Using Green Water Farm to Improve Ecological Restoration

Abstract: Artificial Floating Islands (AFIs) are human-made floating structures capable of supporting aquatic vegetation. Previous studies pointed out that most AFIs use aquatic plants to carry out improvement of water quality and ecological conservation. This study proposed a modified AFI system, named Green Water Farm (GWF), to increase the practical application value of traditional AFIs, and added a special design to create an environment that allows for terrestrial plants (including vegetables and flowers) to grow and to carry out improvement of water quality and ecological conservation. The research site was located at the waterfront of Li-tze Lake in Pitou Township, Taiwan. A GWF was established to evaluate the improvement of water quality and ecological conservation. During one year, water quality and ecological conservation assessments were recorded to investigate the performance of GWF system. The research results showed that GWF could improve water quality and ecological conservation. In addition, the results of this study can provide useful information for more food sources for humans and animals, and increase biodiversity and ecological conservation

Using the Behavior of Amphibian for the Ecological Engineering Design of Aquatic Banks

人為過度開發造成臺灣水岸混凝土化日益嚴重，但陸水共生之生物大部分生態系統行為多在水岸邊發生，臺灣目前尚無相關設計規範可供參考。本研究選擇八種涵蓋臺灣各地水域，與水岸環境密切的兩棲生物，探討其棲地與行為特性關係，期能改善水岸因混凝土化所造成之生物棲地破壞問題。實測其體長、體重、趾表面積、四肢攀爬能力、跳高與跳遠能力，以最適合的四種基質與對照組混凝土基質比較，配合五種邊坡坡度，量測兩棲類活動能力，依臺灣季節影響基質表面溫濕度的變化，探討對於兩棲類攀爬能力的影響。實驗結果得知，不論是在卵石或木質基質，於45°邊坡上日本樹蛙的單位體重攀爬能力只有面天樹蛙的16-17﹪。至於體型與行為能力之差異性，以同為赤蛙科之斯文豪氏蛙與腹斑蛙為例，雌性第一群中，斯文豪氏赤蛙較腹斑蛙在體重方面高63﹪；體長高30﹪；四肢肉趾表面積高44﹪；而行為能力方面，跳高能力高15﹪；跳遠能力高29﹪，可知同科別中，體型與行為能力有明顯差異。攀爬能力方面，兩棲類體型影響極大，依兩棲類體型由大而小，依序為盤古蟾蜍、褐樹蛙、拉都希氏赤蛙與日本樹蛙等作比較，大部分之兩棲類適應坡度能力，顯示應小於30°為佳。若將條件設定為木質邊坡30°，盤古蟾蜍幾乎無攀爬能力；日本樹蛙則高出褐樹蛙59﹪；褐樹蛙高出拉都希氏赤蛙67﹪。本研究之水岸邊坡基質與坡度組合，對於日後從事改造地方本土化水岸生態工程技術之相關工程人員能提供有用資料。The concreting process on water banks caused by inappropriate human development became a serious problem in Taiwan; however, most ecosystems of amphibian animals took place on lake banks, yet there was no related design solutions offered in Taiwan. This research selected eight species of amphibians in Taiwan. To discuss their habitats and behavioral characteristics in order to manage the problem of water banks. With measuring of each amphibian’s body length, weight, toe pad area, climbing ability, high jump ability, and long jump ability, this experiment was designed to compare concrete with four substrates which found most suitable in the experiment. Matching them with five appropriate bank angles to test amphibian’s motility, and furthermore, to identify the relation between amphibian’s abilities and surface substrates of water banks as humidity and temperature differ in four seasons. The result showed that if comparing per weight’s climbing ability of Chirixalus idiootocus and Buergeria japonicus, those two in the same family and of similar size, on the 15° bank slope, Buergeria japonicus’ climbing ability was only 17% of Chirixalus idiootocus’s on pebble substrate, but when the experiment was conducted on wood substrate, Buergeria japonicus’ climbing ability would down to 16% of Chirixalus idiootocus’s. If we took the example of Rana swinhoana and Rana adenopleura of Rana family to discuss their body sizes and behavioral ability’s differences, in the first female group, the weight of Rana swinhoana’s was 63% heavier than Rana adenopleura, as body length 30% longer than Rana adenopleura, and toe pad area 44% larger than Rana adenopleura. In the aspect of behavioral ability, Rana swinhoana performs 15% better in the field of high jump ability and 29% better with long jump. What was found in the results was that even in the same family, each amphibian may differ significantly in body size and behavioral ability. In the aspect of climbing ability , the body-size variable was an crucial factor, and if amphibians were ranked by size, the order was – Bufo bankorensis, Burgeria roubstus, Rana latouchii, and Buergeria japonicus – generally most amphibians adapted better on bank slope under 30°. Bufo bankorensis almost showed no climbing ability at the 30° slope, wooden bank, while Buergeria japonicus’ climbing ability was 59% stronger than that of Burgeria roubstus, and Burgeria roubstus’ climbing ability was 67% stronger than Rana latouchii’s. This research adopted multiple combinations of lake banks’ substrates and angles could serve as a reference for technicians’ in future ecological engineering on lake banks in Taiwan.授 權 書 I試委員 Ⅱ審定書 III 謝 V文摘要 VI文摘要 VII 錄 VIII 目 錄 X 目 錄 XII一章 緒論 1.1 研究動機與目的 1.2 研究對象與範圍 2.3 研究內容與流程 5二章 文獻回顧 8.1 臺灣地區氣候環境 8.2 臺灣兩棲類生理與棲地文獻探討 9.3 生物實驗相關理論 23.4 小結 29三章 材料與方法 31.1 兩棲類物種選定、取樣與分群方式 31.2 樣本之基本條件及行為能力量測 34.3 兩棲類在不同基質、角度及群別變化對攀爬能力之關係 37.4 模擬臺灣四季氣溫與基質含水率改變對於攀爬能力之影響 39.5 現地實測案例評估 41.6 統計分析檢定 42.7 生態工程設計模式建議 42四章 結果與討論 43.1 兩棲類之身體計量與行為能力量測結果 43.2 氣候環境對兩棲類利用不同基質、坡度活動能力影響 47.3 不同棲地條件兩棲生物對於水岸邊坡之條件需求 54.4 現地實測案例評估 62.5 生物統計分析檢定結果 69.6 綜合討論 94.7 生態工程邊坡設計剖面圖例 98五章 結論與建議 103.1 結論 103.2 建議 104考文獻 參考-1件一 兩棲類生物於不同基質之攀爬能力關係附件一-1件二 各項基質與角度之檢定分析數據 附件二-1件三 相同兩棲類物種於不同基質與不同角度之攀爬能力附件三-1件四 不同兩棲類物種於相同基質與不同角度之攀爬能力附件四-

