Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising an oxihumic acid, salt, ester, or derivative thereof as an active ingredient is disclosed. The composition is preferably administered only for stimulating lymphocytes in a human, animal, or bird. It may be used in treating viral and bacterial infections, HIV infections, opportunistic diseases, inflammation, pain and fever, cancer growth, and diseases associated with viral infection and a depressed immune system.

Abstract: A photoplethysmographic instrument is used to obtain physiological parameter information related to low frequency heart rate and blood volume variability. In one implementation, a plethysmographic signal is filtered relative to a Mayer Wave frequency to provide an output related to low frequency blood volume variability. In another implementation, the photoplethysmographic signal is first processed to obtain a heart rate signal and the heart rate signal is in turn processed to obtain information regarding low frequency heart rate variability. In either case, a Mayer Wave effect having potential diagnostic significance can be monitored using a photoplethysmographic instrument such as a pulse oximeter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring a secondary physiological process through variations caused by the secondary process in an optical signal used to calculate values related to blood oxygen levels. In particular, the optical signal may be divided into distinct portions such that a portion more directly affected by a particular secondary physiological process may be isolated and the secondary physiological process monitored. The apparatus and method is particularly useful for photoplethysmographically monitoring a patient's respiration frequency through changes in relative concentrations of blood oxygen related values that are proportionally related to the amounts of venous and arterial blood in a portion of tissue.

Abstract: A pleth signal is analyzed to identify a heart rate variability parameter associated with respiration rate. In one embodiment, an associated process involves obtaining a photoplethysmograpic signal, processing the pleth signal to obtain heart rate samples, monitoring the heart rate sample to identify a heart rate variability associated with respiration, and determining a respiration rate based on the heart rate variability. The photoplethysmographic signal may be based on one or more channel signals of a conventional pulse oximeter. The invention thus allows for noninvasive monitoring of respiration rate and expands the functionality of pulse oximeters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for using photoplethysmography to obtain physiological parameter information related to respiration or the autonomic nervous system. In one implementation, the process involves obtaining (602) a pleth, filtering (604) the pleth to remove unwanted components, identifying (606) a signal component of interest based on the filtered signal, monitoring (608) blood pressure changes, monitoring (610) heart rate, and performing (612) an analysis of the blood pressure signal to the heart rate signal to identify a phase relationship associated with the component of interest. Based on this phase relationship, the component of interest may be identified (614) as relating to the respiration or Mayer Wave. If it is related to the respiration wave (616), a respiratory parameter such as breathing rate may be determined (620). Otherwise, a Mayer Wave analysis (618) may be performed to obtain parameter information related to the autonomic nervous system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and to a reproducing apparatus for performing an actuator jump operation so as to move a pick-up means (1) from one track to another track (the target track) over a number of tracks. A braking signal for stopping the movement of the pick-up means (1) is composed of a first component measured during a preceding velocity control period and used for maintaining the pick-up means (1) at a constant velocity and a second component for stopping the movement of the pick-up means (1) at the target track. The duration of an active brake period is the same for each braking action and the calculation of parameters for controlling a braking signal is simplified.

Abstract: Fulvic acid salts, esters or derivatives thereof in pharmaceutical preparations are effective for treating inflammation, acne, exzema or bacterial or fungal or viral infections. These pharmaceutical preparations may be given either orally or topically in the form of a solution, paste, ointment, powder to humans or animals.

Abstract: A method of stimulating seedling growth which comprises applying a coal-derived oxidation product to the medium in which the seedling is growing. The product is in the form of a solution or a slurry having a pH in the range of 2 to 12 and has the following elemental and functional group analysis (on an air-dried basis):______________________________________ ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS Element Range (%) ______________________________________ Carbon 30-70 Hydrogen 2-6 Nitrogen 0.1-5 Sulphur 0.1-10 Oxygen 15-45 ______________________________________ FUNCTIONAL GROUP ANALYSIS Functional Group Range (meq/g) ______________________________________ Total acidity 3-13 Carboxylic groups 0.5-12 Phenolic groups 0.

Abstract: The soil aggregate stability of a soil, particularly a crusting or compacting soil, is improved by the addition of a coal-derived product which is a humic acid gel, a humic acid salt gel, a humic acid salt which is capable of forming a gel in water or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of the class of coal-derived fulvic acid or a salt or a derivative thereof as active ingredient in a suitable carrier, useful as a bactericidal or bacteriostatic agent. The carrier is preferably water.

Abstract: A composition for use in applying an alkaline earth metal element to an acidic sub soil. The composition includes the element in the form of a water-soluble salt or complex with fulvic acid in an aqueous medium. The fulvic acid is preferably a coal-derived fulvic acid.

Abstract: A method of recovering humic acids from a material such as oxidised coal is provided. This method includes the steps of mixing the material with aqueous alkali, particularly aqueous sodium hydroxide, heating the mixture to a temperature above 100.degree. C. and below 180.degree. C. under sufficient pressure to prevent evaporation of the water, and maintaining the elevated temperature for a time, generally less than 2 hours, sufficient to extract a substantial amount of the available humic acids from the material.

Abstract: A composition which has bacteriocidal or bacteriostatic properties which comprises humic acid or a salt or a derivative thereof as active ingredient in a suitable carrier. The active ingredient is preferably an alkali metal salt of humic acid and the carrier is preferably water.

Abstract: Oxidized coal is used to remove dissolved or suspended matter from aqueous mediums. It is particularly effective in removing metal ions dissolved in aqueous mediums and/or bacteria from aqueous mediums.