Bioclimatic performance of wet coffee processing facilities: conditions for workers and coffee

This study aimed to evaluate the bioclimatic performance of three wet coffee processing facilities in Colombia, focused on the conditions for workers and coffee parchment, through computer simulation. In addition to temperature and relative humidity, the Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature index (WBGT) was simulated during the highest coffee production month. The proposed simulation model was able to predict hygrothermal behavior within the three coffee processing facilities. Case 3 presented the warmest environment, and case 2 the most humid environment concerning the appropriate conditions for the coffee and the worker. The WBGT index limit was exceeded in case 3. Since this type of facility emits large amounts of heat and steam, constructive modifications are suggested to improve the environmental conditions of workers and coffee. Mainly, the physical separation of the heat exchangers is recommended, which ideally should be outside the post-harvest facility. The steam produced in the drying process should be quickly evacuated with ventilation strategies. Additionally, the use of strategies that reduce the energy gain from solar radiation is suggested.

Incidence of Pneumothorax and Pneumomediastinum in 497 COVID-19 Patients with Moderate–Severe ARDS over a Year of the Pandemic: An Observational Study in an Italian Third Level COVID-19 Hospital

(1) Background: COVID-19 is a novel cause of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Indeed, with the increase of ARDS cases due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has also been an increase in the incidence of cases with pneumothorax (PNX) and pneumomediastinum (PNM). However, the incidence and the predictors of PNX/PMN in these patients are currently unclear and even conflicting. (2) Methods: The present observational study analyzed the incidence of barotrauma (PNX/PNM) in COVID-19 patients with moderate–severe ARDS hospitalized in a year of the pandemic, also focusing on the three waves occurring during the year, and treated with positive-pressure ventilation (PPV). We collected demographic and clinical data. (3) Results: During this period, 40 patients developed PNX/PNM. The overall incidence of barotrauma in all COVID-19 patients hospitalized in a year was 1.6%, and in those with moderate–severe ARDS in PPV was 7.2% and 3.8 events per 1000 positive-pressure ventilator days. The incidence of barotrauma in moderate–severe ARDS COVID-19 patients during the three waves was 7.8%, 7.4%, and 8.7%, respectively. Treatment with noninvasive respiratory support alone was associated with an incidence of barotrauma of 9.1% and 2.6 events per 1000 noninvasive ventilator days, of which 95% were admitted to the ICU after the event, due to a worsening of respiratory parameters. The incidence of barotrauma of ICU COVID-19 patients in invasive ventilation over a year was 5.8% and 2.7 events per 1000 invasive ventilator days. There was no significant difference in demographics and clinical features between the barotrauma and non-barotrauma group. The mortality was higher in the barotrauma group (17 patients died, 47.2%) than in the non-barotrauma group (170 patients died, 37%), although this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.429). (4) Conclusions: The incidence of PNX/PNM in moderate–severe ARDS COVID-19 patients did not differ significantly between the three waves over a year, and does not appear to be very different from that in ARDS patients in the pre-COVID era. The barotrauma does not appear to significantly increase mortality in COVID-19 patients with moderate–severe ARDS if protective ventilation strategies are applied. Attention should be paid to the risk of barotrauma in COVID-19 patients in noninvasive ventilation because the event increases the probability of admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and intubation.

Active Environmental Control Strategies for Brick Historical Buildings, Combining Heritage Conservation and Thermal Comfort

For historical buildings, it is a challenge to utilize HVAC system to improve the thermal comfort within a reasonable range without increasing the risk of deterioration. This research selected a traditional temple building located in Hubei Province, China, aiming to clarify the impact of different operation modes of heating systems on the preservation status of the building, and to further propose reasonable active environmental control strategies. A two-dimensional hygrothermal model of the temple building was established and used to evaluate the influence of different heating parameters, operation schedules, and ventilation strategies on heritage conservation and thermal comfort with the application of floor heating. The main conclusions are as follows: for Honghua Temple, low-level heating at 16 °C with conventional ventilation or heating at 18°C with enhanced ventilation is the preferred solution; enhanced ventilation mode can reduce the risk of mold growth while satisfying the convenience of using the Buddha worship space; for intermittent heating in winter, preheating the system is necessary, and maintaining a low heating level at night is more conducive compared with shutting down the system directly; the impact of evaporation increasing caused by heating should be weighed in active environmental control.

563. Experience of a Private Hospital in the Treatment of COVID-19 Pneumonia in Veracruz, Mexico

Background Large mortality rates have been reported in the Mexican public health system, however in the experiences of private hospitals that have resources and infrastructure this is lower compared to the national average. Methods Descriptive and retrospective study. Adult patients treated for pneumonia due COVID-19 from April to December 2020 are entered into the study. Its general characteristics such as gender and age, comorbidities, influenza vaccination history, clinical characterization, laboratory and tomographic diagnosis of sars cov2 pneumonia are studied, as well as the drug and oxygen therapy treatments received and finally, its evolution and clinical outcome. Results 132 patients were studied, of which 51% were female. The main age groups affected were 65 and over (43.9%), 50-59 years (20.4%) and 25-44 years (16.6%). The main comorbidities found were: arterial hypertension (43.9%), Diabetes mellitus 2 (33.3%), heart disease (11.3%) and obesity (10.6%). 95.4% of the patients were not vaccinated against influenza. The main symptoms reported were: fever (92%), cough (87%), dyspnea (76%) and headache (52%). The diagnosis was confirmed with RT-PCR in 63%, reporting negative RT-PCR in 36%; the antigen test was positive in 1%. Regarding the findings of the chest computed tomography, CORADS 5 was reported in 30%, CORADS 6 in 3% and CORADS 4 in 20%. The main treatments used in patients with severe inflammatory pneumonia were: steroids (98%), enoxaparin (100%), tocilizumab (20%), baricitinib (60%), direct oral anticoagulants (10%), fibroquel (5%). 60% were treated with a combination of two or more drugs. The main oxygenation contributions were: 20% nasal tips - mask/reservoir, 60% high flow nasal cannula, 20% mechanical ventilation. In 95% the prone position was indicated. Regarding the clinical evolution, 65.1% were towards improvement, 17.4% died, 12.1% requested transfer to another unit and 5.3% requested voluntary discharge. Overall mortality was 17%. Medications in ICU Ventilation strategies Conclusion A hospital strategy that has the necessary resources and infrastructure as well as openness to the use of medication with emergency approvals for its use or off-label indications, can help limit morbidity and mortality in vulnerable populations and manifest risk factors such as Mexican population Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Monitoring and Assessment of Indoor Environmental Conditions after the Implementation of COVID-19-Based Ventilation Strategies in an Educational Building in Southern Spain

Since students and teachers spend much of their time in educational buildings, it is critical to provide good levels of indoor environmental quality (IEQ). The current COVID-19 pandemic has shown that maintaining a good indoor air quality level is an effective measure to control the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This study used sensors to monitor key IEQ factors and assess several natural ventilation scenarios in a classroom of the University of Granada. Subsequently, the IEQ factors (temperature, relative humidity, CO2 concentration, acoustic environment, and air velocity) were evaluated for the selected ventilation scenarios in the occupied classroom, and the field monitoring was carried out in two different assessment periods, winter and summer. The obtained results show that the CO2 concentration levels were well below the recommended limits. However, the maintenance of the recommended thermal and acoustic IEQ factors was significantly affected by the natural ventilation strategies (temperature and relative humidity values were very close to the outside values, and the background sound pressure level was over 35 dBA during the entire assessment). The proper measurements and careful selection of the appropriate ventilation scenarios become of utmost importance to ensure that the ventilation rates required by the health authorities are achieved.