Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) continue to be a national threat to the safety and security of the public. Research in explosives analysis for intact and post-blast samples continue to be a topic in which practitioners are constantly improving and searching for faster methods and techniques to analyze these sample types. The key role crime laboratories play in analyzing these sample types can have limitations, such as increasing turnaround times and backlogs. This concern additionally plays a role in the safety of the public if an unknown individual has not been discovered. Current analytical instrumentation in which explosives are analyzed includes Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), Liquid Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), and Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS). Each instrument has benefits in the analytical results obtained. Direct Analysis in Real Time - Mass Spectrometry (DART-MS) has shown a significant promise as an analytical approach that can help remedy the time an explosive sample is analyzed, while additionally providing discriminating analytical results. Previous research has shown that DART-MS is capable of analyzing explosives, including smokeless powder. A limitation currently in the area of smokeless powder analysis with DART-MS is the application of utilizing this method and technology to realistic casework that may be encountered in forensic laboratories. Intact and post-blast explosive samples encountered in forensic laboratories arrive in various states and conditions. For example, the severity of the blast and environmental factors may play a role in the detection of smokeless powder on these sample types. To provide objective information and additional research, studies were conducted with mixture samples of smokeless powder and potential matrices that may be encountered in real world case samples. Faster processing time, in addition to the discrimination of smokeless powder, was the ultimate goal of this research. Due to the complexity of the mass spectra that may be generated from sample mixtures, an extraction technique coupled with DART-MS was investigated. A liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) method and dynamic headspace concentration using Carbopack™ X coated wire mesh were tested for the effectiveness of separating the analytes of interest of smokeless powder from various matrix interferences. Hodgdon Hornady LEVERevolution (HHL) smokeless powder, Pennzoil 10W-40 (P10W40) motor oil, and residue from metal end caps (China SLK brand) and black steel pipe nipples (Schedule 40) were used during the course of the matrix interference study. The method of applying dynamic headspace concentration using Carbopack™ X coated wire mesh and analysis by DART-MS provides an effective alternative to obtaining mass spectral data in a shorter amount of time, compared to techniques currently used in forensic laboratories. Effective separation was not achieved using the various LLE methods tested. Further testing would be required in order to evaluate the feasibility of implementing the technique as a sample preparation approach prior to analysis by DART-MS.

A elevada incidência de acidentes de trânsito está fortemente relacionada ao consumo de bebidas alcoólicas. No Brasil a verificação do uso de álcool entre os condutores é realizada através dos etilômetros e da confirmação do etanol presente no sangue pela técnica de headspace (HS) associada à cromatografia em fase gasosa com detector de ionização de chama (CG/DIC). Não foram encontrados na literatura métodos para determinação de etanol em fluido oral (FO), utilizando a cromatografia em fase gasosa com detector de massas (CG/EM). Objetivos: Realizar a otimização da extração do etanol do fluido oral pela técnica de HS através de desenho experimental e posterior validação de metodologia analítica para a determinação de etanol em FO através de CG/EM e CG/DIC, utilizando o Quantisal® como dispositivo de coleta. Métodos: O desenho experimental foi desenvolvido através do Box–Behnken Design (BBD), onde foram avaliados a temperatura, o tempo de agitação e o volume injetado. O método foi validado de acordo com as recomendações do FDA e ANVISA considerando os parâmetros de seletividade, efeito residual, efeito matriz, linearidade, precisão, exatidão, limite de detecção e quantificação, estabilidade e recuperação. Resultados: As melhores condições do HS obtidas pelo desenho foram: temperatura de 90ºC, volume de injeção de 1000 μL e tempo de extração de 7 min. O método mostrou-se linear na faixa de 0,05-2 g/L (0,5-20 dg/L). Os valores de exatidão situaram-se na faixa de 101,56 e 111,29% e os valores obtidos para a precisão intra e interdia foram inferiores a 12%. Os limites de quantificação e de detecção encontrados foram iguais a 0,0125 g/L e 0,005 g/L para a CG/EM e 0,05 g/L e 0,0129 g/L para a CG/DIC, respectivamente. Conclusões: O método desenvolvido mostrou-se eficaz na determinação inequívoca de etanol em fluido oral através da técnica de HS-CG/EM e utilizando o dispositivo de coleta Quantisal®, atingindo limites de detecção inferiores ao encontrados pelas análises em CG/DIC, sem a necessidade de confirmação por outros sistemas cromatográficos e podendo ser facilmente aplicado na rotina laboratorial. / The high incidence of traffic accidents is strongly related to alcohol consumption. In Brazil the verification of alcohol use among drivers is performed through the breath alcohol analyzers and confirmation of ethanol in blood by the headspace technique (HS) associated to gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC/FID). To the best of our knowledge there are no methods for the