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Braggion A, Dugerdil A, Wilson O, Hovagemyan F, Flahault A. Indoor Air Quality and COVID-19: A Scoping Review. Public Health Rev 2024; 44:1605803. [PMID: 38273885 PMCID: PMC10810127 DOI: 10.3389/phrs.2023.1605803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has been a major public health concern for the past 3 years. Scientific evidence on the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and indoor air quality still needs to be demonstrated. This scoping review aims to study the association between air quality indoors and COVID-19. Methods: A scoping review analyzing the association between indoor air quality and epidemiological outcomes was conducted. Papers published between 1 January 2020 and 31 October 2022 were included. Hospital settings were excluded from the study. Results: Eight relevant articles met the inclusion criteria. Indoor settings included workplaces, schools, restaurants, and public transport. Types of ventilation used to improve indoor air quality were dilution methods (opening windows) and mechanical systems with or without filtration or purifier. CO2 sensors were employed in one study. All the studies showed a positive association between indoor air quality and its improvement and epidemiological indicators. Conclusion: The findings of this scoping review indicate that indoor air quality, which can be improved with ventilation methods, may reduce the risk of developing COVID-19. Ventilation could thus be viewed as a possible effective mitigating method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axelle Braggion
- Institut de Santé Globale, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Adeline Dugerdil
- Institut de Santé Globale, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Olwen Wilson
- Institut de Santé Globale, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland
- School of Public Policy, London School of Economics, London, United Kingdom
| | - Francesca Hovagemyan
- Institut de Santé Globale, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Antoine Flahault
- Institut de Santé Globale, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland
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Dong J, Goodman N, Rajagopalan P. A Review of Artificial Neural Network Models Applied to Predict Indoor Air Quality in Schools. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6441. [PMID: 37568983 PMCID: PMC10419013 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20156441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools can affect the performance and health of occupants, especially young children. Increased public attention on IAQ during the COVID-19 pandemic and bushfires have boosted the development and application of data-driven models, such as artificial neural networks (ANNs) that can be used to predict levels of pollutants and indoor exposures. METHODS This review summarises the types and sources of indoor air pollutants (IAP) and the indicators of IAQ. This is followed by a systematic evaluation of ANNs as predictive models of IAQ in schools, including predictive neural network algorithms and modelling processes. The methods for article selection and inclusion followed a systematic, four-step process: identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion. RESULTS After screening and selection, nine predictive papers were included in this review. Traditional ANNs were used most frequently, while recurrent neural networks (RNNs) models analysed time-series issues such as IAQ better. Meanwhile, current prediction research mainly focused on using indoor PM2.5 and CO2 concentrations as output variables in schools and did not cover common air pollutants. Although studies have highlighted the impact of school building parameters and occupancy parameters on IAQ, it is difficult to incorporate them in predictive models. CONCLUSIONS This review presents the current state of IAQ predictive models and identifies the limitations and future research directions for schools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jierui Dong
- Sustainable Building Innovation Lab., School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; (N.G.); (P.R.)
- HEAL National Research Network, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Nigel Goodman
- Sustainable Building Innovation Lab., School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; (N.G.); (P.R.)
- HEAL National Research Network, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Priyadarsini Rajagopalan
- Sustainable Building Innovation Lab., School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; (N.G.); (P.R.)
