The estimation of infiltration and inflow in a sewage network by combining continuous monitoring of hydrological parameters, flow and temperature with stable isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen.

The failure of sewage network systems can lead to the introduction of external water, impacting the capacity, performance, and environmental sustainability of urban infrastructures. This study examined methods for identifying and quantifying external water in a sewage system in cold climate conditions through the analysis of stable isotope of oxygen (δO) and hydrogen (δH) from samples, and continuous temperature monitoring, followed by the simulation of the network's hydraulics and temperature profile. The assessment was conducted during periods of low and high groundwater levels, specifically during dry weather flow.

Vocal Fatigue Index in Finnish-Speaking Population.

Background And Objective: Vocal fatigue is an important complaint that may indicate a voice disorder or a risk thereof. There is a need for a reliable tool to detect and quantify vocal fatigue and distinguish dysphonic and vocally healthy speakers. The Vocal Fatigue Index (VFI) questionnaire has been found valid and reliable among speakers of different languages.

Prosodic features in Finnish-speaking adults with Parkinson´s disease.

The aim of this study was to assess prosodic features in Finnish speakers with (n = 16) and without (n = 20) Parkinson's disease (PD), as there are no published studies to date of prosodic features in Finnish speakers with PD. Chosen metrics were articulation rate (syllables/second), pitch (mean F) and pitch variability (standard deviation F), energy proportion below 1 kHz (epb1kHz), normalised pairwise variability index (nPVI), and a novel syllabic prosody index (SPI). Four statistically significant results were found: (1) energy was distributed more to lower frequencies in speakers with PD compared to control speakers, (2) male PD speakers had higher pitch and (3) higher syllabic prosody index compared to control males, and (4) female PD speakers had narrower pitch variability than controls.

Has the Prevalence of Creaky Voice Increased Among Finnish University Students From the 1990'S to the 2010'S?

Everyday observations indicate that creaky voice has become common in Finland in recent years. Previous studies suggest that this trend is also occurring in other countries. This cross-sectional study investigates the use of creaky voice among Finnish university students from the 1990's to the 2010's.

The Efficacy of the NHS Waterpipe in Superficial Hydration for People With Healthy Voices: Effects on Acoustic Voice Quality, Phonation Threshold Pressure and Subjective Sensations.

Objectives: This study examined the efficacy of the NHS waterpipe as a superficial hydration treatment in voice production in healthy young women.

Study Design: This is a prospective, single-blind, within- and between-subject experimental design.

Methods: Thirty six female university students (mean age 24.

Does the Acoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI) Correlate with Perceived Creak and Strain in Normophonic Young Adult Finnish Females?

Background: The Acoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI) is a correlate of dysphonia. It has been found to differentiate between dysphonic and normophonic speakers and to indicate the effects of voice therapy. This study investigates how the AVQI reacts towards creak and strain, which are common in normophonic speakers.

Relations between Creaky Voice and Vocal Symptoms of Fatigue.

Background: The use of a creaky voice in speech has become more common. Laryngeal findings relate creaky voice with strong adductive tension in the glottis, and thus it may be expected to be related to an increased risk of vocal fatigue.

Methods: The present study investigated the relation of creaky voice use and vocal symptoms in 104 Finnish female university students (mean age 24.

Teachers' and Children's Experiences after an Acoustic Intervention and a Noise-Controlling Workshop in Two Elementary Classrooms.

Introduction: Treating sources of noise is a novel aspect of voice ergonomics intended to enhance the preconditions for good voice production and easy listening.

Objective: To improve experiences of listening and voice ergonomics in classrooms.

Methods: Participants were two female elementary school teachers with voice symptoms and their pupils (n = 50).

Acoustic Voice Quality Index as a Potential Tool for Voice Screening.

Introduction: To diminish the risk of voice disorders in people who are highly dependent on their voices, such as teachers, vocal screening is important already at the beginning of such individuals' professional studies. A reliable, specified screening tool is needed. The Acoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI) has been found to differentiate normal voices from abnormal voices and to serve as a treatment outcome measure.

The Others Are Too Loud! Children's Experiences and Thoughts Related to Voice, Noise, and Communication in Nordic Preschools.

Background: High noise levels affect hearing, voice use, and communication. Several studies have reported high noise levels in preschools and impaired voice quality in children. Noise and poor listening conditions impair speech comprehension in children more than in adults and even more for children with hearing or language impairment, attention deficits, or another first language.

Effects of Humidification of the Vocal Tract and Respiratory Muscle Training in Women With Voice Symptoms-A Pilot Study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of a 4-week breathing exercise intervention in participants with voice symptoms.

Methods: Six nonsmoking women (mean age 49) experiencing voice symptoms used a novel device WellO for respiratory exercises that provides counter pressure during both inspiration and expiration and warms and humidifies the breathing air. Speech samples were acoustically (Acoustic Voice Quality Index) and perceptually (grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, and strain scale) analyzed, and perceived voice symptoms and self-reported effort in breathing and phonation were obtained.

