這不是群體防禦─反駁行為學家對魚群行為的高估
This study is to discuss the reason that interfere the fish schooling behavior " adult fish surround the young fish ". I use mathematic simulation, to observe the result when the fishes are stimulated, due to the body size , the speed of swimming , the difference of sensitivity will make different reaction. We predict the motion dots of fish when the hunter appears on the block paper, then analyzes the motion of adult fish and young fish in dot to determine if the result remind "adult fish surround the young fish "structure. The conclusion shown that natural reaction physiologically on fish will show "Adult fish surround the young fish "results, so, the factor that interfere the structure of fish group is not so called "group defense by ethnologist".本研究目的，在探討影響魚群「成魚圍繞著幼魚游」的行為。本研究是以數學模擬法，依觀察結果，設定魚在受到刺激後，因體型大小、游速的快慢、靈敏度的差異等，所產生的不同的反應。再在方格紙上模擬魚群在捕食者出現時，游開的動線。最後分析成魚幼魚的動線分布情形，是否仍是「成魚游在幼魚外圍」的魚群結構。研究結果發現，依魚類的生理條件所設定的條件下模擬，自然形成「成魚游在幼魚外圍」的魚群結構。所以，影響魚群結構的因素，的確不是行為學家所說的防禦行為。
STATIN 類降血脂藥物對血管平滑肌細胞一氧化氮合成?的基因調控作用
動脈硬化是個致病率和致死率相當高的慢性發炎疾病。HMG-CoA 還原酵素抑制劑 纇藥物，簡稱statin, 是一類強效的降血脂藥物，而且在臨床上對於心血管疾病有廣泛的 治療效果。然而近年來的研究報導指出，statin 會有如此廣效治療效果，其原因不僅僅 是因為它的降血脂能力，而是statin 也具有抑制發炎作用的效果。雖然臨床上已經證實 statin 可以減緩動脈硬化的病程，但是statin 對於誘發型一氧化氮合成酵素(iNOS)表現的 調控機制還不明確。有文獻指出NOS 代謝產物nitric oxide (NO)可以改善血流，而可能 在動脈硬化上扮演保護角色。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。在本實驗中，我們使用fluvastatin、lovastatin、 pravastatin 和 atorvastatin 這四種statins 來探討它們對於血管平滑肌細胞由LPS 及IL-1β 誘導iNOS 基因表現的影響。我們發現，statin 可以抑制LPS 所誘發的NO 和iNOS 表現， 但卻會促進IL-1β所誘發的反應。NF-κB 在iNOS 的基因調控上扮演重要的角色，而在 探討NF-κB 被LPS 和IL-1β活化的情形中，statin 同樣會促進IL-1β活化NF-κB，但抑制 LPS 活化NF-κB。我們也發現fluvastatin 對於IL-1β所引發NO 的產生、iNOS 的表現、 NF-κB 的活化，以及p65 向細胞核移動的促進作用，在ROCK 抑制劑Y-27632 的處理後 可以看到相同的現象。IKK kinase assay 顯示Y-27632 對於LPS 所促進的IKK 活性影響 很小，但是會促進IL-1β的活化作用。接著，在ROCK 的活性方面，LPS 會抑制原本已 表現的ROCK 活性， 而相反的，IL-1β會增加ROCK 的活性。總括來說，這些結果顯示 ROCK 在血管平滑肌細胞中扮演IKK/NF-κB 的負向訊息調控者角色，而這個機制在LPS 和IL-1β的訊息傳遞路徑中有不同的調控。即ROCK 以負向調控機制角色影響IL-1β的 訊息傳遞，卻不存在於LPS 的情況中。就是因為透過反轉這個負向調控的機制，statins 3 和ROCK 抑制劑對於LPS 及IL-1β引發血管平滑肌細胞的iNOS 表現，呈現相反的調控 結果。這些作用可能參與statin 預防血管再阻塞，抗發炎，抗動脈硬化的作用。此外Statin 抑制LPS 的iNOS 表現作用或許將來可運用於治療敗血性休克。利用基因微陣列分析也 偵測到一些受fluvastatin 正向或負向調控的基因，目前我們正朝鑑定基因的表現改變及 確認其功能，生理意義進行實驗中。 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. Although statins have been shown to reduce progression of atherosclerosis, little is known about mechanism by which statins affect iNOS expression. Optimal level of NOS product, NO, possesses the anti-inflammation and anti-proliferation effects in atherosclerosis, while large amount of NO contributes to the septic shock in response to bacterial endotoxin, lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In this study, we investigated the effects of fluvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin and atorvastatin on IL-1β- and LPS-induced NO production in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). We found statins can inhibit LPS-induced iNOS expression and NO production, while they can potentiate IL-1β-elicited responses. In studying the activity of NF-κB, which plays an important role for iNOS gene induction, we found that fluvastatin can increase IL-1β-induced p65 nuclear translocation and NF-κB activity, while inhibit those induced by LPS. The potentiation