[[alternative]]Study on Children's Preference of Playground Facilities Design of Elementary School

[[abstract]]遊戲空間是學童初期面對世界的窗口，直接觸及遊戲設施是遊戲最主要的方式，藉由遊戲設施偏好達成教育上的目的。本研究依學童背景差異，探討其受遊戲設施環境影響而使國小學童對遊戲場設施設計偏好之差異。研究方法以彰化縣溪洲國小為例，採實地問卷分析二、四、六年級計151位學童對遊戲設施偏好，並訪談教師。結果顯示73％的男學童認為好玩又刺激是吸引他們選擇遊具的主要因素，女學童則有60％亦有同感，另分別有七與六成的男女學童偏好不銹鋼與木質遊具材料。而遊具造型選擇較以新奇、多互動為選擇方向。本研究結果有助於景觀及遊憩設計者之參考。[[abstract]]A playground space is school children’s window to the world, and direct contact with playground facilities is the most primary method for them to achieve educational goals by preferences of playground facilities. This study discusses the impact of playground facilities environment and gaming behaviors on school children based on differences in their background. Adopted study measurements include field observation and research on the playground environment in the Changhua county Sijhou elementary school, questionnaire for analysis on the playground facilities preferences of 151 school children in the 2nd, 4th and 6th grades, and interviews with the teachers. The results, 73% of male students fun and exciting factors attract them to select playground equipment, female students has 60% is shared, the other 70% and 60% of male and female students preferences stainless steel and wood playground equipment material. Styling select of playground equipment for the novel and interactive. This study refer for landscape designer

[[alternative]]Discussion of Accidental Injuries and Environmental Facilities Design in Junior High School Campus--Take Da-Dao Junior High School as an Example

