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.     

Remediation of 2,4-dichlorophenol-contaminated groundwater using nano-sized CaO2 in a two-dimensional scale tank

• Nano CaO₂ is evaluated as a remediation agent for 2,4-DCP contaminated groundwater. • 2,4-DCP degradation mechanism by different Fe²⁺ concentration was proposed. • 2,4-DCP was not degraded in the system for solution pH>10. • The 2,4-DCP degradation area is inconsistent with the nano CaO₂ distribution area. This study evaluates the applicability of nano-sized calcium peroxide (CaO₂) as a source of H₂O₂ to remediate 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) contaminated groundwater via the advanced oxidation process (AOP). First, the effect and mechanism of 2,4-DCP degradation by CaO₂ at different Fe concentrations were studied (Fenton reaction). We found that at high Fe concentrations, 2,4-DCP almost completely degrades via primarily the oxidation of •OH within 5 h. At low Fe concentrations, the degradation rate of 2,4-DCP decreased rapidly. The main mechanism was the combined action of •OH and O₂^•−. Without Fe, the 2,4-DCP degradation reached 13.6% in 213 h, primarily via the heterogeneous reaction on the surface of CaO₂. Besides, 2,4-DCP degradation was significantly affected by solution pH. When the solution pH was>10, the degradation was almost completely inhibited. Thus, we adopted a two-dimensional water tank experiment to study the remediation efficiency CaO₂ on the water sample. We noticed that the degradation took place mainly in regions of pH<10 (i.e., CaO₂ distribution area), both upstream and downstream of the tank. After 28 days of treatment, the average 2,4-DCP degradation level was ≈36.5%. Given the inadequacy of the results, we recommend that groundwater remediation using nano CaO₂: (1) a buffer solution should be added to retard the rapid increase in pH, and (2) the nano CaO₂ should be injected copiously in batches to reduce CaO₂ deposition.     

Using regression models to evaluate the formation of trihalomethanes and haloacetonitriles via chlorination of source water with low SUVA values in the Yangtze River Delta region,China

The purpose of this study was to develop the multiple regression models to evaluate the formation of trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetonitriles (HANs) during chlorination of source water with low specific ultraviolet absorbance (SUVA) in Yangtze River Delta, China. The results showed that the regression models of THMs exhibited good accuracy and precision, and 86–97 % of the calculated values fell within ±25 % of the measured values. While the HANs models showed relatively weak evaluation ability, as only 75–83 % of the calculated values were within ±25 % of the measured values. The organic matter [dissolved organic carbon (DOC) or UV absorbance at 254 nm] and bromide exerted the most important influence on the formation of HANs. While for THMs, besides the organic matter and bromide, reaction time was also a key factor. Comparing the models for total THMs (T-THMs) in this study with others revealed that the regression models from the low SUVA waters may have low DOC coefficients, but high bromide coefficients as compared with those from the high SUVA waters.     

纹缟虾虎鱼对Cu~(2+)、Cd~(2+)和氨氮的毒性响应和敏感性分析

以纹缟虾虎鱼为受试生物,分别进行了Cu~(2+)、Cd~(2+)和氨氮为环境因子的急性毒性实验和氨氮慢性暴露实验,结合文献数据分析纹缟虾虎鱼对3种污染物的敏感性。结果表明,Cu~(2+)、Cd~(2+)和氨氮对纹缟虾虎鱼的EC50分别为4.527、40.408和63.182mg·L~(-1)。组织切片结果显示,氨氮暴露能够引起纹缟虾虎鱼肝组织结构退化,组织细胞畸变,其损伤程度随着氨氮浓度的升高而加剧。氨氮暴露对肠管未见明显影响。敏感性分析结果表明,纹缟虾虎鱼对Cu~(2+)、Cd~(2+)和氨氮的累积概率分别为83.33%、96.27%和90.48%,均表现为不敏感。在Cu~(2+)、Cd~(2+)和氨氮对海洋生物的敏感性排名中,纹缟虾虎鱼分别在第31/35、32/32和19/20位。在8~12种海洋鱼类中,纹缟虾虎鱼对上述3种污染物的敏感性都处在较低水平。     

PSAT和BPA在电力系统潮流计算中的对比研究

针对当前电力系统分析程序存在差异的问题,从潮流计算角度,对比研究了国内目前使用较为普遍的2款潮流计算程序(PSAT和PSD-BPA),分析了收敛误差、发电机分接头、负荷比例等不同初值条件设置对其潮流计算结果的影响。分析结果表明:PSAT在建模、可视化和自定义方面具有一定优势,比较适合小规模电网仿真和自定义元件模型研究;而BPA的计算速度快,计算精度高,比较适合大规模电网仿真。     

