經食道超音波 (TEE) 是診斷心血管疾病的重要方法之一，目前一般的診斷中，都是由心血管超音波影像的空間分布，藉以了解心血管的狀況或是阻塞的情況；以及用超音波都卜勒影像，觀察血液在血管中的流動。在這個研究中，我們嘗試用主動脈超音波影像圖形隨時間的變化，作為新的診斷方法，藉以定量地診斷出主動脈硬化的情形。研究過程中，我們將主動脈模擬為受到心臟之週期性壓力驅動之阻尼振盪器，其中主動脈之硬度變化即相當於阻尼因子。由心血管超音波圖形隨時間變化的分析中，測量出 “主動脈擴張到最大時” 相對於 “心電圖中的R-尖峰” 之間的延遲時間，理論上，此一延遲時間即可反應出主動脈硬化的程度。我們由10個樣品的資料中，對每個樣品進行大約50至100次心跳的分析。初步的研究成功地發現：上述之主動脈擴張延遲時間超過0.17秒時，即明確地顯示出樣品具有主動脈硬化之現象，而且此一方法也可由數據的分佈發覺心血管之其他病徵。未來仍需應用此一方法對較多樣品進行研究以確定此診斷方法之可靠性，並且由體外攝取主動脈超音波影像進行分析，藉以取代經食道超音波的方法，增加診斷的方便性以及減少病患之痛苦。 Echocardiography is a very important tool for the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases. Important information about the intracardiac blood flow, shunt direction and cardiovascular system function can be obtained by echocardiography due to its high spatial resolution capability. However, seldom message is known about the aorta stiffness. This research investigated a new method to quantitatively analyze the aorta stiffness. The aorta was modeled as a periodic-force-driven damping oscillator, in which the stiffness of aorta was simulated as the damping factor. From the temporal analysis of the echocardiographic images, the delay time of the maximal aorta distention relative to the R-peak of electrocardiographic trace was measured to study the damping and stiffness of the aorta. The preliminary study successively found that a delay time greater than 0.17 sec could be a criterion to diagnose that the aorta is quite stiff. This method could also clearly discern some abnormal cardiac performance. A large scale study with this method should be conducted in the future.

罹患神經母細胞瘤的兒科病人，尤其是罹患stage IVs 神經母細胞瘤者，他們有些伴隨著非常嚴重的貧血，但卻檢測不出神經母細胞瘤已經侵犯骨髓；有時病情來勢洶洶，尤其是腫瘤細胞中已可偵測到N-myc 基因增幅者，診斷時腫瘤細胞可能已在腹腔四處擴散並已侵犯大部分的肝臟。但是，某些這種病患，特別是腫瘤細胞中N-myc 基因沒增幅者，即使在沒有治療的狀況下卻可能有自然恢復的現象，也就是腫瘤細胞會自動消退，但原因仍待進一步的證實與探討。可是，這些病人在其病情最嚴重的時候，骨髓內紅血球母細胞形態上的改變顯示可能與病毒感染有關。但是關於病毒來源的研究，現有的資訊仍然十分有限，其中最重要的是，病毒感染與引發其後天之免疫作用是否有關，更需要深層的研究。因此，為更進一步了解罹患神經母細胞瘤之兒科病人的病毒感染及病毒蛋白表現的作用，我們這次研究的目的在檢驗罹患神經母細胞瘤及貧血之兒科病人與微小病毒B19 (PVB19)、Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)、腸病毒71 型(EV 71)和巨細胞病毒(CMV)的關係，以及病毒蛋白表現對這些病人的作用與臨床意義。In pediatric patients with neuroblastoma, in particular, those with stage IVs neuroblastoma, sometimes the disease was combined with severe anemia. However, no tumor involvement was detected in the bone marrow. Although some of these patients may have N-myc gene amplification, and the disease could have invaded many abdominal organs, especially liver, interestingly, the disease might regress spontaneously in some of these patients. The medical reason of the spontaneous regression, nonetheless, remains to be determined. It is worth noting that morphological changes of erythroid progenitor cells in the bone marrow have suggested virus infection in these pediatric patients. However, the available information of viral origin is limited. Furthermore, it is possible that the virus infection in these patients could be associated with the revocation of immune responses related to the spontaneous regression of the tumor. In this study we will investigate the relationship of parvovirus B19 (PVB19), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), enterovirus 71 (EV71) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) with neuroblastoma by PCR in Taiwanese pediatric patients. Moreover, we will study the effect and the clinical significance of viral gene expression as well as N-myc gene amplification in these patients.

