一等獎

RNA 病毒在複製過程中容易產生錯誤，導致其族群具中有很大的遺傳歧異度，累積的錯誤再加上選汰的壓力造成往後之變異。由於RNA 基因體之病毒變異較大，使得RNA 病毒在單一寄主上具有quasispecies 的特性，提供病毒產生新基因體的機會以適應環境或演化成新病毒。例如流行性感冒病毒與之前造成恐慌的嚴重急性呼吸道症候群病毒(severe acute respiratorysyndrome,SARS)以及禽流感病毒 (avain influenza virus) 皆為RNA 病毒，意味著RNA 病毒知不穩定性，並容易造成一些目前我們無法及時反應的危害。大部分的植物病毒又為RNA 病毒，本研究將以竹嵌紋病毒 ( Bamboo mosaic virus , BaMV )及其衛星核酸 (satellite RNA, satBaMV)為材料，進一步探討核?酸序列之變異對其族群在複製競爭上的影響。

本研究是藉由數學手法探討；如何由一疊 36 張四種花色的撲克牌中，尋找出保證可猜中最多張花色的方法。研究過程是以在適當的猜牌時機，以邏輯推理、二進位、分析與歸納 … … 等數學原理與方法，搭配巧妙的策略運用而達到目的。 猜牌方法：先約定好猜牌規則，助手將 36 張牌背圖樣相同但非對稱的撲克牌，以旋轉牌背的方向傳達訊息。在本研究中得出「經由巧妙的猜牌方法保證可以猜中不少於 26 張花色」，並得出「當總張數趨近於無窮大時，保證可以猜中不少於 81 . 07 ％的牌，並且證出若僅使用獨立的訊息猜牌，無論任何猜牌方法皆無法猜中多於 87 . 37 ％的牌」 · 其中一個猜中多於 80 ％的例子是‘「當總張數等於 23006 張時，保證可以猜中不少於 1 8405 張牌（18405/23006 > 4/5）」 ·The study is mathematically based with reasonable explanations behind it. We are to correctly guess as many cards as possible from a deck of 36 cards, with random numbers and four different suits. We will apply mathematical methods, such as logic inference, binary system, and analytical reduction, upon right timing. Using careful arrangement of the principles and reasoning, we can reach our ultimate goal. To state guessing: Conference between the guesser and the assistant about the guessing rules, the assistant will have 36 cards with the same exact pattern on the back but not symmetrical. The pattern of the cards will be different when rotated 180o. The only communication between the two is by rotating cards. In this study, we can prove that through mathematical method, we can assure 26 or more cards can be correctly guessed. Furthermore, when the total amount of cards is close to infinity, we can assure 81.07% or more of the cards can be correctly guessed, and prove that if the cards are guessed from independent information, no more than 87.37% of the cards will be correctly guessed by any guessing methods. One of the examples, which 80% of the cards are correctly guessed, is that when the amount of the cards is 23006, 18405 or more of the cards can be correctly guessed. （18405/23006 > 4/5）

此項研究是用溶氧計連續偵測培養液中之溶氧量，藉以分析固氮\r 單胞藻RF-1 的光合韻律。實驗的結果清楚地看出RF-1 之光合韻律，\r 而且能夠清晰地觀察到其中光合作用、呼吸作用和固氮作用之間的相\r 互關係。研究中還發現：在不進行光合作用時，RF-1 的固氮作用也\r 會停止；另一方面，在有進行光合作用、但是停止固氮作用的狀況下，\r RF-1 光合作用之韻律現象會喪失。這些實驗結果值得未來更深入地\r 探討。報告中也包括了單胞藻PCC6803 的光合韻律實驗，藉以做為\r 有固氮能力與沒有固氮能力藍綠藻之間的對照。The variation of dissolved oxygen (DO) in the culture of the\r unicellular nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium Synechococcus RF-1\r under diurnal light/dark condition was detected automatically by DO\r meter. The results indicated that the algae exhibited circadian\r photosynthetic rhythm. The results also revealed that a respiration\r rhythm occurred at dark phase when the culture was grown in\r nitrogen-free medium. There was correlation between the rhythm of\r photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation. The nitrogen-fixing activity\r could not be detected if the photosynthesis was stop by cultivated\r under continuous darkness. On the other hand, the rhythm of\r photosynthesis could not persist when the nitrogen-fixing activity\r was inhibited by NaNO3. In order to compare the difference\r between Synechococcus RF-1 and the cyanobacterium, which\r cannot fix nitrogen, the DO pattern of Synechocystis PCC6803 was\r also investigated.

