CURRENT APPLIED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Integrating RGB and DSM Data for Enhanced Building Segmentation in UAV Images

2025-05-19T00:45:43+07:00

Accurate building segmentation in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) orthophotos remains a significant challenge due to the visual similarity between buildings and non-target elements such as trees, roads, and background clutter. This study proposes an enhanced segmentation method—referred to as RGB-DSM-IMP (M3)—which integrates RGB imagery, Digital Surface Model (DSM) data, and a novel background removal preprocessing step. The Mask Region-Based Convolutional Neural Network (Mask R-CNN) framework was employed to evaluate three segmentation strategies: a baseline model using only RGB imagery, a second model combining RGB imagery with DSM data, and the proposed model that incorporates both data types along with preprocessing. All models were trained and tested on drone-acquired images representing a variety of building types and environmental conditions. Performance was evaluated using precision, recall, F1-score, average precision (AP), mean intersection over union (mIoU), and mean average precision (mAP). The enhanced model achieved the highest results across all metrics, with an average F1-score of 0.74, mIoU of 0.74, and mAP of 0.63. These findings highlight the benefit of integrating elevation data to enhance spatial differentiation and demonstrate the effectiveness of background removal in reducing misclassifications caused by visually similar objects. In addition, the method maintained a practical inference time per image, supporting its real-world applicability. Overall, the study demonstrates that combining height-based information with strategic preprocessing significantly improves the accuracy and robustness of building segmentation in complex aerial imagery.

Low-cost Multispectral Acquisition Device Coupled with Machine Learning for Detecting Adulteration of Honey

2025-06-25T13:43:41+07:00

Honey is a natural sweetener created by honeybees from the nectar of flowers. Honey's extensive health benefits have led to its widespread use across multiple industries. Honey adulteration with inferior substances undermines its quality, reducing natural nutrients and antioxidants, and diminishing its health benefits. This study aimed to study the possibility of detection of honey adulteration with a low-cost multispectral device coupled with machine learning. The adulterated honey came from deliberate adulteration with cane syrup in the 1 to 90% range. Spectral data was collected for pure honey and the adulterated honey samples at the wavelengths of 610, 680, 730, 760, 810, and 860 nm. The detection models for distinguishing pure and adulterated honey were developed by Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA), C-Support Vector Machine (C-SVM), and K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN). All models achieved high accuracy between 0.91 and 0.98 and maintained balanced precision and recall metrics. This study serves as a guideline for developing a low-cost portable honey authentication device that is practical for real-world applications.

Optimizing Primary Isolation of Recombinant HPV L1 Protein type 58 from Hansenula polymorpha

2025-06-23T22:33:27+07:00

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a primary cause of cervical cancer. While HPV types 16 and 18 are globally recognized, HPV 58 is the predominant genotype contributing to cervical cancer incidence in Thailand. Effective prevention is offered by virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines from recombinant L1 capsid protein. However, the high cost of imported vaccines limits their affordability in Thailand, highlighting the need for domestic production to enhance accessibility and self-sustainability. Despite efficient HPV L1 protein production in large-scale bioreactors, a scalable and robust purification process remains challenging, particularly when the protein is expressed in Hansenula polymorpha. This study focused on optimizing the initial isolation of recombinant HPV58 L1 protein from Hansenula polymorpha. Cell disruption was optimized using a high-pressure homogenizer at 1000 bars. The highest L1 protein yield (76.16 µg/mL) was achieved after five homogenization passes. Agitation of the homogenate for 6 h further enhanced the L1 protein yield to 165.67 µg/mL by solubilizing protein trapped within organelles or cell debris. Protein precipitation for L1 isolation was compared using ammonium sulfate (40-50% saturation), PEG6000 (10-25% v/v), and PEG8000 (10-25% v/v). Precipitation with 45% saturated ammonium sulfate at 4°C yielded the highest specific L1 protein (45.9 µg/mL) with fewer impurities. The L1 protein recovery rate ranged from 44% to 57%. This primary isolation provides a crude L1 protein extract for further downstream purification using methods such as chromatography. The purified L1 protein can self-assemble into VLPs and can be formulated into an HPV vaccine. This work supports scalable downstream processes for industrial HPV vaccine production.