effects of fluvastatin on IL-1β-induced NO production, iNOS expression, NF-κB activation and p65 nuclear translocation were all mimicked by a ROCK inhibitor, Y-27632. IKK kinase assay showed that Y-27632 itself has minimal effect on LPS-induced IKK activation, while enhances the response of IL-1β. Studies on examining ROCK activity showed LPS can downregulate constitutive ROCK activity, while IL-1β oppositely increases ROCK activity. Taken together these data suggest ROCK is a crucial negative regulator of IKK/NF-κB signaling pathway in VSMC, and this negative control is existing in the action IL-1β, but is absent in the action of LPS. Through abrogating the function of this negative regulator, statins and ROCK inhibitor thus differentially regulate iNOS expression induced by LPS and IL-1β in VSMC. These results suggest that stimulation of iNOS expression in the presence of IL-1β might contribute to the beneficial effects of statins in atherosclerotic process in terms of vasodilation, anti-inflammation and inhibition of smooth muscle cell proliferation. In contrast, the diminishing effect on LPS-induced NO response possibly may provide new therapeutic strategy in sepsis. Al these results strengthen the pleiotropic actions of statins in anti-inflammation and anti-atherosclerosis. Preliminary microarray analysis further revealed several genes either upregulated or downregulated by fluvastatin. The identification of these genes and studying their functional roles in atherosclerosis are currently in progress.
台灣沿岸地形與海嘯的實驗室模擬
本實驗利用喇叭、薄膜電極、波型產生器、鎖相放大器、及750 介面卡組合一套系統,此系統可使偵測精密度大幅提升(±4*10-5cm),使得水槽及地表模型尺度變小(40*22*35cm),因此可節省實驗的成本與時間我們在坡度實驗中,發現坡度在3 度左右,淺化係數都超過3. 對照台灣沿岸發生海嘯的歷史記載,確實在台灣東北角及西南沿岸等坡度為三度之地區都發生較明顯的海嘯危害. 反之,坡度在四度以上的東岸其海嘯波高都非常低.最後再藉著硬體系統及電腦2D 動畫模擬的整合,使我們可方便掌握波浪在不同坡度及位置,其波長及波高變化比,如此有助於預估及說明海嘯隨地形變化的狀況.By using the horn, membranous electrodes, function generator, phase-locked amplifier, and Science Workshop 750, we plan to assemble a tsunami simulation system in which the precision can be getting increased (±4*10-5cm) .Because of the improvement of its precision, the size of the tank and of the surface models will become smaller .As a result, the money and time spent on the experiment will be spare. When experimenting on the influence of inclination of the landforms, we observed that when the inclination reaches about 3 degrees, the shoaling coefficient exceeded 3 .The result of our experiment can provide an explanation to the tsunami on the northeast and southwest coast of Taiwan .According to the historical records, the disastrous tsunami happens frequently on the northeast and southwest coast of Taiwan where its inclination is also about 3 degrees as well .On the other hand, on the eastern coast, the wave height is lower and its inclination exceeds 4 degrees .Apparently, our experimenting result is correspond to the natural phenomena in Taiwan’s coast . Besides, with the help of hardware system and computer 2D animation simulation, we can easily measure the wavelength and wave height scale of the wave in different inclinations and positions. Therefore, this tsunami simulation system can provide a great help to estimate and explain the phenomena of tsunami which may change its condition in different landforms.
