Ratchaburi Province Research Articles

Phoretic associations betweenNanocladius asiaticus(Diptera, Chironomidae) and its hostsGestroiella(Heteroptera, Naucoridae) andEuphaea masoni(Odonata, Euphaeidae) in streams in Western Thailand

Phoretic associations between larvae of Nanocladius (Plecopteracoluthus ) asiaticus (Diptera, Chironomidae) and two species in the genus Gestroiella (Heteroptera, Naucoridae) were studied in Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi Provinces (Western Thailand). Gestroiella siamensis was used by chironomid larvae as a host more frequently than was Gestroiella limnocoroides . Moreover, N. asiaticus larvae were associated symphoretically with nymphs of the damselfly Euphaea masoni (Odonata, Euphaeidae). This is the first report of a symphoretic association involving E. masoni . Approximately 44% of the population of naucorids harboured symphoretic chironomids, whereas only 13% of damselfly nymphs were hosts of the chironomid larvae. Most of the brachypterous male (59%) naucorids hosted chironomid larvae. The attachment site of the chironomids was frequently along the mesofemur and mesosternum of the naucorid hosts. The chironomids were attached to the ventral sides of abdominal segments of E. masoni nymphs. There was a positive correlation in body length between chironomids and naucorids (r =0.389, P <0.01). There are many benefits of symphoresis in the Chironomidae, such as improved feeding opportunities, increased mobility, suitable pupation sites and decreased predation risks.

Monoclonal Antibody-Based Enzyme Immunoassay for Epidemiological Studies of Asymptomatic Dengue Infection

Dengue virus (DENV) is the world most prevalent mosquito-transmitted virus. The incidence of dengue infection has been increasing and most of the infected people are asymptomatic or have non specific febrile illness. Laboratory test is essential to confirm dengue infection in epidemiological studies. We developed an indirect ELISA test based on monoclonal immunoglobulin against all four DENV serotypes and evaluated the test for the diagnosis of asymptomatic dengue infection in paired annual serum samples. The indirect ELISA was found to have a sensitivity 87.5% and specificity 78.3% at optimized cut off. The results from indirect ELISA demonstrate an incidence of asymptomatic dengue infection from children aged 4 - 11 years in Ratchaburi province, Thailand (2006-2009). These findings indicate that the indirect ELISA is suitable for serodiagnosis and seroepidemiological studies of asymptomatic dengue infection.

Long-term impact of childhood malaria infection on school performance among school children in a malaria endemic area along the Thai-Myanmar border.

BackgroundChildren represent a high-risk group for malaria worldwide. Among people in Thailand who have malaria during childhood, some may have multiple malaria attacks during their lifetime. Malaria may affect neurological cognition in children, resulting in short-term impairment of memory and language functions. However, little is known regarding the long-term effects of malaria infection on cognitive function. This study examines the long-term impact of malaria infection on school performance among school children living in a malaria-endemic area along the Thai–Myanmar border.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted among school children aged 6–17 years in a primary-secondary school of a sub-district of Ratchaburi Province, Thailand. History of childhood malaria infection was obtained from the medical records of the sole malaria clinic in the area. School performance was assessed by using scores for the subjects Thai Language and Mathematics in 2014. Other variables, such as demographic characteristics, perinatal history, nutritional status, and emotional intelligence, were also documented.ResultsA total of 457 students were included, 135 (30 %) of whom had a history of uncomplicated malaria infection. About half of the malaria-infected children had suffered infection before the age of four years. The mean scores for both Mathematics and Thai Language decreased in relation to the increasing number of malaria attacks. Most students had their last malaria episode more than two years previously. The mean scores were not associated with duration since the last malaria attack. The association between malaria infection and school performance was not significant after adjusting for potential confounders, including gender, school absenteeism over a semester term, and emotional intelligence.ConclusionsThis study characterizes the long-term consequences of uncomplicated malaria disease during childhood. School performance was not associated with a history of malaria infection, considering that most students had their last malaria infection more than two years previously. These findings indicate that the impact of uncomplicated malaria infection on school performance may not be prolonged.

