Bactericidal Activity of Soymilk Fermentation Broth by In Vitro and Animal Models

Yi-Ping Chin,Ko-Chung Tsui,Mei-Chieh Chen,Cheng-Yi Wang,Chin-Yuh Yang,Yuh-Ling Lin 한국식품영양과학회 2012 Journal of medicinal food Vol.15 No.6

Soybean fermentation broth (SFB) exhibits potent antibacterial activity against different species of bacteria in in vitro assays and animal models. Four isoflavone compounds—daidzin, genistin, genistein, and daidzein—of SFB were analyzed and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. In the in vitro test, daidzin and daidzein had more potent antibacterial activity than genistin. The minimum inhibition concentration values for these bacteria of SFB ranged from 1.25%to 5%, and the minimum bactericidal concentration values of strains ranged from 2.5% to 10%, depending on the species or strain. Vancomycin-resistant Entercoccus faecalis (VRE) strains were also tested for susceptibility to SFB in two species of animal model: the Sprague–Dawley rat and the BALB/c mouse. SFB-fed Sprague–Dawley rats showed excellent elimination efficiency against VRE, close to 99% compared with the phosphate-buffered saline–fed control group. In the BALB/c mouse model, SFB antibacterial activity was 65–80% against VRE compared with the control. In conclusion, SFB contains natural antibacterial substances such as daidzin, genistin, and daidzein that inhibit bacterial growth.

An Application of Hilbert-Huang Transform on the Non-Stationary Astronomical Time Series: The Superorbital Modulation of SMC X-1

Chin-Ping Hu,Yi Chou,Ming-Chya Wu,Ting-Chang Yang,Yi-Hao Su 한국우주과학회 2013 Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences Vol.30 No.2

We present the Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT) analysis on the quasi-periodic modulation of SMC X-1. SMC X-1, consisting of a neutron star and a massive companion, exhibits superorbital modulation with a period varying between ~40 d and ~65 d. We applied the HHT on the light curve observed by the All-Sky Monitor onboard Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) to obtain the instantaneous frequency of the superorbital modulation of SMC X-1. The resultant Hilbert spectrum is consistent with the dynamic power spectrum while it shows more detailed information in both the time and frequency domains. According to the instantaneous frequency, we found a correlation between the superorbital period and the modulation amplitude. Combining the spectral observation made by the Proportional Counter Array onboard RXTE and the superorbital phase derived in the HHT, we performed a superorbital phase-resolved spectral analysis of SMC X-1. An analysis of the spectral parameters versus the orbital phase for different superorbital states revealed that the diversity of nH has an orbital dependence. Furthermore,we obtained the variation in the eclipse profiles by folding the All Sky Monitor light curve with orbital period for different superorbital states. A dip feature, similar to the pre-eclipse dip of Her X-1, can be observed only in the superorbital ascending and descending states, while the width is anti-correlated with the X-ray flux.

An Application of Hilbert-Huang Transform on the Non-Stationary Astronomical Time Series: The Superorbital Modulation of SMC X-1

Hu, Chin-Ping,Chou, Yi,Wu, Ming-Chya,Yang, Ting-Chang,Su, Yi-Hao 한국우주과학회 2013 Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences Vol.30 No.2

We present the Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT) analysis on the quasi-periodic modulation of SMC X-1. SMC X-1, consistingof a neutron star and a massive companion, exhibits superorbital modulation with a period varying between ~40 d and ~65 d.We applied the HHT on the light curve observed by the All-Sky Monitor onboard Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) to obtainthe instantaneous frequency of the superorbital modulation of SMC X-1. The resultant Hilbert spectrum is consistent with thedynamic power spectrum while it shows more detailed information in both the time and frequency domains. According to theinstantaneous frequency, we found a correlation between the superorbital period and the modulation amplitude. Combiningthe spectral observation made by the Proportional Counter Array onboard RXTE and the superorbital phase derived in theHHT, we performed a superorbital phase-resolved spectral analysis of SMC X-1. An analysis of the spectral parameters versusthe orbital phase for different superorbital states revealed that the diversity of nH has an orbital dependence. Furthermore,we obtained the variation in the eclipse profiles by folding the All Sky Monitor light curve with orbital period for differentsuperorbital states. A dip feature, similar to the pre-eclipse dip of Her X-1, can be observed only in the superorbital ascendingand descending states, while the width is anti-correlated with the X-ray flux.

