科展作品檢索
決鬥吧!小蟀哥!-探討不同因子對黃斑黑蟋蟀打鬥攻擊傾向之影響
鬥蟋蟀的習俗自古以來一直是中國重要民俗活動之一,最遠可追溯至唐代,現今台灣南部每年皆會舉行盛大的鬥蟋蟀比賽。前不久,我們在一部影片中看見台灣黑龍仔(黃斑黑蟋蟀)大勝中國蟋蟀蛐蛐的有趣影片,不禁對蟋蟀的打鬥行為產生好奇。更欲進一步了解如此好鬥的蟋蟀是否有其選擇打鬥對象的依據。而黃斑黑蟋蟀,即此研究所使用的蟋蟀,是台灣民間鬥蟋蟀的主角。因此我們造訪了蟋蟀的大本營 ─台南縣新化鎮,並請教蟋蟀專家謝爵安先生、張鴻斌老師、楊正澤教授。對蟋蟀有了更多的認識與熱愛。因而希望能以科學化的實驗及統計方法,賦予這項正夯的民俗活動更深化的內涵。我們推想若有兩隻以上的蟋蟀同時進行實驗,便能有選擇的空間,但若超過三隻就有兩兩進行打鬥之可能性,因此我們設計了特殊的空間,讓三隻蟋蟀能同時進行實驗。希望能藉由我們的觀察、記錄,了解其影響因子及行為的趨勢。
> 更多
科展作品檢索
Investigation of the Role of Mammalian Siderophore 2,5-DHBA in Neurodegeneration
Lipocalin 2 (LCN2), a 25-kDa secreted protein that belongs to the lipocalin family, is known to bind to a class of bacterial Fe-binding molecules known as siderophores. Iron is essential for bacterial growth. To obtain iron from host cells, bacteria produce siderophores, such as Enterochelin (Ent), to bind and transport host iron into the bacterial cell. In response, the host produces LCN2 to bind the iron-laden enterochelin, forming the tricomplex, LCN2: Ent: Fe3+. This inhibits bacterial growth as iron has been sequestered by LCN2. Devireddy et.al. 2005, proposed the binding of the tricomplex, LCN2: Ent: Fe3+ with the LCN2 receptor (LCN2R). This resulted in the internalisation of the complex, releasing the bound iron into the cell. The increase of intracellular iron was reported to cause cell mortality. Recent publications postulated 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,5-DHBA) to be an endogenous mammalian siderophore homologue in mouse in vivo and in vitro studies, which could sequester LCN2 and iron. High iron concentrations in the brain have been consistently observed in Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Accumulation of intracellular iron is known to be toxic to neurons, resulting in neurodegeneration. Hence, this study aims to determine the role of 2,5-DHBA as the mammalian siderophore in a cell culture model of neurodegeneration. We hypothesise that addition of 2,5-DHBA to cells exposed to LCN2 will result in increased iron uptake into neuronal cells, reducing cell viability. SH-SY5Y (human neuroblastoma) cell line was used in our study. To determine if SH-SY5Y is a suitable cell line, endogenous levels of LCN2 and LCN2R mRNA and protein expression were determined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western Blot analysis respectively. Preliminary results showed presence of both the LCN2R mRNA and protein but absence of LCN2 mRNA. This could be due to the low expression of LCN2 when not exposed to stress. Hence, to simulate conditions of neurodegeneration (by inducing high expression of LCN2), SH-SY5Y was treated with Kainic Acid (KA). After KA, LCN2 mRNA and protein expression levels will be detected again. With the successful upregulation of LCN2 gene expression, SH-SY5Y will be treated with 2,5-DHBA with KA treatment to determine cell viability using the MTS cell proliferation assay. A decreased cell viability or increased expression of pro-apoptotic genes would support the function of 2,5-DHBA as a mammalian siderophore in the brain. Furthermore, KA treatment can also be applied to microglial or astrocyte cell lines, which are known to secrete high levels of LCN2 when treated with KA. Co-culturing these cells with SH-SY5Y can allow us to study the downstream effects of secreted LCN2 from glial cells binding to the LCN2R receptors on SH-SY5Y neuronal cells. This study will help to further understanding of the relationship between 2,5-DHBA and cellular iron transport. If 2,5-DHBA is able to bind LCN2 and iron to increase intracellular iron levels in the neuronal cells, the formation of the tricomplex, LCN2: 2,5-DHBA: Fe3+, could be targeted for therapeutic interventions in neurodegenerative diseases by reducing intracellular iron levels to help ameliorate the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.
> 更多
科展作品檢索
The gyroscopic effect of bicycle wheels
The aim was to determine whether there is an amount of gyroscopic force that keeps a bicycle wheel upright and stable. Two hypotheses were used, the first being as the mass of a wheel increases so does the force required to tilt the wheel by thirty degrees and the second that as the speed at which the wheel is spun increases so does the force required to tilt the wheel.
> 更多
本文是利用整數分拆及排容原理研究以1x2 矩形鋪mxn 矩形的排法邏輯及總排法數,並進一步探討下列兩種情況:雙邊不含缺陷線及至少有一缺陷線的排法數。\r Based on the Apart of Number and the Inclusion- Exclution principle, this research intends to analyze the logic and final result of permutation by laying an 1x2 rectangle over an mxn rectangle. From the analysis, this study will go further to explore the possible permutation in the following two situations : when there is no fault line on both sides and when at least one fault line exists.\r
> 更多