BMI: BODY MASS INDEX or BELGIUM MATHEMATICIAN'S INVENTION？
Purpose Although Body Mass Index (BMI) is accepted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as the standard method of measuring a person’s obesity or lack thereof, it is restriction to the two measurements of height and weight. This makes its accuracy questionable. By using other easily obtainable body measurements, a better way of evaluating Body Mass Index is possible. The purpose of this project was to show that the BMI formula is only accurate to a certain degree and that its validity varies depending on certain factors used in my project. Procedure 50 Adolescent female aged 16-20 and 50 women aged 40-56 none of whom were noticeably obese or underweight volunteered. Using a simple questionnaire, several measurements were taken – age in months, caliper measurement of tricep and hip bone, shoe size, height in metres, hip waist and wrist measurements (cm), exercise per week, heart rate and body type. Results were tabulated and graphs drawn using EXCEL. BAI (Body Adiposity Index) measurements were calculated for all volunteers. Results The girls and women with pear and hourglass figures were classified by BMI as overweight or obese. The girls and women who exercised a lot were also unfairly classified by their BMI readings. Many of the graphs show that BMI is not accurate, however, others show that there is merit to the formula. Conclusions The results while interesting require a larger sample group to be conclusive. It would appear that the BMI formula needs to be extended in order to improve its accuracy. Further research includes: 1. Larger sample group, 2. Representative age groups, 3. Investigate males, 4. Look at data for different ethnic groups, 5. Research into BAI formula as a possible substitute, 6. Develop an improvement on BMI. Although, there is some merit to BMI formula, it could be greatly improved with the use of other measurements including those used in this project.
臭氧濃度與天氣因子
本實驗的觀測乃著重於觀測各定點之臭氧濃度與該地天氣因子；如溫度、相對溼度、氣壓、雲量、風速、日照強度等與之比較並控制所有可能的變因，來推測一地空氣污染的程度，並從中思考影響一地臭氧濃度變化的要素。 利用自製的熊本試紙來測量在對流層中臭氧的濃度，進而來推論出我們所設的測站附近的空氣污染程度。 由實驗了解臭氧濃度和其他天氣因子如溫度、相對溼度、風向、風速、日照強度、紫外線強度、工廠作息或交通流量等因素有著很微妙的關係。 最後，我們歸納出在做此實驗時所遇到的相關問題與解決方法。 This experimentation is about the ozone of troposphere. We try to find out how the weather elements affect the ozone consistency (for example: air temperature, relative humidity, air pressure, cloudage, wind speed, solar insolation), and to discover the relation between the ozone consistency and the air pollution. We use the test paper which is made by ourselves to measure the ozone consistency of troposphere, so that we con use the date to infer the air pollution level at the area where we conduct our tests. According to our experiment, we find out the ozone consistency and other weather elements (ex: air temperature, relative humidity, air pressure, cloudage, wind speed, solar insolation or traffic), have some delicate relations with each other. Finally, we conclude all the relative problems we face in this experiment and their solutions.
