Showing papers by "National Chung Hsing University published in 2002"
TL;DR: The antioxidant and pro-oxidant properties of ascorbic acid and gallic acid were investigated in this paper, which showed that the reducing power of these two compounds increased upon increasing the concentration.
547 citations
TL;DR: This work provides mutual authentication between the user and the server and achieves more functionality and requires much less computational cost than other smart card-based schemes.
474 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the antioxidant properties of oyster mushrooms were investigated and the scavenging effect on hydroxyl free radicals was found to be moderate to high (42.9-81.8%) at 6.4 mg ml−1.
461 citations
TL;DR: The proposal calls for the design of TRFN by either neural network or genetic algorithms depending on the learning environment, which develops from a series of recurrent fuzzy if-then rules with TSK-type consequent parts.
Abstract: In this paper, a TSK-type recurrent fuzzy network (TRFN) structure is proposed. The proposal calls for the design of TRFN by either neural network or genetic algorithms depending on the learning environment. A recurrent fuzzy network is described which develops from a series of recurrent fuzzy if-then rules with TSK-type consequent parts. The recurrent property comes from feeding the internal variables, derived from fuzzy firing strengths, back to both the network input and output layers. In this configuration, each internal variable is responsible for memorizing the temporal history of its corresponding fuzzy rule. The internal variable is also combined with external input variables in each rule's consequence, which shows an increase in network learning ability. TRFN design under different learning environments is next advanced. For problems where supervised training data is directly available, TRFN with supervised learning (TRFN-S) is proposed, and a neural network (NN) learning approach is adopted for TRFN-S design. An online learning algorithm with concurrent structure and parameter learning is proposed. With flexibility of partition in the precondition part, and outcome of TSK-type, the TRFN-S displays both small network size and high learning accuracy. For problems where gradient information for NN learning is costly to obtain or unavailable, like reinforcement learning, TRFN with Genetic learning (TRFN-G) is put forward. The precondition parts of TRFN-G are also partitioned in a flexible way, and all free parameters are designed concurrently by genetic algorithm. Owing to the well-designed network structure of TRFN, TRFN-G, like TRFN-S, is characterized by high learning accuracy. To demonstrate the superior properties of TRFN, TRFN-S is applied to dynamic system identification and TRFN-G to dynamic system control. By comparing the results to other types of recurrent networks and design configurations, the efficiency of TRFN is verified.
449 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, four specialty mushrooms are commercially available in Taiwan, including Dictyophora indusiata (basket stinkhorn), Grifola frondosa (maitake), Hericium erinaceus (lion's mane), and Tricholoma giganteum (white matsutake).
392 citations
TL;DR: Overall, G. lucidum and G. tsugae were higher in antioxidant activity, reducing power, scavenging and chelating abilities, and total phenol content.
Abstract: Three species of medicinal mushrooms are commercially available in Taiwan, namely, Ganoderma lucidum (Ling-chih), Ganoderma tsugae (Sung-shan-ling-chih), and Coriolus versicolor (Yun-chih). Methano...
361 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, uniform hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings have been directly deposited on titanium at room temperature X-ray diffractometry (XRD) results demonstrated that dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (CaHPO4·2H2O, DCPD) was the main component of the coating.
295 citations
TL;DR: The hypothalamus-limbic system was significantly modulated by EA at ac upoints rather than at nonmeridian points, while visual and auditory cortical activation was not a specific effect of treatment-relevant acupoints and required further investigation of the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms.
278 citations
TL;DR: This investigation in Taiwan indicates that fluoroquinolone-resistant S. enterica serotype choleraesuis can spread from swine to humans and the use of fluoroquolones in food animals should be prohibited.
