Search Results (57)

Background: Semi-occluded vocal tract exercises (SOVTE) improve vocal quality and capacity. Water resistance therapy (WRT), a specific form of SOVTE with a tube submerged under water, generates increased and oscillating oral pressure through bubble formation during phonation, thereby influencing transglottal pressure and vocal fold dynamics. While the physiological effects of WRT using tube-based systems have been extensively studied, the influence of vowel-specific vocal tract configurations during WRT remains unclarified. This study examined how different vowel qualities during WRT affect vocal fold oscillation using the DoctorVox^® mask, which allows near-natural mouth opening and vowel articulation. Methods: Ten vocally healthy, untrained adults (25–50 years) performed a continuous vowel glide (/i/–/a/–/u/-/i/) at constant fundamental frequency and habitual loudness during WRT using the DoctorVox^® mask, with the tube submerged 2 cm in water. Simultaneous recordings included transnasal high-speed videoendoscopy (20,000 fps), electroglottography (EGG), acoustic signals and intra-tube oral pressure measurements. Glottal area waveforms (GAW) were derived to calculate the open quotient (OQ_GAW) and closing quotient (ClQ_GAW). Analyses were conducted separately for intra-tube pressure maxima, minima and intermediate phases within the bubble cycle during WRT. Statistical analysis used Wilcoxon signed-rank tests with Bonferroni correction. Results: In the baseline condition without WRT, significant vowel-related differences were found: /u/ showed a higher open quotient than /i/ and /a/ (p < 0.05) and a higher closing quotient than /a/ (p < 0.05). During WRT, these vowel-specific differences were no longer statistically significant. A non-significant trend toward reduced OQ_GAW during WRT was observed, most notably for /u/, while differences between pressure phases within the bubble cycle were minimal. Conclusions: WRT using the DoctorVox^® mask reduces vowel-specific differences in vocal fold vibration patterns, suggesting that for voice therapy, vowel quality modifications during WRT have little impact on vocal outcomes. Full article

Atmospheric greenhouse gases (GHGs) affect Earth’s radiation balance and are the primary drivers of climate change. This study analyzed the spatiotemporal variability of carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O) at domestic World Meteorological Organization/Global Atmosphere Watch (WMO/GAW) sites located at Anmyeondo (AMY), Jeju Gosan, and Ulleungdo, examining the local influences on GHG variations and comparing the relationships between gases. Long-term records from the AMY site were used to investigate temporal changes in CO₂–CH₄. The results showed that short-term variations were influenced by local emissions, sink processes, and anthropogenic signals, whereas medium-to-long-term variations displayed clear seasonality driven by vegetation and meteorological changes, with continuously increasing trends. The sites strongly reflected the effects of nearby point sources, and the ∆CO₂–∆CH₄ relationships revealed site-specific spatiotemporal differences. At AMY, 46–49% of top-quartile CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O enhancements occurred under easterly winds from nearby industrial and agricultural sources, whereas 14–16% under northwesterly flow indicated episodic transport from eastern China, highlighting the site’s combined exposure to domestic and foreign emissions. The observed strengthening long-term ∆CO₂–∆CH₄ correlation may be related to continuously increasing emissions in East Asia. However, uncertainties remain, owing to changes resulting from the 2012 instrument replacement and calibration scale. Overall, this study provides baseline insights into domestic GHG variability and offers fundamental information for understanding East Asian emissions and supporting climate policy. Full article

The World Meteorological Organization/Global Atmosphere Watch (WMO/GAW) observation site of Lamezia Terme (code: LMT) in Calabria, Italy, has been measuring nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) (together referred to as NO_x) for a decade; however, only a limited number of studies have evaluated their variability at the site, accounting for short measurement periods. In this work, nine continuous years (2015–2023) of measurements are analyzed to assess daily, weekly, seasonal, and multi-year tendencies, also accounting for local wind circulation, which is known to have a relevant impact on LMT’s measurements. For the first time, a multi-year evaluation of LMT data also considers the local wind lidar record to integrate conventional measurements with additional information on the transport of NO_x at low altitudes. The study also considers data on local tourism and vehicular traffic to assess correlations with LMT’s measurements, thus providing new insights on NO_x variability at the site. The analysis showed peaks in early morning NO_x concentrations attributable to rush hour traffic, while in the evening NO₂ peaks are present with minor NO counterparts. Weekly cycles have yielded the most statistically significant results of any other similar evaluation at the sites, with all combinations of parameters, seasons, and wind corridors indicating tangible differences between weekday (WD, Monday to Friday) and weekend (WE, Saturday and Sunday) concentrations. The analysis of multi-year variability has shown a slightly declining tendency; however, sporadic bursts in concentrations limit the statistical significance of downward trends. Full article