determination of ethanol in oral fluid (OF), using gas chromatography with mass detection (GC/MS) in the literature. Propose: Perform the optimization of the extraction of ethanol from OF by headspace technique (HS) through experimental design and subsequent validation of analytical method for the determination of ethanol in OF by GC/MS and GC/DIC, using Quantisal® as a collection device. Methods: The experimental design was performed using the Box-Behnken Design (BBD) and the evaluated parameters were temperature, stirring time and sample volume injected. The methods were validated according to FDA and ANVISA recommendations considering the parameters of selectivity, residual effect, matrix effect, linearity, precision, accuracy, limit of detection and quantification, stability and recovery. Results: The best conditions of HS obtained by design were: temperature 90°C, injection volume 1000 μL and extraction time of 7 min. The method was linear in the range of 0.05-2 g/L (or 0.5-20 dg/L). The values of accuracy stay in the range of 101.56 and 111.29% and values for intra and inter-day precision were less than 12%. The limits of detection and quantification were found equal to 0.0125 g/L and 0.005 g/L for GC/MS and 0.05 g/L and 0.0129 g/L for GC/FID, respectively. Conclusions: The method was effective in unequivocal determination of ethanol in oral fluid by HS-GC/MS and using the collection device Quantisal®, reaching detection limits lower than that found by analysis on HS-GC/FID, without the need confirmation by other chromatographic systems and can be easily applied for routine monitoring.

A elevada incidência de acidentes de trânsito está fortemente relacionada ao consumo de bebidas alcoólicas. No Brasil a verificação do uso de álcool entre os condutores é realizada através dos etilômetros e da confirmação do etanol presente no sangue pela técnica de headspace (HS) associada à cromatografia em fase gasosa com detector de ionização de chama (CG/DIC). Não foram encontrados na literatura métodos para determinação de etanol em fluido oral (FO), utilizando a cromatografia em fase gasosa com detector de massas (CG/EM). Objetivos: Realizar a otimização da extração do etanol do fluido oral pela técnica de HS através de desenho experimental e posterior validação de metodologia analítica para a determinação de etanol em FO através de CG/EM e CG/DIC, utilizando o Quantisal® como dispositivo de coleta. Métodos: O desenho experimental foi desenvolvido através do Box–Behnken Design (BBD), onde foram avaliados a temperatura, o tempo de agitação e o volume injetado. O método foi validado de acordo com as recomendações do FDA e ANVISA considerando os parâmetros de seletividade, efeito residual, efeito matriz, linearidade, precisão, exatidão, limite de detecção e quantificação, estabilidade e recuperação. Resultados: As melhores condições do HS obtidas pelo desenho foram: temperatura de 90ºC, volume de injeção de 1000 μL e tempo de extração de 7 min. O método mostrou-se linear na faixa de 0,05-2 g/L (0,5-20 dg/L). Os valores de exatidão situaram-se na faixa de 101,56 e 111,29% e os valores obtidos para a precisão intra e interdia foram inferiores a 12%. Os limites de quantificação e de detecção encontrados foram iguais a 0,0125 g/L e 0,005 g/L para a CG/EM e 0,05 g/L e 0,0129 g/L para a CG/DIC, respectivamente. Conclusões: O método desenvolvido mostrou-se eficaz na determinação inequívoca de etanol em fluido oral através da técnica de HS-CG/EM e utilizando o dispositivo de coleta Quantisal®, atingindo limites de detecção inferiores ao encontrados pelas análises em CG/DIC, sem a necessidade de confirmação por outros sistemas cromatográficos e podendo ser facilmente aplicado na rotina laboratorial. / The high incidence of traffic accidents is strongly related to alcohol consumption. In Brazil the verification of alcohol use among drivers is performed through the breath alcohol analyzers and confirmation of ethanol in blood by the headspace technique (HS) associated to gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC/FID). To the best of our knowledge there are no methods for the determination of ethanol in oral fluid (OF), using gas chromatography with mass detection (GC/MS) in the literature. Propose: Perform the optimization of the extraction of ethanol from OF by headspace technique (HS) through experimental design and subsequent validation of analytical method for the determination of ethanol in OF by GC/MS and GC/DIC, using Quantisal® as a collection device. Methods: The experimental design was performed using the Box-Behnken Design (BBD) and the evaluated parameters were temperature, stirring time and sample volume injected. The methods were validated according to FDA and ANVISA recommendations considering the parameters of selectivity, residual effect, matrix effect, linearity, precision, accuracy, limit of detection and quantification, stability and recovery. Results: The best conditions of HS obtained by design were: temperature 90°C, injection volume 1000 μL and extraction time of 7 min. The method was linear in the range of 0.05-2 g/L (or 0.5-20 dg/L). The values of accuracy stay in the range of 101.56 and 111.29% and values for intra and inter-day precision were less than 12%. The limits of detection and quantification were found equal to 0.0125 g/L and 0.005 g/L for GC/MS and 0.05 g/L and 0.0129 g/L for GC/FID, respectively. Conclusions: The method was effective in unequivocal determination of ethanol in oral fluid by HS-GC/MS and using the collection device Quantisal®, reaching detection limits lower than that found by analysis on HS-GC/FID, without the need confirmation by other chromatographic systems and can be easily applied for routine monitoring.