Non-invasive Blood Glucose Measurement Using Near-infrared Spectroscopy and Microcontroller Equipment

2025-07-27T11:00:14+07:00

This study focuses on the development of modern, non-invasive equipment for measuring blood glucose levels using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy with a transmitter of 940 nm wavelength light emitting diode (LED). The aim is to eliminate the need for invasive methods and provide greater convenience for patients. The equipment operates by emitting infrared spectrum from a high-speed LED VLSB3940, which is passed through the patient's fingertip and receive by a BPX 65 photodiode receiver. The received signal is converted into voltage by the BPX65 photodiode. The output voltage from the BPX65, which varies with glucose concentration in the blood, is then amplified by an operational amplifier (op-amp) circuit. The amplified voltages are collected by an Arduino microcontroller that is interfaced with a touch screen display. A corresponding C-Arduino language program controls all processes and displays the measurement results on the screen. The study concludes that the near-infrared spectrum can effectively transmit signals through the blood glucose in the fingertip, yielding results comparable to the old invasive method. The linear regression of invasive and non-invasive blood glucose measurements had R² values of 0.99 and 0.82, respectively. The plot of Clarke Error Grid Analysis (CEGA) showed that most of points were in zone A, indicating high accuracy. However, further development of the system is recommended, including the exploration of alternative transmitters of 1550 nm wavelength, better receivers, and circuits to optimize the equipment for commercial uses.

TCGA and Bioinformatics Reveal the Molecular Network and Prognostic Implication of Laminin Beta 1 in Cholangiocarcinoma

2025-08-28T13:11:45+07:00

This study investigates the expression, prognostic relevance, and molecular network of laminin subunit beta 1 (LAMB1) in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) using TCGA data and bioinformatics tools. LAMB1 mRNA expression in CCA tissues was analyzed using the TCGA-CHOL dataset via GEPIA2, and protein expression data was obtained from The Human Protein Atlas (HPA). Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan–Meier plots and the log-rank test. Correlated genes were identified via UALCAN and analyzed for protein–protein interactions using STRING, followed by Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway enrichment. TCGA data showed significant upregulation of LAMB1 mRNA in CCA, and HPA images revealed stronger protein staining in CCA than in normal tissues. Although LAMB1 expression showed no significant association with overall survival (OS) or disease-free survival (DFS) in TCGA-CHOL alone, analysis of the combined CHOL and liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) datasets revealed that patients with high LAMB1 expression had significantly shorter OS and DFS. Among 250 LAMB1-correlated genes, STRING analysis identified 51 interacting partners, with GO and KEGG analyses highlighting enrichment in cell proliferation, DNA repair, and extracellular matrix (ECM)-related pathways. Notably, agrin (AGRN), collagen type IV alpha 5 chain (COL4A5), integrin alpha-2 (ITGA2), and nidogen 1 (NID1) emerged as network neighbors of LAMB1, with high AGRN and ITGA2 expression correlating with poor prognosis. These genes participate in ECM–integrin crosstalk and mechanotransduction signaling, processes that facilitate tumor progression and resistance to therapy. Together with our previous findings that LAMB1 promotes drug resistance and malignant phenotypes in CCA cells, these results reinforce LAMB1 as a central component of ECM-associated signaling networks and support its potential as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target.

A Circular Economy Approach in Sustainable Energy Transitions: Converting Agro-Industrial Waste into Solid Biofuel

2025-07-22T12:43:16+07:00

Agricultural biomass waste poses environmental challenges if not managed properly. This study investigated the conversion of agro-industrial residues into hybrid charcoal briquettes as solid biofuel. Using coconut shell charcoal fines and carbonized rice hulls, briquettes were produced via 33 MPa compaction with 12% cassava starch binder. The optimal blend (74.80% coconut shell, 25.20% rice hulls) yielded a heating value of 15.44 MJ kg^-1, with favorable properties: 40.94% fixed carbon, 38.6% ash, 7.12% moisture, and 20.46% volatile matter. The briquettes exhibited high durability (99.80% shatter index), ensuring resistance to breakage. These results highlight the potential of hybrid briquettes as a sustainable, eco-friendly fuel alternative, supporting waste valorization and energy efficiency. By repurposing agro-waste, this approach promotes a circular economy while offering a cost-effective substitute for conventional fuels.

