Science and Engineering Connect

An Experimental Approach to Signature Generation Using Generative Adversarial Networks

2025-04-21T10:54:49+07:00

Background and Objectives: Signature plays a crucial role in identity verification, as it serves as a unique representation of an individual. Traditionally, signature design relies on expert guidance from a skilled designer. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence (AI) has currently been predominantly utilized in signature verification and handwritten text generation. The present study therefore aimed to explore the generation of signatures from English names using Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs).

Methodology: The present research employed IAM Handwriting dataset. The dataset was processed through a deep learning framework utilizing ScrabbleGAN. The generated signatures were then compared with those produced by models based on Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Transformer architectures. The evaluation was conducted through human assessment to determine the realism and quality of the generated signatures.

Main Results: The experimental results indicate that ScrabbleGAN was capable of generating relatively realistic signatures. However, it struggled with background removal, which affected the overall quality of the generated outputs. When compared ScrabbleGAN to LSTM and Transformer models, these latter approaches demonstrated superior performance in eliminating background noise. Additionally, the signatures generated by ScrabbleGAN were found to be less visually convincing than those produced by LSTM-based models.

Conclusions: While ScrabbleGAN demonstrates potential in generating signatures from English names, its limitations in background removal and signature authenticity highlight the need for further refinements. The present study suggests that although GAN-based approaches can be utilized for signature generation, additional improvements are required to enhance the realism and consistency of the generated results.

Practical Application: The findings of the present study can contribute to the development of automated signature generation systems, which could be applied in digital document signing, personalized signature creation and AI-driven handwriting applications. Furthermore, the insights gained from the present research can serve as a foundation for improving signature synthesis models, ultimately leading to higher-quality and more reliable signature generation techniques.

Selecting the Type of Irrigation Water Distribution System in the Eastern Economic Corridor Development Zone

2024-12-12T14:31:14+07:00

Background and Objectives: Irrigation water delivery systems are part of the development and management of water to suit demand. However, there are no clear guidelines on the type of irrigation water delivery system that would mostly benefit an area. Moreover, the consideration should be relevant to the area considered. The present study explored various factors and alternatives of the systems and compared the open-water delivery system with the closed-water delivery system for the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) projects.

Methodology: The study applied FAHP methodology as a decision tool and analyzed the factors from previous research. We obtained five primary factors and fifteen secondary factors. The qualified experts of the Department of Irrigation with experience in water construction and management gave weights to the type of irrigation water supply system. The model and actual results of weighing values of 8 actual water supply projects were compared.

Main Results: The significant factors affecting the selection were noted to be the number of project areas per household, area slope, economic yield and irrigation system orientation. In the EEC region, the study suggested that the closed-water irrigation system is more suitable than the open-water irrigation system, with significant values of 0.511 and 0.489, respectively. Comparing the types of the water system between the model and the real construction cases, it was found that the predicted suitable types are consistent in all the eight actual construction cases.

Conclusions: In the EEC area, the closed-water irrigation system is more suitable than the open-water irrigation system.

Practical Application: The results of the present study suggest significant factors and their weightings for evaluating the type of irrigation water delivery system. This can facilitate future selection of a proper type of water delivery system for other construction projects in the EEC area of the Royal Irrigation Department.

Influences of Smart City Characteristics, Citizens’ Quality of Life and Citizens' Engagement on Intention to Spend for Consumption and Living: Case Study of Bangkok as a Smart City

2025-03-17T11:06:17+07:00

Background and Objectives: Bangkok is a large city with a large population but limited resources. To support future needs and living, efficient transportation and energy systems, good hygiene and good quality of life in a quality environment must be promoted. Therefore, there is a push to develop Bangkok into a smart city. The present research aimed to study the influences of smart city characteristics, citizens’ quality of life and citizens’ engagement on consumption and residence intentions in Bangkok as a smart city.

