• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.52-65
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: Epithelial-Mesenchymal transition (EMT) is one of the origins of myofibroblasts in renal interstitial fibrosis. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) alleviating EMT has been proved, but the concrete mechanism is unclear. To explore the mechanism, serum-free MSCs conditioned medium (SF-MSCs-CM) was used to treat rat renal tubular epithelial cells (NRK-52E) fibrosis induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) which ameliorated EMT. Methods and Results: Galectin-3 knockdown (Gal-3 KD) and overexpression (Gal-3 OE) lentiviral vectors were established and transfected into NRK-52E. NRK-52E fibrosis model was induced by TGF-β1 and treated with the SF-MSCs-CM for 24 h after modelling. Fibrosis and autophagy related indexes were detected by western blot and immunocytochemistry. In model group, the expressions of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), fibronectin (FN), Galectin-3, Snail, Kim-1, and the ratios of P-Akt/Akt, P-GSK3β/GSK3β, P-PI3K/PI3K, P-mTOR/mTOR, TIMP1/MMP9, and LC3B-II/I were obviously increased, and E-Cadherin (E-cad) and P62 decreased significantly compared with control group. SF-MSCs-CM showed an opposite trend after treatment compared with model group. Whether in Gal-3 KD or Gal-3 OE NRK-52E cells, SF-MSCs-CM also showed similar trends. However, the effects of anti-fibrosis and enhanced autophagy in Gal-3 KD cells were more obvious than those in Gal-3 OE cells. Conclusions: SF-MSCs-CM probably alleviated the EMT via inhibiting Galectin-3/Akt/GSK3β/Snail pathway. Meanwhile, Gal-3 KD possibly enhanced autophagy via inhibiting Galectin-3/Akt/mTOR pathway, which synergistically ameliorated renal fibrosis. Targeting galectin-3 may be a potential target for the treatment of renal fibrosis.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.41-55
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• 2023

In order to secure sustainable competitiveness of startups, business model innovation is an important task to achieve competitive advantage by transforming the various elements that make up the business model. This study conducted a multi-case analysis study on leading smart farm companies around the world using an analysis framework based on business model theory. Through this, we sought to identify business model types and their constituent elements. For this, 19 companies were selected from the list of top 10 investment startups of the year for the past three years published by Agfunder, a global investment research company specializing in AgTech. Then data collection and analysis of the company cases were conducted according to the case study protocol. As a result of the study, the business model types were analyzed into four types: large-scale centralized production model, medium-to-large local distributed production model, small-scale hyperlocal modular FaaS model, and small-scale hyperlocal turnkey solution supply model. A comparative analysis was conducted on five business model components for each type, and strategic implications were derived through this. This study is expected to contribute to improving the competitiveness of domestic smart farm startups and diversifying their strategies by identifying the business models of overseas leading companies in the smart farm field using an academic analysis framework.

• Sim-seong Yeon-gu
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-35
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• 2011

The number of Frida Kahlo's works is 143, 55 of which are her own portraits. She spent a great deal of time on the production of her works, a large portion of which is taken up by her portraits. Art and creation by artist are the expressive process of artist's unconsciousness. Certain works express personal unconsciousness and collective, archetypal unconsciousness. These works evoke certain impressive image or unknown emotion in their mind impulsively. Artist could talk with their own work in this process. The producted symbolic images want to seek harmony with the artist's consciousness. This study has examined, from the viewpoint of analytical psychology, the psychological changes of Frida Kahlo by way of interpreting 4 of her own realistic portraits. These particular 4 works were finished in the most critical life time of Frida Kalho. We tried to find out what the purpose of her work would be. From the examination the following characteristics were gound. 1) Her portraits are not only concerned with her personal life and personal unconscious, but they also contain elements of the collective unconscious. 2) She experienced a psychological healing for herself in the process of transforming shocking events into painful portraits. 3) Her self portraits are the expression of the creative transformation she underwent.

