Silver nanoparticles are known to have bactericidal effects. A new generation of dressings incorporating antimicrobial agents like silver nanoparticles is being formulated to reduce or prevent infections. The particles can be incorporated in materials and cloth rendering them sterile. Recently, it was found that aqueous silver ions can be reduced by aqueous extract of plant parts to generate extremely stable silver nanoparticles in water. Apart from being environmentally friendly process, use of Neem leaves extract might add synergistic antibacterial effect of Neem leaves to the biosynthesized nanoparticles. With this hypothesis the biosynthetic production of silver nanoparticles by aqueous extract of Neem leaves and its bactericidal effect in cotton cloth against E. Coli were studied in this work. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized by short-term (1 day) and long-term (21 days) interaction of Neem extract (20% w/v) and 0.01 M AgNO3 solution in 1:4 mixing ratio. The synthesized particles were characterized by UV visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and incorporated into cotton disks by (i) centrifuging the disks with liquid broth containing nanoparticles, (ii) in-situ coating process during synthesis, and (iii) coating with dried and purified nanoparticles. The antibacterial property of the nanoparticles coated cotton disks was studied by disk diffusion method. The effect of consecutive washing of the coated disks with distilled water on antibacterial property was also investigated. This work demonstrates the possible use of biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles by its incorporation in cloths leading them to sterilization.

OBJECTIVE

Intravaginal practices, including wiping, douching, or inserting substances into the vagina, have been hypothesized to increase women's risk of HIV infection. However, data on the prevalence of these practices, and associations with HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STD), are limited.

METHODS

We interviewed 2,897 women participating in a gynecologic screening study in Cape Town, South Africa, about their intravaginal practices. After clinical examination, cervical and blood samples were collected and tested for HIV and other STD [corrected].

RESULTS

Of the 831 (29%) women reporting some type of intravaginal practice, 48% reported using only water and cloth to clean inside the vagina, whereas 17% reported using antiseptics or detergents. Most women (53%) reported practices as part of regular hygiene. Intravaginal practices were strongly associated with behavioral risk factors, and recent multiple sexual partners [corrected]. Intravaginal practices were associated with prevalent HIV infection (adjusted odds ratio, 1.74; 95% confidence interval, 1.37-2.20), but were not associated with other STDs.

CONCLUSIONS

Prospective studies that include detailed measurements of correlated sexual risk behaviors are required to discern whether this association is causal in nature; if so, these behaviors could represent an important area for future HIV prevention interventions.

The persistence of vaccinia virus on wool (blanket and gabardine) and cotton (sheeting, terry cloth, and knit jersey) fabrics was studied. The fabrics were exposed to the virus by three methods: direct contact, aerosol, and virus-containing dust having a high content of textile fibers. Fabrics exposed to virus by each method were held in 35 and 78% relative humidities at 25 C. Virus was recovered for up to 14 weeks from wool fabrics exposed to virus and held in the low humidity. In contrast, virus persisted for shorter periods of time on the cotton fabrics. No virus was detected on terry cloth as early as 3 days after exposure to virus. The virus appeared to be less stable in the high humidity, and the method of exposure of the fabrics to virus apparently had an effect upon the persistence of the agent. On all fabrics, viral persistence was of sufficient duration to be of epidemiological significance.

OBJECTIVE

To quantify the transmission of Salmonella and Campylobacter to hands, cloths, and hand- and food-contact surfaces during the preparation of raw poultry in domestic kitchens, and to examine the impact on numbers of these bacteria of detergent-based cleaning alone, or in conjunction with thorough rising.

RESULTS

Groups of volunteers prepared chickens for cooking. Surfaces were sampled either before cleaning or after cleaning using water and detergent with or without thorough rinsing. Although cleaning followed by rinsing consistently achieved decontamination of surfaces contaminated with Campylobacter, significant numbers of surfaces were still contaminated with low numbers of Salmonella. Where cloths contaminated with Salmonella were stored overnight, a reduction in the efficacy of detergent-based cleaning regimes was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Rinsing is the critical step in ensuring that bacteria are removed from surfaces during cleaning, but this may still leave residual contamination. Growth of Salmonella occurs in some contaminated cloths during overnight storage; Salmonella on cloths stored overnight are also more difficult to remove by washing.

CONCLUSIONS

Rinsing, as part of the cleaning process, is a critical step in achieving hygiene in the kitchen. However, to achieve completely hygienic surfaces, the use of an antimicrobial agent may be necessary.

