The current study explores the potential of the collaborative reflection of the teacher, colleagues, and students in promoting teacher expertise. To this effect, the authors first created a principled set of checklists on six domains of teacher expertise by synthesizing relevant literature. Then they developed protocols for collaborative reflection. These tools were applied to a middle school English teacher’s reflective practice, involving the teacher participating in stimulated recall sessions of her own classes, writing reflection journals, and receiving feedback from her colleagues and students. The results show that collaborative reflection has high potentials for mediating the teacher’s cognitive and affective changes, leading to behavioral ones. This suggests that collaborative reflection, when relevant institutional prerequisites are met, can take an instrumental role in promoting teacher expertise.

This study examined the use of conjunctions in Korean high school EFL learners’ writings in two discourse modes–description and argument. A corpus of seventy-six descriptive essays and eighty argumentative essays was developed, in which the essays were rated based on their cohesiveness and divided into three groups by their grades. Conjunctions were analyzed based on Halliday and Hasan’s (1976) framework: additive, adversative, causal, and temporal conjunctions. The results revealed different trends of using conjunctions in the two different discourse modes. The descriptive writings with high scores on cohesion tend to exhibit more conjunctions when compared to lower-quality writings, and the argumentative writings with high scores showed fewer conjunctions. The high-quality writings in descriptive mode showed highly frequent uses of additives and adversatives, while those in argumentative mode displayed a lower frequency of additives and a more frequent use of adversative however. Small numbers of causal and temporal conjunctions were used in both discourse modes, and they were particularly limited in descriptive writings regardless of the cohesiveness of writings. This implies that more explicit instructions on causal and temporal conjunctions for each mode are needed in the writing classes. In addition, the scores on cohesion were significantly lower for the descriptive essays than for the argumentative essays, and a much narrower range of conjunctions was employed in descriptive writing. These results suggest a more balanced focus on various discourse modes of writing and the introduction of conjunctions that are appropriate for each mode, since the ability to use conjunctions in one mode does not seem to be automatically transferred to another mode in high school EFL learners’ writings.

최근 특허권 행사에 있어 특허침해소송 남용 등 법제도의 미비점을 악 용하는 지식재산권의 부당한 행사에 관한 규제를 통하여 건전한 기업활 동에 장애가 초래되지 않도록 제도적인 방안을 마련하는 연구가 활발하 다. 특히 NPE가 행사하는 특허침해소송의 새로운 유형으로 등장한 특허 사나포선 이 문제로 부각되고 있다. 이러한 경쟁법 연구의 일환으로, 본 연구자는 구체적으로 대기업에 비해 특허침해소송 관련 대응력이 부족한 중소기업을 대상으로 한 특허관리전문회사(NPE)의 특허 사나포선 행 위를 규제할 수 있는 방안을 검토해 보고자 한다. 특허 사나포선(Patent Privateering) 이란 제조기업이 스스로 제조나 서비스 활동을 하지 않는 NPE에게 경쟁 제조기업을 상대로 기만적인 특 허주장이나 기회주의적 특허주장을 하도록 하여 금전적 이익을 추구하거 나, 제조기업이 NPE에게 자신의 특허를 매각하고 제조기업의 경쟁기업 을 상대로 당해 특허권을 주장하여 금전적 이익을 얻을 수 있도록 하는 전략적 특허거래를 의미한다. 즉, 특허 사나포선 은 NPE의 다양한 형태 중, 공격적 NPE의 비즈니스 모델로서, 본고에서는 이런 행위를 경쟁법 차원에서 규율할 수 있는지, 있다면 어떤 기준으로 제한할 것인지를 연 구하였다. 이를 위한 해결 논리로 eBay판결에서 등장한 반박 가능한 추정 (rebuttable presumption) 개념을 확장 적용하여 경쟁법 및 특허법 등 과의 관련성을 검토하고, NPE의 특허권 남용행위로부터 소송능력이 미 약한 중소기업을 보호하는 제도적 장치를 대안으로 제시하여 국내 유망 기술을 보유한 중소기업들의 시장 경쟁력 확보와 해외 진출을 위한 법적 보호 및 대응책 마련에 일조하려 한다.

