• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.135-141
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• 2019

Background: The fear of needle insertion and pain during anesthesia is a source of patient dissatisfaction in dentistry. Inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) remains the most common type of block and is in itself painful. Computer-controlled local anesthetic delivery (CCLAD) has been proven to reduce the pain associated with injection of anesthetics in various blocks. However, the efficacy of CCLAD for IANB in adults remains unknown. Methods: Sixty-four adult patients requiring bilateral IANB were selected and divided into two groups: group A (50 patients receiving IANB via CCLAD) and group B (50 patients receiving IANB using a conventional cartridge syringe). Pain perception and patient comfort were assessed using the visual analog scale and the 5-point semantic scale, respectively. Results: The pain perception was compared between the two groups using the Mann-Whitney U-test, and the P value was 0.003. The patient comfort was also compared using the same test, and the P value was 0.484. Conclusion: A significant difference was observed in the pain perception of the patients during CCLAD. The patient comfort was grossly equal for both techniques.

• KIPS Transactions on Software and Data Engineering
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.177-188
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• 2018

The scale of graph data has been increased rapidly because of the growth of mobile Internet applications and the proliferation of social network services. This brings upon the imminent necessity of efficient distributed and parallel graph processing approach since the size of these large-scale graphs are easily over a capacity of a single machine. Currently, there are two popular parallel graph processing approaches, vertex-centric graph processing and block centric processing. While a vertex-centric graph processing approach can easily be applied to the parallel processing system, a block-centric graph processing approach is proposed to compensate the drawbacks of the vertex-centric approach. In these systems, the initial quality of graph partition affects to the overall performance significantly. However, it is a very difficult problem to divide the graph into optimal states at the initial phase. Thus, several dynamic load balancing techniques have been studied that suggest the progressive partitioning during the graph processing time. In this paper, we present a load balancing algorithms for the block-centric graph processing approach where most of dynamic load balancing techniques are focused on vertex-centric systems. Our proposed algorithm focus on an improvement of the graph partition quality by dynamically reassigning blocks in runtime, and suggests block split strategy for escaping local optimum solution.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.23 no.10
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• pp.97-107
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• 2007

Accurate evaluation of the slope stability by assuming failure block as the entire slope is considered to be apposite for the small scale slope, whereas it is not the case for the large scale slope. Hence, appropriate estimation of a failure block size is required since the safety factor and the joint strength parameters are the function of the failure block size. In this paper, the size of failure block was investigated by generating 3-dimensional rock joint system based on statistical data of joints obtained from research slope, such as joint orientation, spacing and 3-dimensional joint intensity. The result indicates that 33 potential failure blocks exist in research slope, as large as 1.4 meters at least and 38.7 meters at most, and average block height is 15.2 meters. In addition, the data obtained from 3 dimensional joint system were directly applicable to the probability analysis and 2 and 3 dimensional discontinuity analysis.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.145-150
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• 1996

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of ilioinguinal-hypogastric nerve blocks(IHNB) and caudal block in producing post-orchiopexy and post-heniorrhaphy analgesia in children. Forty consenting healthy children, ages 3~10yr, were randomly assigned to receive caudal bupitvacaine (0.125%, 0.5ml/kg), or IHNB bupivacaine (0.25%, 0.3 ml/kg). Blocks were performed following the induction of general anesthesia, be fore the operation. Pre-anesthetic medication in form of atropine 0.01 mg/kg, droperidol 0.05 mg/kg were given intramuscularly one hour before induction to 40 children. Children were induced with thiopental sodium 5 mg/kg and succinylcholine 1 mg/kg intravenously. Anesthesia was maintained with oxygen-nitrous oxide ($FiO_2$ 0.3) and ethrane. When the patients stabilized after induction. IHNB was done in the supine position and caudal block was done in the lateral position. The local anaesthetic was injected after negative aspiration. Postoperative pain was assessed with face pain rating scale (RPRS) at rest on discharge of recovery room, and 5 hours after discharge of recovery room, and the "red and white" visual analogue scale (VAS) at rest and mobilization from supine to sitting position on discharge of recovery room, and 5 hours after discharge of recovery room. Post-operative recovery was quiet and comfortable, without side effect. Relief of ain was complete in both IHNB group and caudal group. Surgeons, parents and recovery room personnel were satisfied. There were no surgical or anesthetic complications. In our study, the postpoerative pain scores were similar in both IHNB group and caudal group. IN conclusion, we found that both IHNB and caudal blocks before the start of surgery for orchiopexy & herniorrhaphy are safe and effective in controlling the postoperative pain of children.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.26 no.10
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• pp.781-786
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• 1993