Nowadays, guided acoustic waves (GAW) are used for many sensor and actuator applications. The use of numerical methods can facilitate the development and optimization process enormously. In this work, a universally applicable finite element method (FEM)-based model is introduced to determine the dispersion relations of guided acoustic waves. A 2-dimensional unit cell model with Floquet periodicity is used to calculate the corresponding band structure diagrams. Starting from a free plate the model is expanded to encompass single-sided fluid loading. Followed by a straightforward algorithm for post-processing, the data is presented. Additionally, a parametric optimizer is used to adapt the simulations to experimental data measured by a laser Doppler vibrometer on an aluminum plate. Finally, the accuracy of the FEM model is compared to two reference models, achieving good consistency. In the case of the fluid-loaded model, the behavior of critical interactions between the dispersion curves and model-based artifacts is discussed. This approach can be used to model 2D structures like phononic crystals, which cannot be simulated by common GAW models. Moreover, this method can be used as input for advanced multiphysics simulations, including acoustic streaming applications. Full article

Gaseous pollutants and aerosols resulting from anthropic activities and natural phenomena require adequate source apportionment methodologies to be fully assessed. Furthermore, it is crucial to differentiate between fresh anthropogenic emissions and the atmospheric background. The proximity method based on the O₃/NO_x (ozone to nitrogen oxides) ratio has been used at the Lamezia Terme (code: LMT) World Meteorological Organization—Global Atmosphere Watch (WMO/GAW) regional station in Italy to determine the variability of CO (carbon monoxide), CO₂ (carbon dioxide), CH₄ (methane), SO₂ (sulfur dioxide), and eBC (equivalent black carbon), thus allowing the differentiation between local and remote sources of emission. Prior to this work, all O₃/NO_x ratios lower than 10 were grouped under the LOC (local) proximity category, thus including very low ratios (≤1), which are generally attributed by the literature to “urban” air masses, particularly enriched in anthropogenic emissions. This study, aimed at nine continuous years of measurements (2015–2023), introduces the URB category in the assessment of CO, CO₂, CH₄, SO₂, and eBC variability at the LMT site, highlighting patterns and peaks in concentrations that were previously neglected. The daily cycle, which is locally influenced by wind circulation and Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) dynamics, is particularly susceptible to urban-scale emissions and its analysis has allowed the highlighting of notable peaks in concentrations that were previously neglected. Correlations with wind corridors and speeds indicate that most evaluated parameters are linked to northeastern winds at LMT and wind speeds under 5.5 m/s. Weekly cycle analyses, i.e., differences between weekdays (MON-FRI) and weekends (SAT-SUN), have also highlighted tendencies driven by seasonality and wind corridors. The results highlight the potential of the URB category as a tool necessary to access a given area’s anthropogenic output and its impact on air quality and the environment. Full article

The measurement and evaluation of the atmospheric background levels of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and aerosols are useful to determine long-term tendencies and variabilities, and pinpoint peaks attributable to anthropogenic emissions and exceptional natural emissions such as volcanoes. At the Lamezia Terme (code: LMT) World Meteorological Organization–Global Atmosphere Watch (WMO/GAW) observation site located in the south Italian region of Calabria, the “Proximity” methodology based on photochemical processes, i.e., the ratio of tropospheric ozone (O₃) to nitrogen oxides (NO_x) has been used to discriminate the local and remote atmospheric concentrations of GHGs. Local air masses are heavily affected by anthropogenic emissions while remote air masses are more representative of atmospheric background conditions. This study applies, to eight continuous years of measurements (2016–2023), the Proximity methodology to sulfur dioxide (SO₂) for the first time, and also extends it to equivalent black carbon (eBC) to assess whether the methodology can be applied to aerosols. The results indicate that SO₂ follows a peculiar pattern, with LOC (local) and BKG (background) levels being generally lower than their N–SRC (near source) and R–SRC (remote source), thus corroborating previous hypotheses on SO₂ variability at LMT by which the Aeolian Arc of volcanoes and maritime traffic could be responsible for these concentration levels. The anomalous behavior of SO₂ was assessed using the Proximity Progression Factor (PPF) introduced in this study, which provides a value representative of changes from local to background concentrations. This finding, combined with an evaluation of known sources on a regional scale, has been used to provide an estimate on the spatial resolution of proximity categories, which is one of the known limitations of this methodology. Furthermore, the results confirm the potential of using the Proximity methodology for aerosols, as eBC shows a pattern consistent with local sources of emissions, such as wildfires and other forms of biomass burning, being responsible for the observed peaks. Full article

