Article
Engineering, Chemical
Joshua F. Robinson, Ioatzin Rios de Anda, Fergus J. Moore, Florence K. A. Gregson, Jonathan P. Reid, Lewis Husain, Richard P. Sear, C. Patrick Royall
Summary: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of face masks is crucial in reducing the risk of airborne transmission. Different types of masks, such as cotton, surgical, and respirators, have varying levels of effectiveness. Surgical masks are effective in filtering particles with diameters greater than or similar to 1 μm, but they are less effective than FFP2, N95 masks due to poor fit. Ensuring the proper fit of masks is essential in protection against COVID-19.
AEROSOL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ali Lafzi, Miad Boodaghi, Siavash Zamani, Niyousha Mohammadshafie, Veeraraghava Raju Hasti
Summary: The study found that the mask mandate order had a significant effect in reducing death ratio in counties on the US West Coast. Additionally, there was a noticeable correlation between changes in death ratio and the socio-economic condition of each county. The machine learning classification algorithms showed a promising classification accuracy score of up to 90%.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Sport Sciences
Jonathan Shurlock, Borja Muniz-Pardos, Ross Tucker, Norbert Bachl, Theodora Papadopoulou, Graham Holloway, Nigel Jones, Xavier Bigard, Karin Vonbank, David Niederseer, Joachim Meyer, Dennis Nowak, Andre Debruyne, Petra Zupet, Herbert Lollgen, Juergen M. Steinacker, Bernd Wolfarth, James L. J. Bilzon, Anca Ionescu, Michiko Dohi, Jeroen Swart, Demitri Constantinou, Victoriya Badtieva, Irina Zelenkova, Maurizio Casasco, Michael Geistlinger, Chiara Fossati, Federica Fagnani, Luigi Di Luigi, Nick Webborn, Konstantinos Angeloudis, Fergus M. Guppy, Patrick Singleton, Mike Miller, Fabio Pigozzi, Yannis P. Pitsiladis
Summary: During the COVID-19 pandemic, recommendations for wearing face coverings during exercise should be based on factors such as physical distancing, environment, and active case density. Face coverings should be worn in environments with high or moderate transmission risks, and individual sporting bodies should follow updated guidance on their use.
SPORTS MEDICINE-OPEN
(2021)
Article
Mechanics
Sumit Kumar
Summary: The study found that the lifetime of the virus increases significantly under highly humid conditions, and the survival time of the virus can be reduced by adjusting the initial contact angle and the receding contact angle of droplets. The proposed model reveals the effect of shear stress on the virus and aids in designing more effective protective equipment. However, the existing model does not consider the thermo-capillary convection effect on the survival time of the virus.
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Melissa DeJonckheere, Marika Waselewski, Xochitl Amaro, Abby Frank, Kao-Ping Chua
Summary: The survey revealed that most U.S. youths believed that contracting COVID-19 would have a moderate to significant impact on their lives, they were concerned about spreading COVID-19, and over eighty percent of them reported wearing face coverings all or most of the time. Factors influencing face covering use included the desire to avoid infection and transmission of COVID-19, peer influence, and policy mandates.
JOURNAL OF ADOLESCENT HEALTH
(2021)
Review
Construction & Building Technology
Jose L. Jimenez, Linsey C. Marr, Katherine Randall, Edward Thomas Ewing, Zeynep Tufekci, Trish Greenhalgh, Raymond Tellier, Julian W. Tang, Yuguo Li, Lidia Morawska, Jonathan Mesiano-Crookston, David Fisman, Orla Hegarty, Stephanie J. Dancer, Philomena M. Bluyssen, Giorgio Buonanno, Marcel G. L. C. Loomans, William P. Bahnfleth, Maosheng Yao, Chandra Sekhar, Pawel Wargocki, Arsen K. Melikov, Kimberly A. Prather
Summary: This article explains the controversy over whether SARS-CoV-2 is mainly transmitted by droplets or aerosols through a historical analysis of transmission research in other diseases. The dominant belief in history was that many diseases were transmitted through the air, but the rise of germ theory challenged this paradigm and discovered other transmission pathways. It was not until the COVID-19 pandemic that airborne transmission was recognized as a significant mode of transmission.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Mohammed A. Alzunitan, Eli N. Perencevich, Michael B. Edmond
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the PPE supply chain and increased the demand for their use significantly, leading hospitals to adopt different strategies based on local factors and PPE availability. A survey of employees at an academic medical center was conducted to evaluate the comfort, tolerability, advantages, and disadvantages of face masks and face shields after universal face coverings were implemented.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INFECTION CONTROL
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Ian Robertson, Philip Kortum
Summary: The study investigated the perceived usability and usability problems associated with face coverings used to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It found that users generally perceive their face coverings favorably, although almost two-thirds of users indicated discomfort and issues with glasses fogging with the most popular mask types. Users' political party affiliation appears to be related to how they perceive the usability of their face covering.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiaxing Liu, Ming Hao, Shulei Chen, Yang Yang, Jian Li, Qi Mei, Xin Bian, Kun Liu
Summary: Wearing face masks effectively reduces the mass and diameter of cough droplets, as well as the concentration of virus-carrying droplets in the air. However, face masks have limited impact on the travel distance of droplets, which are widely distributed due to indoor airflow. Aerosol exposure risks are highest near an infected individual, highlighting the importance of social distancing even when wearing face masks.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Jerry T. J. Ju, Leah N. Boisvert, Yi Y. Zuo
Summary: Masks are recommended as a low-cost strategy to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19, although their effectiveness is still debated. Current research focuses on quality standards, filtration mechanisms, methods for evaluating mask integrity and particle filtration efficiency, as well as decontamination methods for reusing N95 and surgical masks.