日長處理對大豆蛋白質合成的影響
日照影響花芽分化及生長試植物生理學上的重要課題,根據相關文獻指出,蛋白質類型的變化是影響開化的重要關鍵,大豆是短日照植物,分別以長日照(LD18hr/DAY)和短日照(SD6hr/DAY)處理,抽取葉片中的蛋白質以SDS-PAGE.2D-SDS-PAGE分析,SDS-PAGE的實驗姐果顯示出在分子量25.2 32.9 38.6 20.6 64.0 100.6 kDa處中的蛋白質SD比LD的量多,但是在分子量16.8kDa以下的蛋白質LD含有高濃度而自SD只有一點,我們使用2D-SDS-PAGE做進一步的分析,SD與LD分為三個區塊討論(SD1-3 LD1-3)有許多蛋白自LD1.LD3出現,但在SD1 SD3中未出現,可能有抑制花芽分化的作用,而在SD2中有多個高濃度蛋白出現,可能在花芽分化上扮演重角色,其中編號P1 P2的蛋白質有較明顯的變化,根據NCBI網站上的資料顯示,P1蛋白質與光敏素C有關,而P2蛋白質則沒有找到分子量等電點類似的蛋白質;The effects of photoeriod on floral initation and develoment is an imporant phyiological subject and have studed ve he past 70 years. Accrding to the reference, polypeptide partten plays an important rolein photoperiodic induction. Soybean s a SD(short day)plant. So we planted them with 6-h(short day,SD)and 18-h(long day,LD)photoperiods. Total proteins n leaves of soyban were extracted from the vegetable,SD and LD. And using SDS-PAGE and 2-D eloctrophoresis to analyze. 25.2,32.9,38.6,50.6,64.0,and 100.6kDa polypeptides in SDS-PAGE were always present in leavess at SD but only a little bands f the polypeptides appeared at LD. And many polypeptides whose molecular weight(Mw)is below 16.8 kDa had higher concentration at LD ad Reduced at SD. We found three different areas(SD1~3,LD1~3) and analyze them. Many proteins were found n LD1,LD3 and reduced in SD2,SD5. Possibly, these polypeptides found in LD1 and LD3 play an important role in restraining floral iniiation in soybean. Many proeins had more concentration in SD2. Probably, they play an important role in photoperiodic induction and floral initiation. We found a protein labeled P1 in SD2 and it is with molecular weight(Mw) of 36kDa at isoelectric point(pI) of5.2, and it may be related to cytochromeC. We also found protein labeled P2 in SD2 and it is with molecular weight(Mw) of 40.2kDa at isoelectric point(pI)of 5.4, and we couldn't find any protein that has the similary Mw and pI in potein database about flowering and daylength.
利用自製頻譜儀研究蜜蜂的發聲系統
本研究利用麥克風與相關電腦設備，結合成自製頻譜儀用以觀測多種情況下蜜蜂的聲音頻率。若將蜜蜂的翅膀加以修剪，可測得有不同的頻率，解析頻率發現「翅膀為主要發聲點，但去除翅膀仍有高頻的發聲，且有三種不同的頻率。」將蜜蜂置於不同溫度下，解析頻率得知「一定溫度範圍內，溫度越高蜜蜂發聲頻率越高，反之亦然。」幼期在胸部塗顏料使絨毛無法生長，去除雙翅後，仍有頻率相近的發聲，得知「胸部絨毛不是造成高頻的原因。」靜置５分鐘，待蜜蜂停止發聲後，剪去腳、挑弄蜜蜂會發出高頻，得知「情緒是引起高頻的原因。」將蜜蜂的翅膀加以修剪，分別放回蜂窩口，發現「同一族群蜜蜂可用發聲頻率來辨別同伴。」比較義大利蜂及中華蜜蜂，得知「在多種情況下中華蜜蜂發聲頻率皆較義大利蜂高約７０Hz。」因此本實驗之結論並不受蜂種影響。The study, capitalizing on a hand-made frequency divider, the microphone and computerized equipment, observes a variety of frequency of sound given off by bees. We read different frequencies from the apparatus when the bee’s wings were trimmed. Analyzing it, we discover that the bee’s winds are major source of its sound, but it still gives out high-frequency sound when the wings were completely cut off.” After analyzing the frequency, we discover that within a certain temperature range the higher the temperature is, the higher the frequency is, and vice versa. In one experiment, we painted the thorax at its pupal stage to stop the bee from growing fine hairs. Even though the wings had been removed, it still gave out high-frequency sound. We, therefore, conclude that fine hairs on the thorax have nothing to do with the making of the sound. In another experiment, bees were placed in an undisturbed environment until they are completely silent. Then, some of the bee’s legs were cut off, while others were provoked. And all the bees make high-frequency sound in the process. We make a hypothesis that emotion could be the cause of bees’ sound-making. The bees with different trimmed wings were put back to the beehive; the bees can still recognize one another by the different sound frequencies. If we compare A. m. ligustica with A. c. cerana under different conditions, we find that the frequency from the latter is about 70 Hz higher than that form the former.