Fabrication of Composite Carbon Nanofibers with Silver Particles for High-quality Membranes for Antimicrobial Water Filtration

2025-07-03T14:27:24+07:00

In this study, carbon nanofiber (CNF) composites containing silver particles at varying silver-to-carbon ratios of 0%, 10%, 20%, and 40% (denoted as CNF, CNF@Ag-10, CNF@Ag-20, and CNF@Ag-40, respectively) were fabricated using the electrospinning technique. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) solutions, with silver nitrate (AgNO₃) as a precursor at concentrations of 10%, 20%, and 40%, were dissolved in dimethylformamide (DMF) to produce the fibers. These fibers were subsequently calcined to form carbon nanocomposites embedded with silver nanoparticles. The resulting fibers, with average diameters ranging from 527 to 750 nm, incorporated silver nanoparticles measuring between 6 and 35 nm. The membranes derived from these fibers exhibited filtration rates of 7.9 to 14.3 cm³/min and effectively inhibited Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Enterobacter, achieving microbial reductions of 59.46% to 98.23%. The antimicrobial performance of the CNF@Ag composites was found to increase with higher silver doping concentration.

Supplementation of Inorganic Fertilizer by Black Soldier Fly Frass Enhances Plant growth, Yield, and Economic Return of Yellow Corn (Zea mays var. indenata)

2025-06-05T19:41:07+07:00

The rising cost of synthetic fertilizers, driven by increasing raw material prices, poses a significant challenge to corn farmers and national food security. As a sustainable alternative, black soldier fly frass (BSFF) offers promise due to its nutrient-rich composition and lower production cost. This study evaluated the agronomic and economic potential of BSFF as an organic fertilizer for yellow corn (Zea mays var. indenata) under a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with six treatments: T1 (control), T2 (100% inorganic fertilizer or IF), T3 (100% BSFF), T4 (75% BSFF + 25% IF); T5 (50% BSFF + 50% IF); and T6 (25% BSFF + 75% IF), with three replications. The results revealed that T6, although slightly behind T2 in plant height, leaf number, and tasseling and silking times due to the immediate nutrient availability of IF, achieved comparable ear length, diameter, and grain yield. Economically, T6 produced the highest net benefit, surpassing T2 by 10.77%. These findings suggest that partial substitution of synthetic fertilizer with BSFF can be a cost-effective and sustainable strategy without significantly compromising productivity.

Mineral Composition and Distribution Analysis of Moringa oleifera Lam. Seeds

2025-07-24T18:04:08+07:00

Moringa oleifera seeds, in addition to serving as a means of propagation, are edible and contribute to human nutrition. Understanding their mineral composition and distribution is crucial due to the essential role of minerals in plant physiology and human health. This study employed micro-X-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF) techniques to analyze the composition and distribution of minerals in three treatments of M. oleifera seeds: the intact seeds (T1), the seeds without wings (T2), and the dehulled seeds (T3). The results identified eight minerals in the seeds: potassium (K), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), iron (Fe), silicon (Si), and aluminum (Al). There were significant differences in the content of Mg, S, K, Al, and Fe between treatments, while P, Ca, and Si did not show significant differences. Potassium was predominant in seeds with a seed coat, whereas sulfur was the most abundant in the seed kernel. Mineral distribution maps generated by μ-XRF analysis confirmed the localized concentration of specific minerals in specific seed parts. The variation in mineral composition among different seed components is associated with the functional roles of those parts. This finding also highlights the potential for selective use of M. olifeira seed parts based on their mineral content.

