Aerosol transmission,an indispensable route of COVID-19 spread: case study of a department-store cluster

• Aerosol transmission is an indispensable route of COVID-19 spread. • Different outbreak sites have different epidemiologic feature. • SRAS-CoV-2 can exist for a long time in aerosol. • SRAS-CoV-2 RNA can be detected in aerosol in diverse places. • Some environmental factors can impact SARS-CoV-2 transportation in aerosol. Patients with COVID-19 have revealed a massive outbreak around the world, leading to widespread concerns in global scope. Figuring out the transmission route of COVID-19 is necessary to control further spread. We analyzed the data of 43 patients in Baodi Department Store (China) to supplement the transmission route and epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 in a cluster outbreak. Incubation median was estimated to endure 5.95 days (2–13 days). Almost 76.3% of patients sought medical attention immediately upon illness onset. The median period of illness onset to hospitalization and confirmation were 3.96 days (0–14) and 5.58 days (1–21), respectively. Patients with different cluster case could demonstrate unique epidemiological characteristics due to the particularity of outbreak sites. SRAS-CoV-2 can be released into the surrounding air through patient’s respiratory tract activities, and can exist for a long time for long-distance transportation. SRAS-CoV-2 RNA can be detected in aerosol in different sites, including isolation ward, general ward, outdoor, toilet, hallway, and crowded public area. Environmental factors influencing were analyzed and indicated that the SARS-CoV-2 transportation in aerosol was dependent on temperature, air humidity, ventilation rate and inactivating chemicals (ozone) content. As for the infection route of case numbers 2 to 6, 10, 13, 16, 17, 18, 20 and 23, we believe that aerosol transmission played a significant role in analyzing their exposure history and environmental conditions in Baodi Department Store. Aerosol transmission could occur in some cluster cases when the environmental factors are suitable, and it is an indispensable route of COVID-19 spread.     

水平管内不同煤质煤尘爆炸火焰传播特性实验研究

为研究水平管道空间不同煤质煤尘爆炸火焰传播特性，选取褐煤、长焰煤、不粘煤、气煤4种煤尘，对爆炸火焰焰峰特性、火焰加速传播特性、火焰传播距离与持续时间展开研究。研究结果表明:褐煤在500 ms内焰峰的形状由尖锐向平滑再向钝化不断演变，长焰煤与不粘煤在375 ms时焰峰前端出现明显焰体分离现象，分析认为这与管体冷壁效应、空间尺度效应及空间氧气消耗直接相关；气煤在375 ms时焰峰出现大面积火焰碎纹，说明气煤爆炸火焰猛烈传播的持续时间相对较短，整体爆炸强度相对较弱；褐煤与长焰煤爆炸火焰存在2次间断性加速，分析认为这与管体空间受限、常温管壁散热、局部助燃氧气瞬间不足等因素有关；褐煤在爆炸后400～600 ms内火焰2次加速完全，火焰传播距离达740 mm，明显大于长焰煤、不粘煤与气煤，说明低变质褐煤爆炸火焰持续时间更长，火焰传播距离更远且传播更剧烈；虽然气煤火焰最远传播距离比长焰煤大30 mm，但由于气煤火焰在375 ms左右出现大片火焰碎纹，因此气煤整体的爆炸强度小于长焰煤。     

混凝-生物强化联合处理环氧树脂高盐废水

环氧树脂高盐废水是目前较难处理的工业废水之一.采用混凝联合生物强化工艺:通过混凝过程进行预处理后,投加嗜盐菌进行生物强化考察盐度变化对系统降解有机物的影响以及污泥性状的变化情况.结果表明,当废水中氯离子浓度达到驯化目标10 g/L时,系统对COD的去除率仍稳定在85％左右;以没有投加嗜盐菌的反应器为对照组,在进水COD平均浓度为550 mg/L左右,氯离子浓度由12 g/L增至21 g/L时,对照组COD平均去除率由82％降至60％以下,而投加了嗜盐菌的反应器(投加组)则仍保持在85％以上;此外,盐度的变化同时影响污泥的活性及其沉降性能,随着盐度增大,两组中的污泥活性均有所降低,但投加组的污泥活性相对较高,其污泥的沉降时间和污泥体积指数(sludge volume in-dex,SVI)值也较低.采用本工艺处理环氧树脂高盐废水,使得生物处理过程能够长期稳定运行,且能够保持较高的耐盐度和COD去除率.     

石家庄市冬季大气中VOCs污染特征分析

为弄清石家庄市冬季大气中VOCs的污染特征,采用美国环保局TO-15方法对石家庄市冬季大气中VOCs组成进行了定性和定量分析。在此基础上,进行了VOCs的月度变化分析、春节期间的变化分析,并进行了VOCs与空气质量指数AQI、PM2.5等之间的相关性分析;根据VOCs组成及变化情况和相关性,分析了其可能的来源。结果表明,石家庄市冬季大气中VOCs的质量浓度为145.7~1 410.7μg/m3,VOCs组分主要有丙酮、二氯甲烷、苯、乙酸乙酯、甲苯、1,2-二氯丙烷、三氯甲烷。春节期间,大气中VOCs的浓度有大幅的下降,比日常均值下降了40.9%。AQI较高时,大气中VOCs浓度有所升高。石家庄市冬季大气中丙酮、二氯甲烷、乙酸乙酯等主要来源于医药化工生产活动,苯、甲苯主要来源于煤燃烧。     