- HEAL National Research Network, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
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Rey-Hernández JM, Arroyo-Gómez Y, San José-Alonso JF, Rey-Martínez FJ. Assessment of natural ventilation strategy to decrease the risk of COVID 19 infection at a rural elementary school. Heliyon 2023; 9:e18271. [PMID: 37539099 PMCID: PMC10393631 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural ventilation in low-budget elementary schools is the main focus to ensure the health and comfort of its occupants, specifically when looking at the global pandemic related to SARS-COV-2. This paper presents an experimental and novel study of natural ventilation in a public elementary school (Los Zumacales), with a particularly low economic budget. The study was carried out during the winter months of the Covid 19 pandemic. The school is located in the rural area of Castilla y León (North-Western Spain) far from high traffic roads. In this study, a methodology of measuring CO2 concentration was applied in nine classrooms in a school. The experimental study shows the level of natural ventilation in each classroom, expressed in Air Changes per Hour (ACH), using the Decay CO2 concentration method. The method is proven by comparing the experimental values of the obtained ACH with those determined by the most powerful methods to achieve appropriate ventilation levels. Thus, ensuring health protection protocol in rural schools, against the COVID 19 pandemic. Harvard guide and Spanish regulations (RITE), two widely recognized methods have been used together with the experimentally obtained standard by Rey et al. Only one classroom showed a value lower than 3 indicating poor ventilation. In this study, the degree of thermal comfort in the nine classrooms were also analyzed according to the EN15251 standard. An average indoor temperature of approximately 19 °C was obtained, and the relative humidity was stable and correct according to Spanish regulations. In addition, the risk of infection in each classroom was estimated following the international method recommended by the federation of European Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Associations (REHVA). The probability of infection in all the cases studied was less than 14%. Therefore, this study provides a strong response against infections illnesses, such as Covid 19, in educational buildings where economic budgets of their facilities are low in both, maintenance and investment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier M. Rey-Hernández
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Engines, Engineering School, University of Málaga (UMa), 29014 Málaga, Spain
- Thermotechnology Consolidated Research Unit (UIC 053), University of Valladolid, Spain
- Energetics Research Group (TEP139), University of Málaga, Spain
- Institute of Advanced Production Technologies (ITAP), Spain
| | - Yolanda Arroyo-Gómez
- Department of Energy and Fluid Mechanics, School of Engineering (EII), University of Valladolid (UVa), 47002 Valladolid, Spain
- Thermotechnology Consolidated Research Unit (UIC 053), University of Valladolid, Spain
- Institute of Advanced Production Technologies (ITAP), Spain
| | - Julio F. San José-Alonso
- Department of Energy and Fluid Mechanics, School of Engineering (EII), University of Valladolid (UVa), 47002 Valladolid, Spain
- Thermotechnology Consolidated Research Unit (UIC 053), University of Valladolid, Spain
- Institute of Advanced Production Technologies (ITAP), Spain
| | - Francisco J. Rey-Martínez
- Department of Energy and Fluid Mechanics, School of Engineering (EII), University of Valladolid (UVa), 47002 Valladolid, Spain
- Thermotechnology Consolidated Research Unit (UIC 053), University of Valladolid, Spain
- Institute of Advanced Production Technologies (ITAP), Spain
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Himeur Y, Elnour M, Fadli F, Meskin N, Petri I, Rezgui Y, Bensaali F, Amira A. AI-big data analytics for building automation and management systems: a survey, actual challenges and future perspectives. Artif Intell Rev 2022; 56:4929-5021. [PMID: 36268476 PMCID: PMC9568938 DOI: 10.1007/s10462-022-10286-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In theory, building automation and management systems (BAMSs) can provide all the components and functionalities required for analyzing and operating buildings. However, in reality, these systems can only ensure the control of heating ventilation and air conditioning system systems. Therefore, many other tasks are left to the operator, e.g. evaluating buildings’ performance, detecting abnormal energy consumption, identifying the changes needed to improve efficiency, ensuring the security and privacy of end-users, etc. To that end, there has been a movement for developing artificial intelligence (AI) big data analytic tools as they offer various new and tailor-made solutions that are incredibly appropriate for practical buildings’ management. Typically, they can help the operator in (i) analyzing the tons of connected equipment data; and; (ii) making intelligent, efficient, and on-time decisions to improve the buildings’ performance. This paper presents a comprehensive systematic survey on using AI-big data analytics in BAMSs. It covers various AI-based tasks, e.g. load forecasting, water management, indoor environmental quality monitoring, occupancy detection, etc. The first part of this paper adopts a well-designed taxonomy to overview existing frameworks. A comprehensive review is conducted about different aspects, including the learning process, building environment, computing platforms, and application scenario. Moving on, a critical discussion is performed to identify current challenges. The second part aims at providing the reader with insights into the real-world application of AI-big data analytics. Thus, three case studies that demonstrate the use of AI-big data analytics in BAMSs are presented, focusing on energy anomaly detection in residential and office buildings and energy and performance optimization in sports facilities. Lastly, future directions and valuable recommendations are identified to improve the performance and reliability of BAMSs in intelligent buildings.
