the empirical analysis of the 2015's tax implementation in South Korea

Thesis(Master) -- KDI School: Master of Public Policy, 2020Korean government implemented a huge increase in tax on tobacco nationwide in 2015. Previous literature proved approximately 4% of smokers quit smoking because of about 114% of the increased price. Many other researchers who interested in public health studied about the relationship between smoking and health status. This study attempts to identify the empirical analysis of the tax effect on public health combining the previous ideas, which the adjusted smoking behavior by tax implementation improves public health. To estimates, this study utilizes KOWEPS raw data and difference-in-differences methods. As a result, this study suggests the potential possibility of the improvement of mental health. However, there are insignificant results and some limitations such as time limits of the data, thus, still there remains veiled scope for further research on this topic.1 Introduction 2 Literature Review 3 Data and Descriptive Statistics 4 Empirical Methods 5 Empirical Results 6 Discussion and Limitation 7 Conclusion 8 ReferencesmasterpublishedHanbin KI

Improved sampling in Monte Carlo simulations of small clusters

In this thesis, improved sampling algorithms are applied to atomic and molecular clusters. The parallel-tempering Monte Carlo procedure is used to characterize the (CO2)n, n = 6, 8, 13, 19, and 38, clusters. The heat capacity curves of the n = 13 and 19 clusters are found to have pronounced peaks that can be associated with cluster melting. In addition, there is evidence of a low temperature "solid -> solid" transition in the case of (CO2)19. The low-energy minima and rearrangement pathways are determined and used to examine the complexity of the potential energy surfaces of the clusters. An algorithm combining the Tsallis generalized ensemble and the parallel tempering algorithm is introduced and applied to a 1D model potential and to Ar38. The convergence of parallel tempering Monte Carlo simulations of the 38-atom Lennard-Jones cluster starting from the Oh global minimum and from the C5v second lowest-energy minimum is also investigated. It is found that achieving convergence is appreciably more difficult, particularly at temperatures in the vicinity of the Oh -> C5v transformation, when starting from the C5v structure. Compared to PTMC, the hybrid algorithm is about 10 times faster for reaching equilibrium in the 1D model potential and is about 3 times faster for reaching equilibrium in the LJ38 system when starting from the second lowest energy minimum. The Wang-Landau free random walk algorithm is also applied to Ar13 and Ar38

Ruthenium-Catalyzed Dehydrogenative and Dehydrative C-H Coupling Reactions of Arenes with Alcohols and Carbonyl Compounds

Despite their outstanding achievements, the requirement of preformed functional groups and wasteful byproduct formation are inherent disadvantages associated with the transition metal catalyzed cross-coupling methods. Inspired by the needs for green and sustainable chemistry, transition metal catalyzed dehydrogenative and dehydrative coupling methods have been recognized as environmentally sustainable and atom economical synthetic routes for the new C-C bond formation. The catalytic activation of C-H and C-O bonds allows the formation of coupling products from ubiquitous hydrocarbon substrates by releasing hydrogen or water byproduct. However, these novel protocols require relatively harsh conditions due to their low reactivity of C-H and C-O bonds, and difficulty in controlling regioselectivity. The development of new catalytic C-H bond activation methods is highly desirable for the selective C-C formation reactions. The cationic ruthenium-hydride complex was found to be a highly effective catalyst for the dehydrogenative and dehydrative C-H coupling reactions of simple arenes with alcohols and carbonyl compounds. The dehydrogenative coupling reaction of phenols with aldehydes formed the 2-acylphenols without using any metal oxidant or forming wasteful byproducts. The mechanistic studies suggested that the aldehyde substrate was served as both the coupling partner and hydrogen acceptor. The coupling method was successfully extended to the synthesis of 2H-chromene derivatives by using α,β-unsaturated aldehydes. The cationic ruthenium-hydride complex was found to exhibit uniquely high activity for the coupling reaction of phenols with ketones to form synthetically useful 2-vinylphenols. The coupling of phenols with linear ketones led to a highly (Z)-selective formation of trisubstituted olefins. We also developed the catalytic synthesis of biologically important indole and quinoline derivatives from the coupling reaction of arylamines with diols. A broad range of substrates was demonstrated to afford the regioselective N-heteroannulated products. The deuterium labeling study and control experiments were performed to discern the mechanistic pathway

