Kasetsart University

This comprehensive chapter covers various aspects of the biology and natural history of the Eld’s deer (Rucervus eldii), including names, taxonomy, subspecies and distribution, descriptive notes, habitat, movements and home range, activity patterns, feeding ecology, reproduction and growth, behavior, and status in the wild and in captivity. The chapter includes a distribution map, at least one or more photos of the species, and a list of key literature.

Vigna reflexo-pilosa can be found in both wild and cultivated forms. It is the only tetraploid species in the genus Vigna in Fabaceae, occurring through hybridization between Vigna hirtella and Vigna trinervia, with the chromosome number of 2n = 4x = 44. V. reflexo-pilosa provides an invaluable gene pool for improving cultivated Vigna crop varieties. This study aimed to report the complete mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes of V. reflexo-pilosa. A total of 6,496,297 raw reads were generated from V. reflexo-pilosa using the long-read PacBio technology. The complete mitochondrial genome was assembled into a linear structure with a total length of 370,913 base pairs (bp) with 45.20% GC content. It contains 32 protein-coding genes, 18 transfer RNA genes, and 3 ribosomal RNA genes. A total of 520 RNA editing sites were detected in 30 protein-coding genes. The V. reflexo-pilosa mitochondrial genome shared large colinear blocks with Vigna radiata as compared to nine other mitochondrial genomes in Fabaceae. In addition, Vigna hirtella (male parent) and Vigna trinervia (female parent) were sequenced using the MGI sequencing technology. The complete chloroplast genome of V. reflexo-pilosa, V. hirtella, and V. trinervia was assembled into a circular structure with a total length of 150,967, 151,915 and 151,226 bp, respectively. All three chloroplast genomes consist of 128 genes. We found no evidence of shared genes between the mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes of V. reflexo-pilosa. Comparison of the three Vigna chloroplast genomes showed high levels of similarity between V. reflexo-pilosa and V. trinervia, revealing maternal inheritance of the chloroplast genomes. Based on both mitochondrial and chloroplast genes, phylogenetic trees showed that V. reflexo-pilosa is closely related to V. radiata. These genomes enhance our understanding of mitochondrial and chloroplast evolution of V. reflexo-pilosa and are valuable genetic resources in legumes.

This study examines the impact of a 90-h apprenticeship on Thai preservice science teachers’ confidence and understanding of nature of science (NOS). Twenty-eight participants, specializing in physics, chemistry, biology, or general science, engaged in a hands-on apprenticeship under practicing scientists. To evaluate NOS, pre- and post-apprenticeship assessments were conducted using a 5-point Likert scale to measure participants’ confidence in NOS tenets, while the VNOS Form C, which focuses on understanding of NOS tenets, was administered only post-apprenticeship. Pre-apprenticeship, participants exhibited moderate confidence in NOS, particularly in areas related to creativity and the socio-cultural aspects of science. After the apprenticeship including reflective discussion, significant improvements were observed. Post-apprenticeship survey results showed strong agreement across all NOS tenets, with mode values of 5 and significantly reduced quartile ranges (IQRs), indicating greater consensus among participants. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test revealed that participants’ median total score was significantly higher than the threshold score of 12 (V = 133.5, p = 0.0067), indicating enhanced NOS comprehension. These findings suggest that experiential learning, such as apprenticeships, plays a critical role in shaping preservice teachers’ confidence and understanding of NOS by bridging theoretical concepts with real-world scientific practices. This study emphasizes the need for integrating both authentic scientific experiences and explicit NOS discussion in teacher education programs to foster a well-rounded understanding of nature of science.