Abstract: Background Salmonella enterica serotype choleraesuis is a cause of serious systemic infections. Because fluoroquinolones are the drug of choice for the treatment of severe salmonella infections, the emergence and dissemination of fluoroquinolone-resistant S. enterica serotype choleraesuis have clinical consequences. Methods In Taiwan, a hospital-based surveillance system has been in place since 1987 to monitor the incidence of S. enterica serotype choleraesuis infections and the antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates. We investigated the rapid emergence of fluoroquinolone resistance in this serotype in 2000 and 2001. Pigs in Taiwan were evaluated as a potential source of the resistant salmonella. Results A total of 501 clinical isolates of S. enterica serotype choleraesuis were recovered in our hospital from 1987 through 2000. The proportion of total salmonella isolates made up by S. enterica serotype choleraesuis decreased from an average of 8.4 percent before 1995 to 2.7 percent in 1996 through 19...
274 citations
TL;DR: A convenient single-step boiling deionized water (DW) method for extracting cellular ATP to replace perchloric acid and Tris-borate buffer that was precise for both suspended cells and attached cells and was effective in inhibiting ATPase.
217 citations
TL;DR: Protease XXIII, from Aspergillus oryzae, was used to hydrolyze tuna cooking juice at 37°C for up to 6 hours as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Protease XXIII, from Aspergillus oryzae, was used to hydrolyze tuna cooking juice at 37°C for up to 6 h. The hydrolyzate obtained at the degree of hydrolysis of 25.68% (after hydrolysis for 2.5 h) displayed the highest 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging effect, reaching 82.19%. Six major fractions (A, B, C, D, E, and F) of this hydrolyzate were obtained by Sephadex G-25 column chromatography using a 0.05 M phosphate buffer (pH 6.5) as the mobile phase. All six fractions displayed a scavenging effect for the DPPH radical, but the scavenging effect was only obvious in two fractions (B and C). After the solid content of hydrolyzates was concentrated from one to five times, the scavenging effect of the DPPH radical increased from 17% to 75% for fraction B, and from 13% to 66% for fraction C. Seven anti-oxidative peptides were isolated from the hydrolyzates (mixture of B and C fractions) by reversed-phase HPLC. The peptide sequences comprised four to eight amino acid residues, including Val, Ser, Pro, His, Ala, Asp, Lys, Glu, Gly, or Tyr.
TL;DR: The results reveal that horizontal transfer of genes encoding these proteins between phylogenetically distant organisms has been exceptionally rare although transfer within select bacterial kingdoms may have occurred.
TL;DR: It is indicated that steroleosin-like proteins may represent a class of dehydrogenases/reductases that are involved in plant signal transduction regulated by various sterols.
Abstract: Besides abundant oleosin, three minor proteins, Sop 1, 2, and 3, are present in sesame (Sesamum indicum) oil bodies. The gene encoding Sop1, named caleosin for its calcium-binding capacity, has recently been cloned. In this study, Sop2 gene was obtained by immunoscreening, and it was subsequently confirmed by amino acid partial sequencing and immunological recognition of its overexpressed protein in Escherichia coli. Immunological cross recognition implies that Sop2 exists in seed oil bodies of diverse species. Along with oleosin and caleosin genes, Sop2 gene was transcribed in maturing seeds where oil bodies are actively assembled. Sequence analysis reveals that Sop2, tentatively named steroleosin, possesses a hydrophobic anchoring segment preceding a soluble domain homologous to sterol-binding dehydrogenases/reductases involved in signal transduction in diverse organisms. Three-dimensional structure of the soluble domain was predicted via homology modeling. The structure forms a seven-stranded parallel β-sheet with the active site, S-(12X)-Y-(3X)-K, between an NADPH and a sterol-binding subdomain. Sterol-coupling dehydrogenase activity was demonstrated in the overexpressed soluble domain of steroleosin as well as in purified oil bodies. Southern hybridization suggests that one steroleosin gene and certain homologous genes may be present in the sesame genome. Comparably, eight hypothetical steroleosin-like proteins are present in the Arabidopsis genome with a conserved NADPH-binding subdomain, but a divergent sterol-binding subdomain. It is indicated that steroleosin-like proteins may represent a class of dehydrogenases/reductases that are involved in plant signal transduction regulated by various sterols.
