橡實代謝物與飛鼠小腸內生菌共發酵產物之應用
This study primarily investigates the components of food residues in the stomach of flying squirrels and the metabolism of the intestinal bacteria Floricoccus tropicus. Using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) hydrogen spectrum analysis, the signals of long-chain fatty acids were detected in both n-hexane and 75% ethanol extracts of flying squirrel gastric residues and acorns, suggesting that acorns may be a primary food source for the flying squirrels. The study also identified Floricoccus tropicus, one of the lactic acid bacteria, from the intestines of flying squirrels and discovered its role in the metabolism of fatty acids in acorns. Results showed that polyunsaturated fatty acids significantly decreased during fermentation, indicating that they were converted into short-chain fatty acids with anti-inflammatory properties. In the antibacterial activity experiments, the acorn grease showed no inhibitory effects before fermentation, but after fermentation, the acorn grease exhibited inhibitory effects against E. coli. Furthermore, in anti-inflammatory tests, fermented acorn grease samples significantly suppressed the production of NO and TNF-α in LPSinduced RAW 264.7 cells, with greater inhibition at higher concentrations. In conclusion, the lactic acid bacteria Floricoccus tropicus was found to metabolize fatty acids of acorns into compounds with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.
Investigating the Effects of Temperature and Carbon Dioxide Levels on Nannochloropsis oceanica Using a Hemocytometer Counting Method
Climate changes that include ocean acidification and global warming are serious problems in the ecosystem, affecting marine phytoplankton, including Nannochloropsis oceanica. In the effort to further explore the impact of rising temperature and carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations on oceanic ecosystems, the phytoplankton Nannochloropsis oceanica was used as a model organism. This study explored the effect of temperature change and CO₂ concentration on the growth of Nannochloropsis oceanica, achieving 243 samples that were tested with three different temperatures (24 degrees Celsius (°C), 28°C, 32°C) and CO₂ concentrations (0 milliliter (ml)/min, 0.4 ml/min, 0.6 ml/min), utilizing a hemocytometer counting method. Results indicate that the CO₂ concentration has a significant effect on the population of Nannochloropsis oceanica. But the temperature doesn't affect a lot. The Nannochloropsis oceanica in the lowest temperature and highest concentration of CO₂ in its environment had the highest population growth, and in the highest temperature and lowest concentration of CO₂, it had the lowest population growth. Results show the serious negative effect of climate change on the cosystem and the importance of environmental protection. Population blooms due to excess CO₂ taking up ocean resources causing dangerous ecological imbalances.
Resolving the Phosphate Fertilizer Dilemma through Progressive Wastewater Treatment
The study aimed to resolve global phosphate scarcity by developing a cost-effective method for phosphorus recovery from industrial wastewater. In existing wastewater treatment, oxidizing phosphite ions (PHO32-) posed a significant challenge. However, our research aimed to develop an effective method for this oxidation process, crucial for phosphorus recovery in industrial wastewater treatment. By utilizing low-cost iron compounds and innovative catalysts, such as iodine obtained from seawater and copper, we achieved remarkable success. Our method demonstrated the ability to oxidize over 80% of PHO32- into phosphate ions (PO43-) within 120 minutes, overcoming the limitations of existing costly methods involving palladium catalysts or high-voltage conditioned ozone (O3). Moreover, the process exhibited profitability, with a gross profit of $1.84 per kilogram of phosphorus, presenting a drastic reduction in cost compared to conventional methods using palladium catalysts. This breakthrough not only offers sustainable wastewater purification but also promises a pathway for resource recovery. Additionally, our future prospects involve refining this method into a device capable of purifying industrial wastewater and recovering phosphorus, emphasizing sustainability and reduced power consumption through innovative techniques like using iron and carbon plates forming a battery. This novel technology represents a sustainable solution utilizing abundant resources such as iodine from seawater, iron, and calcium, paving the way for sustainable phosphorus resource recovery.
橡實代謝物與飛鼠小腸內生菌共發酵產物之應用
This study primarily investigates the components of food residues in the stomach of flying squirrels and the metabolism of the intestinal bacteria Floricoccus tropicus. Using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) hydrogen spectrum analysis, the signals of long-chain fatty acids were detected in both n-hexane and 75% ethanol extracts of flying squirrel gastric residues and acorns, suggesting that acorns may be a primary food source for the flying squirrels. The study also identified Floricoccus tropicus, one of the lactic acid bacteria, from the intestines of flying squirrels and discovered its role in the metabolism of fatty acids in acorns. Results showed that polyunsaturated fatty acids significantly decreased during fermentation, indicating that they were converted into short-chain fatty acids with anti-inflammatory properties. In the antibacterial activity experiments, the acorn grease showed no inhibitory effects before fermentation, but after fermentation, the acorn grease exhibited inhibitory effects against E. coli. Furthermore, in anti-inflammatory tests, fermented acorn grease samples significantly suppressed the production of NO and TNF-α in LPSinduced RAW 264.7 cells, with greater inhibition at higher concentrations. In conclusion, the lactic acid bacteria Floricoccus tropicus was found to metabolize fatty acids of acorns into compounds with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.
Vitas: Digital Therapy Based on a Combination of Binaural Beats and Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) to Reduce Stress in Gen Z Students
Vitas is a combination of binaural beats (BB) with background white noise (ASMR) as accompanying music without reducing the quality of brain stimulation and is able to stimulate the left and right brain while synchronizing brain waves so that it can be used as a media for coping with stress for Gen Z students. To find out the effect Vitas in reducing stress levels, research was conducted on high school students belonging to Gen Z. This research aims to measure the stress index of students belonging to Gen Z, then find the effect of the combination of binaural beats (BB) and ASMR on students'stress levels, and finding the best audio combination to reduce stress levels as a coping mechanism. This research uses a quantitative approach with a quasi-experimental design using a one group pre-test-post-test design scheme. The sample in this study consisted of 105 students who were divided into seven treatment groups to listen to a combination of BB and ASMR with different bandwidths. Stress levels were measured using the DASS 42 stress section questionnaire which has been tested for reliability and validity. The results of the student stress index were 16.26 in the mild stress category. There was a significant difference between the negative group, the alpha + ASMR group and the positive group with a T-Paired test result of less than 0.05. Based on the results of the Post Hoc LSD test, it was found that the combination of binaural beats alpha (12hz) + ASMR was the best combination for reducing stress in students.These findings were developed into a digital therapy application product called "Vitas" as an alternative media for coping with stress for Gen Z.
Strict Inequalities for the n-crossing Inequality
In2013,Adamsintroducedthen-crossingnumberofaknotK,denoted by cn(K).Inequalities between the 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-crossing numbers have been previously established.We prove c9(K)≤c3(K)−2 for all knots Kthat are not the trivial, trefoil, or figure-eightknot.Weshowthisinequalityisoptimalandobtainpreviouslyunknownvalues for c9(K).