At the Kala Patthar station the the CM6B pyranometer, manufactured by Kipp & Zonen is installed. This sensor is a first class pyranometer as defined by the World Meteorological Organization. It is suitable for the measurement of solar irradiance on a plane surface (W/m2). It incorporates a 64-thermocouple sensor, which is rotationally symmetrical, housed under K5 domes. A white screen prevents the body of the pyranometer from heating up. The pyranometer is supplied with a spirit level and screws for accurate levelling. CM6B technical characteristics: - Spectral range 305 to 2800 nm (50%points) - Sensitivity 9 to 15 ?V/Wm-2 - Impedance 70 to 100 Ohm - Response time 1/e 5 s, 99 % 55 s - Non-linearity <1.5 % (<1000 W/m 2 ) - Tilt error <1.5 % at 1000 W/m 2 - Operating temperature -40 to +90 °C - Temperature dependence of sensitivity _2 % (-10 to +40 °C) - Maximum irradiance 2000 W/m2 - Directional error < _20 W/m2 at 1000 W/m2 - Weight 0.85 kg - Cable length 10 m

In the framework of PAPRIKA-italy specific activities were performed to monitoring the quality of water originating from the Karakoram glaciers. Four dedicated hydrological campaigns were performed to assess the quality an quantity of water; in April and July 2011, May 2012 and April 2013. Two permanent hydrometric stations were installed in two key sites, the Shigar Bridge and Paju, providing continuous measurements of water level and hanse, discharge activity and water chemistry.

In the framework of PAPRIKA-italy specific activities were performed to monitoring the quality of water originating from the Karakoram glaciers. Four dedicated hydrological campaigns were performed to assess the quality an quantity of water; in April and July 2011, May 2012 and April 2013. Two permanent hydrometric stations were installed in two key sites, the Shigar Bridge and Paju, providing continuous measurements of water level and hanse, discharge activity and water chemistry.

The research project SHARE PAPRIKA is devoted to determining the state of glaciers and water resources in the Hindu-Kush Karakorum Himalaya region (HKKH) and to estimating their conditions in the coming decades in different climate change scenarios. PAPRIKA included the twin national projects: PAPRIKA-Italy and PAPRIKA-France, having two different focus areas. The main focus area of PAPRIKA-Italy was the Karakorum region, in particular the Baltoro glacier and the upper Indus basin in Northern Pakistan. Another focus of PAPRIKA-Italy was the Changri Nup glacier area, lying on lateral valley of the Khumbu region in Nepal.

At the AWS Kala Patthar station the DQA030 rain gauge is manufactured by LSI-Lastem equipped with a siphon placed on the cone's nozzle; it has two functions: during light rain the drizzle falls on the bascule without moving it and therefore evaporates without being measured; during heavy rain, it regulates the flow into the bascule permitting all the water to fall inside. LSI-LASTEM rain gauges have stainless steel housing whereas the cone has been designed to avoid the drops splash phenomena and to allow water droplets to dribble down inside even in case of very light rain. The rain gauge can be placed either directly on the ground by means of the DYA042 base plate or mounted on the top or the side of 50 mm diameter. For sites with sub-zero temperatures, the thermostatic heated models ensure the complete melting of snow, even at extreme temperature, whereas minimizing losse of evaporation; these models are insulated to reduce heat dispersion. Technical characteristic: Collettor surface area: 324 cmq Collector area diameter: 203 mm Measurement range: Max 10 mm/min Resolution: 0.2 mm/imp. (opt. 0.1, 0.5 mm/imp) Accuracy: 0-1 mm/min: +- 1 basculata/tip 1-10 mm/min:1% Contact: 1 reed (opt. N.2 REED) 0.5 a/24v non inductive Pulse duration: 100 msec+-50 Collector cone material: Aluminium External housing material: Aluminium Tipping bucket material: Aluminium

