A Critical review of aid effectiveness with a focus on the relationship between foreign aid and foreign direct investment

Thesis(Master) --KDI School:Master of Development Policy,2015In the current post-2015 era, the global community is faced with dynamic changes such as the establishment of the new Sustainable Development Goals led by the United Nations and the modernization of ODA measurement framework led by the OECD. With such changes taking place, this paper aims to review the three studies (Selaya and Sunsee , Bhavan, Xu, and Zhong , Kimura and Todo) conducted on the relationship between foreign aid and FDI and find the implications that relate to the debate on aid effectiveness. When it comes to examining the impact of foreign aid on development, the paper highlights the importance of considering the composition of aid, country specific differences and donor’s varying ODA policies.masterpublishedEunbyul Cho

Current Trends in Korean Adolescents’ Social Purpose

In the research presented we investigated the features of Korean adolescents’ social purpose as compared with other life goals in terms of different aspects of psychological well-being (study 1). We also examine the perceptions of high achieving Korean adolescents on social purpose and factors affecting it (study 2).The results of study 1 showed that the pursuit of social purpose significantly predicted psychological well-being compared to the other two life goals. Results of study 2 showed Korean adolescents value and pursue social purpose as a life goal. They explicitly accepted their social responsibility to serve their country in line with idyllic Confucianism values and Collectivistic roles. However, further analysis revealed that they had implicitly pursued individualistic desires of materialistic wealth and fame in parallel with their explicit social purpose. Implications of the results are discussed from the socio-cultural perspective on social purpose in regards to how to understand the features of social purpose that Korean adolescents have and how to foster its development

Efficacy of fermented grain using Bacillus coagulans in reducing visceral fat among people with obesity: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundObesity is a socioeconomic problem, and visceral obesity, in particular, is related to cardiovascular diseases or metabolic syndrome. Fermented grains and various microorganisms are known to help with anti-obesity effects and weight management. Studies on the relationship between Bacillus coagulans and anti-obesity effects are not well known, and studies on the application of fermented grains and microorganisms to the human body are also insufficient.ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Curezyme–LAC, an ingredient mixed with six-grain types fermented by B. coagulans, in reducing fat mass in adults with obesity.MethodsIn this randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled study, 100 participants [aged 40–65 years; body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 to ≤ 33 kg/m2) were randomly allocated to two groups: 4 g/day Curezyme–LAC administered as a granulated powder or placebo (steamed grain powder mixture).ResultsAfter 12 weeks, visceral adipose tissue decreased significantly in the Curezyme–LAC group compared with that in the placebo group (mean ± standard error, SE of −9.3 cm2 ± 5.1) vs. (6.8 cm2 ± 3.4; p = 0.008). Compared to the placebo group, the Curezyme–LAC group also showed significant reductions in total fat mass (−0.43 ± 0.24 kg vs. 0.31 ± 0.19 kg, p = 0.011), body weight (−0.4 ± 0.3 kg vs. 0.3 ± 0.2 kg, p = 0.021), BMI (−0.14 ± 0.12 vs. 0.10 ± 0.07, p = 0.028), and waist circumference (−0.6 ± 0.2 cm vs. −0.1 ± 0.2 cm, p = 0.018) without a change in dietary intake and physical activity.ConclusionCurezyme–LAC supplementation for 12 weeks may benefit individuals with obesity by reducing visceral fat mass

Large-Scale Synthesis of Highly Luminescent InP@ZnS Quantum Dots Using Elemental Phosphorus Precursor

