SARS-CoV-2 delta AY.1 variant cluster in an accommodation facility for COVID-19: Research study

Background This is a case report on a cluster infection of novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 delta AY.1 variant at an accommodation facility and the subsequent attempts to isolate individuals who tested positive. Methods The background that facilitated this cluster was investigated, and the conditions in which infection was established, the infection route, and the effectiveness of routine measures were evaluated. Ninety-nine staff members had been working at the accommodation facility at the time of infection, and it was estimated that 10 members were infected with the delta AY.1 variant. Results Our results suggest that infection of staff from a patient staying overnight should be excluded. The factors contributing to the cluster infection involved short-distance conversations with individuals wearing non-woven three-layer masks moved out of position (non-woven) and gathering together with individuals wearing non-woven masks in hypoventilated conditions. Our findings also indicate that this variant is possibly airborne and can infect individuals in enclosed spaces with poor ventilation, even when either infected or exposed individuals wear non-woven masks. Conclusions The routine maintenance of systems established for the detection of infections and prompt and appropriate preventive measures following the identification of positive individuals will help prevent further cluster infections.

A Review on Self-Cleaning Coatings for Tunnels

Self-cleaning coatings for tunnels can effectively remove dust and stains accumulated over the surface of tunnel linings and their appurtenances due to the closed environment and poor ventilation. This paper systematically introduces the current research status of self-cleaning coatings for tunnels, focusing on the development of super-hydrophobic self-cleaning coatings, superamphiphobic self-cleaning coatings, exhaust gas degradation coatings, fire retardant coatings, and tunnel de-icing coatings. The advantages and disadvantages of the five functional coatings are then briefly described, and the problems of self-cleaning coatings for tunnels at the present stage are pointed out. Finally, the development direction of self-cleaning coatings for tunnels is proposed to provide a reference for the research and application of self-cleaning coatings for tunnels.

SARS-CoV-2 Delta AY.1 variant Cluster in an accommodation facility for COVID-19

This is a case report on a cluster infection of novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 delta AY.1 variant at an accommodation facility and the subsequent attempts to isolate individuals who tested positive. The background that facilitated this cluster was investigated, and the conditions in which infection was established, the infection route, and the effectiveness of routine measures were evaluated. Ninety-nine staff members had been working at the accommodation facility at the time of infection, and it was estimated that 10 members were infected with the delta AY.1 variant. Our results suggest that infection of staff from a patient staying overnight should be excluded. The factors contributing to the cluster infection involved short-distance conversations with individuals wearing non-woven three-layer masks moved out of position (non-woven) and gathering together with individuals wearing non-woven masks in hypoventilated conditions. Our findings also indicate that this variant is possibly airborne and can infect individuals in enclosed spaces with poor ventilation, even when either infected or exposed individuals wear non-woven masks. The routine maintenance of systems established for the detection of infections and prompt and appropriate preventive measures following the identification of positive individuals will help prevent further cluster infections.

Influence of environmental factors on the spread of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected millions of people worldwide. The infection is mostly spread through the inhalation of infected droplets. Saudi Arabia is a vast country having different climatic conditions. Methods The study evaluated the influence of environmental factors on the spread of COVID-19. Six zones (A to F) were classified depending on the climatic conditions. The study was conducted by retrospective analysis of COVID-19 records from the ministry of health between the months of September 2020 and August 2021. The environmental data such as average temperature (°C), humidity (%), wind speed (m/s) and sun exposure (kwh/m2) were retrieved from official sites. The data was analyzed to determine the effect of these factors on the spread of COVID-19. SPSS IBM 25 software was used to conduct the analysis and p < 0.05 was considered to indicate the significance of the results. Results According to the findings, the rate of infection was greater between April and July 2021. Six climatic zones experienced high temperatures, little humidity, consistent wind flow, and intense sun exposure throughout this time. The correlation study revealed a significant (p < 0.05) relationship between the environmental factors and the spread of COVID-19. The data suggested that during summer condition when the weather is hot, less humid, and steady wind flow with lots of sun exposure, the COVID-19 infection rate got augmented in Saudi Arabia. Poor ventilation and closed-door habitats in an air-conditioned atmosphere during this period could have played a role in human transmission. More research on air quality, population mobility and diseased condition is essential, so that precise proactive measures can be designed to limit the spread of infection in specific climatic seasons.

Determination of the radon concentration in homes depending on the insulation used for the floor

A current environmental problem is the presence of radon inside the house. Radon (222Rn) is a noble, colourless and odourless gas that comes from radioactive elements naturally present in rocks and soil. Being gas, it is released from the ground with a tendency to concentrate in closed spaces such as caves, mines, cellars but also in any rooms in the basement, ground floor or with poor ventilation. Due to the differences between the temperature inside and the soil, the radon in the soil will move naturally to the interior of the houses, concentrating in closed rooms. The accumulation of radon inside buildings is a consequence of technological progress. Insulation work, tightly closed windows, poor ventilation of rooms lead to unobservable increase in radon concentration inside. In this paper we aim to present the values of the concentration of radon accumulated inside a house depending on the way of insulating the floor.