การมีส่วนร่วมของประชาชนในการพัฒนาท้องถิ่น: ศึกษาความคิดเห็นของพนักงานองค์การบริหารส่วนตำบล อำเภอเมือง จังหวัดราชบุรี (Participation of People in Local Development: A Study of the Opinion of Sub-district Administrative Organization Officers, Mueang District, Ratchaburi Province)

Thai Abstract: การวจยครง นมวตถประสงคเพอศกษา 1) ระดบการมสวนรวมของประชาชนในการพฒนาทองถน ตามความคดเหนของพนกงานองคการบรหารสวนตาบล อาเภอเมอง จงหวดราชบร 2) ปจ จยทมความสมพนธกบการมสวนรวมของประชาชนในการพฒนาทองถนตามความคดเหนของพนกงานองคการบรหารสวนตาบล อาเภอเมอง จงหวดราชบรและ 3) ปญหาอปสรรคเกยวกบการมสวนรวมของประชาชนในการพฒนาทองถนตามความคดเหนของพนกงานองคการบรหารสว นตาบล อา เภอเมอง จงหวดราชบร กลมประชากรทใชในการวจยครง น คอ พนกงานองคการบรหารสวนตาบลในอาเภอเมองราชบรจงหวดราชบร ซงมจานวนทง สน 135 คน ใชแบบสอบถามเปนเครองมอในการเกบรวบรวมขอมล และใชคอมพวเตอรโปรแกรมสา เรจรปในการประมวลผล สา หรบสถตทใชในการวเคราะหขอมล คอ คารอยละ คาเฉลย สวนเบยงเบนมาตรฐาน การวเคราะหการผนแปร และการวเคราะหจาแนกพห โดยกาหนดนยสา คญทางสถตทระดบ.05 ผลการวจย พบวา พนกงานองคการบรหารสว นตาบลในอา เภอเมองราชบร จงหวดราชบร มความคดเหนตอการมสวนรวมของประชาชนโดยรวมอยในระดบปานกลาง โดยมความคดเหนตอการมสวนรวมมากทสดในดานบรหารจดการและอนรกษทรพยากรธรรมชาตและสงแวดลอม ผลการทดสอบสมมตฐานพบวา ปจ จยทมความสมพนธกบความคดเหนของพนกงานองคการบรหารสวนตาบลอาเภอเมอง จงหวดราชบรตอการมสวนรวมของประชาชนในการพฒนาทองถน ไดแก เพศ ประสบการณในงานพฒนาทองถน สวนระดบการศกษา ตาแหนง และระยะเวลาทปฏบตงานเกยวกบการพฒนาทองถน ไมมความสมพนธกบความคดเหนของพนกงาน สา หรบการดาเนนการเสรมสรางการมสวนรวม ไดแก การจดกระบวนการเรยนรแกประชาชน และการกระตนการมสวนรวมของประชาชนมความสมพนธกบความคดเหนของพนกงานองคการบรหารสวนตาบลอาเภอเมอง จงหวดราชบรตอการมสวนรวมของประชาชนในการพฒนาทองถน อยางมนยสา คญทางสถตทระดบ.05 English Abstract: This research aimed to study 1) level of people participation in local development according to the opinion of Sub-district Administrative Organization Officers, Mueang District, Ratchaburi Province, 2) factors related to people participation in local development according to the opinion of Sub-district Administrative Organization Officers, Mueang District, Ratchaburi Province, and 3) problems and obstacles about people participation in local development according to the opinion of Sub-district Administrative Organization Officers, Mueang District, Ratchaburi Province. The population was 135 Sub-district Administrative Organization Officers. Questionnaire was used as a tool to collect data and then analyzed by using social computer program. Statistical tools used for data analysis were percentage, mean, standard deviation, analysis of variance and multiple classification analysis at the.05 level of significance. The research found that sample had opinion towards people participation at middle level, while they had opinion at highest level in management and natural resources and environmental conservation aspect. Hypothesis testing, found that gender, experience had relations with the opinion while level of education, position and duration of local development practicing had no relations with the opinion of Sub-district Administrative Organization Officers. For participation promotion procedure, learning procedure provided for people and people participation stimulation had relations with opinion of Sub-district Administrative Organization Officers.

