• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• 제5권2호
• /
• pp.80-85
• /
• 2014

Background: Currently available questionnaires for evaluating the quality of worklife do not fully examine every factor related to worklife in all cultures. A tool in Thai is therefore needed for the direct evaluation of the quality of worklife. Our aim was to translate the Work-related Quality of Life Scale-2 (WRQLS-2) into Thai, to assess the validity and reliability of the Thai-translated version, and to examine the tool's accuracy vis-$\grave{a}$-vis nursing in Thailand. Methods: This was a descriptive correlation study. Forward and backward translations were performed to develop a Thai version of the WRQLS. Six nursing experts participated in assessing content validity and 374 registered nurses (RNs) participated in its testing. After a 2-week interval, 67 RNs were retested. Structural validity was examined using principal components analysis. The Cronbach's alpha values were calculated. The respective independent sample t test and intraclass correlation coefficient were used to analyze known-group validity and test-retest reliability. Multistate sampling was used to select 374 RNs from the In- and Outpatient Department of Srinagarind Hospital of the Khon Kaen University (Khon Kaen, Thailand). Results: The content validity index of the scale was 0.97. Principal components analysis resulted in a seven-factor model, which explains 59% of the total variance. The overall Cronbach's alpha value was 0.925, whereas the subscales ranged between 0.67 and 0.82. In the assessment results, the known-group validity was established for the difference between civil servants and university employees [F (7.982, 0.005) and t (3.351; p < 0.05)]. Civil servants apparently had a better quality worklife, compared to university employees. Good test-retest reliability was observed (r = 0.892, p < 0.05). Conclusion: The Thai version of a WRQLS appears to be well validated and practicable for determining the quality of the work-life among nurses in Thailand.

• Asian Journal for Public Opinion Research
• /
• 제7권1호
• /
• pp.40-56
• /
• 2019

This study aimed to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Thai Elderly Resilience Scale (TERS). Its conceptual structure consists of three identified domains, I AM, I HAVE, and I CAN, within the 18 components that were initially used for developing the item pool. The first draft of the scale consisted of 50 items. A psychometric evaluation of content validity reliability and construct validity was conducted. The results yielded the current version of the TERS based on Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) consisting of 24 items categorized into 5 factors: 1) being able to join other people, 2) being confident in life 3) have social support 4) living with spiritual security and 5) being able to de-stress and manage problems. The scale had a high internal consistency (${\alpha}=.94$). A strong positive correlation between resilience and mental health scores were found (r=.84, p<.01, n=30). The newly developed TERS would be a useful tool to assess resilience in Thai elderly and can be applied to develop further studies regarding elderly Thai people.

• 동남아시아연구
• /
• 제21권2호
• /
• pp.43-75
• /
• 2011

The article focuses on the impact and Acceptance of Hindu culture in Modern Southeast Asian Buddhism. The purpose of this study is to examine critically the influential epic Ramayana on Siam culture, Thai Ramayana version 'Ramakien', reveal instances of Buddhist Modification. The Ramayana by the great sage Valmiki is considered by Indians to be the first great literary work to be produced in India. The influence of this work is to be seen not only through centuries but even in other countries, such as Thailand where there are modified modern versions. In this paper, I have three objectives : (1) I may discuss the epic Ramayana of India gave birth to the Ramakien of Thailand. In modern times Valmiki's epic was made to fit the spiritual trends current in the new Chakri dynasty, which were themselves based on Brahmanic tradition and Theravada buddhism. With regarding to the structure of the Traibhumi cosmography, and the relationship between merit and power implied by this cosmography ranks all beings from demons to deities in a hierarchy of merit which accrues according to karma the actions of past lives. (2) I analyze how to have attempted to dissect the Hindi and Thai version of the Ramayana. The Hindu concept of kingship is also depicted in the life of Rama. The Hindus see in Rama the norm of a true Hindu life characterized by the Caste and Dharma. In Thai transformed version, it does not preach Hindu values of personal or social life. The Ramakien emphasized that the Buddhism were higher than all other laws, and that the King is regarded as the incarnation of Phra Ram, and thus is also the narration of the righteous buddhist ruler. (3) I discuss how cultural or social contexts can influence the structure of the royal Wat. The whole epic was painted by the order of Rama I in the galleries of the Wat Phra Keo. In other words, it is the very centre of the dynastic cult enshrining the Emerald Buddha, the most iconic expression of the Ramakien tradition were officially amalgamated. Rama I was continued the process of elaborating and stabilizing the complex religious pattern, with Buddhism at the pinnacle. My finding will support the idea that the Ramakien is particularly appealing to the Thai people because it presents the image of an ideal king, Rama, who symbolizes the force of virtue or dharma while Thotsakan represents the force of evil. Eventually the force of good prevails. Being Buddhists, the Thai poets bring into the story the Buddhist philosophy(especially, the law of cause and effect, karma). This paper examines the role of the Hindu epic Ramayana in the historical and cultural contact between Hindu India and Buddhist Southeast Asia. It should now be possible to evaluate what elements of Hindu culture were transmitted into Thai through the Rama story.

