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A respiration rate (RR) monitoring system was created by integrating a Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) optical fibre sensor into a respirator mask. The system exploits the sensitivity of an FBG to temperature to identify an individual's RR by measuring airflow temperature variation near the nostrils and mouth. To monitor the FBG response, a portable, battery-powered, wireless miniature interrogator system was developed to replace a relatively bulky benchtop interrogator used in previous studies. A healthy volunteer study was conducted to evaluate the performance of the developed system (10 healthy volunteers). Volunteers were asked to perform normal breathing whilst simultaneously wearing the system and a reference spirometer for 120 s. Individual breaths are then identified using a peak detection algorithm. The result showed that the number of breaths detected by both devices matched exactly (100%) across all volunteer trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significance: Our goal is to understand the root cause of reported oxygen saturation (SpO2) overestimation in heavily pigmented skin types to devise solutions toward enabling equity in pulse oximeter designs. Aim: We aim to gain theoretical insights into the effect of skin tone on SpO2-R curves using a three-dimensional, four-layer tissue model representing a finger. Approach: A finger tissue model, comprising the epidermis, dermis, two arteries, and a bone, was developed using a Monte Carlo-based approach in the MCmatlab software. Two skin tones--light and dark--were simulated by adjusting the absorption and scattering properties within the epidermal layer. Following this, SpO2-R curves were generated in various tissue configurations, including transmission and reflection modes using red and infrared wavelengths. In addition, the influence of source-detector (SD) separation distances on both light and dark skin tissue models was studied. Results: In transmission mode, SpO2-R curves did not deviate with changes in skin tones because both pulsatile and non-pulsatile terms experienced equal attenuation at red and infrared wavelengths. However, in reflection mode, measurable variations in SpO2-R curves were evident. This was due to differential attenuation of the red components, which resulted in a lower perfusion index at the red wavelength in darker skin. As the SD separation increased, the effect of skin tone on SpO2-R curves in reflection mode became less pronounced, with the largest SD separation exhibiting effects similar to those observed in transmission mode. Conclusions: Monte Carlo simulations have demonstrated that different light pathlengths within the tissue contribute to the overestimation of SpO2 in people with darker skin in reflection mode pulse oximetry. Increasing the SD separation may mitigate the effect of skin tone on SpO2 readings. These trends were not observed in transmission mode; however, further planned research using more complex models of the tissue is essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Simplified equation solutions have greatly enhanced our understanding of the GCS systems but numerical simulation are needed for real field applications and regulatory requirements. • It is crucial to have a well-defined structural framework that accurately characterizes horizons, faults, and geological features, such as geometry, dip, spill points, and properties of the surrounding layers. Grid resolution should match the size of geological features controlling CO 2 plume behavior. • Need to develop geochemical and geomechanical models depends on the project needs, and initial simple studies to identify the related risks. Geological carbon storage (GCS), particularly within deep saline aquifers, is considered a promising and efficient approach for sequestering significant volumes of anthropogenic CO 2. Computational models play a crucial role in assessing the feasibility of GCS, as they contribute to risk assessment, delineation of area of review, short-term and long-term monitoring design, regulatory compliance, decision-making, project planning and optimization. Currently, there are numerous applications for Class VI permits with accompanied GCS modeling results with various levels of implementation of best practices that the industry and academia has developed over the past several years. It is, therefore, necessary to document the established practices, with the aim of creating a more unified approach for modeling CO 2 behavior in aquifers. This study provides an overview of practices and workflows for reservoir modeling, particularly focusing on CO 2 storage in saline aquifers, with a specific attention to the United States regulations, including those set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). We focus on technical challenges and potential solutions for creating reasonably accurate and scientifically robust GCS dynamic models within aquifers, while considering factors like hydrodynamics, geology, thermophysics, geochemistry, and geomechanics. Our goal is to provide a valuable resource to both industry stakeholders and academic researchers, enhancing the understanding of GCS dynamic modeling implementations and directing future research and development efforts in line