scholarly journals Pollen Monitoring in the City of Ivano-Frankivsk, Western Ukraine

2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Galyna Melnychenko ◽  
Myroslava Mylenka ◽  
Nadiia Riznychuk ◽  
Nataliia Prokopiv
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Location ◽  
Pollen Allergy ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Allergenic Pollen ◽  
Forest Steppe ◽  
Pollen Monitoring ◽  
Allergenic Plants ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
The City

The results of aeropalynological studies in Ivano-Frankivsk during 2013–2015 are presented in this article. The studies were conducted using a specially designed gravimetric Durham pollen trap installed at a height of 24 m from the ground. We determined that pollen grains of the following taxa dominate in the city’s aeropalynological spectrum: <em>Corylus</em>, <em>Alnus</em>, <em>Betula</em>, <em>Populus</em>, <em>Fraxinus</em>, <em>Salix</em>, <em>Carpinus</em>, <em>Quercus</em>, <em>Pinus</em>, <em>Picea</em>, Poaceae, Urticaceae, <em>Artemisia</em>, and <em>Ambrosia</em>. Pollen grains from woody plants dominate the aeropalynological spectrum. The considerable presence of the tree pollen grains in the ambient air is due to the geographical location of Ivano-Frankivsk in the forest-steppe zone of Ukraine. Pollen season of allergenic plants lasts from the second week of February to early October. The most unfavorable period for patients with pollen allergy in Ivano-Frankivsk is April, when there is a simultaneous appearance of high concentrations airborne allergenic pollen of <em>Betula</em>, <em>Fraxinus</em>, and <em>Carpinus</em>. From the second week of May to mid-July, high (&gt;50 pollen grains/m<sup>3</sup>) concentrations of allergenic pollen of the Poaceae family members are detected in the air. In the second half of August and early September, high concentrations of allergenic <em>Ambrosia </em>pollen were recorded in the city air. Conducting of pollen monitoring in the city is extremely necessary for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of pollen allergy.

scholarly journals Neural networks for increased accuracy of allergenic pollen monitoring

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcel Polling ◽  
Chen Li ◽  
Lu Cao ◽  
Fons Verbeek ◽  
Letty A. de Weger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neural Networks ◽  
Airborne Pollen ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Allergenic Pollen ◽  
Herbarium Specimens ◽  
Pollen Monitoring ◽  
Pollen Concentrations ◽  
Source Of Information ◽  
Urticaceae Pollen

AbstractMonitoring of airborne pollen concentrations provides an important source of information for the globally increasing number of hay fever patients. Airborne pollen is traditionally counted under the microscope, but with the latest developments in image recognition methods, automating this process has become feasible. A challenge that persists, however, is that many pollen grains cannot be distinguished beyond the genus or family level using a microscope. Here, we assess the use of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) to increase taxonomic accuracy for airborne pollen. As a case study we use the nettle family (Urticaceae), which contains two main genera (Urtica and Parietaria) common in European landscapes which pollen cannot be separated by trained specialists. While pollen from Urtica species has very low allergenic relevance, pollen from several species of Parietaria is severely allergenic. We collect pollen from both fresh as well as from herbarium specimens and use these without the often used acetolysis step to train the CNN model. The models show that unacetolyzed Urticaceae pollen grains can be distinguished with > 98% accuracy. We then apply our model on before unseen Urticaceae pollen collected from aerobiological samples and show that the genera can be confidently distinguished, despite the more challenging input images that are often overlain by debris. Our method can also be applied to other pollen families in the future and will thus help to make allergenic pollen monitoring more specific.

scholarly journals First allergenic pollen monitoring in Bucharest and results of three years collaboration with European aerobiology specialists

2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Polliana Mihaela Leru ◽  
Ana-Maria Eftimie ◽  
Michel Thibaudon
Keyword(s):  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Ambrosia Artemisiifolia ◽  
Allergenic Pollen ◽  
Important Public Health Problem ◽  
Monitoring Method ◽  
Pollen Monitoring ◽  
Respiratory Allergies ◽  
Allergenic Plants ◽  
International Projects ◽  
Pollen Seasons