Department of Chemical EngineeringColloidal quantum dots can control the bandgap by controlling the particle size, and are capable of solution processing, which is cost competitive, and has a narrow half width of the emission wavelength. Using these characteristics, it is possible to utilize various kinds of LED, solar cell, and bio imaging. Among them, indium phosphide (InP) quantum dots have a bandgap capable of emitting light in the near-infrared region from the visible light region, and are less toxic to humans and the environment than cadmium-based quantum dots, and are attracting attention as next generation light emitting materials. However, the limited choice and high cost of P precursors have a negative impact on their practical applicability. In this work, I report the large-scale synthesis of highly luminescent InP@ZnS QDs from an elemental P precursor (P4), which was simply synthesized via the sublimation of red P powder. The size of the InP QDs was controlled by varying the reaction parameters such as the reaction time and temperature, and the type of In precursors. This way, the photoluminescence properties of the synthesized InP@ZnS QDs could be easily tuned across the entire visible range, while their quantum yield could be increased up to 60% via the optimization of reaction conditions. Furthermore, possible reaction pathways for the formation of InP QDs using the P4 precursor have been investigated with nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and it was demonstrated that the direct reaction of P4 precursor with In precursor produces InP structures without the formation of intermediate species. The large-scale production of InP@ZnS QDs was demonstrated by yielding more than 6 g of QDs per one-batch reaction. In the case of InP using different precursor P except the Tris(Trimethylsilyl) phosphine ((TMS)3P) there has been a problem that the size distribution is poor. Two kinds of P precursors with different reactivities were used to separate the nucleation and growth processes and to induce growth along the Lamer mechanism to produce uniform particles. For this, (TMS)3P and DEAP were used as fast reacting P precursors, and P4 was used as a slow reacting P precursor. Through this, the possibility of uniform particle formation was observed. I strongly believe that the newly developed approach bears the potential to be widely used for manufacturing inexpensive high-quality QD emitters.ope

Functionalization of Stress-Activated Pyrolytic Carbons (SAPCs) for Biofuel Cell Application

Carbon is one of the most adaptable element due to its unique flexibility in atomic composition to form sp, sp2, and sp3 hybridize covalent bonds with various elements. Depending on its atomic conformation, carbon can greatly vary, ranging from a fully sp3-bonded crystalline network like a diamond to a fully-sp3 bonded 2-D structure like graphite. Each of the allotropes also have vastly different electrical, mechanical, thermal and chemical properties which have led to its adoption in the realms of biotechnology, electronics and energy storage. Particularly, in the fields of materials sciences, carbon nanomaterials have become an excellent model system to study the impact of nanoscale defects on electrochemistry that can potentially be use as biosensors or wastewater filtration. However, fabrication of such materials is still arduous due to its tendency to break easily or inflexibility to mold. C-MEMS fabrication technology is, therefore, to address these challenges to engineer 3-D structures of carbon. However, chemically-inert surface of these carbons still makes its implementation for various electrochemical application problematic. Although various methods have been introduced to functionalize carbons, these processes can be unstable, detrimental to microfeatures of carbon and time-consuming due to additional step of activation. Herein, we show a new class of carbon, stress-activated pyrolytic carbons (SAPCs), that has a highly-graphitic structure with abundance in edge planes and nitrogen heteroatoms without external activation steps. In this study, we reveal an outstanding capacity of SAPCs as a promising material for improving laccase-driven electrocatalysis in biofuel cell application

Functionalization of Stress-Activated Pyrolytic Carbons (SAPCs) for Biofuel Cell Application

Carbon is one of the most adaptable element due to its unique flexibility in atomic composition to form sp, sp3, and sp3 hybridize covalent bonds with various elements [4,19,18]. Depending on its atomic conformation, carbon can greatly vary, ranging from a fully sp3-bonded crystalline network like a diamond to a fully-sp3 bonded 2-D structure like graphite. Each of the allotropes also have vastly different electrical, mechanical, thermal and chemical properties which have led to its adoption in the realms of biotechnology, electronics and energy storage [5,34,30]. Particularly, in the fields of materials sciences, carbon nanomaterials have become an excellent model system to study the impact of nanoscale defects on electrochemistry that can potentially be use as biosensors or wastewater filtration. However, fabrication of such materials is still arduous due to its tendency to break easily or inflexibility to mold. C-MEMS fabrication technology is, therefore, to address these challenges to engineer 3-D structures of carbon. However, chemically-inert surface of these carbons still makes its implementation for various electrochemical application problematic. Although various methods have been introduced to functionalize carbons, these processes can be unstable, detrimental to microfeatures of carbon and time-consuming due to additional step of activation. Herein, we show a new class of carbon, stress-activated pyrolytic carbons (SAPCs), that has a highly-graphitic structure with abundance in edge planes and nitrogen heteroatoms without external activation steps. In this study, we reveal an outstanding capacity of SAPCs as a promising material for improving laccase-driven electrocatalysis in biofuel cell application

