一等獎

本研究建立蟑螂(Periplaneta Americana)之包囊作用(encapsulation)的觀察與測量方法，探討二氧化碳麻醉、植入物表面蛋白分子結構、可逆性與性別等因子，對免疫反應程度的效應，並研究敵我辨識與免疫的記憶性等特性。我們發現當異體的觸角被植入時，蟑螂體內所產生的包囊作用較自體觸角強烈，顯示具有辨識敵我的能力，且不同的生物性與非生物性植入物，所引發之包囊作用的反應程度亦不同。若分別先植入少量自體或異體組織，三日後再比較自體與異體觸角所引發的包囊作用程度，發現自體與異體組織的記憶效應不盡相同，我們證實蟑螂不但具免疫記憶性，且記憶性質具有促進性與抑制性兩種。另外我們也發現，雌蟲的免疫反應會大於雄蟲。

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.

阿拉伯芥中，生物時鐘 (circadian clock) 會產生 24 小時之概日韻律 (circadian rhythm) 使植物適應環境中的溫度與光線變化。在阿拉伯芥中目前已經發現 LIGHT-REGULATED WD1 (LWD1) 和 LWD2 基因和調控生物時鐘有關，使其維持正常的一天 24 小時週期。當 LWD1 與LWD2 基因產生突變時，植物的生物時鐘週期會由一天24小時變為一天只有18小時。之前研究結果顯示 LWD1/2 會在維管束大量表現，由於目前對於維管束生物時鐘之運轉機制所知甚少，因此我們希望能進一步研究 LWD1/2 與維管束生物時鐘間的關係。 為了解 LWD1/2 在維管束中表現是否與其功能相關，我們將此兩種基因接上只會在維管束或葉肉細胞中表現的啟動子，轉殖入 lwd1 lwd2 雙突變株中進行互補試驗 (complementation test)；藉由觀察生物時鐘週期是否從 18 小時恢復為 24 小時，以了解這兩個基因的作用位置及功能。由實驗結果來看，我們發現不論是單獨在維管束或是葉肉細胞中表現 LWD1 或 LWD2 基因，皆會影響到阿拉伯芥的生物時鐘，整棵植株表現出的綜合週期，介於野生型 24 小時與 lwd1 lwd2 雙突變株 18 小時之間。這個結果顯示，不同組織之間的生物時鐘可能不會互相影響；而 LWD1/2 雖於維管束中有較高的表現量，但仍需要在葉肉細胞表現才能具備完整功能。

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.

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。

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.

This project aims to explore the potential of inexpensive in-situ deposition of niobium nitride nanowires to improve electrical conductivity. Transition metal nitrides are well known for attributes such as superconductivity, high melting point, simple structure as well as excellent electrical and thermal conductivities. In particular, niobium nitride possesses exceptional hardness and high reflectivity, as well as being a stable field emitter, making it well suited to applications as a cold cathode material. Niobium nitrides are formed by the uptake of nitrogen by niobium. This is achieved by the exothermic formation of an interstitial solid solution of nitrogen atoms in the bcc lattice of the niobium. Existing research has established the possibility of preparing niobium nitride by heating niobium in nitrogen or ammonia over a range of temperatures, by heating niobium pentaoxide and carbon in the presence of nitrogen as well as by chemical vapor deposition of other niobium compounds, nitrogen or hydrogen. For the purpose of this study, a two-step process was used for synthesis. The benefits of a two-step process over direct ammonolysis are apparent, from the greater degree of freedom pertaining to parameter determination. Additionally, characterization of niobium pentaoxide nanowires synthesize under similar conditions is also made possible by terminating the reaction earlier. NbN nanowires were synthesized by annealing niobium pentaoxide nanowires at 850 oC for 2 hours. Subsequent characterization was done using Raman Spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The presence of NbN nanowires via the conversion of Nb2O5 was ascertained by the absence of sharp peaks at 1000 cm-1 for Raman Spectroscopy and XRD plots. Field emission (FE) properties and electrical properties of NbN nanowires were then measured. NbN nanowires were found to have a high turn-on voltage, stable and relatively good field emission characteristics, demonstrating its potential as a cold cathode material. No current saturation was observed for an applied electric field of 0 to 6.0 V/ μm (5). This suggests a low degree of contact resistance for nanowires produced by this method of annealing, since the passage of electrons is not obstructed. Hence there will only be a small voltage drop between the SiO2 substrate and NbN nanowires. Samples containing NbN nanowires were dislodged by ultrasound to form an aqueous suspension of nanowires. A drop of suspension was dripped onto gold-finger substrates, and current-voltage (I-V) measurements of resultant nanowire bridges were taken. NbN nanowire bridges display Ohmic properties, in comparison with Nb2O5 nanowires that are semiconducting. Nanowire bridges obtained by heat-drying were denser and had better electrical properties than those obtained by evaporation to dryness. NbN nanowire bridges display Ohmic properties, in comparison with Nb2O5 nanowires that are semiconducting. Further work would include varying the cooling processes to observe any changes or deformation. Additionally, niobium nitride nanowires can be hybridized with carbon nanotubes (CNTs). A more in-depth comparison between niobium oxide and niobium nitride nanowires is also proposed, along with exploration of the nitrification of other transition metals.