5 Abstract Products of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) plays key role in immune system of vertebrates. Prior studies on different vertebrate species show, that heterozygosity in MHC genes is linked to more efficient immune system and preferred in mate choice. Results of human studies are ambivalent, which can be due to the effect of some modulating factors like reproductive status. Therefore, our aim was to test heterozygosity related preferences in faces, odor and voice across menstrual cycle. Our sample consisted of 51 men and 52 women, from which 23 used hormonal contraception and 29 had natural cycle. They were genotyped in -A, -B and -DR alleles. All odor stimuli, face photos and voice records were rated on seven-point scale in both follicular and luteal phase. Repeated measures ANOVA was used for the analysis. Changes in ratings across the menstrual cycle and heterozygosity were most discernible on voice ratings. Voices of homozygous males were rated more attractive than voices of heterozygous males especially in follicular phase. Similar shift to higher ratings in follicular phase was manifested in ratings of homozygous male faces, but the difference between homozygous males and heterozygous males was not significant. Women with natural cycle also rated voices higher in their follicular phase...

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Olfaction is functional at birth and newborns use their sense of smell to navigate their environment. Yet, certain chemosensory abilities are subject to experience and develop with age. It has been argued that odor discrimination is a key ability enabling organisms to capture and distinguish odors occurring in the environment to further identify them and formulate a behavioral response. Yet, the development of odor discrimination abilities has been overlooked in the literature, with few attempts to investigate developmental changes in odor discrimination abilities independent of verbal abilities and olfactory experience. Here, building on these attempts, we propose a novel approach to studying the development of odor discrimination abilities by utilizing odor enantiomers—pairs of odorous molecules of identical chemical and physical features, but differing in optical activity. We hypothesized that discrimination of enantiomeric odor pairs in children and adolescents would be less prone to age effects than discrimination of pairs of common odors due to their encoding difficulty and their limited exposure in common olfactory experience. We examined olfactory discrimination abilities in children aged 4–12 years with regard to three common odor pairs and five enantiomeric odor pairs. The study protocol eliminated verbal and cognitive development bias, resulting in diminished age advantage of the older children in discrimination of enantiomers as compared to common odors.

Odor problems are a common complaint from residents living near landfills. Many compounds can cause malodorous conditions. However, hydrogen sulfide (h2s) has been identified as a principal odorous component from construction and demolition (c&d)debris landfills. Although several studies have reported the ambient concentrations of h2s near c&d landfills, few studies have quantified emission rates of h2s. The most widely used and proven technique for measuring gas emission rates from landfills is the flux chamber method. Typically the flux chamber is a cylindrical enclosure device with a spherical top which limits the gas emission area. Pure zero grade air is introduced into the chamber, allowed to mix with emitting gases captured from the landfill surface, and then transported to the exit port where concentrations can be measured. Flux measurements using the flux chamber were performed at five different c&d landfills from june to august, 2003. The flux rates of h2s measured in this research were three to six orders of magnitude lower than the flux rates of methane reported in the literature. In addition to the h2s flux measurements, dispersion modeling was conducted, using the epa dispersion model, industrial source complex short term (iscst3), in order to evaluate impacts on landfill workers and communities around the landfills. The modeling results were analyzed to estimate the potential ground level maximum h2s concentrations for 1-hr and 3-min periods and the frequency (occurrences per year) above the h2s odor detection threshold for each landfill. Odor complaints could be expected from four among five landfills selected for this study, based on 0.5-ppb odor detection threshold.

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During 20th century main concern was to have sanitary water flowing through the tap. In 21st century constant supply of safe drinking water is common at any home in USA. Hence consumers pay attention to aesthetic quality of tap water. Odorous algal metabolites in source water and metals introduced to drinking water due to corrosion of pipes in the distribution system cause taste, odor and color problems, and result in complaints and perception of tap water as unhealthy. Millions of dollars are spent each year by water industry to address and prevent these issues. This research focused on some of the taste-and-odor issues associated with drinking water. First aim was to understand when geosmin, 2-MIB, and nonadienal become detectable, employing two-resistance mass transfer theory to determine the concentration of odorants in bathroom air. Results showed that water temperature and odorant concentration in water play an important role. Next focus was to develop an international odor standard to be used for training of sensory analysis panelists. There are many sensory methods to monitor drinking water to detect the off-flavors however an odor standard has been missing. Hexanal was studied with trained flavor profile analysis panels and was proposed as an ideal odor reference standard to be used for training and sensory assessment of water samples. Main focus was to understand metallic flavor of drinking water caused by iron and copper. It was shown that metallic sensation has taste and retronasal components creating the flavor and humans are very sensitive to it. Occurrence of lipid oxidation in the oral cavity was shown when metals were ingested, that produces carbonyls which are responsible for the metallic flavor. Antioxidants and chelators were investigated to study prevention of lipid oxidation and, chelators were determined to be more effective. Oral epithelial cell cultures were developed as a model for oral cavity to further investigate lipid oxidation and effectiveness of the antioxidants and chelators. This dissertation is a result of inter-disciplinary work and possibly a good example for how problems may be solved by incorporating different methods and point of views from several disciplines. / Ph. D.

