evidence from Cambodia

Thesis(Master) --KDI School:Master of Public Policy,2015As the amount of remittances has been increasing, a perspective that remittances can be an important source of development engine especially in developing countries has emerged. Along with the money inflows, human capital investment is very critical for the sustainable economic development in the long term and it is closely related to the household expenditure behavior. Thus, it is very essential that policy makers should design and implement policies, which induce households to increase human capital investment related expenditure, in various perspectives. This paper analyzes the impact of remittances on household expenditure behavior by comparing the expenditure behavior differences between households with remittances and without remittances. While most of studies end up with figuring out impact of remittances, this study contributes to the existing study by expanding the scope of research to include supply-side factors, which also can be influential in human capital investment, such as accessibility to services for education and health and existence of education/ health project supported by government or NGOs. The empirical result finds that the households with remittances are more likely to invest their extra income on human capital investment, especially on health, while reducing their expenditure on other categories. However, expenditure behavior changes are not observed in the expenditure on health between two household groups. In addition, the capacity building, which is the capability of a community to provide education/ health services, is very critical to induce household expenditure on human capital investment. In the case of education, the effect of remittances disappears when other additional community capacity related variables are added. In addition, in a case of health, remittances have great impact on human capital investment by households, combining with other community capacity related variables. This result shows the efforts on improving the community capacity, such as removing physical barriers, financial barriers, service quality, knowledge of users, and sociocultural barriers in order to improve accessibility to the service, should be added along with securing sufficient household income.masterpublishedChan Ju LEE

Solid–liquid interface temperature measurement of evaporating droplet using thermoresponsive polymer aqueous solution

The present study aims to measure the solid–liquid interface temperature of an evaporating droplet on a heated surface using a thermoresponsive polymer. Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAM) was used owing to its sensitive optical and mechanical properties to the temperature. We also measured the refractive index variation of the pNIPAM solution by using the surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi). In particular, the present study proposed a new method to measure the solid–liquid interface temperature using the correlation among reflectance, refractive index, and temperature. It was found that the reflectance of a pNIPAM solution decreased after the droplet deposition. The solid–liquid interface temperature, estimated from the reflectance, showed a lower value at the center of the droplet, and it gradually increased along the radial direction. The lowest temperature at the contact line region is present because of the maximum evaporative cooling. Moreover, the solid–liquid interface temperature deviation increased with the surface temperature, which means solid–liquid interface temperature should be considered at high temperature to predict the evaporation flux of the droplet accurately

Performance Analysis of the Linear Induction Motor for the Deep-Underground High-Speed GTX

Abstract -In order to develop a deep-underground great train express (GTX) in South Korea, the specifications decision and development of a traction control system (including an inverter and a traction motor), which considers a variety of route conditions, must be advanced. In this study, we examined the running resistance properties of a high-speed traction system based on a variety of tunnel types and vehicle organization methods. Then, we studied the power requirements necessary for the traction motor to maintain balanced speed in the high-speed traction system. From this, we determined the design criteria for the development of a high-speed traction system for use in the deep-underground GTX. Finally, we designed a linear induction motor (LIM) for a propulsion system, and we used the finite element method (FEM) to analyze its performance as it travelled through deep-underground tunnels

Use of Multi-Functional Flexible Micro-Sensors for in situ Measurement of Temperature, Voltage and Fuel Flow in a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

Temperature, voltage and fuel flow distribution all contribute considerably to fuel cell performance. Conventional methods cannot accurately determine parameter changes inside a fuel cell. This investigation developed flexible and multi-functional micro sensors on a 40 μm-thick stainless steel foil substrate by using micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) and embedded them in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) to measure the temperature, voltage and flow. Users can monitor and control in situ the temperature, voltage and fuel flow distribution in the cell. Thereby, both fuel cell performance and lifetime can be increased

The Analysis of Antecedents for the Video Telephony Service Adoption: From the Value-Based Perspective

