Revisiting the rationale of mandatory masking.

In this perspective, we review the evidence for the efficacy of face masks to reduce the transmission of respiratory viruses, specifically severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and consider the value of mandating universal mask wearing against the widespread negative impacts that have been associated with such measures. Before the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, it was considered that there was little to no benefit in healthy people wearing masks as prophylaxis against becoming infected or as unwitting vectors of viral transmission. This accepted policy was hastily reversed early on in the pandemic, when districts and countries throughout the world imposed stringent masking mandates.

Cross-validation of the peppermint benchmarking experiment across three analytical platforms.

The Peppermint Experiment is a breath analysis benchmarking initiative that seeks to address the lack of inter-comparability of outcomes across independent breath biomarker studies. In this experiment, the washout profiles of volatile terpene constituents of encapsulated peppermint oil (mainly-pinene,-pinene, limonene and 1,8-cineole) in exhaled breath are characterized through a series of measurements at defined sampling intervals up to 6 h after ingestion of the capsule. In the present work, the Peppermint Experiment was carried out on a cohort of volunteers (= 11) that provided breath samples in three sittings on different days (i.

Emissions and uptake of volatiles by sampling components in breath analysis.

The first and most crucial step in breath research is adequate sampling, which plays a pivotal role in quality assurance of breath datasets. In particular, the emissions or uptake of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by sampling interface materials present a risk of disrupting breath gas samples. This study investigated emissions and uptake by three interface components, namely a silicon facemask, a reusable 3D-printed mouthpiece adapter, and a pulmonary function test filter compatible with the commercial Respiration Collector forAnalysis (ReCIVA) breath sampling device.

Volatile Compound Emissions from Stereolithography Three-Dimensional Printed Cured Resin Models for Biomedical Applications.

Stereolithography three-dimensional printing is used increasingly in biomedical applications to create components for use in healthcare and therapy. The exposure of patients to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from cured resins represents an element of concern in such applications. Here, we investigate the biocompatibility in relation to inhalation exposure of volatile emissions of three different cured commercial resins for use in printing a mouthpiece adapter for sampling exhaled breath.

Online Volatile Compound Emissions Analysis Using a Microchamber/Thermal Extractor Coupled to Proton Transfer Reaction-Mass Spectrometry.

Indoor air is a complex and dynamic mixture comprising manifold volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that may cause physiological and/or psychological discomfort, depending on the nature of exposure. This technical note presents a novel approach to analyze VOC emissions by coupling a microchamber/thermal extractor (μ-CTE) system to a proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometer (PTR-MS). This configuration provides an alternative to conventional emissions testing of small objects.

Sampling Volatile Organic Compound Emissions from Consumer Products: A Review.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are common constituents of many consumer products. Although many VOCs are generally considered harmless at low concentrations, some compound classes represent substances of concern in relation to human (inhalation) exposure and can elicit adverse health effects, especially when concentrations build up, such as in indoor settings. Determining VOC emissions from consumer products, such as toys, utensils or decorative articles, is of utmost importance to enable the assessment of inhalation exposure under real-world scenarios with respect to consumer safety.

3D-printed mouthpiece adapter for sampling exhaled breath in medical applications.

The growing use of 3D printing in the biomedical sciences demonstrates its utility for a wide range of research and healthcare applications, including its potential implementation in the discipline of breath analysis to overcome current limitations and substantial costs of commercial breath sampling interfaces. This technical note reports on the design and construction of a 3D-printed mouthpiece adapter for sampling exhaled breath using the commercial respiration collector for in-vitro analysis (ReCIVA) device. The paper presents the design and digital workflow transition of the adapter and its fabrication from three commercial resins (Surgical Guide, Tough v5, and BioMed Clear) using a Formlabs Form 3B stereolithography (SLA) printer.

Polygenic prediction of educational attainment within and between families from genome-wide association analyses in 3 million individuals.

We conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of educational attainment (EA) in a sample of ~3 million individuals and identify 3,952 approximately uncorrelated genome-wide-significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). A genome-wide polygenic predictor, or polygenic index (PGI), explains 12-16% of EA variance and contributes to risk prediction for ten diseases. Direct effects (i.

Moving Chemistry from Bench to Market: An Introduction to the Agricultural and Food Chemistry Technical Program at the 260th American Chemical Society Fall 2020 Virtual Meeting & Expo.

This is the second special issue of the (JAFC) that reviews the Agricultural and Food Chemistry Division (AGFD) technical program from a national meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS). The 260th meeting was virtually held on August 17-20, 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although it was the first-ever all online meeting in ACS history, a total of 311 abstracts were submitted to the AGFD technical program for oral and poster presentations and 34 technical sessions were held in 22 symposia, which covered a broad range of food and agricultural topics.

Breath Biomarkers in Diagnostic Applications.

