scholarly journals Viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 can be partially shielded from UV radiation when in particles generated by sneezing or coughing: Numerical simulations

Author(s):  
David C. Doughty ◽  
Steven C. Hill ◽  
Daniel W. Mackowski

AbstractUV radiation can inactivate viruses such as SARS-CoV-2. However, designing effective UV germicidal irradiation (UVGI) systems can be difficult because the effects of dried respiratory droplets and other fomites on UV light intensities are poorly understood. Numerical modeling of UV intensities inside virus-containing particles on surfaces can increase understanding of these possible reductions in UV intensity. We model UV intensities within spherical approximations of virions randomly positioned within spherical particles. The model virions and dried particles have sizes and optical properties to approximate SARS-CoV-2 and dried particles formed from respiratory droplets, respectively. Wavelengths used are 260 nm (germicidal UVC) and 302 nm (solar UVB). In 5- and 9-μm diameter particles on a surface, illuminated by 260-nm UV light from a direction perpendicular to the surface, 10% and 18% (respectively) of simulated virions are exposed to intensities less than 1/100th of intensities in individually exposed virions (i.e., they are partially shielded). Even for 302-nm light, where the absorption is small, 11% of virions in 9-µm particles have exposures 1/100th those of individually exposed virions. Calculated results show that shielding of virions in a particle can be strongly reduced by illuminating a particle either from multiple widely separated incident directions, or by illuminating a particle rotating in air (because of turbulence, Brownian diffusion, etc.) for a time sufficient to rotate through all orientations with respect to the UV illumination. Because highly UV-reflective paints and surfaces can increase the angular ranges of illumination, they appear likely to be useful for reducing shielding of virions.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven C Hill ◽  
David C Doughty ◽  
Daniel W Mackowski

Shielding of Viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 from Ultraviolet Radiation in Particles Generated by Sneezing or Coughing: Numerical Simulations of Survival Fractions Steven C. Hill, David C. Doughty, and Daniel W. Mackowski DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory, 2800 Powder Mill Rd., Adelphi, Maryland, USA (Hill and Doughty); Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA (Mackowski) #Address correspondence to Steve Hill, [email protected] ABSTRACT SARS-CoV-2 and other microbes within aerosol particles can be partially shielded from UV radiation. The particles refract and absorb light, and thereby reduce the UV intensity at various locations within the particle. Shielding has been demonstrated in calculations of UV intensities within spherical approximations of SARS-CoV-2 virions that are within spherical particles approximating dried-to-equilibrium respiratory fluids. The purpose of this paper is to calculate the survival fractions of virions (i.e., the fractions of virions that can infect cells) within spherical particles approximating dried respiratory fluids, and to investigate the implications of these calculations for using UV light for disinfection. The particles may be on a surface or in air. In this paper the survival fraction (S) of a set of virions illuminated with a UV fluence (F, in J/m2) is approximated as S=exp(-kF), where k is the UV inactivation rate constant (m2/J). The average survival fractions (Sp) of all the simulated virions in a particle are calculated using the calculated decreases in fluence. The results show that virions in particles of dried respiratory fluids can have significantly larger Sp than do individual virions. For individual virions, and virions in 1, 5, and 9 µm particles illuminated (normal incidence) on a surface with 260-nm UV light, the Sp = 0.00005, 0.0155, 0.22 and 0.28, respectively, when kF=10. The Sp decrease to <10-7, <10-7, 0.077 and 0.15, respectively, for kF=100. Calculated results also show that illuminating particles with UV beams from widely separated directions can strongly reduce the Sp. These results suggest that the size distributions and optical properties of the dried particles of virion-containing respiratory fluids are likely important in effectively designing and using UV germicidal irradiation systems for microbes in particles. The results suggest the use of reflective surfaces to increase the angles of illumination and decrease the Sp. The results suggest the need for measurements of the Sp of SARS-CoV-2 in particles having compositions and sizes relevant to the modes of disease transmission.


Tellus B ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Wiegner ◽  
J. Gasteiger ◽  
K. Kandler ◽  
B. Weinzierl ◽  
K. Rasp ◽  
...  