• Journal of Christian Education in Korea
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• v.75
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• pp.127-152
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• 2023

Purpose of study: This study aims to explore 'labyrinth walking,' a lesser-known Christian spiritual practice within the Korean church. Additionally, it intends to propose ways for implementing labyrinth walking through literature reviews encompassing theory and practice. Research content and method: The article begins with its exploration by defining labyrinth walking from a historical perspective. It was a spiritual practice that existed in the Middle Ages, involving the traversal of a labyrinthine shape, typically a single path on the floor, often accompanied by prayer or contemplation. The contemporary spiritual practice of labyrinth walking was recovered and reinterpreted by Christian scholars and spiritual directors during the mid and late twentieth century. Additionally, within Christianity, labyrinth walking, rich with symbolism representing Jesus' suffering and salvation, baptism, pilgrimage, and purification, comprises five essential steps: preparing, walking with prayer or contemplation, remaining in the center, returning, and journaling and sharing. By merging pilgrimage, walking, prayer, and meditation, the practice of walking the labyrinth can enable people to have an opportunity for retreat, to encounter and be accompanied by God, to experience moments of serenity and healing, to reflect on themselves, to create life-transforming resolutions, and to build a sense of community. As a result, many Korean churches should acknowledge the value of and utilize labyrinth walking to nurture faith and spirituality. Conclusions and Suggestions: Accordingly, this paper suggests some practical ways to employ labyrinth walking as a form of prayer, part of a ritual or religious activity, an embodiment of pilgrimage, and a tranquil and nonverbal experience. Furthermore, the study recommends that Korean churches establish proper goals, consider essential principles for labyrinth design and installation, and follow specific guidelines while conducting labyrinth walks.

• Sim-seong Yeon-gu
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.61-91
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• 2024

Alchemy is the process of producing worthless substances into the best substances through chemical opus(work). On the surface, many of the alchemist's experiments can be depicted as work on transforming substances, but in reality, the alchemist's result is a product of the Unconscious. This study aims to explain the three phases of alchemy, Nigredo, Albedo, and Rubedo, through Michael Mayer's alchemical text, Atalanta Fugiens, and understand the transformation process by utilizing images that appeared from clients' sand play therapy. This study first described why alchemy, as the foundation for the psychology of the Unconscious, is important in sand play that deals with images. Next, Nigredo (blackening), the first phase of the alchemical process, is briefly described, and how the contents of Nigredo, such as chaos, dissolution, separation, division, corruption, death, and calcination, appear in sand play therapy. Next, the second phase, albedo (whitening), is described, and how the images of water and fire, which are representative images of albedo in the form of purification, sublimation, distillation, separation, descension, and coagulation, are revealed in sand play. Lastly, the phase of rubedo (reddening) in alchemy is described, and how the form of union (mandala or central image) in rubedo, which appears in the form of conjunction and rebirth, is revealed in sand play. The symbols revealed in alchemy are very valuable in amplifying the images that appeared in sand play therapy or dream analysis. In particular, the procedures found in alchemical opus are helpful in understanding the transformation process of personality.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.182-195
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• 2001