[[abstract]]學校對兒童來說，是一個新的生活環境，一方面是對學生知識的要求，要求促進學習的成就；另一方面是學生人格的養成並促成品格的發展。本研究探究國中生性別、年級、班別屬性、與校園環境空間設施等因素對事故傷害傾向之影響，以台中市大肚區大道國民中學學生為母群體，基於經濟與研究之便利性考量，針對校內學生1500多人進行抽樣調查。研究結果顯示，受傷機會以男學生84.9％多於女學生80.7％，班級屬性上以普通班83.3％及音樂班79.3％受傷機會少於體育班93％；受傷類別中女生以叮咬傷居第一，男生則是擦傷為首。受傷接受護理處理意願態度以女生47.8％多於男生46.8％。在環境空間設施部分，擦傷以操場為主要受傷場域、走廊為多項受傷類別之受傷場域，造成傷害原因前十項排序以下雨積水居首、下雨路滑次之，其它分別為地磚鬆動、路面不平、地板濕滑、碎石較多、空間太小、路線不通、坡道太陡、光線不足等。學校環境空間設施確實造成學生在事故傷害中佔有舉足輕重影響。透過本研究結果，可提供未來設計者及校園營繕管理單位於學校空間與設施設計於安全維護管理及修繕設計與工程要點之考量。[[abstract]]School is a new living environment for children. For one thing is requiring students on knowledge and promotion of learning achievements, for another thing is developing student personality and character. This study whose objects are all from Da Dao Junior High School, including its students, attempts to find out the influence of the attributes of the students' gender, grade, and class along with school environmental facilities on accidental injuries on the campus. According to the convenience of economy and research, about 1,500 students were sampled for the survey. The result of the study shows that the chance of getting accidental injuries of boy students reaches 84.9% higher than that of girl students which turns out to be 80.7%. As for class attribute, the rate shows regular classes with 83.3%, music talented classes with 79.3% are both lower than PE talented classes with 93%. When talking about the sorts of accidental injuries, the stings or bites from insects come to number 1 place in girl students' part, while in boys' part, scratches rank first. On the other hand, the willing to receive medical care, girls' percentage shows 47.8% still higher than that of the boys', 46.8%. But where may the injuries take place? Scratches mainly occur on the playground; corridors are the very place where many different kinds of injuries may happen. The top 10 reasons that cause accidental injuries are ranked as the following, puddles, slippery roads, unfastened bricks, uneven surface of the passageways, wet floors, too many pebbles on the passageways, crowded room, obstructed ways, steep slopes, Insufficient lighting. School environmental facilities indeed play an important part in the accidental injuries on the campus. Through the study, this result helpful to the designers and campus management unit, when they design or maintain any school facilities

Novel Glycosylation by Amylosucrase to Produce Glycoside Anomers

Glycosylation occurring at either lipids, proteins, or sugars plays important roles in many biological systems. In nature, enzymatic glycosylation is the formation of a glycosidic bond between the anomeric carbon of the donor sugar and the functional group of the sugar acceptor. This study found novel glycoside anomers without an anomeric carbon linkage of the sugar donor. A glycoside hydrolase (GH) enzyme, amylosucrase from Deinococcus geothermalis (DgAS), was evaluated to glycosylate ganoderic acid F (GAF), a lanostane triterpenoid from medicinal fungus Ganoderma lucidum, at different pH levels. The results showed that GAF was glycosylated by DgAS at acidic conditions pH 5 and pH 6, whereas the activity dramatically decreased to be undetectable at pH 7 or pH 8. The biotransformation product was purified by preparative high-performance liquid chromatography and identified as unusual α-glucosyl-(2→26)-GAF and β-glucosyl-(2→26)-GAF anomers by mass and nucleic magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. We further used DgAS to catalyze another six triterpenoids. Under the acidic conditions, two of six compounds, ganoderic acid A (GAA) and ganoderic acid G (GAG), could be converted to α–glucosyl-(2→26)-GAA and β–glucosyl-(2→26)-GAA anomers and α-glucosyl-(2→26)-GAG and β-glucosyl-(2→26)-GAG anomers, respectively. The glycosylation of triterpenoid aglycones was first confirmed to be converted via a GH enzyme, DgAS. The novel enzymatic glycosylation-formed glycoside anomers opens a new bioreaction in the pharmaceutical industry and in the biotechnology sector

Enzymatic Synthesis of Novel and Highly Soluble Puerarin Glucoside by Deinococcus geothermalis Amylosucrase

Puerarin (daidzein-8-C-glucoside) is an isoflavone isolated from several leguminous plants of the genus Pueraria. Puerarin possesses several pharmacological properties; however, the poor solubility of puerarin limits its applications. To resolve this poor solubility, Deinococcus geothermalis amylosucrase (DgAS) was used to modify puerarin into more soluble derivatives. The results showed that DgAS could biotransform puerarin into a novel compound: puerarin-4′-O-α-glucoside. The biotransformation reaction was manipulated at different temperatures, pH values, sucrose concentrations, reaction times, and enzyme concentrations. The results showed that the optimal reaction condition was biotransformed by 200 μg/mL DgAS with 20% (w/v) sucrose at pH 6 and incubated at 40 °C for 48 h, and the optimal production yield was 35.1%. Puerarin-4′-O-α-glucoside showed 129-fold higher solubility than that of puerarin and, thus, could be further applied for pharmacological use in the future