超音波對星狀細胞產生神經營養因子的影響
超音波應用於臨床已行之有年，而以穿透式超音波打入腦部的想法也已提出，本實驗目的即為測試低強度間歇性超音波達到腦部受傷後治療的可能。本實驗採用星狀細胞培養模式來探討，首先以腫瘤壞死因子α(Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, TNF-α)模擬中風缺氧的狀態，並利用低強度間歇性超音波刺激星狀細胞，然後檢測其培養液中一氧化氮(nitric oxide, NO)的濃度變化，以及大腦衍生神經營養因子(Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor, BDNF)、神經膠質衍生神經營養因子(Glial-derived Neurotrophic Factor, GDNF)之mRNA 表現的情形。由實驗結果顯示，在TNF-α存在狀況下則能使NO 濃度上升，施打低強度間歇性超音波可促使NO 增加，並提升上述BDNF、GDNF 兩種蛋白質之mRNA 表現，BDNF 可幫助支持神經元生存，促使新神經元和突觸的發展及分化；GDNF 可有效提昇許多類型神經元生存率；而適當之NO 濃度可以調節神經傳遞物質釋放和腦血流，乃至於影響到記憶的產生。我們初步的結果也顯示在TNF-α存在下，超音波可以增加BDNF 及GDNF 蛋白之產生，因此本研究成果顯示低強度間歇性超音波可提供有利於神經元的環境。The ultrasound technology has been widely applied in the clinical practice for many years, such as monitoring of fetus, lithotripsy, rehabilitation after fracture, as well as the ultrasound stimulation of brain tissue, etc. The purpose of this study is to investigate the therapeutic effect of low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on the injured brain. In this study, we adopted the in vitro model of astrocyte cultures. The tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α) was used to simulate the condition of ischemic stroke. We used LIPUS to stimulate the cultured astrocytes, then we ssessed the concentration of nitric oride (NO) in the culture medium. We also assessed the expression of messenger RNA (mRNA) of both brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). The results showed that NO increased after the addition of TNF- α. In addition, treatment of LIPUS increased the expression of NO, as well as the mRNA of both BDNF and GDNF. The BDNF is able to support the survival of neuron, as well as stimulate differentiation of neurons and synapses. GDNF can also increase the survival of various kinds of neurons. Furthermore, NO may regulate the secretion of neurotransmitters, increase the blood flow in the brain, as well as enhance the processing of memory. Our preliminary results also demonstrated that both BDNF and GDNF protein increased in response to LIPUS in the presence of TNF-α. Therefore, treatment with LIPUS implicated an environment favoring the protection of neurons.
神經妙算流博村-是洪水？是山崩？
南投溪頭米堤飯店在2001 年因土石流受創，產險公司以「土石流即是山崩」為由拒絕理賠。歷經5 年的訴訟後，2007 年1 月台灣高等法院認定，土石流屬保險契約中所規範的「洪水」，並非「山崩」，判決產險公司應給付賠償金。土石流究竟是洪水？是山崩？主要因素便是土石流發生的水文因子。本文藉由博愛村的現場調查及文獻探討先作初步資料分析（preliminary analysis），了解到地文因子(physiographical factor)是土石流發生的充分條件，非必要條件；一般僅考慮雨量因子，把地文因子看作常數（忽略地文因子受水文因子歷程(course)影響），簡單易懂，但在安全與經濟考量上有待討論。使用類神經網路對已發生過的土石流事件計算土石流發生臨界曲線，並使用模糊理論計算松鶴地區其受水文因子影響的土石流發生臨界曲線，這樣的模式，考慮似乎比較周到。由「米堤飯店」的例證，更說明土石流發生的水文因子的必要性。Lemidi hotel, Xitou, Nantou because mudflows and landslides and was wounded in 2001. The Insurance Company refused to settle a claim on the position on “A landside is a debris flow”. After the lawsuit which was going through 5 years. In January, 2007, the High Court of Taiwan asserted that the adversity in the 2001 belongs to “the flood” in the norm of the insurance agreement. As the norm of the insurance agreement said, the debris flows in the land is the flood, not the “landslide”. The High Court of Taiwan judged that the Insurance Company should compensate the Lemidi Hotel. Is debris low a landslide or a flood? The main cause is the Hydrology in the happening of a debris flow. We did preliminary analysis of forms by on-the-spot investigation on Song-Ho Village and reference discussing. We realized that physiographical factor is an abundant condition for a happening of a debris flow, not the essential condition. Generally, people only consider rainfall factor. And they consider physiographical factor as not as constant (neglect the influence of hydrology factor to physiographical factor). We can understand easily in that way. Therefore, in the aspect of security and economy, there is much doubt that is needed to be discussed. People who use neural network method to calculate the curve of the debris flow happening , and used fuzzy theory to calculate the curve of the debris flow happening which is influenced by the hydrology in Song-Ho Village. In that way, we may consider more thoughtful. From the example of the Lemidi Hotel in Nantou, we can prove that how necessary the hydrology factor in the debris flow is.