Effrctive analgesia after elective thoracotomy can be provided by continuous extrapleural intercostal nerve block.This study was designed to prove the effectiveness of continuous extrapleural intercostal nerve block. Twenty patients undergoing elective thoracotomy were randomized into two groups. Group I received lumbar epidural block[N=10] and group II received continuous extrapleural intercostal nerve block[N=10]. Postoperative pain relief was assessed on Numeric Rating Scale[NRS] and recovery of pulmonary function was assessed by coparison of preoperatrive and postoperative FVC[Forced Vital Capacity], FEV1[Forced expiratory Volume in 1 second], VC[Vital Capacity]. Arterial blood gas analysis[ABGA], vital signs and amount of additive analgesics were compared also. No significant difference was observed between the groups concerning these parameters mentioned above. Systemic complications, such as urinary retention[2/10] and weakness of lower extremity[2/10], occurred in group I but no complication occurred in group II. We conclude that continuous extrapleural intercostal nerve block is as effective as epidural block in pain relief and restoration of pulmonary mechanics with fewer comlications. Also because of it`s ease and safetiness, this must be considered as a substitute of epidural block in routine use for thoracotomy pain relief.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.31-35
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• 2011

Background: Circumcision is a painful intervention frequently performed in pediatric surgery. We aim to compare the efficacy of caudal block versus dorsal penile block (DPNB) under general anesthesia for children undergoing circumcision. Methods: This study was performed between July 1, 2009 and October 16, 2009. Fifty male children American Society of Anesthesiolgists physical status classification I, aged between 3 and 12 were included in this randomized, prospective, comparative study. Anesthetic techniques were standardized for all children. Patients were randomized into 2 groups. Using 0.25% 0.5 ml/kg levobupivacain, we performed DPNB for Group 1 and caudal block for Group 2. Postoperative analgesia was evaluated for six hours with the Flacc Pain Scale for five categories; (F) Face, (L) Legs, (A) Activity, (C) Cry, and (C) Consolability. For every child, supplemental analgesic amounts, times, and probable local or systemic complications were recorded. Results: No significant difference between the groups (P > 0.05) was found in mean age, body weight, anesthesia duration, FLACC pain, and sedation scores (P > 0.05). However, on subsequent measurements, a significant decrease of pain and sedation scores was noted in both the DPNB group and the caudal block group (P < 0.001). No major complication was found when using either technique. Conclusions: DPNB and caudal block provided similar postoperative analgesic effects without major complications for children under general anesthesia.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.78-84
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• 2020

