2021年

Considering Fukushima’s contaminated water treatment system using algae ~ To protect the oceans from radioactive emissions

Nine years ago, the Great East 日本 Earthquake caused the spread of a large amount of radioactive materials. Even now, the amount of contaminated water is increasing at a rate of 180 tons per day, and it is said that the storage tanks for the contaminated water will run out of space in the next two years (Fig. 1). If the contaminated water is discharged into the ocean, it will cause reputational damage to the fishing industry, and the environmental pollution. We are conducting to research to prevent it from happening. In the wake of the nuclear accident, the senior started water quality surveys at Chaya Marsh near the school. During the survey, they found (Chara braunii, Fig. 2), (Nitella axilliformis, Fig. 3), Closterium moniliferum (Fig. 4), and (Nostoc commune, Fig. 5).

細胞核 CTEN 蛋白質對 Wnt 訊息傳導路徑之影響及細胞癌化之調控

正常細胞的 C-terminal tensin-like (CTEN) 蛋白質位於細胞質且含量低,但研究發現 CTEN 在大腸癌細胞中會大量表現並累積於細胞核內,進而提升癌細胞遷移與侵襲的能力;而 Wnt 訊息傳遞路徑在癌細胞中常有過度活化的現象。因此本研究主要探討 CTEN 於細胞核內的累積和 Wnt 訊息傳遞路徑的互動關係,進而調控細胞癌化的機制。分析 CTEN 分布有差異之細胞株的轉錄體發現,在較多 CTEN 累積於細胞核的大腸癌細胞株中,其 Wnt6、Wnt11 兩基因的表現量上升,研究指出 Wnt6、Wnt11 皆會影響大腸癌細胞的遷移與侵襲。另外,CTEN 會與 Wnt 訊息傳遞路徑中的 β-catenin 結合,因此本實驗利用啟動子帶有 Wnt 訊息下游轉錄因子結合位的質體,測定其下游 β-catenin/TCF/LEF 轉錄因子的轉錄活性。結果顯示 CTEN 累積於細胞核中會提高 β-catenin/TCF/LEF 之轉錄活性,進而增加 Wnt6、Wnt11 等下游基因的表現量,影響大腸癌細胞的遷移與侵襲。

從遙測看水色與紫外線及溫度之關聯

本研究使用NASA Ozone Watch南極臭氧濃度、MODIS Aqua之全球海平面水色、NOAA Operational SST Anomaly之均溫異常,以及Australian Antarctic Data Center南極葉綠素濃度數據,探討三大洋海洋水色的逐年變化以及影響因素。我們認為受到環境變遷的影響,影響水色最主要的外在因素可能為紫外線及溫度。本研究利用image J軟體,估算臭氧洞逐年的範圍變化,並利用水色換算出的葉綠素濃度的變化趨勢,將上述數據製作成圖比較。 結果顯示:在紫外線的部分,葉綠素濃度會隨著紫外線入射量減少而提高。在深度的部分,南極同一時間點所測數據顯示,水表到400公尺深的範圍中,呈現深度越淺葉綠素濃度越高的趨勢。此外,海表溫度正異常(>1.5°C)之面積分布,證實海水表面溫度變高時,葉綠素濃度變高,南極數據也顯示相同特徵。我們認為,生物基於避險本能,在紫外線過量時,生物會傾向往海洋深層移動;在10℃~35℃間,溫度越高,葉綠素濃度越高,影響浮游植物在深度的分布。上述各項皆能影響水色。