An Investigation of Human Brucellosis and Goat Farm Network Analysis in Ratchaburi Province, 2013

In April 2013, a person was confirmed to have Brucella melitensis in Chombueng District; and Ratchaburi Provincial Health Office notified about this patient to Bureau of Epidemiology. As the patient was a goatkeeper in a farm that had animal movement with other goat farms, active human case finding was conducted. History of goat movement among the related goat farms was explored to identify key persons for disease transmission in the network. Serum samples from 53 goatkeepers in 28 goat farms and two livestock officials who investigated the farm with confirmed case were tested for brucellosis. Only one goatkeeper was identified as a probable case, with attack rate of 1.8%. Goat serum specimens from 12 out of total 34 goat farms were tested positive for Brucella. In egocentric network, 44 nodes were included in the network analysis, including 34 goat farms, four slaughterhouses and six merchant’s goat shelters. Visualization from network analysis was useful to identify goat farm networks at risk of disease spreading. Key person in the network with the highest degree centrality (26) and betweenness centrality (2455.462) was identified as a merchant’s goat shelter with a goat tested positive for brucellosis. Hence, knowledge on brucellosis prevention and control should be disseminated among goatkeepers and merchants in that network. The information should also be used for strengthening communication between goat farmers and local livestock officials.

An analysis of forest biomass changes using geospatial tools and ground survey data: a case study in Yok Don national park, Central Highlands of Vietnam

