• Journal of Korean Philosophical Society
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• v.146
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• pp.307-328
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• 2018

The use of thought experiments has a long history in many disciplines including science. In the field of philosophy, thought experiments have frequently appeared in the pre-existing literature on the contemporary Analytic Philosophy. A thought experiment refers to a synthetic environment where the designer of the experiment-with his or her intuition and imagination-tests common-sense knowledge. It can be understood as a conceptual tool for testing the validity of the common understanding of an issue or a phenomenon. However, we are not certain about the usefulness or efficacy of a thought experiment in knowledge production. The design of a thought experiment is meant to lure readers into believing as intended by the experiment itself. Thus, regardless of the purpose of a thought experiment, many readers who encounter the experiment could feel deceived. In this paper, to analyze the logic of thought experiments and to seek the source of uneasiness the readers and critics may feel about thought experiments, I draw lessons from three renowned thought-experiments: Thomson's 'ailing violinist', Putnam's 'brain in a vat', and Searle's 'Chinese room'. Imaginative thought experiments are usually constructed around a gap between the reality and the knowledge/information at hand. From the three experiments, several lessons can be learned. First, the evidence of the existence of a gap provided via thought experiments can serve as arguments for counterfactual situations. At the same time, the credibility and efficacy of the thought experiments can be damaged as soon as the thought-experiments are carried out with inappropriate and/or murky directions regarding the procedures of the experiment or the background of the study. According to D. R. Hofstadter and D. C. Dennett(1981), the 'knob setting' in a thought experiment can be altered in the middle of a simulation of the experimental condition, and then the implications of the thought experiment change altogether, indicating that an entirely different conclusion can be deduced from thought experiment. Lastly, some pre-suppositions and bias of the experiment designers play a considerable role in the validity and the chances of success of a thought experiment; thus, it is recommended that the experiment-designers refrain from exercising too much of their imagination in order to avoid contaminating the design of the experiment and/or wrongly accepting preconceived/misguided conclusions.

• Journal of vocational education research
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.95-121
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• 2017

The vocational competency development training teacher must complete the training course for the training of vocational competency development training instructor and get the qualification of the vocational competency development training teacher from the Ministry of Employment & Labor with the criteria set by the Presidential Decree. Therefore, it can be said that H_university 's educational performance, which is the only vocational competency development training teacher in Korea and that plays a role of mass production in the labor market, has a great influence on vocational competency development training. The purpose of this study is to identify the problems through the analysis of actual condition of vocational competency development training education based on CIPP model, Furthermore, it was aimed to suggest improvement plan of qualification training education. In order to accomplish the purpose of the research, the present situation of the training course for the vocational competency development training teacher training students was grasped. And We conducted a survey to draw out the improvement plan and utilized the results of 173 copies. We conducted interviews by selecting eight subjects for in-depth analysis and Understand the details of the results of the surveys conducted. As a result of the study, positive responses were obtained from the educational objectives and educational resources in the context factors. On the other hand, there were negative opinions about the curriculum reflecting the learner and social needs. In the input factors, positive opinions were derived from the educational objectives and training requirements. However, there were many negative opinions about the achievement of the learner's educational goals. In addition, there were many negative opinions of online contents education. In the process factors, positive evaluation was high in class related part, learner attendance management, and institutional support. However, negative opinions were drawn on the comprehensive evaluation of qualification training period, and the learner's burden due to lack of learning period appeared to be the main reason. In the factor of calculation, Positive opinions were derived from the applicability of the business curriculum for training courses for training teachers who are in charge of education and training in industry occupations. However, there were negative opinions such as learning time, concentration of learning, and communication of instructors. Based on the results of the study, suggestions for improving the operation of vocational competency training teacher qualification training are as follows. First, it is necessary to flexibly manage the training schedule for the weekly training course for vocational competency development training teachers. Second, it is necessary to seek to improve the online education curriculum centered on consumers. Third, it is necessary to seek access to qualification training for local residents. Fourth, pre - education support for qualified applicants is required. Finally, follow-up care of qualified trainees is necessary.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.871-877
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• 2018

Storing the surplus energy from renewable energy resource is one of the challenges related to intermittent and fluctuating nature of renewable energy electricity production. $CO_2$ methanation is well known reaction that as a renewable energy storage system. $CO_2$ methanation requires a catalyst to be active at relatively low temperatures ($250-500^{\circ}C$) and selectivity towards methane. In this study, the catalytic performance test was conducted using a pressurized bubbling fluidized bed reactor (Diameter: 0.025 m and Height: 0.35 m) with $Ni/{\gamma}-Al_2O_3$ (Ni70%, and ${\gamma}-Al_2O_3$30%) catalyst. The range of the reaction conditions were $H_2/CO_2$ mole ratio range of 4.0-6.0, temperature of $300-420^{\circ}C$, pressure of 1-9 bar, and gas velocity ($U_0/U_{mf}$) of 1-5. As the $H_2/CO_2$ mole ratio, temperature and pressure increased, $CO_2$ conversion increases at the experimental temperature range. However, $CO_2$ conversion decreases with increasing gas velocity due to poor mixing characteristics in the fluidized bed. The maximum $CO_2$ conversion of 99.6% was obtained with the operating condition as follows; $H_2/CO_2$ ratio of 5, temperature of $400^{\circ}C$, pressure of 9 bar, and $U_0/U_{mf}$ of 1.4-3.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.1361-1368
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• 2018

