Letter
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Lance Hubbard, Clara Reed, Nicolas Uhnak, Ryan Sumner, Trevor Cell, Erin Kinney, Nathaniel Smith, Caleb Allen, Michael Foxe, April Carman
Summary: This study demonstrates that silica-covered quantum dots can withstand harsh environments and endure in local conditions, which is significant for tracking mass movement under harsh conditions.
MRS COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Nursing
Stacy R. Stanifer, Mary Kay Rayens, Amanda Wiggins, Ellen J. Hahn
Summary: Home radon testing is an important lung cancer prevention strategy, but most Americans have not tested their homes for radon. This study found that county-level social determinants and environmental exposures can influence home radon testing rates. The results suggest that counties with low median home values, high adult smoking prevalence, and high lung cancer incidence may benefit most from interventions promoting radon testing and smoke-free policies.
WESTERN JOURNAL OF NURSING RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Oncology
M. L. Hao, T. Wang, J. Q. Zhu, Y. J. Song, T. J. Gong, L. K. Zou, J. Liu, J. F. Yan
Summary: The study evaluated external contamination of hazardous drug vials used in Chinese hospitals and compared environmental contamination generated by a robotic intelligent dispensing system and manual compounding procedures. Results showed that robotic compounding significantly reduced environmental contamination, particularly on the surface of infusion bags, compared to manual compounding inside a biological safety cabinet.
JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY PHARMACY PRACTICE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Angelina Metaxatos, Sydonia Manibusan, Gediminas Mainelis
Summary: We characterized the composition, diversity, and potential bacterial aerosol sources in Athens' urban air using DNA barcoding. This study provides valuable insights into the impact of bacterial aerosols on public health and the ecosystem.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Nirmala T. Myers, Robert J. Laumbach, Kathleen G. Black, Pamela Ohman-Strickland, Shahnaz Alimokhtari, Alicia Legard, Adriana De Resende, Leonardo Calderon, Frederic T. Lu, Gediminas Mainelis, Howard M. Kipen
Summary: This study suggests that using portable air cleaners (PACs) with HEPA filters can reduce the risk of airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in residences. The results show a significant decrease in positive aerosol samples when the PAC is operated at its lowest setting.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Taewon T. Han, Nirmala T. Myers, Sydonia Manibusan, Gediminas Mainelis
Summary: This study developed and tested a stationary electrostatic bioaerosol collector with a high concentration rate while preserving viable and culturable microorganisms. The collector showed comparable physical collection efficiency to the filter sampler, with increased viability and culturability efficiency. The elution liquid volume and hydrophobic coating method were optimized to achieve a sample concentration rate of 5 x 10⁴ min⁻¹, enabling faster detection of bioaerosols.
JOURNAL OF AEROSOL SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Chemical
Sydonia Manibusan, Gediminas Mainelis
Summary: Bioaerosols are airborne particles of biological origin that have important environmental and health effects. Passive bioaerosol samplers, although less commonly used, offer advantages such as simplicity, low cost, and long sampling duration. This review discusses different types of passive samplers, their collection mechanisms, advantages and disadvantages, and sample analysis methods. Gravity-based and electrostatic-based samplers are explored, along with passive opportunity samplers using preexisting airflow. Passive sampling technologies are inexpensive and provide valuable information about bioaerosol presence and diversity over extended time scales. The use of passive samplers alongside active collection devices can provide a more comprehensive understanding of biological presence and dynamics.
JOURNAL OF AEROSOL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Sydonia N. C. M. Grogan, Taewon T. Han, Gediminas Mainelis
Summary: This article introduces REAS, a new active bioaerosol sampler that uses permanently polarized ferroelectric film to capture charge-carrying bioaerosol particles. The sampler operates on an electrostatic collection principle but does not require external power. It has high physical collection efficiency and longer sampling times compared to filter samplers.
AEROSOL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Sydonia N. C. M. Grogan, Gediminas Mainelis
Summary: The Rutgers Electrostatic Passive Sampler (REPS) is a passive bioaerosol sampler that can effectively capture airborne culturable bacteria and fungi in both indoor and outdoor environments. The study found a strong positive correlation between sampling duration and the number of culturable bacteria and fungi collected by REPS. Additionally, REPS maintained bioaerosol culturability for over 21 days of continuous sampling. Future research will focus on improving sample detection limits and integrating REPS with next-generation sequencing techniques.
JOURNAL OF AEROSOL SCIENCE
(2022)
Letter
Immunology
Emanuel Goldman, Toni K. Choueiri, Gediminas Mainelis, Gurumurthy Ramachandran, Donald W. Schaffner
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Ruikang He, Jie Zhang, Gediminas Mainelis
Summary: This study examines the spray and resuspension of seven nano-enabled consumer products and investigates the impact of flooring material and resuspension force on particle resuspension. The results show that the resuspension rates vary depending on factors such as the product, flooring material, and resuspension force.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Ioanna Tsoulou, Ruikang He, Jennifer Senick, Gediminas Mainelis, Clinton J. Andrews
Summary: Indoor heat and air pollution are dangers to human health, especially for vulnerable individuals. This study examines the impact of summertime indoor overheating and airborne particulate matter (PM2.5) on low-income seniors and explores the potential benefits of natural ventilation in maintaining good indoor thermal conditions and air quality. The research findings highlight the trade-off between thermal comfort and air quality, and suggest the need for a comprehensive approach to improving comfort for vulnerable occupants.
INDOOR AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Kevin P. Dillon, Valdis Krumins, Aishwarya Deshpande, Lee J. Kerkhof, Gediminas Mainelis, Donna E. Fennell
Summary: The growth and activity of methanotrophic bacteria in the air have been investigated in this study. Results showed that certain conditions can support their growth and synthesis of new DNA in the airborne state. Humidity and low biomass levels were found to be limiting factors for bacterial growth in the air. This study expands our knowledge about the potential activities and functions of bacteria in the atmospheric microbiome.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ruikang He, Ioanna Tsoulou, Sanjeevi Thirumurugesan, Brian Morgan, Stephania Gonzalez, Deborah Plotnik, Jennifer Senick, Clinton Andrews, Gediminas Mainelis
Summary: Heatwaves can have negative health effects and affect indoor air quality, which is not well understood. A study was conducted in low-income housing in Elizabeth, NJ, involving 24 seniors with sensors in their apartments. Results showed higher PM2.5 levels during heatwave days and were influenced by factors such as smoking and air conditioning.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Grishma Desai, Gurumurthy Ramachandran, Emanuel Goldman, William Esposito, Antony Galione, Altaf Lal, Toni K. Choueiri, Andre Fay, William Jordan, Donald W. Schaffner, Jack Caravanos, Etienne Grignard, Gediminas Mainelis
Summary: Grignard Pure (GP), a blend of triethylene glycol (TEG) and inert ingredients, is an effective antimicrobial treatment for air. It has received approval from the US EPA and can rapidly reduce viable MS2 bacteriophage concentration. The study also discusses related efficacy experiments and the safety of TEG.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Respiratory System
Robert J. Laumbach, Gediminas Mainelis, Kathleen G. Black, Nirmala T. Myers, Pamela Ohman-Strickland, Shahnaz Alimokhtari, Shirin Hastings, Alicia Legard, Adriana De Resende, Leonardo Calderon, Frederic T. Lu, Howard M. Kipen
ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN THORACIC SOCIETY
(2022)