Etude du transfert de chaleur en canaux millimétriques de type zigzag pour le développement et l'extrapolation de réacteurs-échangeurs compacts

Cette thèse porte sur la caractérisation thermique de réacteurs échangeurs de chaleur compacts. Le but est de mesurer des coefficients de transfert thermique dans ces appareils et de comprendre l'effet d'intensification du transfert thermique lié à leur géométrie. Des prototypes de réacteurs échangeurs sont utilisés, composés de trois plaques : deux plaques dites "procédé" et "utilité" où sont gravés des canaux millimétriques droits ou en zigzag de section carrée, séparées par une plaque en aluminium. Le coefficient de transfert de chaleur est déterminé expérimentalement et numériquement. L'influence de la géométrie du canal, des propriétés des fluides et des débits sur le transfert de chaleur est discutée. Une méthode expérimentale de mesure de la température locale est mise en œuvre, basée sur de la fluorescence induite par laser. Enfin, l'effet d'un changement d'échelle de ces appareils pour la mise en œuvre de réactions compétitives exothermiques est étudié.This thesis is about the thermal characterization of compact heat-exchanger (HEX) reactors. The objective is to measure heat transfer coefficients in these devices and understand the effect of intensification of heat transfer related to their geometry. The compact HEX reactor prototypes used are composed of three plates: two plates called process plate and utility plate where millimetric square straight or zigzag channels are engraved, separated by an aluminum plate. The heat transfer coefficient is measured experimentally and numerically. The influence of channel geometry, fluid properties and flow rates on heat transfer is discussed. An experimental method for measuring the local temperature is implemented, based on laser-induced fluorescence. Finally, the effect of scale-up of these devices for the implementation of competitive exothermic reactions is studied

STRUCTURAL STUDIES OF ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM-MITOCHONDRIA ENCOUNTER STRUCTURE (ERMES) COMPLEX

Department of Biological SciencesThe endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria encounter structure (ERMES) is a protein complex that plays a tethering role in physically connecting ER and mitochondria membranes. The ERMES complex comprises mitochondrial distribution and morphology 12 (Mdm12), maintenance of mitochondrial morphology 1 (Mmm1), Mdm34, and Mdm10 and mediates physical membrane contact sites and nonvesicular lipid trafficking between the ER and mitochondria in yeast. Herein, we report three crystal structures of the synaptotagmin-like mitochondrial lipid-binding protein (SMP) domain of Mdm12, Mmm1, and the Mdm12-Mmm1 complex at 3.1 ??, 2.8 ??, and 3.8 ?? resolution, respectively. The Mdm12 forms a dimeric SMP structure through domain swapping of the ??1-strand comprising residues 1-7. Biochemical experiments reveal a phospholipid-binding site located along a hydrophobic channel of the Mdm12 structure and that Mdm12 might have a binding preference for glycerophospholipids harboring a positively charged head group. Mmm1 adopts a dimeric SMP structure augmented with two extra structural elements at the N and C termini that are involved in tight self-association and phospholipid coordination. Mmm1 binds two phospholipids inside the hydrophobic cavity, and the phosphate ion of the distal phospholipid is specifically recognized through extensive H-bonds. A positively charged concave surface on the SMP domain not only mediates ER membrane docking but also results in preferential binding to glycerophospholipids such as phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidic acid (PA), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), and phosphatidylserine (PS), some of which are substrates for lipid-modifying enzymes in mitochondria. The Mdm12-Mmm1 structure reveals two Mdm12s binding to the SMP domains of the Mmm1 dimer in a pairwise head-to-tail manner. Direct association of Mmm1 and Mdm12 generates a 210-??-long continuous hydrophobic tunnel that facilitates phospholipid transport. The Mdm12-Mmm1 complex binds all glycerophospholipids except for phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) in vitro.ope

