COVID-19 is the official name of the disease provoked by a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. Since the advent of the first cases of the new coronavirus, our society has been completely changed. Due to the changes, new environmental challenges were imposed, principally due to the considerable growth in using plastic materials in packages and personal protective equipment such as face masks. The impact of plastic during the COVID-19 pandemic was discussed in the present work from the point of view of the environmental science area. Bibliometric analysis and mapping were performed based on Scopus database search results. Emphasis was placed on analyzing the authors' keywords of the publications. The main concern of the research area concerning the use of plastic during the COVID-19 pandemic is the pollution of water bodies by plastic.
The spread of respiratory diseases has gained significant attention since the detection and rapid global spread of COVID-19. Respiratory viruses are commonly transmitted when an infected person coughs or sneezes onto a surface, infecting persons who subsequently contact this surface. For this reason, developing surfaces with inherent antipathogenic properties is crucially needed for controlling the spread of deadly pathogens. Recent studies have established the antipathogenic potential of hydrothermally synthesised titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanostructured surfaces against bacteria strains (Gram-positive and negative) and several respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, HRV-16 and HCoV-NL63. This study investigates the antiviral behaviour of TiO2 nanostructured surfaces against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), a respiratory virus commonly contracted by children, to reduce viral transmission in high-traffic environments such as hospitals and childcare centers. Mimicking droplets produced when a person coughs or sneezes, RSV droplets were exposed to nanostructured surfaces to investigate their antiviral potential. Results show that nanostructured TiO2 reduced the RSV infectious viral load at all timepoints compared to control surfaces, showing 1.7, 2.6 and 3.2 log reductions after 2-, 5- and 7-hours exposure, respectively. Interestingly, virus exposed to nanostructured surfaces showed little to no infectivity after 5 h exposure while viable virus was still detected on control surfaces after 7 h exposure. These encouraging results establish TiO2 nanostructured surfaces as a potential method for reducing transmission and spread of respiratory viruses and bacterial strains.
Due to COVID-19 pandemic the term ‘Work from home (WFH), which was earlier only a theoretical concept for many, suddenly became necessary to continue various economic activities. The communication related infrastructures are often discussed in this context and how a sudden demand for it created a new avenue for certain businesses, but one very crucial aspect without which it is difficult to perform WFH is ‘suitable homes’ which provide necessary requirements to operate office work. This cross-sectional study focuses on investigating the issues faced by the students and working professionals who had to suddenly start working from home due to restricted movement because of lockdown measures. The study objective was achieved by analysing the unique situation through reviewing articles published in significant property portals, annual reports of major real estate developers & builders, conducting a focus group discussion to ascertain views of construction professionals on emerging requirements of WFH, a survey using structured questionnaire consisting of open, closed, and Likert scale questions from students and working professionals was carried out to understand dweller’s issues and requirements regarding WFH setup. The study findings indicate that residential dwellers working from home partially or full time are facing some common issues that require a focused approach towards design, material adaptability and a wider inclusion of Internet of things (IoT), and not just a single point solution of increasing space of existing residential unit, as indicated in annual reports of major realty players, thus the study also offers a framework which will be helpful for construction industry stakeholders in understanding the requirements of residential dwellers for performing WFH.
Studies have reported challenges of debonding of dental zirconia crowns to from luting cement and prepared teeth. The aim of the study was to explore the application of dental glazing systems for enhancing the bonding of zirconia dental ceramics to luting resin cement. Commercial glaze powder and liquid (Vita Akzent) and experimental mica-based glaze powders were used for the study. X-ray diffraction analysis of the glaze powders (XRD) and Fourier Transform InfraRed Spectroscopy (FTIR) was done on the glaze liquid. Sandblasted sintered dental zirconia (Katana, Noritake) were the control samples. Glazed zirconia samples were coated with commercial glaze and experimental glaze powders which were further etched with 5% hydrofluoric acid. Shear bond strengths of sandblasted and glazed zirconia samples to resin composites were evaluated. XRD of commercial and experimental glaze powders revealed a broad peak confirming the amorphous nature of glass and FTIR analysis of the glaze liquid revealed symmetrical stretching (CH2-CH3) of the alcohol group indicating a mixture of iso-butane and ethanol. Glazed and etched zirconia showed significantly higher shear bond strength to resin cement compared to sandblasted zirconia. The study confirms the glassy nature of dental glaze powders and the presence of ethanol-based mixtures in the commercial glaze liquid. Glazing systems have the potential to be explored for enhancing the bonding of non-etchable zirconia ceramics to resin cement and tooth substrates.