BACKGROUND

The major sources of Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA), in the home are colonized or infected individuals and pets, such as cats and dogs; however, the occurrence of MRSA on surfaces in healthy homes is not well documented.

METHODS

A convenience sample comprising 35 homes of health care and non-health care workers, each with a child in diapers and either a cat or dog in the home, was recruited from the Boston area between January and April 2006. In each home, a total of 32 surfaces were sampled in kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas.

RESULTS

S aureus was found in 34 of the 35 homes (97%) and was isolated from all surfaces in 1 or more homes, with the exception of the kitchen chopping board and the child training potty. MRSA was isolated from 9 of 35 homes (26%) and was found on a variety of household surfaces, including the kitchen and bathroom sinks, countertops, kitchen faucet handle, kitchen drain, dish sponge/cloth, dish towel, tub, infant high chair tray, and pet food dish. A positive correlation was indicated for the presence of a cat and the isolation of MRSA from surfaces.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has shown the presence of MRSA at hand-contact surfaces in healthy homes. This provides further evidence for the potential for infection transmission via inanimate surfaces and underscores the need for good hygiene practice in the home.

We have successfully fabricated flexible asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs) based on acicular Co9S8 nanorod arrays as positive materials and Co3O4@RuO2 nanosheet arrays as negative materials on woven carbon fabrics. Co9S8 nanorod arrays were synthesized by a hydrothermal sulfuration treatment of acicular Co3O4 nanorod arrays, while the RuO2 was directly deposited on the Co3O4 nanorod arrays. Carbon cloth was selected as both the substrate and the current collector for its good conductivity, high flexibility, good physical strength, and lightweight architecture. Both aqueous KOH solutions and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/KOH were employed as electrolyte for electrochemical measurements. The as-fabricated ASCs can be cycled reversibly in the range of 0-1.6 V and exhibit superior electrochemical performance with an energy density of 1.21 mWh/cm(3) at a power density of 13.29 W/cm(3) in aqueous electrolyte and an energy density of 1.44 mWh/cm(3) at the power density of 0.89 W/cm(3) in solid-state electrolyte, which are almost 10-fold higher than those reported in early ASC work. Moreover, they present excellent cycling performance at multirate currents and large currents after thousands of cycles. The high-performance nanostructured ASCs have significant potential applications in portable electronics and electrical vehicles.

A recent example of a micro-organism causing undesired growth in consumer milk is Bacillus sporothermodurans producing highly heat-resistant spores (HRS) which may survive ultra-high temperature (UHT) treatment or industrial sterilization. Molecular typing showed a heterogeneous group of farm isolates (non-HRS strains), but a clonal group of UHT isolates from diverse European countries and other continents (HRS-clone) suggesting a common source. During a survey of Belgian dairy farms for the presence of potentially highly heat-resistant spore formers, high numbers of these spores were detected in filter cloth, green crop and fodder samples. The strain collection showed a high taxonomic diversity with 18 potentially new species and with Bacillus licheniformis and Geobacillus pallidus as predominating species overall. Seventeen B. sporothermodurans isolates were identified, mainly originating from feed concentrate. Heat resistance studies showed the UHT resistance of B. sporothermodurans spores present in industrially contaminated UHT milk, but a lower heat resistance of laboratory-grown strains (HRS and non-HRS). Hydrogen peroxide, used as sanitizer in the dairy industry, was found to induce higher heat resistance of laboratory-grown B. sporothermodurans strains to a certain level. This indicates that sublethal stress conditions may affect the heat resistance. By transmission electron microscopy, structural differences at the spore level were found between HRS and non-HRS strains. The data indicate that the attainment of extreme heat resistance is rather multifactorial.

Wearable electronic textiles that store capacitive energy are a next frontier in personalized electronics. However, the lack of industrially weavable and knittable conductive yarns in conjunction with high capacitance, limits the wide-scale application of such textiles. Here pristine soft conductive yarns are continuously produced by a scalable method with the use of twist-bundle-drawing technique, and are mechanically robust enough to be knitted to a cloth by a commercial cloth knitting machine. Subsequently, the reduced-graphene-oxide-modified conductive yarns covered with a hierarchical structure of MnO2 nanosheets and a polypyrrole thin film were used to fabricate weavable, knittable and wearable yarn supercapacitors. The resultant modified yarns exhibit specific capacitances as high as 36.6 mF cm(-1) and 486 mF cm(-2) in aqueous electrolyte (three-electrode cell) or 31 mF cm(-1) and 411 mF cm(-2) in all solid-state two-electrode cell. The symmetric solid-state supercapacitor has high energy densities of 0.0092 mWh cm(-2) and 1.1 mWh cm(-3) (both normalized to the whole device) with a long cycle life. Large energy storage textiles are fabricated by weaving our flexible all-solid-state supercapacitor yarns to a 15 cm × 10 cm cloth on a loom and knitting in a woollen wrist band to form a pattern, enabling dual functionalities of energy storage capability and wearability.

