It’s possible that I shall make an ass of myself. But in that case one can always get out of it with a little dialectic. I have, of course, so worded my proposition as to be right either way (K.Marx, Letter to F.Engels on the Indian Mutiny)
Wednesday, July 03, 2024
PRACTIKAL SCIENCE
Scientists pinpoint strategies that could stop cats from scratching your furniture
NO MENTION OF PLASTIC FURNITURE COVERINGS
Cats scratching on furniture can frustrate owners, but this normal feline behavior could be managed by adapting play sessions and offering scratch posts in the right spots, researchers found
FRONTIERS
Many cat owners are familiar with torn cushions, carpets, and couches. The feline instinct to scratch is innate but is often perceived as a behavioral problem by cat owners and sometimes leads to interventions that are not cat friendly.
Now, an international team of researchers has investigated which factors influence undesired scratching behavior in domestic cats. They published their findings in Frontiers in Veterinary Science.
“Here we show that certain factors – such as the presence of children at home, personality traits of cats, and their activity levels – significantly impact the extent of scratching behavior,” said Dr Yasemin Salgirli Demi̇rbas, a veterinary researcher at Ankara University and first author of the study. “Our findings can help caregivers manage and redirect scratching to appropriate materials, which could help foster a more harmonious living environment for both cats and their caregivers.”
Kids, play, and personality
The researchers asked more than 1,200 cat owners in France about the daily lives and characteristics as well as undesired scratching behaviors of their feline companions. The study’s funder, Ceva Santé Animale, helped with collecting this data.
The researchers’ results showed that there are several factors that influence cats’ scratching behavior. “We see a clear link between certain environmental and behavioral factors and increased scratching behavior in cats,” Salgirli Demirbas explained. “Specifically, the presence of children in the home as well as high levels of play and nocturnal activity significantly contribute to increased scratching. Cats described as aggressive or disruptive also exhibited higher levels of scratching.”
Stress, the researchers said, was found to be a leading reason for unwanted scratching. For example, the presence of children, particularly while they are small, might amplify stress and be one of several causes that can make felines stress-scratch. The link between increased scratching and children in the home, however, is not fully understood and further study is needed. Another factor that could also be connected to stress is playfulness. When cats play for a long time, their stress levels can rise because of the uninterrupted stimulation.
Cat-friendly scratching interventions
While some factors that favor scratching – such as the cat’s personality or the presence of children – cannot be changed, others can, the researchers said. Placing scratch posts in areas the cat frequently passes or near to their preferred resting spot or the use of pheromones for example, can lessen cats’ scratching on furniture.
“Providing safe hiding places, elevated observation spots, and ample play opportunities can also help alleviate stress and engage the cat in more constructive activities,” Salgirli Demirbas pointed out. The key is to establish multiple short play sessions that mimic successful hunting scenarios. These play sessions are more likely to sustain cats’ interest and reduce stress, which ultimately can reduce excessive scratching on furniture. They can also foster the bond between cats and their caretakers, the researchers said.
“Understanding the underlying emotional motivations of scratching behavior, such as frustration, which seem to be linked to personality traits and environmental factors, allows caregivers to address these issues directly,” said Salgirli Demirbas. While the researchers had to rely on self-reported data, which is prone to subjectivity, they’ve gained unique insights into cats’ scratching behavior. The goal of this and future research is to develop more effective strategies to manage this behavior, ultimately enhancing the bond and harmony between cats and their caregivers, they said.
Evaluating Undesired Scratching in Domestic Cats: A Multifactorial Approach to Understand Risk Factors
ARTICLE PUBLICATION DATE
3-Jul-2024
COI STATEMENT
The authors declare a potential conflict of interest and state it below. XJ, LM, and SE were employed by Ceva Santé Animale. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The authors declare that this study received funding from Ceva Santé Animale. The funder had the following involvement in the study: data collection.
NARO developed a novel method to analyze “forever chemicals” in the soil
“Determination of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the soil (DRAFT METHOD 202201)” was published.
NATIONAL AGRICULTURE AND FOOD RESEARCH ORGANIZATION
IMAGE:
IN THE MANUAL, ALL PROCESSES FROM SAMPLE PREPARATION TO PFAS CONTENT MEASUREMENT, INCLUDING SOIL SAMPLING AND PRETREATMENT, ARE EXPLAINED IN AN EASY-TO-UNDERSTAND MANNER WITH ILLUSTRATIONS.
CREDIT: NATIONAL AGRICULTURE AND FOOD RESEARCH ORGANIZATION (NARO)
Concern about the effects of PFAS are of increasing globally. Also there is no accurate method for analyzing multiple PFAS in soil. Hence, a team of PFAS researchers led by NARO et.al sought to develop a stable and accurate method for analyzing multicomponent PFAS in the soil (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries -MAFF project).
