ABSTRACT
Health service station is a place in which close contacts with the COVID-19 and other key populations are centralized quarantined for medical observation.A newly built health service station is equipped with 4 700 beds and a supporting sewage treatment station with a designed treatment scale of2 200 m~3/d.The treatment process consists of enhanced biological treatment system,sewage virus disinfection and sterilization system,aerosol disinfection and sterilization system and sludge disinfection and sterilization system.After treatment,the effluent and waste gas can meet the limit specified in Discharge Standard of Water Pollutants for Medical Organization （GB 18466-2005）.The average COD,NH3-N and SS in effluent are 14.53 mg/L,1.26 mg/L and 9.11 mg/L,respectively,and the average concentrations of H2S,NH3 and odor at the outlet are 0.01 mg/L,0.8 mg/L and 6.3,respectively.The sludge is disinfected regularly and then transported outside for disposal.This project can provide reference for sewage treatment design of emergency medical temporary isolation and observation facility and cabin hospital.
ABSTRACT
In today's world filled with complex signs and symbols, visual and auditory channels are the most intensive in semiotic terms. The language of smell, associated with the most ancient reactions, is usually considered as secondary and supplementary, and its possibilities for conveying meanings are limited to simple recognition. However, experts have been using the alphabet of smells to convey emotional messages from ancient times to date. The assessment of the role of odors in the modern world became possible due to the Covid-19 pandemic which often involved the loss, change or intensification of the sense of smell. In the course of the study 250 cases were considered, representing the stories associated with the disease and deviations in the perception of odors. The loss of the perception of unpleasant odors makes it impossible to learn about the dangers which cannot be perceived visually like in ancient times (spoiled food, poisoned air, etc.). Phantom interpretation of odors is often unpleasant: people can identify the smells of burning, ammonia, acetone, decomposition, feces, and others, and sometimes the excessiveness of an ordinary smell is unpleasant as well. The change of sign recognition can cause serious consequences for people. Phantom unpleasant odors can result in changes in eating habits and cause problems in communication. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
ABSTRACT
In today's world filled with complex signs and symbols, visual and auditory channels are the most intensive in semiotic terms. The language of smell, associated with the most ancient reactions, is usually considered as secondary and supplementary, and its possibilities for conveying meanings are limited to simple recognition. However, experts have been using the alphabet of smells to convey emotional messages from ancient times to date. The assessment of the role of odors in the modern world became possible due to the Covid-19 pandemic which often involved the loss, change or intensification of the sense of smell. In the course of the study 250 cases were considered, representing the stories associated with the disease and deviations in the perception of odors. The loss of the perception of unpleasant odors makes it impossible to learn about the dangers which cannot be perceived visually like in ancient times (spoiled food, poisoned air, etc.). Phantom interpretation of odors is often unpleasant: people can identify the smells of burning, ammonia, acetone, decomposition, feces, and others, and sometimes the excessiveness of an ordinary smell is unpleasant as well. The change of sign recognition can cause serious consequences for people. Phantom unpleasant odors can result in changes in eating habits and cause problems in communication. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
ABSTRACT
The sense of smell plays an essential role in the sensory evaluation of coffee. However, a precise sensory evaluation also requires good memory and the ability to stay focused and concentrated. This study aimed to investigate the effect of an online sensory and cognitive training program on the odor recognition of 36 coffee aromas. A total of 44 coffee professionals participated in a randomized crossover trial. It consisted of an online training program with different sensory and cognitive tasks over two periods of 6 weeks. The participants were divided into three study groups for data analysis purposes: a Control-first group (n = 16), a matching Intervention-first group (n = 16), and a second Intervention-first-residual group (n = 12) to check for repeatability of the test results. On average, the participants improved their odor recognition score by 15% after 6 weeks of training (p <.01) and maintained a high-performance level after the control period. A positive correlation between completed training and improvement was observed (p <.001). The participants significantly improved their ability to detect the 36 Le Nez du Café aromas commonly used in the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) and the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI) exam systems. Practical Applications: The new online training program is a promising tool for improving the odor recognition of coffee professionals. The sensory training can easily be accomplished as it is executable off-site, is self-instructive, and does not require any supervision. A further generalization of this new odor-training program for noncoffee professionals may potentially train people with prolonged loss in olfactory function, such as observed in coronavirus disease 2019 patients. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Sensory Studies published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