Dairy cattle are economically important animal resources contributing to human health and well-being by providing nutritious milk and other products. Non-coding RNAs are involved in biological processes, regulating gene expressions at the levels of messenger. However, the effects on miRNA expression and their function in dairy cattle are still unclear. We aimed to understand better miRNA expressions associated with milk and reproduction quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and their locations in dairy cattle. In this study, miRNA profiling was performed in blood samples collected from three non-pregnant cows using the Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform. The expression levels of miRNAs were estimated by miRDeep2 and QTLs associated with milk and reproduction were identified using cattleQTLdb. Functional enrichment analysis was performed to determine biological functions or pathways using DAVID. In total, 406 known and 562 novel expressed miRNAs were identified in three dairy cattle using miRDeep2. A total of 27,652 and 31,064 QTLs associated with milk and reproduction traits were identified by QTL mapping for known and novel miRNAs, respectively. Of these, 1835 and 1020 miRNAs were related to milk and reproduction traits, respectively. Our study provides a basis for further research to understand the miRNA expressions in dairy cattle and their role in milk and reproduction traits. We suggest that miRNAs may be helpful as biomarkers for improving milk and reproduction traits in dairy cattle through genetic selection.

The COVID-19 pandemic spotlighted the One Health approach, notably with the international One Health High-Level Experts Panel jointly created by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the United Nations Environment Programme, the World Organization for Animal Health, and the World Health Organization. These organizations decided to foster the adoption of the One Health approach and put it into action aiming at enhancing countries preparation capacity and capability as well as their ability to prevent, detect, predict, and respond to public health threats, while considering interactions between humans, wildlife and domestic animals and ecosystems. Official declarations, regional and emblematic national policies or mechanisms and regional strategies and plans are put into perspective with the main international events, initiatives and major steps leading to the inception of the One Health approach. Thanks to a retrospective view of the history of the One Health approach, we examine the crucial role of Southeast Asia in its international recognition. We highlight how the region, a hotspot of the emergence of infectious diseases, established policies containing the precursor ingredients of One Health. It is accompanied by the definition of implementation tools and mechanisms which evolved with the Covid-19 pandemic. The One Health approach transforms the framework of international, regional and national governance linking health and the environment and the Southeast Asian countries are at the core of the action.

Red water lily rhizome is consumed as food due to its nutritional composition, making it a potential alternative food resource. However, its high moisture content makes it highly susceptible to microbiological and biochemical spoilage. Moisture removal is hence necessary to extend its shelf‐life. In this study, three different drying methods were employed: tray drying (TD) at 50°C, 60°C, and 70°C; intermittent microwave drying (MWD) at 450, 720, and 900 W; and freeze drying (FD), which served as a positive control due to its ability to preserve the quality and integrity of heat‐sensitive materials. Mathematical models were applied to describe drying and adsorption behaviors of the rhizomes. Quality attributes, including color values, total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity of dried samples were analyzed. Microstructural properties were evaluated using synchrotron radiation x‐ray tomographic microscopy, while thermal properties were determined via differential scanning calorimetry. Moisture adsorption characteristics were studied using dynamic vapor sorption. Additionally, multivariate analyses including principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were utilized to assess the correlation between quality parameters and classify drying conditions. The results showed that Midilli and Kucuk and Double log polynomial models were the most suitable models to describe drying and moisture adsorption behaviors. Freeze drying and tray drying better preserved color, microstructure (more porous and uniform structure), thermal properties (lower gelatinization degree), and moisture adsorption compared to microwave drying. However, microwave drying resulted in higher total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity than tray drying. The application of PCA and HCA provided useful information for food processors and researchers in designing drying conditions to achieve the desired quality attributes.

