scholarly journals Safe and effective disinfection of show cave infrastructure in a time of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-147
Author(s):  
Hazel Barton ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Human Contact ◽  
The Us ◽  
Porous Surfaces ◽  
Contact Transmission ◽  
Show Caves ◽  
Limestone Rock ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Cave Use

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has been responsible for over 650,000 deaths worldwide. Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 occurs primarily through airborne transmission or direct human contact, demonstrating the importance of social distancing measures and the use of face masks to prevent infection. Nonetheless, the persistence of coronavirus on surfaces means that disinfection is important to limit the possibility of contact transmission. In this paper, the potential for various surfaces in show caves to serve as sources for SARS-CoV-2 infection is examined. Given the isoelectric potential (pI) of SARS and SARS-like coronaviruses, it is likely that they are adsorbed via electrochemical interactions to (limestone) rock surfaces, where the high humidity, pH and presence of biocarbonate ions will quickly lead to inactivation. Nonetheless, show caves contain infrastructure made of other non-porous surfaces that are more permissive for maintaining coronavirus viability. The 423 antiviral products approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) were curated into 23 antiviral chemistries, which were further classified based on their potential to be hazardous, impact cave features or ecosystems, and those compounds likely to have the minimum impact on caves. The results suggest that alcohols (70% ethanol), organic acids (citric and lactic acid) and dilute hypochlorite represent the best disinfectants for in-cave use on non-porous surfaces. These disinfectants are able to inactivate coronaviruses inecosystems.

Antisemitic or Bordering on Antisemitic? Grey Areas in Romanian Fake News Discourses in the Wake of the Covid-19 Pandemic

Transilvania ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 121-127
Author(s):  
Anca-Simina Martin
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Pandemic ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Fake News ◽  
Jewish Communities ◽  
Elie Wiesel ◽  
Working Definition ◽  
The Holocaust ◽  
The Us ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Jews as a collective have long served as scapegoats for epidemics and pandemics, such as the Bubonic Plague and, according to some scholars, the 1918–1920 influenza pandemic. This practice reemerged in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, when more and more fake news outlets in the US and Europe started publishing articles on a perceived linkage between Jewish communities and the novel coronavirus. What this article aims to achieve is to facilitate a dialogue between the observations on the phenomenon made by the Elie Wiesel National Institute for the Study of the Holocaust in Romania and the latest related EU reports, with a view to charting its beginnings in Romania in relation to other European countries and in an attempt to see whether Romania, like France and Germany, has witnessed the emergence of “grey area” discourses which are not fully covered by International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism.

scholarly journals An immersive Arabic language course in Cairo moves online

2021 ◽  
pp. 79-94
Author(s):  
Heba Salem
Keyword(s):  
Arabic Language ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Community Based ◽  
American University ◽  
University Environment ◽  
The Us ◽  
Community Based Learning ◽  
Online Format ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The University

This chapter describes the my experience as the instructor for a course rooted in community based learning theory that was forced to move online in spring, 2020, due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. The course, titled ‘CASA Without Borders’, allows Arabic language students in the Center for Arabic Study Abroad (CASA) program at The American University in Cairo (AUC) to leave the university environment and serve the community, while also benefiting from the experience both linguistically and culturally. This course was disrupted by the students’ mandatory return to the US from Cairo as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, and continued remotely in an online format. This chapter describes the CASA program and explains both the purpose of the CASA Without Borders course and its significance to CASA students and to the program. It also describes and reflects upon my experience of continuing the course remotely during the ongoing pandemic.

scholarly journals Novel Coronavirus, Old Partisanship: COVID-19 Attitudes and Behaviours in the United States and Canada

2020 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 357-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Pickup ◽  
Dominik Stecula ◽  
Clifton van der Linden
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Early Response ◽  
The United States ◽  
Political Elites ◽  
The Novel ◽  
The Us ◽  
Media Reports ◽  
American Case ◽  
Conservative Media ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

The novel coronavirus reached the United States and Canada almost at the same time. The first reported American case was January 20, 2020, and in Canada it was January 15, 2020 (Canada, 2020; Holshue et al., 2020). Yet, the response to this crisis has been different in the two countries. In the US, President Donald Trump, prominent Republicans, and conservative media initially dismissed the dangers of COVID-19 (Stecula, 2020). The pandemic became politicized from the early days, and even though Trump and Republicans have walked back many of their initial claims, there continue to be media reports of partisan differences in public opinion shaped by that early response. At the same time, the response in Canada has been mostly characterized by across-the-board partisan consensus among political elites (Merkley et al., 2020).

scholarly journals 3D virtual visual plane design method based on ordered point sequence under the influence of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 8731-8738
Author(s):  
Zhang Xi
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Graphic Design ◽  
Design Method ◽  
Reference Value ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Virtual Design ◽  
Distance Calculation ◽  
Contact Transmission ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Aided Design