As imaging technology plays an important role in the diagnosis and evaluation of the new coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19), COVID-19 related data sets have been published one after another, but there are relatively few data sets and research progress in related literature. To this end, through COVID-19-related journal papers, reports, and related open-source data set websites, organize and analyze the new coronary pneumonia data set and the deep learning models involved, including computed tomography (CT) image data sets and X-ray (CXR) Image dataset. Analyze the characteristics of the medical images presented in these data sets; focus on open-source data sets, as well as classification and segmentation models that perform well on related data sets. Finally, the future development trend of lung imaging technology is discussed.
As COVID-19 suppresses the immune system and those who have recovered from COVID-19 are at risk of developing mucormycosis or black fungus so there is a need to develop new antifungal strategies by the use of medicinal plants. Medicinal plants have always been a subject of interest for drug discovery, ethno-botany, traditional and indigenous medicines. One of the successful strategies for the investigation of new bioactive compounds from medicinal plants includes the screening of plant extract, fractions followed by the purification of the constituents and screening for biological activity. In the present study, the heartwood of desert plant Acacia raddiana Willd was screened for antifungal activity by Agar-well diffusion method against Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, Penicillium chrysogenum and Trichophyton rubrum. The result obtained shows that heartwood extract and their fractions serve as an effective agent against selected fungi and efficiency is dependent upon the nature of fraction and vary with respect to specific fungi. The extract and fractions shows a wide antifungal potential against C. albicans. The findings suggest that the medicinal plant under investigation might be a reasonable solution for fungal infections especially against C. albicans.
The global pandemic of COVID-19 made all the earth's inhabitants acknowledge the importance of health care and human life. All the countries allocate millions and millions on military and defense, which are in vain today as real soldiers are doctors and health workers waging a war face to face with the invisible Coronavirus. Researchers and companies in Chemistry, Pharmacy, and Biomedical sciences collaborate with technology to fight against COVID-19 and support bringing analyzers for detection and vaccines for eradication. Graphene, a wonder material, is still playing a lead role and exhibiting its multiple astonishing properties. Graphene-enhanced batteries, sensors, biosensors, and photo detectors are available in the market A great deal of research is carried out by many researchers. The present review paper focuses on the use of Graphene-based materials in the COVID pandemic.
This project aimed to develop an innovative mask design, aided by 3D printing technology that was able to protect its wearers against virus infection. The project was motivated with the intention of helping to fight Covid-19, but that its use was extensive as an option to N95 and similar masks, already on the market, even after the pandemic. Whose main design objective was that the mask had a sealing efficiency based on a half-face mask and that it could be used in conjunction with masks made of antiviral fabrics, such as, for example, a surgical mask that has its filtering capacity already tested and approved and, which would be the filter element of the mask. The mask was also intended to be reusable so that it could be washed for cleaning, with only the fabric filter element being disposable.
The emergence of social media has provided people with the opportunity to express their feelings and thoughts about everything and everything in their lives. There is a massive amount of textual stuff available, and approaches are required to make meaningful use of the information provided by isolating and evaluating the different types of text. Sentimental Analysis is a method of obtaining a human being's point of view through mining his or her emotions. The entire world is sharing their thoughts on social media on the Corona Pandemic that is now underway. This research presents an analysis of attitudes in order to determine whether or not people are optimistic in the face of a difficult circumstance. The technique of polarity is employed by the paper in order to determine if an opinion is positive, negative, or nonpartisan [1]. In order to determine the polarity, the following three major keywords are used: "COVID", "Corona virus," and "COVID-19."
