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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are used in the production of PTFE based coatings for cookware. In this study, emission of PFAS and further volatile organic compounds (VOC) from kitchenware articles were investigated. First, method development for thermal extraction of baking trays, frying pans and baking mats at 250 °C was done by testing three different extraction devices. A thermal desorption oven showed the best blank and highest recoveries of PFAS analytes (70–101% for 12 perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), 2 fluorotelomer alcohls (FTOHs), 3 per- and polyfluoroether carboxylic acids (PFECAs), 1 polyfluoroether (PFE)). Second, 18 cookware samples, a PTFE micro powder and 2 lab made coating strips have been investigated. No PFAS were detected in 12 samples (limits of detection: 1–13 ng/dm2). PFCAs (C5–C23) were detected in a baking tray in amounts up to 34 ng/dm2. A baking mat contained 3 ng/dm2 PFOA. FTOHs were not detected in the samples. A PFECA (bC7O2) and its hydride (bC6O2H PFE) were detected in one coating intended for use in frying pans. The hydrides of the PFECA mixture, b(C3O1)nC3 PFECA (Krytox 157FSH), were detected in five baking trays. The PFAS target analytes were not detectable in the five investigated frying pans. Analysing further VOC in the emissions of coatings, 175 compounds could be identified, including alkanes, alkenes, aromatic substances, esters, aldehydes, ketones, ethers, alcohols, carboxylic acids, siloxanes and sulphur, nitrogen, as well as chlorine containing compounds (< 10 µg/dm2). The identified substances cannot be connected to the basic coating polymer of the kitchenware articles, which were PTFE and PES. All samples have undergone a threefold thermal extraction. No substances could be detected in the second and third consecutive extraction, which means that a removal and no new formation of the investigated PFAS as well as the further VOC at 250 °C has occurred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are used in food contact materials (FCMs), e.g. as production aids in the fabrication of PTFE based coatings for kitchenware or as additives in paper and board. Growing concerns about the environment and health related to PFAS have led to an increasing interest in monitoring PFAS levels in FCMs as well as their migration into food. In this study, method development for the analysis of PFAS by thermal desorption – gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS) was done. In addition to fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs), which are the only PFAS commonly analysed by GC-MS, it was proven that perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) and per- and polyfluoroether carboxylic acids (PFECAs) as well as their thermolysis products, perfluoroethers (PFEs) and perfluoroalkenes, can be analysed by GC-MS without prior derivatization. Screening for PFCAs and FTOHs was possible by electron impact ionization (EI) using group specific SIM fragments. Confirmation of identity has been done by EI scans as well as chemical ionization (CI) SIM measurements. LODs (limits of detection) of PFCAs, FTOHs and PFECAs in the TD-GC-MS instrument were in the low pg range. Thermal degradation of PFCAs and PFECAs during TD-GC-MS measurement was investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper and board are used for packaging of moist as well as dry food. According to Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004, food contact materials (FCM) must not bring about a deterioration in the organoleptic characteristics of foodstuffs. For testing the transfer of off-flavour (taint) from packaging to food via the gas phase (DIN EN 1230-2), relative humidity (rH) has to be adjusted. In contrast, rH is neither taken into account when testing the odour (DIN EN 1230-1), nor in chemical migration of volatile organic substances (VOC) onto the adsorbent Tenax® (DIN EN 14338). In this work, effect of different rHs on the desorption of VOC from paper and board was investigated by GC-MS analysis as well as by human sensory tests. Raising humidity led to an increase in VOC transfer, which was observed by increasing peak areas as well as the detection of more substances in GC-MS. Analytical results were in line with human sensory tests. The odour profile of the paper at 33 and 58% rH was described as cardboard-like, sweet and smoky. Impact substances for these olfactory impressions were (E)-2-nonenal, vanillin and 2-methoxyphenol as identified by GC with an olfactory detection port (GC-ODP). The increase to 75 and 100% rH resulted in the additional perception of cheesy/sweaty and fatty/rancid impressions, which were primarily caused by short-chain fatty acids and di-unsaturated aldehydes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper and board are used for packaging of moist as well as dry food. According to Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004, food contact materials (FCM) must not bring about a deterioration in the organoleptic characteristics of foodstuffs. For testing the transfer of off-flavour (taint) from packaging to food via the gas phase (DIN EN 1230-2), relative humidity (rH) has to be adjusted. In