The development of conceptual frameworks for fairness in language testing has significantly expanded the scope of discussions on fairness. Empirical research motivated by these theories, however, has been minimal. There is no research, for example, that thoroughly examines the perceptions of test takers concerning fairness as outlined in the frameworks. Taking the context of the admissions officer system of universities in Korea, this paper looks at how the information released by universities before their exams affect students’ perceptions of test fairness. Furthermore, the paper attempts to examine the washback of such perceptions as test-takers prepare for the test. Two Korean universities that conducted written tasks for its early admissions processes were selected. Participants were six actual test-takers, who were extensively surveyed and interviewed. The results show that students placed much more faith in the assessment when the information regarding the test construct was relayed in a clear and consistent manner. Such results suggest that test developers need to pay acute attention to the information they provide to test-takers prior to the test, and that test-takers should be aware of the rights that they have regarding the disclosure of test information.

The aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) are ancient house-keeping enzymes that catalyze the ligation of tRNAs to their cognate amino acids in the first step of protein synthesis. During the evolution of higher eukaryotes, cytoplasmic ARSs have undergone significant changes including the addition of new domains that are not part of the enzymatic core. These additional regions have been found to be associated with a broad range of biological functions beyond protein synthesis. The non-translational functions of ARSs appear to be regulated by their presence within a cytoplasmic multi-tRNA synthetase complex (MSC), which is assembled through the appended domains. We recently reported that the MSC member glutamylprolyl- tRNA synthetase (EPRS) promotes antiviral gene expression through its infection-specific phosphorylation and release from the MSC. Here, we conducted transcriptome analysis of influenza A virusinfected cells. We particularly focused on the analysis of chemokine-related gene expression, in combination with chemokine array analysis against virus infection. Moreover, the correlation between chemokine expression pattern and EPRS function in response to different stimuli was assessed. The results showed that viral infection increases interferon-response and pro-inflammatory chemokine expression. In contrast, the level of chemokine expression was suppressed in interferon-γ treated cells. Thus, these results further demonstrate the previously reported stimulus-specific EPRS functions in immune responses.

Hematometra is defined as the accumulation of blood and blood clots in the uterus. An 8-month-old, intact female Poongsan dog presented with continuous severe hemorrhagic vulvar discharge and anemia. The initial diagnostic evaluation included abdominal ultrasonography, radiography, and physical and laboratory examinations. The electrolyte levels were low: Na ion levels were 128 mmol/L (reference range, 141 - 152 mmol/L), and Cl ion levels were 99 mmol/ L (reference range, 105 - 115 mmol/L). At presentation, the white blood cell count was 60.19 × 103/μL (reference range, 5.05 – 16.76 × 103/μL), packed cell volume was 11.8% (reference range, 37.3% - 61.7%), hemoglobin levels were 4.6 g/ dl (reference range, 13.1 - 20.5 g/dl), and platelet count was 48 × 103/μL (reference range, 148 - 484 × 103/μL). Based on the results of the complete blood count, the dog was given lactated Ringer’s solution and a whole blood transfusion. On abdominal ultrasonography, the left uterine horn was enlarged and filled with echogenic fluid. On laparotomy, the uterus was enlarged and showed an accumulation of blood and blood clots. The incised uterine horn revealed that the endometrium was filled with blood and blood clots and had a cystic appearance. Additionally, thick and yellowish pus had accumulated in the uterine cavity. Gross findings revealed a definitive diagnosis of cystic endometrial hyperplasia- pyometra complex with severe hemorrhage, termed hematometra. This case was the first report of severe hematometra in a young Poongsan dog.