Methodology: The study was quantitative in nature, collecting data using an on-line questionnaire from people living in Bangkok, whose ages were 18-60 years; a total of 615 samples were collected. Statistical parameters used for data analysis included frequency, percentage and structural equation modeling techniques, which were used to analyze causal relationships among the results.

Main Results: 1. Smart city characteristics have a direct positive influence on the citizens' quality of life; 2. citizens' quality of life has a direct positive influence on the citizen participation; 3. citizens’ engagement has a direct positive influence on the intention to spend for consumption and living; 4. smart city characteristics have a positive indirect influence on the intention to spend for consumption and living through citizens’ quality of life and citizens’ engagement; 5. citizens' quality of life has a positive indirect influence on the intention to spend for consumption and living through citizens’ engagement.

Conclusions: Smart city characteristics, citizens’ quality of life and citizens’ engagement significantly exhibit both direct and indirect influences on the intention to spend for consumption and living in Bangkok as a smart city. The model results agree with the collected empirical data.

Practical Application: The research results can be used as supporting information for planning and policy-making of relevant government and private sectors in Bangkok to improve and develop communities, so that citizens have a better quality of life. This should be done through the creation of participation of local residents to develop various aspects of the environment, economy, travel and transportation, energy use, citizens’ development, people's livelihoods and effective government management.

Effects of Microplastics and Nanoplastics on the Environment

2025-02-24T14:57:26+07:00

Background and Objectives: The production and use of plastic products result in the generation of microplastics and nanoplastics—tiny plastic particles that are often invisible to the naked eye. These particles can spread across land, water sources and the air, infiltrating ecosystems and food production systems consumed by humans as well as the air we breathe. This has negative impacts on health and can lead to emerging diseases that are difficult or even impossible to cure. It is a critical issue that requires urgent attention. The present article therefore aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the sources of microplastics and/or nanoplastics, their spread into aquatic and terrestrial environments and the associated challenges related to their presence in ecosystems. Additionally, the article compiles examples of treatment and pollution management processes, along with future research directions focused on controlling the problem, understanding the pathways of spread into water and soil, mitigating ecological impacts and reducing the biological threats posed by microplastics and nanoplastics. It is worth noting that industrial sector member countries around the world, including Thailand, are currently in the process of drafting a Global Plastics Treaty. Such a treaty aims to establish a unified framework for all 175 member countries to collaboratively reduce the amount of microplastics and nanoplastics in the near future.

Content: Microplastics and nanoplastics pose hazards and adverse effects on the environment as well as on humans and other living organisms due to their small sizes and unique physicochemical properties. Microplastics are small plastic particles with diameters less than 5 mm and originate from two primary sources viz. primary microplastics, which are intentionally manufactured to be small for specific applications, and secondary microplastics, which result from the breakdown of larger thermoplastics under various environmental conditions, such as weathering, mechanical degradation, and reactions with ultraviolet radiation, sunlight, heat, waves, and wind. Another category of extremely small plastics is nanoplastics, with diameters ranging from 1 to 1,000 nanometers. These tiny plastics can enter the environment through several pathways, e.g., via runoff from human activities that carry microplastics and nanoplastics into topsoil or through atmospheric circulation from such external sources as traffic or dust dispersion from communities. The environmental harm caused by microplastics depends on the monomer components used in plastic synthesis, additives within the plastic matrix and the fragmentation pathways. Additives in microplastics can leach into water or soil due to diffusion processes, as they are often weakly bound to the plastic matrix. Nanoplastics, having a larger surface-area-to-volume ratio than microplastics, can more easily penetrate the bodies of living organisms. Therefore, the petrochemical industry, plastics industry and all downstream polymer-related sectors must implement preventive measures to curb the release of microplastics and nanoplastics into the environment—on land, in water and in the air. Effective management requires collaboration among all stakeholders involved in the production of petrochemicals, polymers, plastics and plastic end-products as well as proper environmental waste management practices for plastic waste.