Suan Sunandha Science and Technology Journal

Investigation of charged particles interaction with CeBr3 scintillator by Monte Carlo simulation programs

2023-11-14T13:21:58+07:00

This work aims to investigate the interaction of charged particles (alpha and proton) with the CeBr₃ scintillator by using Monte Carlo simulation. The total mass stopping power (TMSP), projected range, ion distributions, and ion ranges in the CeBr₃ at an energy range of 0.01 - 10,000 , were computed by SRIM and FLUKA programs. The simulation results show that the TMSP of CeBr₃ obtained by both programs is in good agreement. The alpha particle has a higher TMSP of the CeBr₃ than the proton. The projected range of alpha and proton particles increases with increasing energy. The projected range of the proton is higher than that of the alpha particle when compared at the same energy. Finally, the 2D visualization of ion distributions and ion ranges for alpha and proton particles was reported.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of English Speaking Conversation Practice for Communication Suitable for Students using the Random Forest Technique: A Case Study of Students Enrolled in English for Communication Course at Rajamangala University of Technology

2023-10-12T10:26:18+07:00

The objectives of this research are twofold: 1) to compare the effectiveness before and after using a dialogue-based English speaking skills training model for effective communication, and 2) to identify guidelines for adjusting the English speaking skills training model using the Random Forest technique suited to students enrolled in the English for communication course at Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok. The methodology were 1) a dialogue-based English speaking skills assessment questionnaire, and 2) observation of English speaking behaviour for communication. The research findings indicated that the average scores before implementing the speaking skills training model were 3.11, which was considered good. After the training, the average scores increased to 4.30, indicating a significantly higher level of proficiency. The statistical test yielded a t-value of 15.871. Therefore, it could be concluded that the English speaking skills training model significantly enhanced students' English communication abilities at a significance level of .05. Regarding the guidelines for adjusting the English speaking skills training model using the Random Forest technique, the data classification results demonstrated an accuracy rate of 86.78%, a recall rate of 85.4%, and a precision rate of 83.13%. Additionally, 18 rules were identified as having significant correlations. The adjusted training model focused on various topics, including Greetings, Feelings and Emotions, Health, Asking for and Giving Directions, Weather, and University Life.

Effect of Bioactive Peptide, KR-12-a5, on Growth of Clinical Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolates

2023-11-14T10:19:59+07:00

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most frequent infectious agents causing hospitals and community associated infections. Developing the treatment for methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is a challenging arena for effective therapeutics. Application of antimicrobial peptides is an alternative option to control MRSA infection. The potential of the bioactive peptide against MRSA was previously revealed; however, the study on the effect of KR-12-a5 on the various clinical MRSA growth was not elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the effect of bioactive peptide KR-12-a5 on the growth of MRSA isolated from patients. Evaluation of KR-12-a5 peptide using antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed. Antimicrobial activity assay showed that the KR-12-a5 at 2-64 μM could inhibit the growth of S. aureus ATCC 29213 in the range of 55.0±0.8%-81.0±6.2%. In case of KR-12-a5 treatment at 2, 4, and 8 μM, growth of all twenty clinical MRSA isolates could be inhibited less than 90% in the range of 0.0-75.9±1.6%, 0.0-73.0±4.2%, and 0.0-77.1±1.7%, respectively. Whereas the treatment of those at 16, 32, and 64 μM, growth of clinical MRSA could be significantly inhibited more than 90% (p < 0.05) in the range of 94.3±6.7%-100.4±0.4% in 3 isolates (15%), 97.3±0.3%-99.5±0.2% in 4 isolates (20%), and 91.6±0.8%-99.0±0.1% in 9 isolates (45%), respectively. These findings indicated that the KR-12-a5 effectively controls growth of both S. aureus ATCC 29213 and clinical MRSA isolates

Microbiological Assessment of Car Doors and Steering Wheels at Benue State University, Makurdi: Public Health Implications

2024-01-03T10:18:44+07:00

Microbiological assessments of car surfaces remain a fundamental approach to control hotspots of microbial contamination. This study was aimed at assessing the level microbial contaminations associated with car doors and steering wheel of cars within the faculty of science, Benue state university, Makurdi. A total of forty (40) samples were collected in duplicates. These included twenty duplicate samples from car door handles and twenty duplicate samples from car steering wheels respectively using sterile swab sticks and transported to Charis Research and Diagnostic laboratory for analysis. The samples were analysed using cultural, biochemical and morphological techniques. The results revealed that the heterotrophic bacterial count range from 1.97 x 104 to
2.41 x 104 CFU/cm2 while the fungi count range from 1.9 x 103 to 3.7 x 103 CFU/cm2. Staphylococcus spp. had the highest occurrence of 14(70%) and 9(45%), Proteus spp. had an occurrence of 6(30%) and 2(10%) for car door handles and car steering wheels while there was no detection of Salmonella in all the samples assessed. The fungi occurrence rate observed was Aspergillus spp. [7(35%)] for car door handle and 3(15%) for car steering wheel while Rhizopus spp. had a prevalence rate of 4(20%) for car door handle and 1(5%) for car steering wheel. This study affirmed that car surfaces could serve as a reservoir of potential pathogens. Hence, routine disinfection of these surfaces is very important.