Vietnam conducts a national forest survey every five years using optical satellite imagery as Landsat, SPOT satellites and ground survey data. However, estimation of change in biomass due to change in forest types has not been of research interest despite of its importance in the face of climate change and applicability for REDD implementation. In this study, we used SPOT HRV satellite data of 2004, 2011 and ground survey data for analysis of changes in biomass of forest cover in Yok Don National Park, Central Highlands of Vietnam. This method has been effectively employed for mapping of land cover with overall classification accuracy of 84.30% to 86.63%. The results demonstrated that between 2004 and 2011, the biomass of Evergreen broad leaved rich forest decreased by 2.95 Megatons, biomass of the Evergreen broad leaved medium forest decreased by 0.09 Mega tons and biomass of the Dry open dipterocarps medium forest decreased 2.20 Mega tons. In that period, biomass of the Evergreen broad-leavedpoor forest increased by 0.02 Mega tons and biomass of the Dry open dipterocarps-poor forest increased by 0.91 Mega tons.References Bao Huy, 2008: Methodology for research on CO2 sequestration in natural forests to join the program of reducing emission from deforestation and degradation-REDD. Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development, MARD, 2008, pp. 1-10. Bhishma, P. et al., 2010: Forest carbon stock measurement-Guidelines for measuring carbon stocks in community-managed forest. Asia Network for Sustainable Agriculture and Bioresource (ANSAB), 79 pp. Brown, S., 1997. Estimating biomass and biomass change of tropical forests: a Primer. FAO Forestry paper–134.ISBN 92-5-103955-0. Brown, S., 2002: Measuring carbon in forests: current status and future challenges. Environmental Pollution, 116(3): 363-372.. Canh N. X. et al., 2009: Conservation planning and Sustainable Development of Yok Don National Park in 2010-2020,150pp. Chaiyo, U., Garivait, S., Wanthongchai, K., 2011: Carbon storage in Above-Ground Biomass of Tropical Deciduous Forest in Ratchaburi Province, Thailand. World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, pp. 636-641.. Chave, J., Andalo, C., Brown, S., Cairns, M.A. et al., 2005: Tree allometry and improved estimation of carbon stocks and balance in tropical forests. Oecologia Vol. 145, No. 1, pp. 87-99. Guide to the Kyoto Protocol to United Nations framework convention on climate change, 1998. Howarth, Wickware, 1981: Spatial analysis of land cover and land use in evaluating land degradation in Northwestern Al-Mafraq city, Jordan, pp. 55-62. IPCC, 2003: Good Practice Guidance for Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry. IPCC National Greenhouse Gas Inventories Programme Technical Support Unit. Printed in Japan.ISBN 4-88788-003-0.2003, 590pp. IPCC, 2006: Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. Volume 4: Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use. Chapter 4. Forest land, 83 pp. Losi, C.J. et al., 2003: Analysis of alternative methods for estimating carbon stock in young tropical plantations. Forest Ecology and Management, 184(1-3): 355-368. Lu, D. S., 2006: The potential and challenge of remote sensing-based biomass estimation. International Journal of Remote Sensing. Vol. 27, No. 7,: 1297-1328. Luong, N.V., 2011: Essay to use remote sensing images to estimate biomass as a basis for calculating the amount of CO2 sequestration by vegetation cover in in Yok Don National Park, Highlands of Viet Nam.Scientific Conference "Research, development and application of space technology-2011".ISBN: 987-604-913-032-8. Hanoi. 9pp. Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).Circular 34/TT-BNN issued by (MARD) of Vietnamese government, 2009: Quy định tiêu chí xác định và phân loại rừng (in Vietnamese), translated by Luong N.V-Regulation on criteria for identifying and classifying forest (in English), 5, 3. Phat, N.K. et al., 2004 : Appropriate measures for conservation of terrestrial carbon stocks- Analysis of trends of forest management in Southeast Asia. Forest Ecology and Management, 191(1-3): 283-299. Thin, N. N. et al., 2007: The vegetation of Yok Don National Park, a special ecosystem in Central Highlands of Vietnam, 2007,6, 4-5. Trung, T. V.The tropical forest ecosystem in Vietnam.Science and Technics Publishing House, Hanoi. Chapter IV, 1998, 291pp. Trung, T.V.The vegetation cover in Vietnam. Science and Technics Publishing House, Hanoi. Chapter IV, V, 1978: 276 pp. UNESCO Paris, 1973. International classification and mapping of vegetation. Published by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. ISBN 92-3-001046-4 LC No. 72-96442, 1973, 102pp. UN-REDD in Vietnam programme, 2012: Guidelines on Destructive Measurement for Forest Biomass Estimation for technical staff use. (Version for discussion). UN-REDD Vietnam Programme, 2012: Tree allometric equation development for estimation of forest above-ground biomass in Viet Nam. Part A - Introduction and Background of the Study Viet Nam.

Contamination of nitrate in groundwater and its potential human health: a case study of lower Mae Klong river basin, Thailand.

Nitrate contamination in groundwater is a worldwide problem especially in agricultural countries. Environmental factors, such as land-use pattern, type of aquifer, and soil-drainage capacity, affect the level of contamination. Exposure to high levels of nitrate in groundwater may contribute to adverse health effects among residents who use groundwater for consumption. This study aimed to determine the relationship between nitrate levels in groundwater with land-use pattern, type of aquifer, and soil-drainage capacity, in Photharam District, Ratchaburi Province, lower Mae Klong basin, Thailand. Health risk maps were created based on hazard quotient to quantify the potential health risk of the residents using US Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) health risk assessment model. The results showed the influence of land-use patterns, type of aquifer, and soil-drainage capacity on nitrate contamination. It was found that most of the residents in the studied area were not at risk; however, a groundwater nitrate monitoring system should be implemented.

A new species of Compsoneuriella Ulmer, 1939 (Ephemeroptera: Heptageniidae) from Thailand.

