全國中小學科展

2017年

葉酸缺乏及葉酸補充調控乳癌細胞轉化成癌幹細胞並促進體外腫瘤形成

研究指出葉酸營養狀態與乳癌的風險有相互關聯且癌幹細胞是扮演癌症轉移的主要角色。葉酸缺乏和葉酸補充皆能促進癌細胞的轉移。本研究探討葉酸營養不良和葉酸補充是否會促進乳腺癌細胞轉變成癌幹細胞,將乳癌細胞株養於正常葉酸、低葉酸和高葉酸中,藉以模仿癌症病人的葉酸營養狀態。細胞在每個葉酸濃度中培養2、 4 、 8 天後再培養於腫瘤球體培養液中並測量四種幹細胞標記-mTOR,SHH,Sox2和Nanog。結果顯示:低葉酸會導致癌細胞的生長停滯,藉由標記的表達增加顯示長期低葉酸會促進細胞轉變成癌幹細胞。於腫瘤球體培養液時,低葉酸組亦較對照組於體外產生較大及較多的腫瘤球。高葉酸組會加速癌細胞的增殖和向癌幹細胞的轉變且細胞增生較快並表達較多的標記,其腫瘤球體亦是最大和豐富的。總之,低葉酸和高葉酸都增強了乳腺癌細胞的腫瘤生成和轉變成癌幹細胞。

Determining Crystal Orientation via Reflection High Energy Electron Diffraction

1 Purpose of the Research Nanocrystal thin films exhibit many useful properties, including electrochromicity and superconductivity. When synthesised via Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE), selection of substrate, specifically knowledge of crystal orientation, is critical. Reflection High Energy Electron Diffraction (RHEED) is an in situ crystal characterisation method highly compatible with MBE. This study explores a new method of RHEED analysis to determine crystal orientation. 2 Procedure/Theoretical Framework RHEED characterization is the incidence of a beam of high-energy electrons at a low angle with respect to the sample surface. Electrons diffract, and interfere to form patterns on the detector. Traditionally, studies of RHEED analyse one static image as a representation of the surface structure, or observations of RHEED patterns over time. The approach to RHEED analysis in this study exploits changes in RHEED patterns given a rotating substrate. Having specific rotational symmetries along different axes, crystal structures can be differentiated by determining rotational symmetry through RHEED. Electrons scatter upon incidence with crystal planes within the crystal to form Kikuchi lines on the RHEED detector (Fig. 2). The orientation of crystal with respect to incident electron beam affects the Kikuchi line patterns. If the crystal is rotated, crystal planes change orientation, and electrons would diffract from crystal planes in different directions. As such, as the crystal is rotated, the Kikuchi lines move. When the degree of rotation of the crystal corresponds to the rotational symmetry of the crystal (Fig. 1), the Kikuchi lines return to their original position. As crystals with different crystal plane orientations exhibit different orders of symmetries, analyzing the Kikuchi line patterns of the crystal at different degrees of rotation can reveal the rotational symmetry and consequently crystal plane orientation of a crystal. 3 Data/Experimental Testing In order to assess the practical viability of the proposed method, experiments were conducted on SrTiO3 (001), (110), and (111). SrTiO3 exists as a typical perovskite structure (Fig. 3), often used in the synthesis of superconductors via MBE. 3.1 Methodology RHEED images of each sample were taken at 0◦, 60◦, 90◦ and 180◦. Curves were fit to each Kikuchi line observed in the image (Fig. 4). These Kikuchi line approximations are compared by superimposing the curves traced and qualitatively assessing the degree of similarity between the Kikuchi lines of 2 images, to verify the order of symmetry and crystal orientation of the crystal. In the images of the superimposed Kikuchi lines illustrated in Fig. 5, there is similarity between the Kikuchi lines when only when the sample has been rotated by an angle corresponding its degree of symmetry. 4 Conclusions This study offers a method to determine the crystal orientation of thin film through determining the degree of rotational symmetry of the sample, by observation of Kikuchi lines in the RHEED pattern as the sample is rotated. Experimental data was analyzed qualitatively to verify the viability of this theoretical method in practice. This method could be extended to analyze the symmetry of other crystal structures. As it does not require information on the machine settings or usage of complex functions to produce a reliable output, this method is fast and straightforward, opening doors to more streamlined RHEED analysis.

