A multichannel surface plasmon resonance sensor using a new spectral readout system without moving optics

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors with spectral interrogation provide a high refractive index resolution, a large dynamic range and a fixed optical detection module. In this work, we propose a new multichannel spectral detection unit that uses only one spectrometer to measure the reflection spectrum from multiple sensing spots serially without any mechanical movement. This spectral detection unit is designed based on a spatial light modulator (SLM) configured as a programmable optical aperture for the spectrometer. To demonstrate this concept, a five-channel laboratory SPR prototype was built based on the proposed multichannel detection unit, and we evaluated the device's sensitivity and resolution using a refractive index test. Refractive index resolution of 1.4 × 10⁻⁶ refractive index units (RIU) can be reached using the five-channel prototype. This sensor is suitable for low-cost multichannel biosensing applications that do not contain fast kinetics.     

Dark fermentation of starch factory wastewater with acid- and base-treated mixed microorganisms for biohydrogen production

Biohydrogen (Bio-H₂) can be produced from starch factory wastewater and mixed microorganisms using dark fermentation. Acidic and basic chemicals were used to treat the microorganisms to select the hydrogen (H₂)-producing culture. The experiment used a 120 mL bioreactor at 35 °C and the operation commenced with the initial pH level of wastewater in the pH range 4–7 in batch mode. The bacteria:chemical oxygen demand (COD) ratio was 0.2. The initial pH level of the wastewater in the fermentation process affected the H₂ yield and the specific hydrogen production rate (SHPR). For acid-treated bacteria, the maximum H₂ yield and SHPR were produced at an initial pH of 6.5. The maximum H₂ yield and SHPR were 138 mL/g COD degraded and 7.42 mL/g cells?h, respectively. For the base-treated bacteria, the maximum H₂ yield and SHPR were produced at initial pH of 6.5 and pH 7, respectively. The maximum H₂ yield and SHPR were 182 mL/g COD degraded and 25.60 mL/g cells?h, respectively. The COD degradation efficiency levels were 16 and 20% for acid- and base-treated bacteria, respectively. The digested wastewater remained acidic at pH 4.79–4.83. Throughout the study, no methane gas was observed in the gas mixture produced.     

Properties of natural rubber filled with untreated and treated spent coffee grounds

This work studied the properties of spent coffee ground (SCG) filled natural rubber (NR). The SCG was initially characterized by various techniques, prior to being added into rubber. Results revealed that SCG had relatively large particle size with very low specific surface area. It is mainly composed of organic compounds (such as protein, fatty acid, cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) with small quantity of inorganic substances (oxides of potassium, silicon, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorous). The incorporation of SCG in NR gave relatively low reinforcement and tended to retard vulcanization due to the presence of hydroxyl groups on the SCG surface. In addition to untreated SCG, reinforcement of SCG treated by liquid epoxidized natural rubber (LENR) and bis ‐ ( 3‐ triethoxysilylpropyl) tetrasulfide (TESPT) was investigated. Improvement of rubber properties was observed when SCG surface was treated. Overall, TESPT‐treated SCG gave the rubber with the highest mechanical properties, followed by LENR‐treated SCG and untreated SCG, respectively. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46060.     

Update on the development of virus-resistant papaya: virus-resistant transgenic papaya for people in rural communities of Thailand

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is one of the most important and preferred crops in rural communities in Thailand. Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) is a serious disease of papaya throughout Thailand. Efforts to control the virus by various methods either have not been successful or have not resulted in sustainable control. In 1995, collaborative research by the Department of Agriculture of Thailand and Cornell University to develop transgenic papaya resistant to PRSV was initiated. Two local Thai cultivars were transformed by microprojectile bombardment with the use of a nontranslatable coat protein gene of PRSV from Khon Kaen. Numerous kanamycin-resistantplants were regenerated and were inoculated with the PRSV Khon Kaen isolate for selection of resistant lines. Since 1997, promising RO transgenic lines have been transferred to the research station at Thapra for subsequent screenhouse tests and selection of the most PRSV-resistant lines. In selection set 1, three R3 lines initially derived from Khaknuan papaya showed excellent resistance to PRSV (97% to 100%) and had a yield of fruit 70 times higher than nontransgenic Khaknuan papaya. In selection set 2, one R3 line initially derived from Khakdam papaya showed 100% resistance. Safety assessments of these transgenic papayas have so far found no impact on the surrounding ecology. No natural crossing between transgenic and nonmodified papaya was observed beyond a distance of 10 m from the test plots. Analysis of the nutritional composition found no differences in nutrient levels in comparison with the nonmodified counterparts. Molecular characterization by Southern blotting revealed three copies of the transgene presented; however, no coat protein product was expressed. Data on additional topics, such as the effects offeeding the transgenic papaya to rats and the stability of the gene inserts, are currently being gathered.     

