Plexiglas is a macromolecule (poly-methyl-methacrylate) obtained by polymerization of the Methyl Methacrylate. Cation exchanging resins have acidic groups such as COOH (carboxyl) and SO3H (sulfonic) which fix metallic cations dissolved in water releasing an equivalent of protons through the following reaction: 2 RCOOH + Me2+ (RCOO)2Me + 2 H+ Regeneration is made treating the exhausted resin with diluted hydrochloric acid (HCl) which moves the equilibrium to the left. The aim of our research is to re-use the discarded Plexiglas by transforming it into a cationic exchanging resin. Alkaline hydrolysis transforms the COOCH3 group into COO– group; the obtained group is then transformed into COOH group by means of a treatment with HCl. After the alkaline hydrolysis spectra of the solid show the characteristic band of the asymmetric stretching of the COO– (1610-1550) at 1567 (1st experiment) and at 1555 (2nd experiment). Instead after the acidic treatment the spectra of the solid show that this band has disappeared. On the contrary the characteristic band of the OH stretching of the COOH group (3300-2500) at 3228 (1st experiment) and at 3200 (2nd experiment) appears. The water hardness, due to Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions, is studied to verify the capability of the obtained resin to capture these cations. For this purpose, some mineral water is percolated through the micro-columns. There are three experimental evidences to validate the hypothesis: EDTA molecule (Ethylene Di-amino Tetra-Acetic acid, disodium salt) to estimate hardness is not required The pH of the percolated water through the column decreases from 8 of the mineral water without any treatment, to 6.3 after the treatment as expected The spectrum recorded in the visible range of the percolated mineral water through the column plus EBT (Eriochrome Black T) indicator is the same as the spectrum obtained using de-ionized water plus the same amount of EBT In conclusion, the study has provided evidence that it is possible to convert Plexiglas into cationic exchanging resin.

In this project, we defined a mid-tangent point with respect to a fixed point X and a tangent at a point Y on a planar curve C as a point on the tangent that is equidistant from X and Y. We studied the locus of mid-tangent points of conic sections. We found that the locus of mid-tangent points of most conic sections are non-linear curves. However, we observed and proved by using Euclidean geometry that the locus of mid-tangent points of circles are straight lines. The mapping defined by mid-tangent points was studied further. The similarity between a mid-tangent mapping and a stereographic projection was displayed as a one – to – one correspondence function. We also extended the concept of mid-tangent points to three dimensional space and found that the similarity with the stereographic projection was retained in higher dimensions. Finally, we studied the locus of mid-tangent points of a sphere to create a mapping of the sphere to a plane.

This paper presents a semi-autonomous seeding robot which is based on both electrical and mechanical platforms that perform advance agriculture process. SeedBot composed of four components: drilling mechanism, body of robot, seed container and paving mechanism. Other than those components the sensor system and the control system are also discussed. The aim of this study is designing and building a low-cost robotic system to automate and optimize process during farming especially for personal usage. This study demonstrates that semi-autonomous farming has crucial advantages over conventional farming. In addition to that, SeedBot provides safer, requires less manpower and precise farming than usual methods that we have so far.

從蝴蝶定理（Butterfly theorem）的圖形進行發想，在前人作品發想出研究方向，除了在圓與正方形以外，在其他圖形上討論蝴蝶形的其他性質是否有不同的發現？我們在圓、橢圓、拋物線與雙曲線之重疊圖形上作出對稱與非對稱蝴蝶形，對其面積、邊長、角度進行計算與歸納，再推廣到在拋物線上另找任意兩點做蝴蝶形；在研究過程中，我們也發現了圖形上一些特殊的性質，進行一連串的研究。且以普通高級中學課程綱要中數學科課程綱要內容為我們推論工具，希望能讓多數高中程度的學生均能了解我們的發現。

Swallowtail species, Papilio memnon heronus Fruhstorfer, demonstrates sexual dimorphism with four forms in females: melanism with tails, melanism without tails, albinism with tails, and albinism without tails. This study is to understand whether environment or genetics causes the differences. Besides, we hope to discover any possible link between characteristics of larvae and the morphology of adults. We understand it is the genetic factor that controls the expression of different morphologies. The two characteristics (body color and existence of tails) are controlled by two separate genes located on different chromosomes, and the inheritance pattern is consistent with that of Mendel’s law of inheritance. As for the observation in larva stage, we fail to notice any characteristics can indicate the future morphology of a particular larva. 本研究主要是在探討為何大鳳蝶雌蝶會有四種不同的形態：1.有尾白化2.有尾黑化3. 無尾白化4.無尾黑化，而造成此形態差異的原因又是什麼？探討造成此形態差異的成因分 為兩種：1.環境因子造成的2.遺傳因子造成的，我們也就是從這兩大方向去做實驗，對於環 境因子，我們的實驗設計是列出可能影響的因子（例：光照、溫度），而我們第一個探討的 因子就是光照，然而，後來發現有尾黑化的雌蝶，其子代在有光照及無光照的環境下皆有 無尾黑化、無尾白化、有尾黑化的雌蝶出現，而且可以從實驗很明顯的看出有尾的雌蝶， 生下無尾的雌蝶為多數而非定值，故我們可以確定造成此形態差異的因子不是環境，所以 我們又趕快從遺傳因子去做探討是何種遺傳類型造成的，實驗結果確定影響翅色及尾突的 遺傳皆為孟德爾遺傳。