Korean Telecommunications Industry has a large scale market and boasts on high service quality and high technologies enough to provide the Video Telephony Service (VTS) satisfactorily. For many years, Korean telephone companies have been investing enormous sums to advertise their services widely and to allow their customers to change their cell phones for the third-generation (3G) devices indispensable for the service. However, despite their efforts, the VTS adoption rate in Korea is very low and it seems that customers seldom feel the necessity to use. From this viewpoint, it becomes necessary to find the antecedents influencing the intention to use for the VTS empirically. For this purpose, we proposed several hypotheses from the perspective of the Value-based Adoption Model (VAM). VAM is a conceptual model suggested to overcome some limitations of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) in explaining the adoption of new Information and Communication Technology (ICT) such as Mobile Internet where customers play the role of service consumer rather than simply technology users. We conducted a survey on 125 samples and found that customers perceive the value of VTS when they can recognize the service is functionally useful (Perceived Usefulness) and when they feel they can put themselves forward by using it (Self-Expression). On the other hand, the other factors including Technical Complexity, Privacy Concern and Perceived Price (Fee) don’t have statistically significant influences on the Perceived Value of VTS

Error Analysis of PDR System Using Dual Foot-mounted IMU

In this paper, we analyze the position errors of the pedestrian dead reckoning (PDR) system using foot-mounted IMU attached to each foot, and implement PDR system using dual foot-mounted IMU to reduce the analyzed error. The PDR system using foot-mounted IMU is generally based on an inertial navigation system (INS). To reduce bias and white noise errors, INS is combined with zero velocity update (ZUPT), which assumes that the pedestrian shoe velocity is zero at the stance phase. Although ZUPT could compensate the velocity and position, the heading drift still occurs. When analyzing the characteristics of the position error, the error shows a symmetrical characteristic. In order to reduce this error, the previous researches compensate for both positions by applying feet position constraints. The algorithm consists of applying a conventional PDR system to each foot and fusion algorithm combining both. The PDR system using foot-mounted IMU, one on each foot, is based on integration approach separately. The positions of both feet should be in a circle with a radius as step length during walking. The designed filter is constrained so that the position of both feet are in a circular boundary. The heading error that is symmetrically drifted is corrected by the position constraint when the pedestrian moves straight. Experimental results show the performance and usability of each previous algorithm to compensate for symmetric heading errors

Association between shift work and obesity among female nurses: Korean Nurses’ Survey

Background: Shift work has been hypothesized as a risk factor for obesity. In this study, we investigated the association between current shift work and body mass index (BMI) among female nurses in Korea. The relationship between duration of shift work and BMI of the participants was also evaluated. Methods: This cross-sectional survey evaluated participants in the Korean Nurses’ Survey, conducted from October to December 2011, using web-based self-administered questionnaires. A total of 9,989 nurses were included among 10,000 who registered on the survey web site (5,287 shift workers and 4,702 non-shift workers). Current shift workers were divided into tertiles of shift work duration (0.08–3.00 years, n = 1,732; 3.08–6.75 years, n = 1,731; and 6.83–38.00 years, n = 1,686). The BMI thresholds of overweight and obesity were ≥23 kg/m2 and ≥25 kg/m2, respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Mean participant age was 33.2 ± 8.6 years and the mean BMI was 20.9 ± 2.5 kg/m2. There were statistically significant differences in current smoking status, regular drinking habit, dietary habits, regular exercise, sleep problems and self-perceived health status according to duration of shift work. The overall prevalence of overweight/obesity (18.6%) and obesity (7.4%) increased significantly as shift work duration increased from the lowest to highest tertile (P for trend <0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed no association between current shift work and BMI. However, after adjusting for potential confounders, the participants with the longest duration of shift work were 1.63 (95% CI, 1.22–2.17) times more likely to be overweight or obese than those with the shortest duration. There was a significant positive association between obesity and shift work duration in the unadjusted analysis; however, it was attenuated and no longer significant in the multivariate model. Conclusions: The duration of shift work was positively associated with prevalence of overweight/obesity in nurses in Korea. Although these findings need to be confirmed in prospective studies, they suggest that special attention should be paid to female nurses with a long duration of shift work