Bakgrund   Malignt tumörsår utvecklas hos 5–10 procent av personer med avancerad cancer och är en direkt konsekvens av sjukdomen, vilket leder till ytterligare komplikationer och obehag. Den fysiska smärtan och odör vid maligna tumörsår kräver vanligtvis en kombination av behandlingar, inklusive lokal och avancerad sårvård. Dessa två symtom genererade konsekvenser ur många perspektiv, vilket undersöks ur de fysiska, psykiska, sociala och existentiella dimensionerna utifrån teorin total pain. Syfte Syftet med denna uppsats var att belysa personers erfarenhet av att leva med maligna tumörsår. Metod Uppsatsen var en icke-systematisk litteraturöversikt som baserades på artiklar med både kvalitativ och kvantitativ ansats. Tio vetenskapliga artiklar valdes ut och hämtades från databaserna PubMed och CINAHL. Varje artikel kvalitetsgranskades noggrant enligt bedömningskriterierna för vetenskaplig klassificering och kvalitet via Sophiahemmet Högskola. En integrerad analysmetod tillämpades för sammanställning och bearbetning av resultaten från de olika studierna.  Resultat Maligna tumörsår orsakade betydande fysiska och psykologiska utmaningar för de drabbade, deras närstående och vårdpersonal. Smärtan var intensiv och svårbehandlad. Odören beskrevs som påträngande och svår kontrollerad. De psykologiska utmaningarna inkluderade skam och ångest, medan social isolering förstärktes av sårens odör och synlighet. Existentiella utmaningarna uppstod av att hantera en obotlig sjukdom och önskan om en fridfull död. Slutsats Uppsatsen belyste att personer med maligna tumörsår hade erfarenheter av lidande ur flera dimensioner. Enligt Saunders' teori krävdes en omfattande förståelse av smärtans alla aspekter för att förbättra välbefinnandet hos dessa personer. Effektiv hantering och identifiering av symtom relaterade till maligna tumörsår krävde utökad kunskap inom vården. Dessutom var det viktigt att öka allmänhetens medvetenhet för att minska stigma och skam kring tillståndet maligna tumörsår. / Background Malignant fungating wounds, occurring in 5-10 percent of individuals with advanced cancer, directly result from the disease and lead to significant complications and discomfort. Managing physical pain and odor often involves a combination of treatments, including local medications and advanced wound care. These two symptoms generated consequences from different perspectives, which is examined from the physical, psychological, social, and existential dimensions based on the theory of total pain. Aim The purpose of this study was to highlight the experiences of people living with malignant fungating wounds. Method The study was a non-systematic literature review based on articles with both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Ten scientific articles were selected and retrieved from the PubMed and CINAHL databases. Each article was meticulously quality assessed according to the criteria for scientific classification and quality via Sophiahemmet University College. An integrated analysis method was applied to compile and process the results from the numerous studies. Results Malignant fungating wounds caused significant physical and psychological challenges for those affected, their relatives, and healthcare providers. The pain was intense and difficult to treat. The odor was described as intrusive and hard to control. Psychological challenges included shame and anxiety, while social isolation was exacerbated by the odor and visibility of the wounds. Existential challenges arose from dealing with an incurable disease and the desire for a peaceful death. Conclusions The study highlighted those persons with malignant fungating wounds experienced suffering from multiple dimensions. According to Saunders' theory, a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of pain was required to improve the well-being of these individuals. Effective management and identification of symptoms related to malignant wounds required expanded knowledge within healthcare. Additionally, it was important to increase public awareness to reduce the stigma and shame associated with the condition of malignant fungating wounds.

<p>This study is focused on the design, production, and operation of a controlled environmental olfaction chamber to evaluate human physiological and emotional response to volatile chemical emissions (VCPs) from scented household products in addition to careful characterization of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in these product emissions. Utilizing proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry, the chamber can collect VCP emissions and identify VOCs present to complete an accurate chemical profile of household and common product emissions not previously known. This instrument is one of the first of its kind and will serve as a key element in understanding the relationship between human physical and cognitive health and the built environment.</p>

