A nonlinear optimization model on the reinforcement length of a modular block wall by varying surcharge and soil strength parameters

This study proposes a nonlinear optimization approach in designing a modular block wall which is atype of the mechanical stabilized earth wall. A nonlinear optimization model is proposed based on minimizing the reinforcement length where the constraints considered are the external stability and the internal stability. Theoptimum reinforcement length can be determined based on available soil strength parameters and the maximum surcharge. This study also includes the parametric study of the reinforced soil, retained soil, and foundation soil by varying the ranges of the wall height, surcharge, and soil strength parameters in density and friction angle to see the behaviours of the aforementioned external stability and internal stability. This can be beneficial in designing thismodular block wall encountering a poor soil condition or a large amount surcharge

Accuracy of Preoperative Sonographic Adnexal Fixation for Prediction of Pelvic Adhesion in Gynecologic Surgery

Objectives: To assess the accuracy of preoperative sonographic adnexal fixation for prediction of pelvic adhesion in gynecologic surgery.Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive study of 106 gynecologic patients who were scheduled for elective abdominal surgery. Preoperative sonographic adnexal fixation was done. The accuracy of transvaginal ultrasonographic findings suspecting pelvic adhesion, including at least one side of adnexal fixation, in predicting intraoperative adnexal adhesion was calculated. Pelvic adhesion risk factors were also collected.Results: Sonographic adnexal fixation was found in 81 adnexa. Ipsilateral adnexal adhesion was found intraoperatively in 78 adnexa of this study. Overall, pelvic adhesion prediction based on ultrasonographic finding had an accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of 74.4, 69.2, 77.7, 66.7 and 79.7 percent respectively. History of pelvic infection and dysmenorrhea were positively correlated with pelvic adhesion (Adjusted OR, 3.50; 95%CI, 1.26-9.75; p = 0.016 and adjusted OR, 2.47; 95%CI, 1.37-4.46; p = 0.003 respectively). However, combined a history of pelvic infection and dysmenorrhea with an ultrasonographic finding showed the most correlation with pelvic adhesion.Conclusion: Preoperative adnexal fixation on transvaginal ultrasonography accurately identified patients with pelvic adhesions. Furthermore, history of pelvic infection and dysmenorrhea could increase the ability to predict pelvic adhesion

Efficacy of Music Therapy on Immediate Postpartum Episiotomy Pain: A randomized controlled trial

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of music therapy in alleviating immediate postpartum episiotomy wound pain. Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of music therapy in alleviating immediate pain from an episiotomy wound. Uncomplicated singleton vaginal delivery women with the second degree or less episiotomy wound at Delivery and Postpartum Inpatient Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand were enrolled into the study. Visual analog scale (VAS) scoring was used for comparing pain levels.Results: One hundred postpartum women were enrolled in our study. Baseline characteristics such as age, degree of episiotomy wound tear were similar between both groups. The median pain VAS score was statistically significantly lower in the music group than in the control group at the end of the 2nd hour after finish of episiotomy wound repairing process [24.0 millimeters (8.3-41.5) and 36.5 millimeters (20.0-53.3), p < 0.001]. The median pain VAS score was statistically significantly lower in the music group than in the control group at the end of 6th hour after finish of episiotomy wound repairing process [12.0 millimeters (3.0-21.0) and 22.0 millimeters (15.0-38.0), p < 0.001] Conclusion: Music therapy is effective for reducing the perceived immediate postpartum pain of an episiotomy wound

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Mild Cognitive Impairment in Menopausal Women at HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Medical Center

Objective:To assess the prevalence and risk factors associated with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Thai menopausal women.Materials and Methods: The eligible menopausal women were asked during a face-to-face interview to participate in the Thai Montreal Cognitive Assessment (Thai MoCA) test at HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Medical Center. Cognitive impairment was defined as a test’s score of 24 or less. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the variable associated with positive Thai MoCA test. Results:The authors found that 20 of the 120 participants were cognitively impaired. The significant associated risk factors were low education (adjusted odd ratio: 3.7; p= 0.03) and the number of concomitant medical diseases. The adjusted odd ratios for one, two and three diseases were 18.0, 42.1 and 88.9 respectively.Conclusion: The prevalence of MCI in menopausal women was 16.7 %. Early detection of this problem in vulnerable group will benefit to their cognitive performance

Reduction of GHG Emissions Using Zeolite 4A under Different Fertilizer Usages in Rice Cultivation

This investigation examined the potential of zeolite 4A to reduce emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in rice cultivation under different fertilizer regimes. A completely randomized design was used with four treatments (different fertilizer application method) and 2 blocks (zeolite 4A application, using rice variety RD-41 sown at a seed rate of 15.625 g m-2, and harvested in 105 d in Lam Ta Khong Research Station, Nakhon Ratchasima. The experimental results demonstrated that significant reduction in GHG emissions in zeolite 4A treated plots, either alone or in combination with chemical fertilizers, with GHG reduction of 43.27 % and 34.69 %, respectively. It was concluded that zeolite 4A has potential to reduce GHG emissions in rice cultivation, and that effect may be dose-dependent

The impact of the demographic transition on dengue in Thailand: Insights from a statistical analysis and mathematical modeling