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Equity, Justice, and Quality during the COVID-19 Pandemic Period: Considerations on Learning and Scholarly Performance in Brazilian Schools. EDUCATION SCIENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/educsci12050354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Due to the imperative need for change in habits caused by the COVID-19 pandemic that has plagued the world, this exploratory study plans to analyze the directions taken in teaching activities in public and private schools of the city of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and their consequences for learning and scholarly performance concerning elementary and middle schools. In this way, this study verifies through an email questionnaire if there was equality, justice, and quality in teaching methods during the COVID-19 pandemic. The descriptive analysis was carried out based on statistical calculations of quantitative and qualitative variables with various tests, whenever necessary, such as the chi-square, and when inconclusive, Fischer’s exact test, Kolmogorov–Smirnov and Shapiro–Wilk, non-parametric Mann–Whitney (when the comparison between two independent groups was mandatory), ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis, and Friedman test. The results show that teachers tried to interact with students to overcome the problems faced during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Additionally, the study showed that there were differences in scholarly and learning performance, equality, and quality in the types of schools analyzed. This paper will help to fill the literature gap on the subject and will boost ongoing discussion on the inclusion of sustainable concepts in education.
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Strategy for Improving the Indoor Environment of Office Spaces in Subtropical Cities. BUILDINGS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/buildings12040412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Taiwan is located in a subtropical region with high temperatures and humidity. Office spaces are located in air-enclosed rooms in buildings, where doors and windows remain closed and only a central air-conditioning system provides temperature adjustment and ventilation. Most offices in this area have office seating areas, document storage areas on both sides of the office, and multi-function devices, which can cause sick office syndrome in the employees. This study applied environmental monitoring technology to analyze the architectural form and indoor and outdoor air quality to propose improvement strategies addressing indoor temperature, relative humidity and air quality. Quality indices were used created to evaluate the improvement efficiency. The analysis results showed that the indoor temperature and relative humidity in staff seating areas can be effectively improved. The statistical analysis results of improved efficiency for PM2.5, PM10 concentrations and total suspended particulates showed that the average indicator values have been raised from 0.05 to 1.5, 2.45 to 4.02 and 0.91 to 3.54, respectively, for staff seating area and −0.01 to 2.82, 0.15 to 3.91 and 1.25 to 7.25, respectively, for photocopier areas. The ambient air quality of this office space has been significantly improved. This study can serve as an example of air quality improvement in traditional common office spaces.
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The Online Education System: COVID-19 Demands, Trends, Implications, Challenges, Lessons, Insights, Opportunities, Outlooks, and Directions in the Work from Home. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su132112197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this exploratory research is to identify how working from home and the consequent social isolation interfered in teachers’ work and students’ learning and to identify the challenges, difficulties, advantages, opportunities, demands, trends, implications, outlooks, lessons, directions, and feelings of students and teachers in the teaching processes during the COVID-19 pandemic period. To reach its aim, the authors of this paper developed searches and scientific databases and they also sent an email questionnaire to Rio de Janeiro city schools. The descriptive analyses were made by descriptive statistics (proportions, rates, minimum, maximum, mean, median, standard deviation, coefficient of variation—CV). The results show that working from home and the consequent social isolation interfered in the students’ and teachers’ feelings and sensations and highlight the words “frustration”, “hope”, and “strangeness”. From the sample, 96.4% of the teachers affirmed that working from home and the social isolation interfered in their work and 97.4% of the teachers affirmed that working from home and the consequent social isolation interfered in the students’ learning. This research is the starting point to boost discussions on the subjects of COVID-19, working from home, social isolation, and education. This paper will support researchers in the development of future studies related to the subjects.
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Lepore E, Aguilera Benito P, Piña Ramírez C, Viccione G. Indoors ventilation in times of confinement by SARS-CoV-2 epidemic: A comparative approach between Spain and Italy. SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND SOCIETY 2021; 72:103051. [PMID: 34099968 PMCID: PMC8172273 DOI: 10.1016/j.scs.2021.103051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
With the arrival of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, the scientific academia, as well as policymakers, are striving to conceive solutions as an attempt to contain the spreading of contagion. Among the adopted measures, severe lockdown restrictions were issued to avoid the diffusion of the virus in an uncontrolled way through public spaces. It can be deduced from recent literature that the primary route of transmission is via aerosols, produced mainly in poorly ventilated interior areas where infected people spend a lot of time with other people. Concerning contagion rates, accumulated incidence or number of hospitalizations due to COVID-19, Spain, and Italy have reached very high levels. In this framework, a regression analysis to assess the feasibility of the indoor ventilation measures established in Spain and Italy, with respect to the European framework, is here presented. To this aim, ten cases of housing typology were and analyzed. The results show that the measures established in the applicable regulations to prevent and control the risk of contagion by aerosols are not adequate to guarantee a healthy environment indoors. The current Italian guidelines are more restrictive than in Spain, yet the ventilation levels are still insufficient in times of pandemic.