This report describes the different responses to dapsone treatment in two cases of sterile nodular panniculitis (SNP). Two dogs were presented with ulcerative skin lesions, painful and erythematous papules, and nodules. History and physical examination revealed systemic signs such as pyrexia, lethargy, depression, and anorexia, in addition to ulcerated and ruptured nodules on the skin. The dermatological diagnostics included clear taping, trichogram, skin scraping, impression smears, fungal and bacterial cultures, and histopathology and special stainings of multiple punch biopsies obtained from the skin lesions. Based on the clinical and histopathologic findings, the absence of microbiological infection, and the positive response to immunosuppressive therapy, both the dogs were diagnosed with SNP. Although both dogs had been treated with various immunosuppressive drugs including prednisolone, cyclosporine, azathioprine, and triamcinolone, therapy was switched to dapsone due to recurrent dermatological signs and presumed steroidinduced hepatotoxicity. The clinical responses to dapsone were opposite in the two cases. In the first case, combination therapy with prednisolone and cyclosporine was effective in attenuating ulcerative lesions, while dapsone alone did not control the clinical signs. In contrast, in the second case, the therapeutic response to the common immunomodulatory drugs such as prednisolone, triamcinolone, and azathioprine was inadequate. Interestingly, dapsone alone was effective in controlling the clinical signs without causing undue side effects. Although the usefulness of dapsone for the treatment of canine SNP is unknown, it may be considered in mild to moderate cases of SNP when the use of steroids is not recommended due to its low efficacy or side effects.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that deprives the patient of memory, is associated mainly with extracellular senile plaque induced by the accumulation of amyloid β protein (Aβ). Silybum marianum (Asteraceae; SM) is a medicinal plant that has long been used in traditional medicine as a hepatoprotective remedy owing to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The present study examined the methanol extract of the aerial parts of SM for neuroprotection against Aβ (25-35)-induced neuronal death in cultured rat cortical neurons to investigate a possible therapeutic role of SM in AD. The primary cortical neuron cultures were prepared using embryonic day 15 to 16 SD rat fetuses. Cultured cortical neurons exposed to 10 μM Aβ (25-35) for 36 h underwent neuronal cell death. At 10 and 50 μg/mL, SM prevented Aβ (25-35)-induced neuronal cell death and apoptosis in cultured cortical neurons. Furthermore, SM inhibited the Aβ (25-35)-induced decrease in anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2, and the increase in the proapoptotic proteins, Bax and active caspase-3. Cultured cortical neurons exposed to 1 mM N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) for 14 h induced neuronal cell death. SM (10 and 50 μg/mL) prevented NMDA-induced neuronal cell death. These results suggest that SM inhibited Aβ (25-35)-induced neuronal apoptotic death via inhibition of NMDA receptor activation and that SM has a possible therapeutic role in preventing the progression of neurodegeneration in AD.

Aging is a growing concern of age-associated aberrations in immune system or immunosenescence. Probiotics contain not only these general health advantages but also other the regulation of host immune function. Among those probiotics, the immunomodulatory effects of Weissella cibaria JW15 (JW15) strain has already been reported in our previous studies. The objective of this study is to assess improved immunity of JW15 strain in aged mice. In experiment, mice were divided into five groups. Twenty eight–month-old C57BL/6J mice were given a daily dose of 1×109 CFU/ mouse (JW15-H group) and 1×108 CFU/mouse (JW15- L group) of viable JW15. The young mice group (YM) and old mice group (OM) were given PBS. After four weeks of administration, mice were euthanized. Mice blood was collected and analyzed for complete blood cell count (CBC). Then, mice spleen was weighed and analyzed for splenocyte. Finally, we measured the concentration of cytokine secreted by splenocyte and serum. The results showed splenocyte proliferation of JW15-L group by the addition of LPS and concanavalin A was significantly higher than that of OM group. Splenocyte TNF-α production was significantly increased by JW15 intake. In particular, splenocyte TNF-α production of JW15-L group by the addition of LPS (5 μg/mL) was significantly greater than that other group. Splenocyte IL-6 production was also the highest in JW15-L group. Serum IFN-γ production of JW15-L (59.13 ± 16.13 pg/mL) group was significantly higher than that of OM group (39.71 ± 2.51 pg/ mL). When compared to the OM group (32.22 ± 1.92 pg/mL), Serum TNF-α production was significantly increased by JW15-H intake (69.01± 26.51 pg/mL). In conclusion, JW15 enhanced immunomodulative effects. In particular, the effect was significantly excellent in JW15-L group (1 × 108 CFU/mouse). Therefore, Weissella cibaria JW15 would be suitable for consideration as a helpful functional food for companion animals and humans.

