全國中小學科展

2012年

以交聯化羊膜為模式探討Wnt路徑保存表皮幹細胞之分子機轉

研究目的:以交聯技術改良羊膜,增進其培養並維持表皮幹細胞的效能;並以其為模式,探討Wnt訊息於基底膜上維持表皮幹細胞之機轉。 研究過程:用EDC交聯羊膜(HLE/CLDAM)、天然羊膜(HLE/DAM)或純化之基底膜蛋白培養角膜表皮幹細胞,以細胞群落形成作用分析幹細胞之保存;以免疫螢光染色法、real-time PCR及西方墨點法觀察幹細胞及分化標記之表現、β-catenin、Tcf4、Lef1、integrin β1及integrin-linked kinase (ILK) 之變化。以ILK SiRNA及cDNA分別下調或上調ILK於HLE之表現,並觀察其對Wnt相關蛋白質及p63表現之影響。 研究結果: HLE/CLDAM組比HLE/DAM組表現更高量的幹細胞群落與標記,並可見β-catenin轉移至細胞核、Tcf4及ILK之表現。加入GSK3-β抑制劑促進表皮細胞之群落形成及p63之表現。調控ILK基因可造成相對應之Wnt訊息及p63蛋白之表現。純化之基底膜蛋白活化Wnt訊息及表現p63蛋白,但產量很少。 結論:交聯化羊膜比天然羊膜更能保存角膜表皮幹細胞,其機轉為ILK活化Wnt路徑,後者再作用於p63基因,從而活化幹細胞相關因子。 運用:交聯化羊膜可取代天然羊膜培養角膜表皮幹細胞;培養基質表面的複雜性可用來調控幹細胞之分化,從而提高體外培養幹細胞之效能。

探討生物材料對骨髓間質幹細胞成骨分化效率之影響

本實驗之目的在利用骨髓間質幹細胞 (Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells, BMSCs) 培養為平台,篩選能提升BMSCs成骨分化效率的生物材料。實驗中利用osteogenic induction medium (OIM)使BMSCs朝成骨分化路徑進行,分別在第7(前期)、14(中期)、21(後期)天作Alizarin Red Stain assay(ARS assay)測定鈣沉積之效率作為評估標準,而後於平面上塗覆不同生物材料進行測試,根據實驗結果顯示,Gelatin主要在中期就可達到最高成骨分化效率,而PCL與HA到後期亦能顯著提高成骨分化效率。當進入3D立體成骨誘導試驗時,我們發現Gelatin、HA的複合材料能保持平面之特性且結合二者優點,並且更能有效提升成骨分化之效率。

Comfortable Equipment for Pedestrians

The phenomenon of pedestrians nowadays is still found. Due to frequent walking, sometimes our legs feel tired and hard to move. This is become the basis for developing tools that are convenient for pedestrians. An easy tool for humans is needed for our activities, especially walking. The Synergy between our hands and feet provides a big and significant contribution to the appliance. Normally, the movement of our hand gets along with its motion with a different side of the foot. When the right foot step, then the left hand is swung forward, and vice versa. The tools can be developed by utilizing a variety of systems. The system includes the tools concentric wheel and axles system, spring system, and pulley system. The concentric wheel and axles system is useful in controlling the rope. Movement on the rope could activate the entire system on the appliance. Wheel that related with the hand is three times bigger than wheel that related with pulley that is applied on foot. Spring system is able to lighten the pressure of the foot with a given upward force, and able to provide downward force when the spring returned to its original position. While the pulley system on the tool used to provide mechanical advantage two times is also useful to lighten the pressure of the foot when walking. The tools can be designed with simple, and able to provide benefits to users. By trial and error, it shows that the tool is able to lighten human’s activity when they walk. The tool can be able to lighten the leg’s load by utilizing arm muscles work. Utilization of the arm muscles which helps to ease the pressure of the foot can provide more benefits. One of them is that it can strengthen the arm strength, so the tool can be used as sport equipment. Utilization of the tool can also be reserved for special people who have difficulty in walking due to an accident or birth with leg defect.

