Search Results (83)

The application of satellite-derived sea surface temperature in coastal regions is critical for resolving the dynamics of frontal features and coastal upwelling. Here, we examine and compare sea surface temperature (SST) gradients derived from two satellite products, the Multi-Scale Ultra-High Resolution SST Product (MUR, 0.01° grid scale) and the Operational SST and Ice Analysis (OSTIA, 0.05° grid scale), available through the Group for High Resolution SST (GHRSST). Both products show similar seasonal variability, with maxima occurring in the summer time frame. Additionally, both products show an increasing trend of SST gradients near the coast. However, differences exist between the two products (maximum gradient intensities were around 0.11 and 0.06 °C/km for OSTIA and MUR, respectively). The potential contributions of both cloud cover and the collocation of the MUR SST onto the OSTIA SST grid product to these differences were examined. Spectra and coherences were examined at two specific latitudes along the coast where upwelling can occur. A major conclusion is that future work needs to focus on cloud cover and its impact on the derivation of SST in coastal regions. Future comparisons also need to apply collocation methodologies that maintain, as much as possible, the spatial variability of the high-resolution product. Full article

Background: Early anatomical study suggested that the pulmonary vein (PVs) junction may have putative sphincter-like activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate this activity in normal and paroxysmal/persistent atrial fibrillation subjects. Methods: The Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT) scans of 45 subjects [15 normal controls, 15 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAR-AF), and 15 with persistent AF (PER-AF)] were retrospectively analyzed. All subjects were in sinus rhythm during the CCT scan. A 3D anatomical model was developed, enabling us to identify the PV ostia and to measure their area dynamic changes during the cardiac cycle. Results: The area changes in the superior PVs within the three groups were significantly higher compared to the inferior (control p = 0.007, PAR-AF p = 0.0003, PER-AF p = 0.04). Moreover, these variations were significantly reduced in PAR-AF and PER-AF compared to the control in all PVs (LSPV (p < 0.001), RSPV (p < 0.001), RIPV (p = 0.037), and LIPV (p < 0.001)). Conclusions: This sphincter-like activity, most prominent in superior PVs, is progressively impaired in patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF. Full article

This paper presents the results of an archaeometric investigation of the preparatory mortars of the pebble pavements of the Basilica of St. Leucio in Canosa di Puglia (Bari, Southern Italy). The main aim of the presented study is to contribute to the dating of some portions of the pebble pavements by analyzing the preparatory layers and determining whether they pertain to the basilica (6^th century CE) or to the pre-existing temple (2^nd century BCE–4^th century CE). Further purposes are to provide information about the production technologies of the mortars and to identify the nature of the pigments found on some pebbles. In order to contribute to the dating studies of the floors, complicated by previous reuse and restoration, 12 samples of mortars, sometimes including pebbles, were collected in different areas of the site. They were analyzed by polarized light microscopy (PLM), X-ray diffractometry (XRPD), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), and scanning electron microscopy coupled with an energy-dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS). The results allowed us to advance chronological data on different pavement areas, to deepen our knowledge on mortar production, in terms of both raw materials and technology, and to identify red ochre as the pigment with which the pavement surface was painted. Full article

The aim of the present research is to validate the combined use, through data fusion, of a Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF) scanning system and a radar scanner (RGB-ITR, Red Green Blue Imaging Topological Radar system), as a unique tool to address the need for non-invasive, rapid, and low-cost techniques for both diagnostic and operational needs. The integrated system has been applied to the House of Diana complex in Ostia Antica. The main diagnostic objective of this research was to trace the materials used in different phases of restoration, from antiquity to modernity, on both masonry and pictorial surfaces, to reconstruct the history of the building. Due to the significant interest in this insula, other studies have been recently carried out on the House of Diana, but they once again highlighted the necessity of multiple approaches and non-invasive methods capable of providing quasi-real-time answers, delivering point-by-point information on very large surfaces to overcome the limits related to representativeness of sampling. The data acquired by the RGB-ITR system are quantitative, allowing for morphological and 3-colour analysis of the investigated artwork. In this work, the sensor has been used to create coloured 3D models useful for structural assessments and for locating different classes of materials. In fact, the LIF maps, which integrate knowledge about the original constituent materials and previous conservation interventions, have been used as additional layers of the tridimensional models. Therefore, the method can direct possible new investigations and restoration actions, piecing together the history of the House of Diana to build for it a safer future. Full article

