• Journal of architectural history
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.39-52
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• 2020

Seonjeong-jeon, the semi-great hall in Changdeok Palace, was constructed in a highly formal and conservative style and accommodated official ceremonies. However, the contemporary modification of the building has distorted or eliminated features including the two side doors on the front, the floor coverings, and the throne base (Jwa-tap) that consisted the most significant part of the throne. Seonjeong-jeon originally had three doors that stood between each pair of columns on the front side, respectively. The courtiers accessed the building through the side doors, while the central door was exclusively designated for the king. However, the renovation in 1999 ignored the political context of the architectural form of the building and changed the side doors into windows, damaging the traditional structure inherited from the early Joseon Dynasty. Although the building currently has traditional wooden floor structure (Woomul-maru), it was originally covered with square brick tiles (Bang-jeon) before the Japanese occupation, following the customs of early Joseon Dynasty. The throne was placed to the north of the central door and consisted of the throne base and a decorative roof (Dang-ga). A canvas (Jang-ja), which featured the royal symbolic painting of Sun, Moon, and Five Peaks, was also installed between the two columns that connected the base and the roof. Nevertheless, only the columns and the blank canvas remain nowadays after the removal of the base.

• Journal of architectural history
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.81-92
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• 2021

It is generally believed that Seonjeong-jeon and Heejeong-dang respectively served as Pyeonjeon of Chang-deok Palace in the earlier and the later period of Joseon dynasty. However, such belief is based on the concept of Pyeonjeon that emerged after the time of King Soonjo's reign(1800~1834). The concept and functions of Pyeonjeon varied among times ranging from Koryo to late Joseon dynasty. In the earlier Koryo dynasty, the word Pyeonjeon signified both "Pyeonjeon in relation to Jeong-jeon" or "Pyeonjeon as a casual office for the king". The ambiguity of the word was resolved when Bopyung-cheong and Jogye-cheong were established in the earlier Joseon dynasty. These buildings in Chang-deok Palace (and only Bopyung-cheong in Gyeong-bok Palace) held rituals related to events in Jeong-jeon, as well as their exclusive political rituals. Thus, the meaning of the term "Pyeon-jeon" became restricted to its second meaning, namely a casual building for the king's everyday office work and small banquets. However, the ambiguity reemerged from around the time of King Seong-jong's reign(1469~1494). In this period, Pyeonjeon as in relation to Jeong-jeon was often referred to as "Jeong-jeon", or "Beop-jeon" from the mid-16th century. In the 19th century, Pyeonjeon as king's casual office took over the characteristics and functions of Beop-jeon. Thus, the popular notion of "Pyeon-jeon" was newly established and passed onto nowadays.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.12
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• pp.919-928
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• 2022

As seen in the COVID-19 pandemic, unexpected emergence of new viruses presents serious concern on public health. Especially, the absence of effective vaccines or antiviral drugs against emerging viruses significantly increases the severity of disease and duration of viral circulation among population. Natural products have served as a major source for safe and effective antiviral drugs. In this study, we examined the virucidal activity of medical herb extracts with a view to discover novel antiviral agents with desired levels of safety and antiviral efficacy. Ethanol extracts of ten selected medical herbs were tested for antioxidant activity and in-vitro cytotoxicity in various animal cell lines. Of note, the herbal extracts showed broad and potent virucidal activities against rotavirus, hepatitis A virus, and influenza A virus. The extracts of Sorbus commixta and Glycyrrhiza uralensis showed strong virucidal activities against influenza A virus. We also examined whether the extracts of Sorbus commixta and Glycyrrhiza uralensis can be used as inactivating agents to prepare an inactivated viral vaccine. In a mouse model, influenza A virus inactivated by the extracts elicited high levels of neutralizing antibodies, and the vaccination provided complete protection against lethal challenge. These results suggest that herb-derived natural products can be developed to antiviral drugs as well as inactivating agents for preparation of inactivated viral vaccines.