• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.135-140
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• 2005

Objectives : There have been several studies about the quality of acupuncture needle tip recently. We have investigated the condition of the tip of the acupuncture needles in the last studies. In the former studies, we discovered the metallic scuff, lumps and irregularities of the acupuncture needle tips under the microscope. But, no information was available on those foreign materials' identity. Methods : We have selected 200 needles of 1000 pieces from several companies by randomized methods. And we observed the tip of the 6 needles selected finally at ${\times}1000\;or\;{\times}3000$ magnification and analyzed the components of the metallic scuff, lumps and irregularities of the needle tips with a SEM-EDX analyser. Results : We found that the identity of the metallic scuff, lumps and irregularities of the needle tips were metallic materials and silicon. For example, A point was composed of Fe(69.78%), Cr(17.71%), Ni(8.11%), Zn(2.04%), Si(1.23%), Mn(1.12%), and B point was composed of Si(66.40%), Fe(26.76%), Cr(6.84%). Conclusion : The results of this study confirm that there is a real possibility of the remaining of metallic materials and silicon in body of patient, after acupuncture treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to intensify our efforts to make needles of good quality and to concentrate on manufacturing process of acupuncture needles completely to be free from danger in acupuncture treatment.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.364-374
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• 2024

Background/Aims: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) using a 19-gauge needle is an efficient sampling method for the diagnosis of lymphadenopathy. This study compared 19-gauge conventional and Franseen needles for the diagnosis of lymphadenopathy and classification of malignant lymphoma (ML). Methods: Patient characteristics, number of needle passes, puncture route, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of cytology/histology for lymphadenopathy were analyzed in patients diagnosed with lymphadenopathy by EUS-FNA using conventional or Franseen needles. Results: Between 2012 and 2022, 146 patients met the inclusion criteria (conventional [n=70] and Franseen [n=76]). The median number of needle passes was significantly lower in the conventional group than in the Franseen group (3 [1-6] vs. 4 [1-6], p=0.023). There were no significant differences in cytological/ histological diagnoses between the two groups. For ML, the immunohistochemical evaluation rate, sensitivity of flow cytometry, and cytogenetic assessment were not significantly different in either group. Bleeding as adverse events (AEs) were observed in three patients in the Franseen group. Conclusions: Both the 19-gauge conventional and Franseen needles showed high accuracy in lymphadenopathy and ML classification. Considering sufficient tissue collection and the avoidance of AEs, the use of 19-gauge conventional needles seems to be a good option for the diagnosis of lymphadenopathy.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 1995.11a
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• pp.306-309
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• 1995

This paper describes the dielectric characteristics of $SF_{6}$ gas in a non-uniform electric field under overvoltages. The breakdown voltage-time characteristics and the breakdown voltage-gas pressure characteristics are measured within a gas pressure range extending from 0.1 to 0.5 [Mpa] for the plane electrode system with a needle-shaped protrusion. The curvature radius of the needle protrusion is 0.5[mm]. Also, the growth process of the predischarge are simultaneously observed. As a result, it is found that the breakdown mechanism and predischarge phenomena are closely associated with the polarity and waveforms of the testing voltage.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.62-67
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• 2010

The objective of this experimental study is to verify atomization characteristics of emulsified fuel. The emulsified fuel made of adding the ultrasonic energy is analyzed with atomization characteristics and chemicophysics. As water contents within emulsified fuel and needle angle increase, SMD, viscosity and surface tension were analyzed. By measuring the distribution percentage of hydrogen volume by $^1H$-NMR spectrum, the proportion of aromatics and paraffins is analyzed and compared each other. The results of study is as follows. First, as water contents within emulsified fuel and needle angle of nozzle increases, SMD increases. Second, for the distribution percentage of hydrogen volume, the distribution percentage of aromatics is about 10% and the rest portion is paraffins.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 1994.11a
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• pp.284-286
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• 1994

This paper describes the dielectric characteristics of $SF_6$ gas in non-uniform electric filed under lightning under lightning impulse and oscillating impulse voltages. The breakdown voltage-time characteristics and the breakdown voltage-pressure characteristics are measured over a pressure range extending from 0.1 to 0.5 [MPa] fur the coaxial electrode with a needle protrusion. The curvature radius of needle protrusion is 0.3[mm]. Also, the growth of the predischarge is simultaneously observed. As a result the polarity effect is pronounced, and the breakdowns voltage under the oscillating impulse voltage are higher than those under the lightning impulse voltage. It is found that the breakdown mechanism md predischarge phenomena ate closely related with the polarity and waveforms of the testing voltage.

• Journal of ILASS-Korea
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.212-219
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• 2008

To develop the twin-fluid atomizer having the excellent performance of painting, the spray characteristics of how a wide area can be painted efficiently by one time spraying were studied in this paper. Spray phenomena are affected by the many factors determining the spray field such as the spraying pressure of gas, the spraying pressure and viscosity of liquid paints, the opening duration of needle valve, the design dimension of nozzle, and so on. As the results of experiments, these factors affecting on spray characteristics were suggested as followings; 1) The optimum spraying pressure of gas was $0.015{\sim}0.02\;kPa$, and the appropriate spraying pressure of liquid paint was 0.01kPa, In these situations, the setting up pressures must be compensated as much as the losing amount of pressure because a decompression occurred when operating valves. 2) The duration of opening the needle valve must be sustained for $1{\sim}2$ seconds to inject gas after spraying the liquid paint. This operating of the needle valve was necessary to avoid the affect on the changing of liquid column length, and to prevent the droplet deposit at the initial time of spraying. 3) The spray tip penetration was gained form the experimental equation, and the effective spraying angle was $85^{\circ}{\pm}5^{\circ}$ just at he appropriate spraying pressure of gas. The distribution of the area sprayed had the variation in $350{\pm}50\;mm$ because of the spraying pressure of gas, the its distance from the spray tip, and the lift of the needle valve.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 2002

