Kwangwoon University

About: Kwangwoon University is a education organization based out in Seoul, South Korea. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Thin film & Resonator. The organization has 4020 authors who have published 8217 publications receiving 104365 citations.

Solid-state ion sensors with a liquid junction-free polymer membrane-based reference electrode for blood analysis

Abstract: A set of ion-selective membranes for the measurement of clinically relevant electrolytes, i.e., K+, Na+, Ca2+, H+ and Cl−, and a solvent-processible polyurethane (PU)-based reference membrane were cast on metal electrodes patterned on small ceramic plates, and on silicon-based sensors. Since the liquid junction-free PU membrane-based reference electrode provides a constant potentiometric signal for an extended period of time, accurate determination of blood electrolytes could be made without using a separate reference flow. The PU membrane-based reference electrodes not only improve the mass producibility of miniaturized solid-state ion sensors but also simplify the configuration of flow cell cartridges without compromising their analytical performance.

Cold atmospheric plasma and silymarin nanoemulsion synergistically inhibits human melanoma tumorigenesis via targeting HGF/c-MET downstream pathway

Abstract: Recent studies claimed the important role of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) with nanotechnology in cancer treatments. In this study, silymarin nanoemulsion (SN) was used along with air CAP as therapeutic agent to counter human melanoma. In this study, we examined the combined treatment of CAP and SN on G-361 human melanoma cells by evaluating cellular toxicity levels, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) levels, DNA damage, melanoma-specific markers, apoptosis, caspases and poly ADP-ribose polymerase-1 (PARP-1) levels using flow cytometer. Dual-treatment effects on the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF/c-MET) pathway, sphere formation and the reversal of EMT were also assessed using western blotting and microscopy respectively. SN and plasma-activated medium (PAM) were applied on tumor growth and body weight and melanoma-specific markers and the mesenchymal markers in the tumor xenograft nude mice model were checked. Co-treatment of SN and air CAP increased the cellular toxicity in a time-dependent manner and shows maximum toxicity at 200 nM in 24 h. Intracellular RONS showed significant generation of ROS ( 2 times) and DNMT and showed damage in G-361 cells. Increase in Caspase 8,9,3/7 (> 1.5 times), PARP level (2.5 times) and apoptotic genes level were also observed in dual treated group and hence blocking HGF/c-MET pathway. Decrease in EMT markers (E-cadherin, YKL-40, N-cadherin, SNAI1) were seen with simultaneously decline in melanoma cells (BRAF, NAMPT) and stem cells (CD133, ABCB5) markers. In vivo results showed significant reduction in SN with PAM with reduction in tumor weight and size. The use of air CAP using μ-DBD and the SN can minimize the malignancy effects of melanoma cells by describing HGF/c-MET molecular mechanism of acting on G-361 human melanoma cells and in mice xenografts, possibly leading to suitable targets for innovative anti-melanoma approaches in the future.

Performance of power line communication systems with noise reduction scheme for smart grid applications

Abstract: In this paper, we propose clipping scheme and equalizer as methods to reduce the effects of impulsive noise and channel attenuation in power line communication (PLC) system. Clipping is cutting off the amplitude of the received signal over threshold level without its phase change in order to reduce noise effects. The equalizer compensates for effects of PLC channel. The performance is evaluated in terms of bit error rate (BER). From simulation results, it is confirmed that the proposed clipping scheme has slightly better performance than conventional PLC system. The results of the paper can be applied to PLC systems for smart grid.

Occurrence and Removal of Engineered Nanoparticles in Drinking Water Treatment and Wastewater Treatment Processes

Abstract: The increase in use of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) ends up in waste streams, and consequently to the environment and drinking water resources. Thus, there is a continuing need to detect and quantify ENPs in water. Understanding ENPs occurrence and behavior in aquatic environments is also required to assess the associated environmental impact. Indeed, insufficient water and wastewater treatment for ENPs may cause a serious threat to the environment and human health. The contaminant removal in conventional drinking water treatment depends largely on the influent quality and operation parameters. A question remains as to whether these processes are also efficient for removal of ENPs and thus for the protection of the public from exposure to ENPs. ENPs can be biodegraded or sorbed by bacterial communities to differing extents, affected greatly by their surface properties, speciation, and transformations in wastewater treatment. Although the available literature is insufficient, the present review attempts...