Absence of SARS-CoV-2 in the air and on the surfaces within the school environment

To the best of our knowledge to date there are no scientific studies specifically investigating whether the SARS-CoV-2 virus is present in the air or on the various surfaces in the school environment. The aim of this study was to determine if SARS-CoV-2 is present on various high touch surfaces and in the air across the elementary, middle and high schools in the Chester County of Pennsylvania, USA. One hundred and fifty surface swab samples and 45 air samples were analysed for the presence of the virus. All the samples tested were negative for the presence of SARS-CoV-2. The results indicate that the spread of the virus through contact and through air in the school buildings across the USA is highly unlikely.

Growing pains in local food systems: a longitudinal social network analysis on local food marketing in Baltimore County, Maryland and Chester County, Pennsylvania

Local food systems are growing, and little is known about how the constellation of farms and markets change over time. We trace the evolution of two local food systems (Baltimore County, Maryland and Chester County, Pennsylvania) over six years, including a dataset of over 2690 market connections (edges) between 1520 locations (nodes). Longitudinal social network analysis reveals how the architecture, actor network centrality, magnitude, and spatiality of these supply chains shifted during the 2012–2018 time period. Our findings demonstrate that, despite growth in the number of farmers’ markets, grocery stores, farms and restaurants in both counties, each local food system also experienced high turnover rates. Over 80% of the market connections changed during the study period. Farms, farmers’ markets, and grocery stores showed a 40–50% ‘survival’ rate, indicating their role in sustaining local food systems over longer time periods. Other actors, such as restaurants, had a much higher turnover rate within the network. Both food systems became more close-knit and consolidated as the center of gravity for both local food systems pulled away from urban areas toward rural farmland. Evidence of both growth and decay within local food systems provides a new understanding of the social networks behind local food markets.

Biology of Mushroom Phorid Flies, Megaselia halterata (Diptera: Phoridae): Effects of Temperature, Humidity, Crowding, and Compost Stage

The mushroom phorid fly, Megaselia halterata (Wood), is a common pest of mushroom production in many parts of the world. Due to the reduced availability of conventional insecticides for mushroom production, M. halterata has recently developed into a major pest in the top mushroom-producing county in the United States (Chester County, PA). Mushrooms are grown entirely indoors, and though larval development of M. halterata occurs in the mushroom-growing substrate, adult flies have been captured both inside and outside of the facilities. Here, we investigated three factors that might contribute to their growth and development. 1) The effects of ambient temperature (15–30°C) and relative humidity (RH; 21–98%) on adult M. halterata lifespan, 2) the effect of spawned compost stage (freshly inoculated with spawn vs 14-d spawned compost) on reproductive output, and 3) the effect of population density on reproductive output. The longevity of adult M. halterata increased under cooler temperatures and more humid conditions (>75% RH), which reflect the conditions inside mushroom-growing facilities. Similar numbers of flies emerged from freshly inoculated and 14-d spawned compost, but flies emerged earlier from 14-d spawned compost. The higher the parental fly density, the more offspring emerged from spawned compost, but the positive relationship reached a plateau beyond 40 parental mating pairs per 100 g of compost. Our findings highlight relevant abiotic and biotic factors that may contribute to M. halterata population dynamics.

The Winding Path to the Courthouse, 1778

This chapter begins by summarizing the cases of misprision of treason heard in the county courts. The state government began a controversial attainder policy, a process that led to extensive property confiscations. The court of oyer and terminer, consisting of the three Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices, finally opened. Through grand-jury charges, the justices explained their understanding of treason law. Following the British evacuation of Philadelphia in June 1778, the state government sorted through charges of disloyalty against hundreds of individuals, eventually winnowing them down for trial that fall. The trial of Joseph Malin in Chester County in September 1778 was the first treason case heard by a Pennsylvania court during the Revolution. The defendant was represented by high-quality defense counsel, the court issued moderate rulings, and the jury acquitted the defendant, patterns that would recur in future cases.

Soft Soil Remediation with Permeable Low-Density Cellular Concrete (PLDCC)

This paper addresses the feasibility of using permeable low-density cellular concrete (PLDCC) in soft soil remediation applications. In discussing this feasibility, the paper will review and evaluate data from recent studies conducted at the University of Missouri Kansas City related to the physical properties of PLDCC, including permeability, infiltration, and void structure. This paper will cover the most typical applications for the utilization of PLDCC and take a brief look at the constructability and cost considerations. Three specific case studies are examined, including a wall abutment project in Bellingham, WA, a structural foundation project in New Orleans, LA, and a sinkhole remediation project in Chester County, PA. All three of these case studies utilized 25 to 35 pcf (pounds per cubic foot) (400 kg/m3 to 560 kg/m3) PLDCC for soft soil remediation.

An Exploration of the Influences Contributing to Food Insecurity in Chester County, Pennsylvania

Food security refers to the ideal state or condition of households that have access at all times to enough food for their members to live an active, healthy life. To better understand local food insecurity, a needs assessment was implemented to explore contributing factors and discuss solutions. A qualitative study including nine focus groups with low-income adults who receive food assistance (N = 82) and four focus groups with emergency food providers (N = 21) was conducted. Focus group data were analyzed using phenomenological methods. Five themes emerged from the residents: (1) food accessibility both contributes to and reduces food insecurity; (2) residents understand the need for and practice the act of preserving foods; (3) food shopping behaviors were similar for the residents and stores were well received; (4) benefits and barriers with food insecurity are similar; and (5) variety and quality of food and food safety of emergency foods are concerns. The food provider focus groups indicated that they recognized similar problems faced by the residents, and they stressed the need for education. Food insecure individuals should continue in the conversations around solutions, and a comprehensive look at food insecurity through local food and health care systems might determine additional needs.