Background : Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF) is a devastating illness for which there is little effective treatment. The key cytokines currently implicated in the fibrotic process are the transforming growth factor-${\beta}_1$(TGF-${\beta}_1$), tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$(TNF-$\alpha$), endothelin-1(ET-1) and interferon-$\gamma$(IFN-$\gamma$). The rat model for paraquat-induced pulmonary fibrosis was chosen to investigate the role of ET-1 in this disease. Both ET-1 and TGF-${\beta}_1$ expression in lung lesions were examined using immunohistochemical staining. After $Bosentan^{(R)}$ administration, an orally active ET-$l_A$ and ET-$1_B$ receptor antagonist, the degree of pulmonary fibrosis and ET-1 and TGF-${\beta}_1$ expression were analyzed. Method : Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups, the control group, the fibrosis group, and the fibrosis-$Bosentan^{(R)}$-treated group. The animals were sacrificed periodically at 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14 days after administering saline or paraquat. The effects between groups were compared with the results of light microscopy and immunohistochemical staining for ET-1 and TGF-${\beta}_1$. The degree of fibrosis was evaluated by H&E and Masson's trichrome staining, which were graded by a computerized image analyzer. The degree of immunohistochemical staining was categorized by a semi-quantitative analysis method. Results : The lung collagen content had increased in the paraquat instillated animals by day 3, and continued to increase up to day 14. A daily treatment by gavage with $Bosentan^{(R)}$ (100mg/kg) did not prevent the increase in collagen deposition on the lung that was induced by paraquat instillation. There were increased immunohistochemical stains of ET-1 on the exudate, macrophages, vascular endothelial cells and pneumocytes in the paraquat instillated group. Furthermore, TGF-${\beta}_1$ expression was higher on the exudate, macrophages, some inflammatory cells, pneumocytes( type I, and II), vascular endothelium and the respiratory epithelial cells around the fibrotic area. After Bosentan treatment, there were no definite changes in ET-1 and TGF-${\beta}_1$ expression. Conclusion : Fibrosis of the Paraquat instillated group was more advanced when compared with the control group. In addition, there was increased ET-1 and TGF-${\beta}_1$ expression around the fibrotic area. ET-1 is associated with lung fibrosis but there was little effect of the ET-1 receptor blocker($Bosentan^{(R)}$) on antifibrosis.Background : Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF) is a devastating illness for which there is little effective treatment. The key cytokines currently implicated in the fibrotic process are the transforming growth factor-${\beta}_1$(TGF-${\beta}_1$), tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$(TNF-$\alpha$), endothelin-1(ET-1) and interferon-$\gamma$(IFN-$\gamma$). The rat model for paraquat-induced pulmonary fibrosis was chosen to investigate the role of ET-1 in this disease. Both ET-1 and TGF-${\beta}_1$ expression in lung lesions were examined using immunohistochemical staining. After $Bosentan^{(R)}$ administration, an orally active ET-$1_A$ and ET-$1_B$ receptor antagonist, the degree of pulmonary fibrosis and ET-1 and TGF-${\beta}_1$ expression were analyzed. Method : Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups, the control group, the fibrosis group, and the fibrosis-$Bosentan^{(R)}$-treated group. The animals were sacrificed periodically at 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14 days after administering saline or paraquat. The effects between groups were compared with the results of light microscopy and immunohistochemical staining for ET-1 and TGF-${\beta}_1$. The degree of fibrosis was evaluated by H&E and Masson's trichrome staining, which were graded by a computerized image analyzer. The degree of immunohistochemical staining was categorized by a semi-quantitative analysis method. Results : The lung collagen content had increased in the paraquat instillated animals by day 3, and continued to increase up to day 14. A daily treatment by gavage with $Bosentan^{(R)}$ (100mg/kg) did not prevent the increase in collagen deposition on the lung that was induced by paraquat instillation. There were increased immunohistochemical stains of ET-1 on the exudate, macrophages, vascular endothelial cells and pneumocytes in the paraquat instillated group. Furthermore, TGF-${\beta}_1$ expression was higher on the exudate, macrophages, some inflammatory cells, pneumocytes( type I, and II), vascular endothelium and the respiratory epithelial cells around the fibrotic area. After Bosentan treatment, there were no definite changes in ET-1 and TGF-${\beta}_1$ expression. Conclusion : Fibrosis of the Paraquat instillated group was more advanced when compared with the control group. In addition, there was increased ET-1 and TGF-${\beta}_1$ expression around the fibrotic area. ET-1 is associated with lung fibrosis but there was little effect of the ET-1 receptor blocker($Bosentan^{(R)}$) on antifibrosis.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.11-24
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• 2016

This study, which takes the New York Governors Island project as an example, is an in-depth analysis of the process of participatory design for transforming a space that had long been isolated from the public into a park and/or communal space. We found that the process of participatory design at each project phase consists of the following. First, in the preparatory phase, there was construction of public discourse: efforts to find a consensus to develop the space in a public-driven direction was led by various initiatives. Second, by opening the site to the public before the design phase and by consistently inviting a wide range of activities, a community was formed and its attachment to the site was established. Third, after the competition until the completion of the project master planning phase, substantial and active participatory design was enabled through social interaction of the community formed and developed over many years. Fourth, in the detail design and implementation phase, a traditional and passive way of participatory design such as public hearings was used, thereby preserving the expertise of professional designers. Public participation was reflected most in the master planning phase to create a broad framework of the park, while professionals designed the more specific aspects; this efficient and effective approach enabled both citizens and professionals to dutifully take part in developing the park. The results of this study can be summarized as follows. The mode of participatory design should be varied at each project phase, from construction of public discourse, to formation and development of the community, to participatory design for social interaction. Furthermore, it is effective to preserve the unique roles of citizens and design professionals. It is particularly important to extend the process of participatory design to include the construction of public discourse and community.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.26-37
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• 2015