Effects of Sputtering Power and Gamma Radiation Dose on the Optical and Electrical Properties of ITO Films

2025-09-11T21:36:11+07:00

ITO films were deposited on glass substrates using DC magnetron sputtering at different sputtering powers of 10 and 20 W. All films were irradiated with gamma radiation at doses ranging from 0 to 150 kGy. XRD results showed that ITO films at 10 W sputtering power exhibited decreased crystallinity with increasing gamma doses, while films at 20 W showed higher crystallinity at 50 kGy, which then decreased with further irradiation. The optical transmittance and energy band gap decreased with increasing doses, indicating structural changes due to defect formation. The electrical resistivity of the ITO film increased with the irradiated dose for a sputtering power of 10 and 20 W due to the increased defect formation in the structure. Even though the sputtering power condition was 20 W, after irradiation with a dose of 50 kGy, the ITO film exhibited higher crystallinity but had a predominant change in the (222) plane instead of the (400) plane. This study revealed the important role of deposition parameters and gamma irradiation in controlling structural, optical, and electrical properties of ITO films. The reduced resulting energy band gap is linked to increased resistance in ITO films after exposure to gamma radiation, with defect formation.

A Mixed-Integer Linear Programming Approach for the Sustainable Design and Planning System of Marine Shrimp Aquaculture Supply Chain Network

2025-08-19T00:44:47+07:00

Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) is a marine shrimp species introduced by the Department of Fisheries for experimental farming. It is currently being considered as a viable alternative to tiger prawn farming, which faces challenges such as slow growth rates. Concurrently, some farmers have independently adopted white shrimp aquaculture and reported notable success, including higher production rates compared to tiger prawns. As a result, many farmers have transitioned to white shrimp farming. However, given that white shrimp is a relatively new species in Thailand’s aquaculture sector, farmers continue to face significant challenges in farm management, fry hatchery procurement, pond rotation, feeding, production inputs, harvesting, and transportation. These difficulties are primarily due to the absence of a structured farm management plan, which hinders farmers from achieving consistent, high-quality yields. To address these challenges, this research employs a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model to design and optimize the white shrimp aquaculture supply chain network. The model targets key aspects such as selecting fry hatchery dealers, managing farms (including shrimp pond rotation for continuous production), streamlining aquaculture operations, and optimizing shrimp harvesting for sale at shrimp floating raft markets. The primary objective is to maximize farmers' profits from shrimp aquaculture. The results indicate that the proposed MILP model functions effectively as a decision-support tool, achieving an 11.52% increase in profit compared to traditional manual planning methods.

Development and Characterization of Active, Biodegradable Film from Corn Starch and Pomegranate Peel Powder

2025-09-26T09:41:20+07:00

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is among the most commonly grown fruits worldwide. Its impressive nutritional benefits make pomegranate a highly utilized fruit in the food industry, generating significant byproducts, primarily the peel. The peel is a rich source of bioactive compounds, making it suitable to be used in active packaging. In this research, we utilized corn starch as the base material for film production owing to its great film-forming capability. Films were produced by incorporating pomegranate peel powder into the corn starch using a casting technique. Findings indicated that a higher concentration of pomegranate peel powder contributed to higher film thickness, withstand repeated folding and reduced water solubility and moisture content. Scanning electron microscope analysis demonstrated good compatibility between the peel powder and starch matrix. The film became more opaque with increasing extract concentration, reducing light transmission and potentially providing better protection for light sensitive foods. Additionally, the films were soil-biodegradable, decomposing within 12 days. Antimicrobial tests showed that the pomegranate peel powder inhibited both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with the highest inhibition observed against Staphylococcus aureus. The outcome showed that incorporating 10% PPP into corn starch can produce a biodegradable, antimicrobial, and functionally robust active packaging material, suitable for diverse food applications.

