Peripheral pulse harmonic analysis and its clinical application: A systematic review.

Introduction: Pulse harmonic analysis is a quantitative and objective methodology within traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) used to evaluate pulse characteristics. However, interpreting pulse wave data is challenging due to its inherent complexity. This study aims to provide a comprehensive review and comparison of existing human pulse wave harmonic analysis methods to elucidate their patterns and characteristics. Methods: A systematic review of clinical research reports published from 1990 to 2021 was conducted, focusing on variations in harmonic characteristics across different medical conditions and physiological states. Keyword searches included terms related to analysis methods (e.g., "Pulse Spectrum," "harmonic analysis," "harmonic index") and measured indicators (e.g., "vascular response," "PPG," "Photoplethysmography," "aortic," "arterial," "blood pressure"). Supplementary research using PubMed's Mesh terms specifically targeted "Pulse wave analysis" within the methods and statistical analysis domain. Articles were filtered based on predefined criteria, including human participants and research related to pulse pressure or vascular volume changes. Conference papers, animal studies, and irrelevant research were excluded, with literature evaluation scales selected based on the retrieved research reports. Results: Initially, 6487 research reports were identified, and after screening, 50 reports were included in the review. The analysis revealed that low-frequency harmonics increase following vigorous activity or sympathetic excitation but decrease during rest or parasympathetic excitation. Cardiovascular patients exhibited elevated first harmonics associated with the liver meridian, while diabetes patients displayed weakened third harmonics related to the spleen meridian. Liver dysfunction was linked to changes in the first harmonic, and cancer patients showed signs of liver and kidney yin deficiency in the first and second harmonics. These findings underscore the potential of harmonic analysis for TCM disease diagnosis and organ assessment. Moreover, individuals with conditions such as liver dysfunction, cancer, and gynecological disorders displayed distinct intensity patterns across harmonics one through ten compared to healthy controls, albeit with some variations. Heterogeneity in these studies mainly stemmed from differences in measurement methods and study populations. Additionally, research suggested that factors like blood circulation and cognitive activity influenced harmonic intensity. Conclusions: In summary, this report consolidates prior research on pulse wave harmonics analysis, revealing unique patterns associated with various physiological conditions. Despite limitations, such as limited sample sizes in previous studies, the observed associations between physiological states and harmonics hold promise for potential clinical applications. This study lays a solid foundation for future applications of arterial wave harmonics analysis, promoting wider adoption of this analytical approach.

Analyzing transient respirometric data by analytical algorithm for Monod kinetic parameters.

This study aims to develop an analytical algorithm with oxygen update (Ou) data obtained from transient respirometric measurement. Based on Monod kinetics, this study formulates a novel two-phase analytical model for an oxygen uptake rate plot (OUR vs. Ou) obtained by respirometric techniques. The first phase is a hyperbolic equation relating to exogenous and endogenous respiration, while the second phase is a linear equation for endogenous respiration only. An algorithm was therefore developed to analyze four Monod parameters by locating the best phase-separating point at which the absolute average relative error (ARE) of OUR is minimized. An analysis using test data on acetate verified that the algorithm is capable of transient kinetic parameter estimation with an ARE below 5-10%. A sensitivity analysis on domestic wastewater coupled with a Monte Carlo simulation concluded that the kinetic test must be conducted at a relatively high initial substrate level (So/Xo ≧ 1 and So/Ks ≧ 10) for reliable parameter estimation. Moreover, it is crucial to conduct the kinetic test with sufficient and acclimated seed culture for the degradation of substrate. The results of this study can be used to develop an automatic transient kinetic analyzer with modern programmable respirometers.

Environmental monitoring and benchmarking of VCM airborne emissions for a major PVC plant in Taiwan with 15 PVC plants in the USA.

Vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) is classified as group 1 carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research for Cancer (IARC). In 2012, USEPA promulgated a new VCM emission standard as part of National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and copolymer plants. The standard was set by benchmarking of peer plants with maximum achievable control technology (MACT). This study performs an emission assessment of a world-class PVC plant in Taiwan according to the MACT analysis. The emission data obtained were then benchmarked with baseline emission estimates of 15 PVC plants in the USA. Results of this study show seven types of VCM emissions: stripped resin of suspension/dispersion, wastewater, process vent, heat-exchange system, storage tank, equipment leaks, and other sources (gasholder). All the emission factors are complied with their MACT emission limitations (MEL) and ranked either #1 or #2 among the 15 plants. They are also summed and benchmarked against the production capacity of each plant, showing a negative power function with a fair correlation (R2 = 0.73). Among seven types of emissions, stripped resin contributes the highest (51.7%) by average emission factor of the 15 plants plus this study plant.

Effect of applying biosolids on the biodegradation of toluene and naphthalene contaminated soils.

Biosolids contain nutrients, organic matters and micro-organisms that can provide soil benefits. In this study toluene and naphthalene-contaminated soils were used to investigate the effect of applying biosolids on the enhancement of the biodegradation rate. The oxygen uptake rate (OUR) was determined with a respirometer and was used to calculate the oxygen uptake percentage of substrate in biosolids (alpha value) using a two-phase respirogram. Experimental result showed that the application of biosolids had positive effect on the enhancement of the biodegradation rate of toluene and naphthalene in the contaminated soils. The biodegradation rates of toluene and naphthalene were 15% and 20% in soils without applying biosolids, respectively. With the biosolids, its biodegradation rate for the two contaminants was about 4-fold higher in relative to control and the maximum value occurred in a soil to biosolids ratio as 1: 0.5. The alpha value for toluene and naphthalene was in the levels of 10-20% which revealed that the biosolids used in this study was mainly composed by microorganism.

Evaluation of specific biological heat potential of oily wastewater in an autothermal thermophilic aerobic treatment system.

This study focuses on the specific biological heat potential (h(b)) of oil and grease wastewaterin an autothermal thermophilic aerobic treatment (ATAT) system. A novel experimental device was applied to evaluate h(b) by using heat balance model under steady state. In the study the treatment system was daily fed with realistic and artificial wastewater at 11250 and 17420 mg COD l(-1), respectively. The wastewater was rich in oil and grease at 1220 and 600 mg l(-1), respectively. The sludge retention time (SRT) was controlled at 5 days. The results showed that the average values of h(b) were 3.7 and 3.1 kcal g(-1) COD removed and the true growth yield (Y0) were 0.10 and 0.13 mg MLSS mg(-1) COD for realistic and artificial wastewater respectively. These two systems could maintain reactoroperating temperatures at 43 degrees C and 48 degrees C, respectively. The COD removal efficiency was as high as 90 to 97%. The oil and grease reduction was 68 to 72%. The high organic matter removal capacity and low sludge yield of ATAT process have been demonstrated.

Respirometric evaluation by graphical analysis for microbial systems.

Analysis of respirometric graphs for system diagnosis has recently drawn much attention due to the nature of the test being a fast method with reliable oxygen uptake (Ou) data. In this study, a new graphical analysis procedure is proposed, using the oxygen uptake rate (OUR) vs. Ou respirogram because of its distinct characteristics that provides easy visual inspection. The OUR plot is typically divided into two respiration phases, and each one of these phases can be simulated by a previously derived analytical equation. Based on the 2-phase model, five characteristic parameters (CPs) were derived for the OUR respirogram. Mathematically the 5 CPs can be related to the system parameters (SPs), including the four Monod kinetic parameters and two operating conditions (initial substrate and biomass concentration). Sensitivity analyses were then conducted to assess the 5 CPs for the level of effect caused by system parameters (SPs). This study also conducted respirometric tests under batch operation to evaluate the applicability of the graphical analysis method. Based on the 5 CPs estimated from the OUR respirogram of the tests, it can be concluded that respirometric tests normally experience the problems associated with initial lag, non-uniform seeding, and inadequate mixing.