Unlike the PFAS analysis method for water samples, it is difficult to ensure the extraction efficiency of the target PFAS in diverse soil samples. In Japan, there are 381 soil types, with volcanic ash soils being the predominant. Since these soils possess high carbon content, efficient multicomponent PFAS extraction is challenging. The research team has developed a novel method for PFAS analysis using typical Japanese Andosols and brown lowland soils and published a manual “Determination of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the soil (DRAFT METHOD 202201)” .
Characteristics of the analytical method
●Simultaneous analysis of 30 different PFAS, including PFOA, PFOS, and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) is possible.
These representative PFAS which is included in overseas assessments of drinking and environmental water can be analyzed simultaneously in soil.
●Simplified process for multiple sample analysis
To reduce analysis time and cost, insoluble materials are removed via centrifugation, and the solution is transferred through decantation.
●Easy-to-understand visual explanation of the analysis procedure.
All processes from sample preparation to PFAS content measurement, including soil sampling and pretreatment, are clearly explained via illustrations.
●Immediate analysis possible by specifying condition settings .
The analytical parameters that are compatible with the models used are included in the manual with the cooperation of Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) manufacturers.
The manual consists of four chapters which are classified according to their themes.
CREDIT
National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO)
1. THEMATIC CHAPTERS
This manual consists of four chapters: (1) soil sampling and pretreatment; (2) extraction, purification, and concentration of PFAS from soil samples; (3) PFAS content assessment using LC-MS/MS; and (4) reagents and measurement conditions for reference.
2. PURPOSEFUL SELECTION
This manual allows users to implement PFAS analysis according to their objectives, by selecting targets from 30 types of PFAS, which are classified into three groups based on their measurement needs.
3. USEFUL APPENDIX
This manual provides check sheets for each step of the sampling, extraction, and purification processes. This enables the user to proceed without omitting any process during the analysis. In addition, the manual provides simple illustrations explaining the selection of soil sample collection points, collection methods, and handling of testing equipment and instruments used in all processes from sample pretreatment to PFAS content measurement. Hence it will be user-friendly even for those conducting PFAS analysis for the first time.
4. ANALYST-FRIENDLY
This manual assumes routine analysis that can quickly and efficiently analyze a large number of soil samples. In addition, by considering the safety of the analyst, the manual describes the use of the minimum amount of test chemicals required and procedures such as decanting to reduce time and workload.
5. MANUFACTURERS’S BACKUP
Measurement method files for the main models of the LC-MS/MS instruments used in the analysis were prepared in cooperation with the manufacturers (Nihon Waters Corporation, Agilent Technologies Inc., and Shimadzu Corporation). Users can start the analysis immediately by referring the method files and the manuals of each instrument without the need to examine or adjust the measurement conditions.
6. HIGH RECOVERY RATE
In this manual, recovery test results for the addition of internal standard substances in andosol and brown lowland soil, which are common agricultural soils in Japan were provided. Based on this it can be assured that PFAS can be analyzed in a highly efficient and stable manner. For example, the four main compounds of Group 1 (PFHxS, PFOS, PFOA, and perfluorononanoic acid) were extracted and listed. The average recovery rate obtained by dividing the measured value by the added concentration was in the range of 98–116% for andosol and 94–108% for brown lowland soil, with standard deviations ranging 3.09–5.65 and 4.38–5.79, respectively, indicating good results.
7. FREE OF CHARGE
In order to contribute to an early solution to the global PFAS problem, the manual and measurement method files are provided for free on the NARO website. The measurement method files can be acquired from the webpages of the device manufacturers (the URLs are listed in the manual).
Currently, 23 institutes in Japan, including private and national research institutes, have started interlaboratory studies using this manual. Also procedures are underway in China, Korea, Hong Kong, the EU, and the USA.
During the workshop on this manual, the following comments were received from participants.
"There were many hints in this training on this manual, and I was excited to try them out at work."
"It was shocking to see that this method only requires a minimum amount of equipment, and is done without a Pasteur pipette, just by decantation."
"I was surprised at how easy it is to understand this manual for analyzing PFAS in soil, and how simple it is to use, compared to other methods."
"Thank you for holding such a rich and informative workshop on this manual, it was very helpful."
About National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO)
NARO is the core institute in Japan for conducting research and development in a wide range of fields, from basic to applied, for the development of agriculture and food industries.For more information, visit https://www.naro.go.jp/english/index.html .