Purpose: This paper compares the clinical outcomes of patients who were treated with a cervical nerve block by ultrasound and C-arm and reports the complication. Materials and Methods: A total of 97 patients were treated with an ultrasound-guided nerve root block from May 1, 2015 to February 8, 2018. On the other hand, 94 patients were treated with a C-arm guided nerve root block. The consequences of the cervical pain and the radiating pain before and after the procedures were reviewed using the verbal numeric rating scale (VNRS). In addition, the complications related to the procedures from the daily notes from the chart were inspected. Results: Sixty-six cases out of 97 cases of ultrasound-guided nerve root block were enrolled in the study. The average age of the patients was 57 years, including 41 males and 25 females. Seventy seven out of 94 cases by a C-arm guided root block were included in the study. The average age of the patients was 55 years, including 40 males and 37 females. Before the nerve root block, the mean numeric rating pain scale (NRS) of the cervical pain in ultrasound-guided block decreased from 5.4 points to 2.7 points at three weeks and 1.4 points at six weeks (p=0.0023, p<0.001), and 3.1 points in the C-arm (p<0.001, p<0.001) at three weeks and 1.5 points at six weeks (p<0.001, p<0.001). In the case of radiating pain, the mean NRS in the ultrasound-guided nerve root block group improved from 6.3 points after the procedure to 2.8 points at three weeks and 1.5 points at six weeks (p<0.001, p<0.001). In the C-arm guided nerve root block group, the NRS improved from 7.4 points after the procedure to 3.3 points at three weeks and 1.9 points at six weeks. In the case of complications, Horner's syndrome and propriospinal myoclonus were observed in one case of C-arm guided block group. Conclusion: The clinical results of the patients who underwent ultrasound-guided cervical nerve root block were not significantly different from those who underwent a C-arm guided cervical nerve root block.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.195-207
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• 2023

Background: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of the pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block and intra-articular injection (IAI) of steroid-bupivacaine in the treatment of hip osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: After randomization, patients received either a PENG block or IAI under ultrasound-guidance. Clinical evaluations were recorded at baseline, day 1, and weeks 1, 4, and 8 post-intervention. The numerical rating scale (NRS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), Harris Hip Scale (HHS) scores, pain medication use determined by a quantitative analgesic questionnaire, and patient satisfaction were evaluated. Results: Sixty patients were included in this study. NRS scores improved significantly for both groups during the follow-up compared to pretreatment (P < 0.001), with better pain scores for the PENG group (P < 0.001) at day 1 with larger effect size (Cohen's d = 4.62), and IAI group at 4 (Cohen's d = 5.15) and 8 (Cohen's d = 4.33) weeks (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in pain medication consumption (P = 0.499) and patient satisfaction (P = 0.138) between groups. Patients in the IAI group experienced significant improvement in HHS (Cohen's d = 2.16, P = 0.007) and WOMAC (Cohen's d = 1.02, P = 0.036) scores at 8 weeks compared to the PENG group. Conclusions: The ultrasound-guided PENG block provides effective pain relief which improves functionality and quality of life in hip OA patients up to 2 months. The PENG block can be considered an easy, safe, and useful alternative treatment modality for hip OA.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.189-192
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• 2016

Thoracotomy is a surgical technique used to reach the thoracic cavity. Management of pain due to thoracotomy is important in order to protect the operative respiratory reserves and decrease complications. For thoracotomy pain, blocks (such as thoracic epidural, paravertebral, etc.) and pleural catheterization and intravenous drugs (such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs], and opioids, etc., can be used. We performed a serratus anterior plane (SAP) block followed by catheterization for thoracotomy pain. We used 20 ml 0.25% bupivacaine for analgesia in a patient who underwent wedge resection for a lung malignancy. We provided analgesia for a period of close to seven hours for the patient, whose postoperative VAS (visual analog scale) scores were recorded. We believe that an SAP block is effective and efficient for the management of pain after thoracotomy.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.29-38
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• 2010

It is necessary to develop an integration model which can account for various data acquired at different measurement scales in environmental thematic mapping with high-resolution ground survey data and relatively low-resolution remote sensing data. This paper presents and applies a multi-scale geostatistical methodology for downscaling of thematic maps generated from lowresolution remote sensing data. This methodology extends a traditional ordinary kriging system to a block kriging system which can account for both ground data and remote sensing data which can be regarded as point and block data, respectively. In addition, stochastic simulation based on block kriging is also applied to describe spatial uncertainty attached to the downscaling. Two downscaling experiments including SRTM DEM and MODIS Leaf Area Index (LAI) products were carried out to illustrate the applicability of the geostatistical methodology. Through the experiments, multi-scale geostatistics based on block kriging successfully generated relatively high-resolution thematic maps with reliable accuracy. Especially, it is expected that multiple realizations generated from simulation would be effectively used as input data for investigating the effects of uncertain input data on GIS model outputs.