Background: An increase in the average age of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) cases has been reported in Thailand. The cause of this increase is not known. Possible explanations include a reduction in transmission due to declining mosquito populations, declining contact between human and mosquito, and changes in reporting. We propose that a demographic shift toward lower birth and death rates has reduced dengue transmission and lengthened the interval between large epidemics. Methods and Findings: Using data from each of the 72 provinces of Thailand, we looked for associations between force of infection (a measure of hazard, defined as the rate per capita at which susceptible individuals become infected) and demographic and climactic variables. We estimated the force of infection from the age distribution of cases from 1985 to 2005. We find that the force of infection has declined by 2% each year since a peak in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Contrary to recent findings suggesting that the incidence of DHF has increased in Thailand, we find a small but statistically significant decline in DHF incidence since 1985 in a majority of provinces. The strongest predictor of the change in force of infection and the mean force of infection is the median age of the population. Using mathematical simulations of dengue transmission we show that a reduced birth rate and a shift in the population's age structure can explain the shift in the age distribution of cases, reduction of the force of infection, and increase in the periodicity of multiannual oscillations of DHF incidence in the absence of other changes. Conclusions: Lower birth and death rates decrease the flow of susceptible individuals into the population and increase the longevity of immune individuals. The increase in the proportion of the population that is immune increases the likelihood that an infectious mosquito will feed on an immune individual, reducing the force of infection. Though the force of infection has decreased by half, we find that the critical vaccination fraction has not changed significantly, declining from an average of 85% to 80%. Clinical guidelines should consider the impact of continued increases in the age of dengue cases in Thailand. Countries in the region lagging behind Thailand in the demographic transition may experience the same increase as their population ages. The impact of demographic changes on the force of infection has been hypothesized for other diseases, but, to our knowledge, this is the first observation of this phenomenon

Suitable of annual health check-up programs as divided by age of 35 years(ความเหมาะสมของโปรแกรมตรวจสุขภาพประจำปี ตามเกณฑ์อายุ 35 ปี)

Annual health check-up program is useful for early detection of diseases, which will facilitate successful treatment and improve prognosis. In addition, it helps reducing the cost of treatment. For the government officers, the annual check-up fee is paid, according to age groups, by The Comptroller General’s Department, Ministry of Finance. However, the tests include in the check-up programs may not appropriate for person of less than 35 years of age. The objective of this study was to evaluate how suitable the health check-up program as divided by age of 35 years due to the regulations of The Comptroller General’s Department, Ministry of Finance. The study design was cross-sectional. Data were collected from 466 persons who visited the health promotion center, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Medical Center from July, 2007 to December, 2008. The dataset of fasting blood sugar, blood lipid, renal function, liver function, and blood uric acid were divided into two groups: less than 35 years and equal to or over 35 years. Qualitative data and quantitative data were compared by Chi-square test and T-test, respectively at p-value of less than 0.05. The results showed that 57.1% of subjects were female. The average age was 43.9 years. The values of blood pressure, waist circumference, chest X-ray, stool occult blood, and fasting blood sugar were significantly different between two age groups. Fasting blood sugar, blood lipid, renal function, liver function, and blood uric acid were not statistical difference between age 35 years. In conclusion, hypertension, abdominal obesity, abnormal chest X-ray, stool occult blood, and high blood sugar were mostly found at older age. It was recommended that the health check-up program which be select by age 35 years old, should be adjusted

A nonlinear optimization model on the reinforcement length of a modular block wall by varying surcharge and soil strength parameters

This study proposes a nonlinear optimization approach in designing a modular block wall which is atype of the mechanical stabilized earth wall. A nonlinear optimization model is proposed based on minimizing the reinforcement length where the constraints considered are the external stability and the internal stability. Theoptimum reinforcement length can be determined based on available soil strength parameters and the maximum surcharge. This study also includes the parametric study of the reinforced soil, retained soil, and foundation soil by varying the ranges of the wall height, surcharge, and soil strength parameters in density and friction angle to see the behaviours of the aforementioned external stability and internal stability. This can be beneficial in designing thismodular block wall encountering a poor soil condition or a large amount surcharge

Stress and depressive symptoms related excessive daytime sleepiness in Thai medical students, Srinakharinwirot University (อาการแสดงของความเครียดและอารมณ์ซึมเศร้าที่สัมพันธ์กับความง่วงมากกว่าปกติในนิสิต คณะแพทยศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยศรีนครินทรวิโรฒ)

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is a common sleep disorder in general population which can lead to serious consequences including traffic and industrial accidents, decreased productivity, and interpersonal problems. Besides sleepiness, EDS is also related to depression and stress. The objective of this study was to determine the symptoms of stress and depression in medical students that associated to excessive daytime sleepiness. Cross-sectional study was performed. The questionnaires which composed of the diagnostic screening test for depression in Thai population: Health-Related Self-Reported (HRSR) Scale, Suanprung stress test and Epworth sleepiness scale were sent to 646 medical students of all classes at Srinakharinwirot University during February, 11th 2008 to March, 4th 2008. Categorical variables were analyzed using the Chi-square test or Fisher exact test. For binary response variables, odds ratio and significant explanatory variables were identified through logistic regressions. A two-tailed p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. EDS was not associated to class, gender and body mass index, but it was associated to depression and stress with odds ratios of 3.3 and 2.8, respectively (