METHOD OF RESEARCH
Experimental study
Lifesaving star
Low volume resuscitant for prehospital treatment of severe hemorrhagic shock
WILEY
Extensive blood loss after injuries is life-threatening and must be counteracted as fast as possible. Relatively small volume injections of solutions of a novel star-shaped polymer could compensate for the loss of fluid without disrupting coagulation, reports a research team in the journal Angewandte Chemie. This makes it particularly interesting for preclinical treatment of hemorrhagic shock.
Traumatic injuries account for a large portion of morbidity and death; in the USA, they are the primary cause of death in people under 46 years of age. In cases of heavy blood loss, time is a critical factor because shock can set in within minutes or hours after injury—often before a patient reaches a clinic. Blood pressure collapses, tissue no longer gets enough blood. The lack of oxygen forces tissues into anaerobic respiration, inducing lactic acidosis. Cellular sodium pumps shut down and water flows from the blood vessels into the surrounding tissues. This further reduces blood volume and exacerbates the state of shock. In addition, inflammatory reactions set in that flood the tissue with toxic metabolites when blood flow later resumes, possibly causing multiple organ failure.
The primary intervention used in such cases is replacement of the lost fluid volume with substances such as saline solution. This requires several liters of the liquid to be warmed to physiological temperature—which is impractical outside of a clinic. The large volumes administered also dilute clotting factors and raise blood pressure, which can lead to further hemorrhage. For this reason, modern resuscitation strategies (Damage Control Resuscitation, DCR) purposely limit the administration of fluids and instead rely on whole blood transfusions, which reduce clotting problems, inflammation, and the mortality rate. In the field, in an ambulance or in a rescue helicopter, this remains impracticable, particularly due to low supply.
The alternatives currently under development include synthetic low-volume resuscitants (LVR), solutions that are highly effective in small amounts, such as polyethylene glycol PEG20K. These substances generate osmotic gradients that pull bodily fluids out of tissues and back into the blood vessels. This reduces the volume required for treatment and keeps blood pressure low. However, PEG20K disrupts blood clotting and can cause allergic reactions.
A team led by Nathan J. White and Suzie H. Pun at the University of Washington (Seattle, USA) has now developed a novel LVR. By using a special, controlled polymerization process (RAFT), they were able to synthesize many variations of methacrylate-based polymers with different compositions, molecular weights, and properties. Among these, a polymer shaped like a radiant star proved to be an effective LVR with no negative effect on blood clotting.
After loss of about 60 % of blood volume in rat models, a use of 10 % of this volume of the new polymer solution was able to refill the blood vessels enough to return blood pressure to the desired window and overcome shock. Even high doses of polymer produced no observable adverse effects on blood clotting or organs, demonstrating that the new radiant star polymer is an improvement over colloidal resuscitants currently in development.
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About the Author
Dr. Nathan White is an Associate Professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine with appointments in Emergency Medicine, Bioengineering, and Mechanical Engineering. His primary research focuses on hemorrhage control and resuscitation technologies, particularly in trauma with hemorrhagic shock. He serves as the inaugural director of the Resuscitation Engineering Science Unit (RESCU).
Suzie H. Pun is Washington Research Foundation Professor of Bioengineering at the University of Washington.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has played an important role in modern medical diagnosis, generating petabytes of crucial data annually across healthcare facilities worldwide. However, the challenges in big data storage, data accessibility, data security, etc., have impeded its potential in further enhancing global healthcare.
To that end, Professor Xiaobo Qu and his research team at Xiamen University have developed the Cloud-MRI system. This new platform facilitates seamless data sharing and improve diagnostic capabilities across healthcare institutions.
"Traditional methods of managing MRI data face significant limitations, from storage constraints to barriers in collaborative research," Professor Qu explains. "Our Cloud-MRI system will address these challenges by harnessing the power of distributed cloud computing, ultra-fast 6G bandwidth, edge computing, federated learning, and blockchain technology."
The core of the Cloud-MRI system is its capability to upload k-space raw data, essential for MRI reconstruction, to unified servers or local edge nodes in the ISMRMRD format, a standard vendor-neutral file format for MRI research and development. This facilitates rapid image reconstruction and enables advanced artificial intelligence (AI)-driven tasks, significantly enhancing diagnostic efficiency.
"The first generation of Cloud-MRI system has been setup up at https://csrc.xmu.edu.cn/CloudBrain.html , enabling the multiple vendor data reading, AI-based MRI image reconstruction, radiologists’ blind image quality evaluation, metabolic spectrum analysis, and visualized AI programming (without coding)," Professor Qu emphasizes "We anticipate successful Cloud-MRI system will lead to transformative impacts on medical diagnostics and patient care."