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Introduction: Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine is highly purified single-stranded messenger RNA (mRNA) produced using a cell-free in vitro transcription from the corresponding DNA templates indicated for preventing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) [1]. Olfactory hallucination is a condition in which a person perceives odors that aren't present. Some might notice the odor in just one nostril, while others have it in both [2]. Objective: The purpose of this review is to assess the risk of olfactory hallucinations from the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine and, if necessary, make regulatory recommendations. Methods: The Signal Detection (SD) team at SFDA performed a signal review using the National Pharmacovigilance Center (NPC) database and World WHO database, VigiBase, with literature screening to retrieve all related information to assess the causality between olfactory hallucinations and Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine use. The search was conducted on January 4th, 2022. The disproportionality of the observed and the expected reporting rates for drug/adverse drug reaction pair was estimated using an information component (IC), a tool developed by WHO-UMC to measure the reporting ratio. Positive IC reflects higher statistical association, while negative values indicate less statistical association. Results: Local Cases: The SD team at SFDA has searched the NPC database for individual case safety reports (ICSR) reporting olfactory hallucinations in association with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. The search resulted in one ISCR and, on the basis of WHO-UMC causality assessment criteria, olfactory hallucinations were considered probably associated with the vaccine. Global Cases: A search was conducted in the WHO database (Vigibase) to retrieve all reported cases using a signal detection tool (Vigilyze) [3]. The search yielded 59 ICSRs. The signal detection team applied the WHO-UMC causality assessment tool on cases with a completeness score of (0.8) and above (n = 13). 11 cases were found supportive of the association, with 10 being probable and one being possible. Literature: Late November 2021, a case report of a 57-year-old woman seeking medical care after complaining of "smelling smoke" after receiving her second dose of the vaccine was published [4]. Datamining: The results of (IC = 1.9) revealed a positive statistical association for the vaccine/ADR combination. Conclusion: The weighted cumulative evidence identified from local and global cases is sufficient to suggest a causal association between the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and olfactory hallucinations. While a more thorough review of safety data is needed to confirm the risk, health care professionals should be aware of the risk that could happen after vaccination.
ABSTRACT
During COVID-19 outbreak, alcohol-based hand sanitizer (ABHS) has been widely used for hand cleaning and removing pathogens including human pathogens and zoonosis pathogens. High concentration of alcohol induces dehydrated skin in the users. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate moisturizing property and antimicrobial activity of alcohol-based hand sanitizer formulations using coconut oil as a moisturizing agent against pathogens including Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The properties including antimicrobial activity, stability of the ABHS, and satisfaction levels of the coconut oil with two existing formulations by WHO and the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand (MOPH) were determined. The formulation containing the coconut oil demonstrated antibacterial activity against both E. coli and S. aureus with the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 8.75% V/V as same as MOPH. However, the WHO-modified formulation has the highest antimicrobial activity with the MIC value of 2.19% V/V. The stability result of 3 ABHSs showed that the preserved had the same efficacy compared to that of the fresh formulations. Hand washing with coconut formulation produced an average score of 7.19+or-1.71 on color, 7.06+or-1.56 on appearance, 5.82+or-2.10 on odor, 6.77+or-1.68 on moisture, 6.88+or-1.42 on overall acceptance out of 9. However, the sensory analysis of these three formulations results showed no significant difference in all parameters. The data suggest that moisturizing agents tested in our study do not affect the efficacy of ethanol. The coconut oil formulation is another good option for people searching for an effective hand sanitizer for germs protection and moisturizing.