Environmental Vulnerability: Theoretical Study of SARSCoV-2 Control During Team Water Sports / Vulnerabilidade ambiental: Estudo teórico do controle do SARSCoV-2 durante esportes aquáticos coletivos

This paper analyzes possible chains of transmission of SARS CoV-2 during water sports practice and discuss control measures of COVID-19 adopted through specific national and international health protocols, more specifically related to the insertion of interventions in the city to propitiate the development of aquatic activities. This is explorative research of technical literature review to present the current state of knowledge regarding the occurrence, persistence and possibility of virus transmission during the practice of collective water sports and related activities. National and International health protocols were analyzed in terms of their safety, functionality and premises. The protocols and studies examined emphasize concerns that the airways are the route of transmission with the highest rate of contamination through respiratory droplets and contact with contaminated surfaces. The research confirmed the hypothesis that the current preventive measures established in health protocols to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in aquatic environments if observed, are sufficient to prevent the transmission of the disease in these locations. More specifically, to control the spread of the new coronavirus, it is necessary to avoid close contact with another individual without facial protection, crowds, and places with poor ventilation.

Carbon dioxide, COVID-19 and the importance of restaurant ventilation: a case study from Spain approaching Christmas 2021

Restaurants present an especial challenge in the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 via exhalatory bioaerosols because customers are unprotected by facemasks while eating, so that ventilation protocols in such establishments become especial important. However, despite the fact that this pandemic airborne disease has been with us for two full years, many restaurants are still not successfully prioritising air renovation as a key tool for reducing infection risk. We demonstrate this in the run-up to the 2021 Christmas celebrations by reporting on CO2 concentration data obtained from a hotel breakfast room and restaurants during the 5-day Spanish holiday period of 4th-8th December. In the case of the breakfast room, poor ventilation resulted in average CO2 levels ranging from 868 to 1237 on five consecutive days, with the highest levels coinciding with highest occupancy numbers. Inside the five restaurants, three of these were well ventilated, maintaining stable average CO2 concentrations below 700ppm. In contrast, two restaurants failed to keep average CO2 levels below 1000ppm, despite sporadic, but ineffective, attempts by one of them to ventilate the establishment. More effort needs to be made to foster in both restaurant managers and the general public an improved awareness of the value of CO2 concentrations as an infection risk proxy and the relevance of ventilation issues to the propagation of respiratory diseases.

Impact of climate induced hypoxia on calcifying biota in the Arabian Sea : An evaluation from the micropaleontological records of the Indian margin

High biological productivity combined with the poor ventilation produces severe oxygen depletion (hypoxia) in upper intermediate waters of the Arabian Sea. The naturally developed Arabian Sea oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) is one of the most pronounced low oxygen ocean environments known today. The OMZ impinges the Indian margin where oxygen concentration reaches values less than 0.05 ml/l leading denitrification. In recent studies, it has been observed that the OMZ strength has varied considerably in the past, in tune with the global climate change. But the effect of changes in natural mid-water hypoxic environment on the marine biota particularly of the eastern Arabian Sea is unknown. Here, we analyzed 30,000 yr record of temporal changes in two major groups of marine calcifying microfauna pteropods secreting aragonitic shells and foraminifera secreting calcitic shells in terms of abundance and diversity variations. This study will provide an insight into our understanding of potential impact of rising atmospheric CO2 on marine ecosystem.

An analysis of the Causes of Building Defects in Residential Properties in Diobu area of port Harcourt, River State, Nigeria.

Currently, derelict buildings with little or no amenities have remained a challenge to the physical fabric of properties in Diobu in Port Harcourt. These derelictions are observed to be affecting the economic and physical functionality of these buildings. Therefore, the paper aims to investigate the causes of the dereliction in the buildings in Diobu area in Port Harcourt Rivers State of Nigeria. A survey research design was adopted where 153 questionnaires was administered to the resident of the study area and another 56 questionnaires to property managers in Port Harcourt. Out of the 209 (Nr) questionnaires administered, a total of 197 was retrieved representing a response rate of 94%. Data gathered were analyzed using Relative Important Index, mean and percentages and presented in tabular and pictorial formats. The paper’s finding revealed and confirmed that wall cracks, wall/floor dampness, roof leakages, faulty plumbing fittings, poor ventilation and peeling/faded wall paints are some of the defects in the properties in Diobu. A further investigation revealed that poor building designs, old age, poor maintenance culture, adverse climatic condition, misuse, overcrowding and insect attack are among the causes of these defects on the buildings. This research work is original and has not been previously published anywhere; its reflection is that effective maintenance culture, good occupancy ratio, use of skilled personnel and quality building materials should be encouraged by residents, property managers and landlords in order to check the menace of building defects in the study area. Keywords: Residential Buildings, Defects, causes, Analysis, Diobu.

Assessing the Energy Efficiency and Daylight Performance of Windows in Buildings in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan

The importance of research on sustainable and energy-efficient building design is increasing, considering thathumanity may face a shortage of natural resources as a result of irrational energy use. This article focuses on optimising the window characteristics of the buildings to be constructed in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, in order to improve their energy efficiency and daylight performance. Specifically, simulations were performed with the DesignBuilder software to study the effects of the window-to-wall ratio (WWR), glazing type, shading, and building orientation on the energy performance of the building and the comfort level of the occupants. As a result, triple-pane windows with 10 to 15% WWR oriented mainly to the south were found to have better performance compared to other configurations. However, a life-cycle analysis can be performed to verify its benefits in terms of cost and environmental burden. On the other hand, limitations of the glazed area on each facade may affect the comfort level of the occupants in terms of temperature increases, lack of daylight, and poor ventilation. Thus, a discussion of the simulation results is provided, along with issues that might arise. Suggestions for future studies were also included.