• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.30
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• pp.3.1-3.6
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• 2015

Objectives This study aims to evaluate the size-dependent toxicity of spherical silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) to an endemic benthic organism, Glyptotendipes tokunagai. Methods Ag nanoparticles of three nominal sizes (50, 100, and 150 nm) capped with polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP-Ag NPs) were used. Their physicochemical properties, acute toxicity (48 hours), and bioaccumulation were measured using third instar larvae of G. tokunagai. Results The aggregation and dissolution of PVP-Ag NPs increased with exposure time and concentration, respectively, particularly for 50 nm PVP-Ag NPs. However, the dissolved concentration of Ag ions was not significant compared with the median lethal concentration value for $AgNO_3$ (3.51 mg/L). The acute toxicity of PVP-Ag NPs was highest for the smallest particles (50 nm), whereas bioaccumulation was greatest for the largest particles (150 nm). However, larger PVP-Ag NPs were absorbed and excreted rapidly, resulting in shorter stays in G. tokunagai than the smaller ones. Conclusions The size of PVP-Ag NPs significantly affects their acute toxicity to G. tokunagai. In particular, smaller PVP-Ag NPs have a higher solubility and stay longer in the body of G. tokunagai, resulting in higher toxicity than larger PVP-Ag NPs.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.67-74
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• 2011

This research focused on the investigation of runoff and nonpoint sources (NPS) pollution characteristics from small soil box plots treated by livestock waste composts. An indoor rainfall simulation was performed over the plots for 60 minutes. Simulated rainfall intensities were 32.4, 43.2, 50.3 and 57.1 mm/hr respectively. Slope of soil box plots was $10^{\circ}$ and $20^{\circ}$, respectively. Rainfall simulation replicated 5 times and the experiment was conducted every four days five times. As the slope of soil box increased, NPS pollution loads increased. And as rainfall intensity was increased from 32.4 to 57.1 mm/hr, NPS pollution loads gradually increased, too. Discharge of NPS pollution loads was the largest in the first simulation and thereafter decreased gradually. Discharged BOD load to the total applied load from $10^{\circ}$ plots, ranged 0.2 to 0.7 %, was 8.4 to 50.0 % lower than slope $20^{\circ}$ plots. When the application rate increased twice, the increase of pollution load was between 1.7~5.7 times. Analysis of Pearson's correlation coefficient showed that organic matter content in pig compost and NPS pollution loads were correlated well. While under liquid compost application, the correlation coefficients between them were not good. It was concluded that application of livestock resources need to consider long-term weather forecast and if necessary, NPS reduction measures must be preceded in order to reduce NPS pollution discharge.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.311-316
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• 2016

Effects of nanoparticles (NPs) on skin corrosion and irritation using three-dimensional human skin models were investigated based on the test guidelines of Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD TG431 and TG439). EpiDerm$^{TM}$ skin was incubated with NPs including those harboring iron (FeNPs), aluminum oxide (AlNPs), titanium oxide (TNPs), and silver (AgNPs) for a defined time according to the test guidelines. Cell viabilities of EpiDerm$^{TM}$ skins were measured by the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2.5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide based method. FeNPs, AlNPs, TNPs, and AgNPs were non-corrosive because the viability was more than 50% after 3 min exposure and more than 15% after 60 min exposure, which are the non-corrosive criteria. All NPs were also non-irritants, based on viability exceeding 50% after 60 min exposure and 42 hr post-incubation. Release of interleukin 1-alpha and histopathological analysis supported the cell viability results. These findings suggest that FeNPs, AlNPs, TNPs, and AgNPs are 'non-corrosive' and 'non-irritant' to human skin by a globally harmonized classification system.

