Effect of Certain Plant Extracts on Fruit Set and The Prevention of Jatropha curcas Linn’s Insect Pests
The objectives of this study were to investigate (1) the floral biology of Jatropha curcas Linn. as well as its possible pollinators, (2) the correlation between the number of pollen on stigma and the frequency of floral visitors, (3) the attractiveness of essential oil extracts from three species of Lamiaceae, i.e. Hyptis suaveolens, Plectranthus ambonicus and Orthosiphon aristatus, to Apis florae, (4) the repellent effect of crude extracts from three species of Graminae, i.e. Imperata cylindrica, Eleusine indica and Dactyloctenium aegyptium, on Polyphagotarsonemus latus, and (5) the effect of appropriate combination between lamiacean essential oil and graminaceous crude extract on the percentage of fruit setting and insect pest protection. \r Jatropha curcas is monoecious plants with tiny male and female flowers borne on the same paniculate cyme. One plant produces 15-30 inflorescence. Each inflorescence composes of 70-120 florets, and only 4-8 florets are successfully setting fruits. Each flower takes approximately 17 days in developing from floral bud till floral opening. The appropriate time for pollination is from 09.00 am to 10.00 am. While bees, wasps, hornets, flies and dragonflies are its potential pollinators, mites, aphids and worms are its harmful insect pests. \r Three volumetric, 1, 3, 6 and 9 ml, of each essential oil extracts were separately sprayed on each observed inflorescence. According to the experiment, 6 and 9 ml of each of the essential oil extracts give similar effective outcome, However, The H. suaveolens extract at 6 ml is the most effective attractant for A. florae. because it uses less of the oil extracts.\r Four concentrations, 0.1 %, 0.5 %, 1.0 %, 1.5 % and 2.0 % of each of the crude extracts from three graminaceous plants were sprayed on each tested plants separately. Concentations above 1.0% consistently provided an effective biocidal activity against Imperata cylindrica , however 1.0% is accecptable. because it uses a reduced level of the crude extracts\r The combination of H. suaveolens’s essential oil and I. cylindrica crude extract both significantly enhanced fruit setting of J. curcas and protected the plant from Polyphagotarsonemus latus without adverse effect on its pollinators.
酒杯發出之音符
When you draw a wet finger around the edge of a half filled wine glass, a sweet musical sound comes forth. The pitch of this sound is directly correlated to the amount of liquid in the glass- the higher the height of the liquid is, the lower the frequency is. It means that the shorter the air column in the glass is, the lower the frequency is. This phenomenon differs from the variance in pitch in a wind instrument. In a wind instrument such as a flute, the shorter the air column in its chamber is, the higher the resulting pitches are. In order to study the wine glass phenomenon, we used a piezoelectric crystal loudspeaker connected to an oscilloscope. We recorded the resulting data by using a digital video recorder to capture the images of the waveform of sound, and than analyzed the waveform by using the computer. Our conclusions are as follows: 1. The frequency of sound thus produced was the same whether we draw our finger around the rim, or we strike the glass rim. The higher the height of the liquid is, the lower the frequency is. But the frequencies vary when we strike the glass and when we blow on the edge. 2. When we used a glass without liquid in it, the frequency emitted when we drew our finger around the edge, this frequency varied inversely as the cube root of their weights. 3. In a glass with liquid, the emitted frequency did not have any correlation to the weight of the contents. By taking two identically filled glasses and placing in each a solid object of the same size but different weight, we were able to see that there was no change in the frequency emitted between the two glasses as long as the height of the liquid remained constant. 