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Key Words
- ACH, air changes per hour
- CO, Carbon Monoxide
- CO2, carbon dioxide
- COVID-19
- COVID-19, Coronavirus disease 2019
- CTE, Technical Building Code, Spain
- EN, European Standards
- F, Statistical test F (Ronald Fisher)
- HS, basic documenton salubrity
- IAQ, indoor air quality
- IEQ, Indoor Environmental Quality
- IEQcat, Indoor Environmental Quality category for design
- Indoor air quality
- Italy
- NOX, oxides of nitrogen
- O3, ozone
- OMS (WHO), World Health Organization
- PM, Particulate Matter
- Qop, specific external air flow per person
- SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2
- SIMA, Italian Society of Environmental Medicine
- SO2, sulfur dioxide
- Spain
- UNE, Spanish Association for Standardisation
- UNESCO, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
- UNI, Italian national unification body
- Ventilation
- ns, crowding index per unit area
- p, significance value
- ppm, parts per million
- qB, ventilation rate for building materials
- qp, ventilation rate for people
- qv, minimum flow for housing
- ΔCO2, difference in CO2 concentration
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Affiliation(s)
- Ester Lepore
- University of Salerno, Deparment of Civil Engineering, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Patricia Aguilera Benito
- Polytechnic University of Madrid, Higher Technical School of Building, Department of Building Technology, Spain
| | - Carolina Piña Ramírez
- Polytechnic University of Madrid, Higher Technical School of Building, Department of Architectural Construction and its Control, Spain
| | - Giacomo Viccione
- University of Salerno, Deparment of Civil Engineering, Fisciano, Italy
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Chillon SA, Millan M, Aramendia I, Fernandez-Gamiz U, Zulueta E, Mendaza-Sagastizabal X. Natural Ventilation Characterization in a Classroom under Different Scenarios. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:5425. [PMID: 34069502 PMCID: PMC8160776 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18105425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has pointed to the need to increase our knowledge in fields related to human breathing. In the present study, temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration, and median particle size diameter measurements were taken into account. These parameters were analyzed in a computer classroom with 15 subjects during a normal 90-minute class; all the subjects wore surgical masks. For measurements, Arduino YUN, Arduino UNO, and APS-3321 devices were used. Natural ventilation efficiency was checked in two different ventilation scenarios: only windows open and windows and doors open. The results show how ventilation affects the temperature, CO2 concentration, and median particle diameter size parameters. By contrast, the relative humidity depends more on the outdoor meteorological conditions. Both ventilation scenarios tend to create the same room conditions in terms of temperature, humidity, CO2 concentration, and particle size. Additionally, the evolution of CO2 concentration as well as the particle size distribution along the time was studied. Finally, the particulate matter (PM2.5) was investigated together with particle concentration. Both parameters showed a similar trend during the time of the experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio A. Chillon
- Nuclear Engineering and Fluid Mechanics Department, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Nieves Cano 12, Vitoria-Gasteiz, 01006 Araba, Spain; (S.A.C.); (I.A.); (X.M.-S.)
| | - Mikel Millan
- System Engineering and Automation Control Department, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Nieves Cano 12, Vitoria-Gasteiz, 01006 Araba, Spain; (M.M.); (E.Z.)
| | - Iñigo Aramendia
- Nuclear Engineering and Fluid Mechanics Department, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Nieves Cano 12, Vitoria-Gasteiz, 01006 Araba, Spain; (S.A.C.); (I.A.); (X.M.-S.)
| | - Unai Fernandez-Gamiz
- Nuclear Engineering and Fluid Mechanics Department, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Nieves Cano 12, Vitoria-Gasteiz, 01006 Araba, Spain; (S.A.C.); (I.A.); (X.M.-S.)
| | - Ekaitz Zulueta
- System Engineering and Automation Control Department, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Nieves Cano 12, Vitoria-Gasteiz, 01006 Araba, Spain; (M.M.); (E.Z.)
| | - Xabier Mendaza-Sagastizabal
- Nuclear Engineering and Fluid Mechanics Department, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Nieves Cano 12, Vitoria-Gasteiz, 01006 Araba, Spain; (S.A.C.); (I.A.); (X.M.-S.)
