Do not blame everything on Taipower

When I was a kid, my family always kept candles at home for emergencies. This was basic common sense in Taiwan. After flashlights became popular, we kept flashlights at home.Power outages caused by natural disasters, man-made disasters, and electric shocks from animals are common sense. There is nothing to be surprised about. Power outages will occur when the wires short-circuit and trip, when the current is too large and the fuse burns out, when trees fall and crush the wires, and when lightning strikes the transformer box. There are too many situations that can cause power outages. If the power is normal when any above situation happens, that's the time we have to worry about it.

I remember that the network of a former company was intermittent for a while. The network was optical fiber, and the quality was quite poor. My colleagues thought it was a problem with the Chunghwa Telecom and kept asking them to repair it. It was not until we moved to a new office and removed all the network cables. We found that the network cables running from the ceiling were bitten by rats and were broken in several places. No wonder the signal was so poor. At this time, everyone realized that they had wrongly blamed Chunghwa Telecom. Fortunately, the rats only bit the network line. If they had bitten the electric wires, wouldn't it have caused a power outage or even a fire? Can we blame the Taipower and the lack of nuclear power plants for this?

小時候在家裡常備蠟燭以備不時之需，這是生活的基本常識，等手電筒普及後就是常備手電筒了。

因天災人禍動物觸電造成停電，這根本就是常識，有什麼好大驚小怪的。電線短路跳電就會停電，電流過大保險絲燒掉也會停電，樹木倒塌壓倒電線會停電，閃電打到變電箱會停電，造成停電的原因太多了，這時候如果不停電才是要擔心的事情。

記得某前公司的網路有一段時間一直斷斷續續很糟糕，明明是光纖卻品質這麼差，同事都以為是中華電信的問題，一直找他們來維修。直到搬辦公室前，將所有網路線拆下，才發現從天花板走線的網路線被老鼠咬的很淒慘，好幾處都要斷不斷的，難怪訊號很差。

這時候大家才知道當初是錯怪中華電信了。還好只是咬網路線，如果是咬電線，那不就會造成停電甚至火燒，難道這也要怪台電及沒有核電廠嗎？

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Climate-smart rice Jaspe in Chile

Jaspe, a new rice variety developed in Chile, can thrive in dry and cold environments, maintain yields in drought conditions, and reduce CH4 emissions. I want to know if it can also maintain good growth in dry and hot environments, or continue to produce abundant yields in variable dry and wet environments. The reason that I am thinking about this is that these two conditions are occurring quite frequently in Taiwan. As for the description of its yield, Jaspe produces 30 ears of rice. I would like to know if the number and weight of grains per ear of rice are the same as the ordinary rice it is compared with. If so, it really has 10 times the yield as it claims.

智利培育出來的新品種水稻 "氣候智慧型水稻" Jaspe，能在乾燥、寒冷的環境裡生長旺盛，在乾旱情況下維持產量，同時達到減排。不知道是否也能在乾旱炎熱的環境裡維持良好的生長，或是在多變的乾濕環境下繼續產量豐富。

至於其產量的描述，Jaspe產出30株稻穗，不知每株稻穗的穀粒數及重量是否和其拿來比較的一般稻米一樣多，如果是，那就真的如其所說有10倍產量了。

https://news.pts.org.tw/article/752588

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250429-less-thirsty-rice-offers-hope-in-drought-stricken-chile

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About Endosymbiotic Gene Transfer (EGT)

It is very interesting, I didn’t know that mitochondria and chloroplast would do this before. Please check the following links yourself if you want to know more.

很有趣啊，我以前都不知道 Mitochondria and Chloroplast 會這樣做啊，請大家自己看下面的連結及說明。

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Suppression of plastid-to-nucleus gene transfer by DNA double-strand break repair (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41477-025-02005-w)

"Abstract: Plant nuclear genomes contain thousands of genes of mitochondrial and plastid origin as the result of endosymbiotic gene transfer (EGT). EGT is a still-ongoing process, but the molecular mechanisms determining its frequency remain largely unknown. Here we demonstrate that nuclear double-strand break (DSB) repair is a strong suppressor of EGT. Through large-scale genetic screens in tobacco plants, we found that EGT from plastids to the nucleus occurs more frequently in somatic cells when individual DSB repair pathways are inactive. This effect is explained by the expected increase in the number and residence time of DSBs available as integration sites for organellar DNA. We also show that impaired DSB repair causes EGT to increase 5- to 20-fold in the male gametophyte. Together, our data (1) uncover DSB levels as a key determinant of EGT frequency, (2) reveal the strong mutagenic potential of organellar DNA and (3) suggest that changes in DNA repair capacity can impact EGT across evolutionary timescales."