Neuron-specific enolase (NSE), a brain specific isoenzyme of the glycolytic enzyme, is characterized by its consistent occurrence in the cytoplasm of mature neurons. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the expression of NSE in the developing tongue of Korean native goats. The tongues of the fetuses were removed from 2- to 4-year-old female Korean native goats by caesarean section performed under general anesthesia. The expression of NSE in the developing tongue of goat fetuses (60, 90, 120, and 150 days) was studied using immunohistochemistry. In 60-day-old fetuses, NSE-immunoreactivity (IR) exhibited weak appearance in lamina propria of the basal portion and the apical epithelia of the tongue. In 90-day-old fetuses, NSE-nerve fibers were extended in the core part of connective tissue, and primordia of the taste buds was moderately positive. In 120-day-old fetuses, NSE-IR was strongly expressed in taste buds and gustatory nerve fibers. In neonates, the taste buds of vallate papillae were strongly positive for NSE, and development of nerve fibers was synapsed with connective tissue of well innervated taste buds. These results indicate that NSE expressions were associated with the sign of nerve innervation in prenatal development of goat tongues and NSE may be a useful neuronal marker to understand the development of gustatory nerve innervations.

Previous studies have investigated the potential relationship between promoter polymorphism (-308, G/ A) of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and various autoimmune diseases. However, results from published data were inconclusive. To verify relationship between TNF-α polymorphism (-308, G/A) and susceptibility to autoimmune diseases such as vitiligo, celiac disease, and rheumatoid arthritis, we have performed a metaanalysis with all relevant articles before October 2016. The electronic search of PubMed, google, and Embase databases was performed to identify eligible studies investigating the relationship of TNF-α polymorphism with autoimmune diseases including vitiligo, celiac disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. Genotype frequency data of TNF-α polymorphism (-308, G/A) were extracted and the meta analysis was performed by Comprehensive meta-analysis program with odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Genotype models were applied with dominant and recessive models and allele model analyzed. The final analysis included 37 publication papers with a total of 6,102 autoimmune disease patients and 6,987 control subjects. In result, a statistical significant correlation between TNF-α polymorphism (-308, G/A) and susceptibility to autoimmune disease was not detected in our meta-analysis (p>0.05 in all models). Our results suggest that the TNF-α polymorphism might not be related to the development of autoimmune disease. If further results in larger studies would be accumulated in the future, this relationship would be clarified.

Carrier testing for autosomal recessive hereditary disorders in the elite sire population has great significance for the domestic animal breeding. Because the recessive allele embedded in carriers without clinical signs may be passed to the next generation and rapidly spread throughout the population. The occurrences of various autosomal recessive hereditary disorders have been reported, and several causative mutations were elucidated in cattle. However, there is no report for the hereditary disorders in Korean cattle (Hanwoo) although Hanwoo is the indigenous purebred in Korea and have been improved by the national breeding programs in the last 30 years. Here, we investigated the presence of carrier for the following hereditary disorders in the Korean proven bulls (n=78; 42 family) using DNA based analysis: Chediak–Higashi syndrome, spherocytosis, claudin-16 deficiency, factor XI deficiency. The causative genes for these diseases (lysosomal trafficking regulator, solute carrier family 4 member 1, Claudin-16 and coagulation factor XI, respectively) were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing. As a results, there was no carrier individual, and all animals were normal. Although the recessive alleles for four disorders were not identified in this study, further investigation for other hereditary disorders still remains to remove deleterious factors in the genetic improvement of Korean cattle.