Introduction Research in Taiwan regarding courses promoting equality for same-sex family parenting is critical as Taiwan celebrates one year of legalising adoptions for same-sex couples and universities attempt to implement gender diversity initiatives. The purpose of this study was to examine how university students’ attitudes toward same-sex family parenting changed regarding individual and normative opposition, following a semester course in responding to the same-sex marriage policy. Methods Ninety-eight Taiwanese undergraduate students participated in a contact theory and self-reflection-driven course. They discussed gender equality and same-sex marriage policy, attended the Taipei LGBT + Pride Parade, and made public presentations regarding their reflections. The pre-test was administered in mid-September 2018, and the post-test was administered at the end of December 2018. Results The researchers identified that normative opposition was significantly stronger compared to individual opposition; following the course, both males and females’ individual and normative opposition significantly decreased. Conclusions This research emphasises the need for further development of courses focusing on attitudes toward parenting in same-sex families, to identify a curriculum which decreases stereotypes and develops support. Moreover, it is important to identify where gender and sexual orientation stereotypes overlap as both impact same-sex families. Policy Implications. This study highlights the need for integrating empathy-based gender and sexuality education into university curricula. Policies should support courses that include contact with same-sex families and reflective activities to reduce bias. Institutionalizing such programs can foster inclusive attitudes and strengthen support for same-sex parenting in Taiwan’s evolving social landscape.

This study investigates the potential of dam sediments, typically considered waste, as a sustainable material for road construction by stabilizing them with eucalyptus ash (EA) and cement. EA, recognized for its pozzolanic activity, was blended with cement to enhance both the mechanical strength and environmental performance of the sediments. Destructive tests—namely unconfined compressive strength and California bearing ratio—revealed that a 10% EA-cement blend significantly improved mechanical properties, with the unconfined compressive strength reaching 2.25 MPa—nearly five times higher than that of untreated sediments. Nondestructive free-free resonance tests supported these findings, showing increased wave velocities that reflect greater material stiffness and strength. The microstructural analysis confirmed the formation of calcium silicate hydrate gels, contributing to matrix densification and stronger interparticle bonding. Leaching tests demonstrated that all heavy metal concentrations in the stabilized samples were well below the regulatory thresholds, with some metals below detection limits. Groundwater quality assessment further confirmed that the leachate was chemically and microbiologically safe, with all parameters meeting the standards set by the Pollution Control Department of Thailand. These results affirm the environmental compatibility of the stabilized sediments. Additionally, cost analysis indicated that using EA-cement-stabilized sediments could be 5.7 times more cost-effective than conventional materials due to reduced material and transportation costs. Collectively, the mechanical, microstructural, environmental, and economic outcomes support the use of EA-cement-stabilized dam sediments as a sustainable and viable alternative in road construction.

Case summary A 2-month-old male British Shorthair cat was referred with suspected atresia ani. Physical examination revealed an imperforate anus and dribbling of faecal discharge through the penis. Radiographic findings, along with a retrograde urethrogram, confirmed the diagnosis of type II atresia ani with a urethrorectal fistula. Surgical anoplasty was performed and the patient recovered well. At 8 months of age, surgical treatment for the congenital urethrorectal fistula was carried out via a single perineal approach, including fistulectomy and castration through the same incision. Postoperative short-term outcomes were excellent, with normal defecation and urination. Relevance and novel information Atresia ani is a rare congenital anomaly, particularly in male cats. Despite advancements in surgical techniques, this case represents the first successful staged surgical management of urethrorectal fistula with type II atresia ani in a male kitten, potentially influencing future surgical approaches for similar congenital anomalies.

The 2018 arrival of African swine fever (ASF) in China was followed by reports of wild pig deaths across most countries in Southeast Asia. However, the magnitude and duration of population‐level impacts of ASF on wild pig species remain unclear. To elucidate the spatiotemporal spread of ASF in the region for native pig species, we gathered qualitative information on wild pig population dynamics in Southeast Asia between 2018 and 2024 from 88 expert elicitation questionnaires representing sites in 11 countries. Peak reported population declines occurred in 2021 and 2022, with more than half of respondents reporting declining wild pig populations, far higher than in earlier years. The reported declines waned to 44.23% in 2024, whereas simultaneously, the number of populations reported to be “increasing” increased from 11.3%–13.2% in 2019–2022 to 28.9% in 2024. These reports suggest that the ASF outbreak may have peaked for wild boars and bearded pigs in mainland Southeast Asia, Borneo, and Sumatra, with some subsequent recovery. However, the disease is still expanding into the ranges of island endemic species, such as new reports for the Sulawesi warty pig (Sus celebensis) in September of 2024. Island endemics remain particularly vulnerable to extinction from ASF and require urgent monitoring and conservation action.

