A critical analysis of South Korean art educators’ perceptions of the purpose and meaning of art education in the socio-cultural context

This thesis addresses the process of meaning production through personal experiences and collective memory. It undertakes a phenomenological, historical and hermeneutic investigation of South Korean art educators’ perceptions of the purpose and meaning of teaching art formed in this specific socio-cultural context. The research uses a qualitative case study technique for collecting and analysing research data. The thesis describes the author’s experiences relating to the forming of her pedagogical identity as an art teacher exposed to Western cultural influences on Korean art education and these experiences lead to research questions which attempt to explore issues of culture and pedagogised identities in art education in South Korea. The thesis reviews a brief history of Korean art education before and after Western influences in order to investigate how selected art educators view the purpose of art education and how they position themselves as art educators. The research data consists of a series of interview transcriptions obtained through semi-structured interviews with five South Korean art educators working at different levels of art education from 1950s to the present: secondary school teacher, university professor, government administrator, policy maker and researcher. The analysis of the interview narratives is conducted by employing three different hermeneutic lenses—conservative, moderate and critical hermeneutics. Each of these lenses helps to reveal contrasting attitudes to art education which are named as cultural reproduction (conservative), cultural conversation (moderate) and critical engagement (critical). Though these theoretical lenses help to shed light on the interweaving histories of tradition and practice the interview data illustrates a complex combination of reproduction, conversation and critical reflection. The central notion of tradition illustrates the complexity of issues relating to cultural identity, pedagogy and desire. What is thought of as ‘traditional’ painting or drawing in the sense of enduring form and value is shown in fact to be composed of a series of different and subtle variations of practice. The outcomes of the research provides a direction for critical engagement with art teaching and learning indicating a sense of how particular identities are constantly positioned and re-positioned within the ideological frameworks that structure understanding of teaching and learning. The key findings provide significant implications for designing curriculum policy and practice for art education in a contemporary where futures are more transient and uncertain

A Study on the Korean Senior Employment Promotion Project that Influence on the Quality of Participants --Focused on gender difference--

This study analyzes the Korean senior employment promotion projects influence on the quality of elderly peoples lives. This study is focused on the gender differences, and based on their identification it provides policy implications to use for senior job creation initiatives as a way to promote improved quality of their lives.For this study, university students who were trained about interview techniques from October, 2007 to January, 2008 visited 33 organizations in each of Seoul’s administrative districts including social welfare centers, senior centers, senior employment support centers and community senior clubs. Ten to thirty older people of each organization had face-to-face interviews with the interviewers, resulting in 595 questionnaires collected. After data cleaning, a total of 574 questionnaires were used for this study.SPSS 14.0 was used to conduct data analysis, and many analysis techniques were employed for the analysis: frequency analysis, independent samples t-test, one-way ANOVA, correlation analysis, hierarchical multiple regression analysis.The study uses regression analysis to find out the influence of variables on quality of life, and found that older men felt happier when they were early on in their retirement years, healthier and they participated in the project for an extended time. On the other hand, older women said they were happier when they were healthier and their job gave them more satisfaction when their job was not for public service or human resource dispatch

A Study on the Influence on Mental Health of Participants of the Job Creation Project for the Japanese Elderly

This research aims to analyze the effects on the Subject’s mental health of the Job Creation Project for the elderly in Japan. The subjects of this survey in 2007 were about 1500 participants in the Job Creation Project of Silver Manpower Center in Japan, 970 cases of whom were dataanalyzed.The results of this research are as follows:First, as a result of descriptive statistics of mental health, it was unders food that the average of total mental health is 2.91. As a result of verification of mental health difference, the score of mental health showed significant difference statistically according to job type or motivation of participation, and no significant difference statistically according to satisfaction with job project or duration of participation. With respect to job types, mental health is higher in desk job ormanagement/inspection or technical work than in simple work. Also among the motivations of participation mental health is highest for participation in society than for income.Second, a hierarchical multiple regression analysis was performed by including populationsociological properties variables and four subordinate variables of actual conditions of participation in the Job Creation Project for the Elderly in order to analyze the variables which influence the participant mental health. According to the result of analyzing the effects on total mental health, male gender and better physical health condition were seen to have positive effects on total mental health.It is noted that among the motivations of participation, participation in society, and satisfaction with the Job Project, had positive influence

