Figs have become an expanding industry here in New Zealand and are a current export fruit which could potentially provide a large amount of profit to both growers and the New Zealand market as a whole. Nicola’s family has about 10 acres of fig trees. They sell the figs locally and as an export. They generally sell for about $13 per kilogram here in New Zealand and $26 in the USA. However, figs only have a shelf life of about 7 days. This is because at present there is no proven pre or post-harvest treatment or method of storage that helps to decrease the rate of decay of the fig fruit. After researching post-harvest treatments for figs, Nicola found a report which claimed to have developed treatments that increased the shelf life of figs by about 5 weeks. With this kind of increase, it would be possible to transport, store and export figs over longer periods of time without running the risk of losing large amounts of produce, or delivering unsatisfactory fruit to customers. Nicola developed 7 different post-harvest treatments based on the ones that had shown promise in earlier research. These were hot-water baths of different temperatures, both with and without different bleach concentrations. To test these on the fruit she set up four experiments – a dry matter test, a firmness test (using a penetrometer), a colour test and observation of detrimental features of the fig. She tested these treatments at 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days from harvest. Nicola found that after 7 days, the firmness of all of the figs that had been treated had decreased to a large degree. The only figs that did not have a massive decrease were the untreated fruit. However after about 14 days, the firmness of all of the fruit became about the same and after this 14 day mark, she would not have considered any of the figs to be edible. However, in the appearance tests, it seemed that the treated figs that had the least amount of mould and rot were the ones that had been treated with higher levels of bleach such as the 55 degree Celsius water bath with 0.003L of bleach to every litre of water, and the 35 degree Celsius water bath with the same concentration of bleach. Overall, Nicola’s results showed that the hot water bath, and hot water bath and bleach post-harvest treatments did not slow the decay of the fruit in the earlier weeks after picking. In effect, Nicola’s research showed that the information she had relied on to help plan her study had claimed too much and that the treatments were less effective than had been stated. More research will be needed to find a more reliable way to improve the shelf life of figs.

本實驗主要闡明了三件事，1.如何去尋找在光學戲法上，其隱形區位置所在，並擺脫公式，從國中生就能懂得光學知識，來進行推論。2.解決仿照TheRochesterCloak不如預期的問題。3.捨棄TheRochesterCloak的作法，用我們自己的方法，打造一座隱形魚缸。 在1.這點上，當我們用平行於主軸的視線，平視透鏡時，物體若在接近焦點旁，其所成的像，會有部分落於，視野上的視覺不可見區域，以此為隱形理論基礎，透過不同透鏡組合及從視角、焦距、透視比例等方法，來達到使參考目標物所呈現的像，與原物為1:1比例且為正立，進而出現真正隱形效果。 最後，利用所有的推論和數據，我們使用自己的推算方式，來利用3D印表機，打造一台讓魚消失的隱形魚缸裝置。

本研究是探討聲音、片堆、共鳴管條件對熱聲致冷效果的影響。 在聲音方面，各管長均有對應的最佳頻率且管徑越大管長越長，最佳頻率將越低；聲音輸出功率越大，致冷效果越佳；片堆方面，在固定熱端氣室長度下，孔徑與片堆長度會有最佳值，以達到最佳致冷效果。另外，片堆有效孔隙越多越好，共鳴管以散熱性好的金屬塞封口且表面積越大越好。並用LabView軟體及NI 16-Ch USB Thermocouple Measurement Device來自動化測量共鳴管內16個位置的溫度，以了解管內溫度分布隨時間變化情形，發現啞鈴型片堆的效果優於整條7.0cm之片堆。 本實驗取得的最佳參數為聲音頻率179.6Hz、喇叭驅動電壓 11.28V、共鳴管徑3.9cm、管長44.0cm、長度7.0cm的瓦楞紙片堆、熱堆氣室長度5.0cm，降溫能力可低於環境溫度7.44℃，效果遠優於歷屆科展研究。

