Millions of people worldwide suffer from aphasia, a disorder that severely inhibits language comprehension. Medical professionals suggest that individuals with aphasia have a noticeably greater understanding of pictures than of the written or spoken word. Accordingly, we design a text-to-image converter that augments lingual communication, overcoming the highly constrained input strings and predefined output templates of previous work. This project offers four primary contributions. First, we develop an image processing algorithm that finds a simple graphical representation for each noun in the input text by analyzing Hu mo-ments of contours in images from The Noun Project and Bing Images. Next, we construct a da-taset of 700 human-centric action verbs annotated with corresponding body positions. We train support vector machines to match verbs outside the dataset with appropriate body positions. Our system illustrates body positions and emotions with a generic human representation created using iOS’s Core Animation framework. Third, we design an algorithm that maps abstract nouns to concrete ones that can be illustrated easily. To accomplish this, we use spectral clustering to iden-tify 175 abstract noun classes and annotate these classes with representative concrete nouns. Fi-nally, our system parses two datasets of pre-segmented and pre-captioned real-world images (Im-ageClef and Microsoft COCO) to identify graphical patterns that accurately represent semantic relationships between the words in a sentence. Our tests on human subjects establish the system’s effectiveness in communicating text using im-ages. Beyond people with aphasia, our system can assist individuals with Alzheimer’s or Parkin-son’s, travelers located in foreign countries, and children learning how to read.

Photochromism is determined as reversible transformation between two chemical species, induced by action of light [1]. Herewith, initial form and photoinduced isomer have different properties, first of all, spectral. The phenomenon is attractive for the design of hi-tech materials for different applications, including optical memory elements and molecular switches. Diarylethenes are the most promising class of organic photochromic compounds due to outstanding thermal stability of both isomers and high photostability [2, 3]. Photochromism of diarylethenes explained by reversible electrocyclic reaction of hexatriene system, provoked by UV light, back reaction is induced by visible light. In this work we have proposed a new class of photochromic diarylethenes with cyclohexenone ethene “bridge” 4. The key stage of the synthesis is “one-pot” reaction of ketoesters 1 and chalkones 2 in ethanol in the presence of sodium ethoxide that includes Michael reaction and subsequent intramolecular condensation of the resulting product. The final decarboxylation of semi-product 3 results in target diarylethenes 4. We have prepared a wide range of photochromic diarylethenes with thiophene, oxazole, imidazole and benzene derivatives as aryl moieties. The spectral characteristics of compounds obtained have also been discussed.

我們發現當CdS 與ZnS 重量比以2:1 時，能在Na2SO3 及Na2S 的混合溶液中，照射日光產生氫氣，並能有最佳的產率38.18(ml/hr*g)，比一般直接照紫外光的效果更好。不只善用自然界的太陽能，還可以生成最乾淨"綠色"的能源－氫氣。我們以 CdCO3 和ZnCO3 做為產氫觸媒的原料，其為黃色的粉末，並以AA 原子吸收光譜儀求得樣品溶液中測得CdS 與ZnS 重量比為２：１。 把產生的觸媒放入以 Na2S 和Na2SO3 混合而成的溶液中，以鋁薄紙包覆以防受光實驗提早進行。把實驗裝置放在日光下照射，以一端管口所接的細量管得失產生氫氣的體積，進而換算產率。 我們的實驗裝置為密閉式的，並無循環裝置，故產氫量有限。未來的發展將是朝著大型開放式的循環系統，使氫氣能源源不絕的產生。 The production of molecular hydrogen upon sunlight illumination of the mixture of CdS and ZnS suspensions in the weight ratio 2:1 in Na2SO3 / Na2S solution have been observed. The best rate of evolution of hydrogen is 38.18(ml/hr*g), which has a higher efficiency than upon UV illumination. It not only make a great use of the solar energy, but also produce the cleanest “green” energy resource─hydrogen.