India witnessed its first case of coronavirus infection (COVID-19) on January 27, 2020, in Kerala, India. Since then, the infection has spread rapidly across the country and the pandemic outbreak has affected all industries severely including the construction sector. This study aims to understand the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the construction sector, particularly the ready-mix concrete (RMC) industry. An attempt was made to investigate the liabilities and the losses incurred by the RMC industry in terms of income and change in the production of concrete during the coronavirus outbreak. A preliminary survey was carried out to create a database of the RMC plants located nearby the study area i.e., Ahmedabad City in the state of Gujarat, and to prepare a questionnaire using google forms. The RMC plants were visited and from the inputs of RMC officials, statistical insights were drawn. The study reveals that during the COVID-19 lockdown period there was almost a 40% loss in concrete production & 60% loss in the income generated by the ready-mix concrete industry. In addition to this, it was also found that the industry had to pay off liabilities like land rent, electricity bills, staff salaries, etc. during the time of the pandemic. This study provides the opportunity for RMC plants to identify the vital elements involved in the operation of the plant which can be affected due to such pandemic and provides guidelines to reduce the effect of any such pandemic on the plant’s production & sales by ensuring the stability of all assets involved in its supply chain.
Vitamins are the main components of our diet. In our nutrition 14 vitamins are present namely A, B1 (Thiamine), B6(Pyridoxine), B12(Cyanocobalamin), C, D, E, K, niacin, folacin, choline, pantothenic acid and biotin. The main role of it is in treating common diseases like cold. Vitamin C's role in treating pneumonia or Sepsis /Septicemia has been underway for many decades. A great benefit in decreasing the duration of cold is by injecting heavy dose of ascorbic acid. So, at high dose/ risk of injection like it may be obese, diabetes, and the elderly. Vitamin C always acts as an antioxidant that can help to prevent our cells from getting any harm. Recently injection of vitamin C was used in treatment of Covid-19 patients. In this review we have primarily discussed its effects on the immune system and the treatment of pneumonia disorders using vitamin C. At the beginning we have discussed the bio-avalibility of vitamin-C followed by the synthesis of it by plants and animals and then the dietary allowance to be followed for vitamin C regularly. The level of vitamin C is very low in people having pneumonia and those with low immunity are being effected by COVID-19 virus. Kiwi is the main source of vitamin C. Preliminary observational studies show that critically sick individuals use vitamin C for the prevention of the pneumonia to the treatment of the virus COVID-19 by increasing the vitamin C levels in the body.
In the light of COVID-19 pandemic, a global shortage for Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) led to the search for an alternative to fill the gap where additive manufacturing made necessary development of rapid design and adaptive filtering masks for local manufacturing using 3D printing to help the frontline workers. The review focuses on the utilization of antimicrobial materials in additive manufacturing with the use of bespoke design to facilitate and respond to the disruptions in the medical supply chain. Previous studies confirmed the age-old theory of copper as an antimicrobial material with contact killing properties. The antimicrobial properties of copper have been registered at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as the first solid antimicrobial material. Combining the properties of copper in a PLA (Polylactic Acid) filament as a nano composite, Copper-3D facilitates the antimicrobial properties to any 3D printed object. Provided this flexibility of 3D printing, the use of masks designed distinctively based on the 3D scan of an individual's facial structures as an efficient Personnel Protective Equipment is also addressed. Additive manufacturing as a support to the shortage of medical devices and a responsive method to the disruption in the supply chain is discussed.