Lymnae stagnalis (pond snail) is emerging as a preferable invertebrate model in understanding neurological mechanisms because of its simple nervous system. A three-cell network mediates behaviours such as aerial respiration and research has shown that small, subtle changes occurring across the network might result in a disruption of natural behaviour (Lukowiak et al. 1995). It is also known that Lymnae features a more developed eye than other molluscs and studies have shown that various wavelengths of light can activate photoreceptors producing distinct electrophysiological responses (Sakakibara et al. 2004). However, no studies have looked beyond the electrophysiological response. The purpose of this project was to determine if coloured light would firstly, elicit a behavioural response as observed in its movement and secondly, affect learning and memory through the operant conditioning of its aerial respiration.

本文籍由一套數學遊戲的必勝方法及其背後潛藏的數學原理，來作為研究目標。透過研究德國數學家E.Sperner 提出的方法所延伸的數學遊戲，來解決潘建強、邵慰慈兩位教授留下來沒有證完的遊戲結果[1]，並將遊戲增廣至三維空間的探討且得到如下的結論： 一、平面棋盤 (1)不可換色，先下者恆勝，其最快獲勝方法，為依所下位置的三角形衍生子圖周界走。 (2)可換色，獲勝規則由棋盤的總頂點數決定，若棋盤的總頂點數為奇數，先下者獲勝；若棋盤的總頂點數為偶數，則後下者獲勝。 二、空間棋盤 (3) 不可換色，先下者恆勝，而最佳下法，則是下在大四面體本身內部的某一點，且其最快獲勝方法為，依正四面體稜邊所下位置走。 This study is mainly about an invincible method of a mathematical game and its theory from which it is derived. We want to solve the problems left by Professor Poon, K.K and Professor Shiu，W.C. and meanwhile extend it into three dimensions through the method brought up by E. Sperner[1]. On two dimensional case, the first player will win the game forever on condition that these two players can't change their chesses colors at will. And the fastest way to win will be just putting the chesses that along the baby triangle boundaries. If both players can change their chesses colors randomly, count the chesses number before starting the game. It is calculated that if the number of the total chesses is odd, the first player will win the game in normal and logical circumstances. On the contrary, if the number of total chesses is even, the latter will win. On three dimensional case, the first player will definitely win the game without allowing changing chesses colors. And the best strategy is putting chesses in the inner of the big tetrahedron; what’s more, going along the edge of the tetrahedron will be shortest way to win the game.

本研究以蒙日定理「平面上三圓彼此的外公切線交點共線」及其對偶定理「平面上三圓彼此的內公切線交點與另一圓的圓心的連線共點」出發，探討三圓更多由內、外公切線所產生的共點共線性質，進而探討四圓以上的情形，以及正多邊形、圓錐曲線等位似圖形，並推廣至空間中的球體。正如本研究作品名稱，我們將鮮少人研究的蒙日定理萌發出新枝，在日夜中茁壯，甚至最後有驚人的發現「在空間中n個外離的球，任意1個球的球心與另n-1個球的蒙日點連線會共交一點，此點稱之為n球的蒙日點」，此「點」發現，讓人不禁對宇宙中星體之間的關係產生更多無限的想像。

