A STUDY OF SELF-IDENTITY CHANGES AND CORRELATION OF INFLUENTIAL FACTORS OF THAI STUDENTS STUDYING ENGLISH

English is regarded as an International Language. Most Thai students have to learn English as a Foreign Language (EFL). Significantly, learning languages, not only English, is related to a foreign culture’s behavioral norms, and cultural values that usually determine a person’s self-identity. Especially, students in English major may undergo self-identity changes. This quantitative study investigated types of self-identity changes occurring in undergraduate students majoring in English, at Naresuan University (Eng NU) and Thammasat University (Eng TU), also students majoring in English Literature at Thammasat University (Eng Lit). In addition, this study investigated the factors which had influenced these self-identity changes. The instrument of the research was a questionnaire. ANOVA is carried out to test difference and analyze the correlation between six types of changes and six independent variables (t-test)

The Role of an Online Community in Supporting Diabetes Self-Management in Thailand

One of the greatest health issues facing the world today is diabetes mellitus (diabetes), and Thailand is no exception. Even though diabetes cannot be cured, those who manage their illness well can have normal lives. To effectively monitor and regulate their blood sugar levels, people with diabetes must spend a significant amount of time working on self-management outside of medical settings. Most patients fail to complete this procedure because it is patient-centred, meaning that patients must complete it primarily on their own. Since questions or problems with their diabetes treatment could arise at any time, they search online for support. In addition to providing users with constant access to information about diabetes self-management, online forums allow users the chance to connect with others, exchange stories, ask questions, and seek assistance. The aim of this thesis is to examine the ways in which people use the online community Pantip to exchange their knowledge and experience as part of the self-management of diabetes and as carers, as part of an overall strategy of managing diabetes, and to explore the cultural context for diabetes self-management in Thailand. The analysis examines 992 individual posts in 177 message threads during a period of 6 months on a message board on Pantip and the interviews with 15 members of the forum. A thematic analysis was conducted to identify major themes related to the diabetes self-management. According to the study, the site helps users with peer support, informational support, and emotional support, particularly when it comes to lifestyle management, which is the self-manager's main area of the problem. Users of Pantip also consider how Thai culture either encourages or discourages self-management. While Thai cuisine can be a barrier to diet control, which may lead people with diabetes to utilize complementary and alternative therapies, Thai family structures promote the adult child's role as a carer in Thailand.Even though Thailand permits the use of both conventional medicine and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), most patients never discuss their use of CAM with their doctors; they choose to discuss it online. Pantip acts as a resource for individuals, helping them understand why they use it, assisting in rechecking it, and providing advice to caution against latent advertising. For carers, Pantip is a place to learn about the responsibilities of caring for people with diabetes and how to deal with crises or struggles by receiving both informational and emotional support.Overall, the community supports patient-centred approaches that are the cornerstone of diabetes management by sharing experiences that provide insights into how people with diabetes deal with their diseases and how Thai culture affects self-management. Pantip, an online community, can help people with diabetes and their carers practice better self-management, which may improve their health outcome

Predicting fillability of viscoelastic product in Tetra Recart

It is of interest to design a methodology in predicting the fillability of non-Newtonian viscoelastic product such as meat batter by analyzing its rheological properties, reducing the need to perform pilot plant scale tests. Meat batter with different added water produced in laboratory and pilot plant were analyzed to represent meat batters with different rheological characteristics and filling behaviour. The analysis of the rheological properties of the samples were performed in duplicates using rotational rheometer. The rheological tests done include flow curve determination, build-up test, break down test, and amplitude sweep test. The results showed that the meat batter had shear thinning time-dependent property (thixotropy) and could be described by Power Law at shear rate range 1-200s-1 which was applicable to the filling machine. The calculated K value, apparent viscosity, and calculated Pressure drop derived from the model showed decreasing trend as the % water increased, which could provide information on the limit of the machine. On the other hand, the trend of n value which ranged from 0.10-0.15 was not dependent on the % added water. The samples with lower added water was found to have higher thixotropy and elastic property compared to those of more added water, which influenced its fillability. The samples were tested in the filling machine to study the pressure profile curves. Samples which were able to be filled showed a steady state region and followed a viscous fluid behaviour. The prediction model was found to have a good estimation of the experimental pressure drop value for higher water added meat batter. In conclusion, the calculated K value and amplitude sweep test can be used to predict the meat batter’s fillability in the filling machine with a standard tank. For products which exceeded the limit, the filling machine with pressurized tank can be recommended

Comparison of antioxidant activity of Moringa oleifera and selected vegetables in South Africa

The antioxidant activity of the leaves and flowers of the Moringa oleifera plant were investigated and the results were compared to those of selected vegetables (cabbage, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower and peas). Antioxidant activity was determined by analysing the total phenolics content, total flavonoids content, reducing power and radical scavenging activity using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical method. The total phenolics content of moringa was almost twice that of the vegetables and the total flavonoids content was three times that of the selected vegetables. The reducing power of moringa was higher than that of the vegetables and the percentage of free radicals remaining was lower compared with the vegetables. These results combined show that moringa is a good source of antioxidants. This finding also explains why moringa forms part of the diet of people in many developing countries, especially in the southern hemisphere

The effect of a home-based stretching exercise on the ground reaction force generation and absorption during walking in individuals with plantar fasciitis

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of a home-based stretching exercise program in individuals with plantar fasciitis (PF), and to compare its effect on ground reaction force (GRF)-time variables between the mild, moderate, and severe pain subgroups as well as between before and after in each subgroup. Design: A single cohort with pre-and post-test design. Interventions: Twenty individuals with PF received 3 weeks of home-based stretching exercise program for calf muscles and plantar fascia. The data were compared between before and after exercise in a whole number of participants and were compared among the mild (n = 7), moderate (n = 7), and severe (n = 6) pain subgroups. Main Outcome Measures: Force data were collected during walking using two force plates. GRF-time variables included the force and time at; first peak (F1 and TF1), valley (F2 and TF2), second peak (F3 and TF3) for the vertical forces, peak breaking (F4 and TF4) and propulsive (F5 and TF5) forces, first peak (F6 and TF6) and second peak lateral (F7 and TF7) forces. Additionally, worst pain was assessed using the visual analog scale. Results: Significant reductions were seen in F2, TF2, TF3, TF5 and worst pain after exercise in individuals with PF (P <0.05). No differences were seen between the three subgroups. For the within subgroup analysis, only the mild subgroup showed significant changes in F2, TF2, F4, TF6, and TF7 after exercise (P <0.05). Conclusion: A home-based stretching exercise program was effective in reducing pain and some GRF-time variables, with the most noticeable response seen in the mild subgroup