Mahidol University International College

About: Mahidol University International College is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Tourism & Corporate governance. The organization has 240 authors who have published 485 publications receiving 6095 citations.

Influence of the pfmdr1 Gene on In Vitro Sensitivities of Piperaquine in Thai Isolates of Plasmodium falciparum.

Abstract: Piperaquine combined with dihydroartemisinin is one of the artemisinin derivative combination therapies, which can replace artesunate-mefloquine in treating uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Thailand. The aim of this study was to determine the in vitro sensitivity of Thai Plasmodium falciparum isolates against piperaquine and the influence of the pfmdr1 gene on in vitro response. One hundred and thirty-seven standard laboratory and adapted Thai isolates of P. falciparum were assessed for in vitro piperaquine sensitivity. Polymorphisms of the pfmdr1 gene were determined by polymerase chain reaction methods. The mean and standard deviation of the piperaquine IC50 in Thai isolates of P. falciparum were 16.7 ± 6.3 nM. The parasites exhibiting chloroquine IC50 of ≥ 100 nM were significantly less sensitive to piperaquine compared with the parasite with chloroquine IC50 of < 100 nM. No significant association between the pfmdr1 copy number and piperaquine IC50 values was found. In contrast, the parasites containing the pfmdr1 86Y allele exhibited significantly reduced piperaquine sensitivity. Before nationwide implementation of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine as the first-line treatment in Thailand, in vitro and in vivo evaluations of this combination should be performed especially in areas where parasites containing the pfmdr1 86Y allele are predominant such as the Thai-Malaysian border.

A virtual alternative to molecular model sets: a beginners’ guide to constructing and visualizing molecules in open-source molecular graphics software

Abstract: The application of molecular graphics software as a simple and free alternative to molecular model sets for introductory-level chemistry learners is presented Based on either Avogadro or IQmol, we proposed four sets of tasks for students, building basic molecular geometries, visualizing orbitals and densities, predicting polarity of molecules and matching 3D structures with bond-line structures These topics are typically covered in general chemistry for first-year undergraduate students Detailed step-by-step procedures are provided for all tasks for both programs so that instructors and students can adopt one of the two programs in their teaching and learning as an alternative to molecular model sets

Halogen bonds in N-bromosuccinimide and other N-halosuccinimides

Abstract: Our crystal data shows marked intermolecular Br interaction with a neighboring O (carbonyl) in the crystal, Br---O(carbonyl) = 2.767(1) A, well below the sum of the corresponding van der Waals radii, 3.37 A. This C=O---Br interaction is among the shortest in the CSD (only 8/2185 examples have a similar distance 2.725–2.800 A). Only one carbonyl group interacts with the halogen atom, thus inducing a helical intermolecular arrangement. The halogen bond was also studied with density functional theory (DFT) methods, based on coordinates of two molecules in the crystal packing, widely modifying the N-Br---O(carbonyl) angle. In each calculation, this angle was fixed, and the corresponding arrangements were analyzed for potential structural correlation. Indeed, the widening of the N-Br---O(carbonyl) angle correlates with a gradual increase of halogen bond interaction Br---O(carbonyl), that is, shorter separation. It is also seen that decreasing the N-Br---O(carbonyl) angle is associated with decreasing Br---Br separation. Isosurface electron density shows the presence of Br sigma-holes in the two-molecule arrangements.

The Preferred Work Paradigm for Generation Y in the Hotel Industry: A Case Study of the International Tourism and Hospitality International Programme, Thailand

Abstract: It is well known that hospitality work is physically demanding and involves mental stress and, at times, an un-competitive compensation package. This has resulted in a high employee turnover rate in recent years. Staff retention is thus a challenge, especially for employees belonging to Generation Y (Gen Y). The situation in Thailand is not different, especially with respect to Gen Y. This article aims to identify the ideas and perceptions held by Gen Y undergraduates who are currently being educated in the field of tourism and hospitality and whose education will possibly lead them Gen to seek long-term employment in the hotel industry. In order to identify the influential factors, the researchers aim to obtain maximum information, views and thoughts from research purposive respondents in this study; thus, qualitative research using an inductive approach involving a focus group discussion methodology was selected. 66 Gen Y students who are studying the Tourism and Hospitality Management programme from the first International College in Thailand participated in this study. The results suggest that Gen Y students share similar views on the influential factors to work effectively. They identified five key factors: effective leaders, a friendly environment, good pay and benefits, a flexible policy and culture and great facilities. The result details allow an understanding of the conditions and requirements for practitioners and researchers who are interested in studying Gen Y in the hotel industry.

The causal effect of religious piety on shareholder wealth: evidence from acquirer returns and historical religious identification

Abstract: Prior research shows that religion promotes honesty. Honesty in turn motivates managers to view an expropriation from shareholders as self-serving, opportunistic and unethical, thereby alleviating the agency conflict. Religious piety is thus expected to discourage agency-driven acquisitions that reduce shareholder wealth. We exploit the variation in religious piety across US counties (and states) and show that firms located in a more religious environment are indeed less likely to make poor acquisitions, measured by the stock market reactions to the acquisition announcement. To draw a causal inference, we use historical religious piety as far back as 1952 as our instrument. The two-stage least squares (2SLS) analysis confirms that religious piety induces firms to make better acquisitions. Our analysis based on propensity score matching also corroborates the conclusion.