This paper aims to review all landscaping elements of Donggwoldo by building and identify the palatial garden landscaping characteristics and landscaping methods in a bid to explore landscaping methods applicable for modern-time gardens of Korea through Succession of Tradition. The research methodology was adopted by which the palatial gardens appearing in Donggwoldo were observed according to garden elements to identify their characteristics. Garden elements in Donggwoldo include oddly shaped stones, ponds, buildings and Madang, borders and areas, and trees. Their characteristics were analyzed, and as a result they are outlined as follows. Location : Buildings in Donggwoldo were located in the optimal areas within the Myungdang (the best location), with the building sites being created by transforming the natural topography positively according to the existing topography and uses. Tree planting : The construction of the buildings involved using the existing trees. There were no specific principle and method of planting trees, and no specific criteria for choosing the kind of tree. Symmetrical planting was adopted and its is considered embracing the viewpoint of making gardens based on the expression of Yin and Yang. Strongly symbolical kinds of trees were also adopted. Bangji : it takes a nearly circular shape in palatial gardens, and such shapes represent conceptual and abstract symbols. They were also frequently used as the place of public entertainment. Pavilions : they did not take a certain standard shape. They had diverse shapes, including a triangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, and octagon and cross. Oddly shaped stones : Oddly shapes stones and stone cases were deployed mainly near the bedroom and the crow prince's residence and in the rear garden. Hwagye : it appeared mainly in the back of the bedroom, the crown prince's residence, the princess's residence, and other women's quarters. Chwibyeong : it was installed for the purpose of drawing the natural energy like a natural inlet instead of being the nature-dividing wall. Korea's garden composition method was very different from the Western and Chinese method. Overall, Chosun palatial garden style was characterized by strict and Confucian features, while the garden construction method adopted the Taoism thought. Yet, the gardens had a carefree aspect.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.262-270
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• 2004

It is well known that long-term heavy ethanol intake causes alcoholic dementia, cerebellar degeneracy or Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome and aggravates the conditions of many other neuro-psychotic disorders. Recently it is indicated that protein kinase C (PKC) plays an important role in the action of ethanol and in the neuro-adaptational mechanisms under chronic ethanol exposure. In order to investigate the effect of ethanol on PKC isoforms levels within the range of not showing any cytotoxicity, B103 neuroblastoma cell line trans-formed from murine central nervous system was employed and western blot analysis was carried out by using PKC isoform-specific antibodies. The changes of PKC-$\alpha$, ${\gamma}$, $\varepsilon$ and ζ level in the range of ethanol concentration 50∼200 mM were examined at the exposure time 1, 2, 8, 18 and 24 hrs in both cytosolic and membrane fraction. A typical ethanol concentration inducing the PKC isozymes was 100 mM, and the transforming time ranges of PKC isozymes could be considered as two different parts to each PKC isoform such as initial (0∼2 hrs) and prolonged (8∼24 hrs) stages. PKC-${\gamma}$ and PKC-$\varepsilon$ were clearly induced during the prolonged stages in cytosol at 18 hrs, and membrane fraction at 8 hrs and 18 hrs, respectively. On the other hand the PKC-$\alpha$ and PKC-ζ isozymes were largely induced in the prolonged stages at 18 hrs and 24 hrs, where the PKC-$\alpha$ isozyme was induced in both cytosol and membrane fractions at 200 mM ethanol concentration while the PKC-ζ isozyme was induced only in the membrane fractions at 100,200 mM. At 200 mM ethanol concentration of 24 hrs incubation in the prolonged stage, the PKC-$\alpha$ was maximally induced by 150% of the control values whereas the PKC-${\gamma}$ was significantly decreased to 47% of the control values. These results suggest that 100∼200 mM ethanol may modulate the signal transduction and neurotransmitter release in the central nervous system through the regulation of PKC isozymes, and the action of these isoforms may act differently each other in the cell.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.464-472
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• 2005

Purpose: SPECT using a fan-beam collimator improves spatial resolution and sensitivity. For the reconstruction from fan-beam projections, it is necessary to implement direct fan-beam reconstruction methods without transforming the data into the parallel geometry. In this study, various fan-beam reconstruction algorithms were implemented and their performances were compared. Materials and Methods: The projector for fan-beam SPECT was implemented using a ray-tracing method. The direct reconstruction algorithms implemented for fan-beam projection data were FBP (filtered backprojection), EM (expectation maximization), OS-EM (ordered subsets EM) and MAP-EM OSL (maximum a posteriori EM using the one-step late method) with membrane and thin-plate models as priors. For comparison, the fan-beam protection data were also rebinned into the parallel data using various interpolation methods, such as the nearest neighbor, bilinear and bicubic interpolations, and reconstructed using the conventional EM algorithm for parallel data. Noiseless and noisy projection data from the digital Hoffman brain and Shepp/Logan phantoms were reconstructed using the above algorithms. The reconstructed images were compared in terms of a percent error metric. Results: for the fan-beam data with Poisson noise, the MAP-EM OSL algorithm with the thin-plate prior showed the best result in both percent error and stability. Bilinear interpolation was the most effective method for rebinning from the fan-beam to parallel geometry when the accuracy and computation load were considered. Direct fan-beam EM reconstructions were more accurate than the standard EM reconstructions obtained from rebinned parallel data. Conclusion: Direct fan-beam reconstruction algorithms were implemented, which provided significantly improved reconstructions.