• Cross-Cultural Studies
• /
• v.28
• /
• pp.17-36
• /
• 2012

This essay places the South Korean film Thirst (2009) within Park Chan-wook's oeuvre as a filmmaker notorious for graphic depictions of violence and revenge. Park's use of dark humour in his films, which is emphasized in Thirst perhaps more than ever, allows for a more self-aware depiction of violence, where both the viewer and the protagonist are awakened to the futility of revenge. This ultimately paints his characters as fascinatingly crazy - simultaneously heroes, villains, and victims. Film theorist Wes D. Gehring's three themes of dark humour ('man as beast,' 'the absurdity of the world,' and 'the omnipresence of death') become most obvious in Park's most recent film, which pays closer attention to character development through narrative detail. Rather than portraying the characters as sentimental, dark humour depicts their misfortunes in an alternative way, allowing for consideration of such taboo subjects as religion, adultery, and death/suicide. These issues are further tackled through Thirst's portrayal of its vampire protagonist, which ultimately de-mystifies the traditional vampire figure. While this character has more often been associated with romance, exoticism and the mystical powers of the supernatural, Thirst takes relatively little from the demons of Nosferatu (Murnau, 1922) and various other Dracula adaptations, nor the romantic figures of Interview with the Vampire (Jordan, 1994), and Twilight (Hardwicke, 2008). Instead, it is part of a much smaller group of contemporary vampire films, which are rather informed by a postmodern reconfiguration of the monster. Thus, this paper examines Thirst as an important contribution to the global and hybrid nature of those films in which postmodern vampires are sympathetic and de-mystified, exhibiting symptoms stemming from a natural illness or misfortune. Park's undertaking of a vampire film allows for a complex balance between narrative and visuals through his focus on the Western implications of this myth within Korean cinema. This combination of international references and traditional Korean culture marks it as highly conscious of New Korean Cinema's focus on globalization. With Thirst, Park successfully unites familiar images of the vampire hunting and feeding, with more stylistically distinct, grotesque images of violence and revenge. In this sense, dark humour highlights the less charming aspects of the vampire struggling to survive, most effective in scenes depicting the protagonist feeding from his friend's IV in the hospital, and sitting in the sunlight, slowly turning to ash, in the final minutes of the film. The international appeal of Park's style, combining conventions of the horror/thriller genre with his own mixture of dark humour and non-linear narrative, is epitomized in Thirst, which underscores South Korea's growing global interest with its overt international framework. Furthermore, he portrayal of the vampire as a sympathetic figure allows for a shift away from the conventional focus on myth and the exotic, toward a renewed construction of the vampire in terms of its contribution to generic hybridization and cultural adaptation.

• Proceedings of the Zoological Society Korea Conference
• /
• 1999.10b
• /
• pp.11-11
• /
• 1999

;It has been reported that suspension-cultured rice cells grown on mixed carbon sources of glucose (GIc) and acetate exhibited diauxic growth in which acetate was the preferred carbon source (Lee and Lee, 1996). Carrot (Daucus carota L.) suspension cells, showing a diauxic growth very similar to that of rice cells, were used to delineate the mechanisms underlying this preferential use of acetate over GIc. Uptakes of both GIc and 3-0-methylglucose (3-0MG), a non-metabolizable GIc analogue, were similarly inhibited when acetate or butylate, weak acids which are capable of transporting protons into the cytosol, were present in the uptake assay mixture containing cells harvested during the GIc-utilizing second growth phase. Inhibition of GIc uptake by these weak acids was similar when equivalent experiments were carried out with isolated plasma membranes. It was further shown that Glc uptake, which requires a proper proton gradient across the plasma membranes, was inhibited during the first growth phase by acetate-mediated alkalization of growth medium and/or simultaneous acidification of cytosol. This study strongly suggests that Glc utilization in plant cells is inhibited by co-presenting carbon source(s) which can alter the proton gradient across the plasma membrane. We further examined diauxic growth in culture containing GIc and malate. Unlike the case in the culture with GIc and acetate, carrot cells used GIc first. Malate was utilized only after Glc is depleted from medium. These results indicate that GIc can be a preferred or less-preferred carbon source depending on the competing carbon source. It was noted that malate was not directly taken up by cells. Instead it was converted extracellularly into fumarate which was subsequently transported into cells. During the malate-growth phase malate uptake was negligible, and fumarate uptake was active and pH-sensitive. It was shown that fumarase released into medium was responsible for the extracellular conversion of malate into fumarate. An immunoblot experiments showed that fumarase antibody raised against Arabidopsis fumarase provided positive signals only in medium in malate culture, not in fumarate or GIc cultures. This study demonstrates the first example in that fumarase, a mitochondria marker enzyme, can be present in places other than mitochondria.ndria.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.44 no.5
• /
• pp.801-807
• /
• 2011