肺癌的轉移是治療失敗的主因之一，因此了解癌細胞轉移的機制對於治療肺癌極為重要。上皮間質轉化(EMT)是癌細胞轉移的起始，且代謝體異常更是影響肺癌細胞EMT的關鍵，然而相關機制仍不明確。本研究對肺腺癌細胞EMT前後的基因體學資料(GSE49644)，以及臨床上246位肺腺癌病人的EMT狀態(GSE31210)，分析其關聯性以及預後指標意義。根據分析結果，並進一步查閱相關文獻後發現CHST11在癌症中角色極不明確，因此，我們針對CHST11基因進行進一步的研究，探討CHST11表現量與肺癌細胞發生EMT的關係以及其可能機制。 根據實驗結果，本研究發現：一、葡萄胺聚糖生合成路徑與非小細胞肺癌的 EMT高度相關； 二、CHST11- SNAI2路徑可調控肺癌細胞EMT過程； 三、 CHST11可做為肺癌病人的不良預後指標。這些結果或許能幫助我們更了解在肺癌細胞的代謝體異常對於肺癌細胞EMT過程中的作用。

For a unique marine bird, so magnificent and accessible to the public, the Australasian Gannet (Morus serrator) colony found at Cape Kidnappers, 紐西蘭, significantly lacks research. Knowledge of gannet behaviour and how humans could best sustain a relationship with them remains unstudied. M. serrator are colonial monogamous breeders and produce a single chick each breeding season (Ismar, S.M.H. 2013). With the same mate over breeding seasons, pairs work cooperatively sharing the energy input into a single chick. Such parental care leads to highly territorial behaviour (McMeekan, C. P. & Wodzicki, K. A. 1946). This suggests more dominant gannets would claim larger territories to have a greater distance between nests of other birds, to increase the survival of their offspring. With a land-based colony this means the gannets are at risk from land and airborne predators, suggesting more dominant birds will claim territories in the central area as it offers greater safety from predator pressures (Minias, P. 2014). It was hypothesised that birds in the centre will have a greater distance between their nests and have a smaller height compared to those around the periphery of the Plateau Colony. The distances between nests and the heights of nests were recorded in the centre and around the periphery of the colony to determine if there was a correlation between the variables. It was found that centre nests had a greater distance between them and were of a smaller nest height when compared to those around the periphery. Anthropogenic influences from tourism and conservation has the potential to change the evolutionary trajectory of managed populations. This colony is protected by predator control programs. Altering this significant selection pressure has the potential to change the nesting behaviour of this species. Monitoring annual nesting distribution patterns and colony numbers over time, may enable informed development of more sustainable ecotourism and protection of the colony. This investigation provides baseline data to support further research on this colony.

We all do it – walk along with a cup in hand, and carelessly spill it. While it’s usually more annoying than anything else, it happens to affect almost all of us, and little is done to minimise the likelihood of it occurring. So my aim was to explain the physics behind why we spill drinks when we walk, and to investigate how we can minimise the likelihood of this occurring. I broke this investigation into two distinct parts, explaining the system of the cup, and explaining the effect of walking. From initial observations, it was clear that the cup was a resonating system. Like any resonating system, the cup has a natural frequency. When the cup is oscillated – moved back and forth – at near this frequency, the size of the liquid oscillations is very large. This is because the acceleration is in phase with the motion of the liquid, so in each cycle maximum energy is input into the system. In my investigation I experimentally measured this natural frequency, and created a mathematical model to explain this frequency. It was also found that as the size of liquid oscillations in the cup increases, so does distortion of the fluid surface, possibly enabling spilling. To systematically analyse the effect of walking, I had subjects walk on a treadmill, so walking surface and speed were controlled. However, I also needed an accurate way of measuring the motion of a carried cup. Firstly, I tried to use video analysis; however I found this far too imprecise for measuring small changes in velocity of a cup. In the end I used a smartphone to record the acceleration of a carried cup, as acceleration is what causes the movement of liquid in a cup. This allowed surprisingly accurate measurements to be made, and allowed both the size and frequency of the acceleration to be recorded. In order to relate the system of the cup and the oscillation provided whilst walking I conducted a qualitative experiment into the effect of stride frequency on the likelihood of spilling. When stride frequency was very close to the natural frequency of the cup, spilling occurred almost instantly, while it did not occur if stride frequency was much higher or lower. In the end, my research showed that to minimise the likelihood of spilling your drink walk slowly, use a narrow cup, focus on walking smoothly, and fill the cup well below the rim. Despite this, some people happen to be much smoother cup carriers than others, likely due to their individual biomechanics. And, if you really don’t want to spill your drink, you can always use a lid.