Hydrogel Formulation from Sugar Palm Starch as an Application of Acne Patch

2025-07-03T12:19:34+07:00

Acne patches are among the most popular acne treatments. These patches are used to protect lesions from contaminants and deliver active compounds to enhance healing. In this study, hydrogel-based acne patches from sugar palm starch reinforced with chitosan (FC1-TTO) or alginate (FA1-TTO) were developed. Citric acid was used as a crosslinking agent, glycerol as a plasticizer, and tea tree oil (TTO) as the anti-acne agent. The hydrogel patches, containing 50, 70, and 100 µg/mL of TTO, were characterized using the FTIR, SEM, UTM, and DSC techniques. Their performance was evaluated based on encapsulation efficiency, drug release, and antibacterial properties. Both types of hydrogels containing 100 µg/mL of TTO showed high antibacterial activity against Cutibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis, with inhibition zones up to 15 mm. Encapsulation efficiencies reached 95.98±0.24% for the FC1-TTO and 95.49±0.35% for the FA1-TTO. The cumulative TTO release after 6 h was 64.14% for the FC1-TTO and 85.08% for the FA1-TTO, indicating sustained release in both cases. In conclusion, sugar palm starch-based hydrogels reinforced with chitosan or alginate and loaded with 100 µg/mL TTO demonstrated effective antibacterial activity, making them a promising option for acne treatment.

Bacterial Diversity and Abundance in the Rearing Water of Vertical Crab Farming Applied with Microbial-based Portable Urban Filter (P-PUF)

2025-05-06T19:14:36+07:00

A portable urban filter (P-PUF), equipped with physical filtration materials and specialized aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, was integrated into vertical crab farming systems to maintain water quality throughout crab cultivation. To precisely monitor water quality, an auto-sensor water quality monitoring system (Asor WQM) was employed. The objective of this study was to assess bacterial diversity and abundance in the rearing water of vertical crab farming treated with the P-PUF and Asor WQM (T.P-PUF), in comparison to conventional filtration (C.K) system. Bacterial diversity and abundance were evaluated through 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and culturable methods. Our results demonstrate a notably higher bacterial diversity in the T.P-PUF treatment compared to the C.K. The top five bacterial phyla in both treatments were Pseudomonadota, Bacteroidota, Bacillota, Actinomycetota, and Acidobacteriota. The differences were observed in the composition of Bacillota and Bacteroidota between the two treatments, with T.P-PUF showing an increased abundance of Bacillota and C.K exhibiting a higher prevalence of Bacteroidota. At the family level, the bacterial community in T.P-PUF was primarily composed of Vibrionaceae, whereas Pseudoalteromadaceae dominated in C.K. The culturable method revealed that T.P-PUF substantially increased the abundance of total bacteria, nitrifying bacteria, and denitrifying bacteria in the rearing water compared to C.K. These findings indicate that the application of T.P-PUF leads to a distinct and more diverse bacterial community in the rearing water of mud crab culture, potentially enhancing the overall health and quality of crab production

Utilization of Bottom Ash from Power Plants as Backfill Material for Surface Coal Mines with Enhanced Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage Capabilities

2025-09-02T20:18:36+07:00

In response to the growing need for sustainable mine reclamation, this study investigates the use of bottom ash, a byproduct of coal or lignite combustion, as a component in backfill materials for surface mining. The study focuses on evaluating the CO₂ absorption capacity and mechanical strength properties of mixtures containing varying ratios of bottom ash and smectite. Composite backfill material strength was assessed through unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and direct shear tests. The mixture with a bottom ash to smectite ratio of 30:70 exhibited the highest UCS across all moisture levels, with a peak value of 139 kPa at 10% water content. At this condition, the mixture also showed a cohesion of 17.06 kPa, an internal friction angle of 31.2°, and a shear strength of 25.32 kPa. Based on these results, samples at 10% water content were selected for CO₂ absorption testing across different bottom ash–smectite ratios. The 10:90 ratio demonstrated the highest CO₂ absorption capacity at 3.16 mg/g, with a decreasing trend observed as the proportion of bottom ash increased. These findings suggest that bottom ash–smectite mixtures can be optimized to achieve both pit wall stability and enhanced carbon sequestration, supporting their use as sustainable backfill materials in mine reclamation.