Fruits and endocarps of 21 species within the genus Premna (Lamiaceae) in Thailand were examined using light (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to evaluate taxonomic relevance. Overall, mature fruits were classified into two types: fully developed mericarp (fruit type I) and partly developed mericarp (fruit type II), with three shape patterns: broadly obovoid, narrowly obovoid, and clavoid. Fruit size ranged from 1.52 to 7.48 mm in length and 0.98 to 7.71 mm in width. In LM investigations, the endocarps were classified into three types based on the presence and shape of the protruding structure: saccate-like (protrusion type I), thorn-like (protrusion type II), and no protrusion (protrusion type III). The examination of endocarps under SEM showed that they consist of multilayers of sclerenchyma cells. The shape of the sculpturing cells on the endocarp surface can be divided into two patterns: irregular tetragonal and polygonal, with distinct or obscure straight cell faces. The morphological comparison and phenetic analyses using factor analysis of mixed data (FAMD) show that fruit and endocarp characteristics of Premna hold significant taxonomic value for distinguishing certain related species and classifying within the genus in Thailand. From the first two FAMD dimensions, fruit shape, shape of sculptured cells on the endocarp, and protrusion type of the endocarp are considered as the most significant contributing variables. The findings also support the reinstatement of species previously synonymized with P. serratifolia, namely P. cordifolia, P. paniculata, and P. punctulata.

Although Schinus terebinthifolia (commonly known as Brazilian peppertree) has been documented to possess various biological activities, such as anticancer, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties, its anti-influenza activity has not yet been documented. Here, an aqueous-ethanolic extract (30% v/v ethanol solution), prepared from its aerial parts (leaves and stalks), was established to determine whether it is a rich source of antiviral agents. The hydroethanolic plant extract, with a TPC value of 264.11 mg (GAE)/g DE, exhibits a promising IC50 value of 16.33 μg/mL, similar to that of authentic quercetin (IC50 = 12.72 μg/mL), and approximately 5.34 times higher than that of gallic acid (IC50 = 3.06 μg/mL) as determined by the DPPH assay. This extract contains 1.71 mg of gallic acid (representative marker) per gram of dried plant material, according to HPLC analysis. Using untargeted metabolomics analysis coupled with a series of cheminformatics tools (MetFrag, SIRIUS, CSI:FingerID, and CANOPUS), we ultimately proved that the S. terebinthifolia hydroethanolic extract contains simple phenolics (e.g., methyl gallate, ethyl gallate, and chlorogenic acid), flavonoids (afzelin and myricitrin), dicarboxylic acids, and germacrone. As anticipated, the plant extract exhibited anti-influenza activity with an IC50 of 2.21 μg/mL (CC50 > 50 μg/mL) and did not exert hemolytic activity at the concentration of 2000 μg/mL, underscoring its efficacy as a safe antiviral solution. In silico molecular docking and dynamic simulations suggest that neuraminidase and the cap-binding domain of influenza RNA polymerase (PB2) are preferentially targeted for inhibition by the detected metabolites. Owing to the diverse therapeutic effects of secondary metabolites, the anti-H5N1 activity of the newly developed plant extract is currently under investigation.