This study proposes a statistical approach to examine pavement surface deterioration tendencies resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The road inspection results, the historical road databases, and the condition analysis make pavement management a major challenge for managers in Morocco as well as around the world. The decrease in traffic, the maintenance stoppages, the difficulties in obtaining field information, all these imperative ingredients are a consequence of the covid-19 pandemic. In this respect, historical analysis, remote monitoring and damage prediction have become increasingly important. In collaboration with the Moroccan National Center for Road Research, this study examines the impact of pandemic-induced lockup on the variation of three important pathologies: pullouts, cracks and potholes, based on the results of a visual inspection and the results of deflection and evenness performed in 2020 on a 50 km long section connecting Meknes and Khemisset cities. First, the reduction of data based on deterioration represented in four levels (A, B, C and D), second, the comparison of the different pathologies before and after the pandemic, the impact of the pandemic on the pavement quality, and finally, a prediction of the progression of the pathology using the linear regression method. This study will help decision makers to take into account pandemics and health failures in their pavement management approaches, and especially to prevent future damage for budget allocation.
During this pandemic, it has become customary to wear a face waste mask to guard against coronavirus illness (COVID-19). However, huge production of face waste masks, PPE kit and gloves pose environmental risks, since existing disposal methods such as incineration and reclamation which are emitting hazardous substances. In the present study covid-19 medical waste material like waste face waste masks; gloves and PPE kit (personal protective equipment) are considered as the feedstock for the thermal degradation process. Mainly nylon, polyethylene and polypropylene compounds are present in the Covid-19 medical waste compounds, further feedstock material is subjected to physical characterization process like proximate, ultimate and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), to determine the moisture, ash, volatile matter and decomposition temperature respectively. The waste waste mask has lower ash content of 9.7 %, whereas gloves and other PPEs has 11.8 and 11.2 % of ash respectively. Similarly volatile matter is also higher for waste waste mask than other feed stocks. Pyrolysis process is carried out between a temperature range of 100 °C to 700 °C and the products of the pyrolysis process are pyrolytic liquid, gas and residue. The maximum pyrolytic oil is produced from waste masks, gloves and other PPE kit at 300, 350 and 320 °C respectively. The calorific value of the pyrolytic oil from waste mask, gloves and other PPE kit possess 40.85,40.11,40.31 MJ/kg respectively, which indicates that all the pyrolytic oil has closer to the diesel fuel. Therefore pyroltic oil obtained from the Covid-19 medical waste can be used as an alternative fuel for CI engine.
Personnel protective equipment, N95 masks, and filtering facepiece respirators such as goggles, face shields, played a very important rolein the safety of bothvirus-affected persons and as well as medical staff, health workers. As the coronavirus (Covid-19) was increasing exponentially worldwide, healthcare has been the demand for this basic equipment especiallyface protection shields have critical issues. There has been an effort to find out the different ways to conserve PPE kits, to use after the sterilization process. The current work focused onthe fabrication of the Portable PPE Kit Sterilizer model using UV Ozone Sanitization Processto utilize for recycling of N95 masks, goggles. Due to its miniature structure, can be used in public health sectors like the hospital, research centers, schools, and laboratories also. The method adopted was cheap, reuse, well suited for mass sanitization.
As a result of the COVID-19 epidemic, there is a growing demand for robots to perform variousoperations which include service bots, cleaning, and disinfection bots. Viral contaminationhas been one of the major causes of human fatality which has abruptly increased in thissituation. Availability of existing technologies is always surpassed by an effective one so asis the UV-Bot developed in this project. This bot aims for a highly accurate percentage of up to96.8% of germ clearance at pre-defined conditions which are user-friendly. Also, the robot isdesigned in a compact size and effective shape to achieve maximum efficiency. The robot isdeployed in hospital pathway and rooms for disinfection whereas human detection and obstacleavoidance has been included with a custom-developed algorithm that supports autonomousnavigation and corner tracking facility. The robot also supports live streaming of thedisinfecting site with an emergency alarm and stop in human detection. This type of robot ishighly capable of destroying viral infections at a particular point which is validated usingTaguchi analysis and also the robot is 3D modelled and tested using static and dynamicobstacles. Thus UV-Bot is manually controllable or autonomous which uses the A* algorithm to store or retrieve the disinfecting site map which is recorded if used frequently.