四川乡村点新粒子生成特征及其对云凝结核数浓度的贡献

为揭示成渝地区大气复合污染成因,选择乡村点资阳站的冬季,实测了颗粒物数浓度及其粒径谱分布、云凝结核(CCN),在二氧化硫、光解速率(JO1D)实测值基础上估算了新粒子生成的重要前体物气态硫酸的浓度.2012年12月5日到2013年1月5日观测期间,3~582nm颗粒物数浓度水平较高,平均值为(16072±9713)cm-3.颗粒物数谱分布呈现以积聚模态为主体的特征,占总颗粒物数浓度的46%,此比值高于我国北京、上海、广州等城市和珠江三角洲及长江三角洲的乡村点和背景点.在较高颗粒物凝结汇(CS)水平下[(4.3±3.6)×10-2s-1],甄别出7次新粒子生成(NPF)事件,占观测天数的23%.NPF事件发生时,颗粒物生成速率与增长速率分别为(5.2±1.4)cm-3s-1,(3.6±2.5)nm/h. NPF事件对CCN数浓度有明显贡献,NPF发生后CCN数浓度平均增长19%.     

国家生态文明建设试点示范区指标合理性探讨

环保部于2013年5月23日颁布的《国家生态文明建设试点示范区指标（试行）》（以下简称《指标（试行）》）已实施有9个月。到目前为止,全国已有6批生态文明建设试点地区参照《指标》要求确定生态文明建设目标,编制生态文明规划。然而,实际工作中发现指标体系中部分指标的合理性有待商榷。本文通过对问题指标进行分类探讨,将指标存在的问题分为四大类：指标定义亟待完善、指标标准设定偏高、指标数据获取性差和参考标准有待更新。根据不同类型指标问题的特点,分别对指标进行分析并提出合理的改进和解决方案,为环保部对《指标（试行）》的进一步完善和改进提供了理论依据和思路,对我国生态文明建设工作持续健康发展起到了促进作用。     

氧化乐果对小球藻的毒性研究

以小球藻(Chlorella vulgaris)为实验生物,通过研究不同浓度(0、1、5、10、15、20 mg·L-1)的氧化乐果对小球藻生长发育及EC50,硝酸还原酶活性,叶绿素含量的影响,初步探讨了氧化乐果对小球藻的毒性作用。实验结果表明:氧化乐果对小球藻96 hEC50值为4.88 mg·L-1;低浓度氧化乐果(1 mg·L-1)在前6天对小球藻细胞增长影响不大,高浓度氧化乐果(大于5 mg·L-1)则在初期就表现为抑制,氧化乐果浓度与细胞数量之间表现为负相关(R2=0.65755);在第8天,氧化乐果各浓度组的硝酸还原酶的相对酶活也表现"低促高抑"作用,但是仍然高于对照组的酶活,整体表现为促进作用;随着氧化乐果浓度的增加,小球藻叶绿素含量呈现明显降低的趋势。     

Indicating landfill stabilization state by using leachate property from Laogang Refuse Landfill

Variation and evolution process of leachate can be applied as a reference for landfill stabilization phase. In this work, leachates with different ages were collected from Laogang Refuse Landfill, and characterized with 14 key parameters. Simultaneously, principal component analysis （PCA） was applied to develop a synthetic parameter-F based on these 14 parameters, and a logarithm equation was simulated for the landfill stabilization process finally. It was predicted that leachates would meet Class I and Class II in standard for pollution control on the landfill site of municipal solid waste （GB 16889-1997） after 32 years and 22 years disposal under the natural attenuation in the humid and warm southern areas of China, respectively. The predication of landfill state would be more accurate and useful according to the synthetic parameter F of leachate from a working landfill.     

Employee responses to employment‐relationship practices: The role of psychological empowerment and traditionality

In studying the effect of employment‐relationship practices on employees, research has largely ignored individual differences, both cross‐culturally and within cultures. In this study, the authors examine the moderating effect of middle managers' traditionality, a within‐culture value orientation regarding submission to authority and endorsement of hierarchical role relationships, on their responses to an organization's employee–organization relationship practices. Based on social learning and social exchange theories, the authors expect the more traditional middle managers to respond less positively in terms of their performance and commitment to high levels of expected contributions and the associated psychological empowerment but respond more positively to high levels of offered inducements. Using a sample of 535 middle managers from 40 companies in China, the authors find support for all hypotheses except the moderating effect of traditionality on the relationship between offered inducements and performance. Additional analysis reveals that less‐traditional managers responded to economic rewards (but not developmental rewards) with higher job performance. The paper concludes with a discussion of implications for research and the practice of employment relationships. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.