[3+3]-annelation of cyclic nitronates with enol diazoacetates

The purpose of this research is to prevent the desertification by using my original “agar sheets”. The dry regions, in other words, the desert has already occupied about forty percent of the surface of the earth (Figure 1). In addition, it is said that land of seven million hectares turn into desert every year. However, we can reproduce the green-bosomed earth by using appropriate means, because this desertification originated in excessive farming, excessive pasturing, and deforestation caused by human beings. I learned “Cape Erimo’s Green Construction Method”, which has succeeded in planting trees in the coast of Japan by using seaweed, and this method led me to use the agar to prevent the desertification, which is a familiar Japanese food made from seaweed. I think that it is possible to prevent the desertification of any conditioned lands by using my original “agar sheets.”

Stop the Spread of Desertification by Agar

The purpose of this research is to prevent the desertification by using my original “agar sheets”. The dry regions, in other words, the desert has already occupied about forty percent of the surface of the earth (Figure 1). In addition, it is said that land of seven million hectares turn into desert every year. However, we can reproduce the green-bosomed earth by using appropriate means, because this desertification originated in excessive farming, excessive pasturing, and deforestation caused by human beings. I learned “Cape Erimo’s Green Construction Method”, which has succeeded in planting trees in the coast of Japan by using seaweed, and this method led me to use the agar to prevent the desertification, which is a familiar Japanese food made from seaweed. I think that it is possible to prevent the desertification of any conditioned lands by using my original “agar sheets.”

迪化汙水處理廠降解雌激素之菌種純化

雌激素為一種固醇類的環境賀爾蒙,若水生動物長時間暴露於低濃度的雌激素中,即會導致其生理及行為異常。我們企圖從迪化汙水處理廠中分離純化出能有效降解雌激素之菌株,希冀了解這些菌株的生理特性與降解雌激素的能力。首先在活性污泥中加入高濃度雌二醇(1mM),以增進雌激素降解菌在菌群中的比例,接著利用十倍序列稀釋進行菌株純化。培養期間以薄層層析檢測雌激素降解活性。隨後以固態培養基培養法取得單一菌落,並進行聚合酶連鎖反應及核酸定序。之後我們亦將純化出之菌株進行其他固醇降解測定。目前純化出一株Novosphingobium屬的變形菌,其為一新的菌種,確實能降解雌二醇及其他固醇,包含雌酮、雄烯二酮、膽酸、孕酮和睪酮。然而,其並不能降解乙炔雌二醇。該菌株具有修復受汙染環境及製備雌激素相關藥品之應用潛力。

金山神祕海岸浮石事件解密

浮石是一種多孔的火山碎屑岩,氣孔佔總體積很高的比例,因此能浮在水上。本研究針對臺灣新北市金山區神祕海岸所出露沉積層中的浮石進行探討,藉由閱讀文獻、實地考察、採樣、實驗分析等方式,來瞭解浮石的化學組成、礦物種類及可能形成機制與搬運途徑。依照化學成份分析及礦物種類比較結果顯示神祕海岸的浮石與日本、菲律賓的浮石較無關聯,最可能是來自台灣地區並由台灣北部大屯火山系或觀音山噴發所造成。至於其搬運方式,沉積物粒徑大小分析的結果顯示浮石是經由力量強大的海洋搬運作用攜至當地沉積。綜合上述,我們認為金山神祕海岸的浮石最有可能的生成方式為:1867年,由與大屯火山有相同岩漿系統的海底火山噴發出,接著此火山爆發所引發的海嘯將浮石帶至神祕海岸進行沉積。

Migration Data-Driven Mathematical Model for New City Growth

The growth of a city and the population movement has many correlations. However, the complex interaction causes difficulties in developing a mathematical model needed for analyzing the growth factor of a city and the movement factor of population. The model involving traditional equations cannot explain many phenomenon. The newly introduced data-science suggests possibilities to overcome these difficulties. Particularly, the abundant amount of accumulated data proposes a new solution for the problem we have. Throughout these steps, data-utilizing methodology, such as machine learning for artificial intelligence, are researched and developed with attention. In this research, data about accumulated for previous population movement and city growth are collected, and a mathematical science model based on data is developed to explain population movement and city growth by utilizing data analyzing methods such as machine learning. Especially, artificial neural network and stratified advance learning(deep learning) proves possibilities in solving many problems. This research aims to construct an artificial neural network appropriate for population movement and consequently use it in developing population movement model. Using this model, growth of many existing cities can be explained and furthermore, examining the population movement factor of a city and social factor necessary for city growth become possible. This model is expected to become the tool for resolving overpopulation and predicting and deciding factors needed for a new future city. In spite of decreasing population, it is still important to develop a model for population movement that well explains city growth and environment change.

