• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.94 no.5 s.162
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• pp.302-306
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• 2005

Litterfall and nutrient inputs were measured in even-aged coniferous plantations (a 31-year-old Pinus rigida and a 31-year-old Larix leptolepis) on a similar site condition in the Forest Practice Research Center, Gyeonggi Province. Litterfall was collected monthly from circular littertraps (collecting area: $0.50m^2$) for three years between April 1997 and February 2000. Average total annual litterfall was significantly higher for pine (5,802 kg/ha/yr) than for larch (4,562 kg/ha/yr) plantations. Needle litter in both plantations accounted for about 63% of total litterfall. Litterfall in the larch was distributed as follows: needle > other leaf > branch > miscellaneous > bark, while it was needle > miscellaneous > other leaf > branch > bark in the pine plantation. There was no temporal variation in needle litter, other leaf and bark during the 3 year study period. The concentrations of all nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) in needle litter were significantly higher in the larch than in the pine plantations. The annual nutrient concentration of needle litter in the larch varied among the years, whereas no year variation of needle litter was in the pine except for phosphorus (P). Nitrogen (N) and P inputs by needle litter were significantly higher for larch than for pine plantations established on a similar soil. The differences in N and P inputs were attributed to lower nutrient concentration in pine needle litter compared with larch needle litter, not to total needle litter mass. Annual inputs of nutrient in both plantations were not significantly different among years except for K of the larch although there was yearly different in needlefall mass and nutrient concentration during the 3-year observed period. The results indicate that the mechanisms of litterfall and nutrient inputs vary considerably between pine and larch plantations established on a similar site condition.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.149-158
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• 2018

Objectives : In this study, we quantitatively evaluated the needle forces using needle insertion-measurement system and compared the needle sensation of each acupuncture practical model. Methods : After inserting acupuncture with a sensor to six models, a lifting-thrusting motion was implemented using the needle insertion-measurement system. The needle force was measured repeatedly, and the measurement was analyzed based on the modified Karnopp friction model for a comparison of friction coefficients. After the insertion, practitioners did lifting-thrusting manipulations. They quantified the similarity of needle sensation with VAS (Visual Analogue Scale). Results : When friction force and coefficients of friction in five different models were compared with a porcine shank model, all five models were significantly different from a porcine shank model, cotton and apple showing the closest frictional values to that of a porcine shank model. In the Cp and Cn values of cotton and in the Cp values of IM injection pad, there was no statistically significant difference. The similarity of the needle sensation between the porcine shank and five models was the highest in the apple, and overlapping papers was the lowest. Conclusions : This study quantitatively compared the physical forces in the practical model when implementing lifting-thrusting manipulations, using a needle insertion-measurement system. We suggest that a reproducible exercise model that reflects the characteristics of various human tissues, such as viscoelasticity or strength, needs to be further developed. This will contribute to establishing standardized acupuncture practice training.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.40-45
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• 2007

Background: Caudal block is useful when anesthesia for surgery or treatment for chronic pain is needed, but this procedure has a failure rate of up to 25% even when it performed byan experienced physician. This high failure rate is usually due to improper needle placement. Methods: After gaining approval of the ethics committee, 46 patients received caudal blocks under ultrasound guidance; these were performed after the anatomical structures in the sacral hiatus had been measured with ultrasound. All these procedures were performed by the same anesthesiologist. The position and direction of the needle were identified using fluoroscopy by injecting a radio-opaque contrast through the needle. The time taken from thelidocaine injection to verification of the needle was measured and the planned nerve block was then carried out. Results: All cases of needle insertion into the sacral canal under ultrasound guidance were successful. The average duration of the procedure and the trial count were $134.1{\pm}10.1seconds$ and $1.2{\pm}0.1$, respectively. In 12 of the 46 cases (26%), the needle deviated either left or right in the sacral canal, so the direction of the needle had to be adjusted. The distance between two cornua, the depth of the sacral hiatus and the thickness and length of the sacrococcygeal ligament were $17.1{\pm}0.4$, $3.9{\pm}0.3$, $2.3{\pm}0.1$ and $24.9{\pm}0.9mm$, respectively. Conclusions: Ultrasound guidance can increase the success rate of inserting a needle into the sacral canal. However, even when ultrasound is used, the needle can deviate either left or right in the sacral canal.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.88-90
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• 2006

Pneumothorax after needle electromyography is a rare complication, which usually associated with examination of diaphragmatic and intercostal muscles. However, by the literatures, it can also occur with supraspinatus, serratus anterior and paraspinal muscles. We experienced a case of pneumothorax after cervical paraspinal muscle needle electromyography. From the anatomical vulnerability of pneumothorax during needle insertion, we emphasized the importance of avoiding this complication.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.51-61
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• 2009