Applied Red Palm Weevil Farming

The Red Palm Weevil is a kind of pest commonly found in all coconut and palm growing areas, causing considerable damage to palm trees. The pest at larva stage was found to be a popular food dish for both local people and visitors and has been commercially bred for consumption. This project aimed to develop a farming method to increase the quantity of red palm weevil larvae for commercial use, instead of the natural farming which fed the insects on rare natural materials. Firstly, the most appropriate food formula to boost the multiplication of red palm weevil using local raw materials was determined. Four food formula were developed: 1.combination of palm leaves, coconut fibers, and pig food, 2.palm leaves, coconut fibers, and rice bran,3. palm leaves, coconut fibers and cassava,4. a combination of crushed palm leaves and coconut fibers. The mixture ration were 1:1:1 for formula1-3 and 1:1 for formula 4. Equal number of the adult weevils were raised in the different food formula, the length and weight of the larvae obtained were measured every week for seven weeks. The gross weights and the effectiveness of the red palm weevil farming were analyzed using the feed conversion ratio (fcr), the daily growth rate, and the percentage increase in weight. It was found that. the weevils raised with food formula 1 yielded the larvae which grew the fastest with highest effectiveness. The most appropriate ratio of the food mix which yielded the satisfactory larvae size was determined to be 1:1:1 3.Next, experiment was carried out to improve the quality of the insect larvae for consumption. The larvae produced had some distinct smell which some consumers do not like.To improve the smell, the larvae were fed with the selected food mix added with minced fresh Pandanus leaves 2 days prior to consumption. Food mix with coconut fibers instead of Pandanus were used as control. Consumers were most satisfied with the larvae fed with added Pandanus leaves. Analysis of the food mix, larvae and Pandanus leaves found the common compound, Coumarins. In conclusion, our project found a suitable system of red palm weevil farming an alternative to conventional method which farmed the pest on cut palm trees. The new method resulted in the best yield of insect larvae with the highest consumer satisfaction and reduce destroying natural resource.

因地制宜的生存之道─日本與臺灣兩地端黑豹斑蝶適應策略之探討

端黑豹斑蝶廣泛分布全球,包括臺灣和日本兩地。在日本,端黑豹斑蝶的分布有逐漸北移的現象,這可能是全球暖化的影響。北移的現象暗示端黑豹斑蝶可能對溫度變化具有敏感的反應。臺灣及日本的氣候類型不同,故推測端黑豹斑蝶在兩地可能發展出不同的適應策略,以成功生存。藉著計算發育零點及有效積溫、比較不同溫度對成蟲體型的影響,了解兩地族群是否發展出不同的適應策略。臺灣族群發育零點為12.95℃,日本族群為6.59℃,日本族群可在較低溫度下開始發育;兩族群完成生活史所需的天數和有效積溫不同;溫度會影響成蟲體型。相同溫度下,日本族群生長較快,體型較小。不同食草亦有可能影響發育。兩地族群顯示出不同生活史,日本族群演化出適應低溫的生存策略。端黑豹斑蝶可能藉由北移的方式,來解決全球暖化帶來的影響。

水滴在高溫鋸齒上爬坡之物理機制探討

本研究主要探討水滴在高溫鋸齒面上之爬坡現象。實驗中發現在高達四百度的鋸齒面上能形成懸浮水滴,且水滴可持續一段時間而不會立即蒸發,在水平之鋸齒面沿特定方向移動,特別的是,水滴甚至沿著傾斜之鋸齒面向上運動。首先,水滴因受熱在周圍形成一層蒸氣層,阻隔熱的傳遞,使其不會立即蒸發。實驗中改變鋸齒齒廓之兩斜邊的比例,可以驅動水滴往長斜邊所面對的方向運動。進一步實驗顯示,水滴內部的流動趨勢分別為:水滴前端呈順時針方向流動,而水滴後端則呈逆時針方向流動。此外,爬坡中的水滴,其後半部具有較高之蒸發速率,經由設計一個類比的實驗,我們發現,在高溫金屬平面上,透過其平面上的一個凹槽,可以控制水滴前後部位蒸發速率的差異性,也造成水滴向上爬坡的結果。由實驗結果證明,蒸氣壓力與氣體運動對水滴造成的摩擦力為驅動水滴爬坡的力量來源。