Background/Objectives: Alopecia is a common and distressing hair loss condition that poses a major diagnostic challenge. While histopathology is the gold standard, its invasive nature limits its routine use. Trichoscopy, a non-invasive imaging technique, has shown promises in diagnosing and differentiating the various alopecia subtypes. However, existing diagnostic algorithms primarily rely on dermoscopic findings. To address this, we developed a novel, three-step algorithm that integrates clinical and trichoscopic features and employs pattern analysis as a diagnostic tool. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify key trichoscopic features associated with different alopecia types. The gathered data were used as a base for the description of trichoscopic features and patterns for each subtype of alopecia, either scarring or non-scarring. Results: The proposed algorithm is analyzed into three steps. In the first step, alopecia is categorized by distribution into: patchy, patterned, or diffuse. In the second step, it distinguishes between scarring and non-scarring alopecia based on the absence or presence of follicular ostia, respectively. Lastly, in the third step, alopecias are distinguished based on specific trichoscopic clues, allowing for the identification of distinct trichoscopic patterns. Conclusions: The three-step diagnostic algorithm for alopecia, utilizing clinical and dermoscopic findings, performs a pattern analysis in trichoscopy, leading to a dermoscopic diagnosis with great confidence, and minimizing the need for invasive diagnostic procedures. Full article

Long COVID, potentially emerging post COVID-19 infection, involves extreme health challenges. Based on current literature in the field, we propose a novel approach to Long COVID treatment based on epipharyngeal abrasive therapy targeting ostia of the oral and nasal mucosa, having been identified for the first time. The presented case report documents the application of innovative oronasal drainage (OND), a novel treatment integrating physiological, biochemical, and fluid mechanical components simultaneously. OND led to remarkable improvements and even remissions of various symptoms, along with enhanced hand blood circulation. While the case suggests potential efficacy in Long COVID therapy, acknowledging inherent limitations is essential and its impact needs further validation through clinical trials. Full article

Background: Acute and chronic sinusitis significantly impact patients’ quality of life. Effective drug delivery to paranasal sinuses is crucial for treating these conditions. However, medications from conventional devices like nasal drops, sprays, and nebulized mists often fail to penetrate the small ostia and reach the sinuses. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of e-vape-generated aerosols entering and filling paranasal sinus cavities, particularly the maxillary sinus. Methods: The aerosol droplets were generated using an electronic vaporizer (e-vape) and were composed solely of vegetable glycerin (VG) and propylene glycol (PG). Patient-specific, transparent nose-sinus models, including one with post-uncinectomy surgery, were used to evaluate the effectiveness of these e-vape-generated VG-PG aerosols in entering the sinuses under unidirectional and bidirectional airflow conditions. Visualizations from various nasal model views and lighting conditions were recorded. Particle size distribution measurements of the e-vape aerosol were conducted using a laser diffraction particle size analyzer. Results: E-vape-generated VG-PG droplets effectively enter paranasal sinuses under specific administration conditions. E-vape aerosol droplet size measurements revealed a mean particle size ranging from 2.895 to 3.359 μm, with a median particle size (D50) averaging 2.963 μm. The speed of aerosol entering the paranasal sinuses is directly proportional to the ostia size; larger ostia result in faster sinus entry. A continuous moderate flow is necessary to gradually fill the paranasal sinus cavities. The aerosol entry into sinuses was observed at 2 L/min and decreased with increasing flow rate. The mechanisms of aerosol entry involve maintaining a positive pressure gradient across the ostial canal, a non-equilibrium transverse pressure distribution, and a two-way flow through the ostium. Gravitational forces and recirculation currents further enhance the deposition of e-vape aerosols. Comparative tests showed that traditional delivery devices exhibited limited penetration into paranasal sinuses. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that e-vape-generated aerosols could serve as a vehicle for delivering active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) directly to the paranasal sinuses, improving treatment outcomes. Full article