Fluorine-containing compounds gained significant attention during the past decade1. About 20% of novel pharmaceuticals and 40% of novel agrochemicals every year contain at least one fluorine atom in the molecule. For a long time the most frequently used was trifluoromethyl group, but nowadays the most promising is the chemistry of partially-fluorinated groups. For example, the difluoromethyl substituent (CHF2) exhibits unique pharmacoforic properties capable of serving as lipophilic hydrogen bond donor thus being bioisosteric to hydroxyl group2. There are several general approaches for the formation of a required fluorinated fragment, one of them is direct nucleophilic fluoroalkylation. This approach is well-developed for trifluoromethylation reactions, such as addition of CF3-anion equivalents to C=O, C=N and electron-deficient C=C bonds or metal-catalyzed substitution in haloarenes3. However the similar difluoromethylation processes are still quite challenging. Herein we present a novel and convenient protocol for the synthesis of β-CF2H functionalized carbonyl compounds and carbinols by nucleophilic difluoromethylation of electron-deficient olefines. The process is based on a 1,4-addition of in situ generated4 phosphorus ylide Ph3P=CF2 2 to the arylidene Meldrum's acid conjugates 1. The resulting phosphobetaines 3 are hydrolized/protodephosphorilated without isolation, giving β-CF2H substituted carboxylic acids 4. The latter may be easily transformed to the corresponding ethers 5 and alcohols 6 without preliminary purification.

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.

The aim of our research is to produce superhydrophobic coatings on both glass and cloth substrates in order to achieve high contact angles and low sliding angles for self-cleaning. In addition, we aim to modify these coatings to be as transparent as possible so as not to interfere with the aesthetics of the objects which will be coated. To achieve this goal, we synthesised a solution using 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane (a type of FAS), silica nanoparticles (SiO2), tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), (3-glycidyloxypropyl) trimethoxysilane (Glymo) and deionised water. Using the convenient sol-gel method, coatings of 20% and 30% by weight of FAS-SiO2 nanoparticles were prepared on glass and cotton substrates. It was found that coatings containing 30% by weight of FAS-modified SiO2 nanoparticles on glass slide produced coatings with water contact angle as high as 162.8° and sliding angle as low as 4°. It can also be seen that for glass substrates, the hydrophobicity increased with an increase in percentage of FAS-modified SiO2 nanoparticles. Although the highest percentage transmittance was about 30%, texts and pictures beneath the coated glass slides were clearly readable. The cotton substrates also exhibited excellent hydrophobicity, with a water contact angle of 150° and sliding angle of 22°. Furthermore, the substrates showed good retention of colour and durability after simulated washing and 72 hours of ultraviolet (UV) weathering chamber test. These results show that the effects of washing and UV on the important properties of the cloth were insignificant.

本實驗主要探討變頻的意義，利用廢棄風扇設計轉子和線圈互感實驗中發現轉子上渦電流存在的事實。台灣交流電的頻率為60Hz，故四極馬達極速為30rps在實驗中觀察到，本實驗觀察到轉速越大則線圈和轉子上渦電流互感值越大並導致線圈電流變小，進而降低線圈電流熱效應佔輸入電能比例。在分析轉子處消耗能量實驗中發現如果轉速越接近極速則磁力在轉子切線方向分力做功比例會減少，且大部分輸入電能轉變成渦電流熱能，線圈與轉子間的平均磁力和轉子切平面的方向夾角(θ值)會決定線圈熱效應及渦電流熱效應佔輸入電能比例，實驗中發現最佳轉速(最佳θ值)下運轉馬達會達到最佳能源效益比，實驗結果顯示本次實驗採用馬達在轉速約25(rps)時能源效益比最佳。