• 동남아시아연구
• /
• 제21권1호
• /
• pp.287-314
• /
• 2011

There are many versions of the thai folktale "Pla Boo Thong" in Thailand, which is a typical type of stepmother story and in many ways resembles Cinderella story. This study, the author took 6 versions, some from books, some from internet. The main story of those 6 version is consist of the death of mother, stepmother and step sister, the maltreat of the stepmother to the heroine, tiding over the critical moments with the help of the dead mother and others, getting married with the king and happy of the heroine, death of the heroine by the slander of stepmother, posing as a queen of the stepsister, reincarnation of the dead heroine, meeting with the king again, and punishment and the stepmother and stepsister. The main theme of this narrative is a conflict in the polygamic family and is followed by the pattern of the Cinderella tale such as the distinct contrast of Good and Evil. This tale also teaches teachings of Buddha such as the punitive justice, the promotion of virtue and reproval of vice, and forgiveness. And otherwise it gives the people the courage and hope to overcome fortitude in their life.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• 제11권4호
• /
• pp.526-532
• /
• 2020

Background: The high incidence of work-related diseases and injuries among day-laborers and workers with no legal contracts (informal workers) has received the attention of the Thai authorities. Workers' low occupational health literacy (OHL) has been reasoned as one contributing factor. Absence of a valid tool has prevented assessment of informal workers' OHL. The aim of this study was to create a valid and reliable Occupational Health Literacy Scale within the context of Thai working culture (TOHLS-IF). Methods: This study used the mixed method approach to develop TOHLS-IF. Questions were generated using in-depth interviews and an extensive review of the literature. Experts' assessment confirmed the content validity of TOHLS-IF. The scales of its psychometric properties were assessed in a sample of 400 informal workers using cluster random sampling. Results: The final version of the TOHLS-IF comprises 38 items within 4 dimensions: Ability to Gain Access, Understanding, Evaluation, and Use of occupational health and safety information. Factor analysis identified items explaining 50.22% of the total variance. The final confirmatory analysis confirmed the model estimates were satisfactory for the construct. TOHLS-IF demonstrated a high internal consistency and satisfactory reliability (Cronbach's alpha = .98). Conclusion: The TOHLS-IF is a valid and reliable instrument to assess informal workers' OHL. The structural dimensions of this instrument are based on the concept of health literacy and Thai culture. Thai health professionals are encouraged to benefit from this instrument to assess their workers' OHL and apply findings as guidelines for effective occupational health and safety interventions.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• 제51권3호
• /
• pp.275-283
• /
• 2024

Background Shortage of speech and language therapists results in lack of speech services. The aims of this study were to find the effectiveness of a combination speech therapy model at Level IV: General speech and language pathologist (GSLP) and Level V: Specific speech and language pathologist (SSLP) in reduction of the number of articulation errors and promotion the quality of life (QoL) for children with cleft palate with or without cleft lip (CP ± L). Methods Fifteen children with CP ± L, aged 4 years 1 month to 10 years 9 months (median = 76 months; minimum:maximum = 49:129 months) were enrolled in this study. Pre- and post-assessment included oral peripheral examination; articulation tests via Articulation Screening Test, Thai Universal Parameters of Speech Outcomes for People with Cleft Palate, Hearing Evaluation, The World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief_Thai (WHOQOL-BRIEF-THAI) version questionnaire for QoL were performed. Speech therapy included a 3-day intensive speech camp by SSLP, five 30-minute speech therapy sessions by a GSLP, and five 1-day follow-up speech camps by SSLP that provided four 45-minute speech therapy sessions for each child. Results Post-articulation revealed statistically significant reduction of the numbers of articulation errors at word, sentence, and screening levels (median difference [MD] = 3, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2-5; MD = 6, 95% CI = 4.5-8; MD = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.5-3, respectively) and improvement of QoL. Conclusion A speech task force consisting of a combination of Level IV: GSLP and Level V: SSLP could significantly reduce the number of articulation errors and promote QoL.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
• /
• 제10권1호
• /
• pp.395-413
• /
• 2016