To measure the air quality of the city of Prince George by using lichen as bio-indicators of pollution.

氫是一種非常理想的能源。不僅效率極高，且不會造成環境污染。空氣中的含量極少，常用的電解水方式又效果不彰。我們利用Ag、Ru、Cu 、C-CuPu、C 等數種電極，與H2SO4、 H3PO4 、HNO3 電解液，分別在10V 雙電極與-0.8V 三電極下做電解水實驗，研究何種電極與何種電解液能得到最多的氫氣量。在低電壓下找出最好的電極，液與太陽能電池結合，成為電池中的一部份，讓發電效果更好，以利未來燃料電池H is a kind of great power.It is not only effective,but also no environment pollution .Owing to the H in the air is very little,so it is not easy to take .Addition to,we often to take it by electro liquid,but the electrolysis effect is not ideal. Except Ag、Ru、Cu、C-CuPt、C and so on ,in theH2SO4、 H3PO4 、HNO3 electro liquid,we have a experiment in the 10V dual electrode and -0.8V triple electrode to study which electrode and which electro liquid to get the most of H.Under the low voltage,we can fund the best electrode.It is easy to bind with solar energy battery,andit can be a part of battery.Besides, it makes the generator effect better,and it is convenient to make the fuel cell commercialize in the future.

A research on how a solution mixed with two or more solutes affect the solubility of each solute was done. If different solutes are put in a solution with a specific concentration, the solubility of the single state solute increases, stays the same, or decreases. The difference in solubility caused by several solutes will give solutions on selectively collecting heavy metals from bodies of water polluted by these heavy metals even more effectively. To test the changes in the solubility of the solution with several solutes, sedimentation has been used; however, colorimetric analysis was also done to observe the changes in color of solutes that show color in the solution. Nitrate compounds of Sodium, Magnesium, Strontium and Potassium were used for the typical metals, and for the transition metals, nitrate compounds of Silver, Cadmium and Lead were used. Test results show that Sodium decreased the solubility of Lead, and as the concentration of Sodium increased, the solubility of Lead increased too. On the other hand, K increased the solubility of Pb, and as the concentration of K increased, the solubility of Pb decreased. We can use the radius of ions and the enthalpy of hydration to explain the changes in solubility. In the case of Cd, as the concentration of K, Mg and Sr increase, the solubility of Cd increased with it. This is because the difference between the ionic radii of Cd and the other ions (K, Mg, Sr) has a tendency to increase in solubility in the enthalpy of hydration. Also, as the concentration of Ca increased, there was a tendency in which the solubility of Cd decreased. This is because the ionic radii of Cd and Ca are similar to each other and there was a tendency that the solubility decreased in the enthalpy of hydration. Through this experiment, the study shows the tendency of the change in solubility of several solutes by comparing ionic radius and the enthalpy of hydration, and if this result is used, the processing of certain heavy metals in the bodies of water can be even more effectively used than the previous method.