1997 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 639-643 ◽  
Author(s):  
FUENG-LIN KUO ◽  
JOHN B. CAREY ◽  
STEVEN C. RICKE

The effects were investigated of 254-nm UV radiation on populations of Salmonella typhimurium, aerobes, and molds on the shells of eggs. In the first experiment, the CFU of attached S. typhimurium cells on unwashed clean shell eggs were determined after 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 min of UV treatment (620 μW/cm2) on both ends of the egg. All UV treatments significantly reduced S. typhimurium CFU (P &lt; .01). UVtreatment (620 μW/cm2) in 1-min alternating light and dark cycles for 5 min (three light and two dark) was compared to 0, 3, and 5 min of UV treatment. No significant differences in microbial populations were observed among light and dark cycles and the other UV treatments. In a subsequent experiment, the same UV treatments were utilized to evaluate photoreactivation. After UV exposure, eggs were exposed to 1 h of fluorescent light or I h of darkness or cultured immediately. S. typhimurium CFU were significantly (P &lt; .01) reduced by the UV treatments. However, no significant differences between microbial populations exposed to UV treatment and UV radiation plus photoreactivation were detected. For studies of aerobic bacteria and molds, different UV treatment times (0, 15, and 30 min) at the intensity of 620 μW/cm2 and different intensities (620, 1350, and 1720 μW/cm2) for 15 min were evaluated. Mold CFU per egg were either 0 or 1 for all UV treatments and a 99% reduction of CFU of aerobic bacteria per egg were observed for all UV treatments. It appears from these studies that UV light can significantly reduce populations of S. typhimurium, aerobes, and molds on shell eggs.


Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 884
Author(s):  
Rawaa Shaheed ◽  
Abdolmajid Mohammadian ◽  
Xiaohui Yan

River bends are one of the common elements in most natural rivers, and secondary flow is one of the most important flow features in the bends. The secondary flow is perpendicular to the main flow and has a helical path moving towards the outer bank at the upper part of the river cross-section, and towards the inner bank at the lower part of the river cross-section. The secondary flow causes a redistribution in the main flow. Accordingly, this redistribution and sediment transport by the secondary flow may lead to the formation of a typical pattern of river bend profile. It is important to study and understand the flow pattern in order to predict the profile and the position of the bend in the river. However, there are a lack of comprehensive reviews on the advances in numerical modeling of bend secondary flow in the literature. Therefore, this study comprehensively reviews the fundamentals of secondary flow, the governing equations and boundary conditions for numerical simulations, and previous numerical studies on river bend flows. Most importantly, it reviews various numerical simulation strategies and performance of various turbulence models in simulating the flow in river bends and concludes that the main problem is finding the appropriate model for each case of turbulent flow. The present review summarizes the recent advances in numerical modeling of secondary flow and points out the key challenges, which can provide useful information for future studies.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 986
Author(s):  
Md Rifat Hasan ◽  
Nepu Saha ◽  
Thomas Quaid ◽  
M. Toufiq Reza

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are nanomaterials with a particle size range of 2 to 10 nm. CQDs have a wide range of applications such as medical diagnostics, bio-imaging, biosensors, coatings, solar cells, and photocatalysis. Although the effect of various experimental parameters, such as the synthesis method, reaction time, etc., have been investigated, the effect of different feedstocks on CQDs has not been studied yet. In this study, CQDs were synthesized from hydroxymethylfurfural, furfural, and microcrystalline cellulose via hydrothermal carbonization at 220 °C for 30 min of residence time. The produced CQDs showed green luminescence behavior under the short-wavelength UV light. Furthermore, the optical properties of CQDs were investigated using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and emission spectrophotometer, while the morphology and chemical bonds of CQDs were investigated using transmission electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, respectively. Results showed that all CQDs produced from various precursors have absorption and emission properties but these optical properties are highly dependent on the type of precursor. For instance, the mean particle sizes were 6.36 ± 0.54, 5.35 ± 0.56, and 3.94 ± 0.60 nm for the synthesized CQDs from microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxymethylfurfural, and furfural, respectively, which appeared to have similar trends in emission intensities. In addition, the synthesized CQDs experienced different functionality (e.g., C=O, O-H, C-O) resulting in different absorption behavior.


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (01) ◽  
pp. 1950090
Author(s):  
HAIXIA YU ◽  
XIN PAN ◽  
WEIMING YANG ◽  
WENFU ZHANG ◽  
XIAOWEI ZHUANG

Bamboo material is widely used in outdoor applications. However, they are easily degraded when exposed to sunlight, their smooth surface will gradually turn to rough, and small cracks will appear and finally develop to large cracks. The paper presents a first-time investigation on the microstructure changes in the tangential section of Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens Mazel) radiated by artificial UV light. The results showed that the cracks mainly appeared at intercellular spaces of fibers where lignin content was high, the parenchyma cell walls and neighbor pits where the cell wall was very thin and more vulnerable than the other parts. In addition, the part of raised area and pit cavity tended to absorb more UV light radiation and showed more and larger cracks than the otherwhere. Cracks at the intercellular spaces of fibers were larger and bigger than those on the parenchyma cell walls. The cracks on the pits of the parenchyma cell walls normally appeared at one pit and then extended to the several surrounding pits. Bordered pits cavity showed more and larger cracks than the pits on the thin wall cells. The simple pits on the thick wall cells and the fiber cells were unaffected by UV radiation.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yumei Mao ◽  
Xuehua Dong ◽  
Yuandan Deng ◽  
Jing Li ◽  
Ling Huang ◽  
...  