Abstract Introduction. Respiratory allergies induced by allergenic plants pollen represent an important public health problem with increasing prevalence and severity. Aerobiologic study of allergenic pollens is performed in many countries on regular basis and correlated with health data from allergists in the frame of national aerobiology networks. Romania has no aerobiology network and pollen measurements have been done between 1999-2012 in West region only. In the frame of COST Action called Sustainable management of Ambrosia artemisiifolia in Europe (SMARTER FA 1203), three years collaboration with Reseau National de Surveillance Aerobiologique (RNSA) from France and the first pollen monitoring center in Bucharest were established.The aim of this paper is to present results of first pollen monitoring in Bucharest, activities of Romanian SMARTER group and collaboration with European aerobiology specialists. Material and method. We used a Hirst-type pollen trap placed on the roof of the Research Center from “Colentina” Clinical Hospital and the pollen monitoring method based on European Aeroallergen Network (EAN) standardized requirements. Monthly results during the pollen seasons 2014-2016 were sent to RNSA and EAN and posted on the European pollen information site. Results. We found high amounts of allergenic pollen, mainly grasses from May to September and Ambrosia artemisiifolia during September. Conlcusions. We concluded that SMARTER offered access to aerobiology training, improved multidisciplinary collaboration and perspectives to further develop national and international projects. More coordinated efforts to develop national aerobiology network and to recuperate the gap comparing to other European countries in the field of aerobiology and respiratory allergology are needed.

scholarly journals Automatic Image Classification Using Neural Networks Increases Accuracy for Allergenic Pollen Monitoring

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcel Polling ◽  
Chen Li ◽  
Lu Cao ◽  
Fons Verbeek ◽  
Letty de Weger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Airborne Pollen ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Allergenic Pollen ◽  
Herbarium Specimens ◽  
Pollen Monitoring ◽  
Pollen Concentrations ◽  
Family Level ◽  
Source Of Information ◽  
Urticaceae Pollen

Abstract Monitoring of airborne pollen concentrations provides an important source of information for the globally increasing number of hay fever patients. Airborne pollen are traditionally counted under the microscope, but with the latest developments in image recognition methods, automating this process has become feasible. A challenge that persists, however, is that many pollen grains cannot be distinguished beyond the genus or family level using a microscope. Here, we assess the use of a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to increase taxonomic accuracy for airborne pollen. As a case study we use the nettle family (Urticaceae), which contains two main genera (Urtica and Parietaria) common in European landscapes which pollen cannot be separated by trained specialists. While pollen from Urtica species have very low allergenic relevance, those from several species of Parietaria are severely allergenic. We collect pollen from both fresh as well as from herbarium specimens and use these to train the CNN model VGG16. The model shows that Urticaceae pollen can be distinguished with 98.3% accuracy. We then apply our model on Urticaceae pollen collected from aerobiological samples and show that the genera can be confidently distinguished, despite the more challenging input images that are often overlain by debris. Our method can also be applied to other pollen families in the future and will thus help to make allergenic pollen monitoring more specific.

scholarly journals RAGWEED AND MUGWORT POLLEN (ASTERACEAE FAMILY) - MONITORING AND COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SEASONAL DYNAMICS DURING 2011-2017

AGROFOR ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordana BABIĆ ◽  
Bojana ĆURKOVIĆ ◽  
Vojislav TRKULJA
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
International Association ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Hirst Sampler ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Banja Luka ◽  
Artemisia Pollen ◽  
The City ◽  
Asteraceae Family

In addition to appearing in crops, weeds may pose a risk to human health, indirectly due to the widespread use of herbicides and directly, because they are source of pollen that in susceptible people can cause allergic reactions. Among the weed species, the main allergens are the species of the botanical family: Asteraceae, Amaranthaceae, Urticaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Plantaginaceae. Asteraceae family includes 1,100 genera and 20,000 species, which is one of the largest flowering plants. However, in our area as a potential allergen the most important is Ambrosia and Artemisia pollen. Sampling of ragweed and mugwort pollen during the pollination period 2012-2017 was conducted in urban part of Banja Luka in PI AIRS, BL with Hirst sampler using the method defined by the International Association for Aerobiology (IAA). The first mugwort pollen grains in 2011 were recorded at the end of May, during 2012 and 2016 in the first decade of June, and from 2013 to 2015, as well in 2017 in the second decade of June. Mugwort pollination period lasted for an average of 55 days and it was characterized by low (1-10 p/m3) to moderate (11-50 p/m3) concentrations. The ragweed period pollination during the seven-year monitoring lasted, on average, about 115 days. High concentrations (51-500 p/m3) were recorded between the second decade of August to the third decade of September, while very high concentrations (501 p/m3) were recorded only in 2011. On an annual basis not only the season of ragweed pollination lasted longer, but the results of the monitoring and comparative analysis showed significantly higher % share of ragweed pollen within the weed species in the family Asteraceae in the city of Banja Luka.