4. According to “The Flying Circus of Physics”, if we tap the side of a glass of beer, because of the air bubbles in the beer, the frequency emitted will be lower than that from a glass of pure water. This is according to the book, because the speed of sound is lower in air than in water, therefore the speed of sound in an air-water mixture would be lower than in pure water. The resonant frequencies of the mixture will also be lower. However, in our experiment, we discovered that\r when the glass contained air bubbles, the frequency emitted higher. Our explanation is that the sound emitted since the rim of the glass oscillated transversely, the frequency depends only on the retard of the rim and that the frequency is independent of the speed of sound. The intention of this research is to clarify the many misconceptions of this interesting phenomenon.以溼的手指在玻璃酒杯邊緣摩擦，會有悅耳的聲音，而且頻率會隨著內裝液體減少（空氣柱變長）而變高，這種變化與管樂器隨空氣柱的變長而音調變低不同，為了研究它的原因，我們利用壓電晶片喇叭連接到示波器上，並且利用數位錄影機錄下示波器上的訊號，再以電腦分析出瞬間的頻率，結果發現：一、摩玻璃杯與敲玻璃杯，杯所發出之頻率相同，都是所裝液體愈多發出之頻率愈低。但敲玻璃管與吹玻璃管所發出之頻率不同。二、不裝液體之高腳杯，摩擦時所發出之頻率與重量之立方根成反比。（與鐘相同）\r 三、裝液體之高腳杯發出之頻率，不再與總重量有關，而是與液體之高度有關，保持液體高度不變，即使在杯子中央加入不同重量之固體，杯子振動頻率還是不變。若改裝不同密度之液體，則密度愈大頻率愈低。四、在“The Flying Circus of Physics”書中提到輕敲裝有啤酒之杯時，會因杯中含有氣泡而聽到較低之音調，書中解釋是”空氣中之音速低於水中之音速，混有空氣之水中音速變低，其共振頻率也會降低。”但我們的實驗結果是有氣泡時頻率反而高。我們的解釋是杯子所發出之聲音是由於杯面之振動也就是杯壁的橫向振盪，振盪頻率與液體對杯壁之阻尼有關，但與液中聲速無關，密度愈大之液體阻尼愈大。有氣泡時接觸杯壁之液體變少，阻尼較少所以頻率高。希望本研究能使大多數人對這有趣之現象不再有誤解。
Recovering bioethanol from fruit wastes
1. Purpose of the research: Recovering bioethanol from fruit wastes by using brewing yeast and enzyme Viscozyme L\r 2. Procedures: Four different experiments were conducted in our project.\r Experiment-1: Samples in RM by the addition of only S.Cerevisia.\r Experiment-2: Samples in RM broth meduim by the addtion of 100 μl/g ViscozymeL and S. Cerevisiae\r Experiment-3 : ViscozymeL with different concentration\r Experiment-4: to determenine whether the enzyme with high concentration inhibited the fermentation.\r Analysis of ethanol: HPLC method was used for the analysis;\r HPLC method: (high performance liquid chromatography)\r 3. Data\r HPLC measured initial and final concentrations of glucose and ethanol by the addtion of S. Cerevisiae.\r Initial glucose concentration and final ethanol concentration was the highest in Grape pulp 12 and 9 g/L respectively. Despite the glucose concentration was the lowest, the ethanol concentration was quite high (7 g/L) in the mixture with orange. The lowest ethanol was produced in the mixture with pomegranate.\r Concentrations of ethanol and glucose from the samples in RM broth meduim by the addtion of 100 μl/g ViscozymeL and S. Cerevisiae\r After the 24 hour incubation by the addition of enzyme glucose concentration incresed by 1, 4 and 2 respectively in sample 1, 2 and 3. The ethanol concentrations in comparison to first experiment were higher especially in the sample1 (grape pulp).\r Effect of ViscozymeL with different concentration on glucose production.\r The glucose concentration generally increased by the addition of 200 micro L of enzyme as the time proceeded. In grape pulp sample glucose concentartion didnt increased by the addition of 500 micro L enzyme.\r The remaning glucose and produced ethanol concentrations by the addition of viscozyme L with two different concentartion and S. Cerevisiae\r As the concentartion of enzyme added incresed the amout of ethanol also inreased in sample 2 and 3 but in the sample 3 the fermentation was inhibited.\r 4. Conclusions\r In this study sugars in fruit wastes that are regularly not recylecled were fermented successfully into ethanol by using S. Cerevisiae.\r Generally we get more ethanol from the samples when the enzyme was used. As the graph5 shows the ethanol concentration generally increased as the enzyme concentration increased. But especially in the sample1 (mixture with pomegranate) at 200 and 500 micro liter concentrations, ethanol production were 2 and 0 g/L respectively. In the light of this daha we conluded that the enzyme with high concentartion might inhibit the fermentation. When the activity of enzyme was inhibited by keeping the pretreated enzyme in boiling water, the fermentation restarted and recovered more ethanol; 8 and 12 g/L at the enzyme concentration of 200 and 500 microliter respectively.
