The superspreading places of COVID-19 and the associated built-environment and socio-demographic features: A study using a spatial network framework and individual-level activity data

Previous studies observed that most COVID-19 infections were transmitted by a few individuals at a few high-risk places (e.g., bars or social gathering venues). These individuals, often called superspreaders, transmit the virus to an unexpectedly large number of people. Further, a small number of superspreading places (SSPs) where this occurred account for a large number of COVID-19 transmissions. In this study, we propose a spatial network framework for identifying the SSPs that disproportionately spread COVID-19. Using individual-level activity data of the confirmed cases in Hong Kong, we first identify the high-risk places in the first four COVID-19 waves using the space-time kernel density method (STKDE). Then, we identify the SSPs among these high-risk places by constructing spatial networks that integrate the flow intensity of the confirmed cases. We also examine what built-environment and socio-demographic features would make a high-risk place to more likely become an SSP in different waves of COVID-19 by using regression models. The results indicate that some places had very high transmission risk and suffered from repeated COVID-19 outbreaks over the four waves, and some of these high-risk places were SSPs where most (about 80%) of the COVID-19 transmission occurred due to their intense spatial interactions with other places. Further, we find that high-risk places with dense urban renewal buildings and high median monthly household rent-to-income ratio have higher odds of being SSPs. The results also imply that the associations between built-environment and socio-demographic features with the high-risk places and SSPs are dynamic over time. The implications for better policymaking during the COVID-19 pandemic are discussed.     

A relational approach to evaluate food environments finds that the proximate food environment matters for those who use it

Using a relational approach, this study investigates whether shopping close to home moderates the relationship between the proximate food environment and diet. To address this question, we develop the proximate food retail quality (PFRQ) score, an inverse-distance weighted measure of all food retailers within a resident's neighborhood that incorporates audit data of each food retailer. This study relies on data collected through 24-h dietary recalls and psychosocial surveys administered to 449 adults in two socioeconomically matched neighborhoods. Food retailer audits collected data on the availability, price, and quality of healthful foods. Seventy-one percent of study participants report conducting at least 50% of their food shopping within approximately one mile of their home. Household income and education are associated with likelihood to shop close to home, while access to a personal vehicle is not. Finally, results suggest that, for residents who shop primarily close to home, a one unit increase in proximate food retail environment score is associated with a 17.2-point increase in HEI-2010 score, a measure of overall diet quality that ranges from zero to 100. This study suggests that the food environment matters for those who use it and that a low-quality proximate food environment can amplify individual disadvantage.     

Re-grounding the concept of liminality by foregrounding spatial aspects in experiences of cancer care

Liminality captures the passing stages in transitioning from one sociocultural status to another. As its spatial dimension remains under-examined, we analyse this in experiences of people affected by cancer. We review liminality in cancer-related literature and juxtapose this with empirical material. Analysing interview data (with eight patients) and participant-made photos highlights why places may be experienced differently throughout a period of illness and how places of diagnosis and care ‘stretch’ across locations. We conclude that exploring liminality's spatial dimension has implications for people ‘living beyond’ cancer, advances sociological understandings of (cancer) illness, and may inform healthcare facility design.     

The impact of school exclusion zone planning guidance on the number and type of food outlets in an English local authority: A longitudinal analysis

The use of planning policy to manage and create a healthy food environment has become a popular policy tool for local governments in England. To date there has been no evaluation of their short-term impact on the built environment. We assess if planning guidance restricting new fast food outlets within 400 m of a secondary school, influences the food environment in the local authority of Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK. We have administrative data on all food outlets in Newcastle 3 years pre-intervention 2012–2015, the intervention year 2016, and three years’ post-intervention 2016–2019. We employ a difference-in-difference approach comparing postcodes within the school fast food outlet exclusion zone to those outside the fast-food exclusion zones. In the short term (3 years), planning guidance to limit the number of new fast-food outlets in a school exclusion zone did not have a statistically significant impact on the food environment when compared with a control zone.     

重点部门常见典型操作时的高频接触表面

目的 明确不同部门的高频接触表面,为清洁消毒工作提供依据与指导。方法 采用直接观察法对西安市某三级甲等综合医院的消化内镜室、口腔科、血透室、手术室、检验科5个医院感染管理重点部门环境表面的接触频次进行调查,计算累积接触频次与频率。结果 5个重点部门高频接触表面均为5~9个。消化胃镜室高频接触表面频次（3.57~13.29次/操作）明显多于其他部门;血透室高频接触频次范围为0.56~3.44次/操作,为5个部门中最低者。接触频次最高的表面：消化内镜室为诊疗床（13.29次/操作）,口腔科为综合治疗台操作面板（3.64次/操作）,血透室为透析机触屏（3.44次/操作）,手术室为麻醉用电脑键盘及鼠标（8.25次/操作）,检验科为电脑键盘及鼠标（4.80次/操作）。治疗车为消化内镜室、手术室及血透室的高频接触表面。结论 因医疗诊疗操作的不同,各部门高频接触表面也不尽相同。电脑鼠标和键盘、治疗车、诊疗床、诊疗专用仪器以及操作台面在调查的各重点部门均为高频接触表面。     

真空紫外辐照对加成型硅橡胶光学性能的影响

考察了加成型硅橡胶在真空环境中经1000ESH紫外辐照后的性能变化。结果表明,辐照后材料均出现发黄的现象,光学透过率大幅度 下降,同时加入硅酸钾包覆后制备的热控涂层反射率下降。经原位测试与离位测试,发现加成型硅橡胶在两种不同条件下测得的结果差异较小,而在有机硅橡胶中加入ZnO后原位与离位测试结果则差异明显,表现出明显的漂白作用。     

肠道内微生态环境对中草药体内代谢的影响

天然中草药的有效成分及其在人体内的代谢过程机制是中药研究的热点,但一直都处于探索阶段,简介了肠道内微生态环境的性质和意义,并以苷类为重点分析了中草药在人体内的代谢过程和药效之间的紧密联系。     

三峡建坝生态环境改变与血吸虫病传播关系研究

三峡工程是一项规模宏大的开发治理长江的综合性工程 ,它具有防洪、发电、航运、养殖、供水等多项效益 ,它的建成对我国经济发展具有重大的影响。但国内外的一些水利工程建成后都不同程度地对生态环境带来一系列影响 ,造成血吸虫病的蔓延 ,三峡建坝与血吸虫病关系如何是一个需要深入研究的课题。1　研究方法1 1　水文、泥沙资料长江水利委员会提供 ,部分资料为实地调查所得。1 2　流行病学调查人畜感染情况 ,中间宿主分布及扩散情况。1 3　社会经济行为因素调查以问卷调查居民社会、经济行为状况 ,人畜流动情况。1 4　类比调查　选择与三峡…     

城市居家老年人宜老环境自我报告评估指标的构建

目的 构建城市居家老年人宜老环境自我报告评估指标,为了解城市老年人居家环境的质量水平和相关服务需求提供评价工具.方法 以世界卫生组织老年友好城市指南作为理论框架,在文献回顾和质性访谈的基础上形成草稿.采用德尔菲法对20名专家进行2轮咨询.结果 2轮专家咨询问卷有效回收率分别为90.91％、90.00％;第2轮专家咨询的权威系数为0.865,专家意见协调系数为0.305～0.671;最终确定的指标体系包括户外空间和建筑、交通、家庭住宅、社会交往和参与、社区服务和信息与通讯6项一级指标,84项二级指标.结论 城市居家老年人宜老环境自我报告评估指标有较好的专家认可度,可作为评价中国城市居家老年人环境质量的工具.