Universal computing sorting machine

The purpose of the study was to develop and create a semi-automatic multi-purpose sorting and counting machine of standard articles. Currently, there is a problem of equipping industrial enterprises as well as small trade companies and large retailers with computing sorting machines of standard products of a certain shape. We would like to fill this missing link up with a simple, compact and inexpensive device. Procedures The proposed research consisted of a consistent design of a virtual model of the device and its electronic-mechanical implementation. The virtual model is simulated by a computer program "SolidWorks" object, which graphically shows the operation of the future device. In the development of the computing sorting device standard electronic devices and their associated software have been used. The created simplified real model demonstrates the basic principles and characteristics of the proposed device. Data As an example for the implementation of the concept device a computing device for sorting coins, in circulation in Russia has been created. As a basic principle of sorting objects by their geometric and weight characteristics were used. It is important that the device is focused on the correct form of the objects of sorting (balls, rings, coins, regular polyhedrons, screws, nuts, etc). To confirm the effectiveness of the computing device of this type of sorting, a series of tests of counting of objects manually have been carried out . The effectiveness of the device is determined by comparing the time characteristics of manual and automatic sorting. Findings and conclusions As a result of research and work performed, we have concluded that: 1) The proposed device can be used in various industries. (for example, while sorting ball bearings.) 2) Such a computing sorting device may find it's application in various commercial enterprises: to assist cashiers in retail ATMs. 3) Can be used in payment terminals. 4) 4) After a certain modernization of the device it can be used for money encashment.

Human Computer Interface

Contains two human-computer interfaces. The first is an interface for blind people to perceive visual sensations using his tongue. Images from a webcam is processed with artificial intelligence software and is placed as a sensory matrix under the tongue. Currently the sensor placed on the tongue is about 8x8 pixels. The sight and the taste divide similar areas on the cortex so the blind person can adapt very quickly to the image sent on his tongue as an electricity matrix. Taste buds are the second sensor matrix after the eyes(as resolution) is based on the same principle of the Braile code but the information is received by tongue and it's proportional with the image from webcam and the person can receive more informations. The second interface follows the intent of motion detection of a person with disabilities. It is based on processing the neural signal of the brain taken by an handmade encephalograph and processing them with a artificial intelligence on computer. The project contains hardware and software. This project tries to suggest that the human computer interfaces can be made to support people with disabilities.

Applications of Biofuel Technologies for Third World Countries

Innovative, inexpensive, sustainable fuel for cooking and light can be produced with an anaerobic digestion biogas system. A biodigester was designed from parts that are locally available to purchase and maintain in a developing nation. The prototype was designed, built and the engineering was approved and tested. Research and testing of techniques used to produce biogas were recorded and analyzed. The digester successfully produced enough biogas to connect to a stove and burn. Research and testing continued on different ways to pressurize the biogas. A burn time of eleven minutes was recorded. A Bunsen burner was designed, again from locally available parts, in order to enhance the flame to use for cooking. The designed digester and burner worked satisfactorily to burn the biogas collected in the system. Using small scale tests, additional research and testing continued on the most efficient production of the biogas. Figure 1 shows the results of the small scale biogas testing. The results from the small scale testing showed that the best variables for producing biogas are using school compost, ie apples, bananas, oranges, cucumbers, grapefruit, grapes etc, which has been blended to acquire the most surface area with a 1:1 ratio. Figure 3 shows the results of a sample of methane (first three peaks) and of the biogas that was produced (last two peaks). The first peak is the nitrogen and the oxygen in the sample. The second peak is the methane and the third peak is carbon dioxide. The first biogas sample that was tested had no methane so there was an absence of the second peak. This was similar for Figures 4 and 5. Figure 6 shows a sample of the final biogas product which is producing methane as shown by the blue circle. Figures 3 through 5 lack a methane peak due to leaks in the biogas system and limited time within testing periods. The hypothesis was proved correct. An innovative, inexpensive, sustainable fuel for cooking and light using an anaerobic digestion system that can be built completely in developing nations such as Honduras was created. The biogas was ignited using a stove which provided heat for cooking. The biogas was not tested using a light; however, since the biogas can burn, this is theoretically possible. The final system achieved these goals.

非高斯型擴散

將水加入溶液上方會造成溶質向上擴散,而造成濃度和濃度梯度的變化。我們使用簡易的實驗儀器算出不同時間各位置的濃度和梯度變化。書上大多假設濃度梯度成鐘型曲線分佈的簡單模型描述擴散過程,但只能用在擴散係數為定值的情況。從實驗或參考資料顯示,擴散係數會隨濃度而變,因此擴散現象常呈現非高斯之分佈,故我們以自己設計的實驗分析溶液在較高濃度時的「非高斯型擴散」,直接測量並計算不同濃度下的擴散速率、擴散係數。研究分子擴散行為理論未完全建立,擴散目前屬於半實驗的科學,此實驗設計與分析方式可供作擴散理論發展的參考。