My project is a robot designed to clean windows and eliminate the need for human labor. My ultimate aim for this project is to develop my robot to clean high-rise buildings as well as homes. The current version of my robot is designed to clean only house windows. The idea to invent a robot that would automatically clean windows came to me when I arrived home from school one day and found my father struggling to clean the outside of our living room windows because he suffers from back and knee pain. During my research I stumbled upon high-rise window cleaning accidents in which people have lost their lives and this gave my project greater purpose. The major challenge I faced when designing my robot was getting my robot to stick to a vertical window while maneuvering around its surface without falling off. My solution was to use vacuum technologies, suction cups and direct current motors in my design. My robot is made up of a mechanical system, an electronic system and a pneumatic system. The mechanical system consists of direct current motors that drive the two arms of the robot backward and forward through a rack and pinion enabling movement. The pneumatic system provides the vacuum that enables my robot to stick to the window and also consists of pistons that lower the suction cups onto the glass. The electronics system is made up of a microcontroller that uses transistors to control the robots various components. Some key features of my robot include the new split unit design which includes a cleaning unit and a control panel that allows for a decrease in the weight of the device, ultrasonic distance sensors for window edge detection and a self drawing cleaning progress map which the robot displays on the LCD screen on the control panel. Gauges have been added to monitor pressure and vacuum levels in the system so that the user is aware if a problem were to occur. The dual squeegee design includes a squeegee on either end of the horizontal arm which are raised and lowered at certain times while the robot maneuvers across the window to result in the most effective clean. Attached to the squeegees are microfiber cleaning pads that are used to clean the window. I plan to one day develop my robot to clean high-rise buildings so it minimizes the risk of workers losing their lives.

This project aims to create the polar equations from the relation of the points on the centre line of the water twisted from Butterfly sprinkler heads. The water path includes inner rim, outer rim and centre line laying in the middle of the water path is used Rhombus’s property. The diagonals are perpendicular bisectors of each other to create the centre line. Then we create the polar equation of the centre line of water that twists from 4 types of the Butterfly sprinkler heads: edge frame, curve frame, STL and STL rotary. The polar equation of outer rim and inner rim is created by adding and removing the “ f ” value ( ; is the distance between the outer rim and the centre line, and is the geometric sequence that is ) of the coefficient (a) of the polar equation respectively. The results show that the formal equation of the centre line is which can explain the different properties of Butterfly sprinkler heads. If “ f ” value is increasing the water path and the blade will be wider that affects droplets distributing thoroughtly. Furthermore the relationship between the volume of water and the radius of water distribution can be processed to find the least time that can increase the appropriate moisture level of soil.

Membrane bioreactors (MBR) are important components in the production of effluent in wastewater treatment systems. However, MBR are susceptible to biofouling, a process by which bacteria colonize the surface of the membrane in contact with water. Graphene could be a solution to biofilm formation. In this study, the graphene polymer nanocomposite’s antimicrobial and heavy metal removal properties and the mechanisms behind the properties were investigated. Five different films of nanocomposites with a form of graphene and a polymer were synthesized: Graphene, Graphene Oxide, PVK-GO, PVK-G, PVK. A Büchner funnel and a vacuum pump were used to coat membrane filters with solutions of each nanomaterial. Using the Büchner funnel, E. coli and B. subtilis bacteria were filtered through the filter and both the filtrate and the filter were examined for bacterial content. Similarly, a Pb2+ solution was filtered through the coated filters and percentage removal of the ion was calculated using Atomic Absorbtion Spectrometry. Further analysis from SEM data, ATR-IR, and an Oxidative Stress test revealed that the PVK-GO nanocomposite inactivates bacteria by causing oxidative stress and the carboxyl group binds to lead ions. PVK-GO was most effective at removing the highest percentage of heavy metal and inactivated the most bacteria and displayed the most antimicrobial properties. PVK-GO coatings provide an efficient and economical alternative to the current wastewater industry standard and can save millions of dollars and reduce environmental waste. Also, the coatings have applications in indwelling medical devices and can reduce the risks associated with biofilm formational and bacterial infections.

