The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from wildlife origins has raised concerns about spillover from humans to animals, the establishment of novel wildlife reservoirs, and the potential for future outbreaks caused by variants of wildlife origin. Norway rats ( Rattus norvegicus) are abundant in urban areas and live in close proximity to humans, providing the opportunity for spillover of SARS-CoV-2. To date, there is no evidence of natural SARS-CoV-2 infection in rats and experimental studies suggest rats are likely not susceptible to ancestral SARS-CoV-2. However, as variants emerge, new species have been identified as competent hosts, as demonstrated by the susceptibility of rats to the SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant of concern (VOC). We investigated SARS-CoV-2 infection and exposure in Norway rats from southern Ontario, Canada. From October 2019 to June 2021, 224 rats were submitted by collaborating pest control companies. The majority of samples were collected in Windsor (79.9%; n=179), Hamilton (13.8%; n=31), and the Greater Toronto Area (5.8%; n=13). Overall, 50.0% (n=112) were female and most rats were sexually mature (55.8%; n=125). Notably, 202 samples, including the two seropositive samples, were collected prior to the emergence of VOCs, and 22 were collected while the Alpha variant was the predominant circulating VOC in humans. Nasal turbinate (n=164) and small intestinal (n=213) tissue samples were analyzed for SARS-CoV-2 RNA by RT-PCR. Thoracic cavity fluid samples (n=213) were tested for neutralizing antibodies using a surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT) (GenScript cPass); confirmatory plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) testing was conducted on presumptive positive samples. We did not detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA in any samples tested. Two out of eleven samples positive by sVNT had neutralizing antibodies by PRNT (1:40 and 1:320 PRNT70). It is imperative that efforts to control and monitor SARS-CoV-2 include surveillance of rats and other relevant wildlife species as novel variants continue to emerge.

The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from wildlife has raised concerns about spillover from humans to animals, the establishment of novel wildlife reservoirs, and the potential for future outbreaks caused by variants of wildlife origin. Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) are abundant in urban areas and live in close proximity to humans, providing the opportunity for spillover of SARS-CoV-2. Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and exposure has been reported in Norway rats. We investigated SARS-CoV-2 infection and exposure in Norway rats from Southern Ontario, Canada. From October 2019 to June 2021, 224 rats were submitted by collaborating pest control companies. The majority of samples were collected in Windsor (79.9%; n = 179), Hamilton (13.8%; n = 31), and the Greater Toronto Area (5.8%; n = 13). Overall, 50.0% (n = 112) were female and most rats were sexually mature (55.8%; n = 125). Notably, 202 samples were collected prior to the emergence of variants of concern (VOC) and 22 were collected while the Alpha variant (B.1.1.7) was the predominant circulating VOC in humans. Nasal turbinate (n = 164) and small intestinal (n = 213) tissue samples were analyzed for SARS-CoV-2 RNA by RT-PCR. Thoracic cavity fluid samples (n = 213) were tested for neutralizing antibodies using a surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT) (GenScript cPass); confirmatory plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) was conducted on presumptive positive samples. We did not detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA in any samples tested. Two out of eleven samples positive on sVNT had neutralizing antibodies confirmed positive by PRNT (1 : 40 and 1 : 320 PRNT70); both were collected prior to the emergence of VOC. It is imperative that efforts to control and monitor SARS-CoV-2 include surveillance of rats and other relevant wildlife species as novel variants continue to emerge.

Purpose Emergency shutdown (ESD) systems play a critical role in ensuring safety and availability of oil and gas production. The systems are operated in on-demand mode, and the detection and prediction of their failures is deemed challenging. The purpose of this paper is to develop a logical data-driven approach to enhance the understanding and detectability of ESD system failures. Design/methodology/approach The study was conducted in close collaboration with the Norwegian oil and gas industry. The study and analyses were supported by industrial data, failure data generated in a test facility in Norway and domain experts. Findings The paper demonstrated that there is a considerable potential to improve the decision process and to reduce the workload related to ESD systems by means of a logical data-driven approach. The results showed that the failure analysis process can be executed with more clarity and efficiency. Common cause failures could also be identified based on the suggested approach. The study further underlined the requirements regarding relevant data, new competence and technical supports in order to improve the current practice. Originality/value The paper leveraged the value of real-time data in identifying failures through mapping of the interrelationships between data, failure mechanisms and decisions. The failure analysis process was re-designed, and the understanding and decision making related to the system was improved as a result. The process developed for ESDs can further be adapted as a common practice for other low-demand systems.

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ValveWatch can be a powerful tool as part of an operational strategy, as it provides valuable information that can be used to track operational Safety according to IEC 61511/508 (Functional Safety Assessment - SIL – Safety Integrity Level). Within an operating plant, Functional Safety Management for automated on/off valves, PSVs and manual valves it is required to understand why the valves fail and how it is possible to mitigate these failures. The common factor is that the Faults that one has experienced i.e the valve/actuator has failed to carry out its intended task has caused a loss in production or a reduced the level of safety that the plant has been operating under. – These are expensive lessons and lessons that are repeated often. The reason why these "lessons" get repeated is because the failures that have been experienced are due to hidden failures that are not possible to discover with traditional instrumentation (I.e limit switch, Partial Stroking, opening/closing time). In the terms of IEC 61508 these faults are categorized as DU Faults (Dangerous Undetected). Often these faults may have been introduced due incorrect maintenance, incorrect operation of the valve/actuator or simply due to wear and tear. Critical valves have requirements with respect to functional testing and also perhaps through leakage tests. The manual methods in testing are flawed and it is difficult to uncover the DU's and even the DD (Dangerous Detectable Faults). Furthermore, the manual tests are often carried out when there is no pressure present, hence the valve is not tested under realistic conditions.