APPLICATIONS OF THE HILBERT-HUANG TRANSFORM ON THE NON-STATIONARY ASTRONOMICAL TIME SERIES

HU, CHIN-PING,CHOU, YI,YANG, TING-CHANG,SU, YI-HAO,HSIEH, HUNG-EN,LIN, CHING-PING,CHUANG, PO-SHENG,LIAO, NAI-HUI The Korean Astronomical Society 2015 天文學論叢 Vol.30 No.2

The development of time-frequency analysis techniques allow astronomers to successfully deal with the non-stationary time series that originate from unstable physical mechanisms. We applied a recently developed time-frequency analysis method, the Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT), to two non-stationary phenomena: the superorbital modulation in the high-mass X-ray binary SMC X-1 and the quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) of the AGN RE J1034+396. From the analysis of SMC X-1, we obtained a Hilbert spectrum that shows more detailed information in both the time and frequency domains. Then, a phase-resolved analysis of both the spectra and the orbital profiles was presented. From the spectral analysis, we noticed that the iron line production is dominated by different regions of this binary system in different superorbital phases. Furthermore, a pre-eclipse dip lying at orbital phase ~0:6-0:85 was discovered during the superorbital transition state. We further applied the HHT to analyze the QPO of RE J1034+396. From the Hilbert spectrum and the O-C analysis results, we suggest that it is better to divide the evolution of the QPO into three epochs according to their different periodicities. The correlations between the QPO periods and corresponding fluxes were also different in these three epochs. The change in periodicity and the relationships could be interpreted as the change in oscillation mode based on the diskoseismology model.

ON THE COMPLEX VARIABILITY OF THE SUPERORBITAL MODULATION PERIOD OF LMC X-4

HU, CHIN-PING,LIN, CHING-PING,CHOU, YI,YANG, TING-CHANG,SU, YI-HAO,HSIEH, HUNG-EN,CHUANG, PO-SHENG,LIAO, NAI-HUI The Korean Astronomical Society 2015 天文學論叢 Vol.30 No.2

LMC X-4 is an eclipsing high-mass X-ray binary exhibiting a superorbital modulation with a period of ~ 30:5 days. We present a detailed study of the variations of the superorbital modulation period with a time baseline of ~ 18 years. The period determined in the light curve collected by the Monitor of All-sky X-ray Image (MAXI) significantly deviates from that observed by the All Sky Monitor (ASM) onboard the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE). Using the data collected by RXTE/ASM, MAXI, and the Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) onboard Swift, we found a significant period derivative, $\dot{P}=(2.08{\pm}0.12){\times}10^{-5}$. Furthermore, the O{C residual shows complex short-term variations indicating that the superorbital modulation of LMC X-4 exhibits complicated unstable behaviors. In addition, we used archive data collected by the Proportional Counter Array (PCA) on RXTE to estimate the orbital and spin parameters. The detected pulse frequencies obtained in small time segments were fitted with a circular orbital Doppler shift model. In addition to orbital parameters and spin frequency for each observation, we found a spin frequency derivative of $\dot{v}=(6.482{\pm}0.011){\times}10^{-13}Hz{\cdot}s^{-1}$. More precise orbital and spin parameters will be evaluated by the pulse arrival time delay technique in the future.

CHARACTERIZING THE TIME-FREQUENCY PROPERTIES OF THE 4 Hz QUASI-PERIODIC OSCILLATION AROUND THE BLACK HOLE X-ray BINARY XTE J1550-564

SU, YI-HAO,CHOU, YI,HU, CHIN-PING,YANG, TING-CHANG,HSIEH, HUNG-EN,CHUANG, PO-SHENG,LIN, CHING-PING,LIAO, NAI-HUI The Korean Astronomical Society 2015 天文學論叢 Vol.30 No.2

We present the results from analysis of the Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT) for the 4 Hz quasi-periodic oscillations (QPO) around the black hole X-ray binary XTE J1550-564. The resultant Hilbert spectra demonstrate that the QPO is composed of a series of intermittent signals appearing occasionally. From the analysis of the HHT, we further found the distribution of the lifetimes for the intermittent oscillations and the distribution for the time intervals with no significant signal (the break time). The mean lifetime is 1.45 s and 90% of the oscillation segments have lifetimes less than 3.1 s whereas the mean break time is 0.42 s and 90% of break times are less than 0.73 s. We conclude that the intermittent feature of the QPO could be explained by the Lense-Thirring precession model and rules out interpretations of continual frequency modulation.

Evolution of Spin and Superorbital Modulation in 4U 0114+650

Chin-Ping Hu,Chi-Yung Ng,Yi Chou 한국우주과학회 2016 Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences Vol.33 No.3

We report on a systematic analysis of the spin and superorbital modulations of the high-mass X-ray binary 4U 0114+650, which consists of the slowest spinning neutron star known. Utilizing dynamic power spectra, we found that the spin period varied dramatically during the RXTE ASM and Swift BAT observations. This variation consists of a long-term spin-up trend, and two ~1,000 day and one ~600 day random walk epochs previously, MJD 51,000, ~MJD 51,400-52,000, and ~MJD 55,100-56,100. We further found that the events appear together with depressions of superorbital modulation amplitude. This provides evidence of the existence of an accretion disk, although the physical mechanism of superorbital modulation remains unclear. Furthermore, the decrease of the superorbital modulation amplitude may be associated with the decrease of mass accretion rate from the disk, and may distribute the accretion torque of the neutron star randomly in time.