竹筍老化之謎
本研究是在探討收割後的綠竹筍(Bambusa oldhamii, green bamboo)的老化(aging)現象。一般人說的竹筍老了，通常是指竹筍的質地變硬，口感變差，此即是竹筍硬化的現象，而硬化的主因可能是竹筍受到逆境 (stress) 的刺激後，影響了基因表現的形態，導致纖維素和木質素的增加。竹筍採收後以不同方式處理，觀察切面的變化後發現，以0.2 M蔗糖水浸泡48小時後的竹筍，其切面比浸泡於水中或置於空氣中的竹筍切面較白，筍尖較綠且沒有枯萎的情況。不管是浸泡糖水、水或置於空氣中，都無法防止竹筍的硬化，但浸水和糖水可延緩竹筍硬化的情形，可見要防止竹筍老化，基本上要從抑制合成纖維素與木質素的酵素來著手。抽取竹筍切面處組織中的DNA並以DNA電泳分析之後發現，竹筍的DNA有被降解成小片段的現象，其大小差不多是180 bp的倍數，可見竹筍遇到逆境時也可能會有類似PCD (programmed cell death, 細胞程序性死亡) 的現象。抽取不同處理竹筍的蛋白質進行2D電泳，比較電泳結果發現，三種處理的竹筍的共同點在於減少的蛋白質幾乎都分布在等電點較低的部分。增加的蛋白質大多數分布在等電點較高的區域，這些增加的蛋白質可能和竹筍老現象與PCD有關。本研究還有兩個方向可以繼續延伸研究，第一個是將2D電泳上有明顯差異的蛋白質色點挖出，進行蛋白質定序，再從資料庫中比對，推測可能是何種蛋白質。第二個是研究抑制竹筍合成纖維素和木質素的?的方法，保持竹筍的口感，使竹筍能成為一種能外銷的食品。 The purpose of this study is to investigate and analyze the aging of the harvested green bamboo shoots. The research focused on how to prevent the aging of bamboo shoots and why green bamboo shoots become aging. The term “aging” means that the taste of bamboo shoots becomes hardness post harvest. At first, we tried to find out an anti-aging method, which is not only to keep the green bamboo shoots fresh, but also delicious. The method was to soak bamboo shoots in 0.2 M sucrose, in the water or without any treatment. After 48 hours, the cutting surfaces of bamboo shoots treated with sucrose were whiter, and their outer sheaths were greener than those of shoots soaked in the water or without treatment. The results showed that none of them can stop hardness. But the aging of sucrose- or water-treated shoots was retarded. The results suggest that inhibition of the enzyme activities involving cellulose and lignin synthesis may be required to prevent the aging of bamboo shoot post harvest. To get insight into the reason why bamboo shoots become hardness, the differences of protein patterns and DNA patterns between aging and fresh green bamboo shoots were analyzed and compared. The DNA from the bamboo tissues near cutting surface was isolated and analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis. The results showed that DNA from shoots was partially degraded. The fragments appear as a ladder of DNA with sizes in multiples of approximately 180 bp. The presence of the olignucleosome-size DNA fragments suggest that the cells may undergo programmed cell death (PCD). The degradation of DNA was not observed in shoots treated with sucrose. By comparing the results of 2-D gel electrophoresis, it was found that some proteins with low pI values decreased or disappeared post harvest, while proteins with increased levels were detected in the high pI area. These changes in these proteins may result in the aging of the bamboo shoots. Prevention of the aging of green bamboo shoots is not easy. However, I found out from this study that soaking the bamboo shoots in the 0.2 M sucrose was a possible way to preserve them. The cutting surface of sucrose-treated shoots remained white, and the sheaths of the shoots was greener than those treated with other methods. Moreover, the degradation of DNA was not observed. However, it still cannot completely stop the aging of bamboo shoots. Reducing the enzyme activities involving cellulose and lignin synthesis may be a direct way to prevent the aging of bamboo shoots. It seems like there are many things to discover in the future.
The Titanium Dioxide Toilet Disinfectant
This project aims to improve the quality of toilet hygiene. The product designed should fulfill the requirements of being an environmentally friendly, user friendly and economical toilet seat system which guarantees the safety and hygiene of the toilet. This project also aims to discover the efficiency of the toilet seat system in eliminating pathogens through conducting various experiments.\r In this project, the photocatalytic property of titanium dioxide is applied. When titanium dioxide is under exposure to ultraviolet radiation, they generate free radicals, which are efficient oxidizers of organic substances. Also, research has shown that the safest ultraviolet light used will be UVA. Thus, by using titanium dioxide paint under exposure to ultraviolet light to oxidize pathogens and toxins, the aims will be achieved. Other than that, experiments will be conducted to explore the efficiency of titanium dioxide under exposure to UV radiation in eliminating pathogens by counting the number of bacteria on the toilet seat system after different time intervals the seat system has been turned on.\r The procedure of constructing the product includes drafting the product, purchasing the appropriate apparatus and materials, constructing the prototype, and checking if the product fits the goals set. Lastly, improving the design based on the flaws found during the checking procedure, as well as checking the product to see if it fits the original goals set.\r The procedure of the experiments aimed to explore the efficiency of titanium dioxide under exposure to UV radiation in eliminating pathogens conducted includes\r counting the number of bacteria on the toilet seat system after different time intervals by inoculation of bacteria on the agar plates.\r Test results showed that the number of bacteria had a steady and notable decline after different time intervals. Results also showed that bacteria would be thoroughly terminated after the system had been turned on for at most one hour. The information was then used to set the delay timer to restrict the amount of time the ultraviolet lamp was turned on to save energy.\r Moreover, the toilet seat system has also been improved so that it will complete the automatic cleaning procedure even without the user lowering the toilet seat. This improvement was made so that the product could be more convenient to toilet users.\r The system also deodorizes the toilet as the oxidization of bacteria and organic substances reduces the putrid odor released by them when they carry out chemical reactions.\r In conclusion, the project succeeds in accomplishing the goals set and is capable of improving the quality of toilet hygiene, especially in common households. The project is also successful in finding out that the toilet seat system is efficient in eliminating pathogens.
