• Journal of Popular Narrative
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.133-185
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• 2021

This study is an attempt to connect television drama M, which deals with abortion issues, with theoretical focus such as materiality, relativity, and agency, to understand diffractively as an cartography of agential reality. According to Karen Barard's Agential Realism, Television drama M is a sociocultural phenomenon produced by the agential intra-actions of material-discursive apparatuses such as medical technology, ghost stories and legends, and male-affect. The 1990s repeatedly revealed "hate" through apparatuses such as technology, discourse, and affect, which are directed at women's gendered bodies. The material -discursive practice of plastic surgery and abortion proves that the agential reality surrounding the body is closely intertwined with medical technology, as well as with the genderized hate. Another related material-discursive phenomenon is rediscovery of the legend and fad of the ghost story, which is also produced from the hate of the denaturalized body, which is once again expanded and reproduced. Appearing in this environment of affect, M enacts diffraction, which is based on backlash, lacking posthuman implications for the materialization of the techno-body. M puts humanistic assumptions about "Man" as a universal definition, historically framed and defined in context. But it is not universal and it is gendered. The current time when the political turmoil surrounding medical technology, discourse, and bodily matters is violently intra-acted is the time to carefully account and respond to the alternative definitions of human beings that M has rejected.

• Journal of Popular Narrative
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.255-288
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to propose 'plot lamination methodology' for planning and analyzing of storytelling. The story contents with a certain volume of narrative might have several important characters. Most of the characters have meaningful influences on the context of the story through their choices and actions as they go through dynamic changes to construct and deconstruct relationships. The plot lamination methodology is the result of an attempt to look at the process from the 'strategic' point of view by focusing on the fact that the main characters with supplementary nature contribute to the independent formation of subplot based on the main plot driven by the protagonist. Regardless of how they live their own unique and autonomous life in the narrative, the main characters hold a relatively subordinate position within the centripetal force of the main plot. Their journeys tend to expand/emphasize/divide up the process of the main plot's 'persuasion via causality,' and also individualize into the functions of emotional sympathy (pathos), moral, ethical perspective (ethos), and rational logic (logos). As such, the subplots of main characters are laminated according to these three functional traits, which could become multi-layered through second or third laminations, depending on the number and roles of other characters. If the plot lamination methodology is further developed through follow-up studies, it will open up the possibilities of the strategic design (planning) and aesthetic criticism (analysis) regarding the procedure of conjugation /branching of subplot and/from the main plot.

• Journal of Popular Narrative
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.215-237
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• 2020

This paper is written to introduce and review Shinji Matsunaga's The Aesthetics of Video Games which published in Japan in 2018. Shinji Matsunaga has studied video games from a philosophical and aesthetic perspective. In The Aesthetics of Video Games, he took video games as a hybrid form of traditional games. Shinji Matsunaga particularly notes that video games can design human behaviors and experiences. From this point of view, he tries to construct a theoretical framework that will be able to describe the ways of signification in games and fiction respectively. In previous studies, video games have been mainly discussed in the context of cultural studies and entertainment culture in Japan. The Aesthetics of Video Games is distinguished from the previous studies in the following points. First, The Aesthetics of Video Games pioneered the method of studying video games in art theory. Second, it established various types of relationships with video games and traditional aesthetic concepts. Third, this book connects new concepts that emerged in the age of artificial intelligence to video games as an aesthetic action. Through this work, not only video games were discussed academically, but also the fields of aesthetics and art were expanded. The Aesthetics of Video Game is like a collection of philosophical concepts for video games. Through this book, it can be said that the path for artificial intelligence to approach human secrets is closer than before.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.141-153
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• 2020