TL;DR: Phylogenetic analyses reveal that most prokaryotic Tat systems consist of one TatC homologue and two sequence-divergent TatA homologues (TatA and TatB), and the TatC family shows phylogenetic clusters in strict accordance with organismal type.
Abstract: Twin-arginine targeting (Tat) protein secretion systems consist of two protein types, members of the TatA and TatC families. Homologues of these proteins are found in many archaea, bacteria, chloroplasts and mitochondria. Every prokaryotic organism with a fully sequenced genome exhibits either neither family member, or between one and three paralogues of these two family members. The Arabidopsis thaliana genome encodes three of each. Although many mitochondrially encoded TatC homologues have been identified, corresponding TatA homologues have not been found in this organelle. Phylogenetic analyses reveal that most prokaryotic Tat systems consist of one TatC homologue and two sequence-divergent TatA homologues (TatA and TatB). When only one TatA homologue is present, TatB is missing, and when three TatA homologues are present, the third one arose by duplication of TatA, not TatB. Further, homologues most resembling TatB are more sequence-divergent than those more closely resembling TatA. In contrast to the TatA family, the TatC family shows phylogenetic clustering in strict accordance with organismal type. These results are discussed in terms of their probable structural, functional and evolutionary significance.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors place the issue of international marriage in an institutionalized profit-oriented social context which is described as "the commodification process", and measure the scale of the international marriage market in Taiwan.
Abstract: In this article we attempt to place the issue of international marriage in an institutionalized profit-oriented social context which is described as "the commodification process". The starting point included measuring the scale of the international marriage market in Taiwan. Socio-demographic change in Taiwan and Viet Nam has created a market for profit-pursuing marriage agents. Agents scattered in different social spheres have gradually linked to form a profitable industry. Two different industrial organization types have emerged in the matchmaking process to meet different market constraints. As the cross-border marriage market matures more and more people enter the market and competitive price good quality and delivery on time become the necessary conditions for success. In this competitive process female migrant partners become increasingly commodified to conform to the new situation. They are required to accept reduced prices to be "good enough" to marry and to be married when there is demand. The social networks of individuals are gradually transformed by agents in pursuit of profit. (authors)
TL;DR: It was found that DMCM had lower antioxidant ability than DMF in different model systems, indicating that the major antioxidant components in DMF must be derived from the secondary metabolites of mycelia.
Abstract: The biologically active compounds, antioxidant activities, and free radical scavenging effects of dry matter of cultural medium (DMCM), filtrate (DMF), and different solvent extracts of mycelia from Antrodia camphorata in submerged culture (ACSC) were investigated. DMF showed the strongest inhibition of lipid peroxidation as a function of its concentration, and was comparable to the antioxidant activity of BHA at the same concentration of 0.2 mg/mL. The hexane extract of mycelia had the weakest antioxidant ability, whereas other mycelial extracts exhibited a modest inhibition of lipid peroxidation. DMF and water extract of mycelia (WEM) showed marked activity in free radical scavenging. The antioxidant activities of filtrate and mycelial extracts were correlated with the presence of total polyphenols, the crude triterpenoids, and the protein/polysaccharide ratio of the crude polysaccharides. It was found that DMCM had lower antioxidant ability than DMF in different model systems, indicating that the major antioxidant components in DMF must be derived from the secondary metabolites of mycelia. The results presented herein indicate that DMF could possibly act as a chemopreventing agent with respect to free radical-related diseases.
TL;DR: In this paper, a WinGrid system was developed to calculate the slope length factor from each cell for reasonable watershed soil loss and sediment yield estimation, which is the parameter most commonly misused in watershed soil-loss estimation.