A new species of Compsoneuriella Ulmer, 1939 is described based on male and female imagos, nymphs and eggs from Ratchaburi province, western Thailand. Compsoneuriella braaschi sp. nov. is closely related to C. thienemanni Ulmer, 1939, from Java and Sumatra, but differs in the larval stage by the maxilla bearing only 8-9 comb-shaped setae on the crown, two strong medial setae on the glossa, gills V-VII apically acutely pointed and the posterior margin of the abdominal terga without distinct rows of submarginal microdenticles. In the male imaginal stage, the new species differs from C. thienemanni by having more reduced spines on the penis lobes and the titillators being directed outwards and strongly pointed at their apices.

Neutralizing dengue antibody in pregnant Thai women and cord blood.

BackgroundThe WHO ‘Global Strategy for Dengue Prevention and Control, 2012–2020’ addresses the growing need for the treatment of dengue, and targets a 25% reduction in morbidity and 50% in mortality (using 2010 estimates as baseline). Achieving these goals requires future dengue prevention strategies that will employ both potential vaccines and sustainable vector-control measures. Maternally transferred dengue antibody is an important factor in determining the optimal age for dengue vaccination.ObjectivesTo estimate the seroprevalence of dengue antibodies among mothers living in an area of high endemicity – Ban Pong, Ratchaburi Province – and to assess maternal dengue antibodies transferred to cord blood.Materials & MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with 141 pregnant women who delivered at Ban Pong Hospital, Ratchaburi, Thailand. Maternal-cord paired sera were tested for dengue neutralizing (NT) antibody by PRNT50 assay. A ratio of ≥ 1:10 NT titer to dengue serotype was considered seropositive.ResultsMost mothers (137/141, 97.2%) had NT antibodies to at least one dengue serotype in their sera. At birth, the proportion of cord sera with NT antibodies to DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4, were high and similar to the sera of their mothers, at 93.6%, 97.2%, 97.9%, and 92.2%, respectively. The dengue geometric mean titers (GMT) in cord blood were significantly higher than the maternal antibodies (p<0.001): highest in DEN-2, followed by DEN-3, and then DEN-1. The GMT of DEN-4 was the lowest among all four serotypes.ConclusionsDengue infection is highly prevalent among pregnant women in this dengue-endemic area. Most of the cord blood had transferred dengue antibodies, which may have an impact on the disease burden in this population.

Role of Participatory Development Communication in Natural Resource Management: A Case in Ratchaburi Province, Thailand

Using selected agricultural communities in Ratchaburi Province in Thailand, this study mainly investigates the relationship between participatory development communication (PDC), on one hand, and knowledge, attitude, and practice of community-based natural resource mangement (CBNRM), on the other. Toward achieving this goal, data were collected to: (1) identify the status of CBNRM in Krabyai sub-district, Ratchaburi province; (2) determine the PDC levels of the various stakeholders; and (3) find out the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice of CBNRM. The results of the statistical analysis and the conclusions drawn from a focus group discussion provide the basis for the steps recommended to enhance PDC as applied to CBNRM efforts in other municipalities in Thailand. The study follows a one-shot survey research design whereby primary information is elicited from 43 respondents consisting of 35 farmers and 8 government officers. Data are analyzed using descriptive statistics and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient analysis. The findings highlight the need to improve and continuously find ways to properly involve and encourage participation from various stakeholders. In terms of PDC levels, data show that consultation is favored by most stakeholders. Most of the respondents have high knowledge of CBNRM. More than half of the respondents have a positive attitude toward CBNRM. As to the levels of practice of PDC in CBNRM, most stakeholders often participate in activities conducted on natural resource management. Most importantly, a significant relationship was found between the level of PDC and the knowledge, attitude and practice of stakeholders on CBNRM.

