The best material for homemade face masks may be a combination of two fabrics

                                                             

Science Daily -- Date:April 24, 2020 Source: American Chemical Society Summary: Researchers report that a combination of cotton with natural silk or chiffon can effectively filter out aerosol particles -- if the fit is good.

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In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people wear masks in public. Because N95 and surgical masks are scarce and should be reserved for health care workers, many people are making their own coverings. Now, researchers report in ACS Nano that a combination of cotton with natural silk or chiffon can effectively filter out aerosol particles -- if the fit is good.

SARS-CoV-2, the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19, is thought to spread mainly through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, speaks or breathes. These droplets form in a wide range of sizes, but the tiniest ones, called aerosols, can easily slip through the openings between certain cloth fibers, leading some people to question whether cloth masks can actually help prevent disease. Therefore, Supratik Guha at the University of Chicago and colleagues wanted to study the ability of common fabrics, alone or in combination, to filter out aerosols similar in size to respiratory droplets.

The researchers used an aerosol mixing chamber to produce particles ranging from 10 nm to 6 μm in diameter. A fan blew the aerosol across various cloth samples at an airflow rate corresponding to a person's respiration at rest, and the team measured the number and size of particles in air before and after passing through the fabric. One layer of a tightly woven cotton sheet combined with two layers of polyester-spandex chiffon -- a sheer fabric often used in evening gowns -- filtered out the most aerosol particles (80-99%, depending on particle size), with performance close to that of an N95 mask material. Substituting the chiffon with natural silk or flannel, or simply using a cotton quilt with cotton-polyester batting, produced similar results. The researchers point out that tightly woven fabrics, such as cotton, can act as a mechanical barrier to particles, whereas fabrics that hold a static charge, like certain types of chiffon and natural silk, serve as an electrostatic barrier. However, a 1% gap reduced the filtering efficiency of all masks by half or more, emphasizing the importance of a properly fitted mask.

The authors acknowledge use of the U.S. Department of Energy's Center for Nanoscale Materials user facility at Argonne National Laboratory and funding from the U.S. Department of Defense's Vannevar Bush Fellowship.
 

Story Source:

Materials provided by American Chemical Society. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference:

Abhiteja Konda, Abhinav Prakash, Gregory A. Moss, Michael Schmoldt, Gregory D. Grant, Supratik Guha. Aerosol Filtration Efficiency of Common Fabrics Used in Respiratory Cloth Masks. ACS Nano, 2020; DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c03252

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https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/04/200424081648.htm

Science Says: How risky is that virus? Your mind may mislead

                                                     
                                                               

NEW YORK (AP) — Anna Alexander, a property manager in Virginia Beach, Virginia, started the day Monday thinking that she might avoid shaking hands because of the coronavirus outbreak. Then somebody stuck out a hand to shake.

She took it.

“I’m a business person,” Alexander, 65, explained. “But if somebody else does it next time, I might try to be careful because of the coronavirus.”

As the viral infections spread across the globe, everybody has to make a decision: How worried should I be about getting infected, and what should I do about it?

Those decisions can have wide impacts. “Seriously people — STOP BUYING MASKS!” tweeted U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome M. Adams on Feb. 29. He explained masks aren’t effective in protecting the general public “but if healthcare providers can’t get them to care for sick patients, it puts them and our communities at risk!”

The right degree of concern for somebody who lives near a coronavirus hotspot might very well differ from that of somebody who lives far from one. In any case, say experts in how people gauge risk, it’s not a simple, cold statistical calculation. Instead, it is colored by our emotions and other psychological factors.

“Emotions are the filters through which we see the facts,” says David Ropeik, a retired Harvard instructor on risk communication.

And this virus outbreak presents a list of “hot buttons ... that ramp up our perception of risk” and sometimes make those perceptions differ from the evidence-based conclusions of medical officials, says Paul Slovic, a psychology professor at the University of Oregon.

For example, it’s new and unfamiliar, unlike the usual seasonal flu that kills a lot more people every year than coronavirus has. It doesn’t appear to be fully understood. And it seems hard to control, either by public health authorities or our own actions.

“We see there is no vaccine that can prevent it,” he said. It can spread through airborne droplets released by infected people, but we can’t be sure the people we meet are truly healthy, which also undercuts any sense of personal control, he said.

As Ropeik put it, in the face of a new and poorly understood threat “we start feeling like we don’t know what we need to do to protect ourselves, and that feels like powerlessness, a lack of control, like driving down the road but with your eyes closed.”

