Design and Implementation of Low-cost Bus Tracking System with 3G/GPS Technology and Google Maps APIs

Petcharat Suriyachai,Tinnapop Raedeebuk,Lunchakorn Wuttisittikulkij 대한전자공학회 2015 ITC-CSCC :International Technical Conference on Ci Vol.2015 No.6

This paper details the design and implementation of a low-cost tracking system of university shuttle buses. The system consists of a tracking device, lightweight web server and Android smartphone application. The tracking device is made from an inexpensive Raspberry Pi board connected to a GPS module and 3G modem. It is placed inside a bus to report real-time feeds of the bus’s locations to the remote web server. A passenger employs the Android smartphone application to display a bus route map and to obtain the current location and expected arrival time of buses from the web server. The system evaluation indicates that the system can provide an accurate and satisfying location-tracking service, leading to an effective utilization of public transportation in a university with affordable cost.

Measuring the nonuse value of the dugong (Dugong dugon) in Thailand

Areeyapat Petcharat,이요한 국립중앙과학관 2020 Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Vol.13 No.1

The dugong is an herbivorous marine mammal species, being vulnerable to extinction throughout itsrange in the Indo-Pacific region. This article used the choice experiment method to elicit the nonusevalue, or the nonusers’ willingness to pay for conserving the dugongs in Thailand. A face-to-face interviewwas used to obtain data from 300 residents in five selected districts of Bangkok. The results showthat the average willingness to pay for the most preferred dugong conservation scheme (a marker buoysystem, recreating habitats, and slowing down the population decline) was 4,382 Thai Baht (USD122)annually per household. Significantly, developing the marker buoy system to identify dugong habitatswas the most valued by the general public. However, the respondents were not willing to pay foreducating local fishers about the conservation of dugongs. Our results imply that a conservation policyshould concentrate on the participation of key fishers in dugong protection projects using incentivemeasures. We also suggest the government to create protected areas as dugong sanctuaries thatconsistently support the remaining dugong population.

Effects of Pogonatherum paniceum (Lamk) Hack extract on anti-mitochondrial DNA mediated inflammation by attenuating Tlr9 expression in LP-induced macrophages

Thongboontho Rungthip,Petcharat Kanoktip,Munkong Narongsuk,Khonthun Chakkraphong,Boondech Atirada,Phromnoi Kanokkarn,Thim-uam Arthid 한국영양학회 2023 Nutrition Research and Practice Vol.17 No.5

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Mitochondrial DNA leakage leads to inflammatory responses via endosome activation. This study aims to evaluate whether the perennial grass water extract (Pogonatherum panicum) ameliorate mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) leakage. MATERIALS/METHODS: The major bioactive constituents of P. paniceum (PPW) were investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography, after which their antioxidant activities were assessed. In addition, RAW 264.7 macrophages were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide, resulting in mitochondrial damage. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to examine the gene expression and cytokines. RESULTS: Our results showed that PPW extract-treated activated cells significantly decrease reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide levels by reducing the p22phox and iNOS expression and lowering cytokine-encoding genes, including IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, PG-E2 and IFN-γ relative to the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages. Furthermore, we observed that LPS enhanced the mtDNA leaked into the cytoplasm, increasing the transcription of Tlr9 and signaling both MyD88/Irf7-dependent interferon and MyD88/NF-κb p65-dependent inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression but which was alleviated in the presence of PPW extract. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that PPW extract has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities by facilitating mtDNA leakage and lowering the Tlr9 expression and signaling activation.

Application of Multibody Dynamics Simulation in Approximation of Rail Vehicle Dynamic Envelope

Songsak Suthasupradit,Thitiwut Petcharat,김기두,Rattapoohm Parichatprecha 한국철도학회 2023 한국철도학회논문집 Vol.26 No.12

The master plan for Thailand’s Eastern High-Speed Rail Project calls for the Airport Rail Link to be shared with high-speed trains. To ensure the safety of mixed operations, it is imperative to assess loading and structural gauges. This study determined the dynamic envelopes of rail vehicles using multibody dynamics modeling, focusing on three rolling stock models—Siemens Desiro UK Class 360/2 EMU, CRH2C EMU, and Shinkansen Series 300 High-Speed EMU— across a spectrum of operating conditions. Factors such as train mass, suspension characteristics, running speed, wheel wear, track geometry, and track irregularities were incorporated as dynamic simulation parameters. The greatest vehicle movement occurred along the westbound curve path, particularly at the transition between the 996-meter-radius curve to the 180-meter-radius curve. The Shinkansen Series 300 exhibited the greatest lateral and vertical maneuverability. Both the CRH2C EMU and Shinkansen 300 Series trains exceeded the structural envelope limitations of the Airport Rail Link.