This study was carried out to evaluate effect of consecutive application of organic matter on soil chemical properties and dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase activity in non-volcanic ash soil during three cropping season. Organic matter mixture and organic fertilizer (MOF, $2,000kg\;10a^{-1}$), food waste compost (FWC, $2,000kg\;10a^{-1}$), and pig manure compost (PMC, 2,000, 4,000, and $6,000kg\;10a^{-1}$) were applied for each cropping season. Soil pH values were increased after three cropping season in all treatment. In the soils of the increased application of PMC, soil pH, total-nitrogen, available phosphate, exchangeable cations (K, Ca, and Mg), and heavy metal (Zn and Cu) contents were increased. In addition, Soil dehydrogenase activity was significantly increased in proportions to PMC application rate and cropping season during potato cultivation period. The activity was two times higher in PMC ($4,000kg\;10a^{-1}$) than control after the third cropping season. Soil dehydrogenase activity was in order of PMC>FWC>NPK+PMC>MOF. Acid phosphatase activity was higher in PMC ($6,000kg\;10a^{-1}$) than other treatment. Soil Zn content and dehydrogenase activity showed linearly correlation, which were MOF ($R^2$=0.427), FWC ($R^2$=0.427) and PMC ($R^2$=0.411, p<0.01), respectively. This study demonstrated that soil chemical properties and enzyme activity could be affected greatly by consecutive application of different organic matter in the potato cultivation field.

• Journal of Conservation Science
• /
• v.37 no.5
• /
• pp.525-535
• /
• 2021

This study identified material properties through scientific analysis on Jikgeumdan(satin with gold threads) from Donggungbi-Wonsam and the gold threads used in the embroidery. The Donggungbi-Wonsam's base of gold threads were estimated to have used mulberry fiber's Korean paper(Hanji) because non-wood-based fibers were observed. The X-ray spectrometer showed that the Tongsuseulan of Donggungbi-Wonsam was a flat gold thread of pure gold and Jikgeumdan of flat silver thread of its Saekdong and Hansam. High sulfur levels were detected in the flat silver thread, which appeared to have formed silver sulfide by either manufacturing process using sulfur or conservation environment. he dragon insignia's embroidery is also described as two types twisted gold threads; pure gold and alloying-gold and silver. while dragon insignia's border line is decorated with a twisted gold thread of pure gold. In particular, it was investigated that adhesives such as an animal glue, a protein-based compound by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Additionally, XRF and Raman spectroscopy analysis on the mixture substances between the metal surface and the base paper of gold threads identified talc and quartz in the gold threads and Seokganju(hematite) in the flat silver threads.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.17-25
• /
• 2021

This study was conducted to investigate effects of mixture with dried food waste powder (FWP) and mixed organic fertilizer (MOF) on growth of pakchoi. As compared with non-fertilizer treatment (NF) or control (MOF treatment), growth of pakchoi in FWP treatments (2,500 kg/ha, 5,000 kg/ha, 10,000 kg/ha) was inhibited by salt (NaCl) content in the FWP. In comparison with control, mixtures of MOF and FWP (FWP10, FWP20, and FWP30 treatment) were not significantly different, and their salt content correlated with pakchoi growth factors negatively (P<0.05). Applied of FWP10, (FWP10: 2,500 kg/ha, 2FWP10: 5,000 kg/ha, 3FWP10: 7,500 kg/ha, 4FWP10: 10,000 kg/ha), growth factors of FWP10, 2FWP10 and 3FWP10 treatment were not significantly different than those of chemical fertilizer treatment, and of 4FWP10 decreased. Correlation coefficient between NaCl supply by FWP10 application and growth factor was negative (P<0.01). These results indicated that FWP was used as another source of organic fertilizer, and the organic fertilizers blending with FWP inhibited a pakchoi growth by increase of salt content containing in the them or of salt supplying amount after their application.

