Swine Flu H3N2 and H1N1 update

http://h1n1.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/swine-flu-symptoms.jpg

Feb. 18, 2015: Update from Sanchita Sharma Hindustan Times, New Delhi.  The India swine flu outbreak has affected more people this year but the case fatality rate is 1/3rd that of last year.  Early timely treatment has been very effective.

Update from Maria Cheng- AP Jan. 29, 2013:  Genetic variations in 25% of  people from China, Japan and Korea make them more susceptible to severe flu side effects.  People with the genetic variation need more aggressive treatment.

The CDC is reporting an increase in cases of swine flu H3N2.  The flu is transmitted from swine to humans and in some cases has undergone a mutation to allow person to person transmission.  As of now the person to person route is not efficient.  Most infections have come from direct exposure to swine.   This is a link to the CDC health advisory posted August 3, 2012

Update: Minnesota State Fair Veterinarians will be monitoring pigs for symptoms of Swine flu according to an article in the St. Paul Pioneer Press. The symptoms are high temperature, raspy cough and loss of appetite.  U of MN vets also tested seemly healthy pigs during the H1N1 outbreak in 2009 and found that 19% of them carried the virus according to a Mpls. Star Tribune article.  Three people have been infected with flu as of August 31, 2012 at the State Fair and two pigs were removed from competition according to a Star Tribune article by Jeremy Olson

Former Minnesota state epidemiologist Mike Osterholm is recommending that the swine exhibit be closed to the public.  According to an August 21, 2012 article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune.  Fair officials have yet to make a decision but are recommending that people who are not in good health stay away from the building.  They also recommend that people not eat while in the building and be sure to clean their hands before exiting the building.

The St. Paul Pioneer press reports on two cases of swine flu have been linked to the recently concluded Wisconsin State Fair.  The transmission appears to be from swine to people.

The heaviest case report are from Indiana where 113 individuals  as of August 9, 2012 are believed to have contracted the flu by interaction with swine this includes four at the LaPorte county fair from July 8 through July 14 .  The symptoms are similar to seasonal flu.  The CDC has a fact sheet on H3N2.  Persons most at risk are children under the age of 5, immune compromised individuals or people over the age of 65.   People who have not have received a seasonal flu vaccine are also at greater risk.  Persons are asked to reduced contact with swine and in particular those pigs that do not appear to be well.

From Health Partners:  When to see a doctor if you have the flu

What to do if you have the flu

Most people with the flu can manage with self-treatment and do not need to come into the clinic or Emergency Room. However, we recommend being seen by a doctor or care professional if you suspect you have the flu and any of these symptoms or conditions: • Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with a fever and a worse cough • Difficulty breathing • Pain or pressure in your chest • Sudden dizziness or confusion • Pregnant or within two weeks after delivery • A weakened immune system due to illness, medication, chemotherapy or HIV/AIDS • Any chronic respiratory disease • Diabetes

Health Parners also has a guide on sorting out the flu from the common cold.

Moldy Mansions in the news

Reuters reports on a mold remediation project for the Governor's Mansion in the state of Iowa, USA.  The Governor's Wife, Chris Branstad had not been feeling well and suspected a problem with their living area.  Air samples confirmed the presence of mold in the third story living area.  Governor Terry Branstad and his wife have moved back home during the three week mold remediation and build back of their residence.

http://www.southwestiowanews.com/council_bluffs/news/terrace-hill-commission-expects-health-update-next-week/article_f40273f4-ddd5-11e1-90d9-001a4bcf887a.html?mode=image&photo=0
Terrace Hill Mansion, Des Moines, IA

The Terrace Hill Commission will be getting an update on the situation during the week of August 5th 2012. 

Another mansion with mold problems includes for Chicago Bulls Basketball player Micheal Jordan's sprawling complex.  As reported in 2005 by the Benny Lipsman from the Chicagoist, his Highland Park mansion had issues with water infiltration and mold growth soon after it was constructed in 1999.  Micheal reached an out of court settlement for damages.

http://chicagoist.com/images/2005_05_sports_mj_house.jpg

U of MN Morris Windturbine time lapse video

This is a time lapse video of the new windturbine construction at the University of Minnesota Morris in 2011.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AvIhZAqYcE

This is the second wind turbine on the U of MN Morris campus.  A 2008 federal grant provides money for the University of Minnesota to study wind energy.  

Aspergillus resources for patients

The following free pamphlets from the Aspergillus Trust and others offer information on prevention and care for aspergillus infections.

Preventing Aspergillus Infections The types of infections are described along with ways to minimize exposure.

Face masks for protection  This covers N-95, P-100 and HEPA filtered respirators.

A guide to Allergic Broncho-Pulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA)

Chest physiotherapy information - provides information on therapies used to improve lung function and clear the airways of individuals with aspergillus infections

Chest Clearance Techniques - Information on methods to keep the chest airways clear.