Neuroprotective and anti-oxidant effects of caffeic acid isolated from Erigeron annuus leaf

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Since oxidative stress has been implicated in a neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), natural antioxidants are promising candidates of chemopreventive agents. This study examines antioxidant and neuronal cell protective effects of various fractions of the methanolic extract of <it>Erigeron annuus </it>leaf and identifies active compounds of the extract.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Antioxidant activities of the fractions from <it>Erigeron annuus </it>leaf were examined with [2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenz thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid diammonium salt)] (ABTS) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Neuroprotective effect of caffeic acid under oxidative stress induced by H₂O₂was investigated with [3-(4,5-dimethythiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>This study demonstrated that butanol fraction had the highest antioxidant activity among all solvent fractions from methanolic extract <it>E. annuus </it>leaf. Butanol fraction had the highest total phenolic contents (396.49 mg of GAE/g). Caffeic acid, an isolated active compound from butanol fraction, showed dose-dependent <it>in vitro </it>antioxidant activity. Moreover, neuronal cell protection against oxidative stress induced cytotoxicity was also demonstrated.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p><it>Erigeron annuus </it>leaf extracts containing caffeic acid as an active compound have antioxidative and neuroprotective effects on neuronal cells.</p

A Study of Oral Health Knowledge for Pregnant Women

PURPOSE: This paper examined the relationship between knowledge differences of maternal oral health and of relevant demographic variables. METHODS: Participants included 239 pregnant women who were recruited from Women&apos;s Hospital located in B city who agreed to participate in this study. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation analysis using the SPSS 21.0 program. RESULTS: Maternal knowledge of oral health was moderate level (10.22±2.36). Scores of maternal knowledge of oral health were different according to age, education, occupation, parity, and dental care experience in pregnancy. Level of oral healthcare knowledge was weakly related to age and education. CONCLUSION: Consequently, it is necessary to encourage pregnant women to take part in oral health education program during antenatal care

Control of mammalian G protein signaling by N-terminal acetylation and the N-end rule pathway

Rgs2, a regulator of G proteins, lowers blood pressure by decreasing signaling through Gαq. Human patients expressing Met-Leu-Rgs2 (ML-Rgs2) or Met-Arg-Rgs2 (MR-Rgs2) are hypertensive relative to people expressing wild-type Met-Gln-Rgs2 (MQ-Rgs2). We found that wild-type MQ-Rgs2 and its mutant, MR-Rgs2, were destroyed by the Ac/N-end rule pathway, which recognizes Nα-terminally acetylated (Nt-acetylated) proteins. The shortest-lived mutant, ML-Rgs2, was targeted by both the Ac/N-end rule and Arg/N-end rule pathways. The latter pathway recognizes unacetylated N-terminal residues. Thus, the Nt-acetylated Ac-MX-Rgs2 (X = Arg, Gln, Leu) proteins are specific substrates of the mammalian Ac/N-end rule pathway. Furthermore, the Ac/N-degron of Ac-MQ-Rgs2 was conditional, and Teb4, an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane-embedded ubiquitin ligase, was able to regulate G protein signaling by targeting Ac-MX-Rgs2 proteins for degradation through their N^α-terminal acetyl group

Nuclear Factor Erythroid-Derived 2-Like 2-Induced Reductive Stress Favors Self-Renewal of Breast Cancer Stem-Like Cells via the FoxO3a-Bmi-1 Axis