Image authentication is a technique aiming at protecting the integrity of digital images. Reversible image authentication has attracted much attention of researcher because it allows to authenticate tampered regions in the image and to reconstruct the stego image to its original version losslessly. In this paper, we propose a new, reversible image authentication scheme based on adaptive prediction error expansion (PEE) technique. In the proposed scheme, each image block is classified into smooth or complex regions. Then, according to the characteristic of each block, the authentication code is embedded adaptively to achieve high performance of tamper detection. The experimental results demonstrated that the proposed scheme achieves good quality of stego images. In addition, the proposed scheme has ability to reconstruct the stego image to its original version, if no modification is performed on it. Also demonstrated in the experimental results, the proposed scheme provides higher accuracy of tamper detection than state-of-the-art schemes.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
• /
• 제16권10호
• /
• pp.3406-3418
• /
• 2022

Reversible data hiding is an algorithm that has ability to extract the secret data and to restore the marked image to its original version after data extracting. However, some previous schemes offered the low image quality of marked images. To solve this shortcoming, a new reversible data hiding scheme based on pixel value ordering and edge detection mechanism is proposed. In our proposed scheme, the edge image is constructed to divide all pixels into the smooth regions and rough regions. Then, the pixels in the smooth regions are separated into non overlapping blocks. Then, by taking advantages of the high correlation of current pixels and their adjacent pixels in the smooth regions, PVO algorithm is applied for embedding secret data to maintain the minimum distortion. The experimental results showed that our proposed scheme obtained the larger embedding capacity. Moreover, the greater image quality of marked images are achieved by the proposed scheme than that other previous schemes while the high EC is embedded.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• 제47권4호
• /
• pp.241-246
• /
• 2017

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the root surface areas of the maxillary permanent teeth in Thai patients exhibiting anterior normal overbite and in those exhibiting anterior open bite, using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: CBCT images of maxillary permanent teeth from 15 patients with anterior normal overbite and 18 patients with anterior open bite were selected. Three-dimensional tooth models were constructed using Mimics Research version 17.0. The cementoenamel junction was marked manually. The root surface area was calculated automatically by 3-Matic Research version 9.0. The root surface areas of each tooth type from both types of bite were compared using the independent t-test (P<.05). The intraclass correlation coefficient was used to assess intraobserver reliability. Results: The mean root surface areas of the maxillary central and lateral incisors in individuals with anterior open bite were significantly less than those in those with normal bite. The mean root surface area of the maxillary second premolar in individuals with anterior open bite was significantly greater than in those with normal bite. Conclusion: Anterior open-bite malocclusion might affect the root surface area, so orthodontic force magnitudes should be carefully determined.

• 유통과학연구
• /
• 제18권6호
• /
• pp.77-82
• /
• 2020

Purpose: In the period of international integration, how is the implementation of intellectual property regulation in developing countries? Do intellectual property rights help attract more Foreign direct investment (FDI)? This study aims to show the effect of intellectual property rights, reflect in the number of patent registered (Patent distribution into two components: Patent_residents and Patent_non-residents) on FDI attraction in Vietnam. Research design, data and methodology: Using Autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model for the data collected from 1990 to 2018 with EViews version 9 software. Conclusions: The results indicate that the number of patent protection has a positive effect on FDI in both short term and long term. In particular, only patent registration of foreign individuals and organizations has a significant positive effect on attracting FDI, while that of Vietnamese patents is not statistically significant. From the results of this study, we provide some recommendations to help attract FDI based on raising awareness of intellectual property rights: Increase international cooperation for innovation to learn and encourage patent; Improve the capac ity of inventing as well as the ability to register patents of Vietnamese people; Government agencies are tasked to support a nd review registration procedures; Encouraging patent registration based on the patent.