FundaÃÃo de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Cearà / Os BTEX sÃo os hidrocarbonetos monoaromÃticos que agregam maior risco ao meio ambiente, principalmente devido Ãs caracterÃsticas tÃxicas e carcinogÃnicas. Dentre os mÃtodos usualmente aplicados na remoÃÃo de BTEX em Ãguas contaminadas, o tratamento anaerÃbio tem merecido destaque principalmente em relaÃÃo aos baixos custos. Nesse sentido, buscou-se avaliar a remoÃÃo anaerÃbia de BTEX sob condiÃÃes metanogÃnicas, desnitrificantes e sulfetogÃnicas. Adicionalmente, desenvolveu-se uma metodologia analÃtica de detecÃÃo dos BTEX por cromatografia gasosa, utilizando-se a tÃcnica do headspace. Foram realizados ensaios em fluxo contÃnuo em trÃs biorreatores anaerÃbios em trÃs fases complementares e subsequentes: 1) aclimataÃÃo, com etanol como Ãnica fonte de carbono e energia; 2) metanogÃnica, na presenÃa de etanol e BTEX; e 3) mesmas condiÃÃes da fase anterior, mas com dois reatores sendo suplementados com os aceptores nitrato e sulfato, respectivamente, numa razÃo DQO/aceptor de aproximadamente 11. Preliminarmente, avaliou-se a atividade metanogÃnica especÃfica (AME) do consÃrcio microbiano utilizando trÃs substratos distintos (glicose, Ãcido acÃtico, e mistura de Ãcidos graxos volÃteis), por meio do qual o volume produzido de biogÃs e sua composiÃÃo em termos de metano e gÃs carbÃnico foram determinados, respectivamente, pelo mÃtodo manomÃtrico e por cromatografia gasosa. Na segunda fase do experimento em fluxo contÃnuo, os reatores foram alimentados com soluÃÃo sintÃtica de BTEX (~ 5 mg/L de cada composto) solubilizados em etanol, e operados com um TDH de 48 h, a 27ÂC. As concentraÃÃes dos BTEX foram determinadas por metodologia desenvolvida e validada neste estudo, por meio da qual os BTEX eram extraÃdos por headspace (tÃcnica que foi otimizada utilizando delineamento composto central rotacional), e analisados por cromatografia. Ressalte-se que o mÃtodo analÃtico proposto para a determinaÃÃo de BTEX mostrou-se bastante seletivo, preciso, linear e com baixos valores de limite de detecÃÃo e quantificaÃÃo, 0,13 a 0,48 μg/L e 0,43 a 1,61 μg/L, respectivamente. A glicose foi o melhor substrato para o consÃrcio microbiano utilizado, sendo obtido um valor de AME de 0,63 gDQO/gSSV.d. Os reatores avaliados mostraram-se bastante estÃveis durante todas as fases do experimento, com elevadas remoÃÃes de DQO (em mÃdia 90%). Com relaÃÃo à remoÃÃo de BTEX, de uma forma geral, as menores eficiÃncias de remoÃÃo foram encontradas para o benzeno (40-63%), independente do tipo de aceptor final de elÃtrons, indicando a difÃcil biodegradaÃÃo desse composto sob condiÃÃes anaerÃbias, enquanto que as maiores eficiÃncias foram observadas para os xilenos, chegando a remoÃÃes de atà 90%. Tais valores levam em conta possÃveis interferÃncias de adsorÃÃo e de volatilizaÃÃo. TambÃm foi notado que deve haver uma sinergia entre os distintos compostos e esta pode exercer um forte efeito sobre as eficiÃncias de remoÃÃo dos BTEX. Comparando-se os trÃs reatores, notou-se que nÃo houve melhora significativa nas eficiÃncias de remoÃÃo dos compostos na presenÃa de nitrato ou sulfato, mas sim uma tendÃncia de aumento na eficiÃncia entre os reatores na ordem: reator metanogÃnico>Reator desnitrificante>Reator sulfetogÃnico. Tal desempenho pode ser atribuÃdo ao fato de os microrganismos sulfetogÃnicos e desnitrificantes terem preferido oxidar o etanol e nÃo os BTEX para a reduÃÃo dos aceptores, diminuindo