• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.111-116
• /
• 2016

Background: Inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) of the mandible is commonly used in the oral cavity as an anesthetic technique for dental procedures. This study evaluated the success rate of the first IANB administered by dental practitioners. Methods: Volunteer dental practitioners at Mahidol University who had never performed an INAB carried out 106 INAB procedures. The practitioners were divided into 12 groups with their advisors by randomized control trials. We recorded the success rate via pain visual analog scale (VAS) scores. Results: A large percentage of the dental practitioners (85.26%) used the standard method to locate the anatomical landmarks, injecting the local anesthetic at the correct position, with the barrel of the syringe parallel to the occlusal plane of the mandibular teeth. Further, 68.42% of the dental practitioners injected the local anesthetic on the right side by using the left index finger for retraction. The onset time was approximately 0-5 mins for nearly half of the dental practitioners (47.37% for subjective onset and 43.16% for objective onset), while the duration of the IANB was approximately 240-300 minutes (36.84%) after the initiation of numbness. Moreover, the VAS pain scores were $2.5{\pm}1.85$ and $2.1{\pm}1.8$ while injecting and delivering local anesthesia, respectively. Conclusions: The only recorded factor that affected the success of the local anesthetic was the administering practitioner. This reinforces the notion that local anesthesia administration is a technique-sensitive procedure.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• /
• v.48 no.3
• /
• pp.159-166
• /
• 2022

Objectives: The stability of crestal bone has been reported as a major factor in the success of dental implants. Implants can be placed in an equicrestal (crestal) or subcrestal position. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of implant depth placement on marginal bone loss. Materials and Methods: The study was created in a split-mouth design. Immediately after implant surgery, digital parallel radiographs were prepared and levels of bone were measured where marginal bone loss and bone level changes occurred. These measurements were repeated at 3-month and 6-month follow-up periods. Results: In this interventional study, 49 implants were evaluated in 18 patients. Primary bone height was not significant between the intervention and control groups in both mesial and distal aspects at 3 months and 6 months from the baseline. The mean marginal bone loss on the mesial side was 1.03 mm in the subcrestal group and 0.83 mm in the crestal group. In addition, mean marginal bone loss on the distal side was 0.88 mm and 0.81 mm in the subcrestal and crestal groups, respectively. Marginal bone loss was not significantly different between sexes, the maxilla or mandible, and in the anterior or posterior regions as well as between different lengths and diameters of implants. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, there was no significant difference in terms of marginal bone loss between crestal and subcrestal implants.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.82-93
• /
• 2000

Purpose: We characterized the signals obtained from the components of a small gamma camera using Nal(Tl)-position sensitive photomultiplier tube (PSPMT) and optimized the parameters employed in the modules of the system. Materials and Methods: The small gamma camera system consists of a Nal(Tl) crystal ($60{\times}60{\times}6mm^3$) coupled with a Hamamatsu R3941 PSPMT, a resister chain circuit, preamplifiers, nuclear instrument modules (NIMs), an analog to digital converter and a personal computer for control and display. The PSPMT was read out using a resistive charge division circuit which multiplexes the 34 cross wire anode channels into 4 signals (X+, X-, Y+, Y -). Those signals were individually amplified by four preamplifiers and then, shaped and amplified by amplifiers. The signals were discriminated and digitized via triggering signal and used to localize the position of an event by applying the Anger logic. The gamma camera control and image display was performed by a program implemented using a graphic software. Results: The characteristics of signal and the parameters employed in each module of the system were presented. The intrinsic sensitivity of the system was approximately $8{\times}10^3$ counts/sec/${\mu}Ci$. The intrinsic energy resolution of the system was 18% FWHM at 140 keV. The spatial resolution obtained using a line-slit mask and $^{99m}Tc$ point source were, respectively, 2.2 and 2.3 mm FWHM in X and Y directions. Breast phantom containing $2{\sim}7mm$ diameter spheres was successfully imaged with a parallel hole collimator. The image displayed accurate size and activity distribution over the imaging field of view Conclusion: We proposed a simple method for development of a small gamma camera and presented the characteristics of the signals from the system and the optimized parameters used in the modules of the small gamma camera.