葉綠體基因搬家時：核基因體如何決定「接不接受」這份大禮？(https://vocus.cc/article/68298bf0fd89780001fa74fc)

"在植物演化史上，有個默默進行了幾十億年的大搬家工程──葉綠體和粒線體裡的基因，陸續轉移到細胞核裡，這個過程叫做內共生基因轉移（Endosymbiotic Gene Transfer, EGT）。雖然我們已經知道這件事發生了很久、很久、很久，也看到許多核基因帶有葉綠體或粒線體的痕跡，但一個問題始終沒有明確答案：這些基因是怎麼進去的？又為什麼有時候轉移得多，有時候轉移得少？"

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Transition from Trait to Environment (TTE)

Let's read this report by IRRI, "IRRI Scientists Introduces New Breeding Approach to Harness Genomic Selection in Challenging Environments".

They develop a new breeding approach, called “Transition from Trait to Environment (TTE)”.

Figure 1. Breeding schemes for developing flood-tolerant genotypes. (A) Traditional method: a submergence-tolerant donor is crossed with high-yielding lines to combine traits. (B) Redesigned approach: elite genotypes with fixed submergence tolerance are intercrossed, and progenies are evaluated under natural flooding to select for yield and agronomic performance. Trait submergence tolerance is already fixed among the parental genotypes. (https://ricetoday.irri.org/irri-scientists-introduces-new-breeding-approach-to-harness-genomic-selection-in-challenging-environments/)

這是為了提高作物對氣候變遷的耐受度，也就是提高作物適應逆境環境。在育種時，傳統育種是先從高產量的品系開始，然後再慢慢加入能適應逆境的性狀來做篩選。TTE則是直接從能適應逆境的作物開始，再去篩選出高產量的後代，此時因為親代本來就都帶有適應逆境的基因，所以所有的子代都能適應逆境，此時只要專注於篩選出高產量的即可。

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The Constitution of the Taiwan (ROC)

When the Constitution of the ROC was first drafted, it emphasized the independence of the five powers.  The legislative power has become dominant now, overriding the executive, judicial, supervisory, and examination powers. Isn't this strange?

Article 57 of the Constitution regulates the methods of questioning, reconsideration, and confirmation. Why do I feel that the current chaos is due to the abuse of Article 57? Maybe my understanding of the legal provisions and text is not accurate enough.

中華民國的憲法一開始在制定時，就強調五權分立，但是現在卻變成立法權獨大，凌駕行政、司法、監察及考試權之上，這樣不會很奇怪嗎？

憲法第57條的規範，規範了質詢、覆議、覆議之決議方式，為什麼我怎麼看都覺得現在的亂象是因為濫用第57條啊。有可能是我對法律條文及文字的理解不夠精確吧。

---------------- https://law.moj.gov.tw/ENG/LawClass/LawAll.aspx?pcode=A0000001 ----

憲法第57條：

行政院依左列規定，對立法院負責：
一、行政院有向立法院提出施政方針及施政報告之責。立法委員在開會時，有向行政院院長及行政院各部會首長質詢之權。
二、立法院對於行政院之重要政策不贊同時，得以決議移請行政院變更之。行政院對於立法院之決議，得經總統之核可，移請立法院覆議。覆議時，如經出席立法委員三分之二維持原決議，行政院院長應即接受該決議或辭職。
三、行政院對於立法院決議之法律案、預算案、條約案，如認為有窒礙難行時，得經總統之核可，於該決議案送達行政院十日內，移請立法院覆議。覆議時，如經出席立法委員三分之二維持原案，行政院院長應即接受該決議或辭職。