Inflammation is the most common condition in the human body. Tissue damage triggers inflammation, together with vasodilation and increased blood flow at the inflamed site, resulting in edema. Inflammatory responses are also triggered by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a Toll-like receptor Enterococcus faecalis, a gram-positive organism, has been reported to possess immunomodulatory and preventive activities; however, its use may present risks of sepsis and other systemic infections. Heat-killed Enterococcus faecalis (EF-2001) has been reported to induce antitumor activity, but its effects on inflammation are not known. In the present study, we investigated the effect of EF-2001 on LPS-induced macrophage inflammatory responses. EF-2001 treatment reduced nitric oxide (NO) production, indicating suppression of inflammatory reactions. EF-2001 showed no cytotoxicity in macrophages. Further investigation of the anti-inflammatory mechanism of EF-2001 indicated that EF-2001 reduced the LPS-induced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2. EF-2001 also reduced f the LPS induction of several inflammatory molecules involved in the nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$) and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways, including ERK, JNK, and p38 phosphorylation, in a concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, EF-2001 inhibited Akt phosphorylation and increased the expression of the inhibitory ${\kappa}B$ ($I{\kappa}B$) protein, an inhibitor of $NF-{\kappa}B$. EF-2001 also inhibited the nuclear translocation of p65. These results suggest that EF-2001 has anti-inflammatory properties and may be useful for treating inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.71-81
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• 2014

Using the Eddy Covariance technique, we analyzed seasonal variation in net ecosystem $CO_2$ exchange (NEE) and investigated the effects of environmental factors and aboveground biomass of rice on the $CO_2$ fluxes in a rice-barley double cropping paddy field of Gimje, Korea. Quality control and gap-filling were conducted before this investigation of the effects. The results have been showed that NEE, gross primary production (GPP), and ecosystem respiration (Re) during the rice growing period were -215.6, 763.9, and $548.3g\;C\;m^{-2}$, respectively. Relation between NEE and net radiation (Rn) could be described by a quadratic equation, and about 65 % of variation in NEE was explained by changes in Rn. On the other hand, an exponential function relating Re to soil temperature accounted for approximately 43 % of variation in Re under the flooded condition of paddy field. Aboveground biomass showed significant linear relationships with NEE ($r^2=0.93$), GPP ($r^2=0.96$), and Re ($r^2=0.95$), respectively.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1416-1423
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• 2018

With strong biotin binding affinity ($K_D=10^{-14}M$), the tetrameric feature of streptavidin could be used to increase the antigen binding activity of a camel heavy chain (VHH) antibody through their fusion, here stained with biotinylated horseradish peroxidase and subsequent immunoassays ELISA and Western blot analysis. For this application, we cloned the streptavidin gene amplified from the Streptomyces avidinii chromosome by PCR, and this was fused to the gene of the 8B9 VHH antibody which is specific to green fluorescent protein (GFP) antigens. To express a soluble fusion protein in Escherichia coli, we used the pUC119 plasmid-based expression system which uses the lacZ promoter for induction by IPTG, the pelB leader sequence at the N-terminus for secretion into the periplasmic space, and six polyhistidine tags at the C-terminus for purification of the expressed proteins using an $Ni^+$-NTA-agarose column. Although streptavidin is toxic to E. coli because of its strong biotin binding property, this soluble fusion protein was expressed successfully. In SDS-PAGE, the size of the purified fusion protein was 122.4 kDa in its native condition and 30.6 kDa once denatured by boiling, suggesting the tetramerization of the monomeric subunit by non-covalent association through the streptavidin moiety fusing to the 8B9 VHH antibody. In addition, this fusion protein showed biotin binding activity similar to streptavidin as well as GFP antigen binding activity through both ELISA and Western blot analysis. In conclusion, the protein resulting from the fusion of an 8B9 VHH antibody with streptavidin was successfully expressed and purified as a soluble tetramer in E. coli; it showed both biotin and GFP antigen binding activity suggesting the possible production of a tetrameric and bifunctional VHH antibody.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.127-135
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate suitable parts for callus induction and optimal concentrations of growth regulators, contained in the medium affecting shoot and rooting for in vitro mass production of Haworthia truncata. Leaves and flower bud showed 100% callus formation rate at NAA $1{\sim}2mgL^{-1}$ treatment, and NAA $1mgL^{-1}$ + TDZ $2mgL^{-1}$ treatment. The flower stalk showed 75% callus formation rate, at NAA $2mgL^{-1}$ + TDZ $2mgL^{-1}$ treatment in H. truncata. While the rate of callus formation was high in leaves and flower bud, leaves were the most efficient in obtaining most culture parts. Shoot induction rate from callus was highest, at NAA $0.1mgL^{-1}$ treatment in H. truncata. Additionally, the number of shoots formation was 66.3 shoots high, in NAA $1mgL^{-1}$ + BA $0.1mgL^{-1}$ treatment in H. truncata. In the case of acclimatization of regenerated plant, growth characteristics did not show significant difference (95%) shading with respect to the different ratio of substrate mixture, and it was determined that would be appropriate, considering plant height and appearance preference of H. truncata. It was established that optimization of culture condition, was responsible for mass propagation in vitro cultures of H. truncata.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.647-658
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• 2018