Dronedarone is an anti-arrhythmic drug approved in 2009 for paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation. It is less toxic than its predecessor Amiodarone as it does not cause systemic toxicity but has the same pharmacological activity. However the administration of dronedarone to permanent AF and heart failure patients leads to increased risk of stroke and cardiac death. The exact mechanism of the toxicity is currently unknown. Extrahepatic Cytochrome P450 enzymes play a dominant role in organ-specific drug metabolism and toxicity. Cytochrome P450 2J2 (CYP2J2) enzyme, a predominant enzyme found in human cardiac myocytes, metabolizes endogenous arachidonic acid (AA) into epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) which play an important role in maintaining normal cardiac physiology. Inhibition of CYP2J2 and perturbation of AA metabolic pathway could result in exacerbation of cardiac failure. This research aims to find out whether dronedarone inhibits CYP2J2 in a suitable cell model (H9C2) using astemizole as a probe substrate. Our in-house studies using recombinant CYP2J2 enzyme have shown that dronedarone potently inhibits CYP2J2. Rat myoblast cells (H9C2) will be seeded in 12-well plate and differentiated for 4 days. The cells will be then treated with different concentrations of astemizole and incubated for 24 h. The cells will then be harvested, lysed, and the cell lysate will be analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS). Using multi-reaction monitoring (MRM) on the LCMS, astemizole concentration as well as its CYP2J2-specific metabolite O-desmethylastemizole concentrations will be measured. The presence of O-desmethylastemizole confirms the metabolism of astemizole by CYP2J2 in H9C2 cells. By plotting a Michaelis-Menten kinetics curve, we will be able to determine the Michaelis constant (KM) and maximum rate of reaction (Vmax). H9C2 cells will be then treated with fixed concentration of astemizole while varying the dronedarone concentration. A decrease in metabolite O-desmethylastemizole conce ntration, indicates inhibition of CYP2J2 metabolism by dronedarone. Using this data, Lineweaver-Burke graph will be plotted, to determine the mode and potency of the inhibition. Our preliminary studies showed that the KM value was 2.7μM. This study will be useful in understanding if dronedarone inhibits CYP2J2 which may lead to clinically significant drug-drug interactions, one of the dangers of polypharmacy. Finally this study will shed a new light on the mechanisms for dronedarone mediated cardiac failure exacerbation.

