Development of a bio-monitoring system using behavioral pattern recognition of the medaka(Oryzias la
Water pollution is a severe problem for human beings. Sewage and hot water\r coming from homes and factories have changed the environment for aquatic\r animals. To manage a polluted environment, an accurately designed monitoring\r system is needed that will detect signs of toxic material or increase in temperature as\r fast as possible. A new and more accurate bio-monitoring system, which involves\r actual creatures, needs to be developed to save the aquatic environment from\r pollution.\r This experiment focused on discovering a new way to monitor aquatic\r creatures by observing the behavioral patterns of the medaka and observing how\r they changed when exposed to external stress, especially an increase in temperature\r or exposure to insecticide. The behavioral patterns of the medaka were observed and\r measured by a tracking program called the Movement Viewer. In the transition\r period, that is, when the temperature was raised from 25°C to 35°C, the total moving\r distance of the medaka suddenly increased compared to that in 25°C. When the\r medaka was in a temperature of 35°C, it slowly adapted to the new environment and\r the total moving distance showed a similar value to that in 25°C. For section\r dominance, the medaka showed a sudden increase in the dominance of the top part\r of the tank, meaning that the medaka tended to swim on the surface of the\r experimental aquarium. Again, it slowly adapted when the temperature had\r completely changed to 35°C.
Construction of a Mechanical Prototype of a Microtremor Recorder
Ambient vibration, the movement of the ground caused by transient objects such as the relative to values obtained using the commercial recorder. The natural ambient vibration of a control site was simultaneously obtained using the mechanical prototype and the commercial recorder, which were situated next to each other during the actual recording. Moreover, both sensors were used to record a control stimulus for a constant amount of time. The data obtained from these subparts were processed using WinWaveShot which quantified and presented ambient vibration as waves. The deviations of the maximum and minimum amplitudes, mode and median values of these waves, as graphed by DADiSP2002, was performed to verify the accuracy or reliability of the prototype. These graphs were converted to their DFT graphs and histograms, with accompanying converted wave properties which characterized the predominant frequency. Based from the results, the recordings obtained from the mAVR are proportional from the ones obtained from the eAVR. Therefore, the mechanical prototype is capable of recording the predominant frequency of a site. The prototype, when improved, is a potential alternative to commercial sensors since it is able to record actual movements and its scale is proportional to the scale of the eAVR. Since the prototype was constructed and can be reproduced from readily available and inexpensive materials, ambient vibration analysis can be used more commonly by architects and engineers for construction purposes. To verify the reliability of the values obtained using the prototype, the ambient vibration of other sites must be recorded and compared to those using the eAVR. wind, sounds and human activities, is one major site effect evaluation method presently used. The respective predominant frequencies of a site and the structures above it obtained using this method serve as reference to the renovation and/or construction of structures. Predominant frequencies of the landmass and the structures above it should be non-identical to avoid prolonged shaking with the occurrence of an extensive movement of the ground as dictated by resonance effect. Since electronic ambient vibration or microtremor recorders, specifically their sensors, are expensive and inaccessible, a mechanical prototype of such device was designed and constructed. The proposed design of the mechanical ambient vibration recorder (mAVR) was mainly based on the IRIS Seismograph which makes use of the principle of electromagnetic induction. The relationship between ground motion and the movement of the prototype lever, which is a direct proportion, was the concept highlighted by the prototype’s mechanism. After the design of the mAVR prototype was finalized, its assembly, which consisted of the calibration of the solenoid and the inertial mass, was performed. The calibration of the solenoid was based on the voltage output of its solenoid based on the number of turns while the inertial mass was determined based on the equilibrium level of the prototype lever. Having proven the mAVR’s capacity to function by simulating stimulus, the testing of its accuracy was done with two setups: recording of (1) natural and (2) induced ambient vibration. This tested the prototype’s accuracy