• Journal of Radiopharmaceuticals and Molecular Probes
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.18-25
• /
• 2019

2-Nitroimidazole derivatives have been reported to accumulate in hypoxic tissue. We prepared a novel $^{99m}Tc-MAG_3$-2-nitroimidazole and evaluated the feasibility for hypoxia imaging agent. $Bz-MAG_3$-2-nitroimidazole was synthesized by direct coupling of $Bz-MAG_3$ and 2-nitroimidazole using dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. $Bz-MAG_3$-2-nitroimidazole was labeled with $^{99m}Tc$ in the presence of tartaric acid and $SnCl_2-2H_2O$ at $100^{\circ}C$ for 30 min. And the reaction mixture was purified by $C_{18}$ Sep-pak cartridge. The labeling efficiency and the radiochemical purity were checked by ITLC-SG/acetonitrile. The tumor was grown in balb/c mice for 8~13 days after the subcutaneous injection of tumor cells, CT-26 (murine colon adenocarcinoma cell). Biodistribution study and tumor autoradiography were performed in the xenografted mice after i.v injection of 74 kBq/0.1 mL and 19 MBq/0.1 mL of $^{99m}Tc-MAG_3$-2-nitroimidazole, respectively. In vivo images of $^{99m}Tc-MAG_3$-2-nitroimidazole in tumor bearing mice were obtained 1.5 hr post injection. The labeling efficiency was $45{\pm}20%$ and the radiochemical purity after purification was over 95%. Paper electrophoresis confirmed negative charge of $^{99m}Tc-MAG_3$-2-nitroimidazole. $^{99m}Tc-MAG_3$-2-nitroimidazole was very stable at room temperature and its protein binding was 53%. The $^{99m}Tc-MAG_3$-2-nitroimidazole exhibited high uptake in the liver, stomach and intestine. In biodistribution study using tumor bearing mice, the uptakes (% ID/g) of the tumor were $0.5{\pm}0.1$, $0.4{\pm}0.0$, $0.2{\pm}0.1$ and $0.1{\pm}0.1$ at 5, 15, 30 min and 4 hrs. Tumor/muscle ratio were $1.4{\pm}0.1$, $2.2{\pm}0.83$, $3.0{\pm}0.9$, and 3.7 (n=2) for 5, 15, 30 min and 4 hrs. The uptake in hypoxic area was found higher than in non-hypoxic area of tumor tissue by autoradiography. In vivo images showed the relatively faint uptake to the hypoxic tumor region. $^{99m}Tc-MAG_3$-2-nitroimidazole was successfully synthesized and found feasible for imaging hypoxia.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.257-264
• /
• 2019

Objective: Dairy cattle nutrient requirement systems acknowledge amino acid (AAs) requirements in aggregate as metabolizable protein (MP) and assume fixed efficiencies of MP used for milk protein. Regulation of mammary protein synthesis may be associated with AA input and milk protein output. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nanoemulsified methionine and cysteine on the in-vitro expression of milk protein (casein) in bovine mammary epithelial cells (MAC-T cells). Methods: Methionine and cysteine were nonionized using Lipoid S 75 by high-speed homogenizer. The nanoemulsified AA particle size and polydispersity index were determined by dynamic light scattering correlation spectroscopy using a high-performance particle sizer instrument. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was performed to determine the cytotoxicity effect of AAs with and without nanoionization at various concentrations (100 to $500{\mu}g/mL$) in mammary epithelial cells. MAC-T cells were subjected to 100% of free AA and nanoemulsified AA concentration in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium/nutrient mixture F-12 (DMEM/F12) for the analysis of milk protein (casein) expression by the quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction method. Results: The AA-treated cells showed that cell viability tended to decrease (80%) in proportion to the concentration before nanogenesis, but cell viability increased as much as 90% after nanogenesis. The analysis of the expression of genetic markers related to milk protein indicated that; ${\alpha}_{s2}$-casein increased 2-fold, ${\kappa}$-casein increased 5-fold, and the amount of unchanged ${\beta}$-casein expression was nearly doubled in the nanoemulsified methionine-treated group when compared with the free-nanoemulsified methionine-supplemented group. On the contrary, the non-emulsified cysteine-administered group showed higher expression of genetic markers related to milk protein ${\alpha}_{s2}$-casein, ${\kappa}$-casein, and ${\beta}$-casein, but all the genetic markers related to milk protein decreased significantly after nanoemulsification. Conclusion: Detailed knowledge of factors, such nanogenesis of methionine, associated with increasing cysteine and decreasing production of genetic markers related to milk protein (casein) will help guide future recommendations to producers for maximizing milk yield with a high level of milk protein casein.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
• /
• v.45 no.3
• /
• pp.212-223
• /
• 2012

