Interaction of microorganisms with carbonates from the micro to the macro scales during sedimentation: Insights into the early stage of biodegradation.

The assembly process of Organic Matter (OM) from single molecules to polymers and the formation process of Ca-CO ion-pairs are explored at the micro-scale, and then the relationship between OM and carbonate based on the results of microbially-induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) laboratory experiments is established at the macro-scale. Molecular dynamics (MD) is used to model the assembly of OM (a) in an aqueous solution, (b) on surfaces of calcite (10 1‾ 4) crystals and (c) on defective calcite (101‾ 4) crystal surfaces. From the MICP experiments, carbonate minerals containing abundant OM were precipitated and were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Diffractometry (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR).

Safe CO threshold limits for indoor long-range airborne transmission control of COVID-19.

CO-based infection risk monitoring is highly recommended during the current COVID-19 pandemic. However, the CO monitoring thresholds proposed in the literature are mainly for spaces with fixed occupants. Determining CO threshold is challenging in spaces with changing occupancy due to the co-existence of quanta and CO remaining from previous occupants.

Implementation and evaluation of a primary diabetes prevention programme for young adult employees in Japan: A non-randomized controlled trial.

Aim: To determine the effects of a primary diabetes prevention programme created for healthy young adults.

Design: This study was a non-randomized controlled trial.

Methods: The participants were 20-39-year-old employees of two automobile sales companies.