Trichilemmal Carcinoma of the Upper Eyelid: A Case Report

We report a very rare case of trichilemmal carcinoma (TLC) involving the upper eyelid. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of trichilemmal carcinoma of the upper eyelid in Korea. A 51-year-old man presented to our hospital complaining of a bloody discharge from his left upper eyelid. He had a soft and lobulated mass on the palpebral conjunctiva. An incisional biopsy revealed trabecular growth of tumor cells with clear cytoplasm, prominent nucleoli, frequent mitoses, and foci of trichilemmal keratinization. Immunohistochemically, the lesion was positive for p53 and negative for CD 34. A diagnosis of TLC was made, and total excision of the mass and reconstruction of the eyelid were performed. Trichilemmal carcinoma is a rare malignant tumor, though it appears to be an indolent neoplasm with no metastatic potential. The treatment of choice for trichilemmal carcinoma of the eyelid is complete excision with tumor-free margins due to the locally invasive nature of the lesion

Lack of prognostic significance for major adverse cardiac events of soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 levels in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Background: Elevation of soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) is associated with cardiac fibrosis and hypertrophy. Under investigation herein, was whether sST2 level is associated with major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and left ventricular (LV) remodeling after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: In total, this study included 184 patients who underwent successful primary PCI. A subsequent guideline-based medical follow-up was included (61.4 ± 11.8 years old, 85% male, 21% with Killip class ≥ I). sST2 concentration correlations with echocardiographic, angiographic, laboratory parameters, and clinical outcomes in STEMI patients were evaluated. Results: The median sST2 level was 60.3 ng/mL; 6 (3.2%) deaths occurred within 1 year. The sST2 level correlated with LV ejection fraction (LVEF) changes from baseline to 6 months (r= –0.273; p = 0.006) after adjustment for echocardiographic parameters including wall motions score index (WMSI). Recovery of LVEF at 6 months was highest in the tertile 1 group (Δ6 months – baseline LVEF; tertile 1, p = 0.001; tertile 2, p = 0.319; tertile 3, p = 0.205). The decrease in WMSI at 6 months was greater in the tertiles 1 and 2 groups than in the tertile 3 group (Δ6 months – baseline WMSI; tertile 1, p = 0.001; tertile 2, p = 0.013; tertile 3, p = 0.055). There was no association between sST2 levels and short-term (log rank p = 0.598) and long-term (p = 0.596) MACE. Conclusions: sST2 concentration have predictive value for LV remodeling on echocardiography in patients with STEMI who underwent primary PCI. However, sST2 concentration was not associated with short-term and long-term MACE

Ultrasonography for chairside evaluation of periodontal structures: A pilot study

BackgroundThe crestal bone level and soft tissue dimension are essential for periodontal diagnosis and phenotype determination; yet, existing measurement methods have limitations. The aim of this clinical study was to evaluate the correlation and accuracy of ultrasound in measuring periodontal dimensions, compared to direct clinical and cone- beam computed tomography (CBCT) methods.MethodsA 24- MHz ultrasound probe prototype, specifically designed for intraoral use, was employed. Periodontal soft tissue dimensions and crestal bone levels were measured at 40 teeth and 20 single missing tooth gaps from 20 patients scheduled to receive a dental implant surgery. The ultrasound images were interpreted by two calibrated examiners. Inter- rater agreement was calculated by using inter- rater correlation coefficient (ICC). Ultrasound readings were compared with direct clinical and CBCT readings by using ICC and Bland- Altman analysis.ResultsThe following six parameters were measured: 1) interdental papilla height (tooth), 2) mid- facial soft tissue height (tooth), 3) mucosal thickness (tooth), 4) soft tissue height (edentulous ridge), 5) mucosal thickness (edentulous ridge), and 6) crestal bone level (tooth). Intra- examiner calibrations were exercised to achieve an agreement of at least 0.8. ICC between the two readers ranged from 0.482 to 0.881. ICC between ultrasound and direct readings ranged from 0.667 to 0.957. The mean difference in mucosal thickness (tooth) between the ultrasound and direct readings was - 0.015 mm (95% CI: - 0.655 to 0.624 mm) without statistical significance. ICC between ultrasound and CBCT ranged from 0.654 to 0.849 among the measured parameters. The mean differences between ultrasound and CBCT range from - 0.213 to 0.455 mm, without statistical significance.ConclusionUltrasonic imaging can be valuable for accurate and real- time periodontal diagnosis without concerns about ionizing radiation.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/156207/2/jper10483_am.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/156207/1/jper10483.pd