摺紙數列-相關問題探討
1. 遊戲規則：將1～ 2m × 2n的連續正整數，由上而下、由左而右依序填入 2m × 2n的方格內。操作規則允許將2m × 2n做往右或往左或往上或往下的完全對摺，直到操作至所有單位方格均疊成一行，此同時有數字也由上而下形成一數列。2. 本研究即是探討操作完成的數列之數量與數字間的關連性。3. 我們發現：(1) 數列之數量與巴斯卡三角形有關。(2) 形成的數列必符合內文的 [ R(L) 性質]、 [ D(U) 性質]、[ R&D 性質]、[D&R 性質]。
1. Rules of thegame: Fill in order the continuous positive integers 1~ 2m × 2n, from top to bottom and from left to right in the 2m × 2n check. The operational rule allows a complete fold of 2m × 2n either rightward or leftward, or upward or downward, until all the check units pile up in a line. At the same time, all the integers form a series from top to bottom. 2. This study explores the relationship between the number of the series and the integers after the operation. 3. Our findings are: (1) The number of the series is related to Pascal triangles. (2) The series formed meet the properties mentioned in the study: [the property of R(L)], [the property of D(U)], [the property of R & D], and [the property of D & R].
殊途同歸-格子點平面最短路徑和之探討
本研究從理想城鎮(Ideal City)街道開始，討論平面上相異n 點到某一點的最短距離和。經研究後發現：當n 為偶數時，則到相異n 點的最短距離和所形成的區域可能是一個點、一個線段或是一個矩形；當n 為奇數時，則相異n 點的最短距離和所形成的區域將會退化成一個點。此外，本研究將理想城鎮的街道換成正三角形的街道幾何平面，同樣是討論平面上相異n 點到某一點的最短距離和。經研究後發現：當n 為偶數時，則相異n 點的最短距離和所形成的區域可能為一個點、一個線段、一個四邊形、一個五邊形及一個六邊形；當n 為奇數時，相異n 點的最短距離和所形成的區域則可能為點、三角形的情況。假使考量各點重要性的比重，分別加權後再求最小點。研究發現無論在理想城鎮或正三角形幾何平面上，皆可將各點視為多個權數相同之點重疊於此點上，便可利用先前的方式求得最小點區域。透過這次的研究，可以利用n 個相異點到某一點的最短距離和實際應用在貨物運送的問題或是消防設施配置等問題。The present study was intended to start with the Ideal City and proceed to discuss the sum of the shortest distance between a point and n different points on a plane. After the discussion, it was found that if n is even, the formed region could be a point, a line segment, or a rectangle. If n is odd, then the formed region must be a mere point. Further, the current study transformed the Ideal City into the geometric plane of an equilateral triangle. Similar to the previous discussion, if n is even, the formed region could be a point, a line segment, a quadrangle, a pentagon, or a hexagon. On the other hand, if n is odd, then the formed region could be a point, or a triangle. The result of this study, which investigated the sum of the shortest distance of a certain point to n different points can be applied to the real life situation, such as transporting goods or distributing fire control facilities.