Abstract: Estimating watershed erosion using geographic information systems coupled with the universal soil loss equation (USLE) or agricultural non-point source pollution model (AGNPS) has become a recent trend. However, errors in over-estimation often occur due to the misapplication of parameters in the equation and/or model. Because of poor slope length calculation definitions for entire watersheds, the slope length factor is the parameter most commonly misused in watershed soil loss estimation. This paper develops a WinGrid system that can be used to calculate the slope length factor from each cell for reasonable watershed soil loss and sediment yield estimation.
TL;DR: The results suggest the use of thermosensitive polymer solutions or hydrogels is potential in controlled release antiglaucoma ophthalmic drugs.
TL;DR: In this article, photo-definable material with patternable characteristics served as the bonding layer between the silicon wafers, and the results indicated that SU-8 is the best material with a bonding strength of up to 213 kg cm−2 (20.6 MPa).
Abstract: In this paper we present a silicon wafer bonding technique for 3D microstructures using MEMS process technology. Photo-definable material with patternable characteristics served as the bonding layer between the silicon wafers. A bonding process was developed and several types of photo-definable material were tested for bonding strength and pattern spatial resolution. The results indicated that SU-8 is the best material with a bonding strength of up to 213 kg cm−2 (20.6 MPa), and a spatial resolution of 10 μm, at a layer thickness of up to 100 μm. The low-temperature bonding technique that is presented is particularly suitable for microstructure and microelectronics integration involved in MEMS packaging.
TL;DR: Comparisons of the BrnF and BrnE phylogenetic trees show that gene duplication events in the early bacterial lineage gave rise to multiple paralogues that have been retained in alpha-proteobacteria but not in other prokaryotes analyzed.
Abstract: Bacteria possess amino acid export systems, and Corynebacterium glutamicum excretes l-isoleucine in a process dependent on the proton motive force. In order to identify the system responsible for l-isoleucine export, we have used transposon mutagenesis to isolate mutants of C. glutamicum sensitive to the peptide isoleucyl-isoleucine. In one such mutant, strong peptide sensitivity resulted from insertion into a gene designated brnF encoding a hydrophobic protein predicted to possess seven transmembrane spanning helices. brnE is located downstream of brnF and encodes a second hydrophobic protein with four putative membrane-spanning helices. A mutant deleted of both genes no longer exports l-isoleucine, whereas an overexpressing strain exports this amino acid at an increased rate. BrnF and BrnE together are also required for the export of l-leucine and l-valine. BrnFE is thus a two-component export permease specific for aliphatic hydrophobic amino acids. Upstream of brnFE and transcribed divergently is an Lrp-like regulatory gene required for active export. Searches for homologues of BrnFE show that this type of exporter is widespread in prokaryotes but lacking in eukaryotes and that both gene products which together comprise the members of a novel family, the LIV-E family, generally map together within a single operon. Comparisons of the BrnF and BrnE phylogenetic trees show that gene duplication events in the early bacterial lineage gave rise to multiple paralogues that have been retained in α-proteobacteria but not in other prokaryotes analyzed.
TL;DR: The results suggest that Rho-kinase may mediate the formation of cortical actomyosin filaments at the FAK−/− cell periphery, which further recruits MLC kinase to the cell periphery and generates a non-polar contractile force surrounding the cell, leading to cell rounding and decreased motility.
TL;DR: This paper attempts to forecast the waves based on learning the characteristics of observed waves, rather than the use of the wind information, and shows that the ANN model performs well for both wave forecasting and data supplement when using a short-term observed wave data.
TL;DR: In this paper, photohydrogen production using effluent from different hydrogen fermentation reactors was carried out using two strains of photosynthetic purple nonsulfur bacteria, and the results indicated that the initial dark hydrogen fermentation stage effluents from the three carbohydrate fed reactors (CSTR, ASBR, UASB), CSTR effluent was the most suitable for photodynamic production.
TL;DR: In this paper, the molecular structures and oxidation states of supported 1-5% V2O5/ZrO2 catalysts during propane oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH), with varying propane/O2 ratios, were examined by in situ UV-vis-NIR diffuse reflectance and in situ Raman spectroscopic studies.
