Olfactory Responses of Neotropical Short-Tailed Singing Mice, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scotinomys teguina</Emphasis>, to Odors of the Mid-Ventral Sebaceous Gland: Discrimination of Conspecifics,Gender, and Female Reproductive Condition

We examined the olfactory communication of the Neotropical short-tailed singing mouse, Scotinomys teguina, by investigating whether S. teguina responded to odors produced by the mid-ventral sebaceous gland of conspecifics. Females spent significantly more time investigating male odor than an odorless stimulus or a female odor. Males spent significantly more time investigating female odor than an odorless stimulus, but not that of a male odor. This latter result does not seem to be explained by differences in age or sexual experience of test subjects, but may be influenced by reproductive condition of the female odor donor. Male S. teguina spent significantly more time (1) investigating and (2) in total proximity to odors of estrous than non-estrous females. Males spent more time (1) investigating and (2) in total proximity to odors of males than non-estrous females. Finally, given the choice between odor of males vs proestrous females, males showed no preference. Thus, the mid-ventral gland in S. teguina seems to convey information about conspecifics, sex, and female reproductive condition. Male odor, compared with proestrous female odor, is equally interesting to males, suggesting that the gland also plays an important role in male–male communication. Sexual dimorphism in the size of the gland and in the amount of secretion produced by the gland may be related to either male–male competition or female choice.     

Neural Computations with Mammalian Infochemicals

The mammalian olfactory system is the most sensitive and discriminating molecular recognition system known, able to detect a few dozen critical molecules in the face of strong and variable background odorants. The set of information-containing volatile molecules used to transmit information within and between mammalian species shows both great molecular and informational diversity. Chemosensory neuroscientists that apply traditional reductionist methods to the analysis of information processing and computational principles in the olfactory system find great value in understanding the ecological and ethological context in which mammalian olfactory communication occurs. This review highlights a subset of the molecular armamentarium and information transmissions relevant to understanding the uses of olfactory communication by mammals in an ecological context.     

浅析炼油厂酸性水罐尾气综合治理工艺

酸性水罐区是炼油厂储存含硫生产污水的主要场所,排放气中含有较高浓度的轻烃、氨气、硫化氢及有机硫化物等,是炼油厂主要的非甲烷总烃及恶臭气体排放源。为符合GB31570-2015《石油炼制工业污染物排放标准》及《恶臭污染物排放标准(征求意见稿)》的要求,有必要对酸性水罐尾气进行有效的综合治理。本文介绍了几种酸性水罐尾气综合治理的工艺,并分析比较各种工艺技术的特点。     

石油炼制行业恶臭治理技术的应用

分析石油炼制行业在恶臭治理方面采取的治理技术,分别对催化氧化(湿法)治理污水处理场挥发性有机废气、降膜吸收法处理焦化冷焦水罐、酸性水罐、污油罐、含硫污水罐含硫化氢气体等治理装置的处理效果进行总结。     

Mobilization of short-term memory capacity for odors in discriminative tests: implication for assessors'' selection

The objective was to determine whether individual short-term memory capacities for odor are related to performance at discriminative tests. Two groups of 11 subjects were formed with different short-term memory for odor but equivalent sensitivity toward benzaldehyde, the aromatic compound to be detected in discriminative tests. The subject sensitivity was determined by d^′ values, derived from a detection task. Memory span for odors was the largest number of odors memorized at once. It ranged from 1 to 3 for the low memory span group and from 5 to 7 for the high memory span group. Then, subjects performed 20 triangle tests and 12 2-out-of-5 tests with two strawberry flavored soft drinks, one being supplemented with benzaldehyde. Results showed that the high memory span group outperformed the low memory span group for both tests. This indicates that short-term memory ability along with sensitivity contribute to individual performance in discriminative tests. This result has implications for test design and subject selection.     

Are We Measuring the Relevant Indoor Pollutants?

Abstract Concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) measured indoors may exceed their odor thresholds, but are usually far below TLV estimates. Even applying additivity to eye and airway irritation effects, it is difficult to rationalize increased sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms by exposure to generally chemically inert VOCs in the indoor environment. Several studies suggest that chemical reactions in indoor air are linked with SBS symptoms and the examination of these reactions may be necessary in order to understand the role of VOCs as causative agents of SBS symptoms. The usual evaluation of odor annoyance of VOCs based on odor thresholds should be modified, taking into account the large variation of individual human odor thresholds for single substances, and specific additivity phenomena even at subthreshold levels of VOCs. The conclusion of this review is that chemical reactions between oxidizable VOCs and oxidants, such as ozone and possibly nitrogen oxides, can form irritants which may be responsible for the reported symptoms. Compounds adsorbed to particles may also contribute to SBS symptoms. The individual effects of indoor pollutants may act in concert with temperature and relative humidity. New analytical methods are required to measure the oxidative and reactive species or specific markers thereof in indoor air.     

食品级过氧化氢在桶装水生产中的应用

利用0.3%~3%不同浓度的食品级过氧化氢,通过浸泡、擦拭等方式,对桶装水的瓶盖进行30、60s不同时长的消毒试验,证明浓度为0.5%过氧化氢30s即可达到100%灭菌的效果,可以替代常用的二氧化氯。     

Odor and taste thresholds of potential carry-over/off-flavor compounds in orange and apple juice

The odor and taste threshold values of six aroma substances known to be constituents of fruit juices and other fruit products, i.e. limonene, α-terpineol, carvone, methyl 2-methylbutanoate, ethyl 2-methylbutanoate, and γ-decalactone, were determined in various matrices, i.e. model sugar/acid solution, apple and orange juice, as well as apple and orange substitute (made by dilution of fruit juice concentrate with water). Whereas for α-terpineol thresholds in the 1.2-11 mg/l area were defined, limonene and carvone were determined to be sensorially effective each at 0.5 mg/l. Very low thresholds were measured for γ-decalactone, methyl 2-methylbutanoate and ethyl 2-methylbutanoate that showed sensory activity in the area of 20, 1.5, and 0.5 μg/l, respectively. In relation to the aroma composition determined by high resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HRGC-MS), these results provide an objective possibility to evaluate the sensory efficacy and/or an ‘off-flavor’ potential of these compounds in fruit juices.     

Addition of garlic or onion before irradiation on lipid oxidation, volatiles and sensory characteristics of cooked ground beef

Addition of 0.5% onion was effective in reducing lipid oxidation in irradiated cooked ground beef after 7 day storage. Addition of garlic or onion greatly increased the amounts of sulfur volatiles from cooked ground beef. Irradiation and storage both changed the amounts and compositions of sulfur compounds in both garlic- and onion-added cooked ground beef significantly. Although, addition of garlic and onion produced large amounts of sulfur compounds, the intensity of irradiation odor and irradiation flavor in irradiated cooked ground beef was similar to that of the nonirradiated control. Addition of garlic (0.1%) or onion (0.5%) to ground beef produced a garlic/onion aroma and flavor after cooking, and the intensity was stronger with 0.1% garlic than 0.5% onion treatment. Considering the sensory results and the amounts of sulfur compounds produced in cooked ground beef with added garlic or onion, 0.5% of onion or less than 0.1% of garlic is recommended to mask or change irradiation off-odor and off-flavor.