Heating consumes large amount of energy and is a primary source of greenhouse gas emission. Although energy-efficient buildings are developing quickly based on improving insulation and design, a large portion of energy continues to be wasted on heating empty space and nonhuman objects. Here, we demonstrate a system of personal thermal management using metallic nanowire-embedded cloth that can reduce this waste. The metallic nanowires form a conductive network that not only is highly thermal insulating because it reflects human body infrared radiation but also allows Joule heating to complement the passive insulation. The breathability and durability of the original cloth is not sacrificed because of the nanowires' porous structure. This nanowire cloth can efficiently warm human bodies and save hundreds of watts per person as compared to traditional indoor heaters.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated three novel highly charged copper-based inorganic biocidal formulations for their activity against organisms highly relevant to healthcare-associated infection.

METHODS

The three copper-based formulations were tested: (i) against clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Legionella pneumophila, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus/baumannii (ACCB), glycopeptide-resistant Enterococcus and spores of Clostridium difficile in time-kill assays; (ii) for their ability to decontaminate ultramicrofibre (UMF) cloths; and (iii) for their cytotoxicity to human skin and intestinal epithelial cells.

RESULTS

All three copper-based formulations were potently biocidal down to concentrations of 1 ppm for both stationary- and log-phase organisms, and they were all active against C. difficile spores. At 150 ppm, they achieved a complete (>6 log10) kill of MRSA and ACCB mostly within 1 h. This biocidal activity was not achieved by copper sulphate or the inorganic binders used in the formulations. All three copper-based formulations completely decontaminated UMF cloths containing MRSA, ACCB or C. difficile spores, suggesting that any of these copper-based formulations would be highly beneficial in the healthcare environment. All three copper-based formulations and copper sulphate were not cytotoxic to human epithelial cells up to concentrations of 100-200 ppm.

CONCLUSIONS

All three of the novel copper-based biocidal formulations, but not their components (copper sulphate and inorganic binders), have potent activity against organisms highly relevant to healthcare-associated infections.

A flexible quasi-solid-state Ni-Zn battery is developed by using tiny ZnO nanoparticles and porous ultrathin NiO nanoflakes conformally deposited on hierar chical carbon-cloth-carbon-fiber (CC-CF) as the anode (CC-CF@ZnO) and cathode (CC-CF@NiO), respectively. The device is able to deliver high performance (absence of Zn dendrite), superior to previous reports on aqueous Ni-Zn batteries and other flexible electrochemical energy-storage devices.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate effectiveness of an advance, at-home chlorhexidine-impregnated skin preparation cloth in decreasing the incidence of deep periprosthetic hip arthroplasty infections. Arthroplasty surgeons at the senior author's institution provided their patients with chlorhexidine-impregnated single-use cloths for use at home the night before and the morning of surgery. Between January 2007 and December 2009, the compliance of this practice, as well as the incidence of periprosthetic infections, was monitored for all patients who underwent hip arthroplasty. Of the 1134 patients who underwent hip arthroplasty, 157 patients completely complied with the preoperative chlorhexidine preparation protocol. There were 14 infections in the group that was not compliant (1.6% infection rate), and there were no infections in the compliant patient population. Based on the results of this study, at-home preoperative patient skin preparation appears to be a simple and cost-effective method to reduce periprosthetic hip infection rates.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the distribution, species, seasonal fluctuation of ticks and detect new bunyavirus in some hematophagus in the endemic areas of fever thrombocytopenia and leukopenia syndrome (FTLS) in Henan province.