Aims: A subpopulation of cancer cells, termed cancer stem cells (CSCs), has stemness properties, such as self-renewal and differentiation, which drive cancer recurrence and tumor resistance. CSCs possess enhanced protection capabilities to maintain reduced intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) compared with nonstem-like cancer cells. This study investigated whether reductive stress could regulate self-renewal activity in breast CSCs. Results: We found that manifestation of stemness in breast cancer stem-like cells was associated with an elevated production of reduced glutathione (GSH) maintained by upregulation of glutamate cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC) and consequently, lowered ROS levels. This was accompanied by upregulation of phospho-AMP-activated protein kinase, FoxO3a, and Bmi-1. Notably, expression of nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2 (Nrf2) protein was substantially increased in cells undergoing sphere formation. We noticed that expression of Bmi-1 was inhibited after introduction of Nrf2 short interfering RNA into MCF-7 mammosphere cells. Silencing of Nrf2 expression suppressed the xenograft growth of subcutaneously or orthotopically injected human breast cancer cells. Innovation: Association between Nrf2 and self-renewal signaling in CSCs has been reported, but the underlying molecular mechanism remains largely unresolved. This study demonstrates the Nrf2-mediated signaling pathway in maintenance of reductive stress in breast CSCs. Conclusion: Nrf2 overactivation in breast CSCs upregulates GCLC expression and consequently enhances GSH biosynthesis with concurrent reduction in intracellular ROS accumulation, thereby provoking the reductive stress. The consequent upregulation of nuclear FoxO3a and its binding to the promoter of the gene encoding Bmi-1 account for the self-renewal activity of breast cancer stem-like cells and their growth in a xenograft mouse model.

Analysis of research papers published in the Journal of the Korean Academy of Nursing-focused on research trends, intervention studies, and level of evidence in the research

The number of quantitative studies was greater than that of qualitative studies. There was a slight increase in the number of qualitative studies and studies including elderly populations, which reflects the recent population trend in Korea. More randomized controlled trials with a low risk of bias were needed to support more evidence-based nursing practice. Concerning the low rate of ethical consideration, stricter application of research ethics needs to be encouraged. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest the recent trends in nursing research and the direction of nursing research and review in the Journal

Analysis of Functional Constituents in Mulberry (Morus alba L.) Twigs by Different Cultivars, Producing Areas, and Heat Processings

ABSTRACT: Four functional constituents, oxyresveratrol 3&apos;-O-β-D-glucoside (ORTG), oxyresveratrol (ORT), t-resveratrol (RT), and moracin (MC) were isolated from the ethanolic extract of mulberry (Morus alba L.) twigs by a series of isolation procedures, including solvent fractionation, and silica-gel, ODS-A, and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographies. Their chemical structures were identified by NMR and FABMS spectral analysis. Quantitative changes of four phytochemicals in mulberry twigs were determined by HPLC according to cultivar, producing area, and heat processing. ORTG was a major abundant compound in the mulberry twigs, and its levels ranged from 23.7 to 105.5 mg% in six different mulberry cultivars. Three other compounds were present in trace amounts (&lt;1 mg/100 g) or were not detected. Among mulberry cultivars examined, &quot;Yongcheon&quot; showed the highest level of ORTG, whereas &quot;Somok&quot; had the least ORTG content. Levels of four phytochemicals in the mulberry twigs harvested in early September were higher than those harvested in early July. Levels of ORTG and ORT in the &quot;Cheongil&quot; mulberry twigs produced in the Uljin area were higher than those produced in other areas. Generally, levels of ORTG and ORT in mulberry twigs decreased with heat processing, such as steaming, and microwaving except roasting, whereas those of RT and MC did not considerably vary according to heat processing. These results suggest that the roasted mulberry twigs may be useful as potential sources of functional ingredients and foods

Reversible Lansoprazole-Induced Interstitial Lung Disease Showing Improvement after Drug Cessation

Lansoprazole is an acid proton-pump inhibiting drug that is used for the treatment of duodenal or gastric ulcers, H. pylori infection, gastroesophageal reflux disease or Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Although lansoprazole is well known for its gastrointestinal and dermatologic adverse effects, mild pulmonary symptoms are also known to develop from taking this drug. There have been no reports about lansoprazole-induced interstitial lung disease. We report here a case of lansoprazole-induced interstitial lung disease that developed in a 66-year-old man