Functionalization of Stress-Activated Pyrolytic Carbons (SAPCs) for Biofuel Cell Application

Carbon is one of the most adaptable element due to its unique flexibility in atomic composition to form sp, sp3, and sp3 hybridize covalent bonds with various elements [4,19,18]. Depending on its atomic conformation, carbon can greatly vary, ranging from a fully sp3-bonded crystalline network like a diamond to a fully-sp3 bonded 2-D structure like graphite. Each of the allotropes also have vastly different electrical, mechanical, thermal and chemical properties which have led to its adoption in the realms of biotechnology, electronics and energy storage [5,34,30]. Particularly, in the fields of materials sciences, carbon nanomaterials have become an excellent model system to study the impact of nanoscale defects on electrochemistry that can potentially be use as biosensors or wastewater filtration. However, fabrication of such materials is still arduous due to its tendency to break easily or inflexibility to mold. C-MEMS fabrication technology is, therefore, to address these challenges to engineer 3-D structures of carbon. However, chemically-inert surface of these carbons still makes its implementation for various electrochemical application problematic. Although various methods have been introduced to functionalize carbons, these processes can be unstable, detrimental to microfeatures of carbon and time-consuming due to additional step of activation. Herein, we show a new class of carbon, stress-activated pyrolytic carbons (SAPCs), that has a highly-graphitic structure with abundance in edge planes and nitrogen heteroatoms without external activation steps. In this study, we reveal an outstanding capacity of SAPCs as a promising material for improving laccase-driven electrocatalysis in biofuel cell application

Current Trends in Korean Adolescents’ Social Purpose

In the research presented we investigated the features of Korean adolescents’ social purpose as compared with other life goals in terms of different aspects of psychological well-being (study 1). We also examine the perceptions of high achieving Korean adolescents on social purpose and factors affecting it (study 2).The results of study 1 showed that the pursuit of social purpose significantly predicted psychological well-being compared to the other two life goals. Results of study 2 showed Korean adolescents value and pursue social purpose as a life goal. They explicitly accepted their social responsibility to serve their country in line with idyllic Confucianism values and Collectivistic roles. However, further analysis revealed that they had implicitly pursued individualistic desires of materialistic wealth and fame in parallel with their explicit social purpose. Implications of the results are discussed from the socio-cultural perspective on social purpose in regards to how to understand the features of social purpose that Korean adolescents have and how to foster its development

Atypical dermoscopic findings in patients diagnosed with lichen planus by histological examination

Background/Objectives: Lichen planus (LP) is an inflammatory skin disorder characterized by discrete, violaceous, polygonal papules. The dermoscopic features of common inflammatory dermatoses are not well studied. Although previous studies have demonstrated the typical patterns of LP, we found some atypical dermoscopic findings without Wickham striae in patients who had been diagnosed with LP by histopathologic examination. Our aim was to assess the atypical dermoscopic patterns associated with LP. Methods: We analyzed the dermoscopic features of seven LP lesions with atypical dermoscopic findings from seven patients who had been clinically and histopathologically diagnosed with LP. Results: Dermoscopically, five of the seven patients showed the pigmented pattern. We observed the following diverse pigment patterns: dots/globules, diffuse peppering, perifollicular, and linear. We also observed vascular and erosive patterns of variant LP. Conclusion: In this study, we emphasize the role of dermoscopy for identification of the clinical status of LP and its correlation to the results of histopathologic examinations. In addition to the typical dermoscopic patterns, dermoscopic recognition of variation in the morphology of LP could aid in the diagnosis of LP prior to histopathologic evaluation