Two new zinc phosphites were prepared using the amino acid alanine as structure-directing agent. They have tubular and ladder-like structures exhibiting blue fluorescence upon UV light irradiation. Notably, the tubular...


1999 ◽  
Vol 65 (5) ◽  
pp. 2025-2031 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed O. Elasri ◽  
Robert V. Miller

ABSTRACT We have developed a bioluminescent whole-cell biosensor that can be incorporated into biofilm ecosystems. RM4440 is a Pseudomonas aeruginosa FRD1 derivative that carries a plasmid-basedrecA-luxCDABE fusion. We immobilized RM4440 in an alginate matrix to simulate a biofilm, and we studied its response to UV radiation damage. The biofilm showed a protective property by physical shielding against UV C, UV B, and UV A. Absorption of UV light by the alginate matrix translated into a higher survival rate than observed with planktonic cells at similar input fluences. UV A was shown to be effectively blocked by the biofilm matrix and to have no detectable effects on cells contained in the biofilm. However, in the presence of photosensitizers (i.e., psoralen), UV A was effective in inducing light production and cell death. RM4440 has proved to be a useful tool to study microbial communities in a noninvasive manner.


Nanomaterials ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 868 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Ramos-Hernández ◽  
Juan Ragazzo-Sánchez ◽  
Montserrat Calderón-Santoyo ◽  
Rosa Ortiz-Basurto ◽  
Cristina Prieto ◽  
...  

High degree of polymerization Agave fructans (HDPAF) are presented as a novel encapsulating material. Electrospraying coating (EC) was selected as the encapsulation technique and β-carotene as the model bioactive compound. For direct electrospraying, two encapsulation methodologies (solution and emulsion) were proposed to find the formulation which provided a suitable particle morphology and an adequate concentration of β-carotene encapsulated in the particles to provide a protective effect of β-carotene by the nanocapsules. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed spherical particles with sizes ranging from 440 nm to 880 nm depending on the concentration of HDPAF and processing parameters. FTIR analysis confirmed the interaction and encapsulation of β-carotene with HDPAF. The thermal stability of β-carotene encapsulated in HDPAF was evidenced by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The study showed that β-carotene encapsulated in HDPAF by the EC method remained stable for up to 50 h of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. Therefore, HDPAF is a viable option to formulate nanocapsules as a new encapsulating material. In addition, EC allowed for increases in the ratio of β-carotene:polymer, as well as its photostability.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khanh Q. Nguyen ◽  
Patrice Cousin ◽  
Khaled Mohamed ◽  
Mathieu Robert ◽  
Adel El-Safty ◽  
...  

Abstract High-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe is one of the materials of interest for use in road drainage systems. The combination of ultraviolet (UV) light, temperature, and moisture can produce weak spots and lead to pipe degradation during the storage, installation, and repair process. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in the chemical, morphological structure, and thermomechanical properties of recycled and virgin pipes under UV exposure. Laboratory accelerated aging tests were conducted by exposing pipes to UV for 3600 hours with an irradiance of 0.89 W/(m2 nm) at a wavelength of 340 nm. A cycle of 12 hours—comprised of 8 hours of UV radiation at 60°C and 4 hours of no UV radiation at 50°C corresponding to no water condensation—was performed to condition the specimens. HDPE specimens were taken out after 3600 hours and analyzed with FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy), SEM (scanning electron microscopy), DSC (differential scanning calorimetry), oxidative-induction time (OIT) measurements, and tensile tests. The results show that the recycled pipes maintained good properties and were not significantly affected by UV radiation, similarly to the virgin pipes. Statistical analysis using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) shows that there was no significant difference between tensile strength, elastic modulus, and hardness measurements before and after UV exposure. There were only a few small changes in the surface of the pipes. The addition of carbon black, antioxidants, and UV stabilizers prevented further aging of the pipes during UV exposure.


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