Effects of fungal (Lentinussajor-caju) treated oil palm frond on performance and carcass characteristics in finishing goats

Pin Chanjula,Vasun Petcharat,Anusorn Cherdthong 아세아·태평양축산학회 2017 Animal Bioscience Vol.30 No.6

Objective: This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of fungal treated oil palm fronds (FTOPF) on performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and muscle chemical composition. Methods: Eighteen growing crossbred male goats (Thai Native×Anglo Nubian) with 18.7±2.0 kg of initial body weight (BW) were stratified and blocked by BW in a randomized complete block design. Three diets containing 30% of oil palm fronds (OPF) either untreated (UOPF) or treated with Lentinussajor-caju (FTOPF) with or without urea (FTOPFU) were used as roughage sources in total mixed rations (TMRs). The diets were offered ad libitum and weight gain was determined. At the end of the experimental period, the harvest data and carcass characteristics of the goats were recorded, and muscular longissimus dorsi composition was determined. Results: No significant effect of fungal treated (FT) inclusion was observed in any of the feed intake, growth performance, and carcass characteristics. Likewise, no apparent effects on carcass composition and muscle chemical composition were detected in this study, except for hind leg and chump were affected (p<0.05) by FT inclusion. Conclusion: In conclusion, feeding of fungal (Lentinussajor-caju) treated oil palm frond in TMR diet did not affect performance and carcass characteristics in finishing goats.

Economic Evaluation and Budget Impact Analysis of the Surveillance Program for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Thai Chronic Hepatitis B Patients

Sangmala, Pannapa,Chaikledkaew, Usa,Tanwandee, Tawesak,Pongchareonsuk, Petcharat Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.20

Background: The incidence rate and the treatment costs of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are high, especially in Thailand. Previous studies indicated that early detection by a surveillance program could help by down-staging. This study aimed to compare the costs and health outcomes associated with the introduction of a HCC surveillance program with no program and to estimate the budget impact if the HCC surveillance program were implemented. Materials and Methods: A cost utility analysis using a decision tree and Markov models was used to compare costs and outcomes during the lifetime period based on a societal perspective between alternative HCC surveillance strategies with no program. Costs included direct medical, direct non-medical, and indirect costs. Health outcomes were measured as life years (LYs), and quality adjusted life years (QALYs). The results were presented in terms of the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) in Thai THB per QALY gained. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were applied to investigate parameter uncertainties. Budget impact analysis (BIA) was performed based on the governmental perspective. Results: Semi-annual ultrasonography (US) and semi-annual ultrasonography plus alpha-fetoprotein (US plus AFP) as the first screening for HCC surveillance would be cost-effective options at the willingness to pay (WTP) threshold of 160,000 THB per QALY gained compared with no surveillance program (ICER=118,796 and ICER=123,451 THB/QALY), respectively. The semi-annual US plus AFP yielded more net monetary benefit, but caused a substantially higher budget (237 to 502 million THB) than semi-annual US (81 to 201 million THB) during the next ten fiscal years. Conclusions: Our results suggested that a semi-annual US program should be used as the first screening for HCC surveillance and included in the benefit package of Thai health insurance schemes for both chronic hepatitis B males and females aged between 40-50 years. In addition, policy makers considered the program could be feasible, but additional evidence is needed to support the whole prevention system before the implementation of a strategic plan.

Effectiveness of Tobacco Education for Pharmacy Students in Indonesia

Kristina, Susi Ari,Thavorncharoensap, Montarat,Pongcharoensuk, Petcharat,Montakantikul, Preecha,Suansanae, Thanarat,Prabandari, Yayi Suryo Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.24

Background: Smoking remains the major preventable cause of death worldwide, especially cancer-related death. Evidence clearly indicates that tobacco-related morbidity and mortality is reduced by smoking cessation. Pharmacists are well-positioned to provide tobacco cessation services an involvement of pharmacists in smoking cessation is encouraged by several organizations. While Indonesia's prevalence of smoking is in the first rank in Asian countries, none of the pharmacy schools in Indonesia are currently offering tobacco-related courses in their existing curricula at present. Our study aimed to develop and to evaluate the effectiveness of tobacco education (TE) for pharmacy students in Indonesia. Materials and Methods: A 6-hour TE was developed and evaluated using pre-test/post-test with control group design. A total of 137 fifth-year pharmacy students at Gadjah Mada University (GMU), Yogyakarta, were chosen as an intervention group while a total of 105 fifth-year students of Islamic University of Indonesia, (UII) served as the control group. Knowledge, perceived-role, self-efficacy, and ability to perform counseling using the 5A's framework were evaluated. Results: A significant improvement (P < 0.001) in knowledge, perceived-role, and self-efficacy was found in the intervention group but not in the control group. In addition, we revealed that 89.7% of the intervention group were able to perform counseling using 5A's. Conclusions: The developed TE significantly improved student knowledge, perceived-rolse, self-efficacy, and created an ability to perform cessation counseling. Integration of TE education in curricula of Indonesian pharmacy schools nation-wide should be encouraged.

