Freshwater scarcity is a global crisis due to limited accessible freshwater resources and rising demand. Seawater desalination is a key solution but is energy-intensive and reliant on fossil fuels, leading to high costs and environmental impacts. This study aims to investigate the use of solar thermal energy from an evacuated tube collector for freshwater production via evaporation and condensation. The focus is on analyzing system efficiency by comparing freshwater yield with energy input. The findings may contribute to the development of sustainable desalination technologies suitable for freshwater-scarce regions.
ปัจจุบันโลกปกคลุมด้วยน้ำถึง 70% ของพื้นที่ทั้งหมด แต่มีทรัพยากรน้ำที่เป็นน้ำจืด (fresh water) ที่สามารถใช้อุปโภค บริโภคได้เพียง 3% ประกอบกับจำนวนประชากรที่เพิ่มสูงขึ้นอย่างต่อเนื่อง จึงเกิดวิกฤตการขาดแคลนน้ำ การแยกเกลือออกจากน้ำทะเลเป็นแนวทางสำคัญในการแก้ไขปัญหานี้ โดยงานวิจัยของเรามุ่งพัฒนาเทคโนโลยีแยกเกลือออกจากน้ำทะเลโดยใช้พลังงานแสงอาทิตย์ ผ่านระบบท่อสุญญากาศ (ETSC) เพื่อลดต้นทุน พึ่งพาพลังงานสะอาด และเพิ่มประสิทธิภาพการผลิตน้ำจืด โดยเฉพาะในพื้นที่แห้งแล้งที่ขาดแคลนน้ำ
คณะบริหารธุรกิจ
In an era where sustainability is at the heart of business operations, eco-friendly packaging is gaining increasing attention. This research explores sustainable business models for alternative packaging, focusing on the case of corn-based paper, an innovation that effectively replaces conventional plastic packaging. The study analyzes key factors that enable businesses using natural raw materials to remain competitive in the market, as well as the growth potential of sustainable packaging compared to plastic-based alternatives. Additionally, it examines the factors influencing consumer behavior in choosing eco-friendly products and evaluates the impact on profitability and social responsibility. This research employs both qualitative and quantitative methods, including case studies of businesses utilizing alternative materials, in-depth interviews with industry experts, and consumer behavior surveys. The findings are expected to provide insights into the business potential of corn-based packaging, strategies for market expansion, and approaches for long-term sustainability. The results of this study will serve as a valuable reference for entrepreneurs seeking to develop green businesses and policymakers aiming to promote sustainable packaging in the market.
คณะแพทยศาสตร์
Background: The RGL3 gene plays a role in key signal transduction pathways and has been implicated in hypertension risk through the identification of a copy number variant deletion in exon 6. Genome-wide association studies have highlighted RGL3 as associated with hypertension, providing insights into the genetic underpinnings of the condition and its protective effects on cardiovascular health. Despite these findings, there is a lack of data that confirms the precise role of RGL3 in hypertension. Additionally, the functional impact of certain variants, particularly those classified as variants of uncertain significance, remains poorly understood. Objectives: This study aims to analyze alterations in the RGL3 protein structure caused by mutations and validate the location of the ligand binding sites. Methods: Clinical variants of the RGL3 gene were obtained from NCBI ClinVar. Variants of uncertain significance and likely benign were analyzed. Multiple sequence alignment was conducted using BioEdit v7.7.1. AlphaFold 2 predicted the wild-type and mutant 3D structures, followed by quality assessment via PROCHECK. Functional domain analysis of RasGEF, RASGEF_NTER, and RA domains was performed, and BIOVIA Discovery Studio Visualizer 2024 was used to evaluate structural and physicochemical changes. Results: The analysis of 81 RGL3 variants identified 5 likely benign and 76 variants of uncertain significance (VUS), all of which were missense mutations. Structural modeling using AlphaFold 2 revealed three key domains: RasGEF_NTER, RasGEF, and RA, where mutations induced conformational changes. Ramachandran plot validation confirmed 79.7% of residues in favored regions, indicating an overall reliable structure. Moreover, mutations within RasGEF and RA domains altered polarity, charge, and stability, suggesting potential functional disruptions. These findings provide insight into the structural consequences of RGL3 mutations, contributing to further functional assessments. Discussion & Conclusion: The identified RGL3 mutations induced physicochemical alterations in key domains, affecting charge, polarity, hydrophobicity, and flexibility. These changes likely disrupt interactions with Ras-like GTPases, impairing GDP-GTP exchange and cellular signaling. Structural analysis highlighted mutations in RasGEF and RA domains that may interfere with activation states, potentially affecting protein function and stability. These findings suggest that mutations in RGL3 could have functional consequences, emphasizing the need for further molecular and functional studies to explore their pathogenic potential.
คณะเทคโนโลยีการเกษตร
The use of chemical herbicides in agriculture has raised concerns due to its adverse effects on farmers' health, environmental sustainability, and consumer safety. Paraquat, a widely used herbicide, has been banned in Thailand. In response to this issue, this research focused on the development of natural herbicide products as an alternative to conventional chemical herbicides. The study involved the extraction of bioactive compounds from selected plants with potential herbicidal properties and evaluating their effectiveness in controlling target weeds. The results indicated that the developed natural herbicide demonstrates significant weed control efficiency. Additionally, this product can be applied to organic farming systems, reducing reliance on hazardous chemicals and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The development of this natural herbicide served as an essential step toward environmentally friendly and safe agricultural solutions.