• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.12-26
• /
• 2014

This study has researched the forms of arrangement and use of the oddly shaped stones which were used at palaces during Joseon Dynasty based on arrangements of stones as shown in Donggwoldo(東闕圖), and tried to identify its special features. The sorts of stone's arrangements which set formal patterns by assisting an axis in Donggwoldo can be classified as the single type using one stone, the symmetrical type using 2 stones symmetrically and the parallel type using 3 or more stones. The single type was used to endow a focal point and to accent centrality by arranging a stone on the axis performed from formal shaped buildings. The symmetrical type was used to show order and hierarchy by placing two odd-shaped stones on either side of a building. And the parallel type which is arranged three stones side by side, is put a middle stone on the central axis line to determine strong directional and frontality. Also similarity to method of arrangement of stones can be found from planting trees in a prominent way for scenery or planting trees symmetrically. Stones and trees can be chosen according to nature and scale of places and basically their effects of formation of axis and creating typical space is same. Based on these respect, the characteristics of arrangement of stones shown in Donggwoldo can be briefly summarized as follows. First, the oddly shaped stones were used by creating a centripetal space in order to show a grade of rank. Second, the distances among stones could be adjusted to the sizes of the architecture which was at the center. The aim was to provide stability through the balanced composition between the central axis and symmetrical structures. Third, the form of regularity was added by using stone vase in consideration of irregular shape of stone causing interference in forming regular symmetry. Fourth, a centrality was emphasized by adding change to central stones in the parallel type used 3 erect stones. Fifth, the sizes of stone were limited in order to make smooth for the mix and adjustment of its position with the types of other garden ornaments, so the oddly shaped stones in palace have portability. Sixth, the oddly shaped stones in palace which were appreciated as inspirational object basically were a sculpture of the same quality with suiseki (壽石), and the appreciative method, the composition and shape had developed in the same texture. Finally, the even number of stones by parallel type were arranged by equal partition. But odd number of stones followed the method with symmetrical arrangement on its center stone. These principles of stone arrangement are judged as distinguishing methods which oddly shaped stones was made and used in Joseon palaces.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
• /
• v.4 no.4
• /
• pp.45-70
• /
• 2009

This article investigates which types of the strategies announced by the listed firms contribute to enhancing the long-term performance of the companies. Since 2002, Korean Exchange adopted the "faire disclosure policy" which mandates that all publicly traded companies must disclose material information to all investors at the same time. Thanks to the policy, Korean investors can, now, easily access the board's decision on management strategies on the same day the decision is made. If the companies trustfully carry out their announced strategies, we can decide which types of strategies actually enhance or deteriorate the long-term performance, simply by comparing the announced strategies and the firm's performance. The sample companies are confined to 60 firms that became listed in the KOSDAQ market through back-door listing from 2003 to 2005. Using only the newly listed companies, we can avoid the interference on the long-term performance of the strategies pursued before the event date. This often holds true, for many companies radically modify their strategies after the listing. Furthermore, the back-door listing companies serve our purpose better than IPO companies do, because the former tend to have a variety of announcement within a given period of time beginning the listing date. Using these sample companies, this article analyzes the effect on one year buy-and-hold returns and abnormal buy-and-hold returns after the listing of the various types of strategies announced during the same period of time. The results show that those evidences of restructuring such as 'reduction of capital' and 'resignation of incumbent board members', actually contribute to the increase in adjusted long-term stock returns. Those strategies which can be view as evidence of new investment such as 'increase in tangible assets', 'acquisition of other companies', do also helps the stockholders better off. On the contrary, 'increase in bank loans', 'changes of CEO' and 'merger' deteriorate the equity value. The last findings let us to presume that the back-door listing companies appear to use the bank loans for value-reducing activities; the change in CEO is not a sign of restructuring, but rather a sign of failure of the restructuring; another merger carried out after back-door listing itself is also value-reducing activity. This article's findings on reduction of capital, merger and bank loans oppose the results of the former empirical studies which analyze only the short-term effect on stock price. Therefore, more long-term performance studies on public disclosures are in order.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.25 no.7
• /
• pp.801-809
• /
• 2015