A New Stilbene Glucoside from Biotransformation-Guided Purification of Chinese Herb Ha-Soo-Oh

Ha-Soo-Oh is a traditional Chinese medicine prepared from the roots of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. The herb extract has been widely used in Asian countries as a tonic agent and nutritional supplement for centuries. To identify new bioactive compounds in Chinese herbs, the biotransformation-guided purification (BGP) process was applied to Ha-Soo-Oh with Bacillus megaterium tyrosinase (BmTYR) as a biocatalyst. The result showed that a major biotransformed compound could be purified using the BGP process with preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and it was confirmed as a new compound, 2,3,5,3′,4′-pentahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-glucoside (PSG) following mass and nucleic magnetic resonance (NMR) spectral analyses. PSG was further confirmed as a biotransformation product from 2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-glucoside (TSG) by BmTYR. The new PSG exhibited 4.7-fold higher 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazine (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity than that of TSG. The present study highlights the potential usage of BGP in herbs to discover new bioactive compounds in the future

Glycosylation of Ganoderic Acid G by Bacillus Glycosyltransferases

Ganoderma lucidum is a medicinal fungus abundant in triterpenoids, its primary bioactive components. Although numerous Ganoderma triterpenoids have already been identified, rare Ganoderma triterpenoid saponins were recently discovered. To create novel Ganoderma saponins, ganoderic acid G (GAG) was selected for biotransformation using four Bacillus glycosyltransferases (GTs) including BtGT_16345 from the Bacillus thuringiensis GA A07 strain and three GTs (BsGT110, BsUGT398, and BsUGT489) from the Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 strain. The results showed that BsUGT489 catalyzed the glycosylation of GAG to GAG-3-o-β-glucoside, while BsGT110 catalyzed the glycosylation of GAG to GAG-26-o-β-glucoside, which showed 54-fold and 97-fold greater aqueous solubility than that of GAG, respectively. To our knowledge, these two GAG saponins are new compounds. The glycosylation specificity of the four Bacillus GTs highlights the possibility of novel Ganoderma triterpenoid saponin production in the future

A Novel Soy Isoflavone Derivative, 3′-Hydroxyglycitin, with Potent Antioxidant and Anti-<i>α</i>-Glucosidase Activity

This study demonstrated the enzymatic hydroxylation of glycitin to 3′-hydroxyglycitin, confirming the structure by mass and nucleic magnetic resonance spectral analyses. The bioactivity assays further revealed that the new compound possessed over 100-fold higher 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazine free-radical scavenging activity than the original glycitin, although its half-time of stability was 22.3 min. Furthermore, the original glycitin lacked anti-α-glucosidase activity, whereas the low-toxic 3′-hydroxyglycitin displayed a 10-fold higher anti-α-glucosidase activity than acarbose, a standard clinical antidiabetic drug. The inhibition mode of 3′-hydroxyglycitin was noncompetitive, with a Ki value of 0.34 mM. These findings highlight the potential use of the new soy isoflavone 3′-hydroxyglycitin in biotechnology industries in the future

Application of Biotransformation-Guided Purification in Chinese Medicine: An Example to Produce Butin from Licorice

Natural compounds are considered treasures in biotechnology; however, in the past, the process of discovering bioactive compounds is time consuming, and the purification and validation of the biofunctions and biochemistry of compounds isolated from a medicinal herb are tedious tasks. In this study, we developed an economical process called biotransformation-guided purification (BGP), which we applied to analyze licorice, a traditional Chinese medicine widely used in many therapies. This medicinal herb contains various flavonoids and triterpenoids and, thus, is a suitable material used to assess the ability of BGP to identify and produce bioactive compounds. In the BGP process, the ethyl acetate extract of a commercial licorice medicine was partially purified into three fractions by Sephadex LH-20 chromatography, and Bacillus megaterium tyrosinase (BmTYR) was used to catalyze the biotransformation of the extract from each fraction. One of the products produced via BmTYR-driven biotransformation was purified from the biotransformation-positive extract using preparative C-18 high-performance liquid chromatography, and it was identified as butin (3′-hydroxyliquiritigenin) through nucleic magnetic resonance and mass spectral analyses. Butin was produced from liquiritigenin through BmTYR-catalyzed hydroxylation, with commercial liquiritigenin as the biotransformation precursor. The proposed alternative approach quickly identified and isolated the biotransformed butin from licorice. Moreover, butin demonstrated an antioxidant activity that is stronger by over 100-fold compared with that of its precursor (liquiritigenin). This study showed that the economical BGP process could quickly obtain and validate bioactive molecules from crude extracts of medicinal herbs