EXPERIMENT 1---The effect of NaCl and Glucose Concentration on the efficiency of the cell I. Introduction Experiment on different concentrations of standard glucose solution (ranged from 0.125 M to 1.000 M) and standard sodium chloride solution (ranged from 0.250 M to 4.000 M) were done. We investigated the full concentration effect, which included both concentration of glucose solution and sodium chloride solution on the fuel cell’s output voltage, current and power. II. Procedures 1. Add 25.0 cm3 of Glucose solution of the tested concentration to the beaker representing the anode, and add 25.0 cm3 of distilled water to the beaker representing the cathode. 2. Add 50.0 cm3 of 0.250 M NaCl (aq) to both beakers representatively. 3. Fold a piece of filter paper and soak in fully into NaCl (aq) at cathode. 4. Clean and place the silver wires into the beakers representatively, and connect the air pump to the cathode. 5. Connect the cell to two multi-meters, each acting as a voltmeter and an ammeter respectively 6. Take the readings of multi-meters after 30 seconds. 7. Repeat steps 1 to 6 twice for the second and third reading of the cell. 8. Take average value among three values as the final reading of the cell. 9. Repeat steps 1 to 8 by replacing the NaCl (aq) with concentrations of 0.000 M, 0.500 M, 1.000 M, 2.000 M and 4.000 M, and the standard glucose solution with concentrations of 0.000 M, 0.125 M, 0.250 M, 0.500 M, 0.750 M and 1.000 M. III. Result of Experiment 1 When glucose concentration is increased from 0.000 M to 0.250 M, the output power increases, it is found that power generated is maximized at glucose concentrations between 0.125 M and 0.250 M. However, with further increase in glucose concentration from 0.250 M to 1.000 M, the power generated decreases. This shows that high concentration of glucose inhibits the generation of electricity, while higher concentration of sodium chloride solution can increase the output. EXPERIMENT 2---The effect of temperature on the efficiency of the cell I. Introduction In this experiment, the second effect - temperature on the fuel cell’s output voltage, current and power was investigated. In order to get a significant result, the effect of temperature on these measures with fixed 0.250 M glucose solution and sodium chloride solution concentrations varied from 0.500 M to 4.000 M had been investigated. II. Procedures 1. Add 25.0 cm3 of Glucose solution of the tested concentration (0.25 M) to the beaker representing the anode, and add 25.0 cm3 of distilled water to the beaker representing the cathode. 2. Add 50.0 cm3 of 0.500 M NaCl (aq) to both beakers representatively. 3. Fold a piece of filter paper and soak in fully into NaCl (aq) at cathode. 4. Clean and place the silver wires into the beakers respectively, and connect the air pump to the cathode. 5. Connect the cell to two multi-meters, each acting as a voltmeter and an ammeter respectively 6. Take the readings of multi-meters after 30 seconds. 7. Repeat steps 1 to 6 twice for the second and third reading of the cell. 8. Take average value among three values as the final reading of the cell. 9. Repeat steps 1 to 8 by varying the temperature from 42℃ to 32℃. 10. Repeat steps 1 to 9 by replacing the NaCl solution of 0.000 M, 1.000 M, 2.000 M, and 4.000 M respectively. III. Result of Experiment 2 The results showed a consistent trend and relationship of the effect of temperature on the output current, voltage and power of the fuel cell for 4 different concentrations of sodium chloride solution with fixed 0.25 M glucose solution. Generally, the results showed that the output power increases with temperature. EXPERIMENT 3---The effect of dialysis tubing and Nafion 117 on the efficiency of the cell I. Introduction Semi-permeable membrane separating glucose and oxygen, ensure the glucose oxidation only occurs at the anode, and preventing glucose oxidation occurs at the cathode, responds to maximize power output. Experimental study on two kinds of membranes, dialysis membranes and Nafion 117 films were done, by studying their fuel cell output voltage, current and power effects. Previous experiments showed that the optimal output of the battery is at 0.250 M glucose solution, Therefore, experimental conditions for glucose concentration is fixed on 0.250 M and sodium chloride solution concentration varies from 0.500 to 4.000 M. II. Procedures The Effect of Dialysis Tubing on voltage and current of the fuel cell 1. Pour 50 cm3 1.000 M NaCl (aq) to each compartment of the beaker separated by dialysis tubing. 2. Pour 0.250 M Glucose Solution into the compartment representing anode. 3. Connect the cell to two multimeters, which act as a voltmeter and ammeter respectively 4. Take the reading of the multimeters after 30 seconds 5. Repeat steps 1 to 4 twice for the second and third reading of the cell. 6. Take average value among three values as the final reading of the cell. 7. Repeat steps 1 to 6 with NaCl (aq) with concentration of 0.000 M, 0.250 M, 0.500 M, 2.000 M and 4.000 M to obtain the remaining data. The Effect of Nafion 117 on voltage and current of the fuel cell 1. Add 50 cm3 1.000 M NaCl (aq) and 50 cm3 of 0.250 M of glucose solution to the beaker. 2. Add 1.000 M NaCl (aq) to the Nafion 117 membrane pouch, and silver plate was put inside to become the anode. 3. Connect the cell to two multimeters, which act as a voltmeter and ammeter respectively 4. Take the reading of the multimeters after 30 seconds 5. Repeat steps 1 to 4 twice for the second and third reading of the cell. 6. Take average value among three values as the final reading of the cell. 7. Repeat steps 1 to 6 with NaCl (aq) with concentration of 0.000 M, 0.250 M, 0.500 M, 2.000 M and 4.000 M to obtain the remaining data. III. Result of Experiment 3 The result had shown that when the solution does not contain glucose (i.e. Glucose concentration equals to 0.000 M), Nafion 117 Membrane Cells have similar power outputs compared to the dialysis tubing cells. However, in 0.250 M glucose solution, the output of Nafion 117 membrane cell is about 1 to 5 times more compared to that of dialysis tubing cell. According to the experiment results, it was found out that the power output was maximized when the concentration of glucose solution and NaCl (aq) are 0.250 M and 4.000 M respectively. Under this concentration, the out of Nafion 117 membrane cell was 1336.68 nW which was 5 times higher than that of dialysis tubing cell. Hence, adopting Nafion 117 as the selectively membrane can greatly enhance the output of cell. It is believed that the special structure of Nafion 117 has limited the movement of glucose molecules, and prevented their oxidation at cathode. This has enhanced the oxidation of glucose at anode, and thus increased the power output of the cell.