• Journal of the HCI Society of Korea
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.37-44
• /
• 2006

Specular reflections provide the visual feedback that describes the material type of an object, its local shape, and lighting environment. In photorealistic rendering, there have been a number of research available to render specular reflections effectively based on a local reflection model. In traditional cel animations and cartoons, specular reflections plays important role in representing artistic intentions for an object and its related environment reflections, so the shapes of highlights are quite stylistic. In this paper, we present a method to render and control stylized specular reflections using projective textures based on principal curvature analysis. Specifying a texture as a pattern of a highlight and projecting the texture on the specular region of a given 3D model, we can obtain a stylized representation of specular reflections. For a given polygonal model, a view point, and a light source, we first find the maximum specular intensity point, and then locate the texture projector along the line parallel to the normal vector and passing through the point. The orientation of the projector is determined by the principal directions at the point. Finally, the size of the projection frustum is determined by the principal curvatures corresponding to the principal directions. The proposed method can control the position, orientation, and size of the specular reflection efficiently by translating the projector along the principal directions, rotating the projector about the normal vector, and scaling the principal curvatures, respectively. The method is be applicable to real-time applications such as cartoon style 3D games. We implement the method by Microsoft DirectX 9.0c SDK and programmable vertex/pixel shaders on Nvidia GeForce FX 7800 graphics subsystems. According to our experimental results, we can render and control the stylized specular reflections for a 3D model of several ten thousands of triangles in real-time.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.365-373
• /
• 1998

Purpose: The conventional gamma camera is not ideal for scintimammography because of its large detector size (${\sim}500mm$ in width) causing high cost and low image quality. We are developing a small gamma camera dedicated for breast imaging. Materials and Methods: The small gamma camera system consists of a NaI (T1) crystal ($60 mm{\times}60 mm{\times}6 mm$) coupled with a Hamamatsu R3941 Position Sensitive Photomultiplier Tube (PSPMT), a resister chain circuit, preamplifiers, nuclear instrument modules, an analog to digital converter and a personal computer for control and display. The PSPMT was read out using a standard resistive charge division which multiplexes the 34 cross wire anode channels into 4 signals ($X^+,\;X^-,\;Y^+,\;Y^-$). Those signals were individually amplified by four preamplifiers and then, shaped and amplified by amplifiers. The signals were discriminated ana digitized via triggering signal and used to localize the position of an event by applying the Anger logic. Results: The intrinsic sensitivity of the system was approximately 8,000 counts/sec/${\mu}Ci$. High quality flood and hole mask images were obtained. Breast phantom containing $2{\sim}7 mm$ diameter spheres was successfully imaged with a parallel hole collimator The image displayed accurate size and activity distribution over the imaging field of view Conclusion: We have succesfully developed a small gamma camera using NaI(T1)-PSPMT and nuclear Instrument modules. The small gamma camera developed in this study might improve the diagnostic accuracy of scintimammography by optimally imaging the breast.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.185-190
• /
• 2000

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the difference of Lumbar Lordosis Angle(LLA) between patients with Low Back Pain(LBP) and control groups. Methods: Questionnaires were completed by 40 adult LBP patients seeking physical therapy services and by 40 controls at the Department of Physical Therapy. Saejong Neurosurgical Clinic in Taegu city from October 1999 to March 2000. LLA was measured on lateral x-ray films in a standing position. The angle between a line parallel to the top of the first Lumbar(L1) and the top of the fifth Lumbar(L5) was defined LLA. Results: LLA of $29.88^{\circ}$ for LBP patients was a statistically significant decrease from that of $35.31^{\circ}$ for controls in the difference of lumbar lordosis(p<0.01). There were statistically significant differences between senders in patient groups. Females$(32.32^{\circ})$ had significantly greater angles than males$(27.32^{\circ})$(p<0.05), while $36.63^{\curc}$ for female was also greater than $34.12^{\circ}$ for male in the controls. No significant difference was found between age. In patient groups, $27.95^{\circ}$ for below age 40 was a smaller than $32.32^{\circ}$ for above, however, $35.82^{\circ}$ for below age 40 was a little greater than $34.27^{\circ}$ for above in controls. Patients in a sitting posture had greater LLA$(31.35^{\circ}$ than those standing$(28.93^{\circ})$, however values for controls were similar to each other. Conclusion: Results from this study indicate that distinct differences exist among patients and controls and gender, whereas little difference exists in age and working posture.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.337-348
• /
• 1988