探討雙黃酮類CRYT對抑制發炎反應與免疫細胞移動的影響

發炎反應與癌症具有密切的關係,而如何抗發炎是現今重要的研究主題。本研究主要探討雙黃酮類藥物CRYT對LPS誘發之發炎反應與免疫細胞遷移的影響。本研究首先以細胞試驗分析細胞激素與趨化因子的表現量觀察CRYT對發炎反應的影響。接著,利用反轉錄聚合酶連鎖反應 (RT-PCR) 和共軛焦顯微鏡觀察黏附分子與調控細胞骨架分子的表現量,以了解CRYT對免疫細胞遷移的影響。再來我們以西方墨點法分析免疫反應調控路徑之蛋白質表現量來研究CRYT的作用途徑。同時,透過程式模擬CRYT的標的蛋白,並用細胞轉染與雙冷光技術驗證模擬結果。本研究發現,CRYT會抑制TNF-、IL-1及IL-6三種促發炎因子與CXCL1、CCL3及CCL4三種趨化因子的表現量。另外,CRYT會抑制黏附分子LFA-1與VLA-4與調控細胞骨架分子Cdc42、PAK1、WASP、Rac1及LIMK1之mRNA表現量,以阻礙F-actin進行聚合作用。本研究也發現,CRYT能藉由抑制NF-B的表現量,進而影響巨噬細胞的發炎作用與細胞移動。在作用機制的方面,CRYT會結合在雌激素受體的配體結合位,並抑制雌激素受體的轉錄作用,而抑制發炎作用與細胞轉移。結論得知,CRYT不但可以抑制發炎反應,還能有效抑制免疫細胞的遷移。

新式高能磁場對於骨髓幹細胞軟骨分化的影響

近年來,再生醫療利用幹細胞幫助組織器官新生的方法已有長足進步,但仍然面臨許多的瓶頸。例如: 幹細胞注射進入人體以後,無法繼續分化生長成所需組織。最近,高能磁場的使用也是醫學界蓬勃發展的議題,我們試圖利用高能磁場誘導幹細胞的分化,希望可以增加幹細胞分化的效能,這是一創新的嘗試。我們比較新型高能磁場(RMS)與對照組於骨髓幹細胞(BMSCs)的分化效果,發現RMS 中叢集式刺激(iTBS)的SOX9和COL10的基因表現與免疫組織化學染色明顯優於15Hz RMS 與對照組。最佳的刺激設計為強度50%的iTBS連續施打五天。我們亦發現每回合900 pulses有優於每回合600 pulses的趨勢。此實驗證實iTBS能夠增加BMSCs在體外的軟骨分化表現,反映在基因表現層次到膠原蛋白合成的層次。未來,此方法將進一步使用於動物實驗,期望擴展到臨床上用於退化性關節炎的治療,對再生醫療發展有所幫助。

Designing Multifunctional Intelligent Autonomous Underwater Remote Operating Vehicle to perform “Search and Rescue” in the event of extreme weather flooding condition

This underwater remote operating vehicle (ROV) is designed with and without tethered operation. The operator can control the ROV from the real time first-person view in graphical user interface combined with sonar and object detection function when the tether is attached to perform search and rescue. The control tether with fiber optic lighting cable establishes a guided link medium between the possible search victim location and the rescue team. When the tether is detached, rapid deployment by a predefined set of instruction to achieve further operation range. The intelligent technologies of signal processing were used for object recognition, collision detection and sonar scanning data to enhance underwater operation. Autonomous driving is based on software development with limited capability to run in unrestricted open areas. We have achieved the design intent and confirmed the performance data in the laboratory boundary conditions.

HYBRID COMPOSITE FROM X-RAY WASTE

This study considered the tensile and flexural characterization of new lighter and cheaper hybrid composite materials to replace the existing insert panel for the currently available bulletproof vest. The materials chosen included a natural fibre, i.e., kenaf fibre, chemically treated with sodium hydroxide solution, and, as a means of recycling, used x-ray films with a surface treatment. Using the traditional hand lay-up method, the materials were fabricated into seven layers of different configurations, which were then subjected to tensile and flexural tests. The findings showed that one of the configurations that consisted of both treated materials had a tensile strength of 396.9M Pa, which is quite strong, and a flexural modulus of 6.24G Pa, which makes it flexible enough to be made into wearable equipment. This configuration was then chosen to be the base design for the specimen subjected to impact test. The interfacial bond between the two distinct materials proved to be a major issue, even with the help of fibre treatment. Therefore, some improvements need to be made for the material to be comparable to existing materials performance-wise hence making this configuration suitable for ballistic application.

