scholarly journals Seasonal change and COVID-19: Will the harmattan season lead to an increase in COVID-19 cases in Nigeria?

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 021-022
Author(s):  
Chiagozie Ekoh Prince
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Low Temperature ◽  
Seasonal Change ◽  
Potential Risk ◽  
Infection Rates ◽  
Protection Measures ◽  
Dry Air ◽  
Nigerian Government ◽  
Airborne Disease ◽  
Second Wave

The harmattan season, which is a period characterized by low temperature, dry air and increased air pollution leads to widespread airborne disease and exacerbation of pre-existing conditions, should be recognized as a period of potential risk of high COVID-19 infection rates. This period also coincides with the Christmas season which comes with so many festivities and can become a COVID-19 super-spreader. With many Nigerians now abandoning the non-pharmaceutical protection measures against COVID-19, the harmattan season and the forthcoming spike in social gatherings might usher in the second wave of the virus which can potentially be more catastrophic. There is need for the Nigerian government to start planning and instituting new protection measures and guidelines for safe Christmas celebration while also educating and encouraging the populace to adopt the protection measures recommended by experts.

Respiratory protection ‒ new challenges

2021 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-153
Author(s):  
Władysław Harmata ◽  
Dorota Kamionek
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Respiratory Protection ◽  
Protection Measures ◽  
Normative Requirements ◽  
New Challenges

The paper characterizes the problem of air pollution with smog. The possibility of SARS-CoV-2 virus transmission on particulate matter and the possibility of infection was analyzed. Individual respiratory protection measures available on the market were analyzed in terms of mass use, taking into account legal and normative requirements. Keywords: personal protective equipment, respiratory protection

scholarly journals Pharmacists’ Perception of the Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19) in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (21) ◽  
pp. 11541
Author(s):  
Tamara Al-Daghastani ◽  
Odate Tadros ◽  
Shereen Arabiyat ◽  
Deema Jaber ◽  
Husam AlSalamat
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Protection Measures ◽  
Second Wave

Objectives: To analyze the role of pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic, to measure pharmacists’ attitude toward COVID-19 safety measures (wearing masks, wearing gloves, isolation shield, good hygiene, etc.), and explore their perspectives regarding a second wave of the virus. Methods: This cross-sectional online survey study was conducted in Jordan during the COVID-19 outbreak in July 2020 to discuss Jordanian pharmacists’ awareness of safety at their workplace during the COVID-19 outbreak, their sources of information, and their predictions for COVID-19 vaccination. Results: The participants (n = 311) were all pharmacists mostly aged between 23–30 years old (45%) and female (83%). The primary source of information about COVID-19 was social networking (38.9%). Pharmacists were committed to social distancing (86.5%) and wearing masks (76.2%). They expressed levels of agreement to their role in decreasing COVID-19 spread (94.2%) and correcting false information (94.5%); they expressed levels of expectation toward concern about a second COVID-19 wave (83%) that would be more severe than the previous one (43.4%). Pharmacists expected that an influenza vaccine might be helpful in decreasing severity and spread of the COVID-19 pandemic (56.9%). Pharmacists expected COVID-19 vaccine development within 6 months of administering our study survey (84.9%) and that vaccination might be effective in preventing COVID-19 (93%) infection. Conclusion: Pharmacists expressed positive roles on COVID-19 spread through exemplary actions, self-commitment to protection measures, and public health awareness. Social media as a source of health information should be cautiously investigated, and pharmacists should always refer to evidence-based sources. The role of pharmacists is particularly important for the upcoming era of COVID-19 vaccination administration and awareness.

scholarly journals Effect of the protection measures established by the peruvian government to prevent the Coronavirus in the Barranca district during the second wave of infections [Efecto de las medidas de protección establecidas por el gobierno peruano para prevenir el Coronavirus en el distrito de Barranca durante la segunda ola de contagios]

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Dante Cruz Nieto ◽  
Ronald Rodriguez Espinoza ◽  
Olga Valderrama Rios ◽  
Jorge López Balarezo ◽  
Ronald Ramos Pacheco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Analysis Of Variance ◽  
Visual Inspection ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Appropriate Use ◽  
Ministry Of Health ◽  
Public Places ◽  
Protection Measures ◽  
The Government ◽  
Second Wave