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Various wastewater treatment technologies are available today and biological processes are predominantly used in these technologies. Increasing wastewater treatment systems produces large amounts of sewage sludge with variable quantities and qualities, which must be properly managed. Anaerobic and aerobic digestion and composting are major strategies to treat this sludge. The main indicators of biological stabilization are volatile fatty acids (VFAs), volatile solids (VS), the carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio, humic substances (HS), the total organic carbon (TOC), the carbon dioxide (CO2) evolution rate, the specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR), and the Dewar test;however, different criteria exist for the same indicators. Although there is no consensus for defining the stability of sewage sludge (biosolids) in the research and regulations reviewed, controlling the biological degradation, vector attraction, and odor determines the biological stabilization of sewage sludge. Because pollutants and pathogens are not completely removed in biological stabilization processes, further treatments to improve the quality of biosolids and to ensure their safe use should be explored.
ABSTRACT
Hospital workers have increased exposure risk of healthcare-associated infections due to the frontline nature of their work. Olfactory dysfunction is highly prevalent. The objectives for this investigation are to study the prevalence of long-lasting olfactory dysfunction associated with COVID-19 infection in hospital workers during the first pandemic wave, to identify clinical characteristics and associated symptomatology, and to analyze how many patients with COVID-19 infection had developed olfactory dysfunction during infection and maintained a reduced olfactory function for approximately 10 weeks after diagnosis. Between June and July of 2020, a cross-sectional study was carried out at the Hospital Central de la Cruz Roja San José and Santa Adela in Madrid, Spain. One hundred sixty-four participants were included, of which 110 were patient-facing healthcare staff and 54 were non-patient-facing healthcare staff. Participants were split into three groups, according to COVID-19 diagnosis and presence of COVID-19 related olfactory symptomatology. Participants were asked to complete a structured online questionnaire along with Sniffin’ Stick Olfactory Test measurements. In this study, 88 participants were confirmed for COVID-19 infection, 59 of those participants also reported olfactory symptomatology. The prevalence of COVID-19 infection was 11.35%, and the prevalence for olfactory dysfunction was 67.05%. Olfactory dysfunction associated with COVID-19 infection leads to long-lasting olfactory loss. Objective assessment with Sniffin’ Stick Olfactory Test points to odor identification as the most affected process. Lemon, liquorice, solvent, and rose are the odors that are worst recognized. Mint, banana, solvent, garlic, coffee, and pineapple, although they are identified, are perceived with less intensity. The findings of this study confirmed a high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among the hospital workers.
ABSTRACT
The need of supporting meditation through digital technology has been increased especially after COVID-19. By combining the olfactory experience provided by the ambient incense connected with virtual reality technology, we propose to bring the aesthetic and affective aspects of smell to the users for meditation in the digital era. TranScent aims to provide users a hybrid composition of sensory experiences that transcends the spatial and temporal characteristics in their surroundings. It lets the users meditate with the incense burnt in the real world while immersing in the audiovisual virtual environment. Rather than emphasizing on the mobility in fast pace, it focuses on giving users the stillness atmosphere for meditation practice through olfactory art with virtual reality. © 2021 Copyright held by the owner/author(s). Publication rights licensed to ACM.