The transmission routes of novel coronavirus pneumonia include direct transmission, aerosol transmission and contact transmission. Therefore, the novel coronavirus pneumonia has been spread very quickly. This has a certain impact on the development of graphic design. Graphic design plays an important role in product design. However, the traditional aided design method is too complex, and it is difficult for designers to design works that meet their own needs. In the design of 3D virtual vision graphics, the distance calculation of time series is not accurate. This kind of error will bring some errors to the design of complex curved surface products. In order to measure the similarity of time series effectively, the calculation principle of Euclidean distance and dynamic bending distance is analyzed. Combined with the advantages of these two methods, a new distance calculation method based on morphological fitting is proposed. In this paper, through the research of ordered point sequence, the 3D virtual design method is used to improve the design effect, which has reference value for the design of works that meet the requirements of designers during the popularity of COVID-19.

scholarly journals Mission to Mars Amidst a Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 158-170
Author(s):  
Ronda Cole Harmon ◽  
Maryann Hospelhorn ◽  
Esti Gutierrez ◽  
Camille Velarde ◽  
Matthew Fetrow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Mexico ◽  
Air Force ◽  
Fifth Grade ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Fifth Grade Students ◽  
The Us ◽  
Outreach Effort ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Air Force Research Laboratory

For years, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in New Mexico has led an outreach effort called Mission to Mars to engage fifth grade students in applying science and mathematics concepts related to building a colony on Mars. Many organizations across the US canceled similar events due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This design case details the original program and the pivot made to continue the program. We share successes—including reaching more rural learners—insights, and challenges, and how these have shaped a more inclusive vision for future programs.

SARS-CoV-2 Biochemistry, Transmission, Clinical Manifestations, and Prevention

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 303-311
Author(s):  
Gundu H. R. Rao
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
World Health ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
The Novel ◽  
The Us ◽  
Novel Virus ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Health Experts

The first human case of COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus, was reported by health officials in the city of Wuhan, China, in December of 2019. The virus was identified as a novel coronavirus in early January 2020, and its genetic sequence was shared publicly on January 11, 2020. The novel virus, previously called 2019-novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), is currently designated as the severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). On January 23, Wuhan was locked down, and the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a “public health emergency of international concern.” The viral genome of SARS-CoV-2 is around 29.8 kilobase, containing six major open reading frames. The most common clinical symptoms were fever, cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, dyspnea, muscle ache, headache, chest pain, vomiting, sore throat, and sputum production. The main mode of transmission is through respiratory particles. The incubation period is 3 to 7 days. Both asymptomatic and symptomatic patients seem to be infectious. Spike (S) proteins of SARS-CoV-2 seem to have a 10- to 20-fold higher affinity to the human angiotensin enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor than that of SARS-CoV. The high affinity of S protein to theACE2 receptor, and the additional advantages offered by the transfection facilitators Furin and Neutropilin-1, likely, contributes to the rapid spreading of this novel virus. Since these receptors are highly expressed on a variety of cells, including vascular endothelial cells and adipose tissue, individuals with compromised function of these tissues drive greater infection and severity in patients with COVID-19. Global health experts estimate that one in five individuals worldwide could be at risk for severe COVID-19, due to underlying health conditions. There is a great need for a rapid, specific, cost-effective test for monitoring the infected individuals. Even though a 15- minute, antigen test was made available by Abbott recently, it seems that the schools, colleges, and business establishments lack the ability to use these tests effectively to keep their businesses open safely. Management of the infected individuals seems to be based on clinical symptoms that manifest as the disease progresses. The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA), has created a special emergency program for possible therapies, the Coronavirus Treatment Acceleration Program (CTAP). The program uses every available method to move new and emerging treatments as quickly as possible, keeping in mind the safety and efficacy of such therapies. According to the WHO report, there are currently more than 150 COVID-19 vaccine candidates under development. Several vaccines are in Phase 3 clinical trials. In an unprecedented effort, one of the experimental monoclonal antibody cocktails of Regeneron was used for therapeutic purposes when the US president was tested positive for COVID-19. There are no drugs or other therapeutics approved by the US FDA to prevent or treat COVID-19. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) have published interim guidelines for the medical management of COVID-19. In the absence of a cure, the only choice we all have is to follow the best practices recommended by the public health experts—use of face masks (coverings), frequent hand washing with soap, contact tracing of infected individuals, and quarantining COVID-19 positive individuals, till they are free of the highly infectious virus.

Gearing Up for a New “Pandemic” on the Eyes

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Wang ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Video Games ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Electronic Devices ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
The Novel ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Us ◽  
The World ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Uk

As the novel coronavirus continues ravaging communities worldwide, children and adults are spending more time than ever before on their electronic devices. Social networking websites, streaming platforms, and video games accumulate hours of usage. Students and employees are turning to remote learning and working. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, teleworking was already on the rise. In the US, the population of employees working remotely increased from 19.6% in 2003 to 24.1% in 2015, and in Sweden, the prevalence of working from home jumped from 5.9% in 1999 to 19.7% in 2012 (Feldstead & Henseke, 2017). Research conducted by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) reported that the teleworking rate in the UK increased by at least 20% over the past decade. There are currently no official reports on the increase of remote working in 2020. However, given the current pandemic situation along with the rapid advancement of technology each day, the numbers are expected to be at an all-time high. This may introduce the world to a new set of health problems: the Digital Eye Strain syndrome.