在物理馬戲團這本書中提到：「當你泡即溶咖啡或攪拌奶精的時候，用湯匙輕敲杯壁看看，添加奶精後攪拌時，敲擊的聲音與添加前明顯不同，為什麼？」這本書的解答是：「當粉末溶解的時候，藏在粉末裡的空氣就會跑出來。因為空氣裡的音速低於水裡的音速，在空氣與水混合的環境裡，音速也比在水裡低。當水裡不斷有空氣混進去時，這個容器的共振頻率和它裡面的音速有關，所以也會降低。因此你會聽到較低的音調，直到空氣全部跑光。」我們利用指向性麥克風以電腦錄音後以Adobe Audition 軟體分析聲波頻率，覺得這個說法有點問題。例鹽水溶液音速較水高，敲擊時的音調卻較水低。由敲擊一黏於裝水水盆中之空杯，與敲擊杯內裝同一水位之水之杯子，頻率非常接近。告訴我們影響頻率的是靠近杯壁一層有效質量。因鹽水溶液密度較高有效質量較大，所以頻率較低。以密度的觀念檢視裝有溶液之杯子被敲後的頻率是對的。但對杯中有懸浮物就不然，例如流體中含有氣泡，則混合體之密度必定變低，有效質量變小頻率應變高。但實驗發現含有氣泡時頻率是變低的。可見氣泡還有其他的影響力高於密度對音調的影響。 流體的振動應是會壓縮到氣泡，氣泡與流體間之力學交互作用為何會使頻率下降，正是我們要找出的。 The Flying Circus of Physics has a question “As you stir instant cream or instant coffee into a cup of water, tap the side with your spoon. The pitch of the tapping changes radically as the powder is added and during the stirring. Why?” The answer is, “The air trapped in the powder is released as the powder dissolves. Since the speed of sound is lower in air than that in water, the speed of sound in the air-water mixture is lower than that in pure water. During that period while the air escapes the container, the resonant frequencies of the water, which depend directly on the speed of sound, will also be lower. Hence, you hear a lower tone until the air escapes. “We then tap the coffee cup and generate an audible tone. The signal picked up by the microphone . The same signal is also studied using Adobe Audition, a waveform processing and analyzing software. We find the assumption is wrong, the speed of sound is higher in sugar solution than that in water, but we hear a lower tone. An effective layer of fluid adjacent to the glass wall is set into motion when we gently rub the rim of the wineglass. The thickness is about the same whether the fluid is inside or outside the glass. This explains why the frequency drops when the liquid is added to the system. When the density of the sugar solution is higher, the mass of the effective layer is higher. But what the presence of the bubbles and the theoretical explanations must NOT rely on are: Use effective density argument: One should not just use a change in the main density to try to explain why the frequency is lower. I would think that the bubbles are compressed a little bit by the vibrational motion of the glass communicated to them through the fluid. But how do the bubbles interact with the fluid under this setting? This is what we need to work out.

Quadcopters are incredible pieces of technology. Software on the flight controller is able to simultaneously stabilise the drone in three degrees of freedom, follow commands from the pilot and take pictures. 200 times per second the flight controller therefore measures the current position and RC signal, calculates a correction and sets the according engine speeds. This is a task that could never be done by a human being.

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is an RNA virus, which is considered the main cause of progressive chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. The number of the patients who are infected with this sleeping virus is increasing rapidly every year, as the unsuitability of the current therapy – interferon α and ribavirin – for most of the genotypes is the main cause of these high rates. Hence, the recent researches are focusing on finding out a new immunotherapy to affect this virus. In this research work, Black Mustard (Brassica nigra) has been used as powdered spice samples to prepare aqueous extracts; One of the included phytochemicals in the black mustard; glucosinolates and their hydrolysis products, was proposed to be used for the HCV patients to prevent the virus progression. Also, the Isothiocyanates are shown with chemotherapeutic and anti-tumor properties. Moreover, some of the structure-related isothiocyanates have the ability to induce the enzyme paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) that is considered hepato-protective agent against liver impairment, inflammation, fibrosis and liver disease mediated by monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and is thought to affect the entry of the virus into the hepatocytes. The effect of the black mustard and the produced myrosinase enzyme on the HCV RNA replication is still unknown. In conclusion, the black mustard is thought to affect the progression and the fluidity of the HCV envelope resulting in impairment of viral binding and fusion.