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The participants of "Air Protection 2021" presented their experiences and the issues they encounter in their work through the 54 presentations in following topics: * Topic 1 - Managing air quality - inspection and control * Topic 2 - Atmospheric emissions of pollutants * Topic 3 - Monitoring ambient air pollution * Topic 4 - Developing and testing measuring methods * Topic 5 - Estimating exposure to air pollutants and impact on health * Topic 6 - Air Protection in physical planning, construction, and environmental protection * Topic 7 - EFCA session "Air pollution from shipping emissions" * Topic 8 - IUAPPA and Global Forum special session: "Respiratory pandemics and air pollution: exploring the links" The conference started on 15th September with three introductory lectures: * Richard Mills (IUAPPA): GLOBAL AIR POLLUTION: LESSONS FROM THE LAST 20 YEARS * Sandra Krmpotić, Nina Zovko, Gordan Došen (Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of the Republic of Croatia): AN OVERVIEW OF LEGISLATION IN THE FIELD OF AIR QUALITY AT NATIONAL AND EU LEVEL * Vedranka Bobić (Expert witness for environmental protection, occupational safety and environmental accidents): EXPERT WITNESS EXAMINATION AND COURT PRACTICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS NOT REGULATED BY LAW- ODOURS Introductory lectures were followed by 17 presentations in Croatian on Topic 1, 2, and 3. Due to her effort CAPPA was first admitted to IUAPPA and then in 1998 to EFCA, where Vladimira Vaðić held its vice-presidency since 2020 until her retirement. Since 2019 she is a honorary member of CAPPA. [...]Andrzej Jagusiewicz held a presentation on the cost and environmental benefits of IMO regulations of shiporiginated SOx and NOx emissions, assessed for the case of the Baltic sea.
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The neurobiological processing of eating behavior is transmitted to the cortical and subcortical nuclei where multisensory stimuli are integrated, such as olfactory ones, associated with emotion, learning and memory. With this review, the implications between emotional memory and olfactory stimuli, and neurobiological basis are analyzed and described. Also, the main cognitive processes involved in the preference for hypo and hypercaloric foods and their relationship with eating disorders such as obesity are indicated, a condition that converges with a negative effect during the COVID-19 disease. It requires the application of neuropsychological methods that include the measurement of the effect of multisensory stimuli to assess food preference. Since olfactory stimuli and emotional memory participate in food choices, promoting or not the development of eating disorders. Adapting the paradigms of neuropsychology such as the alimentary Stroop would underpin the generation of strategies for the prevention of the development of eating disorders such as obesity.
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The integrated farming activities have become more popular in the last decade. It expects to increase productivity by optimizing the land and minimizing environmental pollution. The study aims to understand the perception level of society towards the environmental pollution of the integrated livestock-fish production system on raising catfish and laying duck (Clarias sp and Anas platyrhynchos). The study was conducted in Desa Balunijuk, Bangka. The questionnaire was used for the data collection technique through a face-to-face interview by following the health protocol of Covid-19. Two stages of data collection were applied: before and after treatment of Probio_Fm. Qualitative descriptive was employed to analyze the data. The respondents were the society who lived nearby the location of the study. A mixture of probiotics was employed on the feed and the catfish pond. The study found that the perception was significantly different between before and after treatment of Probio_Fm particularly on the negative environmental effects such as odor pollutants due to unmanaged animal waste. It occurred at the very beginning of the study during the wet season before the probiotic treatment. Interestingly, during the dry season, the probiotic treatment was regularly applied. The odor pollutant impact decreased even not having a bad odor at all. The waste both absorbed in the sand and was streamed through the drain pipeline. However, most of the respondents were not disturbed due to the odor pollutant surrounding the integrated livestock-fish production system. It articulated that the probiotic treatment worked effectively in unraveling the bacteria so that the pollutant level decreased drastically. The study recommended various solutions to the problems: the draining pipeline should be repaired, the animal feed should use probiotics to achieve optimal use of nutrition, consistent and effective feeding should be applied, and the cleanliness of the duck house should be properly maintained. The monitoring and evaluation of the environmental impact towards the integrated livestock-fish production system should involve relevant stakeholders such as a village government, the management, and society as a whole so that the healthy and environment-friendly integrated fisheries activity can be achieved.
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This perspective piece reviews the clinical condition of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is currently increasing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and recent research illustrating how olfaction is being incorporated into virtual reality (VR) platforms. I then discuss the latest work examining the potential of olfactory virtual reality (OVR) for the treatment of PTSD. From this foundation I suggest novel ways in which OVR may be implemented in PTSD therapy and harnessed for preventing the development of PTSD. Perceptual and chemical features of olfaction that should be considered in OVR applications are also discussed.