Effect of different dental articulating papers on SEMG activity during maximum clenching

This study evaluated the influence of two different occlusal indicators (articulating papers of 40\u3bcm and 200\u3bcm) on muscular activity of the temporalis anterior (TA) and superficial masseter (MS) during maximum voluntary clenches (MVC), using surface electromyography (SEMG). It was hypothesized that an articulating paper positioned between dental arches during MVC elicits a different muscular activity compared with the occlusion on natural dentition (without the occlusal indicator). 30 healthy adult subjects with a complete, natural dentition were recruited; SEMG activity was recorded in the following experimental conditions: MVC with cotton rolls for standardization purposes; MVC on natural dentition; MVC onto the 40 \u3bcm or 200\u3bcm paper indicator positioned on right or left side of the dental arch. Percentage Overlapping Coefficient (POC; separate values obtained for TA and MS), antero-posterior coefficient (APC) and total muscle activities (IMP) were the analyzed SEMG parameters. The use of an occlusal indicator statistically changed POC_TA, POC_MS and IMP median values (p 0.05). In conclusion, the examined articulating papers affected two specific SEMG parameters (POC and IMP); the recorded muscular activity with the occlusal indicator varied regardless left or right side positioning, and independently from tested paper thicknesses

L’uso della cartografia digitale come base per la realizzazione di un SIT dedicato alle reti sentieristiche in Campania: esempi ed applicazioni.

The development of the hiking paths network in the Campania Region, its marking and maintenance in the field, as well as the relative cartographic restitution on up-to-date maps are nowadays important objectives, since the naturalistic tourism in mountainous environment has recently become more intense, and consequently it is necessary a correct and secure fruition of the hiking paths in the various Campanian mountains groups. Therefore, it is important implementing a Geographical Information System (GIS) dedicated to the Campanian hiking paths network with the aim of process, storing and managing all the parameters and characteristics of the local paths, also during time. In this study some routes of naturalistic and environmental particular value have been selected, which are located in the Lattari Mountains Group, the Vesuvius National Park and the Capri Island. GPS field survey measurements have been carried out along these routes and stored using the national official digital cartography. The field measurements have been taken during yearly scheduled excursions of the Neapolitan section of the Italian Alpine Club. The acquired data have been plotted on the relative maps, stored with the relative attributes tables and visualized through Google Earth interactively.The obtained results represent a feasibility study for a GIS of the hiking paths network of the Campania Region, with evident advantages and possible future developments not only for the trekkers but also for environment protection goals

Campi Flegrei volcanic surveillance by thermal IR continuous monitoring

Solfatara and Pisciarelli areas are the most impressive example of hydrothermal activity at Campi Flegrei caldera (Southern Italy). In these areas INGV-Osservatorio Vesuviano has been handling since 2004 a surveillance network for continuous, long-term volcanological monitoring of fumaroles fields by using thermal IR acquisition stations. In this paper different methodologies of analysis applied to time series of IR scenes are introduced and discussed. In spite of substantially different approaches to data analysis, the results of these methodologies agree with ground deformation data of the same area and likely are a useful tool for volcano monitoring and long-term risk definition

Campi Flegrei volcanic surveillance by thermal IR continuous monitoring

Solfatara and Pisciarelli areas are the most impressive example of hydrothermal activity at Campi Flegrei caldera (Southern Italy). In these areas INGV-Osservatorio Vesuviano has been handling since 2004 a surveillance network for continuous, long-term volcanological monitoring of fumaroles fields by using thermal IR acquisition stations. In this paper different methodologies of analysis applied to time series of IR scenes are introduced and discussed. In spite of substantially different approaches to data analysis, the results of these methodologies agree with ground deformation data of the same area and likely are a useful tool for volcano monitoring and long-term risk definition

Thermal monitoring of hydrothermal activity by permanent infrared automatic stations: Results obtained at Solfatara di Pozzuoli, Campi Flegrei (Italy)

A permanent automatic infrared (IR) station was installed at Solfatara crater, the most active zone of Campi Flegrei caldera. After a positive in situ calibration of the IR camera, we analyze 2175 thermal IR images of the same scene from 2004 to 2007. The scene includes a portion of the steam heated hot soils of Solfatara. The experiment was initiated to detect and quantify temperature changes of the shallow thermal structure of a quiescent volcano such as Solfatara over long periods. Ambient temperature results as the main parameter affecting IR temperatures while air humidity and rain control image quality. A geometric correction of the images was necessary to remove the effects of slow movement of the camera. After a suitable correction the images give a reliable and detailed picture of the temperature changes, over the period October 2004 – January 2007, which suggests origin of the changes were linked to anthropogenic activity, vegetation growth and to the increase of the flux of hydrothermal fluids in the area of the hottest fumaroles. Two positive temperature anomalies were registered after the occurrence of two seismic swarms which affected the hydrothermal system of Solfatara in October 2005 and October 2006. It is worth noting that these signs were detected in a system characterized by a low level of activity with respect to systems affected by real volcanic crisis where more spectacular results will be expected. Results of the experiment show that this kind of monitoring system can be a suitable tool for volcanic surveillance

WEIRD – Real Use Cases and Applications for the WiMAX Technology

IEEE 802.16/WiMAX is one of the most promising technologies for Broadband Wireless Access, both for fixed and mobile use. This paper presents the structure of some testbeds, set up in the framework of the European project WEIRD, about novel applications running on top of a WiMAX-based end-to-end architecture. The presented testbeds are based on real use case scenarios, including monitoring of impervious areas, tele-medicine and tele-hospitalization

Using wireless point-to-point connections to improve volcano monitoring: a feasibility study of the WiMAX technology applied to the Campi Flegrei volcanic area (Southern Italy)

In the tex

Using WiMAX technology to improve volcano monitoring: the WEIRD System

IEEE 802.16 standards (IEEE, 2004; IEEE, 2005), commonly known as WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access Forum), is one of the most promising broadband wireless access technology for next generation all-IP networks. This access technology allows reaching high bit rate and covering large areas with a single Base Station (BS). Thanks to these features, IEEE 802.16 opens the way for the use and the introduction of wireless technologies in particular emergency scenarios, like volcano monitoring. Active volcano surveillance is based prevalently on the analysis of geophysical and geochemical parameters gathered by monitoring networks. Of all, seismology is one of the most useful methods for volcano monitoring. In fact, several types of seismic signals, e.g. volcano-tectonic earthquakes (VT), long-period events (LP), volcanic tremor, can occur before and during an eruption. The analysis and interpretation of these seismic signals are a very important task for the volcanic eruption forecasting (Scarpa and Tilling, 1996). WiMAX technology can be applied to provide broadband wireless access in volcano monitoring scenarios, in order to solve all the problems that today limit the possibility to realize a real-time and accurate monitoring of volcanoes activities in emergency situations. In particular, this paper focus on a novel solution, designed within the IST FP6 EU WEIRD (WiMAX Extension to Isolated Research Data networks) Integrated Project, to perform volcano monitoring using the features offered by IEEE 802.16 networks in order to improve transmission of data acquired by temporary seismic stations deployed during emergencies. Tests performed on field demonstrate the advantages offered by the use of WiMAX compared with other commonly used technologies