Shock Induced Battery
a. Purpose of the Research Evidence has shown that people are becoming more aware of environmental protection than in the past. Not only has the government made every effort to implement the policies of environmental protection, but Hong Kong citizens are also more willing to cooperate and help out. However, when it comes to conservation of energy and reduction of wastage, many people still regard it as a burden and they just take it lightly. In fact, environmental protection can be achieved in a convenient and simple way. We can easily put in practice in our daily lives. Because of this, we would like to introduce our invention - “shock Induced battery” by using our knowledge of Physics. b. Procedures The “Shock Induced battery” makes use of locomotion of human bodies to generate electricity. The electrical current generated from the specially designed generator will pass through the diode bridges, which adjust the current to one direction. This enables the electrical energy to be stored in the capacitor. This energy will be released when the battery is correctly connected to a circuit with a switch and a resistor. One of the features of the battery is that it is portable. It is mainly used to charge up electrical devices. But it is hoped that it will replace non-chargeable cells one day, and can directly be used in any electrical devices. In fact, our ultimate goal is to reduce the wastage of materials for making the cells, and to solve the problem of disposal of these cells. c. Data The induced a.c. voltage is full-wave rectified by the diode bridge. d. Conclusions In a word, we are trying to provide a chance for people to put environmental protection in practice, so as to raise the awareness of people about environmental protection. After all, high-tech products only solve the power-saving problem to a certain extent, but it is the awareness and the initiatives of the public which matter. We are convinced that environmental protection brings fun to your daily lives, as you will find practices on environmental protection both convenient and simple.
SEAWEED ON THE NAMIBIA COAST EXTRACTION OF AGAR & USE OF KELP AS FERTILIZER
In Swakopmund we have a problem with seaweed deposits on our beaches. Tons of seaweed are throwni away yearly. The reason I did this project was to see if the seaweed on the Namibian coast can he used instead of just being thrown away.Seaweed is a rich source of natural minerals and vitamins such as calcium, potassium iodine and also Vitamin A, BI and K. The seaweed on our coastline cannot he eaten as the salt content is too high. Seaweed is a marine algae that works like a sponge absorbing nutrients and minerals from the water.I extracted agar (a jelly) from red seaweed called(GracilariaVerrucosa). I dried the agar and seaweed, and I also grew mushroom spawns and bacteria on the agar plates. Secondly, I researched the possibility of using kelp (Laminaria Pallida), as fertilizer and livestock supplements. The unemployment rate in Namibia is very high. With adequate financial resources and proper marketing, seaweed can he used to increase the economy. We can market the agar to pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies, and also supply it to the university for students in Biology to grow bacteria and other micro organisms. The ferti lizer can be used to boost agriculture in Namibia. It is cheap and the farmers will he able to p1 ant vegetables with better nutritional value.All this was done to promote of biggest natural resource to create more work and to find a way for the less fortunate to create a better life for themselves.
Reflex Charging Frequency
Reflex charging, or burp charge, is a prove method of effectively charging secondary\r batteries under extremely high current. It is commonly used in military and aerospace\r applications where short recharge time and long cell life are essential. Eric C. Darcy, a NASA\r chemical engineer, in his 1998 PhD thesis, ‘Investigation of the response of Ni-MH cells to\r burp charging’, outlined some of the most important theories behind this seemingly\r miraculous technique. However, due to the technical limitations of his equipment, Darcy was\r unable to determine the effects of varied reflex charging frequencies. This research overcame\r this problem by using a purposed built multi-frequency programmable reflex charger\r (PRESTO ALPHA I), and aimed to optimize chemical energy storage by searching for an\r optimum charging frequency.