ADVANCES IN COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Thomas Czypionka, Trisha Greenhalgh, Dirk Bassler, Manuel B. Bryant
Summary: The controversy over mandating facemasks in the community to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 is summarized in published literature across disciplines, which also sheds light on the role of masks in mitigating SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Increasing evidence of SARS-CoV-2 being airborne suggests that infection control interventions need to expand beyond contact and droplet measures, focusing also on masking and ventilation.
ANNALS OF INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology
Gabrielle H. Saunders, Iain R. Jackson, Anisa S. Visram
Summary: The study aimed to assess the impact of face coverings on hearing and communication through an online survey in the UK. Results showed that face coverings negatively affected hearing, understanding, engagement, and connections with speakers, especially in medical situations. People with hearing loss experienced greater impacts than those without hearing loss, highlighting the need for communication-friendly face coverings and awareness when wearing one.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AUDIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Naohide Shinohara, Jun Sakaguchi, Hoon Kim, Naoki Kagi, Koichi Tatsu, Hiroyuki Mano, Yuichi Iwasaki, Wataru Naito
Summary: The study found that the air exchange rates in train cars are influenced by factors such as the degree of window opening, whether doors are closed, and the speed of the train. Under specific conditions, opening doors and windows and turning on the central air conditioning/fan system can significantly reduce the risk of infection for passengers on trains.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Amirhosein Hadian, Somaye Yaghoubi, Aliakbar Karimipour, H. P. M. Viet
Summary: This study investigates the penetration of coronavirus and oxygen in different commercial face coverings, and finds that N-95 masks have advantages in protecting against the coronavirus.
ENGINEERING ANALYSIS WITH BOUNDARY ELEMENTS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rhyan N. Vereen, Allison J. Lazard, Simone C. Frank, Marlyn Pulido, Ana Paula C. Richter, Isabella C. A. Higgins, Victoria S. Shelus, Sara M. Vandegrift, Marissa G. Hall, Kurt M. Ribisl
Summary: This study investigated motivations and barriers to wearing face coverings among residents in North Carolina, revealing common motivations such as preventing COVID-19 spread and protecting vulnerable individuals and communities, as well as barriers like discomfort. Differences in motivations, behaviors, and message preferences were found among different racial and ethnic groups. Increased attention to message content, structure, and accessibility of information and resources could help local officials promote consistent use of face coverings.
Letter
Anesthesiology
A. J. Shrimpton, J. M. Brown, T. M. Cook, A. E. Pickering
Article
Anesthesiology
A. J. Shrimpton, J. M. Brown, F. K. A. Gregson, T. M. Cook, D. A. Scott, F. McGain, R. S. Humphries, R. S. Dhillon, J. P. Reid, F. Hamilton, B. R. Bzdek, A. E. Pickering
Summary: The study shows that manual facemask ventilation, even with an intentional leak, does not generate high levels of bioaerosol. Therefore, the authors argue that facemask ventilation should not be considered an aerosol-generating procedure.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Joshua F. Robinson, Ioatzin Rios de Anda, Fergus J. Moore, Florence K. A. Gregson, Jonathan P. Reid, Lewis Husain, Richard P. Sear, C. Patrick Royall
Summary: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of face masks is crucial in reducing the risk of airborne transmission. Different types of masks, such as cotton, surgical, and respirators, have varying levels of effectiveness. Surgical masks are effective in filtering particles with diameters greater than or similar to 1 μm, but they are less effective than FFP2, N95 masks due to poor fit. Ensuring the proper fit of masks is essential in protection against COVID-19.