Article 57
The Executive Yuan shall be responsible to the Legislative Yuan in accordance with the following provisions:
1. The Executive Yuan has the duty to present to the Legislative Yuan a statement of its administrative policies and a report on its administration. While the Legislative Yuan is in session, Members of the Legislative Yuan shall have the right to question the President and the Ministers and Chairmen of Commissions of the Executive Yuan.
2. If the Legislative Yuan does not concur in any important policy of the Executive Yuan, it may, by resolution, request the Executive Yuan to alter such a policy. With respect to such resolution, the Executive Yuan may, with the approval of the President of the Republic, put a request to the Legislative Yuan for reconsideration. If, after reconsideration, two-thirds of the Members of the Legislative Yuan present at the meeting uphold the original resolution, the President of the Executive Yuan shall either abide by the same or resign from office.
3. If the Executive Yuan deems a resolution on a statutory, budgetary, or treaty bill passed by the Legislative Yuan difficult of execution, it may, with the approval of the President of the Republic and within ten days after its transmission to the Executive Yuan, request the Legislative Yuan to reconsider the said resolution. If after reconsideration, two-thirds of the Members of the Legislative Yuan present at the meeting uphold the original resolution, the President of the Executive Yuan shall either abide by the same or resign from office.

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The New Rice variety: Climate-smart Jaspe

Jaspe, a new rice variety developed in Chile, can thrive in dry and cold environments, maintain high yields in drought conditions, and reduce CH4 emissions. I need to read their published paper to make sure if it can also maintain good growth in dry and hot environments, or continue to produce abundant yields in variable dry-wet environment.

As for the description of its yield, the news said that Jaspe produces 30 ears of rice. I need to read their published paper to make sure if the number and weight of grains per ear of rice are the same as the ordinary rice it is compared with. If so, it really has 10 times the yield as it claims.

智利培育出來的新品種水稻 "氣候智慧型水稻" Jaspe，能在乾燥、寒冷的環境裡生長旺盛，在乾旱情況下維持的產量，同時達到減排。不知道是否也能在乾旱炎熱的環境裡維持良好的生長，或是在多變的乾濕環境下繼續產量豐富。

至於其產量的描述，Jaspe產出30株稻穗，不知每株稻穗的穀粒數及重量是否和其拿來比較的一般稻米一樣多，如果是，那就真的如其所說有10倍產量了。

https://news.pts.org.tw/article/752588

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250429-less-thirsty-rice-offers-hope-in-drought-stricken-chile

Read more!

Safety of Li Battery

This news is reported today because it's currently suspected that the fire was caused by Li battery inside the air monitoring equipment, even it is still under investigation. This makes me think of the Li battery safety certification issues I've recently encountered at work. Because it is required to self-charging the Li batteries inside our equipment continuously, we're planning to use ternary lithium batteries (NMC). Currenty, I am busy evaluating various certifications like UL 2580, UL2271, UL 62133-2, and IEC 62133-2.  I think they might have used the higher energy density ternary lithium battery (LiNiCoMnO2) instead of the lower energy density but safer lithium iron phosphate battery (LiFePO4).

Here's the news:

On April 14, 2025, a large fire occurred in Yangmingshan, Taipei. It's suspected that the lithium battery in the solar power module of an air quality sensor belonging to the National Center for High-performance Computing (NCHC) under the National Science and Technology Council caused it. The NCHC has removed 16 air quality sensors with built-in lithium batteries installed in Hsinchu City, Nantou County, Tainan City, and Chiayi County, and has strengthened its control measures. 
https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/5053708 
https://news.pts.org.tw/article/752885

I did a quick check, and it seems they were using iAeris air quality monitoring equipment: https://www.niar.org.tw/xmdoc/cont?xsmsid=0I148622737263495777&sid=0P104624748119528484  https://www.sysinnotec.com/iaeris3

今天會刊出這個新聞，是因為目前懷疑是設備裡面的鋰電池造成失火，不過詳細結果還待後續偵辦確認。想到最近工作上遇到的鋰電池安全認證議題，由於是需要能持續自動充電的鋰電池，所以規劃使用三元鋰電池。最近正在努力評估 UL 2580、UL2271、UL62133-2、IEC62133-2 等不同的認證。我覺得他們是使用能量密度較高的三元鋰電池(NMC, LiNiCoMnO2)，沒有使用能量密度較低但安全性較高的磷酸鐵鋰電池(LiFePO4)。

新聞內容：

4/14/2025臺北市陽明山小油坑發生大火，懷疑是國科會旗下國網中心的空氣品質感測器中的太陽能供電模組的鋰電池所引起，國網中心已拆除安裝在新竹市、南投縣、台南市及嘉義縣的16支內建鋰電池的16支有鋰電池的空品感測器，並加強管控。
https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/5053708https://news.pts.org.tw/article/752885

查了一下，他們是用 iAeris 的空品監測設備：
https://www.niar.org.tw/xmdoc/cont?xsmsid=0I148622737263495777&sid=0P104624748119528484
https://www.sysinnotec.com/iaeris3

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A referendum for nuke

Honestly, I really don't want to keep discussing whether nuclear power is expensive or not; what to do about high-level, medium-level, and low-level nuclear waste with nowhere to dispose of or store it (the NIMBY problem); or whether Taiwan, with its frequent magnitude 5-7.x earthquakes and numerous fault lines, is even suitable for continuing to operate old nuclear power plants that have had many issues and are already decommissioned or scheduled for decommissioning.