Experiment and computation multi-fidelity multi-objective airfoil design optimization of fixed-wing UAV

Tharathep Phiboon,Krittin Khankwa,Nutchanan Petcharat,Nattaphon Phoksombat,Masahiro Kanazaki,Yuki Kishi,Sujin Bureerat,Atthaphon Ariyarit 대한기계학회 2021 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.35 No.9

Optimization with a surrogate model is a popular method used in design to avoid a high computational cost problem and is often encountered in computational fluid dynamics and experimental design. However, the optimization with a surrogate model is assigned to solve single-fidelity optimization problems. Thus, a multi-fidelity surrogate model is proposed to solve the multi-fidelity airfoil design problem by combining the data of the wind tunnel experiment and the aerodynamic evaluation using JavaFoil software. In the optimization method, an RBF/Kriging hybrid multi-fidelity surrogate model is used. A non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) is selected to solve the airfoil design problem. The objective of the optimization problem is to minimize the aerodynamic drag and maximize the lift force. The results showed that the algorithm successfully found the UAV airfoil shape and the selected optimum airfoil shape had the error of the aerodynamic lift and drag less than 10 % when tested in the wind tunnel experiment.

Impact of Smoking Cessation Training for Community Pharmacists in Indonesia

Kristina, Susi Ari,Thavorncharoensap, Montarat,Pongcharoensuk, Petcharat,Prabandari, Yayi Suryo Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.8

Background: Community pharmacists play an important role in tobacco control and adequate training on smoking cessation is essential. Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test design was used. A one-day workshop on smoking cessation organized by Indonesian Pharmacists Association as part of PCE program was offered to 133 community pharmacists. The workshop consisted of a 3-hour lecture and a 3-hour role-play session. Pre-training and post-training surveys assessed the impact of training on parameters including knowledge, perceived role and self-efficacy with respect to smoking cessation counseling practices. Intention and ability to perform counseling using the 5A framework was assessed after training only. Results: After PCE, knowledge score significantly increased from $24.9{\pm}2.58$ to $35.7{\pm}3.54$ (p<0.001). Perceived role and self-efficacy in smoking cessation counseling also significantly increased from $25.8{\pm}2.73$ to $28.7{\pm}2.24$, and $27.6{\pm}4.44$ to $32.6{\pm}3.63$, respectively (p<0.001). After the workshop, most participants were willing to ask, advise, and assess patients who ready to quit, but were still less likely to assist in quitting plans and arranging follow up counseling. More than 75% pharmacists were able to perform cessation counseling and 65% of them can completely perform a 5A brief intervention. Conclusions: PCE can enhance pharmacists' knowledge, perceived role, self-efficacy in cessation counseling practices, and create willingness and ability to perform cessation counseling. Future training is recommended to improve skills in assisting quitting plans and arranging follow up.

Acute Effects of Passion Fruit Juice Supplementation on Cardiac Autonomic Function and Blood Glucose in Healthy Subjects

Piyapong Prasertsri,Uraiporn Booranasuksakul,Kanoknuch Naravoratham,Petcharat Trongtosak 한국식품영양과학회 2019 Preventive Nutrition and Food Science Vol.24 No.3

Ascorbic acid supplementation provides beneficial effects on enhancing cardiac autonomic function in patients with heart failure. Ascorbic acid also reduces blood sugar levels and enhances insulin activity, and encourages cardiac autonomic function. Passion fruit is rich in ascorbic acid and potential antioxidants. This study aimed to evaluate the acute effects of passion fruit juice (PFJ) supplementation primarily on cardiac autonomic function and secondary on blood glucose in healthy subjects. A randomized cross-over trial was conducted in 14 healthy subjects aged 21.29±0.73 years. Subjects were supplemented with either 50% PFJ, or glucose and fructose solution as a placebo (PLA) at 3.5 mL/kg body mass with a 1-week washout between treatments in a single-dose design. Short-term heart rate variability and blood glucose levels were evaluated prior to supplementation (T0) and following supplementation for 30, 60, 90, and 120 min (T30, T60, T90, and T120, respectively). Indexes of cardiac autonomic function at T30, including high frequency power (P=0.03) and total power (P=0.01), were significantly higher and the ratio of low frequency/high frequency power was significantly lower (P=0.01) in the PFJ group compared to the PLA group. Blood glucose levels significantly increased at T30 in both PLA (P=0.00) and PFJ (P=0.00) groups. However, there were no significant differences between groups. A single administration of PFJ enhanced cardiac autonomic function through augmentation of parasympathetic activity, although it did not attenuate postprandial hyperglycemia. PFJ may be potentially recognized as beverage able to prevent cardiovascular disease.