Estimation of Black Carbon Emissions from Dry Dipterocarp Forest Fires in Thailand

This study focused on the estimation of black carbon emissions from dry dipterocarp forest fires in Thailand. Field experiments were set up at the natural forest, Mae Nam Phachi wildlife sanctuary, Ratchaburi Province, Thailand. The dead leaves were the main component consumed of the surface biomass with coverage higher than 90% in volume and mass. The dead leaves load was 342 ± 190 g∙m−2 and followed by a little mass load of twig, 100 g∙m−2. The chemical analysis of the dead leaves showed that the carbon content in the experimental biomass fuel was 45.81 ± 0.04%. From the field experiments, it was found that 88.38 ± 2.02% of the carbon input was converted to carbon released to the atmosphere, while less than 10% were left in the form of residues, and returned to soil. The quantity of dead leaves consumed to produce each gram of carbon released was 2.40 ± 0.02 gdry biomass burned. From the study, the emissions factor of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter (PM2.5) and black carbon amounted 1329, 90, 26.19 and 2.83 g∙kg−1dry biomass burned, respectively. In Thailand, the amount of black carbon emissions from dry dipterocarp forest fires amounted 17.43 tonnes∙y−1.

Needs Assessment of a Disability Rehabilitation Centre in a Sub-District of Ratchaburi Province in Thailand

The paper aims is to carry out the needs assessment, and to come up with a suitable model for the establishment of a rehabilitation centre for the disabled in the community in one sub-district in Thailand. In the first stage survey data was collected from 380 participants, which include 110 families with a disabled person and 270 families without a disabled person using proportional sampling method in the households of the 11 study villages. In addition, qualitative data were collected using focus group discussions from 57 community leaders. Results indicate that when having problems with their disability, most of them consult the district hospital (43.6%), followed by family self-care and other (traditional practitioners). According to the responses from the surveyed community members (both disabled and not disabled) the role of government was found to be critical in establishing a community-based rehabilitation centre (CRC) for people with disabilities. However, the community participation in planning and sustaining of such a CRC was also seen as vital. The CRC was seen to provide a variety of services including home visits and visits by a physical therapist. Most felt that the CRC should be integrated into existing structures such as the district community hall, although some also felt it could be on its own. Based on the survey results of the needs of the community it was suggested to set up a disability rehabilitation centre and the development of specific community-based model for the rehabilitation of disabled persons in one sub-district.

Forecasting Technique for the Production Plan of the Local Earthenware Industries of Thailand

The purpose of this work is to compare the forecasting of time series models between two different models. One is the classical model and another is the Box-Jenkins model. The data are calculated using the circulation of Angbuaand Ahongwhich are the local earthenware products from Ratchaburi province, Thailand. Results show that the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of Angbua and Ahong are 17.80, 36.12 and 16.38,17.21 respectively. Also,prediction using the Box-Jenkins Model by ARIMA form of both products are (1, 0, 0) and (1, 1, 1). From this work the Box-Jenkins Model shows more appropriate method than the classical model considered by the less error.

Biogas Production from Swine Manure Co-Digestion with Hyacinth

The suitable ratio between swine manure and hyacinth for biogas production was considered. From Ratchaburi Province, the swine manure and hyacinth were taken from the pig farm and natural canal, respectively. For this study, mixing ratios between swine manure with hyacinth are 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25 and 100:0, considered by dry basis. The anaerobic digesters were studied total mixing volume 300 ml in 500 ml volumetric flask on shaker. Total dry substrate is 2 g every ratio, swine manure and hyacinth. And microbial inoculum from pig farm is 3 g (dry basis). The experimental results showed the proportion of 0:100 illustrate the maximum quantity of biogas accumulated equal 243.48 ml. And the ratio of 100:0 shows the minimum cumulative biogas volume equal 33.60 ml. The analysis of the gas production, the blend of swine manure per hyacinth has the highest percentage of methane ratio is 0:100 (CH4=6.4%), and the lowest percentage is the ratio of 100:0 (CH4=0.5 %). For carbon dioxide production, the highest percentage of carbon dioxide is ratio of 0:100 (CO2=4.1 %) and the lowest is ratio 100:0 (CO2=0.9 %). Percentage of methane to compare with total percentage of methane and carbon dioxide has the highest percentage is the ratio of 25:75 (CH4=63.9 %), and the lowest percentage is the ratio of 100:0 (CH4=35.7 %). The highest to compare the lowest, percentage of methane per total percentage of methane and carbon dioxide is percentage of methane ratio 25:75 more than ratio 100:0 is 1.79.