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Ranjbari M, Shams Esfandabadi Z, Zanetti MC, Scagnelli SD, Siebers PO, Aghbashlo M, Peng W, Quatraro F, Tabatabaei M. Three pillars of sustainability in the wake of COVID-19: A systematic review and future research agenda for sustainable development. JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION 2021; 297:126660. [PMID: 34785869 PMCID: PMC8580193 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has immensely impacted the economic, social, and environmental pillars of sustainability in human lives. Due to the scholars' increasing interest in responding to the urgent call for action against the pandemic, the literature of sustainability research considering COVID-19 consequences is very fragmented. Therefore, a comprehensive review of the COVID-19 implications for sustainability practices is still lacking. This research aims to analyze the effects of COVID-19 on the triple bottom line (TBL) of sustainability to support the future sustainable development agenda. To achieve that, the following research questions are addressed by conducting a systematic literature review: (i) what is the current status of research on the TBL of sustainability considering COVID-19 implications? (ii) how does COVID-19 affect the TBL of sustainability? and (iii) what are the potential research gaps and future research avenues for sustainable development post COVID-19? The results manifest the major implications of the COVID-19 outbreak for the triple sustainability pillars and the sustainable development agenda from the economic, social, and environmental points of view. The key findings provide inclusive insights for governments, authorities, practitioners, and policy-makers to alleviate the pandemic's negative impacts on sustainable development and to realize the sustainability transition opportunities post COVID-19. Finally, five research directions for sustainable development corresponding to the United Nations' sustainable development goals (SDGs) post COVID-19 are provided, as follows: (1) sustainability action plan considering COVID-19 implications: refining sustainability goals and targets and developing measurement framework; (2) making the most of sustainability transition opportunities in the wake of COVID-19: focus on SDG 12 and SDG 9; (3) innovative solutions for economic resilience towards sustainability post COVID-19: focus on SDG 1, SDG 8, and SDG 17; (4) in-depth analysis of the COVID-19 long-term effects on social sustainability: focus on SDG 4, SDG 5, and SDG 10; and (5) expanding quantitative research to harmonize the COVID-19-related sustainability research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meisam Ranjbari
- Henan Province Forest Resources Sustainable Development and High-value Utilization Engineering Research Center, School of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
- Department of Economics and Statistics "Cognetti de Martiis", University of Turin, Lungo Dora Siena 100 A, 10153, Torino, Italy
| | - Zahra Shams Esfandabadi
- Department of Environment, Land and Infrastructure Engineering (DIATI), Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca Degli Abruzzi 24, 10129, Torino, Italy
- Energy Center Lab, Politecnico di Torino, Via Paolo Borsellino 38/16, 10138, Torino, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Zanetti
- Department of Environment, Land and Infrastructure Engineering (DIATI), Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca Degli Abruzzi 24, 10129, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Peer-Olaf Siebers
- School of Computer Science, University of Nottingham, Jubilee Campus, NG8 1BB, Nottingham, UK
| | - Mortaza Aghbashlo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering of Agricultural Machinery, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
| | - Wanxi Peng
- Henan Province Forest Resources Sustainable Development and High-value Utilization Engineering Research Center, School of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Francesco Quatraro
- Department of Economics and Statistics "Cognetti de Martiis", University of Turin, Lungo Dora Siena 100 A, 10153, Torino, Italy
- BRICK, Collegio Carlo Alberto, Piazza Arbarello 8, 10123, Torino, Italy
| | - Meisam Tabatabaei
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
- Henan Province Forest Resources Sustainable Development and High-value Utilization Engineering Research Center, School of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
- Biofuel Research Team (BRTeam), Terengganu, Malaysia
- Microbial Biotechnology Department, Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran (ABRII), Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
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Abstract
Prolonged and continuous daily use of digital screens, or visual display terminals (VDTs), has become the norm in occupational, educational, and recreational settings. An increased global dependence on VDTs has led to a rise in associated visual complaints, including eye strain, ocular dryness, burning, blurred vision, and irritation, to name a few. The principal causes for VDT-associated visual discomfort are abnormalities with oculomotor/vergence systems and dry eye (DE). This review focuses on the latter, as advances in research have identified symptomology and ocular surface parameters that are shared between prolonged VDT users and DE, particularly the evaporative subtype. Several mechanisms have been implicated in VDT-associated DE, including blink anomalies, damaging light emission from modern devices, and inflammatory changes. The presence of preexisting DE has also been explored as an inciting and exacerbating factor. We review the associations between digital screens and DE, mechanisms of damage, and therapeutic options, hoping to raise awareness of this entity with the goal of reducing the global morbidity and economic impact of screen-associated visual disability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divy Mehra
- Surgical Services, Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL
| | - Anat Galor
- Surgical Services, Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL
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