Computer simulation allows to study daylight conditions in the past that afforded activities in antique buildings. The Python module phos4dtools implements the efficient computation of zonal daylight metrics that are considered to indicate affordances. It was employed to solve horizontal and vertical illuminance for different orientations and elevations in the House of the Priestesses, a unit of the Hadrianic Garden Houses complex in Ostia. A reconstruction model of the unit was produced by collating an existing, detailed 3D documentation with other sources and our own survey data. The spatially and temporally resolved results of daylight simulation employing phos4dtools were imported into a GIS database. Assuming typical reflectance properties, illuminance thresholds were determined that are required for the perception of contrast detail and colour differences. Integration over temporal periods and spatial zones that are eligible for residential activities was implemented by queries to the database. First, preliminary results indicated different distributions of affordances by daylight, depending on the characteristics of the considered visual tasks. Horizontal illuminance decreases quickly with increasing distance to the aperture, suggesting that activities bound to a horizontal work plane were constraint to the immediate adjacency of windows and potentially open doors. Vertical illuminance, on the other hand, reaches deep into the building when the receiving surface is oriented to a window, particularly in the absence of exterior obstructions. The exemplary application of phos4dtools shows its potential in the interdisciplinary research on daylight and its implications on living practice in antique buildings. Full article

The Roman town of Ostia offers a unique opportunity to study a wide range of structural damage affecting different types of ancient buildings. In the Piccolo Mercato, potential seismic effects are visible in the masonry walls and in some of the masonry pillars that in ancient times supported an arcade. This paper, with the aim of providing insight into the causes of the observed damage on one of these pillars, reports and discusses some results of an interdisciplinary study. The damaged pillar under consideration, in particular, is today broken with the upper part rotated about 12 degrees counterclockwise from the lower part. Numerical simulations of this pillar have been performed using finite element models, and incremental nonlinear time-history analyses were carried out for quite a large number of seismic input ground motions. From the obtained results, it appears that a rotation, similar to that exhibited by the upper part of the pillar, can be attributed to seismic action with Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) values ranging from medium to high. Full article

Sea surface temperature (SST) data from the Sea and Land Surface Temperature Radiometer (SLSTR) onboard the Sentinel-3 satellites have been used in the Met Office’s Operational Sea Surface Temperature and Sea Ice Analysis (OSTIA) since 2019 (Sentinel-3A SST data since March 2019 and Sentinel-3B data since December 2019). The impacts of using SLSTR SSTs and the SLSTR as the reference sensor for the bias correction of other satellite data have been assessed using independent Argo float data. Combining Sentinel-3A and -3B SLSTRs with two Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) sensors (onboard the joint NASA/NOAA Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-20 satellites) in the reference dataset has also been investigated. The results indicate that when using the SLSTR as the only reference satellite sensor, the OSTIA system becomes warmer overall, although there are mixed impacts in different parts of the global ocean. Using both the VIIRS and the SLSTR in the reference dataset leads to moderate but more consistent improvements globally. Numerical weather prediction (NWP) results also indicate a better performance when using both the VIIRS and the SLSTR in the reference dataset compared to only using the SLSTR at night. Combining the VIIRS and the SLSTR with latitudinal weighting shows the best validation results against Argo, but further investigation is required to refine this method. Full article

