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This article describes the compact solid-state Marx modulator (SSMM) with a fast rising time and a short pulsewidth based on the modular structure. By stacking of the TO-263-7 packaged silicon carbide mosfets having high voltage and fast switching capabilities, the designed circuit consists of three components, including the Marx capacitor, an on switch for applying pulse to the load, and an off switch to pull down the pulse. The off switch connected in parallel with load is chosen as a mosfet instead of a diode that is used in the conventional Marx generator. Because the off switch provides a discharging path for the stored energy on the parasitic capacitance, it is highly related to the fast falling time. In order to provide complementary driving signal and power for on/off switches, the simple control algorithm with a minimum component count and a reliable drive circuit against the noise are proposed. In addition, the synchronization of all the gate signals and a compact configuration for minimizing the stray inductance are essential to shorten the rising, falling, and pulsewidth. Based on the proposed circuit, the following specifications of the developed SSMM are achieved: the output voltage of 10 kV, the pulsewidth of less than 50 ns, and the rising and falling times of less than 15 ns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This letter proposes a high output voltage dc–dc converter topology with series stacked converter modules. To implement the proposed modular dc–dc converter structure, output voltage balancing of the modules and simplification of the control circuitry were considered the major design objectives. To achieve voltage balancing between the modules, we proposed a split-secondary transformer winding structure and distributed connections to the rectifier circuit blocks. Each transformer includes two secondary windings, with each wire pair connected to a different rectifier circuit. Consequently, one rectifier receives ac power simultaneously by sharing the secondary windings fed from two different transformers. The proposed method was verified using a modular LCC resonant converter, which is widely employed in high-voltage applications. As a result, the control circuit was simplified by using a single controller to regulate the total output voltage and by applying a compact sensing circuit referenced to the output voltage of the module placed at the lowest grounding point. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a flyback-circuit-based design of a trigger circuit for a high-power gas switch. By incorporating a flyback circuit in a high-power gas switch, it is possible to generate a high step-up ratio and high-voltage pulse by using a transformer. Furthermore, simple trigger circuit having the minimum possible number of components (transformer and switch) can be realized. When an inductor is used as an energy storage element, energy is stored as a current source, and thus, the element can operate reliably when low impedance exists between the trigger node of the switch after triggering. According to the fundamental operating principle of a flyback circuit, the proposed trigger circuit is designed considering the maximum trigger voltage and energy required for a high-power gas switch. To verify the proposed design procedure and feasibility of the trigger circuit, a compact trigger circuit (7.5 kV, 1.3 mJ/pulse) is simulated using the PSpice program and implemented. Based on this compact circuit, a trigger circuit (20 kV, 100 mJ/pulse) for a triggered vacuum switch (TVS) is developed, and the tests with an actual TVS (3.3 kJ) are carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a 25-kW bipolar pulsed-power supply for strategic mineral exploration has been described. A 500-V, 12.5-A unit module consisting of a highly efficient LCC resonant converter and a full-bridge-based bipolar pulse-switching unit is designed. The LCC resonant converter has a trapezoidal-shaped resonant current for reduced conduction loss. For achieving high power density, the leakage inductance of the transformer is used as resonant inductance without an external inductor. Moreover, the designed gate drive circuit based on the repetitive short pulse is proposed to operate the frequency range from dc to 8 kHz and reduce the size of the gate transformer. Four modules are connected in series and parallel in order to operate the power supply in either loop mode or grounded dipole mode. Depending on the load condition, the pulse power source capable of delivering the required high voltage and low current (2 kV, 12.5 A) or low voltage and high current (500 V, 50 A) is operated either in grounded dipole mode or loop mode, respectively. In order to satisfy the output voltage balancing of the four modules, the third wire is wound to compensate for the transformer of the LCC resonant converter. Finally, the design of the bipolar pulsed-power supply has been verified based on the experimental results of the field test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a bipolar pulsed power supply for strategic mineral exploration. Depending on the operating conditions, the bipolar pulsed power supply is capable of delivering the required high voltage and low current or low voltage and high current when operated, respectively, in either the grounded dipole mode or the loop mode. Based on a 500-V 12.5-A unit module, series and parallel connections of four modules are configured to satisfy both the grounded dipole mode (2000 V) and the loop mode (50 A), respectively. A unit module comprising