Growing together : emancipatory lessons from North Korean defector's art education in South Korea

‘Education’ has a twofold effect on learners, depending on the intention of the teachers. On the one hand, education isolates individual thoughts and limits a person’s process of imagination. Therefore, people who provide education (that is, the dominator) could easily deal with learners as they intend. On the other hand, education can also give liberty to the oppressed. North Korean life is dominated by the Kim family's ideology; people there have a distorted view of art, which makes them praise the North Korean system and intensify the ideology. However, after entering South Korea, defectors experience art differently. Their art education seems like an art therapy, which removes their previous knowledge of art. During the period of art re-education, they could overcome their trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) more easily. Due to artistic activity, they could overcome their previous knowledge of art and try to express their freedom. In this study, I explore the positive effects of art education and introduce an example of emancipatory art education through the alternative school of North Korean youth defectors and their theatre group in South Korea

Chemically Engineered 3D Graphene Nanostructures

Chemical EngineeringRecently, 3D graphene nanostructures have attracted considerable attentions for a variety of applications in sensors, separations, lithium-ion batteries, and supercapacitors because of their prominent properties such as high surface area, high electrical conductivity, and thermal/mechanical stability. Herein, we demonstrate various types of 3D graphene nanostructures via chemical modification of graphene oxide and their self-assembly behaviors in different solvent conditions. In particular, porous graphene nanostructures are fabricated through the control of electrostatic repulsions between chemically modified graphene sheets. Chemically reduced graphene oxide sheets are well-dispersed owing to the electrostatic repulsion at high pH condition, while agglomerating each other at low pH condition. Noticeably, we fabricate different graphene morphologies such as dendrite-like structure and wire-like structure by controlling the pH condition. In addition, different morphology of graphene nanostructures such as crumpled and scrolled geometries is demonstrated via control of pH condition and graphene reduction time. These various type of graphene nanostructures could be used for variety of applications as mentioned above.ope

Statistical Research on Covariate Matching, Monotone Functional Data and Binary Spatio-temporal Data Modeling

This dissertation consists of three studies in different fields. (1) The first study aims to evaluate the effect of wind turbine upgrades by devising a covariate matching method. The proposed method performs straightforward comparison between treated and non-treated outputs by re-organizing data records as if they were designed by randomized experiment. Also, it considers multi-dependencies of dynamic atmosphere conditions by taking into account the priority order and interaction effect of factors. (2) The second study proposes the functional data model to estimate a collection of monotone curves observed on an irregular and sparse grid. By integrating functional principal component analysis, not only does the model describe the variation of curves by few important functions but also it jointly estimates numerous monotone curves having a mean trend as well as individual-specific features. Simulation study validates its superiority to other classical approaches. (3) The last study investigates spatio-temporal binary data with a goal of describing infectious disease spreading pattern. An autologistic regressive model is proposed to illustrate spatial dependence and predict the progression over space and time. The accuracy of model estimation is verified by simulation study. Additionally, a hidden Markov network model is established from a slightly different standpoint on given data

Eun Seon (Sunny) Shin, Piano

Piano Sonata in A-flat major, Op. 110 / L.V. Beethoven; Kreisleriana, Op. 16 / Robert Schuman

Spatiotemporal organization, regulation and function of traction during neutrophil chemotaxis

Despite recent advances in our understanding of biochemical regulation of neutrophil chemotaxis, little is known about how mechanical factors control neutrophils’ persistent polarity and rapid motility. Here, by using a human neutrophil-like cell line and human primary neutrophils, we describe a dynamic spatiotemporal pattern of tractions in neutrophils during chemotaxis. Tractions are located at both the leading and the trailing edge of neutrophils, where they oscillate with a defined periodicity. Interestingly, traction oscillations at the leading and the trailing edge are out of phase with the tractions at the front leading those at the back, suggesting a temporal mechanism that coordinates leading edge and trailing edge activities. The magnitude and periodicity of tractions depend upon the activity of non-muscle myosin IIA. Specifically, traction development at the leading edge requires myosin light chain kinase (MLCK)-mediated myosin II contractility and is necessary for α5β1-integrin activation and leading edge adhesion. Localized myosin II activation induced by spatially activated small GTPase Rho and its downstream kinase p160-ROCK, as previously reported, leads to contraction of actin-myosin II complexes at the trailing edge, causing it to de-adhere. Our data identify a key biomechanical mechanism for persistent cell polarity and motility

