The Influence of Simulated Sunlight on the Inactivation of Influenza Virus in Aerosols

2019 ◽  
Vol 221 (3) ◽  
pp. 372-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Schuit ◽  
Sierra Gardner ◽  
Stewart Wood ◽  
Kristin Bower ◽  
Greg Williams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Virus ◽  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Half Life ◽  
Decay Constant ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Decay Rates ◽  
Simulated Sunlight ◽  
Aerosol Chamber ◽  
Full Intensity ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Environmental parameters, including sunlight levels, are known to affect the survival of many microorganisms in aerosols. However, the impact of sunlight on the survival of influenza virus in aerosols has not been previously quantified. Methods The present study examined the influence of simulated sunlight on the survival of influenza virus in aerosols at both 20% and 70% relative humidity using an environmentally controlled rotating drum aerosol chamber. Results Measured decay rates were dependent on the level of simulated sunlight, but they were not significantly different between the 2 relative humidity levels tested. In darkness, the average decay constant was 0.02 ± 0.06 min−1, equivalent to a half-life of 31.6 minutes. However, at full intensity simulated sunlight, the mean decay constant was 0.29 ± 0.09 min−1, equivalent to a half-life of approximately 2.4 minutes. Conclusions These results are consistent with epidemiological findings that sunlight levels are inversely correlated with influenza transmission, and they can be used to better understand the potential for the virus to spread under varied environmental conditions.

scholarly journals A psychrometric model to assess the biological decay of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in aerosols

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e11024
Author(s):  
Clive B. Beggs ◽  
Eldad J. Avital
Keyword(s):  
Air Temperature ◽  
Vapour Pressure ◽  
Half Life ◽  
Analytical Study ◽  
Decay Constant ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Reasonable Accuracy ◽  
The Impact

There is increasing evidence that the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has been influenced by variations in air temperature and humidity. However, the impact that these environmental parameters have on survival of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has not been fully characterised. Therefore, an analytical study was undertaken using published data to develop a psychrometric model to assess the biological decay rate of the virus in aerosols. This revealed that it is possible to describe with reasonable accuracy (R2 = 0.718, p < 0.001) the biological decay constant for the SARS-CoV-2 virus using a regression model with enthalpy, vapour pressure and specific volume as predictors. Applying this to historical meteorological data from London, Paris and Milan over the pandemic period, produced results which indicate that the average half-life of the virus in aerosols outdoors was in the region 13–22 times longer in March 2020, when the outbreak was accelerating, than it was in August 2020 when epidemic in Europe was at its nadir. However, indoors, this variation is likely to be much less. As such, this suggests that changes in virus survivability due the variations in the psychrometric qualities of the air might influence the transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

scholarly journals A psychrometric model to predict the biological decay of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in aerosols

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clive B. Beggs ◽  
Eldad J. Avital
Keyword(s):  
Air Temperature ◽  
Vapour Pressure ◽  
Half Life ◽  
Analytical Study ◽  
Decay Constant ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Published Data ◽  
High Degree ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThere is increasing evidence that the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has been influenced by variations in air temperature and humidity. However, the impact that these environmental parameters have on survival of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has not been fully characterised. Therefore an analytical study was undertaken using published data to develop a psychrometric model to predict the biological decay rate of the virus in aerosols. This revealed that it is possible to predict with a high degree of accuracy (R2 = 0.718, p<0.001) the biological decay constant for SARS-CoV-2 using a regression model with enthalpy, vapour pressure and specific volume as predictors. Applying this to historical meteorological data from London, Paris and Milan over the pandemic period, produced results which indicate that the average half-life of the virus in aerosols was in the region 13-21 times longer in March 2020, when the outbreak was accelerating, than it was in August 2020 when epidemic in Europe was at its nadir. As such, this suggests that changes in virus survivability due the variations in the psychrometric qualities of the air might influence the transmission of COVID-19.

Beta-decay half-lives of the extremely neutron-rich nuclei in the closed-shell N = 50, 82, 126 groups

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen Kim Uyen ◽  
Kyung Yuk Chae ◽  
NgocDuy Nguyen ◽  
DuyLy Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Half Life ◽  
Random Phase ◽  
Closed Shell ◽  
Decay Rates ◽  
Magic Numbers ◽  
Β Decay ◽  
R Process ◽  
Neutron Rich Isotopes ◽  
Semi Empirical ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The β--decay half-lives of extremely neutron-rich nuclei are important for understanding nucleosynthesis in the r-process. However, most of their half-lives are unknown or very uncertain, leading to the need for reliable calculations. In this study, we updated the coefficients in recent semi-empirical formulae using the newly updated mass (AME2020) and half-life (NUBASE2020) databases to improve the accuracy of the half-life prediction. In particular, we developed a new empirical model for better calculations of the β--decay half-lives of isotopes ranging in Z = 10 – 80 and N = 15-130. We examined the β--decay half-lives of the extremely neutron-rich isotopes at and around the neutron magic numbers of N = 50, 82, and 126 using either five different semi-empirical models or finite-range droplet model and quasi-particle random phase approximation (FRDM+QRPA) method. The β--decay rates derived from the estimated half-lives were used in calculations to evaluate the impact of the half-life uncertainties of the investigated nuclei on the abundance of the r-process. The results show that the half-lives mostly range in 0.001 < T1/2 < 100 s for the nuclei with a ratio of N/Z < 1.9; however, they differ significantly for those with the ratio of N/Z > 1.9. The half-life differences among the models were found to range from a few factors (for N/Z < 1.9 nuclei) to four orders of magnitude (for N/Z > 1.9). These discrepancies lead to a large uncertainty, which is up to four orders of magnitude, in the r-process abundance of isotopes. We also found that the multiple-reflection time-of-flight (MR-TOF) technique is preferable for precise mass measurements because its measuring timescale applies to the half-lives of the investigated nuclei. Finally, the results of this study are useful for studies on the β-decay of unstable isotopes and astrophysical simulations.