an LCC resonant converter and a full-bridge-based bipolar pulse-switching unit is designed. In order to achieve high power density, the leakage inductance of the transformer is used as a resonant inductor in place of an external inductor. Accordingly, the resonant tank parameters are designed to give the resonant current a trapezoidal shape to reduce conduction loss and provide high efficiency. In addition, a simple gate-driving algorithm that uses the repetitive short pulse to cover the frequency range from dc to 8 kHz is proposed to allow the compact design of a minimized gate transformer. In this paper, the detailed design of the resonant circuit and the transformer of a unit module is described, and the operation is verified through simulation and experimental results. Finally, the developed LCC resonant converter achieves the maximum efficiency of 95%, the maximum power factor of 0.96, and a high power density of 806.5 W/L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the detailed design of an ion pump power supply is presented. The ion pump power supply was designed based on an LCC resonant topology with high switching frequency to take advantage of a smaller transformer for isolation. Because the proposed ion pump power supply has a 7-kV, 50-mA specification, high-voltage insulation is required. In order to secure insulation reliability, the power supply was designed with eight separate transformers that share primary turns. The spacing between the primary turns and secondary turns allows for increases in the leakage inductance and parasitic capacitance of the transformer. A compact design can be achieved using the parasitic component generated by the proposed design as the resonant parameters of the LCC resonant converter. In addition, based on a trapezoidal approximation of the LCC resonant converter, the resonant parameters are designed to have trapezoidal shapes of the resonant current in order to reduce conduction loss. Finally, the results of the experiment indicate that the developed ion pump power supply can be used effectively in high-voltage and low-current applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maintaining a youthful appearance is a common desire among the aging population. Loss of elasticity and dermal density constitutes major causes of wrinkle formation during skin aging. In particular, periorbital wrinkles comprise the critical assessment point of skin aging. To address these issues, cosmetic industries have been making increasing efforts to develop efficient agents against wrinkle formation. Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) is a tripeptide sequence used for surface coating because of its integrin-binding property. However, its pharmacological properties on skin have not yet been studied. Here, we synthesize the novel palmitoyl-Arg-Gly-Asp (Palm-RGD) and investigate its effects on periorbital wrinkle formation by clinical and in vitro studies. We observed that Palm-RGD cream application for 12 weeks decreased global photodamage and skin roughness (R1, R2, R3, and Ra) scores without causing skin irritation. In addition, topical application of Palm-RGD cream time-dependently increased skin elasticity and dermal density. An in vitro study using human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) demonstrated increased type I procollagen production by Palm-RGD treatment. Furthermore, Palm-RGD suppressed MMP-1 expression in HDFs. Our results demonstrate that Palm-RGD has protective effects against wrinkle formation, likely through the activation of collagen expression and the protection against collagen degradation. Therefore, Palm-RGD could be used as a potential agent for the prevention of wrinkle formation consequent to aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the design and experimental results of the 36-kW pulsed-power supply for the xenon flash lamp. The continuous conduction mode series-parallel resonant converter is modified. This means that not only the few hundred kilohertz of high switching frequency is introduced to replace the resonant inductor with the leakage inductor of transformer but also the high output current is accomplished by using three-phase delta-connected transformers. In addition, the snubber capacitor of the inverter switches and the power factor correction module is both omitted in the compact structure. Although these main components have changed, the efficiency and power factor of the rated dummy load reach 96% and 0.96%, respectively. Within 36-kW average power, the proposed pulsed-power supply can generate as versatile combination of output pulse. For example, it can generate 20-ms pulse with 1-Hz repetition rate or generate 1-ms pulse with 20-Hz repetition rate. The used insulated gate bipolar transistor is protected from the turn-OFF peak voltage by the snubber circuit, and the effect of the snubber circuit is shown at the actual load condition. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Wrinkle formation and abnormal pigmentation are major clinical alterations associated with skin aging. As the aim of our study was to investigate the effects of palmitoyl-KVK-L-ascorbic acid on skin aging, the anti-wrinkle and depigmentation effects of palmitoyl-KVK-L-ascorbic acid were evaluated by measuring collagen expression in dermal fibroblast cells and inhibition of melanogenesis in B16F1 cells, respectively. The anti-aging effect of palmitoyl-KVK-L-ascorbic acid cream was also evaluated against a placebo cream in a clinical trial. Our results confirmed that the expression of type Ι collagen in dermal fibroblast cells treated with palmitoyl-KVK-L-ascorbic acid (0.1-4 μg/mL) increased in a dose-dependent manner. In B16F1 cells, treatment with 20 μg/mL palmitoyl-KVK-L-ascorbic acid reduced the melanin content by approximately 20% compared to alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone treatment. In the clinical trial, application of palmitoyl-KVK-L-ascorbic acid cream led to an improvement in skin roughness and lightness in 12 and 8 weeks, respectively. Our data show that palmitoyl-KVK-L-ascorbic acid is an effective anti-aging agent that reduces wrinkles and abnormal skin pigmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. (Lamiaceae) is a traditional herb that is consumed in East Asian countries as a traditional medicine. This traditional herb has been documented for centuries to treat various diseases such as depression, allergies, inflammation and asthma. However, the effect of Perilla frutescens on skin has not been characterized well. Aim of the study The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Perilla frutescens leaves extract (PLE) on ultraviolet radiation-induced extracellular matrix damage in human dermal fibroblasts and hairless mice skin. Materials and methods Human dermal fibroblasts and Skh-1 hairless mice were irradiated with UV and treated with PLE. Protein and mRNA levels of various target molecules were analyzed by western blotting and quantitative RT-PCR, respectively. Histological changes of mouse skin were analyzed by H&E staining. To elucidate underlying mechanism of PLE, activator protein-1 (AP-1) DNA binding assay and the measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were performed. Results PLE significantly inhibited basal and UV-induced MMP-1 and MMP-3 expression dose-dependently, and also decreased UV-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases and c-Jun N-terminal kinases. This inhibitory effects of PLE on MMP-1 and MMP-3 were mediated by reduction of ROS generation and AP-1 DNA binding activity induced by UV. Furthermore, PLE promoted type I procollagen production irrespective of UV irradiation. In the UV-irradiated animal model, PLE significantly reduced epidermal skin thickness and MMP-13 expression induced by UV. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that PLE has the protective effect against UV-induced dermal matrix damage. Therefore, we suggest that PLE can be a potential agent for prevention of skin aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chaetocin is a natural product isolated from Chaetomium species that has anti-bacterial and anti-myeloma activities. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of chaetocin on melanogenesis and the underlying mechanisms in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells. In the present study, chaetocin significantly inhibited IBMX-induced melanin production and tyrosinase activity without any cytotoxicity. Furthermore, chaetocin down-regulated both the protein and mRNA levels of tyrosinase, which is a specific enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of tyrosine to melanin. We also observed that the protein level of MITF was significantly reduced by chaetocin treatment. In addition, we found that the anti-melanogenic effect of chaetocin was suppressed by treatment with the specific ERK inhibitor (PD98059). Accordingly, chaetocin inhibited melanogenesis via suppressing the protein level of MITF followed by activation of the ERK signaling pathway. These data suggest that chaetocin may be a potential anti-melanogenic agent for use in skin-whitening cosmetics and a topical agent for treatment of hyperpigmentation disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With age, the dermal-epidermal junction (DEJ) becomes thinner and production of its protein components decreases; this may be associated with increased fragility and wrinkling of skin. Topical treatment with palmitoyl-Arg-Gly-Asp (PAL-RGD) improves facial wrinkles, skin elasticity and dermal density in humans. In the present study, the effect of PAL-RGD on expression of DEJ components, such as laminin and collagen, was assessed. Human HaCaT keratinocytes were treated with PAL-RGD. The protein expression levels of laminin-332, collagen IV and collagen XVII were examined by western blotting. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR was used to analyze laminin subunit (LAM)A3, LAMB3, LAMC2, collagen type IV α 1 chain (COL4A1) and COL17A1 mRNA expression levels. Western blot analysis showed that the expression levels of proteins comprising the DEJ, including laminin α3, β3 and γ2 and collagen IV and XVII demonstrated a significant dose-dependent increase following PAL-RGD treatment. Furthermore, PAL-RGD treatment significantly enhanced LAMA3, LAMB3, LAMC2, COL4A1 and COL17A1 mRNA expression levels. PAL-RGD may enhance the DEJ by inducing the expression of laminin-332, collagen IV and collagen XVII. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A layered polymorph series of rare earth hydroxides has been developed by the conversion of RE2(OH)5Cl·mH2O to RE(OH)3·nH2O (RE = rare earths) with a typical layered structure with interlayer water molecules. A temperature-induced phase transition from the layered polymorph to its hexagonal form is completed at approximately 300 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) is implicated in epigenetic skin aging. • DVP modulated DNMT1 and extracellular matrix in vitro and in vivo. • Skin anti-aging epigenetic mechanism of DVP was revealed. • Potential of DNMT1 inhibitors as skin anti-aging agents was validated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]