Bodmas action!
Purpose of the Research:\r 1) To determine whether a poor understanding and inability of Grade 7 and 8 learners to apply the BODMAS principle in mathematics, influences scores obtained in a mathematics test.\r 2) To determine whether scores obtained in the given mathematics test can be improved with a BODMAS learning tool.\r Procedures:\r 1. Get the educators opinion on mathematics in schools. Send a total of 50 questionnaires to four schools.\r 2. Determine what percentage of a mathematical test/examination requires the application of BODMAS\r 3. Do a pre-test at two schools, a total of 370 grade 7 and 8 learners.\r 4. Design a BODMAS learning tool and verify it with three educators.\r 5. Implement the tool at the two schools.\r 6. Do a post-test at the two schools.\r 7. Get all the educators who were at the implementation session to evaluate the session.\r 8. Investigate two other schools, by sending 270 pre-tests to those two schools, to determine whether applying the BODMAS principle correctly is also a problem for learners in those schools.\r 9. Implement the BODMAS learning tool into the intermediate phase syllabus.\r Data:\r 1. Of the 41 educators in the sample, 52% think the standard of maths in their schools is average.\r 2. 38.9% of a grade 8 mathematics examination paper and 46% of grade 8 mathematics tests contains questions that are BODMAS related.\r 3. The learners achieved an overall average of 22.57% in the pre-test\r 4. The educators evaluated the BODMAS learning tool as very good as it is.\r 5. Learners and educators enjoyed the implementation session of the BODMAS learning tool.\r 6. In the post test learners did much better, the overall average increased by 21.00% to 43.57%.\r 7. Educators were positive about the way in which the tool was explained.\r 8. The learners in the other two schools also struggled with applying the BODMAS principle.\r 9. A second pilot study is being done in four primary schools by the Department of Education for the implementation in the Free State mathematics 2013 syllabus. \r Conclusion:\r My hypothesis is supported. \r 1) A poor understanding and inability of Grade 7 and 8 learners to apply the BODMAS principle in mathematics, influenced scores obtained in a mathematics test.\r 2) Scores obtained in the given mathematics test were improved with a BODMAS learning tool.
排印OnLine-PHP 在文字圖形的應用
從小習染之餘，對篆刻藝術的濃厚興趣及對電腦程式之熱愛，萌生將篆刻藝術與電腦 科技結合，於是應用PHP（Professional Home Page）的文字圖形（Text Image）處理功能 將中華文化之篆刻藝術透過網際網路推廣到世界各角落。本研究規劃建置了一個 FreeBSD Server 可完善處理PHP 功能的作業平台、應用PHP 的文字圖形處理功能，編 寫可在線上DIY 設計印章的程式，以及藉由Java Script 的技術在Client 端建立一個人 性化且相容性高之使用者界面網頁，達到提供多語系、多功能、依使用者偏好作調整 印章及輸出分享的功能。為使非漢語系國家能深刻體驗中華篆刻藝術，本研究同時建 立一個超過三萬筆之由英文名音譯中文名的資料庫，提供給使用者切身的服務。 Inspired by the interest of the art of seal engraving and the love for the computer programming beginning from my childhood, I combine the art of seal engraving and computer technology, and apply the Text-Image's function of PHP to promote the seal-engraving art of Chinese culture via the Internet to everywhere around the world. This project constructs a FreeBSD Server to process PHP platform perfectly, applies the Text-Image's function of PHP to write a program for online DIY pattern design, and uses Java Script to establish a human and compatible user-interface web page for clients to provide multi-language, multi-function, and being able to adjust pattern according to the user's preference and output sharing functions. This project also sets up a database of English-Chinese translation of over thirty thousand English terms to help people who are not Chinese to experience the art of seal engraving.