Removal of Nutrients by Chlorella Vulgaris Microalgae in Bandar Abbas Municipal Wastewater

The entry of nutrients into the environment can cause the creation of eutrophication of aquatic ecosystems. One of the methods of removing nutrients from effluents is the use of algae. Algal purification is a new and inexpensive technology for this purpose. The present study investigated the rate of cell growth and nutrient removal of urban wastewater in Bandar Abbas in winter 2020 by the Chlorella vulgaris microalgae in the phycolab of Fisheries Research. Treatments with different dilutions (0%, 25%, 50% and 75%) were prepared; in addition, specific growth rate, cell density and removal efficiency of phosphate, nitrate, nitrite were examined during a 14 day period with initial constant density (1×10⁶ cells / ml ) of microalgae. The results indicated that 0% and 75% dilution had the highest and lowest cell densities (8.675×10⁶ and 56.633×10⁶), respectively; moreover, they had the specific growth rate (0.166 and 0.311). Furthermore, there was a significant difference between them (P≥ 0.05). The highest nitrate and nitrite removal efficiencies were -40.75 and -79.84 in effluent dilution of 50%; in addition, the lowest were 1.26 and -40.26 in dilution of 75% and 25% respectively. Phosphate had the highest removal efficiency at 0% dilution with a mean of -79.65 that showed a significant difference with the lowest at 25% dilution (P≥ 0.05). Therefore, high or low levels of nutrients can affect the removal efficiency and growth rate of microalgae.

Utilizing Computer Vision And Machine Learning Algorithms To Control Smart Systems Helping Physically Disabled People.

About 15% of the world's population lives with some form of disability, of whom 2-4% experience significant difficulties in functioning. The global disability prevalence is higher than previous WHO estimates, which date from the 1970s and suggested a figure of around 10%. This global estimate for disability is on the rise due to population ageing and the rapid spread of chronic diseases, as well as improvements in the methodologies used to measure disability. This research deals specifically with the physically disabled and often people with physical disabilities feel frustrated because they cannot do activities such as: playing sports and doing exercise. Having a physical disability also changes the way a person lives their life. They may find their life changes and activities they had previously included as part of their daily routine such as brushing their teeth, washing and doing household chores suddenly become a huge effort and many people require another person's help to carry out these activities. Also, they suffer from three basic challenges like; education, economic and, communication. Firstly, Education: The results of the investigation revealed that the physically handicapped. They face a lot of problems while studying they can't learn as the normal ones and they needs someone to help in learning. Secondly, Economic: they can't work and achieve income to help in his practical life. And finally Communication: they can't communicate with others because of his disability.

The Waves Fish Controller

Our oceans, coasts, and estuaries are home to diverse living things. These organisms take many forms, from the tiniest single-celled plankton to the largest animal on Earth, the blue whale. Understanding the life cycles, habits, habitats, and inter-relationships of marine life contributes to our understanding of the planet as a whole. Human influence and reliance on these species, as well as changing environmental conditions, will determine the future health of these marine inhabitants Humans influence the whole environment even if they don’t notice , the growth of men and our increasing reproduction over the years results to an over consumption of nutritious products , which makes us exploit the wildlife more and more and in the same time take parts of its habitats for us to life in and throwing our non-needed materials in what’s left of the world. And that’s a big problem because the Eco-System was just fine before we started over exploiting it in a greedy and unreasonable manner, and since the ecosystem’s parts are related altogether in an ongoing circle , the absence or the destruction of one part of It may lead to the unbalance and even destruction of the whole organized system. And that’s why as humans, it is our first duty to take care of nature generally and both fauna and flora specifically, not because of a moral code of some kind; but to protect Humanity from ourselves, and to preserve the human kind from destruction and extinction. And that’s the main goal of our project, that’s to help us organize our fishing exploitative activities with how much can the environment handle from it.