with Class VI permit objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was prompted by the crucial impact of abnormal plantar pressure on diabetic foot ulcer development and the notable lack of its monitoring in daily life. Our research introduces a cloud-based, user-friendly plantar pressure monitoring system designed for seamless integration into daily routines.This innovative system aims to enable early ulcer prediction and proactive prevention, thereby substantially improving diabetic foot care through enhanced self-care and timely intervention.A novel, user-centric plantar pressure monitoring system was developed, integrating a wearable device, mobile application, and cloud computing for instantaneous diabetic foot care. This configuration facilitates comprehensive monitoring at 64 underfoot points. It encourages user engagement in health management. The system wirelessly transmits data to the cloud, where insights are processed and made available on the app, fostering proactive self-care through immediate feedback. Tailored for daily use, our system streamlines home monitoring, enhancing early ulcer detection and preventative measures.A feasibility study validated our system's accuracy, demonstrating a relative error of approximately 4% compared to a commercial pressure sensing walkway. This precision affirms the system's efficacy for home-based monitoring and its potential in diabetic foot ulcer prevention, positioning it as a viable instrument for self-managed care.The system dynamically captures and analyzes plantar pressure distribution and gait cycle details, highlighting its utility in early diabetic foot ulcer detection and management. Offering real-time, actionable data, it stands as a critical tool for individuals to actively participate in their foot health care, epitomizing the essence of self-managed healthcare practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The detection of arterial pulsating signals at the skin periphery with Photoplethysmography (PPG) are easily distorted by motion artifacts. This work explores the alternatives to the aid of PPG reconstruction with movement sensors (accelerometer and/or gyroscope) which to date have demonstrated the best pulsating signal reconstruction., Approach: A generative adversarial network with fully connected layers (FC-GAN) is proposed for the reconstruction of distorted PPG signals. Artificial corruption was performed to the clean selected signals from the BIDMC Heart Rate dataset, processed from the larger MIMIC II waveform database to create the training, validation and testing sets., Main Results: The heart rate of this dataset was further extracted to evaluate the performance of the model
obtaining a mean absolute error (MAE) of 1.31 BPM comparing the HR of the target and reconstructed PPG signals with HR between 70 and 115 BPM., Significance: The model architecture is effective at reconstructing noisy PPG signals regardless the length and amplitude of the corruption introduced. The performance over a range of heart rates (70-115 BPM), indicates a promising approach for real-time PPG signal reconstruction without the aid of acceleration or angular velocity inputs., (Creative Commons Attribution license.)

Background: To study the feasibility of measuring heart rate (HR) and oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ) on the forehead, during newborn transition at birth, and to compare these measurements with those obtained from the wrist., Methods: Vital signs were measured and compared between forehead-mounted reflectance (remittance) photoplethysmography sensor (fhPPG) and a wrist-mounted pulse oximeter sensor (wrPO), from 20 enrolled term newborns born via elective caesarean section, during the first 10 min of life., Results: From the datasets available (n = 13), the median (IQR) sensor placement times for fhPPG, ECG and wrPO were 129 (70) s, 143 (68) s, and 159 (76) s, respectively, with data recorded for up to 10 min after birth. The success rate (percentage of total possible HR values reported once sited) of fhPPG (median = 100%) was higher compared to wrPO (median = 69%) during the first 6 min of life (P < 0.005). Both devices exhibited good HR agreement with ECG, achieving >95% agreement by 3 (fhPPG) and 4 (wrPO) min. SpO 2 for fhPPG correlated with wrPO (r = 0.88), but there were significant differences in SpO 2 between the two devices between 3 and 8 min (P < 0.005), with less variance observed with fhPPG SpO 2 ., Conclusion: In the period of newborn transition at birth in healthy term infants, forehead measurement of vital signs was feasible and exhibited greater HR accuracy and higher estimated SpO 2 values compared to wrist-sited pulse oximetry. Further investigation of forehead monitoring based on the potential benefits over peripheral monitoring is warranted., Impact: This study demonstrates the feasibility of continuously monitoring heart rate and oxygen saturation from an infant's forehead in the delivery room immediately after birth. Significantly higher SpO 2 measurements were observed from the forehead than the wrist during the transition from foetal to newborn life. Continuous monitoring of vital signs from the forehead could become a valuable tool to improve the delivery of optimal care provided for newborns at birth., (© 2024. The Author(s).)