AEROSOL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
M. Cotterell, J. W. Knight, J. P. Reid, A. J. Orr-Ewing
Summary: This article introduces a new method for quantifying the optical properties of aerosols, using CRDS combined with angularly resolved elastic light scattering measurements, to accurately measure the optical properties of individual aerosol particles, which helps to understand the role of aerosols in different fields.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY A
(2022)
Article
Mechanics
Ioatzin Rios de Anda, Jake W. Wilkins, Joshua F. Robinson, C. Patrick Royall, Richard P. Sear
Summary: During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have used masks made of woven fabric to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. However, due to the hierarchical structure of woven fabrics, their filtration efficiency, especially for particles with a diameter of 1.5 micrometers, is found to be low.
Article
Virology
Robert W. Alexander, Jianghan Tian, Allen E. Haddrell, Henry P. Oswin, Edward Neal, Daniel A. Hardy, Mara Otero-Fernandez, Jamie F. S. Mann, Tristan A. Cogan, Adam Finn, Andrew D. Davidson, Darryl J. Hill, Jonathan P. Reid
Summary: The study reveals comparable loss of infectivity in the aerosol phase of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Addition of clinically relevant concentrations of mucin transiently mitigates the loss of viral infectivity and promotes heterogeneous phase change during aerosol evaporation.
Article
Anesthesiology
A. J. Shrimpton, G. O'Farrell, H. M. Howes, R. Craven, A. R. Duffen, T. M. Cook, J. P. Reid, J. M. Brown, A. E. Pickering
Summary: Aerosol-generating procedures, such as awake tracheal intubation and nasendoscopy, can generate high concentrations of respiratory aerosols. Specific risks include lidocaine spray of the larynx, instrumentation of the vocal cords, procedural coughing, and deep breaths. Airborne infection control precautions are necessary for awake upper airway endoscopy if respirable pathogens cannot be confidently excluded.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Daniel A. . Hardy, Joshua F. Robinson, Thomas G. Hilditch, Edward Neal, Pascal Lemaitre, Jim S. Walker, Jonathan P. Reid
Summary: This paper introduces a refined numerical model for the evaporation and transport of droplets of binary solutions. The model is validated against other models in the literature and experimental measurements of trapped and freefalling droplets. It accurately represents the behavior of solution droplets in different regimes, accounting for hygroscopic behavior and the Kelvin effect. Simulations of pure water evaporation and sodium chloride droplets are validated experimentally, and the simulations accurately represent the experimental data. The model is also used to analyze the morphologies of dried sodium chloride particles at different drying rates.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY B
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Henry P. P. Oswin, Allen E. E. Haddrell, Cordelia Hughes, Mara Otero-Fernandez, Richard J. J. Thomas, Jonathan P. P. Reid
Summary: Using CELEBS, researchers found that the decay of Escherichia coli in airborne droplets is influenced by factors such as residence time and oxygen concentration. The presence of oxygen facilitates the formation of reactive oxygen species, leading to bacterial death.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Anesthesiology
A. J. Shrimpton, V. Brown, J. Vassallo, J. P. Nolan, J. Soar, F. Hamilton, T. M. Cook, B. R. Bzdek, J. P. Reid, C. H. Makepeace, J. Deutsch, R. Ascione, J. M. Brown, J. R. Benger, A. E. Pickering
Summary: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation generates high concentrations of respiratory aerosol, suggesting the need for airborne transmission precautions in high-risk pathogen settings.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
V. Hamilton, S. Sheikh, A. Szczepanska, N. Maskell, F. Hamilton, J. P. Reid, B. R. Bzdek, J. R. D. Murray
Summary: This study quantifies the aerosol exposure in orthopaedic surgeries and suggests additional precautions for diathermy and bone sawing to reduce exposure.
BONE & JOINT RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Thomas G. Hilditch, Daniel A. Hardy, Natasha J. Stevens, Peter B. Glover, Jonathan P. Reid
Summary: Organic aerosol is a complex mixture of compounds with diverse physico-chemical properties. Due to the lack of experimental data, these properties need to be estimated, leading to uncertainties in their gas-particle partitioning and impact on human health and climate.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-ATMOSPHERES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lauren P. McCarthy, Peter Knapp, Jim S. Walker, Justice Archer, Rachael E. H. Miles, Marc E. J. Stettler, Jonathan P. Reid
Summary: This study experimentally investigates the dynamics of binary collisions of equi-diameter droplets with different impact speeds and angles, and compares the results with collision outcome prediction models. The experimental results show that different impact speeds and angles lead to different collision outcomes. This study provides reference for predicting collision outcomes of droplets.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
D. A. Hardy, J. Archer, P. Lemaitre, R. Vehring, J. P. Reid, J. S. Walker
Summary: A refined technique for observing the complete evaporation behaviour of free-falling droplets with ultra-high time resolution is introduced and demonstrated through experiments on aqueous sodium chloride droplets. The technique allows for the observation of rapid, complex morphological changes and crystallisation events, providing insights into the evaporation behaviour and crystallisation mechanisms.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2021)