Over the past few decades, the oceans have stored the majority of the excess heat in the climate system resulting from anthropogenic emissions. An accurate, long-term sea surface temperature (SST) dataset is essential for monitoring and researching the changes to the global oceans. A variety of SST datasets have been produced by various institutes over the years, and here, we present a new SST data record produced originally within the Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service (which is therefore named CMEMS v2.0) and assess: (1) its accuracy compared to independent observations; (2) how it compares with the previous version (named CMEMS v1.2); and (3) its performance during two major volcanic eruptions. By comparing both versions of the CMEMS datasets using independent in situ observations, we show that both datasets are within the target accuracy of 0.1 K, but that CMEMS v2.0 is closer to the ground truth. The uncertainty fields generated by the two analyses were also compared, and CMEMS v2.0 was found to provide a more accurate estimate of its own uncertainties. Frequency and vector analysis of the SST fields determined that CMEMS v2.0 feature resolution and horizontal gradients were also superior, indicating that it resolved oceanic features with greater clarity. The behavior of the two analyses during two volcanic eruption events (Mt. Pinatubo and El Chichón) was examined. A comparison with the HadSST4 gridded in situ dataset suggested a cool bias in the CMEMS v2.0 dataset versus the v1.2 dataset following the Pinatubo eruption, although a comparison with sparser buoy-only observations yielded less clear results. No clear impact of the El Chichón eruption (which was a smaller event than Mt. Pinatubo) on CMEMS v2.0 was found. Overall, with the exception of a few specific and extreme events early in the time series, CMEMS v2.0 possesses high accuracy, resolution, and stability and is recommended to users. Full article

The Fengyun-4B (FY-4B) satellite is currently the primary operational geostationary meteorological satellite in China, replacing the previous FY-4A satellite. The advanced geostationary radiation imager (AGRI) aboard the FY-4B satellite provides an operational sea surface temperature (SST) product with a high observation frequency of 15 min. This paper conducts the first data quality assessment of operational SST products from the FY-4B/AGRI using quality-controlled measured SSTs from the in situ SST quality monitor dataset and foundation SSTs produced by the operational sea surface temperature and sea ice analysis (OSTIA) system from July 2023 to January 2024. The FY-4B/AGRI SST product provides a data quality level flag on a pixel-by-pixel basis. Accuracy evaluations are conducted on the FY-4B/AGRI SST product with different data quality levels. The results indicate that the FY-4B/AGRI operational SST generally has a negative mean bias compared to in situ SST and OSTIA SST, and that the accuracy of the FY-4B/AGRI SST, with an excellent quality level, can meet the needs of practical applications. The FY-4B/AGRI SST with an excellent quality level demonstrates a strong correlation with in situ SST and OSTIA SST, with a correlation coefficient R exceeding 0.99. Compared with in situ SST, the bias, root mean square error (RMSE), and unbiased RMSE (ubRMSE) of the FY-4B/AGRI SST with an excellent quality level are −0.19, 0.66, and 0.63 °C in daytime, and −0.15, 0.70, and 0.68 °C at night, respectively. Compared with OSTIA SST, the bias, RMSE, and ubRMSE of the FY-4B/AGRI SST with an excellent data quality level are −0.10, 0.64, and 0.63 °C in daytime, and −0.13, 0.68, and 0.67 °C at night. The FY-4B/AGRI SST tends to underestimate the sea water temperature in mid–low-latitude regions, while it tends to overestimate sea water temperature in high-latitude regions and near the edges of the full disk. The time-varying validation of FY-4B/AGRI SST accuracy shows weak fluctuations with a period of 3–4 months. Hourly accuracy verification shows that the difference between the FY-4B/AGRI SST and OSTIA SST reflects a diurnal effect. However, FY-4B/AGRI SST products need to be used with caution around midnight to avoid an abnormal accuracy. This paper also discusses the relationships between the FY-4B/AGRI SST and satellite zenith angle, water vapor content, wind speed, and in situ SST, which have an undeniable impact on the underestimation of the FY-4B/AGRI operational SST. The accuracy of the FY-4B/AGRI operational SST retrieval algorithm still needs to be further improved in the future. Full article