Reverse field image of Aspergillus fumigatus heads - Photo micrograph - N. Carlson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbaWbiFt_Go
A high quality Russian animated film on Aspergillus spp. spore production

Transparent thin film solar cells

UCLA researchers have developed at thin film solar cell that can be attached to windows.  Because the cells capture the energy from the near infrared light spectrum they allow 70% of the light to pass through glass.  The efficiency of the cells is currently 4%. 

The polymer solar cells are light weight, flexible and cheap to manufacture.  They will be useful for  solar windows or sun collecting smart phones.

http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/22/ucla-creates-transparent-solar-cell/

The UCLA research is very similar to a paper in the Journal of Advanced Energy Materials recently published by British researches investigating 60 nanometer thick solar collecting film. 

A local company 3M also has a line of products designed to assist in the collection of solar energy.

2013 Mold remediation course date

The U of Minnesota mold remediation course is scheduled to be offered April 23 and 24, 2013 at the Thompson Center for Environmental Management on the campus of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN.

The class size is limited. The first day of the workshop reviews investigative techniques to find areas of fungal growth and covers issues surrounding sampling and the review of reports. Participants will  work with IR cameras, microscopes, samplers and fungal cultures. The second day of the workshop covers mold remediation. Participants will learn how to set up a containment and wear proper PPE.

The course is taught by Mike Buck and Neil Carlson from the University of Minnesota Department of Environmental Health and Safety along with Troy Blanchard and Sean Gabor from the University of Minnesota's Facilities Management Hazardous Materials Program.

The course will be listed at the U of MN Center for Public Health Outreach website by the fall of 2012.

Alternaria spp. photomicrograph-Neil Carlson

Electric car innovations

First from the Minnesota Electric Auto Association an short video of an electric Chevrolet Covette

Second, European researchers are investigating biomethanol as a component in fuel cells.  Biomethanol can be produced by fermenting wood chips and other biowaste.  They are attempting to produce an electric fuel cell car with a range of 500 miles. 

Third, German Scientists are working on a more efficient coolant, called CryoSolplus, for use in the batteries of electric cars.  It greatly improves on the efficiencies of air or water as coolants.  The trick for this coolant is to keep the low density parrafin well dispursed in the mixture. 

Fourth,  The chart below shows the sweet spot for electric vehicles in cost per kilowatt hour(KWh).  At current prices electric vehicles need to get down to $250 - 300 per kilowatt hours.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/files/2012/07/electric-vehicle-adoption.jpg

The current US cost per kilowatt hour is in the range of $500 to $625 per hour.  It makes sense to have an X prize for the company to develop an electric vehicl with a reliable battery system with a cost lower than $225 per kilowatt hour and a range of greater than 500 miles. 

Wallemia mycotoxin

I came across an article on a mycotoxin, walleminol A (CAS No. 126039-09-6), produced by Wallemia spp.   This fungal organism is often found in straw in agricultural settings.  In buildings it is often found on carpet near pop machines as it does well in areas with high amounts of sugar.  It does not grow very well on MEA.  It grows better on DG-18 media.  It can grow on a wide range of water activity down to .69 .

Wallemia spp. in culture on DG-18 agar - photo N. Carlson

Wallemia spp. spores 400x photomicrograph N. Carlson

Mycotoxin video

The IAQ Video Network has produced a new video on mycotoxins.  I have included it below.  The content portion of the video is less than 2 minutes.

http://www.iaqtv.com/

Aspergillus flavus - photo N. Carlson

Tesla Model S car is very sporty

There is a very positive review of the all electric Tesla Model S electric car by Dan Neil of the Wall Street Journal.  They seem to have solved the range problem for car with three models of ranges of 160, 230 and 300 miles.  The acceleration is quick at 0 - 60 mph in 4.4 seconds.

Update Aug 20, 2013 - According to ABC News Tesla scores better than perfect on crash test.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/03/teslamodelslive_08_opt.jpg

I has a very large touchpad like display.

http://peakoilgarage.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/tesla_model_s_screen.jpg

A very nice sports car for slightly under $100,000.  You can go green without compromise.  It is also Motor Trends 2013 car of the year.  The dealerships plan to use Apple like marketing for the car.  The Motley Fool is bullish on the stock price. 

For more information about innovations in electric cars follow this link.  I also included a Tesla car in my screenplay "A Very Convenient Truthiness" set in 2028. 

Wide Open Throttle Episode: Tesla Model S

Coming soon in 2014 the Tesla Model X SUV

http://rumors.automobilemag.com/tesla-model-x-prototype-crossover-revealed-with-falcon-door-fixation-109219.html

There may be problems with a high end plugin hybrid electric sports car competitor the Fisker Karma.