Jonathan Binns

Humidity as a non-pharmaceutical intervention for influenza A

Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

Date: 03-03-2018

DOI: 10.1101/273870

Abstract: Influenza is a global problem infecting 5-10 % of adults and 20-30 % of children annually. Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) are attractive approaches to complement vaccination in the prevention and reduction of influenza. Strong cyclical reduction of absolute humidity has been associated with influenza outbreaks in temperate climates. This study tested the hypothesis that raising absolute humidity above seasonal lows would impact influenza virus survival and transmission in a key source of influenza distribution, a community school. Air s les and objects handled by students (e.g. blocks and markers) were collected from preschool classrooms. All s les were processed and PCR used to determine the presence of influenza and its amount. Additionally s les were tested for their ability to infect cells in cultures. Deliberate classroom humidification (with commercial steam humidifiers) resulted in a significant reduction of the total number of influenza positive s les (air and fomite), viral copy number, and efficiency of viral infectivity. This is the first prospective study suggesting that exogenous humidification could serve as a scalable NPI for influenza or other viral outbreaks. Human influenza infections have a substantial impact on society (including lost productivity and medical costs). Children, 3-4 years of age are the main introducers and spreaders of influenza within a household and community. There is evidence from laboratory and epidemiological studies that suggests that low humidity in winter (in temperate climates) may increase the ability of influenza virus to survive and spread between in iduals. We wanted to know if added in humidity (through steam humidifiers) could reduce the amount of influenza present and its spread within preschool classrooms (students aged 3-4 years)? Additionally, we looked at the infectivity of the influenza isolated and if there were differences in the number of students with influenza-like illnesses during our study. We show that humidification can reduce the amount of influenza present within s les from preschool classrooms and that there were fewer infectious s les compared to non-humidified rooms. There were small numbers of students ill with influenza like illnesses during our study so additional studies will need to look further at humidification as a way to reduce influenza infection and transmission.

Considerations regarding the use of rigid sails on modern powered ships

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Date: 2018

DOI: 10.1080/23311916.2018.1543564

Dynamic interaction of breaking waves and inverted sailing yachts: Explaining the efficacy of mast height retention relative to vertical centre of gravity

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 12-2008

DOI: 10.1016/J.OCEANENG.2008.08.013

Humidity as a non-pharmaceutical intervention for influenza A

Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)

Date: 25-09-2018

DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0204337

Breaking wave prediction with boundary elements and finite volumes for use with small boat capsize studies: Convergence and resource requirements

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 04-2010

DOI: 10.1016/J.OCEANENG.2010.01.014

PREDICTION OF WIND LOADS ON A HIGH-SPEED CATAMARAN DURING MANOEUVRING AT LOW SPEED

Publisher: University of Buckingham Press

Date: 28-11-2022

DOI: 10.5750/IJME.V164IA2.782

Abstract: Abstract The influence of wind on a ship’s manoeuvring performance has always been an important issue, particularly in a harbour environment and during the ship’s docking or disembarking. These types of ships have relatively shallow draft and a smaller cross-sectional area below the waterline compared with their above waterline area. It is therefore important that the designer has appropriate tools for accurate station keeping prediction. This paper presents aerodynamic coefficient estimates for a 112m high-speed wave piercing catamaran (built by Incat Tasmania) using RANS-based Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Experimental Fluid Dynamics (EFD) from wind tunnel testing. It demonstrates that CFD and EFD can be used to complement each other in quantifying the magnitude and effects of wind loading on a high-speed wave piercing catamaran. The results from CFD simulations correspond well with the wind tunnel experiments.

Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC140100003

Start Date: 01-2015

End Date: 03-2020

Amount: $2,389,935.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Linkage Projects - Grant ID: LP0883825

Start Date: 09-2008

End Date: 12-2012

Amount: $76,881.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Discovery Projects - Grant ID: DP180103260

Start Date: 05-2018

End Date: 12-2024

Amount: $317,288.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Linkage Projects - Grant ID: LP110100080

Start Date: 06-2013

End Date: 06-2015

Amount: $260,200.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Linkage Projects - Grant ID: LP0990307

Start Date: 12-2009

End Date: 06-2014

Amount: $210,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council