Genomic epidemiology and the role of international and regional travel in the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Zimbabwe: a retrospective study of routinely collected surveillance data.

BACKGROUND: Advances in SARS-CoV-2 sequencing have enabled identification of new variants, tracking of its evolution, and monitoring of its spread. We aimed to use whole genome sequencing to describe the molecular epidemiology of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak and to inform the implementation of effective public health interventions for control in Zimbabwe. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of nasopharyngeal samples collected from nine laboratories in Zimbabwe between March 20 and Oct 16, 2020. Samples were taken as a result of quarantine procedures for international arrivals or to test for infection in people who were symptomatic or close contacts of positive cases. Samples that had a cycle threshold of less than 30 in the diagnostic PCR test were processed for sequencing. We began our analysis in July, 2020 (120 days since the first case), with a follow-up in October, 2020 (at 210 days since the first case). The phylogenetic relationship of the genome sequences within Zimbabwe and global samples was established using maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods. FINDINGS: Of 92 299 nasopharyngeal samples collected during the study period, 8099 were PCR-positive and 328 were available for sequencing, with 156 passing sequence quality control. 83 (53%) of 156 were from female participants. At least 26 independent introductions of SARS-CoV-2 into Zimbabwe in the first 210 days were associated with 12 global lineages. 151 (97%) of 156 had the Asp614Gly mutation in the spike protein. Most cases, 93 (60%), were imported from outside Zimbabwe. Community transmission was reported 6 days after the onset of the outbreak. INTERPRETATION: Initial public health interventions delayed onset of SARS-CoV-2 community transmission after the introduction of the virus from international and regional migration in Zimbabwe. Global whole genome sequence data are essential to reveal major routes of spread and guide intervention strategies. FUNDING: WHO, Africa CDC, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, Medical Research Council, National Institute for Health Research, and Genome Research Limited.WHO, Africa CDC, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, Medical Research Council, National Institute for Health Research, and Genome Research Limite

Numerical and Asymptotic Study of Non-Stationary Mass Transport of Binary Salt Ions in the Diffusion Layer near the Cation Exchange Membrane at Prelimiting Currents

In this paper, we consider a depleted stationary diffusion layer adjacent to the ion-exchange membrane. The main goal is to study the structure of the diffusion layer over time. A one-dimensional non-stationary mathematical model of the transport of a binary electrolyte in a diffusion layer in a potentiostatic mode is investigated using the Nernst-Planck and Poisson equations. For the first time, it is shown that the left boundary of the space charge region is established quickly, approaching a certain straight line xc =const asymptotically. Using this fact, a new asymptotic solution is constructed. The original feature of the proposed asymptotic method is that it is based not only on asymptotic simplifications in the equations, but also on replacing the exact description of the structure of the diffusion layer with an approximate one

Modeling and numerical analysis of the effect of dissociation/recombination of water molecules on the transport of salt ions in diffusion layer

Introduction. The paper presents a theoretical study on binary salt ion transport considering the water dissociation/recombination reaction. The work objectives are as follows: to build a mathematical model; to develop an algorithm for the numerical solution to the boundary value problem corresponding to the mathematical model; to work out the similarity theory including the transition to a dimensionless form using characteristic quantities; to determine a physical meaning of trivial similarity criteria; to find nontrivial similarity criteria; to build and analyze the volt-ampere characteristic (VAC).Materials and Methods. The theoretical study and numerical analysis of the transport of binary salt ions consider the dissociation/recombination reaction of water. In this case, the heat transfer equation and the mathematical model of electrodiffusion of four types of ions simultaneously (two salt ions, as well as ????+ and ????????−ions) in the diffusion layer of electromembrane systems with a perfectly selective membrane are used. For the first-order differential equations, a singularly perturbed boundary-value problem is set. In the equation for the electric field, the right side is independent of the intensity. In the numerical solution to the digitized system of equations by the Newton-Kantorovich method, this causes the stability of the method. In this regard, the boundary-value problem is reduced for numerical solution: a transition to a system of the second-order equations is provided, and the missing boundary conditions for the electric field strength are calculated.Research Results. A new mathematical model, a numerical algorithm to solve a boundary value problem, and software are developed. A numerical analysis is carried out, and fundamental laws of the transport of salt ions are determined considering the dissociation/recombination reaction of water molecules, temperature effects, and Joule heating. The VAC is built and analyzed.Discussion and Conclusions. The transport of binary salt ions through a diffusion layer near a cation exchange membrane is considered. A mathematical model of this process is proposed. It takes into account the temperature effects due to dissociation/recombination reactions of water molecules and Joule heating in a solution. The basic laws of the transport of salt ions are established considering the dissociation/recombination reaction of water molecules and temperature effects. The temperature effects of the dissociation/recombination reaction and the Joule heating in the electroneutrality region (ENR) are almost imperceptible (with the exception of the recombination region, RR). The Joule heating in the space-charge region (SCR) is by two orders of magnitude larger than the cooling effect of the water dissociation reaction. Upon recombination, approximately the same heat is released in the RR as during Joule heating in the expanded SCR. However, due to the small size of the RR, the effect of this heat is imperceptible. Therefore, we can assume that there is only one heat source at the interface in the SCR, which, due to its noticeable size, causes a significant increase in temperature in the entire diffusion layer. It follows that the emergence and development of gravitational convection is possible. General conclusions, following from the results obtained, open up the possibility of intensifying the process of transport of salt ions in the electrodialysis machines