Prevalence of allergenic pollen grains in the aerosol of the city of Calcutta, India: a two year study

Aerobiologia ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 151-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jyotshna Mandal ◽  
Pampa Chakraborty ◽  
Indrani Roy ◽  
Soma Chatterjee ◽  
Swati Gupta-Bhattacharya
Keyword(s):  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Allergenic Pollen ◽  
The City

scholarly journals Co-occurrence of airborne allergenic pollen grains and fungal spores in Rzeszów, Poland (2000-2002)

2012 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Idalia Kasprzyk
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Allergenic Pollen ◽  
Tree Pollen ◽  
Pollen Seasons ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Fungal Allergen ◽  
Second Period ◽  
Very High ◽  
Aerobiological Study

The co-occurrence of airborne allergenic pollen grains and fungal spores was estimated in Rzeszów in the years 2000-2002. The volumetric method was used in this aerobiological study. Six taxa of pollen grains and five types of fungal spores characterized by strong allergenicity and/or high concentrations in the air were analyzed. The time series of pollen grains and fungal spores were compared using PCA analysis. The periods of the greatest concentrations of tree pollen did not coincide with similar periods for herbaceous plants and fungal spores. From February to mid-March, <i>Alnus</i> pollen dominated in the air. The second period was characterized by <i>Betula</i> pollen. It occurred in April. Herbaceous pollen and fungal spores occurred in the air simultaneously (from mid May to the end of August), creating a risky situation for sensitized people. The periods of the highest concentrations of <i>Epicoccum</i> and <i>Ganoderma</i> fungal spores did not coincide with the same period for the examined plant taxa. In Rzeszów the probability of becoming exposed to very high concentrations of allergenic pollen and fungal spores at the same time was high, especially in July, when the highest concentrations of Poaceae, <i>Alternaria</i> and <i>Cladosporium</i> were noted. The hypersensitivity to only one plant or fungal allergen is rarely encountered. Under the present scenarios of global warming, pollen seasons of many taxa will be longer and sufferers will have year-long symptoms.

scholarly journals El polen de Eucalyptus y su incidencia en la atmósfera de Vigo (N.O. España).

2001 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 99-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Javier Rodríguez-Rajo ◽  
Mª Victoria Jato ◽  
Mª Carmen Seijo
Keyword(s):  
Eucalyptus Globulus ◽  
Airborne Pollen ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Left Bank ◽  
Ría De Vigo ◽  
Annual Total ◽  
Total Pollen ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
The City

RESUMEN. El polen de Eucalyptus y su incidencia en la atmósfera de Vigo (N.O. España). Eucalyptus globulus Labill. es la especie arbórea de la familia Myrtaceae, más frecuente en los alrededores de la ciudad de Vigo formando abundantes y densas masas forestales. Aunque su polen se considera moderadamente alergénico, en áreas en las que, como consecuencia de repoblación forestal ocupa extensiones importantes, puede llegar a causar problemas alérgicos.Entre los años 1995 y 2000 se ha realizado el estudio aerobiológico en la ciudad de Vigo mediante un captador LANZONI VPPS 2000 situado en la margen derecha de la ría de Vigo (42°14'15"N, 8°43'30"W). La cantidad de granos de polen anual de Myrtaceae varía ampliamente, alternándose años de concentraciones bajas con otros de valores elevados que representan entre un I y un 3% del polen total anual. El valor más elevado se detectó en 1997 con 1.147 granos de polen. Se encuentra en la atmósfera de Vigo durante todo el año, aunque las concentraciones más importantes se producen generalmente durante los meses de marzo y abril. Asimismo, a lo largo del día los máximos de concentración tienen lugar entre las 15 y las 17 horas. Finalmente se ha realizado un análisis estadístico para poner de manifiesto la posible correlación existente entre las concentraciones de polen y los principales parámetros meteorológicos. El viento procedente del N-NE fue el parámetro con el que se obtuvo correlación positiva y significativa de forma constante, mientras que esta fue negativa con la humedad relativa.Palabras clave. Meteorología, Myrtaceae, Polen, Eucalyptus, Vigo.ABSTRACT. The Eucalyptus pollea and its incidence in the atmosphere of Vigo (N. W. Spain). Eucalyptus globulus Labill. is the most frequent arboreal species of the Myrtaceac family in the surroundings of the city of Vigo, and it constitues abundant and dense forestal masses. Although its pollen can be considered as a moderated allergen, in areas in which Eucalyptus was used in extended reafforestations, it can cause allergenic problems.From 1995 to 2000 a Hirst-type volumetric sampler (Hirst, 1952), LANZONI VPPS 2000 placed in the left bank of the Vigo estuary (42°14'15"N, 8°43'30"W) was used for collecting airborne pollen. From year to year important oscillations in the annual total pollen was observed, alternating years of high concentrations with other of lower values. Eucalyptus pollen counts represent a percentage that vary between I% to 3% of the total pollen, the high quantity being collected in 1997 with 1,147 pollen grains. The Myrtaceae pollen appears in the atmosphere of Vigo all over the year, although the more important concentrations are registered during March and April. Moreover, maximum daily concentrations occur between 17.00 and 18.00 hours. Finally, a statistical analysis has been carried out in order to search for the possible correlations between pollen concentration and the main meteorological parameters. The N-NE wind and relative humidity were the parameters that show the highest correlation coefficients, positive and negative respectively.Key words. Meteorology, Myrtaceae, Pollen, Eucalyptus, Vigo.