scholarly journals Volatility and the Cross-Section of Real Estate Equity Returns during Covid-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stanimira Milcheva
Keyword(s):  
Real Estate ◽  
Cross Section ◽  
Equity Returns ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Valuation Effects ◽  
Risk Return ◽  
Risk Effect ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Cross ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

AbstractThis paper uses the global systemic shock associated with the outbreak of the novel coronavirus Covid-19 to assess the risk-return relationship in the cross-section of real estate equities in the US and in selected Asian countries. I construct regional Covid-19 Risk Factors (CRFs) to assess how the risk exposure of stocks to the pandemic affects their performance. I find substantial differences between stocks in Asia and the US as a result of the pandemic. During the early stages of the pandemic, the sensitivity of Asian real estate companies to the market becomes negative, while it remains positive and increases in the US. Real estate sectors experience strong divergence in performance in the US while little sectoral difference is observed in Asia. The most affected sectors in the US are retail and hotels, while in Asia it is office. A Fama–MacBeth regression shows evidence for a low-risk effect during the Covid period: while insignificant prior to the pandemic, the return-risk relationship becomes significantly negative during the Covid period, with valuation effects driving the results in both regions. Firms in the US perform significantly worse if their exposure to the pandemic is higher, which is not the case in Asia. The results point towards strong divergence of expectations between US and Asian real estate companies in the onset of Covid-19, which may be associated with the level of prior experience to similar pandemics.

scholarly journals Forecasting the Epidemiological Impact of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): Pre-vaccination Era

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saheed Oladele Amusat
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Historical Data ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Intervention Method ◽  
The Us ◽  
Epidemiological Impact ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
And Control

Background: During this pandemic, many studies have been published on the virology, diagnosis, prevention, and control of the novel coronavirus. However, fewer studies are currently available on the quantitative future epidemiological impacts. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to forecast the COVID-19 morbidities and associated-mortalities among the top 20 countries with the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases globally prior to vaccination intervention. Method: We conducted a secondary data analysis of the prospective geographic distribution of COVID-19 cases data worldwide as of 10 April 2020. The historical data was forecasted using Exponential-Smoothing to detect seasonality patterns and confidence intervals surrounding each predicted value in which 95 percent of the future points are expected to fall based on the forecast. Results: The total mean forecasted cases and deaths were 99,823 and 8,801. Interestingly, the US has the highest forecasted cases, deaths, and percentage cases-deaths ratio of 45,338, 2 358, and 5.20% respectively. China has the lowest cases, deaths, and percentage cases-deaths ratio -267, -2, and 0.75% respectively. In addition, France has the highest forecasted percentage cases-deaths ratio of 26.40% with forecasted cases, and deaths of 6,246, and 1,649 respectively. Conclusion Our study revealed the possibility of higher COVID-19 morbidities and associated-mortalities worldwide.

scholarly journals Incidence of common infectious diseases in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic

PLoS ONE ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. e0261332
Author(s):  
Kenji Hibiya ◽  
Hiroyoshi Iwata ◽  
Takeshi Kinjo ◽  
Akira Shinzato ◽  
Masao Tateyama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Epidemiological Surveillance ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Carbapenem Resistant ◽  
Cross Correlation Analysis ◽  
Route Of Transmission ◽  
Contact Transmission ◽  
Exanthema Subitum ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Recent reports indicate that respiratory infectious diseases were suppressed during the novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. COVID-19 led to behavioral changes aimed to control droplet transmission or contact transmission. In this study, we examined the incidence of common infectious diseases in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 data were extracted from the national data based on the National Epidemiological Surveillance of Infectious Diseases (NESID). Common infectious diseases were selected from notifiable infectious diseases under the NESID. The epidemic activity of the diseases during 2015–2020 was evaluated based on the Infectious Disease Weekly Reports published by the National Institute of Infectious Diseases. Each disease was then categorized according to the route of transmission. Many Japanese people had adopted hygienic activities, such as wearing masks and hand washing, even before the COVID-19 pandemic. We examined the correlation between the time-series of disease counts of common infectious diseases and COVID-19 over time using cross-correlation analysis. The weekly number of cases of measles, rotavirus, and several infections transmitted by droplet spread, was negatively correlated with the weekly number of cases of COVID-19 for up to 20 weeks in the past. According to the difference-in-differences analysis, the activity of influenza and rubella was significantly lower starting from the second week in 2020 than that in 2015–2019. Only legionellosis was more frequent throughout the year than in 2015–2019. Lower activity was also observed in some contact transmitted, airborne-transmitted, and fecal-oral transmitted diseases. However, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, exanthema subitum, showed the same trend as that over the previous 5 years. In conclusion, our study shows that public health interventions for the COVID-19 pandemic may have effectively prevented the transmission of most droplet-transmitted diseases and those transmitted through other routes.

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