研究指出Soyasaponin I 是味噌中的一種成分，其效果可以抗發炎，因此，本實驗想使用Soyasaponin I 探討其是否能應用於肺癌治療，及其對肺癌的轉移及癌症引起惡體質影響。 方式:使用肺癌細胞A549和H1299及正常的肺細胞HEL299進行WST-8試驗，測試Soyasaponin I 對三種細胞的存活率影響，用螢光試驗及免疫染色確認死亡方式，用Western blot及免疫螢光染色測試Soyasaponin I 對p-NF-κB入核的效果，進行boyden chamber模型測試Soyasaponin I 對於A549和H1299的侵犯速度的作用，並使用ELISA測出癌症引起惡體質的細胞分泌的IL-6細胞激素濃度。為了研究Soyasaponin I對於cachexia (惡體質)的影響，我們以人類脂肪組織利用原始培養出脂肪細胞，加入Soyasaponin I於脂肪細胞，以免疫染色研究。 成果:在細胞存活實驗發現高濃度Soyasaponin I 的濃度以細胞自噬引發癌細胞死亡，且不傷害正常肺部細胞，另外低濃度的Soyasaponin I 則使兩種肺癌細胞的突觸皆縮短及細胞變圓形；用Western blotting 證明Soyasaponin I 治療後mesenchymal的標記 (N-cadherin)明顯減少，而epithelial 的標記 (E-cadherin)明顯增加，接著在boyden chamber模型發現Soyasaponin I 會引發肺癌細胞發生間質-上皮細胞轉型，轉換成爬行較慢的上皮細胞型細胞; Soyasaponin I 減少肺癌細胞IL-6的分泌，抑制發炎。用免疫組織染色證明Soyasaponin I 治療後，原始培養脂肪細胞的惡體質標記 (UCP-1)明顯減少，減少棕色脂肪細胞形成，減少能量消耗及惡體質發生。

非洲菫葉光合作用型態以C3為主，本研究植株Eternal Orbit品種，表皮細胞與葉肉組織間有一層花青素，其光合作用型態有別於其他品種而呈現CAM。斑葉品系的葉綠素形成易受溫度影響， 平均21ﾟＣ為非洲菫成長最佳溫度，16ﾟＣ出斑面積最大；菫葉毛屬於單列細胞毛(uniseriate hairs )，毛內具葉綠體構造。上表皮與葉肉接觸部位，出現漏斗狀葉肉組織(funnel-shaped chlorenchyma)。，葉面組織切片顯示斑葉(variegate)為化學型色素體變異，局部品種有較厚的儲水細胞(Water storage cell)，能耐較乾旱的環境。

The purpose of my project was to prove if the seeds of invasive plants are spread throughout the Peace region in hay harvested by local farmers. Invasive plants are so dangerous because they adapt to their environment fast and some of them can cause harm to both animals and humans. Within a year they can completely wipe the ecosystem out of native plants. Many invasive plants are either poisonous or can affect the systems of the animals body’s. I collected 22 hay samples from local farms around the North Peace region. I conducted a survey to help collect information about the samples. A pretest was conducted to determine which of two homemade sifters (one with three layers of decreasing size wire mesh, and one with 6 layers of materials with larger size holes) was the best for sifting through hay. I was able to determine that the larger sifter was easier for sifting hay. I sifted through all 22 samples with the larger sifter. I individually looked through each layer and removed what I believed to be seeds. Each seed was individually bagged, labeled, and photographed through a microscope. After each seed was photographed they were planted to help identify the seeds. I contacted a seed specialist. I was able to send him the images of my seeds. He helped me to identify my findings. I removed a total of 5568 potential seeds in my 22 samples. Out of all the potential seeds found 628 seeds were invasive. All invasive plants identified either cause pain to animals or they easily over take the native plants.

Gangrene is the death of tissue of certain parts of the body. In Indonesia, people who suffer from Diabetes will also often suffer from Gangrene, which usually affects a patient’s feet. The medication for it is not affordable for everybody. I have chosen the Horseshoe Crab, simply because it’s known widely in Indonesian and can be found easily. Also, due to the fact that, among all crustaceans, the Horseshoe Crab contains the highest levels of Chitin. By using the Chitin found in the shell of the Horseshoe Crab, I shall endeavor to heal the Gangrene of Diabetic Patients.