• Korean Journal of Hydrosciences
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• v.5
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• pp.99-114
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• 1994

Three purposes of this study are as follows : The first was the development of the extension method for the limited data observed in an urban drainage basin. The second was the analysis of the correlation between storm water runoff and NPS(non-point source) Pollutant discharge. The last was the calculation of the monthly and annual specific NPS loads using the established correlation. The selected model was the SWMM(Storm Water Management Model) developed by the US EPA(Environmental Protection Agency). As a result of this study, the best correlation between storm water runoff and NPS pollutants discharge was produced by the nonlinear correlation between runoff rate(mm/hr) and specific loads rate(kg/ha) for all pollutants studied : SS, COD, BOD, and TN. The best correlation through the analysis based on evently total mass was made by the linear correlation between the by the nonlinear correlation for CASE2. The NPS annual specific loads for the urban basin studed were 4,993 kg/ha/year for SS, 775 kg/ha/year for BOD, 3,094 kg/ha/year for COD, 257 kg/ha/year for TN, respectively. And the proportion of the NPS annual specific loads to the total annual specific loads were 41 % for SS, 13 % for BOD, 29 % for COD, and 21 % for TN.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.1171-1184
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• 2020

The green synthesis of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) using biomaterials has garnered considerable attention in recent years because of its eco-friendly, non-toxic, simple, and low-cost nature. In this study, we synthesized NPs of noble metals, such as Ag and Au using an aqueous extract of a marine seaweed, Ecklonia cava. The formation of AgNPs and AuNPs was confirmed by the presence of surface plasmon resonance peaks in UV-Vis absorption spectra at approximately 430 and 530 nm, respectively. Various properties of the NPs were evaluated using characterization techniques, such as dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis. Phytochemicals in the seaweed extract, such as phlorotannins, acted as both reducing and stabilizing agents for the growth of the NPs. The green-synthesized AgNPs and AuNPs were found to exhibit high catalytic activity for the decomposition of organic dyes, including azo dyes, methylene blue, rhodamine B, and methyl orange.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.657-665
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• 2021

The present work aimed to explore green approach via aqueous leaves extract of Murraya koenigii (ALEMk) for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPsMk) in single step. The synthesis process was visualized with a color change and monitored by employing UV/Visible spectroscopy and a clear peak attained at 420 nm confirming the synthesis of AgNPsMk. The possible functional groups present in the extract which participated in the synthesis of AgNPsMk were identified with the help of FTIR spectroscopy. Further characterization using TEM images revealed the spherical shape of AgNPsMk with average particle size of 20 nm displaying well dispersion throughout the solution. Pronounced antioxidant activities of AgNPsMk at increased concentrations observed which evidencing strong radical scavenging ability. Moreover, AgNPsMk exhibited strong antibacterial behavior when tested against bacterial strains of Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. Moving ahead, in vitro cytotoxicity work revealed potent cell viability loss appearing in AU565 and HeLa cancer cell lines on exposure to AgNPsMk at increased concentration. Finally, in vivo assessment carried out inside male Wistar rats indicated non toxic effect on examined liver tissues besides biochemical analysis including bilirubin, alkaline phosphtase (ALP) and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) which found within the normal range when compared with control. The prior research work profoundly apprises the potential of green synthesized AgNPsMk to play a significant role in biomedical applications and formulations.

• Asia Marketing Journal
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.43-61
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• 2016

This paper has identified some theoretical reasons and empirical evidence for negative scores that occur in Japan and Korea or unstable NPS scores that can be experienced. A psychological analysis of NPS results sheds light on the validity of the negative NPS scores that are often found in Japan and Korea. Usually customer experience surveys utilize a "single stimulus" such as the "company" or the "company's products / services." However, in the case of the "recommendation to friend" question of the NPS system there are two stimuli namely the "company product/service" and the influence of "friends." Hence, the survey outcomes from this question can be very different when compared with other single stimulus questions such as "overall satisfaction" or "repurchase." Japanese and Korean people may have a positive attitude towards the company but they will provide low NPS scores because they are reflecting that they would not run the risk of ruining their relationships with their friends by making a recommendation. As a result, in the NPS system these people will be labeled as "detractors" when in fact they are "ambivalent customers." Using several Japanese and Korean based marketing research industry examples and case studies, different strategies are proposed to address the issue of negative scores in the NPS system in Japan and Korea. The Customers Psyche appears to be the key determinant factors for both types of behavioural items (items with a single stimulus as well as items with two stimuli).

