Odor and taste perception at normal and low atmospheric pressure in a simulated aircraft cabin

Journal für Verbraucherschutz und Lebensmittelsicherheit
March 2011, Volume 6, Issue 1, pp 95-109
Cover Date 2011-03-01
DOI 10.1007/s00003-010-0630-y

Andrea Burdack-Freitag, Dino Bullinger, Florian Mayer, Klaus Breuer

Fraunhofer Institut für Bauphysik
Fraunhoferstraße 10
83626, Valley
Germany

Abstract

During flights, reduced odor and taste perception is reported. Passengers tend to prefer spicier meals than on the ground. The conditions on board were simulated at the Fraunhofer flight test facility in Holzkirchen, Germany, consisting of a front fuselage of an Airbus A310-200 in a huge metal tube in which all relevant parameters can be adjusted (humidity, temperature, pressure). Flight tests were carried out at low atmospheric pressure corresponding to cabin conditions on board at cruising altitude and were repeated at normal atmospheric pressure corresponding to ground conditions. All other parameters were kept constant. Under these conditions, test persons smelled and tasted food-safe flavorants to evaluate the mean odor and taste thresholds and tasted different flavored food. Even tomato juice and various wines were tasted for odor and taste qualities, intensities and individual preferences. At low pressure conditions, higher taste and odor thresholds of flavorants were generally observed with few exceptions. Salt, sugar, glutamate and most odorant thresholds increased clearly. Organic acids and some bitter tastants showed no change. Transferred to complete meals, more salt, sugar and herbs were necessary on board to serve meals that tasted similar to the way they did on the ground. Sour ingredients had to be reduced. The odor and taste spectrum of the beverages investigated changed in various ways. Light and fresh flavors decreased, whereas intensive flavors persisted.

http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00003-010-0630-y

The use of mercury against pediculosis in the Renaissance: the case of Ferdinand II of Aragon, King of Naples, 1467-96

Medical History
Volume 55 / Issue 01 / January 2011, pp 109-115
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0025727300006074

Gino Fornaciari*, Silvia Marinozzi, Valentina Gazzaniga, Valentina Giuffra, Malayka Samantha Picchi, Mario Giusiani and Massimo Masetti

Professor Gino Fornaciari and Dr Valentina Giuffra, Department of Oncology, Transplants and Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Division of Palaeopathology, History of Medicine and Bioethics, University of Pisa, Italy;
Dr Silvia Marinozzi and Professor Valentina Gazzaniga, Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of History of Medicine, University of Rome ‘La Sapienza’, Italy;
Dr Malayka Samantha Picchi and Dr Massimo Masetti, Department of Biology, Laboratory of Entomology, University of Pisa;
Professor Mario Giusiani, Department of Neuroscience, Section of Forensic Medicine, University of Pisa.

*Primary address for correspondence: Professor Gino Fornaciari, Divisione di Paleopatologia, Storia della Medicina e Bioetica, Dipartimento di Oncologia, dei Trapianti e delle Nuove Tecnologie in Medicina, Università di Pisa, via Roma 57, 56126 Pisa, Italy.

Abstract

The hair samples of Ferdinand II of Aragon (1467–1496), King of Naples, whose mummy is preserved in the Basilica of San Domenico Maggiore in Naples, showed a high content of mercury, with a value of 827ppm. Furthermore, examination using a stereomicroscope and a scanning electron microscope (SEM) of head and pubic hairs of Ferdinand II, revealed a lice infestation. The reasons for the massive presence of the mercury in the king's hair are discussed and contemporary literature regarding the use of this metal in medical therapies and in cosmetic practices is analysed. As a result, the high value of mercury in the hair of Ferdinand II can be attributed to antipediculosis therapy, applied as a topic medicament. This case represents an important finding for the history of medicine, because demonstrates that in the Renaissance mercury was applied locally not only to treat syphilis, as well attested by direct and indirect sources, but also to prevent or eliminate lice infestation.

http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=8516973

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3037217/

http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3037217/

‘Christ fucking shit merde!’ Language preferences for swearing among maximally proficient multilinguals

Sociolinguistic Studies
Vol 4, No 3 (2010) 595–614
doi : 10.1558/sols.v4i3.595

Jean-Marc Dewaele

Birkbeck, University of London, London, England

Abstract

The present study investigates language preferences for swearing among two groups of multilinguals. The first group consisted of 386 adult multilinguals who filled out the Bilingualism and Emotion web based questionnaire (BEQ, Dewaele and Pavlenko,2001–2003) and had declared that they were maximally proficient in their L1 and L2 and used both languages constantly. The second group consisted of 20 multilinguals with a similar sociobiographical profile who were interviewed about their language choice for the communication of emotion. A statistical analysis of the quantitative data revealed that despite similar levels of self-perceived proficiency and frequency of use in the L1 and L2, the L1 was used significantly more for swearing and L1 swearwords were perceived to have a stronger emotional resonance. An analysis of the quantitative data from the BEQ and the interview data confirmed the findings of the quantitative analysis while adding rich detail about the difficulties in deciding which language to choose for swearing.

https://www.equinoxpub.com/journals/index.php/SS/article/view/7344

http://www.academia.edu/1475912/Christ_fucking_shit_merde_Language_preferences_for_swearing_among_maximally_proficient_multilinguals

Vaginal orgasm is associated with vaginal (not clitoral) sex education, focusing mental attention on vaginal sensations, intercourse duration, and a preference for a longer penis

The Journal of Sexual Medicine
Volume 7, Issue 8, pages 2774–2781, August 2010
doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01469.x. Epub 2009 Sep 1

Stuart Brody PhD, and Petr Weiss PhD

School of Social Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, UK

INTRODUCTION:

Evidence was recently provided for vaginal orgasm, orgasm triggered purely by penile-vaginal intercourse (PVI), being associated with better psychological functioning. Common sex education and sexual medicine approaches might undermine vaginal orgasm benefits.

AIMS:

To examine the extent to which women's vaginal orgasm consistency is associated with (i) being told in childhood or adolescence that the vagina was the important zone for inducing female orgasm; (ii) how well they focus mentally on vaginal sensations during PVI; (iii) greater PVI duration; and (iv) preference for above-average penis length.

METHODS:

In a representative sample of the Czech population, 1,000 women reported their vaginal orgasm consistency (from never to almost every time; only 21.9% never had a vaginal orgasm), estimates of their typical foreplay and PVI durations, what they were told in childhood and adolescence was the important zone for inducing female orgasm, their degree of focus on vaginal sensations during PVI, and whether they were more likely to orgasm with a longer than average penis.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

The association of vaginal orgasm consistency with the predictors noted above.

RESULTS:

Vaginal orgasm consistency was associated with all hypothesized correlates. Multivariate analysis indicated the most important predictors were being educated that the vagina is important for female orgasm, being mentally focused on vaginal sensations during PVI, and in some analyses duration of PVI (but not foreplay) and preferring a longer than average penis.

CONCLUSIONS:

Focusing attention on penile-vaginal sensation supports vaginal orgasm and the myriad benefits thereof. Brody S, and Weiss P. Vaginal orgasm is associated with vaginal (not clitoral) sex education, focusing mental attention on vaginal sensations, intercourse duration, and a preference for a longer penis.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01469.x/abstract