Description of the last stadium larva and female of Microgomphus thailandica Asahina, 1981 (Odonata: Gomphidae).

The last stadium larva of Microgomphus thailandica is described, illustrated and compared with the larvae of congeneric species based on reared specimens collected from the Phachi headwater stream, Ratchaburi province, Thailand. The female adult of this species is described for the first time from a reared specimen from the same locality.

Colonisation of leaf litter by lotic macroinvertebrates in a headwater stream of the Phachi River (western Thailand)

Leaf litter decomposition has been widely studied during the last 60 years. However, the relative im- portance of various processes, such as physical abrasion, microbial activity and macroinvertebrates consumption, remains unclear in tropical streams. The aim of this study was to gain insights into the ecological processes leading to the decomposition of leaf litter in headwater streams of Thailand, with a particular focus on the role played by macroinvertebrates. The breakdown rate of two leaf species, Bambusa bambos and Lagerstroemia floribunda, was investigated in a 1 st order tropical stream of Ratchaburi province (western Thailand) using litter bags submerged over an 8-week period. Litter bags were retrieved after 2, 14, 28, 42 and 56 days of immersion and characterised by two metrics, remaining AFDM and faunal composition of macroinvertebrates. Most rapidly decomposed leaves were those of B. bambos placed in riffles and most slowly decomposed were those of L. floribunda placed in pools (k = 0.030 and 0.006 d -1 , respectively). The highest amount of invertebrates per leaf bag were found after 14 days of immersion for B. bambos (174 individuals, SE = 10.0, n = 4) and after 28 days of immersion for L. floribunda (174 individuals, SE = 15.8, n = 5). Faunal composition of invertebrates differed between pools and riffles but not within leaf species. The low influence of shredders (accounting for maximum 5 % of total invertebrate abundance in leaf bags) is in accordance with previous findings in tropical zones, while there is a new thought that physical abrasion may play an important role in leaf decay. Nevertheless, non-shredder invertebrates may indirectly contribute to the decomposition of leaf material. In both pools and riffles, macroinvertebrate communities varied with time, showing a diminution of stream habitability, correlated with progressive water withdrawal.

Diversifying Selection on the Thrombospondin-Related Adhesive Protein (TRAP) Gene of Plasmodium falciparum in Thailand

Sporozoites of Plasmodium falciparum are transmitted to human hosts by Anopheles mosquitoes. Thrombospondin-related adhesive protein (TRAP) is expressed in sporozoites and plays a crucial role in sporozoite gliding and invasion of human hepatocytes. A previous study showed that the TRAP gene has been subjected to balancing selection in the Gambian P. falciparum population. To further study the molecular evolution of the TRAP gene in Plasmodium falciparum, we investigated TRAP polymorphisms in P. falciparum isolates from Suan Phueng District in Ratchaburi Province, Thailand. The analysis of the entire TRAP coding sequences in 32 isolates identified a total of 39 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which comprised 37 nonsynonymous and two synonymous SNPs. McDonald–Kreitman test showed that the ratio of the number of nonsynonymous to synonymous polymorphic sites within P. falciparum was significantly higher than that of the number of nonsynonymous to synonymous fixed sites between P. falciparum and P. reichenowi. Furthermore, the rate of nonsynonymous substitution was significantly higher than that of synonymous substitution within Thai P. falciparum. These results indicate that the TRAP gene has been subject to diversifying selection in the Thai P. falciparum population as well as the Gambian P. falciparum population. Comparison of our P. falciparum isolates with those from another region of Thailand (Tak province, Thailand) revealed that TRAP was highly differentiated between geographically close regions. This rapid diversification seems to reflect strong recent positive selection on TRAP. Our results suggest that the TRAP molecule is a major target of the human immune response to pre-erythrocytic stages of P. falciparum.