Paralysis is a debilitating disorder that does not currently have safe and effective treatments. Implantable brain electrodes can be used to read brain waves and convert them into a corresponding motor function to restore movement in paralyzed patients. Tissue deformation induced around the implant site is believed to reduce their viability through the foreign body response. Developing electrodes that minimize deformation is challenging because the mechanical aspects of deformation are not fully understood and non-animal tissue models for testing electrodes are unavailable. Development of pre-clinical models for in vitro testing of the mechanical properties of electrodes can lead to a better understanding of this prevalent problem. The objective of this study was to construct a novel contrast-enhanced, brain mimicking hydrogel using photopolymerizable polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymer that contains alginate microspheres with enclosed gadolinium (Gd) contrast agent. 1.5% alginate microspheres were constructed with enclosed Gd-DTPA-BSA contrast agent and successively added into 10% PEG. Then, this mixture was photopolymerized using a 5 mW/cm2UV lamp to result in a successful brain mimicking hydrogel. Rheological testing showed that its elastic modulus was approximately 1.5 kPa, which is similar to that of a normal human brain. The model is valuable because the presence of the contrast agent in the hydrogel resulted in distinct bright spots on the MRI. This can facilitate the visualization of tissue deformation caused by electrode insertion via comparison of pre-insertion and post-insertion images. This brain-mimicking model has the potential to improve understanding of neural deformation from electrode implants in order to assist patients suffering from paralysis.

A novel technology for detection of trace concentration of ions at ppb level was developed. The detection limit of this method can be reached to 1ppb. The Wheatstone bridge usually be used for determination the concentration of metal ion, the major disadvantage of this technique is the precision too low. Atom absorption spectroscopy is better for monitoring trace metal ion, but the cost of instrument is too expensive. In this study, the oscilloscope was used to modify the Wheatstone bridge Circuit. The difference between the voltages of two connection points of Wheatstone bridge was used to estimate the concentration of ions. The amplification system was used in this method to improve the limit to detect ion from 10 ppm to 10ppb. The parameters of measurement including types of probe, match of Wheatstone bridge resistances, parameters of input signal and electrolysis in solution were also being studied. 本研究主要是發展一個富有創新且經濟的ppb ( parts per billion ; 10-9)級，微濃度金屬離子量策技術，目前本實驗設計已可以達到 ppb的偵測極限，尤其本方法不僅能夠應用於定量，尚可做定性偵測。簡易的溶液濃度技術常使用惠司通電橋的方法，但這個方法的缺點在於精確度較低，而另外常用的儀器是原子吸收光譜儀，卻價格高昂。因此，我們回頭對惠司通電橋的技術作改良和創新技術。首先，最重要的新技術是對示波器的改良。示波器被用來量測惠司通電橋的電位，我們比較電橋上兩特定點的電位來判斷濃度，當兩個點的電位相同時代表溶液電阻和控制電阻相同。但當輸入信號的電壓太強時，示波器上並無法判別細微的電位變化，因此造成量測的精度不高。本組設計新的電路用以放大在高強度訊號的波形細微變化，成功將測量極限由 10 ppm推進到 ppb。另外關於此設計中的各種參數，包括探針類型、惠司通電路的電阻匹配、輸入訊號之強度頻率、電極間電容效應及溶液中可能發生的電解效應等，都有精確的探討。最後的設計結果將是創新且有別於以往的設計概念。