The purpose of this study was to examine the fracture strength and characteristics of teeth with MOD cavity preparation. Freshly extracted sound maxillary premolars were cleaned and stored in normal saline solution $37^{\circ}C$ for 72 hours before experiments. The roots of teeth were embedded in a self-curing resin, and the exposed crown were maintained in a vertical position by a modelling wax in a brass ring. The MOD cavities were prepared with No. 57 carbide bur under high speed to a depth of 2.0mm and a width of 2.0mm(Fig.1). All the prepared teeth specimens were divided into 7 groups according to the mode of cavity form and restorative materials (Table 1, 2): Group I, unpreapred, intact teeth as control Group II, prepared cavity without restoration Group III, prepared teeth restored with amalgam Group IV, prepared teeth restored with composite resin (P-10) Group V, prepared teeth with beveled enamel margins restored with composite resin (P-10) Group VI, prepared teeth restored with light-cured composite resin (P-30) Group VII, prepard teeth with beveled enamel margins restored with light-cured composite resin (P-30) After placement of restorations, all of the specimens were stored in water at $37^{\circ}C$ for 72 hours before testing. All of the specimens were tested on the Instron Universal Testing machine (No. 6025) in order to evaluate the strength of fracture. One metal ball 5.0mm in diameter contacting the specimens parallel to the occlusal surface was used to in this study (Fig. 1). The fracture characteristics of the specimens were examined with naked eye and in the scanning electron microscope (JSM-20). The results obtained from this study were as follows: 1. The mean fracture strength was the highest in group VI and that in group II was the lowest. 2. The progress of crack of teeth propagated into the pulp cavity. 3. In case of the group of the restored teeth, the crack occurred to be accompanied with cuspal fracture. 4. The crack of restored teeth was initiated along the pulpo-axial line angle of the cavity.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.45 no.4
• /
• pp.736-745
• /
• 1998

Background: Respiratory muscle interaction is further profoundly affected by a number of pathologic conditions. Hyperinflation may be particularly severe in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) patients, in whom the functional residual capacity(FRC) often exceeds predicted total lung capacity(TLC). Hyperinflation reduces the diaphragmatic effectiveness as a pressure generator and reduces diaphragmatic contribution to chest wall motion. Ultrasonography has recently been shown to be a sensitive and reproducible method of assessing diaphragmatic excursion. This study was performed to evaluate how differences of diaphragmatic excursion measured by ultrasonography associate with normal subjects and COPD patients. Methods: We measured diaphragmatic excursions with ultrasonography on 28 healthy subjects(l6 medical students, 12 age-matched control) and 17 COPD patients. Ultrasonographic measurements were performed during tidal breathing and maximal respiratory efforts approximating vital capacity breathing using Aloka KEC-620 with 3.5 MHz transducer. Measurements were taken in the supine posture. The ultrasonographic probe was positioned transversely in the midclavicular line below the right subcostal margin. After detecting the right hemidiaphragm in the B-mode the ultrasound beam was then positioned so that it was approximately parallel to the movement of middle or posterior third of right diaphragm. Recordings in the M-mode at this position were made throughout the test. Measurements of diaphragmatic excursion on M-mode tracing were calculated by the average gap in 3 times-respiration cycle. Pulmonary function test(SensorMedics 2800), maximal inspiratory(PImax) and expiratory mouth pressure(PEmax, Vitalopower KH-101, Chest) were measured in the seated posture. Results: During the tidal breathing, diaphragmatic excursions were recorded $1.5{\pm}0.5cm$, $1.7{\pm}0.5cm$ and $1.5{\pm}0.6cm$ in medical students, age-matched control group and COPD patients, respectively. Diaphragm excursions during maximal respiratory efforts were significantly decreased in COPD patients ($3.7{\pm}1.3cm$) when compared with medical students, age-matched control group($6.7{\pm}1.3cm$, $5.8{\pm}1.2cm$, p< 0.05}. During maximal respiratory efforts in control subjects, diaphragm excursions were correlated with $FEV_1$, FEVl/FVC, PEF, PIF, and height. In COPD patients, diaphragm excursions during maximal respiratory efforts were correlated with PEmax(maximal expiratory pressure), age, and %FVC. In multiple regression analysis, the combination of PEmax and age was an independent marker of diaphragm excursions during maximal respiratory efforts with COPD patients. Conclusion: COPD subjects had smaller diaphragmatic excursions during maximal respiratory efforts than control subjects. During maximal respiratory efforts in COPD patients, diaphragm excursions were well correlated with PEmax. These results suggest that diaphragm excursions during maximal respiratory efforts with COPD patients may be valuable at predicting the pulmonary function.