This study was intended to observe the relationship of pain alleviation between the group with needle electrode electrical stimulation applied on bach of head, lung, nasalis internae, shen-men, pharynx & larynx, and internal secretion which are the pants to regulate smoking and that, with no treatment of the kind among smokers and con-smokers with chronic low back pain. It also aimed to conduct a research of applying different treatment methods according to smoking, thus ultimately providing basic data needed by clinic therapists and to help achieve appropriate treatment effects considering the characteristics of each patient. The subject criteria were men who were in their 40's or 50's, smoking or non-smoking and came to the physical therapy of the hospital to cure the chronic low back pain which had lasted more than three months. The total 24 subjects were randomly divided into four groups according to smoking; the group of smokers with needle electrode electrical stimulation applied, that of smokers with no application of such treatment, that of non-smokers with the action of such treatment, and that of non-smokers with no application of such treatment Each group was measured in terms of four pain assessment methods of visual analogue scale(VAS), verbal rating scale(VRS), McGil pain questionnaire(MPQ), endorphin. And the results were as follows: 1. In terms of the effects of the needle electrode electrical stimulation in the auricular therapy on pain had by the smokers with low back pain, there was a statistical significance in VAS, VRS, and endorphin 1 between before and after the treatment. 2. In terms of the pain effects had by the smokers with low back pain when no needle electrode electrical stimulation in the auricular therapy was applied, there was a statistical significance in VRS and MPQ between before and after the treatment. 3. In terms of the effects of the needle electrode electrical stimulation in the auricular therapy on pain had by the non-smokers with low back pain, there was a statistical significance in VAS, VRS, and MPQ between before and after the treatment. In terms of the pain effects had by the non-smokers with low back pain when no needle electrode electrical stimulation in the auricular was applied, there was a statistical significance in VAS, VRS, and MPQ between before and after the treatment. 5. The smokers with low back pain were given the needle electrode electrical stimulation in the auricular therapy to see how it affected their pain. There was found pain reduction in number, but no statistical significance. 6. The subject suffering from low back pain were given the needle electrode electrical stimulation to see how it affected their pain according to smoking. There was found pain reduction in number, but no statistical significance. Based upon the results, it can be concluded that smokers with low back pain received the more effects of pain alleviation from the application of the needle electrode electrical stimulation in the auricular therapy compared to the rest of the groups who suffered from low back pain.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.107-113
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• 2023

Background/Aims: Immune checkpoint blockade has recently been reported to be effective in treating microsatellite instability (MSI)-high tumors. Therefore, sufficient sampling of histological specimens is necessary in cases of unresectable pancreatic cancer (UR-PC). This multicenter study investigated the efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) using a Franseen needle for MSI evaluation in patients with UR-PC. Methods: A total of 89 patients with UR-PC who underwent endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) or EUS-FNB using 22-G needles at three hospitals in Japan (2018-2021) were enrolled. Fifty-six of these patients (FNB 23 and FNA 33) were followed up or evaluated for MSI. Patient characteristics, UR-PC data, and procedural outcomes were compared between patients who underwent EUS-FNB and those who underwent EUS-FNA. Results: No significant difference in terms of sufficient tissue acquisition for histology was observed between patients who underwent EUS-FNB and those who underwent EUS-FNA. MSI evaluation was possible significantly more with tissue samples obtained using EUS-FNB than with tissue samples obtained using EUS-FNA (82.6% [19/23] vs. 45.5% [15/33], respectively; p<0.01). In the multivariate analysis, EUS-FNB was the only significant factor influencing the possibility of MSI evaluation. Conclusions: EUS-FNB using a Franseen needle is desirable for ensuring sufficient tissue acquisition for MSI evaluation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.446-453
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• 2014

To develop health functional gluten-free rice madeleines added with pine needle, rice flours were prepared by adding different contents (0.6, 1.2, and 1.8% on rice flour basis) of freeze-dried pine needle powder (PP) and extract (PE, by pressing pine needles). The preparation, textural and sensory properties, and antioxidative activities of rice madeleines were investigated. The antioxidative activities of rice madeleines added with PP and PE were higher than those of the control and were significantly different from each other. The specific volume of rice madeleines added with PE was higher than that added with PP. Lightness and yellowness decreased with increasing PP or PE content, whereas redness showed the reverse trend. Textural properties were also significantly different according to pine needle type and content. Hardness values of rice madeleines added with 1.2 and 1.8% PP or 1.2% PE were reduced compared to that of control. Hardness values increased while other textural properties decreased during storage. In the sensory test, color, flavor, and taste scores increased with increasing PP or PE contents, whereas flavor and overall quality scores were highest in rice madeleine added with 1.2% PP. Based on these results, pine needle powder addition improved antioxidative activities and overall quality.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of IIIuminating and Electrical Installation Engineers Conference
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.193-197
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• 2001

In this paper, reduction characteristics of the ac flashover voltage in the horizontal air gap of sphere-sphere and needle-needle electrode system were investigated when the combustion flame was present near the high-voltage electrodes. The reduction characteristics of ac flashover voltage were discussed with thermal ionization process, the relative air density and the deflection phenomena in the shape of flames that changed by the corona wind and coulomb's force. As the results of an experimental, It was found that the reduction of flashover voltage in sphere-sphere system, in comparison with the no-flame case, are 79.9 [%] for k=0, 82.9 [%] for k=0.5, 87.5 [%] for k=1.0, 85.0 [%] for h=0 [cm], 40.8 [%] for h=5 [cm] and 28.2 [%] for h=9 [cm] when ac voltage is applied.