assim as eficiÃncias de remoÃÃo de BTEX nessas condiÃÃes. / BTEX are monoaromatic hydrocarbons compounds which represent a high risk to the environment, mainly due to their toxic and carcinogenic characteristics. Among the methods usually applied to the removal of BTEX from contaminated waters, anaerobic treatment has drawn attention especially because of its low cost. Accordingly, anaerobic biodegradation of BTEX was assessed under methanogenic, denitrifying and sulfidogenic conditions. Additionally, an analytical method for detection of BTEX by gas chromatography using the technique of headspace was developed. Continuous-flow experiments were conducted using three anaerobic bioreactors in three subsequent complementary phases: 1) adaptation, with ethanol as the sole source of carbon and energy, 2) methanogenic, in presence of ethanol and BTEX, and 3) the same conditions as the previous phase but with two reactors supplemented with nitrate and sulfate acceptors, respectively, at a COD/acceptor ratio of approximately 11. Preliminarily, the specific methanogenic activity (SMA) of the microbial consortium was assessed using three different substrates (glucose, acetic acid and a mixture of volatile fatty acids), in which the volume of biogas produced and its composition in terms of methane and carbon dioxide were determined, respectively, by manometric method and gas chromatography. In the second phase of the continuous-flow experiment, the reactors were fed with a synthetic solution of BTEX (~ 5 mg/L of each compound) dissolved in ethanol and were operated at an HRT of 48 h at an average temperature of 27 ÂC. Concentrations of BTEX compounds were determined by the methodology developed and validated in this study, by which the BTEX were extracted by headspace (technique optimized by central composite rotational design) and analyzed by chromatography. The proposed analytical method for the determination of BTEX was very selective, precise, linear and presented low detection limit and quantification values, from 0.13 to 0.48 μg/L and from 0.43 to 1.61 μg/L, respectively. Glucose was the best substrate for the microbial consortium used, and a SMA value of 0.63 g COD/g SSVÂd was obtained. The reactors evaluated were quite stable during all phases of the experiment with high COD removals (90% on average). Regarding BTEX removal, in general, the lowest removal efficiencies were found for benzene (40-63%), regardless of the final electron acceptor used, indicating that the biodegradation of this compound is difficult under anaerobic conditions, whereas the highest efficiencies were observed for xylenes, reaching a 90% removal. These numbers already took into account the possible interference of adsorption and volatilization. It was also noted that there should be a synergy between the different compounds and this may exert a strong effect on the BTEX removal efficiencies. Comparing the three reactors studied, it was not observed a significant improvement in the removal efficiencies of the compounds in the presence of nitrate or sulfate, but a tendency of an increase in efficiency between the reactors was verified as follows: methanogenic reactor > denitrifying reactor > sulfidogenic reactor. This performance can be attributed to the fact that the denitrifying and sulfidogenic microorganisms have preferred to oxidize ethanol instead of BTEX to reduce the acceptors, thus decreasing BTEX removal efficiencies under these conditions.