The aim of this study is to investigate the seasonal changes of phytoplankton communities based on the environmental changes in a dense oyster farming area (Hansan-Geoje Island) from June to December 2016. The water temperature varied from $14^{\circ}C$ to $28.8^{\circ}C$ and its salinity ranged from 29.4 to 34.2 psu. Nitrate+nitrite was kept at c.a. $3.0{\mu}M$ on the surface layer from June to July, below the concentration limit in August and early September, and then gradually increased from late September. Ammonia was high on July 20 and August 10, and its seasonal characteristics were not clear. Phosphate ranged from 0.01 to $0.7{\mu}M$ on the surface layer, and its seasonal changes were similar to those of nitrate+nitrite. Mean silicate concentrations were $10.7{\mu}M$ on the surface and $15.7{\mu}M$ in the bottom layer, and it was not acted as a limiting factor for the growth of phytoplankton. Among the phytoplankton community, Bacillariophyceae, Dinophyceae and Cryptophyceae was 61.2%, 22.5%, and 13.6%, respectively. In late June, dinoflagellate Prorocentrum donghaiense was dominant in the outer waters(St. T1), later on, Cryptomonas spp. and Chaetoceros spp. were dominant, respectively. From late September to October, diatoms Pseudo-nitzschia spp. and Chaetoceros spp. were stimulated under non-stratified condition after the typhoon. In December, A. sanguinea was found to be $1.7{\times}10^5cells\;L^{-1}$. Seasonally, relative high phytoplankton biomass may be favorable to maintain high production of filter feeder oyster in the dense oyster farming areas of Hansan and Geoje Island.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.146-157
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• 2019

One of the most distinctive features of the South Korean rural environment is that the variation of weather or climate is large even within a small area due to complex terrains. The Geospatial Schemes based on Topo-Climatology (GSTP) was developed to simulate such variations effectively. In the present study, we reviewed the progress of the geospatial schemes for production of farm-scale agricultural weather data. Efforts have been made to improve the GSTP since 2000s. The schemes were used to provide climate information based on the current normal year and future climate scenarios at a landscape scale. The digital climate maps for the normal year include the maps of the monthly minimum temperature, maximum temperature, precipitation, and solar radiation in the past 30 years at 30 m or 270 m spatial resolution. Based on these digital climate maps, future climate change scenario maps were also produced at the high spatial resolution. These maps have been used for climate change impact assessment at the field scale by reprocessing them and transforming them into various forms. In the 2010s, the GSTP model was used to produce information for farm-specific weather conditions and weather forecast data on a landscape scale. The microclimate models of which the GSTP model consists have been improved to provide detailed weather condition data based on daily weather observation data in recent development. Using such daily data, the Early warning service for agrometeorological hazard has been developed to provide weather forecasts in real-time by processing a digital forecast and mid-term weather forecast data (KMA) at 30 m spatial resolution. Currently, daily minimum temperature, maximum temperature, precipitation, solar radiation quantity, and the duration of sunshine are forecasted as detailed weather conditions and forecast information. Moreover, based on farm-specific past-current-future weather information, growth information for various crops and agrometeorological disaster forecasts have been produced.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.854-860
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• 2019

This study investigated the optimum pH conditions for efficient extraction of protein from defatted Tenebrio molitor (TM) larvae. We examined the anti-inflammatory effect of protein derived from defatted TM larvae obtained by an alkaline extraction method. Six extraction pH values (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12) and three precipitation pH values (2, 4, and 6) were used. The protein content, browning degree, and recovery yield of the protein obtained under each pH condition were determined. For efficient extraction of protein from defatted TM larvae, a combination of an extraction pH of 9 and precipitation pH of 4 resulted in a 32.4% recovery yield based on the extraction value and degree of browning. To determine whether the protein ameliorated inflammation by inhibition of macrophage activation by lipopolysaccharides (LPS), we measured nitric oxide (NO), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in LPS-stimulated raw 264.7 macrophage cells. The protein markedly inhibited the production of NO without cytotoxicity and reduced the expression level of COX-2 and iNOS protein through the regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) signaling. These results suggested that protein derived from TM larvae could have potential applications in anti-inflammatory therapeutic agents and protein supplements.