六圓定理
在實驗中學2007 年校內科展，參展作品《三角形中的切圓》的研究中，研究三角形內的切圓時，發現連續切圓的圓心與拋物線的軌跡有關。於是去查資料，在偶然的情況下，翻閱《平面幾何中的小花》時，接觸了「六圓定理」。因為覺得這問題非常有趣，於是便著手證明（見報告內文）。 又發現，當移動六個圓中的起始圓時，總是在某種情況下，六個圓會重合成三個圓。繼續研究其重合的狀況，發現了馬爾法蒂問題（Malfatti's Problem）的一種代數解法。 當我試著推廣六圓定理至多邊形時，發現奇數邊的多邊形似乎也有如六圓定理般圓循環的狀況，於是著手證明，但目前尚未證明成功。而偶數邊的多邊形則無類似的結果。 ;In 2007 National Experimental High School Science Exhibition, one of the exhibit works, "Inscribed Circles in Triangles", shows that the centers of the consecutive inscribed circles has something to do with the parabola's trajectory. To learn more about inscribed circles and parabolas, I referred to literature. By accident, I am faced with the problem on six circles theorem, in the book The Small Flower of Plane Geometry(平面幾何中的小花). Out of my interest in this problem, I tried to prove it. The other results are as follows: With the initial circle of six circles moved, in certain circumstances, the six circles merge into three. Further in studying this coincidence leads to an algebraic method to solve the Malfatti's Problem. Applying six circles theorem to the odd-number-sided polygons exists the same characteristic. It indicates that the inscribed circles will form a cycle. However, it hasn’t been successfully proven. The even-number-sided polygons show no similar results.
黑擬蛺蝶(Junonia iphita iphita)的幼蟲生存策略
黑擬蛺蝶(Junonia iphita iphita)為台灣地區常見的蛺蝶，其幼蟲具有築巢行為，但文獻中對其幼蟲行為的描述極少，因此本實驗探討黑擬蛺蝶幼蟲在野外的族群變化與環境之關係，並研究幼蟲築巢行為，以探討其適應環境的生存策略。首先於室內及恆溫生長箱中飼養幼蟲，以建立其生活史基本資料，並於野外統計各齡期幼蟲在不同植物上的數量變化及築巢行為的差異，以探討不同環境因素對幼蟲築巢之影響。由實驗結果得知，黑擬蛺蝶生活史短，可取食多種爵床科(Acanthaceae)之植物，其寄主植物除文獻所紀錄之台灣馬藍(Strobilanthes formosanus)及賽山藍(Blechum pyramudatum)等外，也取食大安水蓑衣(Hydrophila pogonocalyx)、無花水蓑衣(Hygrophila violacea)、易生木(Hemigraphis repanda)及翠蘆利(Ruellia brittoniana)等。黑擬蛺蝶幼蟲野外族群波動與溫溼度及雨量等環境因子並無直接關係。黑擬蛺蝶一年發生多世代且有世代重疊情形，世代波動與四季律動關係不明顯，顯示黑擬蛺蝶對環境的適應力大。黑擬蛺蝶幼蟲利用築巢以適應環境變化，應是其幼蟲良好的生存策略。且幼蟲在強風及光線強的環境下築巢率增加，降雨時則減少。Junonia iphita iphita belongs to Nymphalidae（Lepidoptera）. They can be found easily in the wilderness of Taiwan. Its larva shows nest-making behavior. However, there is little literature documenting the behaviors of its larva. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to investigate the relationship between the quantities of Junonia iphita iphita’s larvae and its natural habitat, to research its nesting behaviors, and to investigate its survival strategies to adapt to the environment. I started by raising larvae in a growth chamber under a controlled temperature in order to obtain its initial information regarding its life history. In the field, I documented the numbers and the changes of larvae at each stage on different host plants and recorded the differences in its nest-making behavior in order to find out which environment factors influence the nest-making of Junonia iphita iphita’s larvae. These experiments concluded that the life history of larvae is short. The immature intaking habit