Meanwhile, the information people get from the news and social media is “not particularly reassuring,” Slovic said. “The geographic risk of this seems to be rapidly expanding” and within any country the case numbers start relatively small and then grow, without any known upper bound, he said. And reports focus on people getting sick and dying, not those who’ve become infected and had only mild symptoms, he said. “We’re getting only the scary information.”

What’s more, Ropeik said, “everybody is telling everybody about it” in news and social media, which amplifies the perceived risk.

Ropeik said the coronavirus triggers thinking about years of warnings about lethal pandemics. “This idea of the new disease being a major killer is an idea that has been burned into our recent fear memory,” he said.

Vincent Covello, director of the Center for Risk Communication, based in New York, provided a list of 17 psychological factors that he said can influence how individuals gauge the risks of coronavirus. For example, he said, people are often more concerned about events if they don’t trust the authorities or institutions in charge. They’re more concerned about involuntary things, like exposure to an infected person, than voluntary ones, like smoking or sunbathing. And they’re often more concerned about risks that have delayed effects, like the lag time between infection and symptoms, than those with an immediate effect, like poisoning.

So how can people minimize the risk of overreaction in themselves and others? Don’t spread the word about every little development, including minor missteps by government authorities, Ropeik says. And “don’t just share the scary parts,” but also include things like infection usually causing only mild to moderate symptoms.

Finally, “don’t be a 24/7 information victim,” he said. “Log off, put your phone down, pick up a book ... Shut down your risk radar screen for a while.... You’re probably just as much at risk or safe tomorrow as you are now, whether you stay online all the time or not.”

___

Ben Finley in Norfolk, Virginia, contributed to this story.

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This Associated Press series was produced in partnership with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

 

Let it snow: Quantifiable observation of cloud seeding

                                                   
                                                         

Date:

February 24, 2020
Source:
University of Wyoming
Summary:
Scientists found that cloud seeding in the Idaho mountains produced a total of about 235 Olympic-sized swimming pools' worth of water.

 
Two University of Wyoming researchers contributed to a paper that demonstrated, for the first time, direct observation of cloud seeding using radar and gauges to quantify the snowfall. Traditionally, cloud seeding -- used to increase winter snowpack -- has been evaluated using precipitation gauges and target/control statistics that led mostly to inconclusive results.

The research, dubbed SNOWIE (Seeded and Natural Orographic Wintertime Clouds -- the Idaho Experiment), took place Jan. 7-March 17, 2017, within and near the Payette Basin, located approximately 50 miles north of Boise, Idaho. The research was in concert with Boise-based Idaho Power Co., which provides a good share of its electrical power through hydroelectric dams.

"This looks at how much snow falls out of seeded clouds at certain locations. That's what's in this paper," says Jeff French, an assistant professor in UW's Department of Atmospheric Science and fourth author of the paper. "We want to see if we can apply what we learned over a number of cases over an entire winter."

The paper, titled "Quantifying Snowfall from Orographic Cloud Seeding," appears in the Feb. 24 (today's) issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

The paper is a follow-up to a previous PNAS paper, by the same research team, titled "Precipitation Formation from Orographic Cloud Seeding," which was published in January 2018. That paper focused on what happens in the clouds when silver iodide is released into the clouds. In the case of the SNOWIE Project, the silver iodide was released by a second aircraft funded through Idaho Power Co., while the UW King Air took measurements to understand the impact of the silver iodide, French says.

Katja Friedrich, an associate professor and associate chair of atmospheric and oceanic sciences at the University of Colorado-Boulder, was the newest paper's lead author. Bart Geerts, a UW professor and department head of atmospheric science, was sixth author on the paper. Other contributors were from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and Idaho Power Co.

Throughout the western U.S. and other semiarid mountainous regions across the globe, water supplies are fed primarily through snowpack melt. Growing populations place higher demand on water, while warmer winters and earlier spring reduce water supplies. Water managers see cloud seeding as a potential way to increase winter snowfall.

"We tracked the seeding plumes from the time we put the silver iodide into the cloud until it generated snow that actually fell onto the ground," Friedrich says.

French credits modern technology, citing the use of ground-based radar, radar on UW's King Air research aircraft and multiple passes over a target mountain range near Boise, with making the detailed cloud-seeding observations happen. Despite numerous experiments spanning several decades, no direct, unambiguous observation of this process existed prior to SNOWIE, he says.