Proteomic analysis of the heart under aerobic condition and after ischemia/reperfusion

Cardiovascular disease is one of the main causes of mortality and one of the significant burdens to society. Major cardiovascular diseases such as acute myocardial infarction (heart attack), heart failure and cardiac arrhythmia often result in the development of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Untreated I/R injury is known to cause cardiac contractile dysfunction. It is established that matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) is activated and degrades contractile proteins during I/R, and many other factors including metabolic enzymes, kinases and structural proteins are affected by I/R. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for these changes are unclear. Since MMP-2 is known to its broad spectrum of action, I hypothesize that, in addition to contractile proteins, proteins related to regulation of energy metabolism are MMP-2 targets during I/R, and protein kinase such as myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) is also involved in this process. The use of proteomics in studying heart injury triggered by I/R will reveal new potential targets for pharmacological protection of heart from I/R induced contractile dysfunction. In addition, selective inhibition of MMP-2 using MMP-2 siRNA protects the heart from I/R injury. In this study, we investigated the protein modulation during I/R using proteomic approach. In order to study the effect of protein kinases (MLCK) and MMP-2, their selective inhibitors were used to inhibit those factors and evaluate the changes in energy metabolic proteins during I/R. Proteomic analysis revealed that six proteins are involved in energy metabolism: ATP synthase β subunit, cytochrome b-c1 complex subunit 1, 24-kDa mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase, NADH dehydrogenase [ubiquinone] iron-sulfur protein 8, cytochrome c oxidase subunit, and succinyl-CoA ligase subunit, resulting in decreased levels in I/R hearts. The data suggests that energy metabolic proteins, especially the metabolic enzymes involved in the electron transport chain in the mitochondria may contribute to I/R injury. In addition, our data provides evidence that the right and left ventricles of the heart respond differently to I/R injury, in terms of the regulation of contractile proteins and energy metabolic enzymes. Studies using MLCK inhibitor, ML-7, and MMP-2 inhibitor, MMP-2 siRNA to investigate the effect of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) and MMP-2 in energy metabolic proteins have shown that succinyl-CoA ligase and ATP synthase are affected by MLCK and MMP-2 respectively. These results demonstrate that the effect of inhibition of the MLCK and MMP-2 involves optimization of energy metabolism in I/R injury, likely resulting in increased energy production. Hence, the observed proteins increase in cardiac recovery after I/R. Also, inhibition of MLCK and MMP-2 by ML-7 and MMP-2 respectively shows cardio protective effect during I/R. In summary, this study provides a novel pathogenesis in the development of I/R-induced cardiac contractile dysfunction. Moreover, we suggest a new therapeutic approach whereby using MMP-2 siRNA can be a promising gene therapy in the development of new preventive or treatment strategies against I/R injury

Certifiable Black-Box Attack: Ensuring Provably Successful Attack for Adversarial Examples

Black-box adversarial attacks have shown strong potential to subvert machine learning models. Existing black-box adversarial attacks craft the adversarial examples by iteratively querying the target model and/or leveraging the transferability of a local surrogate model. Whether such attack can succeed remains unknown to the adversary when empirically designing the attack. In this paper, to our best knowledge, we take the first step to study a new paradigm of adversarial attacks -- certifiable black-box attack that can guarantee the attack success rate of the crafted adversarial examples. Specifically, we revise the randomized smoothing to establish novel theories for ensuring the attack success rate of the adversarial examples. To craft the adversarial examples with the certifiable attack success rate (CASR) guarantee, we design several novel techniques, including a randomized query method to query the target model, an initialization method with smoothed self-supervised perturbation to derive certifiable adversarial examples, and a geometric shifting method to reduce the perturbation size of the certifiable adversarial examples for better imperceptibility. We have comprehensively evaluated the performance of the certifiable black-box attack on CIFAR10 and ImageNet datasets against different levels of defenses. Both theoretical and experimental results have validated the effectiveness of the proposed certifiable attack