TL;DR: Analyses of the ratio between major and minor amide I absorption band revealed that ice plant was able to maintain a higher-ordered form of proteins under stress, and the changes in protein conformation showed a positive correlation to the leaf sodium contents in ice plant, but not in Arabidopsis.
Abstract: A technique based on Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometry was developed to detect the corresponding changes in chemical composition associated with the rapid changes in sodium and water content in 200 mm NaCl-stressed halophyte ice plants (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum). The changes in glycophyte Arabidopsis stressed with 50 mm NaCl were also examined for comparison. The obtained IR spectra were further processed by deconvolution and curve fitting to examine the chemical nature of the responding sources in the leaves. Using three stages of ice plant leaves, absorption bands corresponding to carbohydrates, cell wall pectin, and proteins were identified, with distinct IR spectra representing each developmental stage. Within 48 h of mild salt stress, the absorption band intensities in the fingerprint region increased continuously in both plants, suggesting that the carbon assimilation was not affected at the early stage of stress. The intensities of ester and amide I absorption bands decreased slightly in Arabidopsis but increased in ice plant, suggesting that the cell expansion and protein synthesis ceased in Arabidopsis but continued in ice plant. In both plants, the shift in amide I absorption band was observed hourly after salt stress, indicating a rapid conformational change of cellular proteins. Analyses of the ratio between major and minor amide I absorption band revealed that ice plant was able to maintain a higher-ordered form of proteins under stress. Furthermore, the changes in protein conformation showed a positive correlation to the leaf sodium contents in ice plant, but not in Arabidopsis.
TL;DR: In this paper, the effect of high temperature and particle size distribution (PSD) on minimum fluidization velocity (U mf ) was studied. And the experimental results revealed a minimum in U mf near 800 °C.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors analyzed the total contents of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the freshwater sediments and the arable and non-arable soils of Taiwan, and compared the different digestion methods for their determination.
Abstract: The objectives of this study were to analyze the total contents of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the freshwater sediments and the arable and non-arable soils of Taiwan, and to compare the different digestion methods for their determination. Two hundred and thirty-nine freshwater sediments were collected from the Fei-Tsui Reservoir Watershed (FTRW) in northern Taiwan. Forty-two surface (0–15 cm) and subsurface (15–30 cm) soil samples were likewise collected from 21 representative arable soils derived from various parent materials and with varying weathered degrees in different regions of Taiwan. In addition, one hundred and ninety-four non-arable soils were collected from the different forest regions, industrial parks, resident areas, and commercial areas. Several digestion methods including the aquaregia and different combinations of concentrated acids (HClO4, HNO3, H2SO4, or HF) were compared. All samples were digested both by the aqua regia method and the Baker and Amacher method for Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn. The Reisenauer method was used for Cr and the Burau method for Pb further. The results indicate that the best digestion methods to analyze the total contents of heavy metals in the sediments and soils were recommended as follows: the Baker and Amacher method for Cd, Cr,Cu, Ni, and Zn; the Reisenauer method for Cr, but for simplicity the Baker and Amacher method is also recommended as the flexible method for the total analysis of Cr; the aqua regia method for Cu, Ni, and Zn; and the Burau method for Pb.
TL;DR: A phosphorus-containing epoxy resin, bis(3-t-butyl-4-glycidyloxyphenyl-2,4-di-tbutylphenyl)resorcinol diphosphate, was synthesized and subsequently cured with non-phosphorus containing amines, and/or novel phosphoruscontaining aromatic or polyoxyalkylene amines.
TL;DR: Information is provided on hydroxyl radical trapping and detection methods, including liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection and mass spectrometry, gas Chromatography with mass spectromaetry, capillary electrophoresis, electron spin resonance and chemiluminescence, as well as novel separation methods for the hydroxy radical.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present the results of a pilot study for assessing debris-flow hazards using geographic information system (GIS) techniques, where the watershed of the Chen-Yu-Lan River is investigated in this pilot study.