The Coronavirus pandemic, Covid-19 and SARS-Cov-2 put multidisciplinary research by chemists, biologists, pharmacists and theorists necessary and primordial task to find new active biomolecules which will be beneficial for all humanity. The azoles drugs are electronic rich, they should be used with caution, and an understanding of their pharmacokinetic profile, safety, absorption, distribution, excretion, metabolism, toxicity, and drug-drug interaction profiles is important to provide effective and cure therapy. In these objectives and goals, twenty aromatic nitrogen heterocycle compounds were chosen for in silico, docking and AMET studies against SARS-CoV-2. In this paper with respect to the protein S of SARS-CoV-2 properties, the GAUSSIAN 09w program used in the semi-empirical method at the AM1 level with the optimization of the geometry of the structures. Then Toxicity and physicochemical properties were evaluated by AMET. Molecular docking investigations conducted; the binding affinities as well as interactions of the sieve compounds with the SRAS-CoV-2 protein Spike using PyRx software. In general, the preliminary results are fructuous and needs further in vitro testes.
Baricitinib is a small molecule used to treat moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults. It is an inhibitor of Janus kinase 1 and 2 (JAK1 and JAK2). It has also been repurposed as a potential treatment for Covid 19. The current study has been carried out to understand the structural and chemical properties of this molecule. The molecule is optimized by using density functional theory (DFT) method. The DFT calculations are performed using Gaussian 09 W software package. The bond lengths and bond angles between atoms in the molecules are investigated. The intramolecular interaction within the molecule is identified using the natural bond orbital (NBO) study. The atom in molecule (AIM) study is performed using Multiwfn software. All the calculations are performed at B3LYP /6311G++ (d, p) level of theory. The molecular parameters, such as first-order hyperpolarizability, HOMO-LUMO energy gap, global electrophilicity index, dipole moment, chemical potential, hardness, ionization energy and electron affinity are determined from the calculation. The molecular docking analysis of Baricitinib is also carried out against different target proteins such as 6VSB, 6W9C and 6LU7.
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented growth in the production and disposal of PPEs, face masks, gloves, face shields, and disinfectants. Daily consumption of masks and PPE has increased the plastic load on the municipality and very few plastics are taken to the recycling during the complete shut down during Covid-19. Plastic pollution is already a matter of concern that is increasing due to the negligence of humans. COVID-19 health crisis puts extra pressure on the regular waste management systems as increased daily consumption of single-use plastics around the world. It leads to the inappropriate management of waste; including mobile incineration, direct land-filling, and local burning of the waste. As the PPE kits and gowns are made of polypropylene plastic, they are non-biodegradable like any other plastics. Incineration and land-filling of plastics do not help them to degrade, even if it increases the number of pollutants in the form of microparticles. In this paper, we discussed the research procedures to utilize the waste plastic specifically Covid-19 waste which is received from the health care clinics in Bituminous concrete for the construction of flexible roads. The main objective of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of the bituminous mix modified with Polypropylene gowns waste and to compare it with the conventional bituminous mix. This research concentrated on the Maximum Stability and Flow Value of the asphalt mixture with the waste. The measurements of the Plastic of 10%, 12.5%, 15%, 17.5 %, and 20% were utilized as substitutions for the bitumen binder in the mix. From the experimental investigation, it is concluded that the optimum bitumen content is found at 10% Plastic waste with 6.5 bitumen content. Bitumen properties also increase with the addition of PPE waste.
Due to the recent pandemic situation that has erupted all around us, healthcare facility design is a must. Healthcare providers and administrators must concentrate on the changes that must be made in existing healthcare facilities. The isolated healthcare facilities are essential because the corona virus is spread mainly through close contact (within six feet), such as handshaking (if someone's hands are infected) or touching contaminated surfaces. Healthcare facilities are most susceptible to the spread of the corona virus due to the high number of symptomatic patients admitted. Coronavirus is the leading cause of infectious disease morbidity and mortality worldwide. Thus, if the pandemic situation worsens, new plans and designs for existing healthcare facilities will be required, as well as temporary versions. Societal gains from increased research in this area. In the coming years, healthcare workers will be better trained, and healthcare facilities will be upgraded. This paper proposes new plans and designs to address the issues raised.