Over the years, research of cloud seeding "has been clouded," so to speak, Geerts adds. He says it was difficult to separate natural snowfall and what amount was actually produced through cloud seeding. However, this study was able to provide quantifiable snowfall.

"Natural snowfall was negligible. That really allowed us to isolate snow added through cloud seeding," Geerts says. "However, we are still in the dark where there is lots of natural snowfall."

Following a brief airborne seeding period Jan. 19, 2017, snow fell from the seeded clouds for about 67 minutes, dusting roughly 900 square miles of land in about one-tenth of a millimeter of snow, based on the team's calculations. In all, that cloud-seeding event and two more later that month produced a total of about 235 Olympic-sized swimming pools' worth of water.

Other observations where snow from cloud seeding was measured took place Jan. 20 and Jan. 31 of that year.

In all, the UW King Air made 24 research flights or intense observation periods (IOPs) lasting 4-6 hours each during SNOWIE. Of those IOPs, cloud seeding occurred during 21 of the flights. During the last three flights, Idaho Power had to suspend cloud seeding because there was so much snow in the mountains already.

While a good deal of research took place aboard the King Air, much of it also occurred on the ground. Numerical modeling of precipitation measurements was conducted using the supercomputer, nicknamed Cheyenne, at the NCAR-Wyoming Supercomputing Center. The numerical models simulated clouds and snow precipitation -- created in natural storms and with cloud seeding -- over the Payette Basin near Boise. The numerical models also allow researchers to study future storm events where measurements have not been obtained in the field.

While the 24 cloud-seeding flights by King Air was a good start, Geerts says, in an ideal world, even more flights are necessary to learn more about cloud seeding in other regions of the country.

Friedrich adds that the research is an important first step toward better understanding just how efficient cloud seeding can be at creating those winter wonderlands.

"

Everyone you talk to will say, even if you can generate a little bit more snow, that helps us in the long run," she says.

French says the team has applied for a new National Science Foundation grant to continue analyzing cloud-seeding data collected from the remaining research flights during 2017.

"We will look at areas where natural snowfall occurs," French says. "We'll take what we learned and see if we can quantify how much snow was produced through silver iodide in areas already receiving snow.

"When we get done with the next three years, we'd like to go out and make similar-type measurements in Wyoming, Colorado or Utah, where clouds may have different characteristics," French adds. "We can broaden the types of clouds we can sample."
 

Story Source:

Materials provided by University of Wyoming. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference:

Katja Friedrich, Kyoko Ikeda, Sarah A. Tessendorf, Jeffrey R. French, Robert M. Rauber, Bart Geerts, Lulin Xue, Roy M. Rasmussen, Derek R. Blestrud, Melvin L. Kunkel, Nicholas Dawson, and Shaun Parkinson. Quantifying snowfall from orographic cloud seeding. PNAS, 2020 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1917204117

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Spring Into Slow Cooker Recipes! Garlic Rosemary Pork Chops!

                                                                     

                                                                     
                                                                     

1. Sear the pork chops first. Giving the pork chops a quick sear in the skillet before adding to the crock-pot isn't just for the color. It helps trap in some juices and gives it a nice almost caramelized crust which adds tons of flavor. 

2. Don't skip the fruit. Fruit with your pork chops? YES. Peaches add flavor and some much needed extra juice. The juicy sweetness pairs so well with the pork chops and once you try it you'll never look back. Apples also go very well with pork chops! 

3. Set it but don't forget it. Most things made in a slow-cooker are fine to go longer than the recommended time. Cooking a chili? The longer the better! That isn't the case with pork chops. Because pork chops are leaner, the longer they cook past the recommended time, the more they will start to dry out. Since we are trying our hardest to make these extra juicy don't let them cook for too long after they reach the recommended internal temp of 145°. Now that you're obsessed with pork chops, put these Garlic Rosemary Pork Chops on the menu!

INGREDIENTS

2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
4 boneless pork chops
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 peaches, thinly sliced
1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
3 sprigs fresh thyme
1/2 c. low-sodium chicken broth
2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp. brown sugar
Cooked white rice, for serving
Freshly chopped parsley, for garnish

DIRECTIONS

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil. Season both sides of pork chops with salt and pepper, then sear until golden, about 2 minutes per side.
Add to crock pot along with peaches, onions, more salt and pepper, and red pepper flakes. Add thyme, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar and stir to coat. Cook on low until pork chops are tender and peaches and onions are soft, 2 hours.