The Virtual class on the internet

Distance learning is not a new subject, but it recently has come in vogue again. With the advent of new educational and training technologies and the need to meet the needs of learners in a fast-paced world, distance learning is becoming a necessity. In its best sense, it can help educate more people anywhere at any time. Our renewed interest in distance learning has the potential to change public perception of education and its ongoing importance throughout our lives. In Part I, an overview of the distance learning is given, from the concept to the various tools. The tools and procedures are primarily emphasized, which offer us a basic idea of the virtual classroom. An extensive description of the software and the learning processes is then provided. The thesis project is detailed in Part II, which describes the possibilities of using this technology as a virtual class on the web

The Relationship Between Students\u27 Evaluation of Faculty and Students\u27 Grades

The study examined (a) the relationship between the grade students expect to receive and their evaluation rating, (b) the relationship between students\u27 prior cumulative GPA and their evaluation rating, and (c) to what extent do other variables account for the relationship between grade and evaluation rating. The present study found a significant, consistent relationship between students\u27 expected grades and their evaluation ratings of professor. The relationship between students\u27 cumulative GPA and ratings is negligible and should not be considered an important score of bias. The implication of this study is that great caution should be exercised when using such ratings to make key career decisions about professors

Statistical Research on Covariate Matching, Monotone Functional Data and Binary Spatio-temporal Data Modeling

This dissertation consists of three studies in different fields. (1) The first study aims to evaluate the effect of wind turbine upgrades by devising a covariate matching method. The proposed method performs straightforward comparison between treated and non-treated outputs by re-organizing data records as if they were designed by randomized experiment. Also, it considers multi-dependencies of dynamic atmosphere conditions by taking into account the priority order and interaction effect of factors. (2) The second study proposes the functional data model to estimate a collection of monotone curves observed on an irregular and sparse grid. By integrating functional principal component analysis, not only does the model describe the variation of curves by few important functions but also it jointly estimates numerous monotone curves having a mean trend as well as individual-specific features. Simulation study validates its superiority to other classical approaches. (3) The last study investigates spatio-temporal binary data with a goal of describing infectious disease spreading pattern. An autologistic regressive model is proposed to illustrate spatial dependence and predict the progression over space and time. The accuracy of model estimation is verified by simulation study. Additionally, a hidden Markov network model is established from a slightly different standpoint on given data

An Experimental Study of Techniques to Improve Response Rates of Mail Questionnarie

The study examined (a) which single technique (cover letter sponsorship, personalization, anonymity, or appeal) is most effective in increasing response rates with mail questionnaires, and (b) which combination of these selected techniques is most effective in increasing such response rates. Questionnaires concerning faculty evaluation were sent to a national sample of professors. The present study found that identification of a university as the sponsor of the survey resulted in a significantly higher response rate than that obtained when the survey was sponsored by a private research institute. There was a significant increase in response rates when the cover letter was personalized, as opposed to an unpersonalized form letter. There were no significant differences in response rates attributable to (a) wether respondents were assured anonymity, and (b) the type of appeal used in the cover letter (personal or professional appeal). No significant interactions were found among any of the four techniques investigated. It was concluded from this study that judicious selection of the survey sponsor and use of cover letter personalization can improve the response rates of a mail questionnaire significantly, at least with the type of population and questionnaire significantly, at least with the type of population and questionnaire topic used in this study