Objective: Much has been known that the systematical theory of acupuncture was developed from stone needle as therapeutic tools for orthopedic diseases in ancient times. Stone needle is very old therapeutic method like moxibustion and has been recognized that it was developed since the Stone Age in China so far. In the present study, it was examined for the origination and formation of stone needle based on stone relics of the Stone Age in Korean Peninsular, the medical and geographical literatures. Materials and methods: The facts of stone needle was examined and arranged on the ancient medical or geographical literatures such as The Yellow Emperor's Canon Internal Medicine, Shanhaijing as an ancient geographical book, etc. The clan societies and family related to an origination of stone needle was chased together with their cultural characteristics and origination. The stone relics which have been digged out of historic sites in the North-East Asia were examined for a relevance to stone needle. Results: In The Yellow Emperor's Canon Internal Medicine, it was referred to the stone needle that originated from a fishery zone related to the east coast district in North-East Asia. Through the examination of Shan Hai Jing as an ancient geographical book and its historical reviews, a Go-yi clan society who keep Go's family tree dealt well with the stone needle and jewels including jade in the North-East Asia before the publication periods of The Yellow Emperor's Canon Internal Medicine, and is comprised in the culture of Dong-yi clan society but not the Chinese culture. The obsidian stones, which have been digged out of historical sites in the North-East Asia since the Stone Age, are originated from volcanic areas combined with seashore that seems to be Baekdu mountain district in Korea and Kyushu district in Japan. Furthermore, obsidian stone tools which were found out at Laodung peninsula and the Korean peninsula are archeologically similar to the stone needle with regards to the shape, size and dual-use. In addition, specific obsidian stone tools have been used in orthopedic surgery as well-crafted obsidian blades have a cutting edge up to five times sharper than high-quality steel surgical scalpels. Conclusion: The origin of obsidian stone needle is well corresponded to the explanation about that of the stone needle. It is suggested that the stone needle which influenced in completion of acupuncture and Meridian theory in China seems to be an obsidian stone, and distribution of obsidian stone needle has been closely connected to Dong-yi clan society which are lived in the North-East Asia including Baekdu-mountain district.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.634-642
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• 2012

Objectives : The aim of the study is to find out whether effect of acupuncture is depending on the diameter of needle, which is a possible component of dose of acupuncture needling. Methods : To compare acupuncture effects in different diameters of needle, we measured the changes in muscle fatigue recovery using surface electromyogram(sEMG) in healthy 8 volunteers. Muscle fatigue was induced by 20 times sit-up for 1 min. Immediately after induction of muscle fatigue, acupuncture needle was inserted into ST36 or ST25 for 10 min by diameters of 0.20 mm, 0.30 mm, or 0.40 mm needles. The sEMG recording was followed by acupuncture for 30 min. As a control group, sEMG was recorded for the same period at rest after muscle fatigue induction. Results : In both of ST 36 and ST 25, stimulation with 0.4 mm diameter needle showed significant rapid recovery followed by short period of muscle fatigue increase. Stimulation with 0.2 mm diameter significantly suppressed the increase of muscle fatigue. Conclusions : These data suggest that acupuncture effect is, at least in part, dependent on diameter of needle. Therefore, diameter of needle is also considered to achieve effective outcome of acupuncture.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.151-158
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• 2003

Objective: There have not been so many study about the quality of acupuncture needle tip. In order to ensure safe acupuncture treatment, the quality of needle tip is essential. Therefore we investigated the current condition of the tip of the acupuncture needles in Korea. Methods: We have selected the needles that made by 8 companies in Korea, and selected 50 pieces from 1000 pieces each company by randomized methods. and observed the tip of each needle using a scanning electron microscope at ${\times}800$ magnification. Results & Discussion: We found that needles had several defects such as scratch marks on the surface, metallic scuff, lumps and irregularities of the needle tips, stubbed or malformed tips, tips of point off-center, peeled off coated tips. There was much difference on the quality of needle among the manufacturer, and some needles seem to need to do- thorough quality control. It is necessary to intensify quality management and a concentrated control on manufacturing process of acupuncture needles.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.49-55
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• 2005

Objectives : In order to ensure safe Herbal Acupuncture treatment, the quality of needle tip is much important. Therefore we investigated micromorphological characteristics of Herbal Acupuncture needle tip according to the number of injection. Methods : We have selected the 26 Gage syringes & 29 Gage syringes that using currently in Herbal Acupuncture treatment. And we evaluated the change of shape of Herbal Acupuncture needle tip after several times of injection by Inverted System Microscope(x 200). Results & Conclusion : We found at Herbal Acupuncture needle tips had several defects such as hooked, scuffed, lump and irregular, stubbed or malformed shape in spite of new syringes. And we found at Herbal Acupuncture needle tips had several defects that is harmful to body such as mild pain, possibility of damage of tissue after several times of injection. Therefore it is necessary to pay attention to use Herbal Acupuncture needle tips.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Broadcast Engineers Conference
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• 2009.01a
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• pp.760-763
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• 2009

"Watoji" is a Japanese traditional book binding technique. An aim of this research develops a support system which everyone can make Watoji easily by. This system uses a working situation by recognizing a position of a needle and annotating to a book directly by mixed reality technique. Additionally, a technique of recognizing a working situation at a book is sewn by a needle is proposed. The proposed system of recognizing a position of a needle is build, then we experiment recognizing of a needle from an image. Furthermore, setting up Watoji on the system, we experiment recognizing of a position of a needle. An experimental result shows recognizing a needle from an acquired image from a camera. Using this result, a working situation can be recognized. Then, suitable information to a working situation can be presented.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify effects of EMLA (Eutectic Mixture of Local Anesthetics) cream application on pain perception and pain response during insertion of implanted venous access port needle in children with cancer. Methods: From December 2010 to August 2011, at U university hospital, 20 patients scheduled for implanted venous access port needle insertion were recruited, and randomly assigned to receive either EMLA or a placebo cream 1 hour before the implanted venous access port needle insertion. While conducting needle insertion, changes in pulse and oxygen saturation on the pulse oxymeter monitor were measured and pain behavior reaction was also measured during needle insertion in the treatment room. After conducting needle insertion, self-reported pain reaction, and mothers' perception of the children's pain reaction were measured. Collected data were statistically processed using SPSS version 17.0 for Windows, and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test. Results: Children's self-reported degree of pain, degree of pain as perceived by mothers and pain behavior reaction decreased significantly in the EMLA application group compared with the placebo group. Conclusion: Findings indicate that application of EMLA cream is effective in relieving pain in these children during implanted venous access port needle insertion.