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This paper investigates the potential of the Gamified Metaverse as a platform for promoting library services. The study compares the effectiveness of a traditional library program with a Metaverse- based library program in terms of knowledge acquisition and library anxiety. The research also examines students' perceptions of implementing gamification within the context of the Gamified Metaverse platform. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, including pre- and post-test analysis, statistical analysis, and qualitative data collection. The results indicate that both the traditional and Metaverse-based library programs effectively increased the participants' knowledge, with no significant difference between the two approaches. However, the Metaverse-based program was found to be less effective in facilitating interaction with librarians and reducing library anxiety. Additionally, students expressed positive perceptions of implementing gamification in the Gamified Metaverse platform, finding it engaging and motivating. These findings contribute to the understanding of the effect of the Metaverse as a tool for promoting library services and enhancing knowledge acquisition. However, it is not as effective in reducing library anxiety, particularly in terms of interaction with librarians and staff. It should be noted that the platform may have limitations such as high costs and potential side effects of virtual reality, making it more suitable as an additional tool for promoting library services, taking into account its feasibility and potential benefits for specific student populations and larger libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Garcinia dulcis (GD) extract possesses anti-hypertensive property that are poorly characterized. This study aimed to investigate an anti-inflammatory effect of GD flower extract in the 2-kidney-1-clip (2K1C) hypertensive compared to sham operative (SO) rat. Male Wistar rats were divided into 2 groups; the 2K1C group in which a silver clip was placed around renal artery to induce hypertension, and the SO normotensive group. Four weeks later, each group of rats were further divided into 2 subgroups, each subgroup was orally gavaged of either corn oil (vehicle) or 50 mg/kg BW GD extract daily for 4 weeks. The malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in serum, liver, and kidney were determined. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was carried out for histological examination, Periodic acid – Schiff staining for glomerular injury, Masson's trichrome staining for renal fibrosis, and immunohistochemistry for either tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) or endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) investigation. Taken together, our results demonstrated that GD flower extract decreased the MDA level in both serum and liver and kidney tissue and suppressed the expression of TNF-α in both liver and kidney of 2K1C hypertensive rats. Mesangial cell proliferation, expansion of mesangial matrix, widening Bowman's capsule space, congestion of glomerular capillary and vessel, cloudy swelling of renal tubular epithelial cell, and renal fibrosis were observed in the kidneys of 2K1C rats. Therefore, we concluded that GD flower extract can alleviate liver and kidney inflammation in which partially attenuates the glomerular injury in the 2K1C rat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to develop didactic games that enhance the mathematical skills of young children. The participants were 22 students aged 5-6 years, who were enrolled in a kindergarten class at Rajamangala Demonstration Kindergarten School in Thailand. This research used quantitative research method. The quasi-experiment was conducted over an 8-week period, 3 days per week, with each session lasting for 40 minutes. The research utilized various instruments, such as an experience activity plan, educational media, an early childhood mathematics skills observation form, and a satisfaction assessment form. Mean, standard deviation, and One-way ANOVA were used for data analysis. The findings indicated a significant improvement in the mathematical skills of the young children at a level of .01 significance, and the satisfaction of the teachers and educational personnel was high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation examines cultural conservation of buffalo-kites through participatory management of tourism initiatives in Southern Thailand. A mixed methods approach was adopted, combining elements of qualitative and quantitative research. The data was collected using observation, a questionnaire, and interviews with purposively selected research respondents. Data was gathered from local residents of Satun Province, academics, kite-making experts, kite festival organizers, local government representatives, and tourists. The results revealed that there is a well-established mechanism of cultural conservation during the tourist high season. The kite-making culture is preserved through cultural shows and competitions. However, aside from these very seasonal initiatives, there is no systematic conservation. The investigation recommends a cooperative model of conservation that will enable year-round conservation of the rich kite-making culture of Southern Thailand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines factors affecting students' desire to learn the English language using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). This is to explain and predict students' desire to learn. For this purpose, a questionnaire survey was conducted at two public universities in Malaysia and one in Thailand. The questionnaires were developed based on Gardner's (2004) Attitude/Motivation Test Battery. Only four subscales of the instrument were chosen for this study. These were: desire to learn, instrumental motivation, foreign language anxiety and attitude towards foreign language. It was found that although Attitude toward Foreign Language, Foreign Language Anxiety and Instrumental Motivation have small predictive relevance on Desire to Learn the English language, they are crucial in explaining the students' desire to learn the language. The study indicates that the model is sufficiently reliable and consistent. When the groups were compared, the relationship between Instrumental Motivation and Desire to Learn was higher between International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) students but the difference is not significant where IIUM and Naresuan University (NU) students were concerned. This study serves to model a quantitative empirical research method to explain and predict factors affecting desire to learn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth of durian agrotourism has a significant impact on the well-being of rural communities or farmers. From old to new agrotourism in Ban Nai Wong Tai District, management innovation research to boost durian growth was investigated. A quantitative approach was used by purposively selecting 210 participants using a non-probability sampling (convenience sampling) technique. The data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings revealed that the farm owners in charge of the agrotourism durian operations went through various stages of management innovation to add value to the community-based agrotourism. The control and management, community, organisation, and management, coordination and cooperation with stakeholders, and power distribution, control, and ownership with which farmers participate in counseling effect the farmers' decision to manage innovation in the development of durian agrotourism. The findings of this study suggest that policymakers in emerging economies should promote management innovation aspects to increase the value added of creative and experimental community-based agrotourism in emerging economies, particularly Thailand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water policy-making requires the dedicated involvement of all stakeholders, but difficulties remain for the community sector. This study aims to examine the critical challenges of community involvement in water policy decision-making in Thailand. Both qualitative and quantitative methods used in this research project consisted of 39 interviews with informants from a variety of interested parties and 403 community members from around the East Coast River Basin in Thailand completing a survey questionnaire. The results have shown that although mechanisms to enable community involvement in decision-making, such as public consultation and water-related committees, exist, problems remain within the community sector. The critical challenges lie in the opportunities of being consulted and the sharing of power in water policy-making. Although the networks are important, at the same time, they are also obstructing the community sectors in linking their requirements to a final decision, as well as dealing with politics, policy-makers, and staff who organized the process. Therefore, the government should further develop water committee mechanisms by setting up a comprehensive yet practically easy consultation process so that new or inexperienced community members get an opportunity to practice and learn the vital elements necessary in water policy-making. Further research should be conducted in order to compare the opportunities in water decision-making between communities in rural and urban areas. Studies at the local government level should be carried out, with results used as a mechanism to enable community involvement at higher levels of water policy decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]