The objective of the investigation is to establish the effect of the protection measures established by the government to reduce the contagion by Covid -19 in the district of Barranca during the second wave of infections. Data were collected on compliance with protection measures such as distancing, use of masks, visors and disinfection with alcohol in public places such as streets, markets, banks and parks. For this, data collection instruments based on visual inspection were used to verify the appropriate use of protection measures, as well as a survey regarding the use of alcohol as a disinfectant; and the data obtained was processed through basic statistics and correlation with the data reported by the Ministry of Health of positive infections by Covid-19. It was determined that there is a growth relationship between compliance with protection measures and the number of positive infections, with correlation coefficients for distance of 0.7458, use of 0.6710 masks, 0.8784 visors and use of alcohol as a disinfectant of 0.7310. Regarding the analysis of variance, it is obtained that the use of visors influences the number of positive infections, which is why it is concluded that maintaining distance, in addition to the use of masks and disinfectant alcohol are effective measures to control the number of infections per coronavirus.

The krypton and xenon contents of atmospheric air

1956 ◽  
Vol 234 (1199) ◽  
pp. 557-565 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Gas Chromatography ◽  
Low Temperature ◽  
Atmospheric Air ◽  
Dry Air

The proportion of krypton and xenon in dry air has been measured by a method using distillation and low-temperature gas-chromatography for the isolation of krypton and xenon. The separation has been controlled by the use of radioactive 85 Kr tracer. The krypton content of dry air is 1⋅139 ± 0⋅01 x 10 -6 by volume. The xenon content of dry air is 0⋅086 ± 0⋅001 x 10 -6 by volume.

A Retrospective Assessment of Risk Factors for Peritonitis among An Urban Capd Population

1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 126-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen M. Korbet ◽  
Edward F. Vonesh ◽  
Catherine A. Firanek
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Peritoneal Dialysis ◽  
Potential Risk ◽  
Infection Rates ◽  
Dialysis Patients ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Poisson Regression Analysis ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Retrospective Assessment ◽  
Potential Risk Factors

Peritonitis is a major reason why patients transfer from peritoneal dialysis (PD) to hemodialysis. We evaluated the peritonitis infection rates In 146 peritoneal dialysis patients who underwent dialysis at our facility between 1 January 1981 and 31 December 1989. Peritonit Is was the primary cause for changing treatment, with 24 (16.4%) of the patients transferring because of this complication. This represented 54.5% of all patients discontinuing CAPD due to method failure. A gamma-Poisson regression analysis was performed in an attempt to Identify potential risk factors associated with an increased Incidence of peritonitis. The results indicated that race, education level, and PD system used were significantly associated with the rate at which peritonitis occurred in our patient population. There was an almost twofold increase in the rate of peritonitis among blacks as compared to whites (2.2 vs 1.2 episodes/patient year). The level of education completed at the start of dialysis had a negative correlation with peritonitis rates. Patients with ≤8, 9–12, and ≥13 years of education had peritonitis rates of 2.4, 1.8, and 1.2 episodes/patient year, respectively. Finally, the system used had a significant effect with our patients on CCPD having lower peritonitis rates as compared to patients on either a connect or disconnect system (0.6 vs 2.5 vs 1.8 episodes/patient year, respectively). Recognizing potential risk factors for peritonitis will help us better understand and address this significant problem in our PD programs. Reducing peritonitis rates should facilitate a decrease in patient transfer due to method failure.

An intraoperative assessment of bacterial contamination on surgical helmets and gloves during arthroplasty surgeries

2020 ◽  
pp. 112070002096354
Author(s):  
Martin Thaler ◽  
Ismail Khosravi ◽  
Ricarda Lechner ◽  
Birgit Ladner ◽  
Débora C Coraça-Huber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Potential Risk ◽  
Bacterial Contamination ◽  
Revision Arthroplasty ◽  
Infection Rates ◽  
Intraoperative Assessment ◽  
Surveillance Cultures ◽  
Potential Sources ◽  
Sources Of Infection ◽  
The Impact