Population ecology of Thrips palmi (Thysanoptera:Thripidae) in orchid farms in Thailand

The population dynamics and in-farm distribution of Thrips palmi Karny were evaluated in two orchid farms, one in the Bangkok metropolitan area and the other in Ratchaburi Province, Thailand. Yellow sticky traps were hung above the orchid canopy (three traps/220 m2), and the trapped adults were counted weekly from November 2009 to October 2010 at the first location and from January to December of 2012 at the second location. T. palmi nymphs and adults were both counted weekly on 300 orchid panicles in an area of 2,200 m2 at both locations. We found that the T. palmi population dynamics at the first location was represented by a W-shaped curve, with the distribution clumped throughout the year, whereas the curve was J-shaped at the second location, with the distribution mostly clumped. Qualitative surveys of thrips species were conducted on ten different orchid genera in ten locations and on 20 different Dendrobium hybrids in 20 locations. Five random sampling plots (1 × 4 m2) were examined on each farm. The results indicated that only T. palmi was found on every farm. Moreover, quantitative comparison among five orchid types revealed that Dendrobium flowers with darker color are more attractive to T. palmi. However, this phenomenon does not coincide with Oncidium sp. and Mokara sp. because of their unfavorable morphology for thrips behavior.

Description of the final-instar larva of Heliogomphus selysi Fraser (Odonata: Gomphidae)

The final instar larva of Heliogomphus selysi Fraser, 1925, is described and illustrated for the first time based on specimens collected in Ratchaburi province, Thailand. Antennae, legs and paraprocts are similar morphologically to H. kelantanensis and H. scorpio but with a unique combination of dorsal hooks and lateral spines.

The Assessments of Media for Sufficiency Economy Project Public Relations in Krabyai Sub-district, Ratchaburi Province, Thailand

The Assessments of Media for Sufficiency Economy Project Public Relations in Krabyai Sub-District, Ratchaburi Province, Thailand aims to 1) Study the status and problems in the farmer's work. 2) Study the media exposure of the community. 3) Design and develop the media for project public relations. 4) Evaluate the project public relation media.The research found that 1) the farmer needed to develop the knowledge in agricultural development, such as, appropriate soil management, farm management, and pest management for economic crops in the community, good practice for economic crops in the community and utilization from farm and household waste for cost reduction. 2) About the media exposure, there were a billboard, broadcasting tower, website, journal and personal media, moreover, there were four community radio stations in Ban Pong District that could broadcast to Krabyai Sub-District and three local newspapers. 3) The researchers brought the information from the studied of media exposure in the community to analyze, design and develop the media to suit for the media exposure in the community and conform to the project plans, which consisted of brochure, leaflet, radio spot, billboard, newsletter and website. These media has been approved from the media specialists and community leaders who worked as public sector committee. 4) About the public relation media assessment, the researchers had set up the focus group discussion to evaluate the media and project public relation plans by media specialists, executives and officers who concerned with public relations in the community, representatives from mass media associations in Ratchaburi province and concluded that the dissemination and public relation plans should be separated to two stages, that meant, before conducting the activities, they should use television, community radio and billboards because these media could be produced and disseminated immediately, which were appropriated to motivate, provide information and encourage the community to participate in the activities. Another stage, after the activities finished, they should use the local newspapers to provide the information of the activities or public relations. The contents should be mainly focused on the benefit for the community and the farmers. For the radio spot, they should make the public relation spot with no longer than one minute length because it would be suitable for radio station in broadcasting. Furthermore, there should be more project public relation sources in the schools in Krabyai community. The members of municipal council should be responsible for public relation in their own area. About the number of media and frequency in project public relations, there should be more dissemination by the mass media.