Hydrogenotrophs-Based Biological Biogas Upgrading Technologies.

Biogas produced from anaerobic digestion consists of 55-65% methane and 35-45% carbon dioxide, with an additional 1-2% of other impurities. To utilize biogas as renewable energy, a process called biogas upgrading is required. Biogas upgrading is the separation of methane from carbon dioxide and other impurities, and is performed to increase CH4 content to more than 95%, allowing heat to be secured at the natural gas level. The profitability of existing biogas technologies strongly depends on operation and maintenance costs. Conventional biogas upgrading technologies have many issues, such as unstable high-purity methane generation and high energy consumption. However, hydrogenotrophs-based biological biogas upgrading offers an advantage of converting CO2 in biogas directly into CH4 without additional processes. Thus, biological upgrading through applying hydrogenotrophic methanogens for the biological conversion of CO2 and H2 to CH4 receives growing attention due to its simplicity and high technological potential. This review analyzes the recent advance of hydrogenotrophs-based biomethanation processes, addressing their potential impact on public acceptance of biogas plants for the promotion of biogas production.

The Biomechanical Analysis of Magnitude and Direction of Force by Different Techniques of Thoracic Spinal Manipulation.

BACKGROUND: Spinal manipulation (SM) has been widely recognized and used with success in health care fields for spinal joint dysfunction and pain. SM is a procedure that involves small amplitude manipulative thrusts performed with speed. These forces are complex three-dimensional (3-D) forces delivered to create forces and moments at the joint of interest to cause joint movements. The aim of this study was to conduct a 3-dimensional analysis of the magnitude and direction of the forces transmitted in 2 techniques of thoracic spinal manipulation (TSM). Materials/Methods. Thirty-two healthy participants were recruited from the university community. The physical therapist performed TSM using anterior (A) to posterior (P) and P to A techniques once at each of T3, T7, and T12 spinal levels. The magnitude and direction of the forces transmitted during TSM were sensed by the force plates, and the camera system monitored vertebral motion by tracking motion markers. RESULTS: There were no significant differences on the x-axis while there were significant differences on the y-axis between the measured spinal levels in the P to A technique. There were significant differences found at preload force maximum, preload force minimum, and peak force between T3 and T12 and between T7 and T12 and at peak base force between T7 and T12 on the z-axis. In the A to P technique, there were significant differences in the change of force in measured spinal levels at different axes. CONCLUSION: These study findings can help therapists better understand the mechanism of TSM and enhance the clinical usefulness of TSM.

A Comparative Study of Smartphone Game with Spirometry for Pulmonary Function Assessment in Stroke Patients.

BACKGROUND: The monitoring and rehabilitation of pulmonary function can be immensely important for long-term performance of daily life activities in stroke patients. In recent times, smartphone game-based assessment (SGA) has been gaining in popularity as an alternative to laboratory assessments. Hence, the aims of this study were (1) to quantify the reliability and validity of SGA for pulmonary function and (2) to assess the validity of SGA in comparison to spirometry. MATERIALS/METHODS: Thirty-four stroke subjects (age = 49.24 ± 8.25 years) performed spirometry and the smartphone game on different days. Spirometric values were obtained using a spirometer (SP-1, Schiller, USA). A breathing game application (Breathing+ package, Breathing Labs, Slovenia) was used to obtain the values for the SGA of pulmonary function. The concurrent validity was determined by comparing data collected from the 2 systems, and the reliability was determined by comparing data collected from 3 sessions of using the breathing game on a smartphone. RESULTS: All parameters demonstrated excellent agreement with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC (2.1)) values for reliability and concurrent validity. CONCLUSION: We compared the relationship between the SGA and the spirometry as certified pulmonary function test. The SGA data were statistically significant and reliable for pulmonary function assessment in stroke patients. It will therefore be useful during rehabilitation to improve pulmonary function and clinical monitoring in stroke patients.

Immediate Effects of Thoracic Spinal Manipulation on Pulmonary Function in Stroke Patients: A Preliminary Study.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of thoracic spinal manipulation (TSM) on pulmonary function in stroke patients. METHODS: Thirty-six volunteers with stroke (20 men, 16 women) were recruited and randomized to a TSM group (n = 18) and a sham group (n = 18). All participants underwent initial pulmonary function test and then rested supine for 10 minutes before the intervention. Pulmonary function test was repeated immediately after the intervention. Forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume at 1 second, maximum voluntary ventilation, and residual volume were measured by a spirometer in preintervention and post-intervention. RESULTS: Significant between-group differences were observed in forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume at 1 second in the TSM group (P < .05). No significant changes in dependent variables were seen in the sham group. CONCLUSION: The pulmonary function values for patients in the TSM group were significantly enhanced with no significant improvement in maximum voluntary ventilation and residual volume. Mechanical factors may be responsible for the improved pulmonary function in the TSM group.

Comparison of changes in the mobility of the pelvic floor muscle on during the abdominal drawing-in maneuver, maximal expiration, and pelvic floor muscle maximal contraction.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to compare changes in the mobility of the pelvic floor muscle during the abdominal drawing-in maneuver, maximal expiration, and pelvic floor muscle maximal contraction. [Subjects] Thirty healthy adults participated in this study (15 men and 15 women). [Methods] All participants performed a bridge exercise and abdominal curl-up during the abdominal drawing-in maneuver, maximal expiration, and pelvic floor muscle maximal contraction. Pelvic floor mobility was evaluated as the distance from the bladder base using ultrasound. [Results] According to exercise method, bridge exercise and abdominal curl-ups led to significantly different pelvic floor mobility. The pelvic floor muscle was elevated during the abdominal drawing-in maneuver and descended during maximal expiration. Finally, pelvic floor muscle mobility was greater during abdominal curl-up than during the bridge exercise. [Conclusion] According to these results, the abdominal drawing-in maneuver induced pelvic floor muscle contraction, and pelvic floor muscle contraction was greater during the abdominal curl-up than during the bridge exercise.

The Effects of Game-Based Breathing Exercise on Pulmonary Function in Stroke Patients: A Preliminary Study.

BACKGROUND: Reduction of respiratory function along with hemiparesis leads to decreased endurance, dyspnea, and increased sedentary behavior, as well as to an increased risk of stroke. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the preliminary effects of game-based breathing exercise (GBE) on pulmonary function in stroke patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-eight in-patients with stroke (22 men, 16 women) were recruited for the study. Participants were randomly allocated into 2 groups: patients assigned to the GBE group (n=19), and the control group (n=19). The GBE group participated in a GBE program for 25 minutes a day, 3 days a week, during a 5 week period. For the same period, both groups participated in a conventional stroke rehabilitation program. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC, and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) were measured by a spirometer in pre- and post-testing. RESULTS: The GBE group had significantly improved FVC, FEV1, and MVV values compared with the control group (p<0.05), although there was no significant difference in FEV1/FVC value between groups. Significant short-term effects of the GBE program on pulmonary function in stroke patients were recorded in this study. CONCLUSIONS: These findings gave some indications that it may be feasible to include GBE in rehabilitation interventions with this population.