本文所探討的是給定一個 n×n 的棋盤及 n^2個兩面棋(一面為黑色，一面為白色)，若規定其中一個棋子翻面時，則與此棋相鄰的所有棋子亦須跟著翻面，而我們想探討在此規定下的所有棋局是否皆可被翻成同一面。因此我們將每一個 n×n 的棋局對應到一個矩陣，且翻棋的過程則對應到矩陣二進位的加法。利用此思考模式我們可以將此遊戲問題轉換成是解聯立方程組與判別矩陣是否可逆的問題，最後並借助數學軟體 Mathematics 4求其解。

We present a study using microlensing event data from the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE), recorded in the period 2002-2016 from the Galactic bulge. Our two algorithms are based on the standard point-source-point-lens (PSPL) model, and on the less conventional parallax model respectively. The optimal fit was found for each sample event in the chi-square optimization algorithm, along with the best fit parameters. Out of the 7 best fits, 4 show strong parallax effect. The microlensing fit parameters were then cross-matched with proper motion data from the Naval Observatory Merged Astrometric Dataset (NOMAD), to obtain lens mass estimation for four events. These were estimated to 0.447 solar masses, 0.269 solar masses, 0.269 solar masses and 17.075 solar masses respectively. All masses were within the microlensing mass interval for lenses found in similar studies. In this study, we conclude that the parallax model often better describe long events and demonstrate the importance of utilizing both PSPL fits and parallax fits, instead of only the PSPL model. By varying only 2 of the 7 parallax microlensing parameters instead of all simultaneously, we obtain plausible values for lens direction and lens transverse velocity: a method to investigate microlensing lens properties with no regard to its luminosity. In addition, we also present spectral classes of the NOMAD objects associated with each event, which is vital for future investigations to further confirm mass estimations. We present strategies to further enhance the algorithm to analyze the microlensing event light curve to better find deviations. We also conclude that our double model can potentially unveil the presence of dim lens objects (MACHOs) such as brown dwarfs, exoplanets or black holes.

By saving water you are saving lives including yours. All of us know that water is an invaluable and priceless gift. We can’t dispense it. The consumption of water differentiate from one country to another, we may use over quantities of water, in other countries people are thirsty living under the limits of poverty .It’s very important for agriculture, industry even human animals and plants can’t live without water. But people are careless, they consume a huge quantities of water in shower, washing car, gardening…. So that we thought to make this brilliant project F.W.S (frugal water system). This system is connected with you mobile phone by an application that shows you your water consuming and makes you control it. It record in every minute your consumption. This control system helps us to preserve water for the future generation. Besides, it tells you the price that you will pay and warns you if you pass the quantity of water that you should consume in a defined period. So you can also save your water bill. So we have to make this project works to let every person know that he is doing squandering water. With this system we can save planet resources of water. Finally, the water is as precious as our lives and with frugal water system, we will be able to monitor and control our water consumption. Also be alerted in the event of a leak or flooding. This project helps us to preserve water, reduce and avoid over-consumption. So we have to stand together against water squandering by making this project works.