Pigments used paintings, ornaments, weapons and various objects have been recognised as important elements to ascertain the history, manufacturing technique and cultural migration. Since the understanding of composition of pigments by analysis began in 1963, its technique and methodology has much advanced in recent years; recent study used the portable X-ray Fluorescence as non-destructive analysis has been practiced in particular. However the study on pigments necessitates overall and systematic research because it is difficult to understand periodical and regional use of pigments. by fractional studies. Therefore this research investigates the coloring materials and painting techniques of the scroll painting depicting preaching scene of Sakyamuni Buddha in Daeungjeon Hall, a main hall of Bulguk temple, through scientific analysis and comparison of various pigments which had been applied to the buddhist paintings of Joseon Dynasty. Consequently, it is confirmed that the scroll painting used pigments of white lead[$2PbCO_3{\cdot}Pb(OH)_2$] for ground layer and used mixture of different pigments such as cinnabar (HgS) minium($Pb_3O_4$) malachite($2CuO{\cdot}CO_2{\cdot}H_2O$) hematite($Fe_2O_3$) gold(Ag) for presenting various colors on the painting layer. It has been also believed that mineral pigments were applied to the scroll painting, yet it is difficult to confirm whether it is natural or synthetic pigments because the crystal structures of pigments were not analyzed. The results of this study, however, provide useful reference data for the understanding of the components of pigments and manufacturing techniques of buddhist scroll paintings, in particular, of Joseon Dynasty.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
• /
• v.52 no.3
• /
• pp.240-251
• /
• 2019

This study examined the manufacturing technology used for the flat iron axes excavated from Ulsan Hadae. Their microstructures were analyzed using metallurgical methods. In addition, a variety of manufacturing technologies were examined and compared using existing research materials on flat iron axes. As a result of analyzing ten flat iron axes, which were excavated in the order that they were laid out in a row in one of the wooden coffin tombs at Ulsan Hadae, Tomb No. 44, it was possible to classify the flat iron axe manufacturing technology and system into three types: 'pure iron - shape processing', 'pure iron - shape processing - carburizing', and 'pure iron - shape processing - carburizing - decarburizing.' All of the flat iron axes were produced by forging, and most of them were made by beating the pure iron into their shapes. In particular, a number of the flat iron axes were reinforced through a carburizing process after shaping the iron. This appears as steel products forming the basis of the steel industry at the time were commonly used as an intermediary material or currency. On the other hand, it was commonly found in all samples that the hardening was not performed after shaping or carburizing. Since the microstructure of the flat iron axes made of pure iron contained a large number of impure inclusions and the result of analyzing the components of the non-metal inclusions showed characteristics of slag which contains a mixture of glass phase and wustite, it is possible that low-temperature reduction was used in the refining process.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
• /
• v.52 no.8
• /
• pp.545-554
• /
• 2019

The most drought assessments are based on a drought index, which depends on univariate variables such as precipitation and soil moisture. However, there is a limitation in representing the drought conditions with single variables due to their complexity. It has been acknowledged that a multivariate drought index can more effectively describe the complex drought state. In this context, this study propose a Copula-based drought index that can jointly consider precipitation and soil moisture. Unlike precipitation data, long-term soil moisture data is not readily available so that this study utilized a Gaussian Mixture Non-Homogeneous Hidden Markov chain Model (GM-NHMM) model to simulate the soil moisture using the observed precipitation and temperature ranging from 1973 to 2014. The GM-NHMM model showed a better performance in terms of reproducing key statistics of soil moisture, compared to a multiple regression model. Finally, a bivariate frequency analysis was performed for the drought duration and severity, and it was confirmed that the recent droughts over Jeollabuk-do in 2015 have a 20-year return period.