The main purpose of this study is to explore whether fruit flies (Drosophila melanogasters which background is 2U) can distinguish and memorize different colors and smells by learning. Futhermore, to find out the relation between age and learning ability, and analyze the influence of repeated training on how long the memory would last. According to our experiment, in smell training, the fruit flies are able to distinguish and memorize different smells, and young fruit flies have better memory than old flies. In color training, the fruit flies can distinguish and memorize different colors, but the effect was less than that of smell training. In intensive learning, proper times of learning increased the memory ability, but excessive learning exhibited an opposite effect. In the labyrinth experiment, we select and nurture the fruit flies having the best color memory in order to further understand the gene correlated with the memory learning. In addition, in one-time training, fruit flies are able to remember the smells and colors in four minutes, and young ones have the better ability. In six-time training, fruit flies have the ability to remember the smells and colors in twelve minutes. In the end, we hope you can know more about the learning and memory ability of fruit flies through our report. 本實驗主要探討果蠅是否可經由學習分辨、記憶顏色與氣味，並探討年齡與學習能力的相關性、分析多次訓練對記憶時間的影響。由實驗結果得知，氣味方面，果蠅有辨識記憶氣味的能力，以年輕果蠅的效果較佳；顏色訓練方面，果蠅亦可分辨記憶顏色；密集學習方面，適當學習次數內，有助於增加果蠅的記憶能力，但過度的學習刺激會降低學習效果。並且，我們選顏色訓練中記憶較佳的一組進行迷宮實驗，經三次的岔路選擇，選出對顏色記憶最佳的果蠅，希望能探討訓練過的果蠅子代能否有較優良的記憶。至於記憶時間方面，一次氣味學習，果蠅在四分鐘內皆有記憶，且年輕果蠅記憶效果較強，達六分鐘；另外，多次氣味學習，果蠅於第四次訓練效果最佳，且記憶能力可達十二分鐘。希望藉本實驗報告，以期更瞭解果蠅學習與記憶的資料。

This project is a research to find out if prawn pond sludge can be used as a fertilizer . This because so far there is no beneficial use of these prawn pond sludge from over 154,000 hectares of water pond culture in Sarawak . The objectives of this project were to determine if this sludge can be combined with topsoilito produce an eco-friendly and effective fertilizer for plants and to investigate what combination of sludge and top soil is the best for plant growth . It was found that sludge has high nutrient contents such as nitrogen , phosphorus , sulphur , potassium , calcium , magnesium and iron . The effectiveness of sludge as a fertilizer was investigated by growing water spinach or “kangkong” (Ipomoea aquatica) in 5 different mixture of sludge and topsoil for 3 weeks . After the third weeks , the results showed that the combination of 30% sludge and 70% topsoil produced the best results in terms of height of plant , survival , number of leaves , stem thickness and average plant weight as compared to the other combination of 0%：100% , 50%：50% , 70%：30% and 100%：0% sludge top soil ratio . Therefore , prawn ponds sludge has a great potential to be process to become a fertilizer .

正方形兩條對角線的交點（即中心點）距四頂點等長，也與四邊等距。如果將正方形的頂點比擬成它的「手」，兩對角線的交點當成它的「心」，則兩個正方形頂點間、中心點間、或頂點與中心點間的線段相連（或重合），就如同「手」或「心」彼此相連。本文即探索當多個正方形間「心手相連」時，衍生圖形間的面積關係。而四個正方形中某幾個頂點相接（邊未重疊），恰圍出兩個三角形的圖形則是本內容討論圖形的主體架構，我們以此架構向外作出「層出不窮」的正方形，再配合中心點連接成四邊形，將推導出這些四邊形與基準正方形（Reference Square）間的面積關係。In a square, the lengths from the intersection point （center point） of two diagonal lines to the four apexes are the same, and so are they from that point to the four sides. If the apexes are “hands” and the intersection point of two diagonal lines is the “heart” of a square, the connection or overlap of two squares’ apexes and apexes, center point and center point, or apexes and center points is just like the connection of hands with hearts. In this article, hence, we are to explore the relation in area of derivative graphs formed by several squares connected “heart in hand.” When some apexes of four squares are overlain without sides overlapped, two triangles are created. And that’s the theme we are going to discuss. Furthermore, we extend the operation to infinitely overlain squares and frame out quadrangles referring to the center points of some squares. Then, the relation in areas of these overlapped squares and the Reference Square would be deduced.