超越極限的越野蟑螂車
在本研究中，我模仿蟑螂的行走方式，來製作可以在各種地形以不減速的方式前進的機器車。在偶然機會下，我觀察到，蟑螂可以順利爬越米堆，因此對蟑螂的運動方式感到興趣。我用微型網路攝影機拍攝及觀察蟑螂的行走方式。發現蟑螂在快速行走時，是以三隻腳為一組，六腳兩組交互進行前進的動作。由於三點構成一平面，使蟑螂在快速移動時，相當的平穩。我將此原理融入蟑螂車的設計，並根據這個原理，利用舊玩具四驅車改裝成「六驅車」，成功的製作出模仿六足昆蟲行走方式且可以在各種地形順利前進的機器車。為了更客觀的比較，我應用樂高積木的馬達組合，製作了一部純轉動前進的六輪傳動車，及另一部轉動兼走動的六輪蟑螂車。並利用微電腦控制兩種車維持相同的驅動速度前進(93.33 rpm)，於各種路面實地測試，證實蟑螂車越野的性能的確強很多。未來若可以將六足昆蟲行走方式的概念應用到汽車製造，車輛的越野性能必然大幅提昇。\r \r In this research, I developed a six-wheel driving vehicle simulating the movement of cockroach. The resultant motion machine can un-intermittedly run on terrains without speeding down. Occasionally, I observed that the cockroaches can crossover a heap of rice. Therefore, I was very interested in and eager to learn how cockroach runs. I recorded the movements of cockroaches by using mini web camera and analyzed the moving characteristics of cockroaches. It was discovered that the cockroach marches quickly by interchanging two groups of foot in which each group consists of three feet. As a table can be supported by three legs, the cockroach runs steadily and rapidly. I have designed a motocross vehicle based on the mechanism of the way that cockroach runs. A six-wheel driving car is constructed by modifying four-wheel driving toy cars. By simulating the motion complex of six-foot insects, the six-wheel driving car turns out to be an all-terrain vehicle. To be more objective in comparison, I built two types of six-wheel driving cars by utilizing the LEGO TECHNIC motor building set: one with regular and synchronous rotation, and the other one with eccentric shaft rotation emulating cockroach marching movement. I applied a microprocessor to control the motors in order to maintain the same driving speed (93.33 rpm) for both cars during the road test. The experimental results show that the proposed cockroach motocross car performs superiorly especially for the rugged terrain. In the future, the off-road capability of a jeep can be improved by introducing the concept of six-foot insect movement to vehicle design.
線蟲捕捉菌Arthrobotrys musiformis 調控捕捉網之分化及其黏液之基因之選殖和特性界定
Nematophagous fungi can form different kind of trapping device to trap the nematodes when they show off. They may play a role for control of the plant and animal parasitic nematodes as an alterative choice beside regular practice. We attempt to investigate the adhesive’s attributes and the genes that encode trapping structures. Now we have already constructed the Arthrobotrys musiformis Fosmid library which will play a vital resource for specific genes analysis, cloning and characterization in the future. We have chosen two genes encoding protease and superoxide dismutase from Arthrobotrys musiformis, respectively, and will be used as probes to screen the Fosmid library. The relevent clone(s) will be subject to restrictive enzyme disection, Southern blotting or even whole Fosmid 40kb DNA fragment sequencing to discover the interesting and paramount genes. 線蟲捕捉菌在線蟲出現時可以產生型態各異的捕捉構造，捕捉或黏著線蟲。它是防治線蟲的另類選擇。本實驗是由生物的分生觀點切入，希望能夠了解線蟲捕捉菌Arthroborys musiformis於捕捉網表面之黏液生化特性以及控制產生捕捉構造的基因。目前已完成建 Arthrobotrys musiformis之Fosmid library，並且選擇兩組探針：蛋白質?(protease)以及超歧氧化?(superoxide dismutase)，將以PCR進行基因探針之DIG標定，之後篩檢Fosmid library，選殖出相關clone，進行限制?切割，南方氏雜合特性分析或40kbDNA全序列分析，尋找相關基因以利下游實驗工作之進行。