The fossil shells on the sedimentary rocks were collected from The Historical Park, Ban Sap Noi Geopark, Phetchabun Province, Thailand. However, the fossils remained in this area were investigated on the characteristic species only in geological studies with taxonomy for fossil age predicting. To fill up the gap of these studies, the material characterization techniques were used to study the chemical composition and structure of fossil shells I, II and III. The results clearly showed that the morphologies of all fossil shells were Brachiopod fossils with different species. The functional group and elemental composition of all fossil shells showed that the high content of calcium carbonate was a major composition. In addition, the high content of quartz indicated the silica precipitation phenomenon in all fossil shells. The element composition of cross-sectional morphology and energy dispersive spectroscope (EDS mapping) were used to confirm the presence of Si element in each zone of fossil shells. The crystal structures of all fossil shells were investigated and indicated that the calcium carbonate compound was a calcite phase and silicon dioxide compound was a quartz phase. Moreover, the crystal structure of quartz phase was used to calculate the crystallinity index. The crystallinity index values in all fossil shells indicated a well-crystallized quartz. The age of fossil shells was estimated and found to be brachiopod fossil in carboniferous period with the age of about 359.2 to 299.0 million years.

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a lethal, viral-induced immune-mediated disease that remains a challenge for diagnosis and treatment in cats. Proteomic profiling, which analyzes the protein content of biological samples, offers the potential to identify novel biomarkers that could improve the diagnosis and management of FIP. This study aims to assess the serum proteome and identify proteins that differentiate healthy cats from cats diagnosed with effusive FIP using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). A total of 30 cats diagnosed with effusive FIP and 27 clinically normal cats were enrolled. Twenty-three proteins were significantly (p < 0.01, ≥ fivefold change in abundance) differentially expressed between cats with effusive FIP and controls. Among these, the P2X purinoceptor, DNA topoisomerase, Notch receptor 2, and cadherin-17 were identified as key proteins of interest in cats with effusive FIP. Our findings suggest that these differentially expressed proteins could serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for FIP. However, further studies are needed to validate these findings and explore their potential applications. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-03108-2.

Leadership has emerged as a crucial concept as organizations endeavor to maximize employee performance. Authentic leadership has attracted increasing attention because of its potential to positively influence employee outcomes. This study investigates the impact of authentic leadership on employee work performance in Thailand’s logistics sector. We aim to address research gaps by exploring potential mediators such as employee resilience, job satisfaction, and innovative work behavior. We use a sample of 614 logistics employees in the Eastern Economic Corridor of Thailand. We use quantitative and structural equation modeling. The findings demonstrate that authentic leadership exerts a direct influence on employee work performance, especially when moderated by employee resilience. Authentic leadership has a weaker correlation with innovative work behavior, even though innovative work behavior significantly affects employees’ work performance. Additionally, an unexpected finding reveals that higher work performance may be less related to lower job satisfaction, possibly because of stress or increased workload. The results suggest that leaders should embrace authentic leadership, foster employee resilience, and cultivate innovative work behavior. These factors contribute to a supportive work environment and improve employees’ long-term work performance.

Aquatic and semi-aquatic true bugs (Hemiptera, Heteroptera) are highly abundant in both lentic and lotic systems in Thailand. More than 230 species representing 12 families of these insects have been reported from freshwater habitats in Thailand. The Thai fauna has been studied intensively in the last several decades, but no research focuses on the species assemblages of aquatic and semi-aquatic true bugs in urban areas. Two important discoveries were found in this study: the species assemblages of aquatic and semi-aquatic true bugs of ponds in the green zones of Bangkok and their association with margin type (natural vs. artificial). The complete taxonomic list of aquatic and semi-aquatic true bugs from 28 ponds in the green zones is presented. Twenty species representing 16 genera, 12 families and two infraorders are reported in this study. More specially, nine species, seven genera and four families of Gerromorpha and eleven species, eight genera and seven families of Nepomorpha were collected. Although the number species of this research accounts for only 9% of the Thai fauna, the study area represented less than 0.01% of total land area in Thailand. Overall, Cluster Analysis and Principal Component Analysis showed species compositional dissimilarities between ponds with natural margins and ponds with artificial margins. In general, species richness, especially members of Nepomorpha in ponds with natural margins, is higher than those in ponds with artificial margins. This finding is valuable for aquatic system management to promote a higher diversity of aquatic insects in the green zones of urban areas in Thailand.