The purpose of study is to examine the role of the Professor's friendly behavior as a parameters in the course of Paralanguage Utilization Training using pronunciation, stress, voice tone, speed, pause and expression of feelings affecting of Audiobook text shaping. the results of this study will be a reference to training on the use of Paralanguage for dynamic shaping of Audiobook text and recognizing the need and influence of professors' friendly behavior as a parameters. The results of the study are as follows. First, training in the use of Paralanguage was shown to have a positive effect on the Shaping of Audiobook text and served as a key factor in conveying the original meaning of text. Therefore, if we look at the significance and content of training using Paralanguage and continue training using Paralanguage, it will actually help to shape Audiobook text. Second, the professor's friendly behavior partially acted as a parameters role between training in the use of Paralanguage and shaping Audiobook text. The professor's friendly behavior has helped form Audiobook text by providing a sense of trust and will increase the level of completion for training in the use of Paralanguage. Thus, training in the use of Paralanguage Utilization Training could result in more effective Audiobook text shaping when conducted in conjunction with the professors' friendly actions. Therefore, it was shown that the ability to use Paralanguage and the professor's caring and friendly behavior to help them perform better were more effective when they simultaneously affected Audiobook text shaping.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.27-33
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• 2014

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of extract of Thuja orientalis leaves (TOFE) against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced neurotoxicity by inhibition of inflammation in in vitro and in vivo models of Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods : We evaluated the effect of TOFE against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ($MPP^+$) toxicity using nitric oxide (NO) assay, inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase 2 western blot, tyrosine hydroxylase and microglia activation immunohistochemistry (IHC) in BV2 cell, primary rat mesencephalic neurons, or C57BL/6 mice. We also evaluated the effect of TOFE in mice PD model induced by MPTP. C57BL/6 mice were treated with TOFE 50 mg/kg for 5 days and were injected intraperitoneally with four administrations of MPTP on the last day. We conducted behavioral tests and IHC analysis to see how TOFE affect MPTP-induced neuronal loss of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and striatum (ST) of mice. To assess the anti-inflammation effects, we carried out glial fibrillary acidic protein and macrophage-1 antigen integrin alpha M in IHC in SNpc and ST of mice. Results : In an in vitro system, TOFE decreasesd NO generations in BV2 cells. TOFE protected dopaminergic cells against LPS or $MPP^+$-induced toxicity in primary mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons. In vivo system, TOFE at 50 mg/kg treated group showed improved motor deteriorations than the MPTP only treated group and TOFE significantly protected striatal dopaminergic damage from MPTP-induced neurotoxicity in mice. Moreover, TOFE inhibited activation of astrocyte and microglia in SNpc and ST of the mice. Conclusions : We concluded that TOFE showed anti-parkinsonian effect by protection of dopaminergic neurons against MPTP toxicity through anti-inflammatory actions.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.53-60
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• 2013

Objectives : DojukSan is known to be effective for treating a urinary diseases and stomatitis. However, there has been a lack of studies regarding the effects of Dojuksan on the inflammatory activities and effector inflammatory disease mechanism about macrophage before is not known. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of Dojuksan water extract (DJS) on pharmacological and biochemical actions in inflammation, we examined the effect of DJS on pro-inflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. Methods : In the present study, pro-inflammatory cytokine production was determined by performing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and western blot analysis to measure the activation of MAPKs. Cells were treated with 200 ng/mL of LPS 1 h prior to the addition of DJS. Cell viability was measured by MTS assay. The investigation focused on whether DJS inhibited nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 ($PGE_2$) productions, as well as the expressions of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Results : We found that DJS inhibited LPS-induced NO, $PGE_2$ and IL-6 productions as well as the expressions of iNOS and COX-2. Furthermore, DJS suppressed the LPS-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and c-Jun NH2-protein kinase (JNK). Conclusions : These results suggest that DJS has inhibitory effects on LPS-induced $PGE_2$, NO, and IL-6 production, as well as the expressions of iNOS and COX-2 in the murine macrophage. These inhibitory effects occur through blockades on the MAPKs phosphorylation.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.7-11
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• 2013

Objectives : Seungmagalgeun-tang (SMGGT) is traditional medicine widely used for inflammatory disease and flu. But SMGGT exhibits potent anti-inflammatory activity with an unknown mechanism. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of SMGGT water extract on pharmacological and biochemical actions in inflammation, we examined the effect of SMGGT on pro-inflammatory mediators in Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)+A23187-stimulated mast cells. Methods : In the present study, pro-inflammatory cytokine production was determined by performing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and western blot analysis to measure the activation of MAPKs. Cells were treated with SMGGT 1 h prior to the addition of 50 nM of PMA and $1{\mu}M$ of A23187. Cell viability was measured by MTS assay. The investigation focused on whether SMGGT inhibited the expressions of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in PMA+A23187-stimulated mast cells. Results : SMGGT has no cytotoxicity at examined concentration (100, 250, and $500{\mu}g/ml$). Also, gene expression of IL-6 and IL-8 in HMC-1 cells stimulated by PMA+A23187 was down regulated by SMGGT. Furthermore, SMGGT suppressed the PMA+A23187-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-jun N-terminal Kinase(JNK). But, SMGGT could not regulate phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. Conclusions : These results suggest that SMGGT has inhibitory effects on PMA+A23187-induced IL-6 and IL-8 production. These inhibitory effects occur through blockades on the phosphorylation of ERK and JNK.

