type of soil, cassava variety, and weed control method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides field performance and degradation information of Si wafer-based and thin film photovoltaic (PV) modules in a tropical region. We address the importance of temperature coefficient (TC) and the significance of the degradation rate (DR) of the modules operating under tropical climate. The PV modules with TC for power below −0.31%/°C have a great advantage in terms of energy yield. The DRs of various PV module types are widely different, ranging from 0.5 to 4.9%/year, which greatly affect their long-term performance. This paper also presents the degradation behavior of electrical characteristics such as I–V curve, open circuit voltage (V oc ), short circuit current (I sc ), fill factor (FF) and maximum power output (P max ) for each PV type. The DRs of the field-test PV modules in Thailand are first reported in this study. The level of degradation we found in this study suggests a reduction of output power 10–50% over a twenty-five year lifetime, possibly increasing the levelized cost of electricity by up to double cost. The database of this case study is informative and useful for a further study on performance degradation in the tropics and a comparison study with other environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]