showed that the larva takes various plants of the Acanthaceae. In addition to the host plants mentioned in the literature, such as Strobilanthes formosanus, and Blechum pyramidatum, Junonia iphita iphita’s larvae also live by Hydrophila pogonocalyx, Hygrophila violacea, Hemigraphis repanda, and Ruelba brittoniana, which were not listed in the literature. Through experiments, I discovered that there is no direct correlation between the population fluctuations of larvae and it’s enviroment including factors such as temperature, humidity or rainfall. Junonia iphita iphita can produce multi-generations in a year accompanying generation overlapping. There is also no obvious correlation between the generation fluctuations and changing seasons, showing that larvae can easily adapt to the environment. Junonia iphita iphita’s larvae adapt themselves to the different environments by nest-making which should be a good survival strategy. Besides, the rate of nest-making increases when larvae are under strong winds and strong lights and decreases when the rain falls.
創新儀器測量光的繞射與干涉之強度分佈
Light diffraction and interference are two of most basic experiments, but they’re the most powerful evident of wave properties of light. Due to the lack of high-quality and fairly accurate equipment, these important experiments are limited to the simple demonstration of the phenomena. Especially, the spatial intensity variations of diffraction and interference patterns are, however, completely not drawn to scale. In order to precisely measure the diffraction and interference patterns intensity, we consult lots of reference, search for suitable materials and reuse waste old and useless laser printers. Finally, overcoming disadvantages of time consumption and poor spatial resolution, we develop two accurate, practical and delicate methods. We use optical power control circuit created on our own to steady the brightness emitting of laser diode. Then the high linear photoelectric detector is stored on XYZ axis micro movement control platform. Next high degree of reflection rotating polygon mirror employing optical lever is collocated with low vibration blushless motor. Thus, a self-scanning intensity pattern plotter is accomplished. At the same time, it overcome difficulties like time wasting and low reliability during doing these kind of optical experiments. In this article these two dependable and worth popularizing measurements of light diffraction and interference is going to be introduced. 光的繞射與干涉實驗是光學中最基本的實驗之一，也是證明光的波動性質之最主要的依據。在一般的高中物理實驗室中受限於器材的等級與精度，只能對光的繞射與干涉做近似定性的實驗，尤其是繞射、干涉圖形上的光能量分佈，完全無法以現有的器材做精準的測量。 在這一年的專題研究中，我們小組針對測量光的繞射、干涉能量分佈為目標，參閱許多相關文獻，四處尋找適用的材料及零件，發揮廢物利用的精神，克服萬難，發展出兩種精巧、實用又準確的測量方法，我們以自行發展的光功率控制電路使雷射二極體的光度穩定，並且以高線性度的光感測元件裝載在自行設計的X.Y.Z微動機台上，同時利用光槓桿原理所構成的高反射度的旋轉六面鏡，配合低震動的無刷馬達，完成了一套能自動掃瞄繞射能量分佈曲線的測試儀，經實際使用相當地穩定可靠，可以快速而精確地獲得大量的實驗數據，比對這些數據不僅能驗證繞射理論，並能更深入地延伸理論的探討。