DISCOVERY OF AN X-RAY-EMITTING CONTACT BINARY SYSTEM 2MASS J11201034−2201340

Hu, Chin-Ping,Yang, Ting-Chang,Chou, Yi,Liu, L.,Qian, S.-B.,Hui, C. Y.,Kong, Albert K. H.,Lin, L. C. C.,Tam, P. H. T.,Li, K. L.,Ngeow, Chow-Choong,Chen, W. P.,Ip, Wing-Huen American Astronomical Society 2016 The Astronomical journal Vol.151 No.6

<P>We report the detection of orbital modulation, a model solution, and the X-ray properties of a newly discovered contact binary, Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) J11201034-2201340. We serendipitously found this X-ray point source outside the error ellipse when searching for possible X-ray counterparts of 7-ray millisecond pulsars among the unidentified objects detected by the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. The optical counterpart of the X-ray source (unrelated to the 7-ray source) was then identified using archival databases. The long-term Catalina Real-Time Transient Survey detected a precise signal with a period of P = 0.28876208 (56) days. A follow-up observation made by the Super Light Telescope of Lulin Observatory revealed the binary nature of the object. Utilizing archived photometric data of multi-band surveys, we construct the spectral energy distribution (SED), which is well fit by a K2V spectral template. The fitting result of the orbital profile using the Wilson Devinney code suggests that 2MASS J11201034-2201340 is a short-period A-type contact binary and the more massive component has a cool spot. The X-ray emission was first noted in observations made by Swift, and then further confirmed and characterized by an XMM-Newton observation. The X-ray spectrum can be described by a power law or thermal Bremsstrahlung. Unfortunately, we could not observe significant X-ray orbital modulation. Finally, according to the SED, this system is estimated to be 690 pc from Earth with a calculated X-ray intensity of (0.7 - 1.5) x 10(30) erg s(-1), which is in the expected range of an X-ray emitting contact binary.</P>

The roles of a university professor in a teacher study group

Hui-Chin Yeh,Yi-Ping Chen,Hsiu-Ting Hung 서울대학교 교육연구소 2012 Asia Pacific Education Review Vol.13 No.3

The opportunities in which university professors collaborate with the practicing school teachers in a teacher study group are few. This study investigated how a university professor facilitated a collaborative teacher study group to enhance teachers' professional growth. Five primary school teachers and a university professor collaborated on incorporating Reader's Theatre into the design and revision of the curriculum in a teacher study group. This study not only identified the roles of the university professor but also highlighted how this outside stimulus facilitated the process of teachers' professional dialogues in this teacher study group. Five roles of the professor in the teacher study group were identified, including content expert, information provider, thought challenger, discussion facilitator, and caring listener. The discrepancies toward the roles that the professor in the teacher study group should serve between the elementary school teachers and the university professor were analyzed and reported. Implications were drawn for both classroom teachers and university professors.

Effect of Light on Cercarial Emergence from Oncomelania hupensis chiui Infected with Formosan and Philippine Strains of Schistosoma japonicum

Wang, Yi-Chang,Fan, Ping-Chin INSTITUTE OF TROPICAL MEDICINE YONSEI UNIVERSITY 1972 YONSEI REPORTS ON TROPICAL MEDICINE Vol.3 No.1

O. H. chiui infected with either Formosan(Changhea) or Philippine strain of S. japonicum were divided into three series to submerge into dechlorinated tap water in 5-ml vials at 7 a.m., 3p.m., and 11 p.m. of theday of experiment, then they were examined 2-hourly when exposed either to continuously fluorescent light or to day light and darkness at night for 40 hours to datermine the sequence of their cercarial emergence. Results showed a afternon (3∼11p.m.) cycle for cercariae of Philippine strain of S. japonicum and a tendency of diurnal periodicity for cercariae of Formosan (Changhua) strain of S. japonicum to emerge from O. h. chiui. After snails of O.h. chiui wer submerged in water, s. japonicum cercariae of Formosan (Changhua) strain were much earlier than those of Philippine strain to emerge from their snail hossts. Light sstimulated cercariae of both Formosan(Changhua) strain and Philipoppine strain of S. japonicum carlier to emerge from their snail hosts. Factors might affect cercarial shedding of S. japonicum were also discussed in the present aper.