The photochemical production of tropospheric ozone (O₃) is very closely linked to seasonal cycles and peaks in solar radiation occurring during warm seasons. In the Mediterranean Basin, which is a hotspot for climate and air mass transport mechanisms, boreal warm seasons cause a notable increase in tropospheric O₃, which unlike stratospheric O₃ is not beneficial for the environment. At the Lamezia Terme (code: LMT) World Meteorological Organization—Global Atmosphere Watch (WMO/GAW) station located in Calabria, Southern Italy, peaks of tropospheric O₃ were observed during boreal summer and spring seasons, and were consequently linked to specific wind patterns compatible with increased photochemical activity in the Tyrrhenian Sea. The finding resulted in the introduction of a correction factor for O₃ in the O₃/NO_x (ozone to nitrogen oxides) ratio “Proximity” methodology for the assessment of air mass aging. However, some of the mechanisms driving O₃ patterns and their correlation with other parameters at the LMT site remain unknown, despite the environmental and health hazards posed by tropospheric O₃ in the area. In general, the issue of ozone photochemical pollution in the region of Calabria, Italy, is understudied. In this study, the behavior of O₃ at the site is assessed with remarkable detail using nine years (2015–2023) of data and correlations with surface temperature and solar radiation. The evaluations demonstrate non-negligible correlations between environmental factors, such as temperature and solar radiation, and O₃ concentrations, driven by peculiar patterns in local wind circulation. The northeastern sector of LMT, partly neglected in previous works, yielded higher statistical correlations with O₃ than expected. The findings of this study also indicate, for central Calabria, the possibility of heterogeneities in O₃ exposure due to local geomorphology and wind patterns. A case study of very high O₃ concentrations reported during the 2015 summer season is also reported by analyzing the tendencies observed during the period with additional methodologies and highlighting drivers of photochemical pollution on larger scales, also demonstrating that near-surface concentrations result from specific combinations of multiple factors. Full article

Drosophila has provided a highly attractive model system for studying various tissue- and stage-specific processes as well as their pathologies, including a range of human diseases. The existence of a large number of diverse Gal4 drivers to precisely control the expression patterns of UAS transgenes simplifies such studies. However, the choice of driver is always critical, as its possible ectopic expression in non-target cells and tissues can directly impact the results. Therefore, it is very important to thoroughly characterize both the molecular nature and expression pattern of each Gal4 driver line. Here, we aim to fill such gaps regarding the AB1-Gal4 driver, which is typically used to express UAS transgenes in larval salivary glands. In this fly line, the P{GawB} enhancer trap construct encoding the Gal4 protein resides within overlapping evolutionary conserved spastin (spas) and Mitochondrial Rho (Miro) genes. Both these genes are expressed in a number of tissues, including the central nervous system (CNS), and their human orthologs are associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Consistently, we demonstrate that, in third-instar larvae, the expression pattern of AB1-Gal4 is also not restricted to salivary glands. We detect its activity in a subset of Elav-positive neurons in the CNS, including motor neurons, as well as in specific photoreceptor cells in eye discs. Full article

Accurate near-surface wind speed and direction measurements are crucial for validating atmospheric models, especially for the purpose of adequately assessing the interactions between the surface and wind, which in turn results in characteristic vertical profiles. Coastal regions pose unique challenges due to the discontinuity between land and sea and the complex interplay of atmospheric stability, topography, and boundary/layer dynamics. This study focuses on a unique database of wind profiles collected over several years at a World Meteorological Organization—Global Atmosphere Watch (WMO/GAW) coastal site in the southern Italian region of Calabria (Lamezia Terme, code: LMT). By leveraging remote sensing technologies, including wind lidar combined with in situ measurements, this work comprehensively analyzes wind circulation at low altitudes in the narrowest point of the entire Italian peninsula. Seasonal, daily, and hourly wind profiles at multiple heights are analyzed, highlighting the patterns and variations induced by land–sea interactions. A case study integrating Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite images and in situ observations demonstrates the importance of multi-sensor approaches in capturing wind dynamics and validating model simulations. Data analyses demonstrate the occurrence of extreme events during the winter and spring seasons, linked to synoptic flows; fall seasons have variable patterns, while during the summer, low-speed winds and breeze regimes tend to prevail. The prevailing circulation is of a westerly nature, in accordance with other studies on large-scale flows. Full article