Contact the author: Xiaobo Qu, Department of Electronic Science, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Plasma and Magnetic Resonance, Institute of Artificial Intelligence, National Institute for Data Science in Health and Medicine, Intelligent Instruments and Equipment Discipline, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China. E-mail address: quxiaobo@xmu.edu.cn
The publisher KeAi was established by Elsevier and China Science Publishing & Media Ltd to unfold quality research globally. In 2013, our focus shifted to open access publishing. We now proudly publish more than 100 world-class, open access, English language journals, spanning all scientific disciplines. Many of these are titles we publish in partnership with prestigious societies and academic institutions, such as the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC).
Cloud-magnetic resonance imaging system: In the era of 6G and artificial intelligence
From daytime irrigation to selling surplus energy: solutions to optimize the use of solar energy in irrigation communities
Hydraulics and Irrigation researchers present strategies for the use of energy in the Lower Guadalquivir Valley, which boasts the largest photovoltaic plant for self-provisioning
Irrigation faces the challenge of making its activity more sustainable, both environmentally and economically. In this context, energy self-sufficiency is proposed as a path to follow for the agriculture of the future. The Lower Guadalquivir Valley Irrigation Community, covering almost 19,000 hectares and with more than 2,000 irrigators, began self-supplying through solar energy in 2019 through the installation of a 6-megawatt photovoltaic plant, the largest of all irrigation systems in Spain. This has made it a trailblazer and testing ground available to the scientific community as efforts are being made to shift towards an environmentally and economically sustainable irrigation model.
The most recent example is its close collaboration with the María de Maeztu Unit of Excellence's Hydraulics and Irrigation research group, in association with the University of Cordoba's Department of Agronomy (DAUCO), which has proposed different strategies to maximize the use of the solar energy it produces, prevent the surplus from being lost, and reduce dependence on external energy sources.
The researchers responsible for the study, Maaike van de Loo, Emilio Camacho and Juan Antonio Rodríguez, explain that more solar energy is currently produced than is used, generating a surplus of around 50%, while a secondary source is necessary to meet energy needs when solar energy is not being produced; at night, for example. To resolve this situation, two possible solutions have been studied that would contribute to reducing the volume of energy lost and optimizing its use, ideas having been published in the journal Renewable Energy.
The first one proposes a change in growers' habits, adjusting irrigation schedules to coincide with the daytime hours when solar energy is produced, and avoiding nighttime irrigation. This approach, the research team explains, represents a paradigm shift since traditionally the Lower Valley Community had opted for irrigation at night due to the advantages it entailed: cheaper energy rates and milder temperatures, which reduce water evaporation levels. However, the drop in energy costs thanks to the construction of the photovoltaic plant, and the expansion of drip irrigation, which reduces water consumption by up to 60% compared to other conventional methods (by allowing for more precise application, thereby minimizing losses) means that irrigators have reason to change their routines.
The strategy that the research group proposes is to abandon on-demand irrigation (24 hours of water availability) and concentrate its use in a space 8 to 12 hours, when there is sunshine, which would significantly increase the ready supply of photovoltaic energy, above 90%. The researchers clarify that, even if this model is implemented, it would always be necessary to have an additional energy source to supplement solar due to its dependence on weather and environmental conditions. However, in a region like Andalusia, with more than 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, the strategy would significantly reduce dependence on external sources and contribute to a more sustainable irrigation model, both economically and environmentally.
The second scenario is economic and consists of selling surplus energy, something that the Lower Valley Community has been doing since the plant's installation. An increase in solar energy production at the national and European levels, however, has led to lower prices, which reduces its profitability.
The study concludes that, thus far, there is no solution that guarantees 100% exploitation of solar energy, though it constitutes a valuable resource. Nevertheless, the researchers are confident that research like this, together with the experience of the Lower Valley Irrigation Community, can pave the way for the irrigation of the future, one capable of combining environmental protection with economic profitability by taking full advantage of the territory's potential.
Defining the optimization strategy for solar energy use in large water distribution networks: A case study from the Valle Inferior irrigation system, Spain
How to avoid wasting huge amounts of energy
Surplus heat from industry is a underused resource that can be used to purify some types of industry wastewater while providing heat to homes and businesses
KIM KRISTIANSEN HAS JUST RECEIVED HIS DOCTORATE FROM THE NORWEGIAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ON A TECHNOLOGY THAT CAN PUT TO WORK SOME OF THE WASTE HEAT THAT TODAY IS SIMPLY WASTED.
Norway wastes huge amounts of energy. Surplus heat produced by industry is hardly exploited at all.
Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) have been looking at the possibilities for doing something about this.