But the KMT and TPP parties simply refuse to let the third Nuclear Power Plant be decommissioned, and now they even want a referendum to keep it running. It's truly infuriating. Please don't force people to accept problems that cannot be solved by science and technology now. Just because you win a vote doesn't mean the scientific and technical problems are magically resolved.

I saw a few lines today that I found quite amusing regarding nuclear power:

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The pro-nuclear side has always had a logical dilemma:

1. Taipower is terrible and full of lies.
2. Taipower-managed nuclear power plants are super safe and will have no problems.

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其實不想一天到晚討論核能發電到底貴不貴、低中高階核廢料找不到地方處置及儲存要怎麼辦(NIMBY)、常常發生5-7.x級地震且擁有超多斷層的臺灣是否適合讓過去發生過許多問題且已停機及除役的老舊核電廠繼續運轉，但是白藍政黨就是完全不想讓核三廠除役，還要公投讓核三廠繼續運轉，真是令人厭煩。科學技術上無法解決的問題，請不要繼續強人所難，並不是說投票投贏了，科學技術的問題就解決了。今天看到下面的幾句話，覺得很有趣。

關於核能，擁核派一直有個邏輯上的難題：
1. 台電很爛。
2. 台電管理的核電廠很安全，不會有問題。
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Hot Spring

It's late May now, but Taiwan has been incredibly hot recently. Every day I get home from work, the temperature inside the apartment is close to 33 degrees Celsius. Even after opening windows and turning on fans for a few hours, it remains between 32.3 and 32.8 degrees Celsius. Although I'd love to save electricity for energy conservation and carbon reduction, I have no intention to lie awake and sweat all night. So, I'll put off showering until right before bed, then turn on the air conditioning, setting it to 28 degrees Celsius, and then I can sleep more comfortably. Otherwise, if I suffer from insomnia, it'll cause problems at work the next day and isn't good for my health. The resulting reduced productivity and wasted energy due to illness treatment would be worse than just running the AC for a bit.

現在是5月下旬，但臺灣最近實在是很熱，每天下班回到家，家裡的溫度接近攝氏33度，開窗開電風扇幾個小時後都還是維持在攝氏32.3~32.8度之間。雖然希望能省電來達到節能減碳，但是也不想整晚在床上冒汗睡不著覺，所以會拖到睡前才洗澡，洗完澡開冷氣，設定在攝氏28度，至少可以睡得較舒服，不然如果失眠，隔天上班會有問題的，對身體也不好，到時候生病治療造成的生產力下降及能源浪費，還不如開一下冷氣吧。
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Hospital things

Today, as usual, I went to the family clinic to check my blood test report (twice a year) and pick up my chronic prescription (once every 8 weeks). I encountered a few really frustrating things.

1. Someone would constantly cough violently, take a break, and then continue coughing. It's fine to see a doctor for a persistent cough, but she'd pull down her mask every time she coughed.

2. Because the doctor was seeing patients so slowly, some people started asking the nurses if they could be seen first, and then one led to another, and another.

3. While waiting in line for medication, someone tried to cut in from the side. Didn't they see everyone else queuing up?

4. A Chinese person came to pick up a 3-month supply of medication to take back to China.

今天照慣例去家醫科看抽血檢查報告(每年2次)及慢性病拿慢性病處方簽(8週1次)，遇到了幾件令人很無奈的事情。

1. 有人不時就猛力咳嗽一頓，休息一下，之後又繼續咳。本來久咳不癒來看醫生沒問題，但是他是每次咳嗽就將口罩拉下來。
2. 因為醫師看診速度太慢，就有人開始跟護理師說希望能先處理他的，然後有一就有二，有二就有三。

3. 排隊等著領藥時，有人就從旁邊想要插隊進來。沒看到大家都在排隊嗎？

4. 一位中國人來拿3個月的藥帶回中國。

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