contrast, rH is neither taken into account when testing the odour (DIN EN 1230-1), nor in chemical migration of volatile organic substances (VOC) onto the adsorbent Tenax® (DIN EN 14338). In this work, effect of different rHs on the desorption of VOC from paper and board was investigated by GC-MS analysis as well as by human sensory tests. Raising humidity led to an increase in VOC transfer, which was observed by increasing peak areas as well as the detection of more substances in GC-MS. Analytical results were in line with human sensory tests. The odour profile of the paper at 33 and 58% rH was described as cardboard-like, sweet and smoky. Impact substances for these olfactory impressions were (E)-2-nonenal, vanillin and 2-methoxyphenol as identified by GC with an olfactory detection port (GC-ODP). The increase to 75 and 100% rH resulted in the additional perception of cheesy/sweaty and fatty/rancid impressions, which were primarily caused by short-chain fatty acids and di-unsaturated aldehydes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the author's insights on how her work was inspired by a scholar and poet Lap Lam. Topics discussed include the modification in the landscape constructed by Modernist architecture and urban planning in China, the introduction of the building types and materials from the Western area, and the poetry, calligraphy, and painting of the scholar-artists during the Yuan Dynasty.

Objectives: This study explored criminal thinking styles and feelings of aggression and hopelessness among male and female inmates who reported mental disorders and those who did not. Methods: A total of 4,204 respondents (3,986 males and 218 females) who were expected to be released from prison within 24 months completed an hour-long audio computer-assisted self-interview survey that included the Beck Hopelessness Scale, Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire Short-Form, and Criminal Sentiments Scale–Modified. Weights were constructed to adjust the sampled population to the full population of the prison. Results: A mental disorder was reported by 19.8% of male and 46.1% of female participants, with 6.6% of males and 19.4% of females reporting a serious mental disorder. The criminal thinking patterns of male and female inmates who reported mental disorders were consistent with those of inmates who reported no mental disorders; however, levels of criminal attitudes were significantly higher among males reporting serious mental disorders than males reporting other mental disorders or no disorders. Inmates reporting mental disorders scored significantly higher on measures of aggression and hopelessness. Conclusions: Results of this study suggest that inmates who report mental disorders have antisocial attitudes consistent with inmates who do not report mental disorders but have levels of aggression and hopelessness that are higher than their counterparts who do not report mental disorders. These findings are vital to the development of evidence-based interventions that respond accurately and holistically to the complex constellation of needs among persons with mental disorders who are involved in the justice system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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We are creating an interactive, simulated “Cancer Genetics Tower” for the self-paced learning of Clinical Cancer Genetics by medical students (go to: http://casemed.case.edu/cancergenetics). The environment uses gaming theory to engage the students into achieving specific learning objectives. The first few levels contain virtual laboratories where students achieve the basic underpinnings of Cancer Genetics. The next levels apply these principles to clinical practice. A virtual attending physician and four virtual patients, available for questioning through virtual video conferencing, enrich each floor. The pinnacle clinical simulation challenges the learner to integrate all information and demonstrate mastery, thus “winning” the game. A pilot test of the program by 17 medical students yielded very favorable feedback; the students found the Tower a “great way to teach”, it held their attention, and it made learning fun. A majority of the students preferred the Tower over other resources to learn Cancer Genetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lamnid sharks are known to have warm red muscle and warm brains. We describe a large vein in lamnid sharks that provides a route for transfer of warm blood from the red muscle to the central nervous system. This 'red muscle vein' runs longitudinally in the red muscle and is valved to direct blood flow anteriorly. It joins the myelonal vein in the neural canal, thus providing a route for blood flow from the red muscle to the brain. Temperature profiles along the neural canal of freshly caught mako sharks show that warm blood enters the myelonal vein from the red muscle vein. Experiments with heat generation by model brains indicate that the metabolic heat produced by the brain is probably not sufficient to cause the temperature elevations observed. Metabolic heat imported from the red swimming muscle may be a valuable addition to the heat budget of the head. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]