scholarly journals Airborne SARS-CoV-2 Is Rapidly Inactivated by Simulated Sunlight

2020 ◽  
Vol 222 (4) ◽  
pp. 564-571 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Schuit ◽  
Shanna Ratnesar-Shumate ◽  
Jason Yolitz ◽  
Gregory Williams ◽  
Wade Weaver ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Decay Rate ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Decay Rates ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Transmission Route ◽  
Simulated Sunlight ◽  
Early Fall

Abstract Aerosols represent a potential transmission route of COVID-19. This study examined effect of simulated sunlight, relative humidity, and suspension matrix on stability of SARS-CoV-2 in aerosols. Simulated sunlight and matrix significantly affected decay rate of the virus. Relative humidity alone did not affect the decay rate; however, minor interactions between relative humidity and other factors were observed. Mean decay rates (± SD) in simulated saliva, under simulated sunlight levels representative of late winter/early fall and summer were 0.121 ± 0.017 min−1 (90% loss, 19 minutes) and 0.306 ± 0.097 min−1 (90% loss, 8 minutes), respectively. Mean decay rate without simulated sunlight across all relative humidity levels was 0.008 ± 0.011 min−1 (90% loss, 286 minutes). These results suggest that the potential for aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2 may be dependent on environmental conditions, particularly sunlight. These data may be useful to inform mitigation strategies to minimize the potential for aerosol transmission.

scholarly journals Hygrothermal Risk in Museum Buildings Located in Moderate Climate

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Ferdyn-Grygierek ◽  
Jan Kaczmarczyk ◽  
Monika Blaszczok ◽  
Piotr Lubina ◽  
Piotr Koper ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Museum Collections ◽  
Indoor Temperature ◽  
Air Temperatures ◽  
One Year ◽  
Air Conditioning Systems ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Moderate Climate

Works of art are sensitive to environmental factors—mainly temperature and relative humidity—which, when stable, are generally recommended as ideal protection conditions, but in historical museum buildings, the required conditions are difficult to maintain, due to a lack of adequate heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems. The paper presents the analysis of one-year measurements of temperature and relative humidity in three different museums in Poland. The aim of the research was to identify the risk to museum collections, due to unbalanced moisture loads and unstable indoor air temperatures, as well as to identify possible causes of fluctuations in these parameters. This article focuses on assessing the impact of variable external and internal loads on the hygrothermal parameters of indoor air. The profile of internal hygrothermal loads in exhibition halls varied over time, which resulted in a temporary variation of the indoor environmental parameters. The lack of appropriate systems, shaping the microclimate in the analyzed museums, and the lack of automatic control in existing devices did not allow to maintain the temperature and relative humidity within appropriate limits. In the museums, the maximum indoor temperature values were higher than those recommended in the requirements. Relative humidity values in all museums exceeded the recommended range both above and below.

Impact of influenza virus during pregnancy: from disease severity to vaccine efficacy

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 441-453
Author(s):  
Ana Vazquez-Pagan ◽  
Rebekah Honce ◽  
Stacey Schultz-Cherry
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Virus ◽  
Virus Infection ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Disease Severity ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Antiviral Treatment ◽  
Influenza Virus Infection ◽  
Severe Influenza ◽  
The Impact

Pregnant women are among the individuals at the highest risk for severe influenza virus infection. Infection of the mother during pregnancy increases the probability of adverse fetal outcomes such as small for gestational age, preterm birth and fetal death. Animal models of syngeneic and allogeneic mating can recapitulate the increased disease severity observed in pregnant women and are used to define the mechanism(s) of that increased severity. This review focuses on influenza A virus pathogenesis, the unique immunological landscape during pregnancy, the impact of maternal influenza virus infection on the fetus and the immune responses at the maternal–fetal interface. Finally, we summarize the importance of immunization and antiviral treatment in this population and highlight issues that warrant further investigation.

scholarly journals Impact of temperature and relative humidity on the transmission of COVID-19: a modelling study in China and the United States