Seasonal changes affect the distribution and behavior of animals. Ant societies are strongly affected by the dry season: they suffer from high temperatures and desiccation, but also from the lower availability of insect prey. However, some species of ants are involved in mutualistic relationships with myrmecophytic plants that provide a moist nesting space and nutrition. The effects of seasonal changes on such ant-plant symbioses are poorly understood. In this study, we report the nesting habits, colony composition and reproductive status of a plant-ant species, Cladomyrma sirindhornae Jaitrong, Laedprathom & Yamane, 2013 in the wet and dry seasons in Thailand. C. sirindhornae nested inside vines of Sphenodesme pentandra Jack, a pioneer species found in secondary dry evergreen forests and at forest edges which provides naturally hollowed stems for ant colonies. Among the 243 observed vines in this study, 223 vines (92%) were inhabited by C. sirindhornae while only 11 (4.5%) were occupied by other ant species, suggesting a high specialization of the ant-plant mutualism. C. sirindhornae nested within the cavities of the host plant, extending throughout the stems and branches from the base to the canopy. A comparison of ten colonies collected in the dry season and ten in the wet season showed no effects of seasonality on colony size and proportion of larvae, worker pupae and scale insects. However, sexual pupae and adults were more abundant in the wet season than in the dry season. Our results suggest that myrmecophytes buffer seasonal variations, allowing plant-ant colonies to grow year-round, while reproductives are produced only when conditions outside are favorable for colony founding.

Dew collection is one of the most efficient water harvesting methods. In this work, we experimentally investigated the effects of modified nanostructured surfaces on water harvesting performance. Aluminum surfaces exhibiting hydrophobic, superhydrophobic, hydrophilic, and biphilic properties were utilized in this study. The superhydrophobic surface was fabricated using a fluorinated modified silica nanoparticles coating, while nanolaser processing and the surface abrasion with sandpapers were employed to create two distinct hydrophilic structures. In addition, various biphilic surface patterns, incorporating both superhydrophobic and hydrophilic characteristics, were also fabricated. The nanolaser-treated surface demonstrated the highest water harvesting performance, achieving a water collection of 386.7 mL/m². This performance represented a 42% increase compared to unpolished sample and a 282% increase relative to the superhydrophobic sample. Furthermore, the results indicated that the optimal biphilic surface pattern occurred at a 1:4 superhydrophobic-to-hydrophilic area ratio. The experimental outcomes were further interpreted through the mechanisms underlying water harvesting. Additionally, the experimental results were explained with the water harvesting mechanism.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production faces major yield loss due to biotic stresses. Developing genetically resistant cultivars presents a sustainable alternative to chemical controls, which are often costly and ineffective. This study utilized 10 molecular markers, including SSR, SCAR, and CAPS markers, to assess resistance to six major diseases, including Fusarium wilt, late blight, bacterial wilt, root-knot nematode, Tomato Mosaic Virus (ToMV), and Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV), across 964 tomato accessions comprising both wild germplasm (371) and cultivars (593). Wild germplasm, especially S. peruvianum, showed the highest frequencies of resistance loci. Markers linked to TYLCV and Fusarium wilt were particularly prevalent, with frequencies of 31.8% (TY-1/3_K), 34.0% (P1-16), and 55.8% (I2(OH)). Several wild accessions carried up to six resistance loci, highlighting the potential for gene pyramiding and the utility of wild species as reservoirs of multi-locus resistance. In contrast, resistance loci were limited in S. lycopersicum. Two S. lycopersicum germplasm collections were screened: a geographically representative collection from four Southeast Asian national genebanks and a genetically representative core collection from global public genebanks. The highest resistance frequencies in S. lycopersicum were observed for bacterial wilt-associated markers SLM12-2 and SLM12-10. However, the overall scarcity of resistance alleles in S. lycopersicum emphasizes the need for further introgression of resistance genes from wild relatives. This study provides valuable genetic insights into tomato germplasm for combating biotic stress, forming a foundation for sustainable breeding strategies to enhance disease resistance and safeguard global tomato production.