Homotypic cell adhesion (homotypic aggregation) in activated monocytes plays a central role in physiological and pathological processes including inflammatory responses, differentiation and migration. The extract of the Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc. fruit (Maesil) has potential benefits to human health; such as anti-viral, anti-microbial, and anti-cancer activities. Indeed, Maesil extract may modulate inflammatory responses via interference with homotypic aggregation in monocytes. In the present study, the molecular mechanisms underpinning the therapeutic efficacy of Maesil extract in inflammatory diseases were investigated. It was found that Maesil extract inhibited homotypic aggregation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated monocytes. This was mediated by reduction of nitric oxide (NO) production, partly via inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in LPS-activated THP-1 cells. It was confirmed that NO inhibition is a key mechanism in Maesil induced blockade of monocyte aggregation through identification of reversal of this inhibitory effect by the NO-producing agent S-nitroso-N-acetyl penicillamine (SNAP). In addition, Maesil extract significantly attenuated LPS-induced IκB-α phosphorylation and NF-κB translocation into the nucleus. In conclusion, Maesil extract exerts anti-inflammatory effects via inhibition of homotypic aggregation of LPS-activated monocytes through mechanisms involving the suppression of NO production and NF-κB activity, suggesting Maesil extract as a potential therapeutic candidate for the prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers
• /
• v.53 no.3
• /
• pp.46-55
• /
• 2016

This work proposes a 13b 100MS/s 45nm CMOS ADC with a high dynamic performance for IF-domain high-speed signal processing systems based on a four-step pipeline architecture to optimize operating specifications. The SHA employs a wideband high-speed sampling network properly to process high-frequency input signals exceeding a sampling frequency. The SHA and MDACs adopt a two-stage amplifier with a gain-boosting technique to obtain the required high DC gain and the wide signal-swing range, while the amplifier and bias circuits use the same unit-size devices repeatedly to minimize device mismatch. Furthermore, a separate analog power supply voltage for on-chip current and voltage references minimizes performance degradation caused by the undesired noise and interference from adjacent functional blocks during high-speed operation. The proposed ADC occupies an active die area of $0.70mm^2$, based on various process-insensitive layout techniques to minimize the physical process imperfection effects. The prototype ADC in a 45nm CMOS demonstrates a measured DNL and INL within 0.77LSB and 1.57LSB, with a maximum SNDR and SFDR of 64.2dB and 78.4dB at 100MS/s, respectively. The ADC is implemented with long-channel devices rather than minimum channel-length devices available in this CMOS technology to process a wide input range of $2.0V_{PP}$ for the required system and to obtain a high dynamic performance at IF-domain input signal bands. The ADC consumes 425.0mW with a single analog voltage of 2.5V and two digital voltages of 2.5V and 1.1V.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.47 no.3
• /
• pp.408-419
• /
• 2023

Background: Ginsenoside compound K (CK), the main active metabolite in Panax ginseng, has shown good safety and bioavailability in clinical trials and exerts neuroprotective effects in cerebral ischemic stroke. However, its potential role in the prevention of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury remains unclear. Our study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism of ginsenoside CK against cerebral I/R injury. Methods: We used a combination of in vitro and in vivo models, including oxygen and glucose deprivation/reperfusion induced PC12 cell model and middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion induced rat model, to mimic I/R injury. Intracellular oxygen consumption and extracellular acidification rate were analyzed by Seahorse multifunctional energy metabolism system; ATP production was detected by luciferase method. The number and size of mitochondria were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy and MitoTracker probe combined with confocal laser microscopy. The potential mechanisms of ginsenoside CK on mitochondrial dynamics and bioenergy were evaluated by RNA interference, pharmacological antagonism combined with co-immunoprecipitation analysis and phenotypic analysis. Results: Ginsenoside CK pretreatment could attenuate mitochondrial translocation of DRP1, mitophagy, mitochondrial apoptosis, and neuronal bioenergy imbalance against cerebral I/R injury in both in vitro and in vivo models. Our data also confirmed that ginsenoside CK administration could reduce the binding affinity of Mul1 and Mfn2 to inhibit the ubiquitination and degradation of Mfn2, thereby elevating the protein level of Mfn2 in cerebral I/R injury. Conclusion: These data provide evidence that ginsenoside CK may be a promising therapeutic agent against cerebral I/R injury via Mul1/Mfn2 mediated mitochondrial dynamics and bioenergy.