Ectomycorrhizal Inoculation of Anisoptera thurifera and Shorea guiso : GROWTH AND PHOSPHORUS DYNAMIC
Dipterocarps coming from Southeast Asia comprise about 53% of the world’s\r total exports of tropical hardwood products. However, the supply of dipterocarps is\r rapidly declining. The government is currently embarking on the establishment of\r dipterocarp plantations and encourages inoculation with ectomycorrhizal fungi to\r improve seedling growth and survival in degraded sites. Anisoptera thurifera (Blanco)\r Blume and Shorea guiso (Blanco) Blume rooted cuttings were inoculated with\r mycelial beads containing either Pisolithus PTG, Pisolithus H6394, or Astreus sp.\r Pisolithus PTG was collected from Acacia mangium stand in Malaysia, Pisolithus\r H6394 from Eucalyptus trees growing in a heavy metal contaminated area in New\r Caledonia, Astreus sp obtained from dipterocarp forest in Mt. Makiling, Philippines.\r The results showed that Astreus sp gave the highest root colonization (38%), height\r increment (86%), fine root (51%), coarse root (27%), shoot (43%) and total dry\r weight (40%) of A. thurifera over the control treatment. Astreus – inoculated plants\r had the highest shoot P uptake (41%) while PTG inoculated ones obtained the highest\r fine root P uptake (0.273 mg/root). The uninoculated plants had the lowest height\r increment, dry weight, and P uptake. In S. guiso, Pisolithus H6394, gave the highest\r increment (100%). Data were only obtained from four months of nursery experiments,\r hence, a longer nursery and field experiments should be conducted to achieve a\r complete evaluation of the physiological functions of ectomycorrhizal associations.\r Moreover, a wide range of ectomycorrhizal fungi associated with dipterocarps should\r be incorporated for selection of host compatibility.
The Beam of Hope
As the most dominant species on planet Earth's surface, humans have become the sole protectors of the planet, in charge of keeping it hospitable for billions of species. However, a swift look around Egypt's streets in contemporary 2007 showed proof of our exploitive use of fossil-fuels. Provoked by such a scene, I set out to discover the negatives of fossil-fuel consumption that more than 2 million websites were ready to detail. The increased CO2 emission, due to fossil-fuel use, is contributing to the greenhouse-effect, causing global-warming and thus leading to climate-change. This affects biodiversity by causing the eventual extinction of species, thus upsetting food-chains and affecting humanity in the long-run. Statistically 40 more years of consumption are left if the current rate-of-consumption persists. My proposal is to use solar-energy as an alternative power-source. Two requirements must be fulfilled: it must hold research potential and shouldn't suffer from problems associated with fossilfuels. 3rd-generation nanocrystalline dye-sensitised solar-cells have a conductive-glass-electrode coated with titanium-dioxide, then a layer of dye on it for light-absorption, electrolyte and finally a counterelectrode coated with graphite.\r In the dye-experiments, dyes extracted from fruits & vegetables, and the wavelengths of visible-lightspectra that they absorb, were examined using a UV-spectrophotometer. The solvent for the extraction-process was tested and ethanol was better than water because it actively extracts the dye while water doesn't help and contains ions that alter the dye's absorption-abilities. I combined 2 dyes: chlorophyll (absorbs the red & violet areas in spectrum) with blackberry (absorbs the green area) thus enabling the solar-cell to absorb the entire spectrum and maximising its power-reading. I investigated whether the dyes should be freshly-mixed or combined earlier (and used every time to build the cell). Freshly-mixing dyes is better because that stops the enzymes that were extracted out with the chlorophyll from denaturing blackberry's anthocyanins and rendering them dysfunctional thus the dyes work better maximising the power. Testing the dye-combination's concentration showed that the 6.25% concentration is the best because it can coat the TiO2 with a single-layer of dye instead of high concentrations that give multiple layers of dye which doesn't give good electron transition or low ones that don't give enough dye which means a lower amount of electrons are being excited and thus less power. In the material-section, anatase and rutile, TiO2's 2 major constituents (structurally identical but with different crystal-orientation), were compared and anatase proved itself better because of its smoother conduction-band. Different anatase particle sizes were examined and the smaller particles (4 nm) were better because of increased surface-area. I investigated the ways of coating the counterelectrode and found that using carbon-paste is the best. Ultimately my solar-cell's power-reading increased from 2.04 nW to 6.41 μW which is 3142 times the initial reading, a dramatic increase for a solar-cell whose size doesn't exceed 4 cm2. This proved the great research potential held by solar-energy. After extensive comparisons between the ups and downs of both fossil-fuels and solar-energy, solar-energy clearly proved itself the perfect alternative for powering our future.