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.38 no.9 s.158
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• pp.791-800
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• 2005

An ILLUDAS-NPS model was developed which is able to compute pollutant loadings and the concentrations of water quality constituents. This model is based on the existing ILLUDAS model, and added for use in the water quality analysis process during dry and rainy periods. For dry period, the specifications of coefficients for discharge and water quality were used. During rainfall, we used the daily pollutant accumulation method and the washoff equation for computing water quality each time. According to the results of verification, the ILLUDAS-NPS model provides generally similar outputs with the measured data on total loadings, peak concentration and time of peak concentration for three rainfall events in the Hong-je Basin. In comparison with the SWMM and STORM models, it was shown that there is little difference between ILLUDAS-NPS and SWMM.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.97-109
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• 2015

Citrate ion is a commonly used reductant in metal colloid synthesis, undergoes strong surface interaction with silver nanocrystallites. The slow crystal growth observed as a result of the interaction between the silver surface and the citrate ion makes this reduction process unique compared to other chemical and radiolytic synthetic methods. The antimicrobial effects of silver (Ag) ion or salts are well known, but the effects of citrate coated Ag nanoparticles (CAgNPs) are scant. Herein, we have isolated biofilm causative bacteria and fungi from drinking water PVC pipe lines. Stable CAgNPs were prepared and the formation of CAgNPs was confirmed by UV-visible spectroscopic analysis and recorded the localized surface plasmon resonance of CAgNPs at 430 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis revealed C=O and O-H bending vibrations due to organic capping of silver responsible for the reduction and stabilization of the CAgNPs. X-ray diffraction micrograph indicated the face centered cubic structure of the formed CAgNPs, and morphological studies including size (average size 50 nm) were carried out using transmission electron microscopy. The hydrodynamic diameter (60.7 nm) and zeta potential (-27.6 mV) were measured using the dynamic light scattering technique. The antimicrobial activity of CAgNPs was evaluated (in vitro) against the isolated fungi, Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria using disc diffusion method and results revealed that CAgNPs with 170ppm concentration are having significant antimicrobial effects against an array of microbes tested.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.228-235
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• 2021

Backgroud: Ginsenoside compound K (GK) is a major metabolite of protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides and has remarkable anticancer activities in vitro and in vivo. This work used an ionic cross-linking method to entrap GK within O-carboxymethyl chitosan (OCMC) nanoparticles (Nps) to form GK-loaded OCMC Nps (GK-OCMC Nps), which enhance the aqueous solubility and stability of GK. Methods: The GK-OCMC Nps were characterized using several physicochemical techniques, including x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, zeta potential analysis, and particle size analysis via dynamic light scattering. GK was released from GK-OCMC Nps and was conducted using the dialysis bag diffusion method. The effects of GK and GK-OCMC Nps on PC3 cell viability were measured by using the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide assay. Fluorescent technology based on Cy5.5-labeled probes was used to explore the cellular uptake of GK-OCMC Nps. Results: The GK-OCMC NPs had a suitable particle size and zeta potential; they were spherical with good dispersion. In vitro drug release from GK-OCMC NPs was pH dependent. Moreover, the in vitro cytotoxicity study and cellular uptake assays indicated that the GK-OCMC Nps significantly enhanced the cytotoxicity and cellular uptake of GK toward the PC3 cells. GK-OCMC Nps also significantly promoted the activities of both caspase-3 and caspase-9. Conclusion: GK-OCMC Nps are potential nanocarriers for delivering hydrophobic drugs, thereby enhancing water solubility and permeability and improving the antiproliferative effects of GK.