Chaminade University of Honolulu

About: Chaminade University of Honolulu is a education organization based out in Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Experiential learning. The organization has 164 authors who have published 223 publications receiving 5381 citations.

Translation of a One-Dimensional to a Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography Method with Dual-Channel Detection for Volatile Organic Compound Measurement in Forensic Applications.

Abstract: After its introduction in the early 1990s, comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) has evolved from a separation science research tool to the central component of many industries. Despite the maturity of the technique, some fields remain reluctant to its use in routine applications. In the case of forensic science, some constraints are the strict requirements enforced in forensic laboratories and the time and effort that must be invested for intralaboratory method validation. Concerns may also arise about whether information could be lost when transitioning to a new technique. This study reports on a method translation from conventional one-dimensional (1D) GC to GC×GC, ensuring the integrity of data as conversion is made. The GC was retrofitted with a reverse fill/flush (RFF) flow modulator and equipped with dual-channel detection using a quadrupole mass spectrometer (qMS) and a flame ionization detector (FID). The parallel use of two detectors, where qMS was applied for qualitative identification and FID for quantification, allowed higher flows and slightly wider peaks to be exploited for the analysis of a volatile organic compound (VOC) reference mixture relevant to forensic VOC profiling. Peak quality assessment and calibration curves using GC-qMS and GC×GC-qMS/FID document the transfer and adaptation of the original method without a loss in data quality. Furthermore, the preprocessing and the data analysis processing steps, including calibration and peak quality assessment for each of the three data sets, are explained in detail. This information provides benchmark data for routine laboratories that want to implement a GC×GC approach into routine workflows.

Communicating pain: Do people share an understanding of the meaning of pain descriptors?

Abstract: When patients describe their pain to medical practitioners they typically use verbal descriptors. Therefore, it is important to know whether people assign similar meanings to the same descriptive terms. This study explored the extent to which people assign similar levels of numerical pain intensity to the verbal descriptors that they use to describe their worst pain experience. A nonclinical sample (N = 207) rated their worst pain experience in two ways. First, participants rated their pain using a self-ranked verbal rating scale (VRS) consisting of descriptors frequently used in pain measures. Second, participants used a visual analog scale (VAS) to rate their pain intensity on a 10-cm line. While the correlation between the two measures was significant (r = .71), there was considerable variability between individuals in terms of how they rated pain descriptors on the VAS. Respondents were idiosyncratic in their use of pain words. Consequently, we recommend that medical practitioners do not rely...

Sacred and/or Secular Approaches to Biodiversity Conservation in Thailand

Abstract: Western approaches to biodiversity are starting to recognise the relevance of local environmental knowledge and community forests, but mostly ignore the conservation potential of sacred places because of their culture bound modernism and scientism. We argue that sacred places are in effect an ancient and widespread system of community based and religiously sanctioned protected areas that promote biodiversity conservation. We also compare the advantages and disadvantages of government and community based protected areas, and consider them to be complementary.

A minimally-invasive method for profiling volatile organic compounds within postmortem internal gas reservoirs

Abstract: In forensic casework, non-invasive and minimally-invasive methods for postmortem examinations are extremely valuable. Whole body postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) is often used to provide visualization of the internal characteristics of a body prior to more invasive procedures and has also been used to locate gas reservoirs inside the body to assist in determining cause of death. Preliminary studies have demonstrated that exploiting the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) located in these gas reservoirs by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-HRTOF-MS) may assist in providing information regarding the postmortem interval. The aim of the current study was to further develop the procedures related to solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and GC×GC-HRTOF-MS analysis of gas reservoirs collected from deceased individuals. SPME fiber extraction parameters, internal standard approach, and sample stability were investigated. Altering the SPME parameters increased the selectivity and sensitivity for the VOC profile, and the use of a mixed deuterated internal standard contributed to data quality. Samples were found to be stable up to 6 weeks but were recommended to be analyzed within 4 weeks due to higher variation observed beyond this point. In addition, 29 VOC markers of interest were identified, and heart and/or abdominal cavity samples were suggested as a possible standardized sampling location for future studies. The data presented in this study will contribute to the long-term goal of producing a routine, accredited method for minimally-invasive VOC analysis in postmortem examinations.