使用機械手臂實現黑白棋之人機對弈

由工業4.0智慧生產的啟發,建構機械手臂進行人工智慧黑白棋之對弈系統,透過視訊分析棋面資料,輸入人工智慧黑白棋遊戲判斷。依據結果指揮機械手臂進行落子、取子的動作,人機對奕過程亦會判斷有無不合理的地方,以維持棋奕的規則公平。擷取雲端攝影機的盤面影像,使用霍夫找圓演算法取得棋目位置,透過彩度與明度分析黑子、白子或無子,黑白棋AI程式再透過遊戲樹演算決定落子、取子位置。透過畢氏定理及餘弦定理將棋子位置的立體座標轉成工具座標,再傳送至主控伺服器以指揮機械手臂進行正確的動作。透過減輕重量及使用彈力平衡力矩改善,機械手臂可改善硬體準確度,重現率測試達85%以上。黑白棋AI程式棋力可以與黑白棋app的3級力敵。視訊判斷棋局在調整適當彩度明度後可達100%正確率。透過演算法指揮機器手臂下棋,棋局中完成正確動作可達80%以上的成功率。

Understanding the Modern Diagnoses of Protein C Deficiency "Pcd" with Unknown Gene Plays a Critical Role in the Inherited Thrombophilia

Protein C deficiency (PCD) is found in 1 out of 200 to 500 persons in the general global population which is also one of the common conditions of Inherited thrombophilia, it’s characterized by an increased tendency of blood to clot in human blood vessels. It is caused by several factors including mutations in the genes involved in thrombin binding, protein c activation and numerous clotting factors. This includes F5 (Factor 5 Leiden) gene on chromosome 1q24.2, F7 (Prothrombin) gene on chromosome 13q34, SERPINC1 (serpin peptidase inhibitor C) on chromosome 1q25.2, SERPIND1 (serpin peptidase inhibitor D) on chromosome 22q11.21, HRG (Histidine Rich Glycoprotein) on chromosome 3q27.3, PLAT (Plasminogen Activator) on chromosome 8q11.21 and THBD (Thrombomodulin) gene on chromosome 20p11.21. In the current study, a three Saudi families with inherited thrombophilia has been recruited to identify the underlying cause of this special condition. Whole exome sequencing, targeting all coding exons of the human genome, was performed using Illumina Nextera library preparation kits followed by paired-end sequencing on Illumina NextSeq500 instrument. Reads quality control was performed and reads were aligned to the reference genome using BWA software. Variants calling and annotation was performed using GATK. All known genes involved in causing inherited thrombophilia All known genes involved in causing PCD were excluded by whole exome sequencing. The genes that were previously reported to be involved in inherited thrombophilia were checked for any causative variant. No mutation has been identified in known genes. identifying a novel gene underlying PCD. The Result of this study will hopefully pave the way to better understanding the disease pathophysiology and help in developing DNA based diagnosis, carrier screening and somatic gene therapy.

Reactivity of styrylmalonates as synthetic equivalents of Donor–acceptor cyclopropanes with aldehydes in the presence of BF3•Et2O

Donor–acceptor cyclopropanes (DACs), which can act as sources of 1,2- and 1,3-zwitterions in the presence of Lewis acids, are widely used in organic synthesis for the preparation of various carbo- and heterocyclic compounds, including natural compounds and their analogues. To date, many types of DACs reactivity have been identified. However, the chemistry of styrylmalonates (isomers of DACs, which can be easily generated from DACs) is almost undescribed and has a powerful synthetic potential. The use of styrylmalonates as synthetic equivalents of DACs allows us cardinally change the known reaction pathways of DACs. In this work, a new strategy for cascade assembly of substituted pyrenes based on the reactions of styrylmalonates with aldehydes in the presence of BF3•Et2O has been developed. Generation of formal 1,2-zwitterionic intermediates owing to complexation of dicarboxylate groups with BF3•Et2O is the driving force of the reaction discovered. This method makes it possible to assemble pyrenes or 5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-ones in one synthetic stage from readily available starting compounds with high regio- and diastereoselectivity, and use these pyrenes in futher reactions. We’ve optimized conditions of the reaction and synthesized a number of various substituted pyrenes. Moreover, the reaction shows good results with various aromatic and heteroaromatic substituents. Pyrenes can be easily purified by crystallization. Every product was obtained selectively and determined by full set of physical-chemical methods, including X-ray analysis. 5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one skeleton is found in various natural compounds demonstrating a broad spectrum of biological activity, such as antiviral and antineoplastic.