METHODS

From March to December 2011, the free ticks were collected manually with white cloth from the grassland and the parasitic ticks were collected from the host skin by hand searching in Xinyang and Jiyuan. The density and seasonal fluctuation of ticks were analyzed after classification of the specimen. The hematophagus were collected including gadfly (38 in 16 groups), cattle lice (224 in 16 groups), mosquitoes (238 in 17 groups) and ticks (825 in 77 groups), then RNA of new bunyavirus were detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTS

A total of 12 388 ticks were collected in Xinyang and Jiyuan, consisting of 2 families, 5 geniuses and 6 species. In Xinyang city, 622 ticks were identified, consisting of 2 families, 3 geniuses and 3 species, including 2 (0.32%) Ornithodoros lahorensis, 451 (72.51%) Haemaphysalis longicornis and 117 (18.81%) Boophilus microplus. In Jiyuan city, 11 766 ticks were identified, consisting of 1 family, 4 geniuses and 5 species, including 7718 (65.60%) Haemaphysalis longicornis, 164 (1.39%) H.anatolicum anatolicum and 710 (6.03%) other ticks such as H. detritum, Boophilus microplus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Haemaphysalis longicornis were found in both districts as the predominant species in Henan province. Ticks were active from March to October. The average density was 160 per person hour and the peak was from May to July with density 278, 209 and 542 per person hour respectively. The results was positive in RNA detection of new bunyavirus in 11 groups of tick and 3 groups of gadfly by RT-PCR. The results were negative in all other hematophagus.

CONCLUSIONS

Ornithodoros lahorensis, Haemaphysalis longicornis, Boophilus microplus, H.anatolicum anatolicum, Rhipicephalus sanguineus and H. detritum were found in Henan province. Haemaphysalis longicornis was the predominant species. The density of ticks varied with the seasons. The detection of new bunyavirus by PCR was positive in some ticks and gadflies.

The effects of alcohol and marijuana (tetrahydrocannabinol-THC) on saccades, smooth pursuit, and optokinetic nystagmus were quantitatively evaluated in 24 normal subjects using electro-oculographic recordings. Each subject was given an initial trial run and then tested three times (at weekly intervals) with either 0.0microgram THC or 100 microgram THC/kg bodyweight while at three different blood alcohol concentrations (0.0, 0.05 and 0.1%). A 2X3 factorial design was used. Saccades and smooth pursuit were induced by a dot of light moving in steps and ramps on a modified television set. Optokinetic nystagmus was induced by a cloth drum completely surrounding the subject and moving at a constant velocity of 30 degrees/s. Alcohol (0.05 and 0.1%) alone produced significant (p less than 0.05) impairment of saccade maximum velocity and reaction time, smooth pursuit velocity, and optokinetic slow-component velocity. The addition of THC caused performance to further deteriorate at each blood alcohol level but, in all but one instance, the added effect was not statistically significant ( greater than 0.05). At the THC and alcohol concentrations used in this study, the eye movement effects of alcohol over-shadowed those of marijuana.

BACKGROUND

Compared with the detailed characterization of the ultraviolet (UV) response in human skin, the effects of infrared (IR) and other regions of the sunlight are scarce.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the participation of IR/visible light and heat components of the sunlight on matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and type I procollagen expression, and inflammatory cell infiltration in human skin in vivo.

METHODS

The buttocks of 16 healthy volunteers (aged 24-43 years, 10 male and 6 female) were irradiated with a 1.1-3 minimal erythema dose (MED) of natural sunlight. To determine the differential effects of UV, IR/visible rays and solar heat alone, the exposed sites were covered with either a UV filter or black cloth, respectively, during irradiation. Skin samples were taken 24h later.

RESULTS

IR/visible light spectrum of sunlight significantly increased MMP-1 and MMP-9 expression and decreased type I procollagen expression. Solar heat also contributed to the increased MMP-1 expression. Only the UV region recruited neutrophils into the dermis, while UV, IR/visible light and heat contributed to macrophage infiltration.

CONCLUSIONS

IR/visible light and heat of natural sunlight, in addition to UV, play a role in modulating the expressions of MMPs and procollagen, and inflammatory cell infiltration in human skin.

The length of time that poliovirus could be recovered from wool gabardine and blanket, and from cotton sheeting, terry cloth, and knit jersey fabrics was determined under conditions of controlled temperature and humidity (25 C in 35 and 78% relative humidities). Three types of exposure of the fabrics to viruses were used: direct contact, aerosol, and virus-containing household dust having a high content of textile fibers. When held in 35% relative humidity, virus persisted for 20 weeks on wool fabrics, but only 1 to 4 weeks on cotton fabrics. At this relative humidity, virus titers on wool fabrics decreased rapidly to low but detectable levels which persisted for long periods of time, whereas in 78% relative humidity the decrease in virus titer was less rapid, but the period of viral persistence was shorter. Generally, virus titers on cotton fabrics held in both relative humidities decreased exponentially to an undetectable level. The method of exposure to virus had a definite effect on the duration of viral persistence on a given fabric. Virus contained in household dust was least stable.