The detection of chemical compounds in exhaled human breath presents an opportunity to determine physiological state, diagnose disease or assess environmental exposure. Recent advancements in metabolomics research have led to improved capabilities to explore human metabolic profiles in breath. Despite some notable challenges in sampling and analysis, exhaled breath represents a desirable medium for metabolomics applications, foremost due to its non-invasive, convenient and practically limitless availability.

The peppermint breath test benchmark for PTR-MS and SIFT-MS.

A major challenge for breath research is the lack of standardization in sampling and analysis. To address this, a test that utilizes a standardized intervention and a defined study protocol has been proposed to explore disparities in breath research across different analytical platforms and to provide benchmark values for comparison. Specifically, theinvolves the targeted analysis in exhaled breath of volatile constituents of peppermint oil after ingestion of the encapsulated oil.

Resource profile and user guide of the Polygenic Index Repository.

Polygenic indexes (PGIs) are DNA-based predictors. Their value for research in many scientific disciplines is growing rapidly. As a resource for researchers, we used a consistent methodology to construct PGIs for 47 phenotypes in 11 datasets.

Pursuing breath research in unprecedented circumstances-report from the Breath Biopsy Conference 2020.

The global outbreak of Sars-CoV-2 commencing early in 2020 had a dramatic impact on breath research, imposing abrupt restrictions but also presenting unforeseen opportunities. Taking place against the background of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Breath Biopsy Conference provided the breath research community with a platform to showcase and discuss the latest findings, including COVID-19 related research. As with most conferences under the present circumstance, it differed from its predecessor meetings by shifting to a virtual format, but retained its broad scope and interactive nature.

Exposure Assessment of Toxicologically Relevant Volatile Organic Compounds Emitted from Polymer-Based Costume Masks.

Plastic costume masks regularly exhibit unpleasant odors that may be associated with the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Upon inhalation, VOCs might adversely affect the wearer's health if the exposure exceeds regulatory threshold values. The VOCs emitted from a selection of costume masks ( = 12) were characterized semiquantitatively with a screening method based on GC/MS measurements in dynamic headspace sampling mode.

Measuring and Controlling for the Compromise Effect When Estimating Risk Preference Parameters.

The compromise effect arises when being close to the "middle" of a choice set makes an option more appealing. The compromise effect poses conceptual and practical problems for economic research: by influencing choices, it can bias researchers' inferences about preference parameters. To study this bias, we conduct an experiment with 550 participants who made choices over lotteries from multiple price lists (MPLs).

Factors affecting flavor perception in space: Does the spacecraft environment influence food intake by astronauts?

The intention to send a crewed mission to Mars involves a huge amount of planning to ensure a safe and successful mission. Providing adequate amounts of food for the crew is a major task, but 20 years of feeding astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) have resulted in a good knowledge base. A crucial observation from the ISS is that astronauts typically consume only 80% of their daily calorie requirements when in space.

Breath research in times of a global pandemic and beyond: the game changer.

In contrast to blood and urine samples, breath is invisible and ubiquitous in the environment. Different precautions are now necessary beyond the usual 'Universal Precautions'. In the era of COVID-19, breath (especially the aerosol fraction) can no longer be considered as harmless in the clinic or laboratory.

Driving progress in exhaled breath biomarkers: Breath Biopsy Conference 2019.

November 2019 saw Cambridge, UK play host to the second Breath Biopsy Conference, a community-focused event aimed at sharing and supporting advancements in the collection and analysis of volatile organic compounds in exhaled breath. The event expanded upon the previous year's format, spanning two days and concluding with an expert panel discussion. Presentations covered detection, monitoring and precision medicine studies examining diseases including asthma, cirrhosis, cancer and tuberculosis.

A benchmarking protocol for breath analysis: the peppermint experiment.

Sampling of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has shown promise for detection of a range of diseases but results have proved hard to replicate due to a lack of standardization. In this work we introduce the 'Peppermint Initiative'. The initiative seeks to disseminate a standardized experiment that allows comparison of breath sampling and data analysis methods.

A Masked Aversive Odor Cannot Be Discriminated From the Masking Odor but Can Be Identified Through Odor Quality Ratings and Neural Activation Patterns.

Odor masking is a very prominent problem in our daily routines, mainly concerning unpleasant sweat or toilet odors. In the current study we explored the effectiveness of odor masking both on a behavioral and neuronal level. By definition, participants cannot differentiate a fully masked unpleasant odor from the pleasant pure odor used as a masking agent on a behavioral level.

The Church, intensive kinship, and global psychological variation.

Recent research not only confirms the existence of substantial psychological variation around the globe but also highlights the peculiarity of many Western populations. We propose that part of this variation can be traced back to the action and diffusion of the Western Church, the branch of Christianity that evolved into the Roman Catholic Church. Specifically, we propose that the Western Church's transformation of European kinship, by promoting small, nuclear households, weak family ties, and residential mobility, fostered greater individualism, less conformity, and more impersonal prosociality.