Enhancement of biogas production from sunnhemp using alkaline pretreatment

This study investigates enhancing the biogas production of sunnhemp by pretreatment, before the anaerobic digestion and co-digestion processes, to address the complex and recalcitrant structure of the plant. Fresh sunnhemp harvested at a cutting interval of 50 days is used in the study. Five systems (each with a 5 litre useable volume) are operated semi-continuously with five different ratios of the feedstock by feeding separate feedstocks every five days with a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 40 days. The system operates at room temperature (30 °C). The study uses sunnhemp as 20% of the feedstock and also considers sunnhemp mixed with cow manure at different ratios, with the weighed sunnhemp being pretreated with dilute sodium hydroxide. Pretreatment of sunnhemp before digestion produces a methane (CH₄) yield 89% greater than that of the untreated sunnhemp. It requires 3.597 kg of dry sunnhemp to produce 1 m³ of CH₄ and the annual CH₄ yield per hectare is 19,015 m³. In the pretreatment of sunnhemp before co-digestion, the increased CH₄ yield depends on the amount of pretreated sunnhemp in the feedstocks. However, the %CH₄, the CH₄ production level and the system stability depend on the optimal ratio of the sunnhemp to cow manure. The initially prepared sunnhemp to cow manure ratio is recommended at 10 g:10 g in 80 mL of water. At this ratio, the %CH₄ and the CH₄ yield are 53.84% and 313 kg chemical oxygen demand (COD) removed, respectively, and the COD removal efficiency is 56.4%. Sunnhemp has high potential and it is worth pretreating before producing biogas. Using sunnhemp to produce biogas is recommended to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate global warming.     

Link Quality of Wireless Household Energy Meter with an Embedded RFID in LOS Indoor Environment

Wireless Personal Communications - The data monitoring system using radio frequency identification (RFID) and automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) technologies3 have become pervasive...     

Contactless Body Temperature Monitoring of In-Patient Department (IPD) Using 2.4 GHz Microwave Frequency via the Internet of Things (IoT) Network

Wireless Personal Communications - Since the COVID-19 situation keeps going on started from 2019. Many solutions are to against the spreading of coronavirus disease. The nurses have died, and other...     

Variations,trends and patterns of fish landings in large tropical reservoirs

Temporal variations of fish yields in four major reservoirs in Thailand (Ubolratana; Sirindhorn; Srinakarin; Vajiralongkorn) were investigated with the use of long‐term fish landing data (≥20 years). The long‐term variations in fish yield, measured as the coefficient of variation of yearly yield, ranged mostly between 50% and 100%. For short‐term variations, the means of the relative variation (85%) were larger than the absolute variation (63%). This finding indicates that short‐term variations were inversely related to fish yield and that a higher uncertainty occurs when fish catches are low. The stocked exotic species exhibited higher variations than the indigenous species. The trend analyses indicated some species had sharply declined fish landings, while some species were quite stable (i.e. reservoir‐adapted species). Stocked species tended to increase in relatively shallow reservoirs, compared to the deep reservoir. Fish landing data for each reservoir were patternized, using the self‐organizing map, indicating temporal trends of chronological order. The differences among clusters in each reservoir were with respect to the weight of each species in the fish landings in each year, and temporal changes in species composition in the reservoirs, which would primarily be attributed to the environmental changes followed by anthropogenic pressures. The mean trophic level (τ) fluctuated, resulting from changes in species composition and weight of fish landing, as well as fish stocking programmes.     

Accuracy Performance Analysis of Safety Sensors Based NETPIE-Intruder Detection System on Internet of Things Platform

The Internet of Things (IoT) has become an addition of humans. IoT assists in the security work to increase the quality of people life. This paper presents an intruder alert system using IoT-sensing through cloud service network. The proposed intruder alert system is divided into 4 sections, which are (1) intruder monitoring section, (2) communication network, (3) data processing unit and (4) user interface. Each composition works according to its function effectively. The intruder monitoring device was contained Ultrasonic and Passive Infrared (PIR) Sensors to analyze its performance. NETPIE work as graphic user interface (GUI) on cloud server was serviced to act as an intermediary to distribute information to other devices through internet network. Both sensors were evaluated the detection sensing test according to various distances. The obtained results based on individual test were analyzed in terms of percentage form, which showed that the Ultrasonic and PIR sensors show its different responses. The Ultrasonic stables in the distance test of 5–55 cm and after 55 cm distance it reacts unstable for detection. While, the PIR sensor swings in the distance of 5–30 cm and more stable after distance of 35 to 100 cm. Accordance the graph visually, it was found that the both sensors work in the opposite way. Therefore, the results of the experiment were again analyzed by statistical program. The finding presented that the Ultrasonic and PIR sensors accurately detected intruder at 99.94% and 99.56% respectively, with at statistically significant level of 95%.

     

Geothermal energy in Phrao Basin, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Phrao Basin is famous for its geothermal and seismic activities. There are five geothermal manifestations along the western margin of the basin. These geothermal sites are probably controlled by the major fault extending northward from the Sankamphaeng geothermal field. Geological, geochemical and geophysical studies, along with 2 boreholes of 150 m depth, were aimed at investigating the potential of this area. The results indicated that the intermediate depth of the geothermal reservoir may produce enough hot fluids for various uses, albeit on a small-scale. Several industries that could be attracted to Phrao Basin by development of these geothermal areas have been identified.