Thesis (PhD (Chemistry and Polymer Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The present study was initiated by the wine industry of South Africa to overcome the lack of available information on the flavor and aroma of South African wines. The aim was to develop new analytical methods and improve existing ones for the analysis of volatile compounds in the South African wines. Initially a new analytical method based on stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) in the headspace mode for the analysis of 37 pre-selected volatile compounds was developed and validated. Consequently, the method was improved by making important modifications and increasing the number of compounds analyzed to 39. This method was successfully applied to a large number of Pinotage wines of vintages 2005 and 2006. The quantitative data of these wines were subjected to chemometric analysis in order to investigate possible co- /variances. A clear distinction was observed between the two vintages, where the 2005 wines were more characterized by wood-related compounds and the 2006 wines by the fermentation compounds. The developed method was further applied to other cultivars of vintage 2005, including two white (Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay) and three red (Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot) cultivars. In a similar fashion, the quantitative data of the six cultivars of vintage of 2005 were analysed by chemometric methods. Significant differences were observed between the two white cultivars and among the four red cultivars. It was shown that among these cultivars, the major role-players were the wood and fermentation related volatiles. A striking observation was the confirmation of the unique character of the Pinotage wines compared to the other red cultivars, mainly influenced by the high level of isoamyl acetate and low level of isoamyl alcohol, the former being categorized as a varietal compound for Pinotage expressed by a fruity (banana) odor. In addition, advanced chromatographic technology in the form of comprehensive twodimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC) coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) was investigated for the detailed analysis of volatile compounds in young South African wines. This work focused primarily on Pinotage wines. In the first instance, solid phase micro extraction (SPME) in the headspace mode in combination with GC × GC-TOFMS was used. Due to the high resolution and large peak capacity of GC × GC, more than 200 compounds previously reported as wine components were identified. These compounds were dominated by the highly volatile and less polar compounds, mainly due to the characteristics of SPME. In an attempt to further extend these results, another selective extraction method, solid phase extraction (SPE) was used in combination with GC × GC-TOFMS analysis. Using this technique, more than 275 compounds, most of them unidentified using the previous method, were detected. These groups of compounds include volatile phenols, lactones as well as mostly aromatic esters and norisoprenoids, which can potentially influence the aroma and flavor of wine. The techniques developed as part of this study have extended our knowledge of the volatile composition of South African wines. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie is geïnisieer deur die wyn industrie van Suid-Afrika om die tekort aan beskikbare inligting aangaande wyn aroma van Suid-Afrikaanse wyne te oorkom. Die doel was om nuwe analitiese metodes te ontwikkel en die huidige metodes te verbeter vir die analise van vlugtige verbindings in Suid-Afrikaanse wyne. Oorspronklik is ʼn nuwe analitiese metode ontwikkel en gevalideer gebaseer is op ‘stir bar sorptive extraction’ (SBSE) in die gas fase vir die analise van 37 vooraf geselekteerde vlugtige verbindings. Die metode is verbeter deur belangrike modifikasies aan te bring en die hoeveelheid verbindings wat analiseer word te vermeerder na 39. Hierdie metode is suksesvol aangewend op ʼn groot hoeveelheid Pinotage wyne van oesjare 2005 en 2006. Die kwantitatiewe data van hierdie wyne is onderwerp aan verskillende chemometriese analises om moontlike ko-/variasies te ondersoek. ʼn Duidelike onderskeid is opgemerk tussen die twee oesjare, waar die 2005 wyne gekarakteriseer is deur hout-verwante verbindings en die 2006 wyne weer meer deur fermentasie verbindings. Die verbeterde metode is verder aangewend vir analiese van ander kultivars van oesjare 2005, wat twee wit (Sauvignon Blanc en Chardonnay) en drie rooies (Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon en Merlot) ingesluit het. Die kwantitatiewe data van die ses kultivars van oesjaar 2005 is op ʼn soortgelyke wyse geanaliseer deur verskillende chemometriese metodes te gebruik. Beduidende verskille is opgemerk tussen die twee wit kultivars en tussen die vier rooi kultivars. Die hoof rolspelers tussen die ses kultivars was weereens die verbindings wat ʼn hout en fermentasie aard het. Die unieke karakter van die Pinotage wyne in vergelyking met die ander rooi kultivars was opvallend. Hierdie wyn word gekarakteriseer deur hoë vlakke van isoamiel asetaat en lae vlakke van isoamiel alkohol, waar eersgenoemde gekatogiseer word as ʼn verbinding wat ʼn vrugte (piesang) geur in Pinotage uitdruk. Verder is gevorderde chromatografiese tegnologie in die vorm van ‘comprehensive two-dimentional gas chromatography’ (GC x GC) gekoppel met ‘time-of-flight mass spectroscopy’ (TOFMS) ondersoek vir die analiese van vlugtige verbindings in jong Suid-Afrikaanse wyne. Hierdie werk het hoofsaaklik op Pinotage wyne gefokus. Eerstens is ‘solid phase micro extraction’ (SPME) in die gas fase gekombineer met GC x GC-TOFMS. As gevolg van die hoë resolusie en groot piek kapasiteit van GC x GC is meer as 200 verbindings wat voorheen gerapporteer is as wyn komponente geïdentifiseer. Hierdie verbindings is gedomineer deur hoë vlugtige polêre verbindings, hoofsaaklik as gevolg van die karaktersitieke van SPME..In ʼn poging om die metode verder te verbeter is ʼn selektiewe ekstraksie metode naamlik ‘solid phase extraction’ (SPE) in kombinasie met GC x GC-TOFMS gebruik. Met hierdie tegniek is meer as 275 verbindings geïdentifiseer, waarvan die meeste nie met die vorige metode waargeneem is nie. Hierdie verbindings sluit vlugtige fenole, laktone en meestal aromatiese esters en norisoprenoïdes in, wat moontlik die reuk en smaak van wyn kan beïnvloed. Die metodes ontwikkel gedurende die studie het nuwe informasie verskaf aangaande die vlugtige komponente teenwoordig in Suid Afrikaanse wyne.

published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management