• KIPS Transactions on Computer and Communication Systems
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• v.11 no.11
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• pp.403-410
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• 2022

Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) created on the basis of blockchain have their own unique value, so they cannot be forged or exchanged with other tokens or coins. Using these characteristics, NFTs can be issued to digital assets such as images, videos, artworks, game characters, and items to claim ownership of digital assets among many users and objects in cyberspace, as well as proving the original. However, interest in NFTs exploded from the beginning of 2020, causing a lot of load on the blockchain network, and as a result, users are experiencing problems such as delays in computational processing or very large fees in the mining process. Additionally, all actions of users are stored in the blockchain, and digital assets are stored in a blockchain-based distributed file storage system, which may unnecessarily expose the personal information of users who do not want to identify themselves on the Internet. In this paper, we propose an NFT platform using cloud computing, access gate, conversion table, and cloud ID to improve usability and privacy problems that occur in existing system. For performance comparison between local and cloud systems, we measured the gas used for smart contract deployment and NFT-issued transaction. As a result, even though the cloud system used the same experimental environment and parameters, it saved about 3.75% of gas for smart contract deployment and about 4.6% for NFT-generated transaction, confirming that the cloud system can handle computations more efficiently than the local system.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.482-490
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• 2022

Sarcopenia, a geriatric and multifactorial syndrome characterized by progressive systemic skeletal muscle disorder, may be associated with many comorbidities. Sarcopenia caused by a decrease in muscle mass and muscle strength is accompanied by the aggravation of various pathological conditions, and as life expectancy increases, its prevalence will continue to increase in the future. During the aging process, chronic oxidative stress and increased inflammatory responses act as major contributors to skeletal muscle loss. In addition, disruption of autophagy and apoptosis signals associated with dysfunction of mitochondria, which are essential for energy metabolism, accelerates the loss of muscle proteins. The pharmacological effect of cordycepin, a major physiologically active substance in the genus Cordyceps, which has been widely used for the prevention and treatment of various diseases for a long time, is directly related to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. In this review, we present the correlation between apoptosis, autophagy, protein catabolism, and satellite cell activity important for muscle regeneration using cordycepin for the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia. Although there have been few studies so far on the use of cordycepin for sarcopenia, previous studies suggest that cordycepin may contribute to inhibiting the age-related weakening of mitochondrial function and blocking the breakdown of muscle proteins. In addition, the protective effect of cordycepin on muscle cell damage is considered to be closely related to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Therefore, it is considered that more continuous basic research is needed, focusing on the molecular biological mechanism of cordycepin, which is involved in the anti-aging of muscle cells.

• The Journal of Korea Institute of Information, Electronics, and Communication Technology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.152-163
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• 2022

In this paper, we present a method to enable an unmanned aerial vehicle to drop the sonobuoy, an essential element of anti-submarine warfare, in an optimal deployment. To this end, an environment simulating the distribution of sound detection performance was configured through the Unity game engine, and the environment directly configured using Unity ML-Agents and the reinforcement learning algorithm written in Python from the outside communicated with each other and learned. In particular, reinforcement learning is introduced to prevent the accumulation of wrong actions and affect learning, and to secure the maximum detection area for the sonobuoy while the vehicle flies to the target point in the shortest time. The optimal placement of the sonobuoy was achieved by applying the Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG) algorithm. As a result of the learning, the agent flew through the sea area and passed only the points to achieve the optimal placement among the 70 target candidates. This means that an autonomous aerial vehicle that deploys a sonobuoy in the shortest time and maximum detection area, which is the requirement for optimal placement, has been implemented.