The Arctic is one of the most important regions in the world’s oceans for understanding the impacts of a changing climate. Yet, it is also difficult to measure because of extreme weather and ice conditions. In this work, we directly compare four datasets from the Group for High-Resolution Sea Surface Temperature (GHRSST) with a NASA Saildrone deployment along the Alaskan Coast and the Bering Sea and Bering Strait. The four datasets used are the Remote Sensing Systems Microwave Infrared Optimally Interpolated (MWIR) product, the Canadian Meteorological Center (CMC) product, the Daily Optimally Interpolated Product (DOISST), and the Operational Sea Surface Temperature and Ice Analysis (OSTIA) product. Spatial sea surface temperature (SST) gradients were derived for both the Saildrone deployment and GHRSST products, with the GHRSST products collocated with the Saildrone deployment. Overall, statistics indicate that the OSTIA product had a correlation of 0.79 and a root mean square difference of 0.11 °C/km when compared with Saildrone. CMC had the highest correlation of 0.81. Scatter plots indicate that OSTIA had the slope closest to one, thus best reproducing the magnitudes of the Saildrone gradients. Differences increased at latitudes > 65°N where sea ice would have a greater impact. A trend analysis was then performed on the gradient fields. Overall, positive trends in gradients occurred in areas along the coastal regions. A negative trend occurred at approximately 60°N. A major finding of this study is that future work needs to revolve around the impact of changing ice conditions on SST gradients. Another major finding is that a northward shift in the southern ice edge occurred after 2010 with a maxima at approximately 2019. This indicates that the shift of the southern ice edge is not gradual but has dramatically increased over the last decade. Future work needs to revolve around examining the possible causes for this northward shift. Full article

Coronary arteries have a wide range of anatomical variability, and their spectrum ranges from asymptomatic cases to those predisposed to hemodynamic compromise or even sudden cardiac death. This paper aims to review the classification of coronary artery anomalies (CAAs) and illustrate their imaging characteristics by highlighting the important role of CT coronary angiography. Some of the coronary anomalies usually met in current practice are the high origin coronary artery, multiple ostia, aberrant origin from the opposite/non-coronary Valsalva sinus, single coronary artery, ALCAPA syndrome, duplications of the left anterior descending artery, coronary fistulas, and extracardiac terminations. CT coronary angiography is a non-invasive diagnostic modality for CAAs. The complex anatomy of these anomalies can be accurately described by employing 3D reconstructions and post-processing techniques. Knowledge of the imaging characteristics and potential functional impact of these anomalies is essential for accurate diagnosis and therapeutic planning of patients. Full article

Cesarean section is considered a possible trigger of atopy and gut dysbiosis in newborns. Bifidobacteria, and specifically B. bifidum, are thought to play a central role in reducing the risk of atopy and in favoring gut eubiosis in children. Nonetheless, no trial has ever prospectively investigated the role played by this single bacterial species in preventing atopic manifestations in children born by cesarean section, and all the results published so far refer to mixtures of probiotics. We have therefore evaluated the impact of 6 months of supplementation with B. bifidum PRL2010 on the incidence, in the first year of life, of atopy, respiratory tract infections, and dyspeptic syndromes in 164 children born by cesarean (versus 249 untreated controls). The results of our multicenter, randomized, and controlled trial have shown that the probiotic supplementation significantly reduced the incidence of atopic dermatitis, upper and lower respiratory tract infections, and signs and symptoms of dyspeptic syndromes. Concerning the gut microbiota, B. bifidum supplementation significantly increased α-biodiversity and the relative values of the phyla Bacteroidota and Actinomycetota, of the genus Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium and of the species B. bifidum and reduced the relative content of Escherichia/Shigella and Haemophilus. A 6-month supplementation with B. bifidum in children born by cesarean section reduces the risk of gut dysbiosis and has a positive clinical impact that remains observable in the following 6 months of follow-up. Full article