The acoustic voice quality index version 02.02 in the Finnish-speaking population.

The Acoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI) is a multiparametric tool for objectively measuring the general acoustic characteristics of voice. The AVQI uses both sustained vowel and continuous speech in its analysis, and therefore, a validation is required for different languages. In the present study, validation was performed in the Finnish-speaking population.

Teachers' Working Postures and Their Effects on the Voice.

Objective: To evaluate associations between voice and working postures used during teaching.

Methods: A researcher assessed 30 teachers' typical working postures of the torso, head, shoulders, upper back, and arms by observing and/or asking questions about them. Teachers' options to rest and to adjust furniture according to their needs were also elicited.

Relationship between Activity Noise, Voice Parameters, and Voice Symptoms among Female Teachers.

Objective: Our interest was in how teachers' voices behave during the delivery of lessons in core subjects (e.g., mathematics, science, etc.

Outbreak of hospital-acquired gastroenteritis and invasive infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes, Finland, 2012.

During one week in July 2012, two patients from the same ward at the municipal hospital in Vaasa, Finland, were diagnosed with septicaemia caused by Listeria monocytogenes. An outbreak investigation revealed eight concomitant cases of febrile gastroenteritis caused by L. monocytogenes on the same ward.

Effects of pedagogical ideology on the perceived loudness and noise levels in preschools.

High activity noise levels that result in detrimental effects on speech communication have been measured in preschools. To find out if different pedagogical ideologies affect the perceived loudness and levels of noise, a questionnaire study inquiring about the experience of loudness and voice symptoms was carried out in Iceland in eight private preschools, called "Hjalli model", and in six public preschools. Noise levels were also measured in the preschools.

Classroom Noise and Teachers' Voice Production.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to research the associations between noise (ambient and activity noise) and objective metrics of teachers' voices in real working environments (i.e., classrooms).

Investigation of increased listeriosis revealed two fishery production plants with persistent Listeria contamination in Finland in 2010.

In 2010, a marked increase in listeriosis incidence was observed in Finland. Listeria monocytogenes PFGE profile 96 was responsible for one-fifth of the reported cases and a cluster of PFGE profile 62 was also detected. Investigations revealed two fishery production plants with persistent Listeria contamination.

Associations between voice ergonomic risk factors and acoustic features of the voice.

The associations between voice ergonomic risk factors in 40 classrooms and the acoustic parameters of 40 schoolteachers' voices were investigated. The risk factors assessed were connected to participants' working practices, working postures, and the indoor air quality in their workplaces. The teachers recorded spontaneous speech and sustained /a/ before and after a working day.

Connections between voice ergonomic risk factors in classrooms and teachers' voice production.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate if voice ergonomic risk factors in classrooms correlated with acoustic parameters of teachers' voice production.

Methods: The voice ergonomic risk factors in the fields of working culture, working postures and indoor air quality were assessed in 40 classrooms using the Voice Ergonomic Assessment in Work Environment - Handbook and Checklist. Teachers (32 females, 8 males) from the above-mentioned classrooms recorded text readings before and after a working day.

Connections between voice ergonomic risk factors and voice symptoms, voice handicap, and respiratory tract diseases.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the connections between voice ergonomic risk factors found in classrooms and voice-related problems in teachers.

Methods: Voice ergonomic assessment was performed in 39 classrooms in 14 elementary schools by means of a Voice Ergonomic Assessment in Work Environment--Handbook and Checklist. The voice ergonomic risk factors assessed included working culture, noise, indoor air quality, working posture, stress, and access to a sound amplifier.

Defense of zebrafish embryos against Streptococcus pneumoniae infection is dependent on the phagocytic activity of leukocytes.

Severe community acquired pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of death from infection in developing countries. Serotype specific conjugate vaccines have decreased the incidence of invasive infections, but at the same time, disease due to non-vaccine serotypes have increased. New insights into host immune mechanisms against pneumococcus may provide better treatment and prevention strategies.

Use of results of microbiological analyses for risk-based control of Listeria monocytogenes in marinated broiler legs.

Microbial risk assessment provides a means of estimating consumer risks associated with food products. The methods can also be applied at the plant level. In this study results of microbiological analyses were used to develop a robust single plant level risk assessment.

Virulence genes of bovine Staphylococcus aureus from persistent and nonpersistent intramammary infections with different clinical characteristics.

Aims: To screen putative virulence genes in Staphylococcus aureus causing persistent and nonpersistent bovine intramammary infections (IMI) with different clinical characteristics. To examine, whether a possible relationship exists between genetic profile and infection persistence, clinical signs of infection, clonal type determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and antimicrobial resistance.

Methods And Results: One-hundred and sixty-one S.