In the field of Atmospheric Sciences, source apportionment and a more detailed understanding of local and remote contributions to observed concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) across international networks, such as the World Meteorological Organization—Global Atmosphere Watch (WMO/GAW), can be achieved via the implementation of new atmospheric tracers. One tool for achieving a more precise understanding of GHG emissions is the evaluation of air mass aging indicators, which can serve as proximity indicators. In this study, the ratio between ozone (O₃) and nitrogen oxides (NO_x) is applied to nine continuous years (2015–2023) of measurements at the Lamezia Terme (LMT) observation site in Calabria, Southern Italy, to differentiate the aging of air masses and identify four distinct categories: LOC (local), N–SRC (near source), R–SRC (remote source), and BKG (atmospheric background). Due to possible overestimation of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) caused by heated (~300–400 °C) molybdenum converters used in the employed instruments, a correction factor based on a previous study has been integrated to further analyze the results. Additionally, this work introduces a second correction factor based on the local behavior of surface ozone and the diurnal peaks observed during boreal warm seasons in an area characterized by a Mediterranean climate. The results of this study confirm the hypotheses of previous works on local sources of pollution: the LOC category yields the highest concentrations observed at the site, which are in accordance with the northeastern wind sector and anthropogenic sources. R–SRC and BKG are more representative of atmospheric background levels and characterize westerly winds from the Tyrrhenian Sea. N–SRC, as expected, shows an intermediate behavior between local and remote/background levels. Differences in results between standard O₃/NO_x categories and corrected measurements will need to be investigated in future studies. Full article

The central Mediterranean and nearby regions were affected by extreme wildfires during the summer of 2021. During the crisis, Türkiye, Greece, Italy, and other countries faced numerous challenges ranging from the near-complete destruction of landscapes to human losses. The crisis also resulted in reduced air quality levels due to increased emissions of pollutants linked to biomass-burning processes. In the Mediterranean Basin, observation sites perform continuous measurements of chemical and meteorological parameters meant to track and evaluate greenhouse gas and pollutant emissions in the area. In the case of wildfires, CO (carbon monoxide) and formaldehyde (HCHO) are effective tracers of this phenomenon, and the integration of satellite data on tropospheric column densities with surface measurements can provide additional insights on the transport of air masses originating from wildfires. At the Lamezia Terme (code: LMT) World Meteorological Organization–Global Atmosphere Watch (WMO/GAW) observation site in Calabria, Southern Italy, a new multiparameter approach combining different methodologies has been used to further evaluate the effects of the 2021 wildfires on atmospheric measurements. A previous study focused on wildfires that affected the Aspromonte Massif area in Calabria; in this study, the integration of surface data, tropospheric columns, and backtrajectories has allowed pinpointing additional contributions from other southern Italian regions, as well as North Africa and Greece. CO data were available for both surface and column assessments, while continuous HCHO data at the site were only available through satellite. In order to correlate the observed peaks with wildfires, surface BC (black carbon) was also analyzed. The analysis, which focused on July and August 2021, has allowed the definition of three case studies, each highlighting distinct sources of emission in the Mediterranean; the case studies were further evaluated using HYSPLIT backtrajectories and CAMS products. The LMT site and its peculiar local wind patterns have been demonstrated to play a significant role in the detection of wildfire outputs in the context of the Mediterranean Basin. The findings of this study further stress the importance of assessing the effects of wildfire emissions over wide areas. Full article

Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) can be of natural and anthropogenic origin and is one of the sulfur compounds present in the atmosphere. Among natural sources, volcanoes contribute with relevant annual outputs, and major eruptions lead to spikes in these outputs. In the case of anthropogenic pollution, SO₂ emissions are mostly correlated with the sulfur content of fuels, which has been the focus of specific emission mitigation policies for decades. Following other examples of cyclic and multi-year evaluations, an analysis of SO₂ at the Lamezia Terme (code: LMT) WMO/GAW (World Meteorological Organization—Global Atmosphere Watch) station in Calabria, Southern Italy, was performed. The coastal site is characterized by wind circulation patterns that result in the detection of air masses with low or enhanced anthropic influences. The presence of the Aeolian Arc of active, quiescent, and extinct volcanoes, as well as Mount Etna in Sicily, may influence LMT observations with diffused SO₂ emissions. For the first time in the history of the LMT, a multi-year analysis of a parameter has been integrated with TROPOMI data gathered by Sentinel-5P and used to test total tropospheric column densities at the LMT itself and select coordinates in the Tyrrhenian and Ionian seas. Surface and satellite data indicate that SO₂ peaks at the LMT are generally linked to winds from the western–seaside wind corridor, a pattern that is compatible with active volcanism in the Tyrrhenian Sea and maritime shipping to and from the Gioia Tauro port located in the same region. The findings of this research provide the basis for enhanced source apportionment, which could further differentiate anthropogenic sources in the area from natural outputs. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cough variant asthma (CVA) is characterized by nonspecific symptoms and normal spirometric values, which makes diagnosis challenging. To diagnose CVA it is necessary to document airway hyperreactivity (AHR). The aim of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of body plethysmography in the assessment of AHR using the methacholine challenge test (MCT). Methods: In CVA-suspected patients, a bronchodilation test (BDT), an MCT with spirometry, and body plethysmography were performed. The MCT was considered positive if there was a 20% decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 s from the baseline value (PC₂₀FEV₁) or a 40% reduction in specific conductance (PC₄₀sGaw) after inhaling methacholine of concentration < 8 mg/mL. Sensitivity and specificity were generated for different cut off points of sGaw (PC₄₀sGaw, PC₄₅sGaw, PC₅₀sGaw). Anti-asthma treatment was started for those with proven AHR. The diagnosis of asthma was made after one year of follow-up based on the response to treatment. Results: AHR was diagnosed in 83.5% (91/109) of patients by either a BDT, PC₂₀FEV₁, or PC₄₀sGaw. After one year of follow-up, asthma was confirmed in 76 patients. The sensitivities of the BDT, PC₂₀FEV₁, and PC₄₀sGaw were 25%, 64%, and 97%, respectively. The specificities of the BDT, PC₂₀FEV₁ and PC₄₀sGaw were 94%, 88%, and 67%, respectively. The sensitivities for a PC₄₅sGaw and PC₅₀sGaw were 88% and 63%, and the specificities were 82% and 91%, respectively. Conclusions: Body plethysmography is a valuable tool in the assessment of AHR in CVA, with the best sensitivity-to-specificity ratio found at a PC₄₅sGaw. Full article

One of the keys towards sustainable policies and advanced air quality monitoring is the detailed assessment of all factors that affect the surface concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and aerosols. While the development of new atmospheric tracers can pinpoint emission sources, the atmosphere itself plays a relevant role even at local scales: Its dynamics can increase, or reduce, surface concentrations of pollutants harmful to human health and the environment. PBL (planetary boundary layer), or peplospheric, variability is known to affect such concentrations. In this study, an unprecedented characterization of PBL cycles and patterns is performed at the WMO/GAW regional coastal site of Lamezia Terme (code: LMT) in Calabria, Southern Italy, in conjunction with the analysis of key GHGs and aerosols. The analysis, accounting for five months of 2024 data, indicates that peplospheric variability and wind regimes influence the concentrations of key GHGs and aerosols. In particular, PBLH (PBL height) patterns have been tested to further influence the surface concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO), black carbon (BC), and particulate matter (PM). This research introduces four distinct wind regimes at LMT: breeze, not complete breeze, eastern synoptic, and western synoptic, each with its peculiar influences on the local transport of gases and aerosols. This research demonstrates that peplosphere monitoring needs to be considered when ensuring optimal air quality in urban and rural areas. Full article

Formaldehyde (HCHO) is harmful to human health and an adequate assessment of its concentrations, both in outdoor and indoor environments, is necessary in the context of sustainable policies designed to mitigate health risks. In this research, ground indoor and outdoor HCHO measurements are integrated with the analysis of tropospheric total columns obtained by satellite surveys to assess the concentrations of HCHO in a number of environments, exploiting the proximity of a World Meteorological Organization—Global Atmosphere Watch (WMO/GAW) observation site in Calabria, Southern Italy to a National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work (INAIL) department in the municipality of Lamezia Terme. The meteorological parameters used by the WMO station are also used to provide additional data and test new correlations. Using statistical significance tests, this study demonstrates the presence of a correlation between indoor and outdoor HCHO concentrations, thus showing that an exchange between indoor and outdoor formaldehyde does occur. Rooms located in the local INAIL building where indoor measurements took place also demonstrate degrees of susceptibility to HCHO exposure, which are correlated with the orientation of prevailing wind corridors in the area. The new findings constitute an unprecedented characterization of HCHO hazards in Calabria and provide regulators with new tools with which to mitigate formaldehyde-related risks. Full article