Exposure to house dust mites is closely connected with allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma. House dust mites (Dermatophagoides farinae and D. pteronyssinus) act as allergens even after their death. Therefore, repelling the house dust mites is more effective method than killing them. Many chemical agents have been used in killing house dust mite. However, it is usually reported that these chemical agents (acaricides) exhibit adverse effects and toxicity toward animals and human. For these reasons, we carried out the experiments for measuring the repellent activity of Mate tea and Jasmine tea against house dust mites in this experiment. In order to determine the concentration having the most effective repellent effect of Mate and Jasmine tea, house dust mites (D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus) were exposed at different concentrations (0, 0.015625, 0.03125, 0.0625, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 mg/40 μL) of Mate tea and Jasmine tea extracts, respectively, for different hours (0.5, 1, 2, 3 hours). The most effective repellent effect (%) against house dust mite in 0.25 mg/40 μL of Mate tea for 2 hours was 73.5%, Jasmine Petal tea in 0.0625 mg/40 μL for 1 hour was 84.1% and Pearl Jasmine tea in 0.125 mg/40 μL for 0.5 hour was 82.8%. These results suggest that Mate tea and Jasmine tea extracts have potential effect to repel the house dust mites (D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus)

In order to identify changes in the nature of the particles due to changes in the inflow rate of the raw material solution, the present study was intended to prepare nano-sized cobalt oxide (Co3O4) powder with an average particle size of 50 nm or less by spray pyrolysis reaction using raw cobalt chloride solution. As the inflow rate of the raw material solution increased, droplets formed by the pyrolysis reaction showed more divided form and the particle size distribution was more uneven. As the inflow rate of the solution increased from 2 to 10 ml/min, the average particle size of the formed particles increased from about 25 nm to 40 nm, while the average particle size did not show significant changes when the inflow rate increased from 10 to 50 ml/min. XRD analysis showed that the intensity of the XRD peaks increased remarkably when the inflow rate of the solution increased from 2 to 10 ml/min. On the other hand, the peak intensity stayed almost constant when the inflow rate increased from 10 to 50 ml/min. With the increase in the inflow rate from 2 to 10 ml/min, the specific surface area of the particles decreased by approximately 20 %. On the contrary, the specific surface area stayed constant when the inflow rate increased from 10 to 50 ml/min.

4H- and 6H-SiC grown by physical vapor transport method were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). From the TEM diffraction patterns observed along the [11-20] zone axis, 4H- and 6H-SiC were identified due to their additional diffraction spots, indicating atomic stacking sequences. However, identification was not possible in the [10-10] zone axis due to the absence of additional diffraction spots. Basal plane dislocations (BPDs) were investigated in the TEM specimen prepared along the [10-10] zone axis using the two-beam technique. BPDs were two Shockley partial dislocations with a stacking fault (SF) between them. Shockley partial BPDs arrayed along the [0001] growth direction were observed in the investigated 4H-SiC. This arrayed configuration of Shockley partial BPDs cannot be recognized from the plan view TEM with the [0001] zone axis. The evaluated distances between the two Shockley partial dislocations for the investigated samples were similar to the equilibrium distance, with values of several hundreds of nanometers or even values as large as over a few micrometers.

Ni nanoparticles (NPs)-graphitic carbon nanofiber (GCNF) composites were fabricated using an electrospinning method. The amounts of Ni precursor used as catalyst for the catalytic graphitization were controlled at 0, 2, 5, and 8 wt% to improve the photovoltaic performances of the nanoparticles and make them suitable for use as counter electrodes for dyesensitized solar cells (DSSCs). As a result, Ni NPs-GCNF composites that were fabricated with 8 wt% Ni precursors showed a high circuit voltage (0.73 V), high photocurrent density (14.26 mA/cm2), and superb power-conversion efficiency (6.72 %) when compared to those characteristics of other samples. These performance improvements can be attributed to the reduced charge transport resistance that results from the synergetic effect of the superior catalytic activity of Ni NPs and the efficient charge transfer due to the formation of GCNF with high electrical conductivity. Thus, Ni NPs-GCNF composites may be used as promising counter electrodes in DSSCs.