In the Khumbu Valley, located in the central part of the Himalayan range and including the area of Sagarmatha National Park, a network of 7 Automatic Weather Stations (AWSs) has been installed since 1994. These weather stations are located at different altitudes: Lukla (2,660 m a.s.l), Namche (3,570 m a.s.l), Periche (4,260 m a.s.l), Lobuche (5,050 m a.s.l) near the Pyramid - Laboratory Observatory, Kala Patthar (5,600 m a.s.l), Changri Nup Glacier (5,700 m a.s.l) and Mt. Everest - South Col (8.000 m a.s.l). The network mainly takes measurements of 7 standards parameters: air temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind speed and direction, global radiation and total precipitation. Meteo-climatic observations in this area are very important to better understand the environmental changes that are affecting the ecosystem, helping the scientific community to improve the prediction of this environmental phenomena’s evolution and modification. The Kala Patthar AWS was installed on May 2008, at 5600 m asl. Geographical coordinated: - Latitude: 27° 59' 24" N - Longitude: 86° 49' 48" E

Yoga-derived breathing has been reported to improve gas exchange in patients with chronic heart failure and in participants exposed to high-altitude hypoxia. We investigated the tolerability and effect of yoga breathing on ventilatory pattern and oxygenation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: Patients with COPD (N = 11, 3 women) without previous yoga practice and taking only short-acting ß2-adrenergic blocking drugs were enrolled. Ventilatory pattern and oxygen saturation were monitored by means of inductive plethysmography during 30-minute spontaneous breathing at rest (sb) and during a 30-minute yoga lesson (y). During the yoga lesson, the patients were requested to mobilize in sequence the diaphragm, lower chest, and upper chest adopting a slower and deeper breathing. We evaluated oxygen saturation (SaO2%), tidal volume (VT), minute ventilation (E), respiratory rate (i>f), inspiratory time, total breath time, fractional inspiratory time, an index of thoracoabdominal coordination, and an index of rapid shallow breathing. Changes in dyspnea during the yoga lesson were assessed with the Borg scale.

In the Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal, Himalayan species of Galliformes are poorly studied and their present status is unknown. We studied the distribution of three high-altitude species: Himalayan monal, blood pheasant, and Tibetan snowcock, comparing birds' distribution in relation to altitude and habitat in spring and autumn 2007. Our study area was at 3300–5000 m a.s.l., characterized by subalpine vegetation. A structural description of vegetation types was made on the basis of main habitat features. We observed two different patterns across the year. Group size differences are common during spring and autumn. Variation in habitat use and altitudinal ranges are evident in the snowcock and blood pheasant. The Himalayan monal distribution was influenced by anthropogenic resources.

The CX115P Lsi-Lastem barometer is connected with a measurement system (recorder, data logger) that accepts analog signals. The barometer works according to the piezometric principle: a resistive film is deposited on a slice of silica with a bridge form; as the pressure changes, the slice will deform and consequently changes the system's resistance. The CX115P model mounts a special thermal compensation system that significantly reduces drift. General characteristics: Range: 800 ž 1100 hPa (1 hPa=1 mBar) Sea level correction range: -300...+2000 mt. Thermal drift: 0,01 hPa/°C (-10..+60°C) Linearity&Hysteresis: < 0,3% of the range Overload: max. 2 Pa Load resi stance: Current output types: <500W. Power consumption: 3 W Response time (T90): 1 ms Environmental limits: -25 .. +60°C Output connections: terminals Weight: 650 gr. Housing case material: Plastic Protection: IP40 Downward cable outlet

The DMA572 Thermohygrometer by Lsi-Lastem was installed on 2008 at Kala Patthar. It is a probe for measuring air temperature and relative humidity with replaceable sensitive element for simplify calibration and maintenance. LSI-Lastem supplies a precise and reliable set of probes, suitable for a continuous measurement in severe environments, in presence of deep thermal and hygrometric ranges with high sun radiant heat. An important feature of this set of sensor is that the thermohygrometric sensitive element is easily replaceable, in order to have a simple and rapid ordinary maintenance and avoiding calibration. The Thermohygrometer has supported a considerable improvement, owing to a deep technical and styling development process: a fan ensures a continuous air change around the sensor in order to eliminate temperature fault caused by radiant heat.