Erwinia amylovora is a plant pathogen belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family, a family containing many plant and animal pathogens. Herein, we announce nine genome sequences of E. amylovora bacteriophages isolated from infected apple trees along the Wasatch Front in Utah.
Recent work suggests that evaporative coolers increase the level and diversity of bioaerosols, but this association remains understudied in low‐income homes. We conducted a cross‐sectional study of metropolitan, low‐income homes in Utah with evaporative coolers (n = 20) and central air conditioners (n = 28). Dust samples (N = 147) were collected from four locations in each home and analyzed for dust‐mite allergens Der p1 and Der f1, endotoxins, and β‐(1 → 3)‐d‐glucans. In all sample locations combined, Der p1 or Der f1 was significantly higher in evaporative cooler versus central air conditioning homes (OR = 2.29, 95% CI = 1.05‐4.98). Endotoxin concentration was significantly higher in evaporative cooler versus central air conditioning homes in furniture (geometric mean (GM) = 8.05 vs 2.85 EU/mg, P < .01) and all samples combined (GM = 3.60 vs 1.29 EU/mg, P = .03). β‐(1 → 3)‐d‐glucan concentration and surface loads were significantly higher in evaporative cooler versus central air conditioning homes in all four sample locations and all samples combined (P < .01). Our study suggests that low‐income, evaporative cooled homes have higher levels of immunologically important bioaerosols than central air‐conditioned homes in dry climates, warranting studies on health implications and other exposed populations.
Evaporative cooling is one of the oldest and most energy efficient forms of air conditioning used in hot, dry climates. Historically, there are several examples of passive evaporative cooling methods, which relied on natural airflow. In the Southwest U.S., Native Americans splashed water on the tops of arbors in hot weather, which may have cooled the shaded area under the arbor by as much as 10 degrees. 1 Similar approaches were used by Western U.S. settlers who covered wall openings with damp burlap. 2,3 Other historic examples include the practice in India of hanging "tatties", wetted screens made from the roots of khus khus (cuscus) grass, over windward doorways and window openings during hot summer months, 3,4 and the introduction of water into wind towers in traditional Middle Eastern architecture. 5,6 Early mechanical methods incorporated the use of fans to improve airflow across wetted media. As early as 1905, British soldiers' barracks in India were air conditioned by arranging tatties over fans to cool supply air coming into the building. 7 In the early 1930s in the Southwest U.S., homemade evaporative coolers were fashioned by covering a wooden box with burlap or other cloth. An electric fan
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