Learning about menstrual hygiene is a vital aspect of health education for adolescent girls. This study among 664 schoolgirls aged 14-18 in Mansoura, Egypt, asked about type of sanitary protection used, frequency of changing pads or cloths, means of disposal and bathing during menstruation. Girls were selected by cluster sampling technique in public secondary schools in urban and rural areas. Data were collected through an anonymous, self-administered, open-ended questionnaire during class time. The significant predictors of use of sanitary pads were availability of mass media at home, high and middle social class and urban residence. Use of sanitary pads may be increasing, but not among girls from rural and poor families, and other aspects of personal hygiene were generally found to be poor, such as not changing pads regularly or at night, and not bathing during menstruation. Lack of privacy was an important problem. Mass media were the main source of information about menstrual hygiene, followed by mothers, but a large majority of girls said they needed more information. Instruction in menstrual hygiene should be linked to an expanded programme of health education in schools. A supportive environment for menstrual hygiene has to be provided both at home and in school and sanitary pads made more affordable.

BACKGROUND

Entomopathogenic fungi infection on malaria vectors increases daily mortality rates and thus represents a control measure that could be used in integrated programmes alongside insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS). Before entomopathogenic fungi can be integrated into control programmes, an effective delivery system must be developed.

METHODS

The efficacy of Metarhizium anisopliae ICIPE-30 and Beauveria bassiana I93-825 (IMI 391510) (2 × 10(10) conidia m(-2)) applied on mud panels (simulating walls of traditional Tanzanian houses), black cotton cloth and polyester netting was evaluated against adult Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto. Mosquitoes were exposed to the treated surfaces 2, 14 and 28 d after conidia were applied. Survival of mosquitoes was monitored daily.

RESULTS

All fungal treatments caused a significantly increased mortality in the exposed mosquitoes, descending with time since fungal application. Mosquitoes exposed to M. anisopliae conidia on mud panels had a greater daily risk of dying compared to those exposed to conidia on either netting or cotton cloth (p < 0.001). Mosquitoes exposed to B. bassiana conidia on mud panels or cotton cloth had similar daily risk of death (p = 0.14), and a higher risk than those exposed to treated polyester netting (p < 0.001). Residual activity of fungi declined over time; however, conidia remained pathogenic at 28 d post application, and were able to infect and kill 73 - 82% of mosquitoes within 14 d.

CONCLUSIONS

Both fungal isolates reduced mosquito survival on immediate exposure and up to 28 d after application. Conidia were more effective when applied on mud panels and cotton cloth compared with polyester netting. Cotton cloth and mud, therefore, represent potential substrates for delivering fungi to mosquitoes in the field.

Interactions of sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) with blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were assessed in conscious rats while they rested quietly in a cloth sock (n = 7), roamed freely in their home cage (n = 6), and then after anesthesia with pentobarbital (30 mg/kg; n = 7). The power and coherence spectra below 3 Hz were calculated from data collected for 9.56 min. In the conscious rat, SNA spectral power peaked at 0.4 Hz, whereas the majority of spectral power for both BP and HR occurred at frequencies lower than 0.4 Hz. However, there was an inconspicuous peak in the BP power spectra at 0.4 Hz that was not seen in the HR spectra. Coherence between SNA and BP peaked at a frequency of approximately 0.4 Hz, the same frequency at which the SNA spectral peaks occurred. In contrast, at frequencies below 0.4 Hz where maximum BP power occurred, the coherence was considerably lower. Anesthesia with pentobarbital lowered spectral power for BP, SNA, and HR but essentially did not change the coherence between SNA and BP. Interactions between respiration and each of the other variables were weak in the conscious rat. However, prominent respiratory interactions at approximately 1.2 Hz were evident after anesthesia. These data indicate a close coupling between SNA and BP at 0.4 Hz, raising the possibility that the BP spectral power at 0.4 Hz reliably reflects sympathetic activity.