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. e043863
Author(s):  
Jingyuan Wang ◽  
Ke Tang ◽  
Kai Feng ◽  
Xin Lin ◽  
Weifeng Lv ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Human Mobility ◽  
The United States ◽  
Reproductive Number ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Higher Temperature ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
The Impact

ObjectivesWe aim to assess the impact of temperature and relative humidity on the transmission of COVID-19 across communities after accounting for community-level factors such as demographics, socioeconomic status and human mobility status.DesignA retrospective cross-sectional regression analysis via the Fama-MacBeth procedure is adopted.SettingWe use the data for COVID-19 daily symptom-onset cases for 100 Chinese cities and COVID-19 daily confirmed cases for 1005 US counties.ParticipantsA total of 69 498 cases in China and 740 843 cases in the USA are used for calculating the effective reproductive numbers.Primary outcome measuresRegression analysis of the impact of temperature and relative humidity on the effective reproductive number (R value).ResultsStatistically significant negative correlations are found between temperature/relative humidity and the effective reproductive number (R value) in both China and the USA.ConclusionsHigher temperature and higher relative humidity potentially suppress the transmission of COVID-19. Specifically, an increase in temperature by 1°C is associated with a reduction in the R value of COVID-19 by 0.026 (95% CI (−0.0395 to −0.0125)) in China and by 0.020 (95% CI (−0.0311 to −0.0096)) in the USA; an increase in relative humidity by 1% is associated with a reduction in the R value by 0.0076 (95% CI (−0.0108 to −0.0045)) in China and by 0.0080 (95% CI (−0.0150 to −0.0010)) in the USA. Therefore, the potential impact of temperature/relative humidity on the effective reproductive number alone is not strong enough to stop the pandemic.

scholarly journals Evolution of the viscoelastic properties of painting stratigraphies: a moisture weathering and nanoindentation approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathilde Tiennot ◽  
Davide Iannuzzi ◽  
Erma Hermens
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Mechanical Behaviour ◽  
Viscoelastic Properties ◽  
Viscoelastic Behaviour ◽  
Storage And Loss Moduli ◽  
Heritage Studies ◽  
Paint Films ◽  
The Impact

AbstractIn this investigation on the mechanical behaviour of paint films, we use a new ferrule-top nanoindentation protocol developed for cultural heritage studies to examine the impact of repeated relative humidity variations on the viscoelastic behaviour of paint films and their mechanical properties in different paint stratigraphies through the changes in their storage and loss moduli. We show that the moisture weathering impact on the micromechanics varies for each of these pigment-oil systems. Data from the nanoindentation protocol provide new insights into the evolution of the viscoelastic properties dsue to the impact of moisture weathering on paint films.

scholarly journals A novel mouse model of heatstroke accounting for ambient temperature and relative humidity

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuyuki Miyamoto ◽  
Keisuke Suzuki ◽  
Hirokazu Ohtaki ◽  
Motoyasu Nakamura ◽  
Hiroki Yamaga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Body Temperature ◽  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Ambient Temperature ◽  
Core Body Temperature ◽  
Heat Exposure ◽  
Organ Damage ◽  
Core Body ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Treatment Water

Abstract Background Heatstroke is associated with exposure to high ambient temperature (AT) and relative humidity (RH), and an increased risk of organ damage or death. Previously proposed animal models of heatstroke disregard the impact of RH. Therefore, we aimed to establish and validate an animal model of heatstroke considering RH. To validate our model, we also examined the effect of hydration and investigated gene expression of cotransporter proteins in the intestinal membranes after heat exposure. Methods Mildly dehydrated adult male C57/BL6J mice were subjected to three AT conditions (37 °C, 41 °C, or 43 °C) at RH > 99% and monitored with WetBulb globe temperature (WBGT) for 1 h. The survival rate, body weight, core body temperature, blood parameters, and histologically confirmed tissue damage were evaluated to establish a mouse heatstroke model. Then, the mice received no treatment, water, or oral rehydration solution (ORS) before and after heat exposure; subsequent organ damage was compared using our model. Thereafter, we investigated cotransporter protein gene expressions in the intestinal membranes of mice that received no treatment, water, or ORS. Results The survival rates of mice exposed to ATs of 37 °C, 41 °C, and 43 °C were 100%, 83.3%, and 0%, respectively. From this result, we excluded AT43. Mice in the AT 41 °C group appeared to be more dehydrated than those in the AT 37 °C group. WBGT in the AT 41 °C group was > 44 °C; core body temperature in this group reached 41.3 ± 0.08 °C during heat exposure and decreased to 34.0 ± 0.18 °C, returning to baseline after 8 h which showed a biphasic thermal dysregulation response. The AT 41 °C group presented with greater hepatic, renal, and musculoskeletal damage than did the other groups. The impact of ORS on recovery was greater than that of water or no treatment. The administration of ORS with heat exposure increased cotransporter gene expression in the intestines and reduced heatstroke-related damage. Conclusions We developed a novel mouse heatstroke model that considered AT and RH. We found that ORS administration improved inadequate circulation and reduced tissue injury by increasing cotransporter gene expression in the intestines.

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