Usage of polystyrene disposable food dishes in the lightweight concrete making

The increasing use and subsequent accumulation of polystyrene containers has triggered a substantial environmental problem. This study investigated using varied percentages of solid waste polystyrene disposable food dishes in the production of lightweight concrete samples with 350 kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³) of cement and a density of 1,300 kg/m³. The polystyrene disposable dishes were ground into beads of 0–3 millimeters (mm) and 3–6 mm in size. First, the characteristics of Type II Portland cement, polystyrene, and aggregates were examined. The following characteristics of concrete using ASTM International and British Standards Institution standards were tested: slump, compressive strength, ability to resist chloride ion penetration, and resistance of concrete to rapid freezing and thawing cycles. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy analytical techniques were also used. The slump of samples varied between 40 and 70 mm and was not dependent on either the polystyrene percentage or the size of the polystyrene beads in the concrete samples (p‐value > .05). The compressive strength of the concrete samples after 90 days of curing, and using different percentages of polystyrene, varied between 96 and 113 kilograms per square centimeter (kg/cm²). The resistance of the samples to the freezing and thawing cycle and chloride ion penetration were affected unfavorably by the presence of the polystyrene. The SEM technique indicated that concrete samples containing 15% and 25% polystyrene had denser crystals and less void than concrete samples with 40% and 55% polystyrene.     

太阳模拟器大功率短弧氙灯放电特性试验测试

目的增强太阳模拟器氙灯驱动运行的可靠性,给太阳模拟器研制提供技术保障,针对太阳模拟器大功率短弧氙灯放电特性进行试验研究。方法设计太阳模拟器的大功率短弧氙灯放电特性测试方法,然后通过理论计算和实际测试验证氙灯电源初始电流对短弧氙灯放电特性的影响,并采用增设优化电路的方法对其放电特性进行改善。结果在初始电流为70 A和120 A两种情况下,弧光放电电流到达谷值以后的电流稳定度分别为1.8616和0.9867,增设优化电路后,再次进行短弧氙灯放电特性测量,将初始电流降低到60 A,而稳定度可达到0.5409。结论改善后的电路基本可实现短弧氙灯放电理想状态,完成了对短弧氙灯进入电流击穿阶段后形成的稳定弧光放电电流特性的优化,大大提升了氙灯点灯成功率,为增强太阳模拟器可靠性提供了试验支持。     

Risk assessment method of polyethylene dust explosion based on explosion parameters

The explosion characteristic parameters of polyethylene dust were systematically investigated. The variations in the maximum explosion pressure (P_max), explosion index (K_st), minimum ignition energy (MIE), minimum ignition temperature (MIT), and minimum explosion concentration (MEC) of dust samples with different particle sizes were obtained. Using experimental data, a two-dimensional matrix analysis method was applied to classify the dust explosion severity based on P_max and K_st. Then, a three-dimensional matrix was used to categorize the dust explosion sensitivity based on three factors: MIE, MIT, and MEC. Finally, a two-dimensional matrix model of dust explosion risk assessment was established considering the severity and sensitivity. The model was used to evaluate the explosion risk of polyethylene dust samples with different particle sizes. It was found that the risk level of dust explosion increased with decreasing particle size, which was consistent with the actual results. The risk assessment method can provide a scientific basis for dust explosion prevention in the production of polyethylene.     

煤与瓦斯突出过程中煤体层裂演化特征实验研究

为了探究煤与瓦斯突出过程中煤体层裂演化特征,利用自主研制的煤与瓦斯突出实验模拟系统,研究突出过程中煤体层裂结构特征、煤体裂隙厚度演化特征和煤体质点运动演化特征。研究结果表明:在轴向应力0.9 MPa、瓦斯压力0.4 MPa时,煤体层裂发展时间持续85 ms,煤体共计出现11处裂隙。层裂从煤体后方的弱构面出现并向前方发展,其位置大多集中于突出腔体中后部,煤体层裂形式均为纵向贯通,在第9处出现最大纵向断裂裂隙。煤体裂隙总厚度约为75.6 mm、单处裂隙平均厚度约为8.4 mm,二者均呈现随时间递增的趋势。层裂过程中煤体单处裂隙厚度并不都是沿程递增的,部分煤体中部裂隙厚度呈现先增大后减小的特征。煤体的运动表现为靠近突出口端的运动速度更快、运动距离也更长。研究结果可为揭示煤与瓦斯突出层裂机制提供参考。     

海洋环境水下电场时频特征分析

目的掌握海洋环境水下电场主要能量来源和衰减规律。方法结合理论研究环境电场幅值随时间的变化规律,重点分析水下环境电场不同频带的频谱分布,最后计算得到海洋环境水下电场不同频点的幅值在整个频带所占比重。结果海洋环境水下电场随海水电导率和海水运动强度的减弱,幅值降低,能量主要集中在0.01~1 Hz的低频以及工频处,在一定的空间范围内海洋环境水下电场的一致性较强。结论实验结果与理论分析结果具有一定的吻合度。     

基于能值分析的武穴市耕地利用效益时空特征分析

开展耕地利用效益评价,对实现农业生态文明和耕地高效持续利用具有指导意义。结合能值分析、自相关等方法,评价和分析了2002~2011年武穴市耕地利用效益的时空演变特征。结果表明:近10a来武穴市耕地利用效益的能值投入和产出处于上升趋势,增长速度分别达58.17%和61.29%;能值投入中工业能值所占比重最大,超过总量的70%以上,2011年达到82.17%;耕地集约度增加6.60×1015sej的同时环境压力也在变大,耕地环境负载率由2002年的2.88上升至2011年的4.61;农业生产能力和农民生活水平不断提高;空间自相关结果显示武穴市各乡镇单位面积耕地能值投入和产出具有较明显的东高—南低—西平的聚集特征。研究结果对优化武穴市农业生产物化投入结构、提高产出效果,实现耕地高效持续利用具有一定的指导意义。