“Surplus heat from industrial processes is a huge resource,” says Kim Kristiansen.
He has just completed his PhD on a technology that can harness some of the surplus heat that currently goes to waste. Almost all the heat generated by industrial processes is currently released directly into the air or the ocean, and we are not talking about small amounts. In Norway alone, industry produces around 20 TWh of waste heat each year.
That number might not mean much to you, but according to the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE), this amount of energy corresponds to half of the electricity consumption of all Norwegian households combined. In other words, approximately the entire heating demand.
Kristiansen is part of the thermodynamics research group at PoreLab in the Department of Chemistry. Academic supervisor Signe Kjelstrup and research group manager Øivind Wilhelmsen are co-authors of the articles in question.
Drinking water as an added bonus
The technology also has another effect that may not be as relevant in Norway, but which might be a game changer in countries with limited drinking water.
“The technology doesn’t just recycle the waste heat energy, it can also purify the waste water produced by industry,” says Kristiansen.
In many parts of the world, drinking water is becoming an increasingly scarce resource.
“According to UNICEF, four billion people are already experiencing severe drinking water shortages for at least one month of the year, and there is a high demand for technology that can meet these challenges,” says Kristiansen.
A lack of drinking water is therefore a problem for approximately half of the world’s eight billion people.
Producing clean water
So what is this new technology?
“The waste water produced by industry is often contaminated. If we evaporate this impure water through small pores in a water-repellent membrane, the condensed water that emerges on the other side is drinkable,” says Kristiansen.
This method is best suited for purifying water with so-called non-volatile impurities, such as salt. This is in contrast to alcohols and a number of other organic substances that can evaporate along with the water through the membrane.
“The most important area of application for this technology is therefore desalination of seawater. The treatment of process water is not being ruled out, but it involves additional challenges depending on its content,” says Kristiansen.
So, the technology can produce drinking water, but what about exploiting the waste energy?
Exploiting temperature differences to pump up water
When water is heated on one side of the membrane, it evaporates and releases heat on the other side through condensation. A pressure difference may then arise between the two sides of the membrane
“The temperature difference is used to pump the water up, and the pressure difference represents mechanical energy that can be used to power a turbine,” says Kristiansen. The phenomenon is called thermal osmosis.
Seemingly simple, but ingenious.
“We have investigated the interactions between water and the pores in the membrane, and what happens when the water evaporates, is transported through the pores, and condenses,” says Kristiansen about the doctoral research.
He has designed theories on membrane properties and the effect they have on the entire process. He has also systematically measured this effect in the laboratory.
“The conclusion is that the technology has great potential. Through modification of the membranes, we can help address both the increasing challenges associated with energy efficiency requirements and the lack of clean drinking water,” says Kristiansen.
A Dutch idea
Kristin Syverud at the RISE PFI research institute is interested in improving the membranes used in this technology.
“The starting point for the work was an idea that TNO in the Netherlands gets the credit for,” says Kristiansen’s academic supervisor Signe Kjelstrup.
She is Professor Emerita and former Head Researcher at PoreLab – Centre of Excellence. TNO is an independent institute that works to translate research findings into real-life applications.
TNO experimented with the concept called ‘MemPower’ (simultaneous production of water and power) and the prototype was made at their facilities. The researchers wanted to collaborate but had no funding. The solution was to continue the project as open research at NTNU.
“Leen van der Ham from TU Delft got in touch with me and I introduced the idea to the group I then had at the Department of Chemistry, and later at PoreLab.”
Van der Ham took his PhD in Chemistry at NTNU a few years ago, which shows just how important it is to have contacts. They worked with Luuk Keulen, a student at TU Delft, and the research was continued by Kristiansen and Michael Rauter from PoreLab.
Practical challenges
“Industry is showing interest in the concept of membrane distillation, but so far, there are only a few pilot plants worldwide,” says Kristiansen.
The main reason industry is lagging behind academia is related to practical challenges associated with membrane technology, he explains. For example, this applies to the lifespan of membranes under harsh industrial conditions.
“A lot of work is being done internationally in both academia and industry to meet these challenges and commercialise the technology,” says Kristiansen.
The MemPower concept involves converting waste heat into mechanical energy based on differences in temperature.
“My impression is that industry is not yet fully aware of this concept and the opportunity it offers,” says Kristiansen.
One of the conclusions in the latest article is that the potential for energy production is competitive in relation to more established membrane-based energy processes. He believes this could help increase commercial interest.
Kim Roger Kristiansen at the lab in the Natural Science Building at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) Gløshaugen campus. Kristiansen studied membrane technology that can recover the energy in waste heat, and at the same time purify water.