Introduction: Infection is a devasting complication after primary and revision arthroplasty. Therefore, identifying potential sources of infection can help to reduce infection rates. The aim of this study was to identify the impact and potential risk of contamination for glows and surgical helmets during arthroplasty procedures. Methods: Surveillance cultures were used to detect contamination of the glow interface during the surgery and the surgical helmets immediately at the end of the surgery. The cultures were taken from 49 arthroplasty procedures from the surgeon as well as the assisting surgeon. Results: In total, 196 cultures were taken. 31 (15.8%) of them showed a contamination. 12 (13.5%) of 98 cultures taken from the surgical helmets were positive, while 18 (18.3%) of 96 cultures taken from the gloves showed a contamination. Discussion: The study showed that during arthroplasty procedures, surgical helmets and gloves were frequently contaminated with bacteria. In 20 of 49 (40.8%) arthroplasty surgeries, either the surgical helmet or the gloves showed a contamination. Surgeons should be aware that they might be a source for infection during arthroplasty surgeries.

Experimental Study of a Laminar Flow Solid Desiccant Dehumidifier Driven by a Low Temperature Heat Source

2016 ◽  
Vol 819 ◽  
pp. 361-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seung Jin Oh ◽  
Kyaw Thu ◽  
Muhammad Wakil Shahzad ◽  
Wongee Chun ◽  
Kim Choon Ng
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Low Temperature ◽  
Laminar Flow ◽  
Heat Source ◽  
Silica Gel ◽  
Average Diameter ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Dry Air ◽  
Temperature Heat ◽  
Adsorption Desorption

In this paper, an experimental study of a laminar flow solid desiccant dehumidifier has been presented. The cyclic steady state performance of adsorption-desorption processes was analyzed at various heat source temperatures and typical ambient humidity conditions in tropics. The desiccant dehumidification system consists of two beds filled with silica gel, two heat exchangers operating at 30 oC and 80 oC respectively, three humidity stations for measurement of the temperature and humidity conditions of the system and a blower to make airflow throughout the system. Type-RD silica gel of 0.3 mm average diameter was used as the working desiccant in the dehumidification system. This system has no moving parts rendering less maintenance compared with a rotary type. It is also energy-efficient means of dehumidification by adsorption process with low temperature heat source as compared to the conventional methods. As a result, it was observed the humidity ratio of inlet air is reduced from 24 g/kg of dry air to about 17 g/kg of dry air. Concomitantly, hot water at 80 oC is used to regenerate the adsorbent.

scholarly journals The low temperature oxidation of copper

1926 ◽  
Vol 111 (757) ◽  
pp. 210-219 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Low Temperature ◽  
Metallic Surface ◽  
Low Temperature Oxidation ◽  
Protective Oxide ◽  
Temperature Oxidation ◽  
Dry Air ◽  
Protective Oxide Film ◽  
Oxygen Surface ◽  
Mechanism Of The Reaction ◽  
Number Of Authors

The attack of dry air or oxygen upon copper becomes appreciable somewhere in the neighbourhood of 200° C. The mechanism of the reaction in this temperature range has been studied by a number of authors but the absence of unanimity in their conclusions is remarkable. It is evident that the oxidation of a metallic surface may result in the formation of a protective oxide film, and that continued oxidation may be controlled by the diffusion of oxygen through the film rather than by factors which are normally described as chemical. Under these circumstances the progress of oxidation is precisely similar to the flow of heat and is subject to the same laws. If c is the concentration of oxygen at a distance y from the oxide—oxygen surface after a time t then D δ 2 c /δ y 2 = δ c /δ t .

Health, Responsibility, and Choice: Contrasting Negotiations of Air Pollution and Immunisation Information

10.1068/a3779 ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 791-804 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith Petts
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Personal Responsibility ◽  
Information Provision ◽  
Collective Responsibility ◽  
Health Protection ◽  
Childhood Immunisation ◽  
Protection Measures ◽  
Personal Action ◽  
Official Information

This paper presents an empirical study of public conceptions of responsibility and choice in relation to health protection, and the influence of these upon responses to official information. Two contrasting case studies are used, air pollution and childhood immunisation (specifically the MMR vaccination). The results confirm social networks and everyday experiences, and social normalisation of behaviour as important influences upon learning, responses to information, and the taking of personal action. People require information to support the freedom to make personal choices. However, the two cases illustrate that notions of collective responsibility are weaker, in the case of MMR overridden by personal responsibility, in the case of air pollution being transferred to other institutions. Conclusions are developed relating to information provision in an age promoting individualisation and retraction of government, specifically the need for explicit engagement with the benefits (personal and collective) of health protection measures.

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