scholarly journals The importance of the stationary and individual pollen monitoring for the diagnostic of pollen allergy

2012 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 373-383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorota Myszkowska ◽  
Barbara Bilo ◽  
Danuta Stępalska ◽  
Jerzy Wołek
Keyword(s):  
Rank Correlation ◽  
Pollen Allergy ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
State Committee ◽  
Pollen Monitoring ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Pollen Concentrations ◽  
Burkard Trap ◽  
Pollen Seasons ◽  
Local Plants

The aim of the study was to evaluate pollen seasons of selected taxa with particular reference to allergic taxa such as birch (<i>Betula</i> sp.), grasses (Poaceae), mugwort (<i>Artemisia</i> sp.) in Cracow in 2003 and 2004 (project number 3 PO5D 034 24 funded by the State Committee for Scientific Research). Pollen concentrations obtained using the stationary Burkard trap and personal Partrap FA 52 were compared. The volumetric method was used in the study. Average daily concentrations (pollen grains × m<sup>-3</sup>) were obtained by counting pollen grains every hour along 4 longitudinal transects and applying an appropriate conversion factor. Duration of the pollen season was determined using the 95% method. Variations in annual totals of pollen grains (birch and mugwort), in start dates (especially for grasses) and in the season duration (birch and grasses) were found. The comparison of pollen concentrations obtained using the stationary and personal traps at the same place showed non statistically significant correlation for all the studied taxa and statistically significant correlations for birch, mugwort and grasses (Spearman rank correlation). However, the statistically significant differences between the concentrations obtained using Burkard and Partrap carried by patients (Wilcoxon's test) were noted. Very low concentrations of pollen grains measured indoor (work, flats) and the influence of the local plants growing in separate place (courtyard of the Allergology Department) on the pollen concentration were found.

scholarly journals Winter Ozone Pollution in Utah’s Uinta Basin is Attenuating

Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
Marc L. Mansfield ◽  
Seth N. Lyman
Keyword(s):  
Ground Level ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Quality Standard ◽  
Ozone Pollution ◽  
Uinta Basin ◽  
Concentration Data ◽  
Previous Decade ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Ambient Air Quality Standard ◽  
Ozone Precursor

High concentrations of ground-level ozone have been observed during wintertime in the Uinta Basin of western Utah, USA, beginning in 2010. We analyze existing ozone and ozone precursor concentration data from 38 sites over 11 winter seasons and conclude that there has been a statistically significant (p < 0.02) decline in ozone concentration over the previous decade. Daily exceedances of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone (70 ppb) have been trending downward at the rate of nearly four per year. Ozone and NOx concentrations have been trending downward at the rates of about 3 and 0.3 ppb per year, respectively. Concentrations of organics in 2018 were at about 30% of their values in 2012 or 2013. Several markers, annual ozone exceedance counts and median ozone and NOx concentrations, were at their largest values in the period 2010 to 2013 and have never recovered since then. We attribute the decline to (1) weakening global demand for oil and natural gas and (2) more stringent pollution regulations and controls, both of which have occurred over the previous decade. We also see evidence of ozone titration when snow cover is absent.

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