Ni nanoparticles (NPs)-graphitic carbon nanofiber (GCNF) composites were fabricated using an electrospinning method. The amounts of Ni precursor used as catalyst for the catalytic graphitization were controlled at 0, 2, 5, and 8 wt% to improve the photovoltaic performances of the nanoparticles and make them suitable for use as counter electrodes for dyesensitized solar cells (DSSCs). As a result, Ni NPs-GCNF composites that were fabricated with 8 wt% Ni precursors showed a high circuit voltage (0.73 V), high photocurrent density (14.26 mA/cm2), and superb power-conversion efficiency (6.72 %) when compared to those characteristics of other samples. These performance improvements can be attributed to the reduced charge transport resistance that results from the synergetic effect of the superior catalytic activity of Ni NPs and the efficient charge transfer due to the formation of GCNF with high electrical conductivity. Thus, Ni NPs-GCNF composites may be used as promising counter electrodes in DSSCs.

In order to examine how the solid-liquid interface responds to temperature variation depending on the materials characteristics, i.e. faceted phase or nonfaceted phase, the moving solid-liquid interface of transparent organic material, as a model substance for metallic materials (pivalic acid, camphene, salol, and camphor-50wt% naphthalene) was observed in-situ. Plots of the interface movement distance against time were obtained. The solid-liquid interface of the nonfaceted phase is atomically rough; it migrates in continuous mode, giving smooth curves of the distance-time plot. This is the case for pivalic acid and camphene. It was expected that the faceted phases would show different types of curves of the distance-time plot because of the atomically smooth solid-liquid interface. However, salol (faceted phase) shows a curve of the distance-time plot as smooth as that of the nonfaceted phases. This indicates that the solid-liquid interface of salol migrates as continuously as that of the nonfaceted phases. This is in contrast with the case of naphthalene, one of the faceted phases, for which the solidliquid interface migrates in “stop and go” mode, giving a stepwise curve of the distance-time plot.

Graphene has shown exceptional properties for high performance devices due to its high carrier mobility. Of particular interest is the potential use of graphene nanoribbons as field-effect transistors. Herein, we introduce a facile approach to the fabrication of graphene nanoribbon (GNR) arrays with ~200 nm width using nanoimprint lithography (NIL), which is a simple and robust method for patterning with high fidelity over a large area. To realize a 2D material-based device, we integrated the graphene nanoribbon arrays in field effect transistors (GNR-FETs) using conventional lithography and metallization on highly-doped Si/SiO2 substrate. Consequently, we observed an enhancement of the performance of the GNRtransistors compared to that of the micro-ribbon graphene transistors. Besides this, using a transfer printing process on a flexible polymeric substrate, we demonstrated graphene-silicon junction structures that use CVD grown graphene as flexible electrodes for Si based transistors.

The cold rolling workability and mechanical properties of two new alloys, designed and cast Al-5.5Mg-2.9Si and Al-7Mg-0.9Zn alloys, were investigated in detail. The two alloy sheets of 4 mm thickness, 30 mm width and 100 mm length were reduced to a thickness of 1 mm by multi-pass rolling at ambient temperature. The rolling workability was better for the Al-7Mg-0.9Zn alloy than for the Al-5.5Mg-2.9Si alloy; in case of the former alloy, edge cracks began to occur at 50% rolling reduction, and their number and length increased with rolling reduction; however, in the latter alloy, the sheets did not have any cracks even at higher rolling reduction. The mechanical properties of tensile strength and elongation were also better in the Al-7Mg-0.9Zn alloy than in Al-5.5Mg-2.9Si alloy. Work hardening ability after cold rolling was also higher in the Al-7Mg- 0.9Zn alloy than in the Al-5.5Mg-2.9Si alloy. At the same time, the texture development was very similar for both alloys; typical rolling texture developed in both alloys. These differences in the two alloys can primarily be explained by the existence of precipitates of Mg2Si. It is concluded that the Al-7Mg-0.9Zn alloy is better than the Al-5.5Mg-2.9Si alloy in terms of mechanical properties.