動脈硬化是個致病率和致死率相當高的慢性發炎疾病，為台灣十大死因之一。在病理過程中血中濃度過高的膽固醇為動脈硬化的一大危險因子，其會誘發一連串的發炎反應驅使血管壁內皮細胞功能喪失，血壓上升，平滑肌細胞增生等。Statin 是臨床上十分有效的降血脂藥物，雖然其作用機制已知在於抑制膽固醇合成酵素 HMG-CoA reductase 而有降血脂功效，但近年來探討 statin 在抗發炎方面的作用也漸受重視。nitric oxide synthase (NOS) 代謝產物如 nitric oxide (NO)，cyclooxygenase (COX) 代謝產物如 prostaglandin (PGE?、PGI?)，及 heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) 代謝產物如 carbon monoxide (CO)，均有文獻指出可以改善血流，而可能在動脈硬化上扮演保護角色。相反的，matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 的表現會誘使更多的免疫細胞浸潤到血管壁，並增加動脈硬化斑破裂，引起栓塞和中風的發生。在此實驗中，我們利用培養的大鼠主動脈血管平滑肌細胞作為研究材料，發現了 statin (lovastatin 、pravastatin、atorvastatin 、fluvastatin) 具有一些和降血脂無關的直接保護血管壁能力。包括會增加 interleukin-1β (IL-1β) 所誘導 iNOS 蛋白的表現及NO 的產生; statin 本身會增加 COX-2 和 HO-1 蛋白的表現及 PGE? 和PGI? 的產生，及抑制 MMP-2 和 MMP-9 蛋白活性的表現。此外分析調控 iNOS 基因轉錄最為關鍵的基因轉錄因子 NF-κB，發現適量的 statin 會增加 IL-1β 活化NF-κB 的作用。值得一提的是雖然適量 NO 有維持血管恆定的功能，過量時則會造成血壓過低休克的現象，這就是細菌感染後因內毒素 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 作用引發敗血性休克的主要原因之一。為更進一步釐清 statin 是否會影響受細菌感染病人的生命危險，我們也探討 statin 對LPS 作用的影響。結果發現 statin 反而會抑制 LPS 誘導大量 iNOS 蛋白的表現，NO 的產生及 NF-κB 的活化。這些新的實驗結果提供更多證據支持 statin 可以藉由維持血管舒張，減緩血管壁的發炎反應，穩定動脈硬化斑的作用，以有效控制動脈硬化各個病程的進展。這發現能讓我們更透徹明白 statin 的作用，且對將來研發 statin 在心血管疾病方面新的臨床治療用途是有所助益的。 ;The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase inhibitors, statins, are potent inhibitors of cholesterol synthesis and have wide therapeutic use in cardiovascular diseases. Recent evidence, however, suggests that the beneficial effects of statins may extend beyond their action on serum cholesterol levels. In this study, we investigated the effects of lovastatin, pravastatin, atorvastatin, and fluvastatin on cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells. We found statins can inhibit LPS-induced iNOS expression and NO production, while they can potentiate IL-1β-elicited responses. Moreover, statins themselves can stimulate COX-2 expression, PGE?, PGI? formation, and HO-1 induction. In contrast, statins can inhibit basal and IL-1β-induced enzyme activities of MMP-9 and MMP-2. In studying the activity of NF-κB, which plays an important role for iNOS gene induction, we found that statin can increase IL-1β-induced NF-κB activity, while inhibit that induced by LPS. All these results suggest that stimulation of iNOS expression in the presence of IL-1β, togeth1er with the increased COX-2 and HO-1 expression might contribute to the beneficial effects of statins in atherosclerotic process in terms of vasodilation and inhibition of smooth muscle cell proliferation. The inhibition of MMP activity might enhance plaque stability and reduce the development of atherosclerosis. All these results strengthen the pleiotropic actions of statins in anti-inflammation and anti-atherosclerosis.