Flat electrodes are useful in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) as close electrode spacing improves power generation. Carbon cloth and carbon paper materials typically used in hydrogen fuel cells, however, are prohibitively expensive for use in MFCs. An inexpensive carbon mesh material was examined here as a substantially less expensive alternative to these materials for the anode in an MFC. Pretreatment of the carbon mesh was needed to ensure adequate MFC performance. Heating the carbon mesh in a muffle furnace (450 degrees C for 30 min) resulted in a maximum power density of 922 mW/m2 (46 W/m3) with this heat-treated anode, which was 3% more power than that produced using a mesh anode cleaned with acetone (893 mW/ m2; 45 W/m3). This power density with heating was only 7% less than that achieved with carbon cloth treated by a high temperature ammonia gas process (988 mW/m2; 49 W/m3). When the carbon mesh was treated by the ammonia gas process, power increased to 1015 mW/m2(51 W/m3). Analysis of the cleaned or heated surfaces showed these processes decreased atomic O/C ratio, indicating removal of contaminants that interfered with charge transfer. Ammonia gas treatment also increased the atomic N/C ratio, suggesting that this process produced nitrogen related functional groups that facilitated electron transfer. These results show that low cost heat-treated carbon mesh materials can be used as the anode in an MFC, providing good performance and even exceeding performance of carbon cloth anodes.

In any problem-solving situation, there are features associated with the problem that are relevant from a functional perspective and other features that are irrelevant. To determine whether animals are sensitive to the distinction between functionally relevant and irrelvant features of a problem, we conducted two main experiments with a New World monkey, the cotton-top tamarin. In the first condition of both experiments, subjects were required to pull a piece of cloth to gain access to a piece of food. The first experiment involved choosing between food that was on the cloth and food that was off the cloth. The second experiment involved choosing between food that was on a connected piece of cloth and food that was on two pieces of cloth separated by a horizontal gap. Having learned to solve either of these two problems, we conducted a series of probe conditions to determine whether the tamarins would generalize to changes in the shape, size, colour, and texture of the cloth and food, the position of the food relative to the cloth, and the type of connection between two pieces of cloth. For most of the probe conditions, the tamarins readily generalized, showing no decrement in performance, even on the first trial. For other conditions, involving apparently more subtle discrimination (e.g. a narrow vertical gap between the two pieces of cloth), explicit training was required. These results indicate that tamarins solve means-end relationships, and that their ability depends on a discrimination between properties that are functionally relevant as opposed to irrelevant. Copyright 1999 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

Universal masking is one of the prevention strategies recommended by CDC to slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (1). As of February 1, 2021, 38 states and the District of Columbia had universal masking mandates. Mask wearing has also been mandated by executive order for federal property* as well as on domestic and international transportation conveyances.^† Masks substantially reduce exhaled respiratory droplets and aerosols from infected wearers and reduce exposure of uninfected wearers to these particles. Cloth masks^§ and medical procedure masks^¶ fit more loosely than do respirators (e.g., N95 facepieces). The effectiveness of cloth and medical procedure masks can be improved by ensuring that they are well fitted to the contours of the face to prevent leakage of air around the masks' edges. During January 2021, CDC conducted experimental simulations using pliable elastomeric source and receiver headforms to assess the extent to which two modifications to medical procedure masks, 1) wearing a cloth mask over a medical procedure mask (double masking) and 2) knotting the ear loops of a medical procedure mask where they attach to the mask's edges and then tucking in and flattening the extra material close to the face (knotted and tucked masks), could improve the fit of these masks and reduce the receiver's exposure to an aerosol of simulated respiratory droplet particles of the size considered most important for transmitting SARS-CoV-2. The receiver's exposure was maximally reduced (>95%) when the source and receiver were fitted with modified medical procedure masks. These laboratory-based experiments highlight the importance of good fit to optimize mask performance. Until vaccine-induced population immunity is achieved, universal masking is a highly effective means to slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2** when combined with other protective measures, such as physical distancing, avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces, and good hand hygiene. Innovative efforts to improve the fit of cloth and medical procedure masks to enhance their performance merit attention.

A method for obtaining electrocardiographic potential through thin cloth inserted between the measuring electrodes and the skin of a subject's dorsal surface when lying supine has been proposed. The method is based on capacitive coupling involving the electrode, the cloth, and the skin. Examination of a pilot device which employed the method revealed the following: (1) In spite of the gain attenuation in the high frequency region, the proposed method was considered useful for monitoring electrogardiogram (ECG) for nondiagnostic purpose. (2) The method was able to yield a stable ECG from a subject at rest for at least 7 h, and there was no significant adverse effect of long-term measurement on the quality of the signal obtained. (3) Electrode area was the factor that had most influence on the signal, compared with other factors such as cloth thickness and coupling pressure, but could be reduced to 10 cm2 for heart rate detection. (4) Input capacitance of the device was assumed to be the dominant factor for the gain attenuation in the high frequency region, and should be reduced with a view to diagnostic use. Although there is still room for improvement in terms of practical use, the proposed method appears promising for application to bedding as a noninvasive and awareness-free method for ECG monitoring.