The applications of digital image are rapidly growing with the developments in computer technology. This enforces digital image industry to produce devices with better quality. Despite the today’s advanced level of technology, it is known that input and output devices somewhat cause color distortions. International Color Consortium suggests that we can use ICC profile to overcome the problem mentioned above. But the related hardwares and softwares are too expensive for the general users. In this study, we base on the ICC profile’s mechanism to develop a color calibration method for low cost image acquisitions. From the theoretical and experimental results, it can be demonstrated that our method appears satisfactory.數位影像的應用隨著電腦資訊科技的快速成長而蓬勃發展，這也促使著數位影像工業的相關產品漸漸地普及與廣泛地使用，時至今日，雖然有著很好的製造技術，但是任何數位影像設備均無法完美無失真地將原有的色彩呈現出來或紀錄下來，或多或少都有色彩偏差的存在，尤其在價格越低廉的設備上更為明顯。雖然可以依據國際色彩協會的建議，使用每項設備的專屬色彩描述檔來克服色差的缺點，但是用來產生色彩描述檔的相關軟硬體均價格昂貴，實非一般使用者所能承受的負擔，本篇研究以色彩描述檔的色彩轉換機制為基礎，發展出針對廉價取像設備的色彩校正程序，無論從理論數據上的探討以及實際影像上的測試看來，我們的校正方法確實有效，讓原有的色彩能精準地重現。

This paper describes the investigation of a fascinating physical phenomenon called the “floating water bridge”. Despite the fact that water is undoubtedly the most important chemical substance on earth, it is practically ubiquitous and it still represents one of the best explored substances, still not all characteristics are well-understood. There are some phenomena like the “floating water bridge”, which cannot be explained. If high voltage is applied to two beakers, which are arranged close to each other and which are filled with deionized water, a connection forms spontaneously, giving the impression of a floating water bridge. For the experiment discussed in this paper, two beakers with a diameter of 50 mm and a height of 80 mm are filled with triply deionized water. Platinum electrodes are submerged in the center of the beakers, one set to ground potential (anode), the other one on high voltage, up to 25 kV dc. Within the scope of this work, an experimental setup was developed, which enables measuring and demonstrating the most important parameters like voltage, current, length and temperature of the water bridge as well as the mass transfer between the beakers. In addition the correlation between the different parameters and the influence on the water bridge could be estimated. Once the beakers are separated, the bridge remains stable for several hours up to a length of 2.5 cm. With platinum electrodes and no electrolysis observed, a small current (≈300µA), a mass flow from anode to cathode and forces were measured. Pictures, taken with an infrared camera and a new developed method to record "infrared-videos", enabled to visualize the heat flow in the water bridge. Furthermore the conversion of energy and the dependence of charge and mass transfer could be estimated roughly. In the course of the investigations it was also tried to prove the water bridge with other liquids like castor oil, olive oil, a mixture of glycol and water as well as tap water - for some of them for the first time. Supplementary the experimental setup was varied by using different electrodes with different sizes and different material as well as beakers of different sizes and materials. In addition, a qualitative explanation was developed. The results of this work enable a better understanding of the floating water bridge and provide a basis for further research as well as for development of future practical applications. One of these applications could be an improved waste water treatment process.

本研究主要針對棕色扁琉璃蟻的生殖型蟻以及其生殖行為進行探討。在生殖季節中，處女蟻后出現的比例明顯高於有翅型雄蟻。而蟻后的死亡率高，且其所產下的卵有27%為畸型卵，具有生殖衰退(reproductive decline)的現象。此外，部分棕色扁琉璃蟻聚落中，蟻后會被工蟻逐出巢外並進行搬運屍體、搬運廢棄物及覓食等職蟻的行為。 有別於大多數的蟻種，棕色扁琉璃蟻存在著工蟻型雄蟻(Ergatoid male)和具有生殖能力的工蟻。工蟻型雄蟻的外型與氣味皆與一般工蟻相似，羽化後即具有生殖能力，可與聚落中多隻生殖型工蟻行多次交配(multiple mating)；而可生殖的工蟻又包含三種中間階級(intercaste)，於體長、複眼數目、胸線皆有所差異，微卵管數目則可依階級分為4至6條、12至14條、18至22條三種範圍。 棕色扁琉璃蟻的繁衍方式是多樣且複雜的：聚落中主要由生殖型工蟻進行有性生殖及孤雌產雌，繁殖出蟻后、工蟻和二種型態的雄蟻。而蟻后則可與有翅型雄蟻交配，但只產出一般工蟻及生殖型工蟻。 本研究首次提出了棕色扁琉璃蟻具有工蟻型雄蟻，而對這種具有複雜生殖方式的社會結構之探討，也為聚落發展的方式提供了一個新的研究方向