高斯曾經提出八皇后問題：八個皇后在8 × 8 的棋盤上有幾種放法可以使任意兩皇后不會互相攻擊？我們在原來的問題上加上一些條件，改變皇后攻擊規則，使得皇后失去一條對角線的攻擊方向，稱之為「跛腳皇后」。我們稱一個在棋盤上放置最多跛腳皇后使其不互相攻擊的放法為好放法；研究跛腳皇后放置在各類棋盤上其好放法的個數和性質。我們分別在六種棋盤上做討論：（1） 在平面n x n 棋盤上，我們證明了其好放法與完美極致史考倫型數列之間的對應關係，並歸納出相關的性質和定理。（2） 在平面m x n 棋盤上，我們固定一邊長度n，做出n 較小時好放法數的通式；我們也將其好放法對應至廣義史考倫。（3） 在環面n x n 棋盤上，我們說明了其好放法與完全剩餘系排列之間的對應關係，並歸納出相關的性質和定理。（4） 在環面m x n 棋盤上，我們固定gcd（m,n），做出gcd（m,n）較小時好放法數的通式。（5） 在柱面n x n 棋盤上，我們證明其與環面n x n 棋盤等價，說明其好放法具有和環面n x n 棋盤好放法相同的性質和定理。（6） 在柱面m x n 棋盤上，分成左右柱面以及上下柱面來做討論。我們歸納出相關性質和定理；並固定一邊長度n，做出n 較小時好放法數的通式。Gauss had researched about putting eight queens on the chessboard on the way that doesn’t make any queen attacks another one. Thus, we added some rules on the question: the queen loses one diagonal attacking-way and become the “lame queen”. We call a way that doesn’t make any lame queen attacks another one “a good way”. We have been investigating the amount and properties of good ways based on six kinds of chessboard: （1）We found the correspondences between the “good way” on n × n plane chessboard and the Perfect extremal Skolem-type sequence, and concluded some associated properties and theorems. （2） On m× n plane chessboard, we fixed the length n of one side of the chessboard, and accomplished the amount of good ways when n is small. We also correspond the good way to the Generalized Skolem.（3）We found the correspondences between the “good way” on n × n torus chessboard and the arrayal of complete residue system, and concluded some associated properties and theorems.（4）On m× n torus chessboard, we fixed the gcd(m,n) （greatest common divisor of m and n）, and accomplished the amount of good ways when gcd(m,n) is small.（5）On n × n cylinder chessboard, we proved that this kind of chessboard is equal to torus chessboard. So the good ways, characters, and theorems on cylinder chessboard are the same as on the torus one.（6）On m× n cylinder chessboard, we separate it into two cases: left-right cylinder chessboard and up-down cylinder chessboard. We concluded some associated properties and theorems, and we also fixed the length n of one side of the chessboard and accomplished the amount of\r the good ways when n is small.

Based on environmental protection and new energy development, the energy containing low pollution and having high efficiency becomes more popular. The fuel cell is an emerging technology, which is the reason why it is considered as Green energy. However, high-price membrane electrode assembly (MEA) inhabits the development of fuel cell. Among these components in MEA, platinum-based electrode leads the most cost. We select the multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) as catalyst support to improve electrode material performance and reduce Pt utilization. But the particle size and dispersion of platinum as well as character of catalyst support may significantly affect the efficiency of electrode.燃料電池因為具備低排放污染、低噪音及高轉換效率等環保特性，故被稱為綠色能源，可取代內燃機作為發電之能源系統。然而燃料電池中觸媒粒徑大小、分散情形以及使用不同的觸媒載體，均有可能會影響其電觸媒的催化效能，所以我們以「觸媒粒徑大小」、「觸媒分散情形」為主軸，著手以下的研究。本實驗在不同的酸鹼值下製備燃料電池的電極材料，並以電子顯微鏡等器材，觀察已披覆在電極上白金觸媒的特性，探討不同酸鹼環境對白金觸媒粒徑大小的影響，並探究白金觸媒粒徑大小與其發電效率的關係。