The aim of this research was to demonstrate the potential of the novel pre-concentration device, capillary microextraction of volatiles (CMV), for breath analysis. The CMV offers dynamic sampling of volatile organic compounds with its simple coupling to a GC inlet for GC/MS analysis, avoiding expensive thermal desorption instrumentation needed for sorbent tubes, as well as an increased surface area over a single SPME fiber. CMV collectively identified 119 compounds in the breath of 13 self-reported smokers and 7 nonsmokers. The presence and intensity of twelve compounds were used to classify all the nonsmokers 100% of the time using Principal Component Analysis to elucidate the groupings. In some cases, nicotine was not detected in smokers and they were confused with the nonsmokers. Nicotine was detected in the breath of 69% of smokers with an average mass of 143 ± 31 pg for cigarette smokers from the approximate 5 L sample of breath collected. The successful use of the CMV sampler and preconcentration of breath to distinguish between smokers and nonsmokers served as a proof of concept for future applications of the CMV for detection of marijuana smokers’ breath for impaired driver management.

The capillary microextraction of volatiles (CMV) device was equipped with a novel Peltier cooler to investigate cryofocused extraction of organic gunshot residue (OGSR) for the first time. Prior research demonstrated the CMV’s capabilities for detecting nitroglycerin, 2,4-dinitrotoluene, diphenylamine, and ethyl centralite on shooters’ hands via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Further method development increased the recoveries of these four target compounds with an optimal 20-minute equilibrium time at 80˚C followed by extracting 3 L at a 1 L/min flow rate. The Cryo-CMV was evaluated for detection of semi-volatile OGSR compounds. The unique challenges presented with sampling of semi-volatiles were overcome by sample heating, applying high (>1 L/min) sampling flow rates and heating the transfer line between the container and cooled CMV. Cryofocusing at -10˚C provided increased recoveries for smokeless powders and OGSR compounds and therefore demonstrates excellent potential for other forensic applications with analysis of VOCs from fire debris and illicit drugs.

Sampling and preconcentration techniques play a critical role in headspace analysis in analytical chemistry. My dissertation presents a novel sampling design, capillary microextraction of volatiles (CMV), that improves the preconcentration of volatiles and semivolatiles in a headspace with high throughput, near quantitative analysis, high recovery and unambiguous identification of compounds when coupled to mass spectrometry. The CMV devices use sol-gel polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) coated microglass fibers as the sampling/preconcentration sorbent when these fibers are stacked into open-ended capillary tubes. The design allows for dynamic headspace sampling by connecting the device to a hand-held vacuum pump. The inexpensive device can be fitted into a thermal desorption probe for thermal desorption of the extracted volatile compounds into a gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). The performance of the CMV devices was compared with two other existing preconcentration techniques, solid phase microextraction (SPME) and planar solid phase microextraction (PSPME). Compared to SPME fibers, the CMV devices have an improved surface area and phase volume of 5000 times and 80 times, respectively. One (1) minute dynamic CMV air sampling resulted in similar performance as a 30 min static extraction using a SPME fiber. The PSPME devices have been fashioned to easily interface with ion mobility spectrometers (IMS) for explosives or drugs detection. The CMV devices are shown to offer dynamic sampling and can now be coupled to COTS GC-MS instruments. Several compound classes representing explosives have been analyzed with minimum breakthrough even after a 60 min. sampling time. The extracted volatile compounds were retained in the CMV devices when preserved in aluminum foils after sampling. Finally, the CMV sampling device were used for several different headspace profiling applications which involved sampling a shipping facility, six illicit drugs, seven military explosives and eighteen different bacteria strains. Successful detection of the target analytes at ng levels of the target signature volatile compounds in these applications suggests that the CMV devices can provide high throughput qualitative and quantitative analysis with high recovery and unambiguous identification of analytes.

Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are charged devices often used by terrorists and criminals to create public panic. When the general public is targeted by an act of terrorism, people who are not injured or killed in the explosion remain in fear until the perpetrator(s) has been apprehended. Methods that can provide investigators and first responders with prompt investigative information are required in such cases. However, information is generally not provided quickly, in part because of time-consuming techniques employed in many forensic laboratories. As a result, case report turnaround time is longer. Direct analysis in real time - mass spectrometry (DART-MS) is a promising analytical technique that can address this challenge in the Forensic Science community by permitting rapid trace analysis of energetic materials. The builder of an IED will often charge the device with materials that are readily available. The most common materials employed in the construction of IEDs are black and smokeless powder. However, other materials may include ammonia- or peroxide-based materials such as common household detergents. Smokeless powder is a propellant that is readily available to civilians. They are typically used for reloading ammunition and are sold in large quantities each year in the United States. Some states have stricter regulations than others but typically a firearms license is all that’s required to possess smokeless powder. Smokeless powder is considered a low explosive which is capable of causing an explosion if a sufficient quantity is deflagrated inside a confined container. The most commonly employed confirmatory techniques for the analysis of smokeless powder are gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) or liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). These methods often require extensive and time-consuming sample preparation procedures to prepare the powders for analysis. In addition to lengthy sample preparation procedures, GC-MS and LC-MS often require chromatographic separations that can range anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes or longer per sample. Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) is widely used for the field analysis of smokeless powder and can provide faster results in comparison to GC-MS or LC-MS. However, identification is limited to drift time and no structural information is provided unless coupled to a mass spectrometer. In an effort to accelerate the speed of collection and characterization of smokeless powder, an analytical approach that utilizes novel wire mesh coated with CarbopackTM X, dynamic headspace concentration and DART-MS was evaluated to determine if the approach could generate information rich chemical attribute signatures (CAS) for smokeless powder. CarbopackTM X is a graphitized carbon material that has been employed for the collection of various volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds. The goal of using CarbopackTM X coated wire mesh was to increase the collection efficiency of smokeless powder in comparison to traditional swabbing and swiping methods. DART is an ambient ionization technique that permits analysis of a variety of samples in seconds with minimal to no sample preparation and offers several advantages over conventional methods. Heating time, heating temperature and flow rate for dynamic headspace concentration were optimized using Hodgdon Lil’ Gun smokeless powder. DART-MS was compared to GC-MS and validated using the National Institute of Standards and Technology reference material 8107 (NIST RM 8107) smokeless powder standard. Additives and energetic materials from unburnt and burnt smokeless powders were rapidly and efficiently captured by the CarbopackTM X coated wire mesh and successfully detected and identified using DART-MS. The DART source temperature was evaluated with the goal of providing the most efficient desorption of the analytes adsorbed onto the wire mesh. For this to be a robust approach in forensic analysis, chemometric analysis employing predictive models was used to simplify the data and increase the confidence of assigning a mass spectrum to a particular powder. Predictive models were constructed using the machine learning techniques available in Analyze IQ Lab and evaluated for their performance in classifying three smokeless powders: Alliant Reloder 19, Hodgdon LEVERevolution and Winchester Ball 296. The models were able to accurately predict the presence or absence of these three powders from burnt residues with error rates that were less than 4%. This approach has demonstrated the capability of generating comparable data and sensitivity in a significantly shorter amount of time in comparison to GC-MS. In addition, DART-MS also permits the detection of targeted analytes that are not amenable to GC-MS. The speed and efficiency associated with both the sample preparation technique and DART-MS, and the ability to employ chemometric analysis to the generated data demonstrate an attractive and viable alternative to conventional techniques for smokeless powder analysis.

This study investigates meditation apps from a user perspective. While focusing on the user, interviews with psychologists and an auto-ethnographic study of three different meditation apps were used to inform the research, enrich the findings and create an as wholesome as possible picture. The research aims to explore user’s motivations and experiences as well as the possible paradox of meditation through a smartphone in light of digital stress. Taking a user-centered approach, the theories informing this work include the Instrumental Theory of Technology; Theories of the self, including Foucault’s Practices of Selfhood and Lipton’s self-tracking practices; Existential Media Theory; and theories of the public and the private including the Publicization of the Private. This study shows that high achieving young adults use meditation apps as a convenient, accessible and cost-effective tool for self-improvement. However, users mainly see the apps as a stepping block and have the goal to eventually establish a meditation practice without using the phone. While users think that it would be better to meditate without an app, their meditation app allows them to fit the meditation practice into the context of their busy everyday life.

The ultimate goal of this research is to develop an efficient, reproducible and low cost method for analysis of VOCs in complex mixtures such as those in exhaled breath and in headspace of fungi cultures. In Chapter I; analytical methods for volatile biomarkers identification is reviewed In Chapter II, active SPME GCMS was employed to analyze VOCs in the breath of a single healthy male and a single female. The goal was to determine the extent of intra-individual variations in the VOC profiles. In Chapter III, a preliminary study was carried out in a greenhouse to determine the pathogenicity of different isolates of M. phaseolina on soybeans. This will allow, in future studies, the matching of VOC profiles of different isolates of M. phaseolina with their relative pathogenicity. This is a key step towards the development of an early warning system for the detection of pathogenic M. phaseolina fungus contaminations.