Remove cooked thyme then serve over rice garnished with fresh parsley. 

1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil. Season both sides of pork chops with salt and pepper, then sear until golden, about 2 minutes per side.
2. Add to crock pot along with peaches, onions, more salt and pepper, and red pepper flakes. Add thyme, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar and stir to coat. Cook on low until pork chops are tender and peaches and onions are soft, 2 hours.
3. Remove cooked thyme then serve over rice garnished with fresh parsley. Original Yummy Recipe and more found @ Link Below!

Easy Crock Pot Pork Chops Recipe - How to Cook Pork Chops in the Slow Cooker

These crock pot pork chops from Delish.com are a serious no-brainer.

https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a54689/easy-crock-pot-pork-chops-recipe/

  

                                                                              

Games for Seniors

What do seniors like to do? What do you like to do? I think back to when I was a kid, what did I like to do?

Well, let's start with what we like to do as far as inside activities.

I loved board games when I was a kid. So, why not now?

Taking a look online, there are some games that seem like fun..

Play the game that challenges you to find your lost keys! Designed with the silver set in mind, this board game is just as fun for you youngsters in middle age and below. It tests your memory in all kinds of ways. For example, you're given a series of things to remember. Try these colors: sky blue, sunshine yellow, espresso brown, cotton white, mold green. As the game progresses, you'll need to remember these. Game comes with 48 Senior Moments cards, 8 Lost Key cards, 2 game booklets, a game board, colored markers and a die. Now, give us three of those colors from your list. Not as easy as it sounded, is it? For 2 to 8 players.
Material: Cardstock, paper, plastic
Type of Game: Party games
Playing Time: 30 Minutes or Less
Includes: Game board, cards, markers, game pieces, dice, instructions 2-8 players

You can take a look at it here and even order it

Here's a simple, fun game that makes you get up and move, just a little bit.

Carnival Table Tennis Ball Toss

Step right up to big fun and toss the plastic balls to rack up points! Use this toss game as a carnival game or use it in the classroom as a math game. Don't forget to stock up on carnival prizes and rewards for your game champs on our site! Includes cardboard game and 4 plastic 2" balls. (5 pcs. per unit) 15 1/2" x 15 1/2" x 4". Simple assembly required.

54 Years Ago Today, Civil Rights Act Signed July 2, 1964

                                                                     

                           President Lyndon B. Johnson Signs the Civil Rights Act Julu 2, 1964

Civil Rights Act, (1964), comprehensive U.S. legislation intended to end discrimination based on race, colour, religion, or national origin. It is often called the most important U.S. law on civil rights since Reconstruction (1865–77) and is a hallmark of the American civil rights movement. Title I of the act guarantees equal voting rights by removing registration requirements and procedures biased against minorities and the underprivileged. Title II prohibits segregation or discrimination in places of public accommodation involved in interstate commerce. Title VII bans discrimination by trade unions, schools, or employers involved in interstate commerce or doing business with the federal government. The latter section also applies to discrimination on the basis of sex and established a government agency, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), to enforce these provisions. The act also calls for the desegregation of public schools (Title IV), broadens the duties of the Civil Rights Commission (Title V), and assures nondiscrimination in the distribution of funds under federally assisted programs (Title VI).

Civil Rights Act; Johnson, Lyndon B.
U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson addressing the nation as he signed the Civil Rights Act, July 2, 1964.

The Civil Rights Act was a highly controversial issue in the United States as soon as it was proposed by Pres. John F. Kennedy in 1963. Although Kennedy was unable to secure passage of the bill in Congress, a stronger version was eventually passed with the urging of his successor, Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson, who signed the bill into law on July 2, 1964, following one of the longest debates in Senate history. White groups opposed to integration with African Americans responded to the act with a significant backlash that took the form of protests, increased support for pro-segregation candidates for public office, and some racial violence. The constitutionality of the act was immediately challenged and was upheld by the Supreme Court in the test case Heart of Atlanta Motel v. U.S. (1964). The act gave federal law enforcement agencies the power to prevent racial discrimination in employment, voting, and the use of public facilities.

                           
                                     

The 50th anniversary of the act was celebrated in April 2014 with an event at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library in Austin, Texas. Speakers included U.S. Pres. Barack Obama and former presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush. The U.S. Congress marked the anniversary by posthumously awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to civil rights leaders Martin Luther King, Jr., and Coretta Scott King.