Future Measurements Research Articles

Demersal stock assessment in Leyte Gulf, Philippines

A demersal stock assessment was conducted in Leyte Gulf from 24 April to 08 May 2020, within the 19 established fishing stations, using a bottom otter trawl with a 71 m length and a 43 m head rope. This study focused on determining the total catch, catch composition, catch per unit effort (CPUE), and biomass. A total catch of 4.22 t comprised of 230 fish species and invertebrates which belongs to 74 families was recorded in the survey. The majority of the catch belongs to family Leiognathidae, comprising 39.45%, followed by Lutjanidae, and Gerreidae, with 8.05% and 7.07%, respectively. Top species were Orangefin ponyfish Photopectoralis bindus with a composition of 25.49%, followed by Toothpony Gazza minuta (both are locally known as “sap-sap”), and Longfin mojarra Pentaprion longimanus “hubad” with 7.42%, and 5.80%, respectively. Mean CPUE and biomass were approximately 222.08 kg hr-1 and 2.81 t km-2, respectively. A 68.26% increase in biomass compared to previously conducted study in 2014 of M/V DA-BFAR was recorded. The shifting of catch composition from economically valuable to low-valued, non-targeted, and small-sized species was observed. A continuous resource assessment activity is essential to determine the changes in fishing patterns, catch rates, and catch composition, which will serve as a basis for policy formulation and future management plans and measures.

EpCAM-targeting cancer immunotherapies: Evidence from clinical studies and the way forward

Overexpressed cell-surface receptors play a crucial role as biomarkers in immunodiagnostics and immunotherapy. Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is a 40 kDa cell-membrane glycoprotein associated with cell differentiation, survival, migration, and proliferation. The structure, biological functions, and role of EpCAM in tumorigenesis have been extensively studied, including its involvement in metastasis, tumor cellular signaling, and pro-proliferating pathways. It is differentially overexpressed on the surface of several tumor types, with substantial evidence suggesting a positive correlation with poor disease prognosis and overall survival. Consequently, it has emerged as a significant target for immunotherapy development, with some of them already entering clinical evaluation and one having been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to date. Pre-clinical and clinical studies evaluating anti-EpCAM immunotherapies have reported diverse outcomes necessitating critical assessment in considering future therapy development. EpCAM-targeting immunotherapies including monoclonal antibodies, adoptive cell transfer therapy, immunocytokines, recombinant immunotoxin, and bispecific T-cell engagers have been studied as monotherapy or in combination with other treatments resulting in improved outcomes. Depending on disease status, EpCAM-targeting therapies are studied in adjuvant and neoadjuvant settings by integrating the clinical features of patients and treatment intent. However, the wide range of adverse events reported in various unsuccessful clinical studies has implications for future clinical trial designs, patient stratification, and endpoint criteria measures. This review examines the efficacy and toxicity profiles of anti-EpCAM immunotherapeutic approaches that have undergone clinical investigations for the treatment of antigen-positive malignancies and provides perspectives to guide future research and development strategies toward precision medicine.

Semi-Empirical Approach to Evaluating Model Fit for Sea Clutter Returns: Focusing on Future Measurements in the Adriatic Sea

A method for evaluating Kullback–Leibler (KL) divergence and Squared Hellinger (SH) distance between empirical data and a model distribution is proposed. This method exclusively utilises the empirical Cumulative Distribution Function (CDF) of the data and the CDF of the model, avoiding data processing such as histogram binning. The proposed method converges almost surely, with the proof based on the use of exponentially distributed waiting times. An example demonstrates convergence of the KL divergence and SH distance to their true values when utilising the Generalised Pareto (GP) distribution as empirical data and the K distribution as the model. Another example illustrates the goodness of fit of these (GP and K-distribution) models to real sea clutter data from the widely used Intelligent PIxel processing X-band (IPIX) measurements. The proposed method can be applied to assess the goodness of fit of various models (not limited to GP or K distribution) to clutter measurement data such as those from the Adriatic Sea. Distinctive features of this small and immature sea, like the presence of over 1300 islands that affect local wind and wave patterns, are likely to result in an amplitude distribution of sea clutter returns that differs from predictions of models designed for oceans or open seas. However, to the author’s knowledge, no data on this specific topic are currently available in the open literature, and such measurements have yet to be conducted.

Exploring Fuzzy Logic as an Alternative Approach in Psychological Scoring

Introduction Accurate measurement is foundational to psychological assessments, influencing research validity, clinical practice, and societal applications. While extensively utilized, traditional scoring methods suffer from limitations in granularity, sensitivity, and adaptability, potentially impacting the precision and utility of these assessments. This study aims to explore the efficacy of fuzzy logic as an alternative scoring method for the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), addressing these limitations. Methods A cross-sectional design involving 1,230 Greek adults was employed to compare traditional scoring methods with fuzzy logic. Data were collected online and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, paired t-tests, regression analysis, and sensitivity analysis to evaluate the robustness and reliability of fuzzy logic scoring. Results Results indicated that fuzzy logic scoring provides enhanced granularity and sensitivity, effectively capturing subtle variations in life satisfaction and mitigating ceiling and floor effects. The strong positive correlation (r = .9505) between traditional and fuzzy logic scores suggests high consistency. Significant mean differences highlighted the increased sensitivity of fuzzy logic scoring. The Bland-Altman plot confirmed good agreement between the methods, and sensitivity analysis demonstrated the robustness of fuzzy logic scoring across different parameter settings. Conclusion In conclusion, fuzzy logic offers a reliable and nuanced alternative to traditional scoring methods, significantly improving the accuracy and applicability of psychological assessments. Integrating fuzzy logic with advanced technologies could further enhance the precision and inclusivity of psychological evaluations, making it a promising tool for future psychological measurement.

Silicon Isotopic Composition of Mainstream Presolar SiC Grains Revisited: The Impact of Nuclear Reaction Rate Uncertainties

Abstract Presolar grains are stardust particles that condensed in the ejecta or in the outflows of dying stars and can today be extracted from meteorites. They recorded the nucleosynthetic fingerprint of their parent stars and thus serve as valuable probes of these astrophysical sites. The most common types of presolar silicon carbide grains (called mainstream SiC grains) condensed in the outflows of asymptotic giant branch stars. Their measured silicon isotopic abundances are not significantly influenced by nucleosynthesis within the parent star but rather represent the pristine stellar composition. Silicon isotopes can thus be used as a proxy for galactic chemical evolution (GCE). However, the measured correlation of 29Si/28Si versus 30Si/28Si does not agree with any current chemical evolution model. Here, we use a Monte Carlo model to vary nuclear reaction rates within their theoretical or experimental uncertainties and process them through stellar nucleosynthesis and GCE models to study the variation of silicon isotope abundances based on these nuclear reaction rate uncertainties. We find that these uncertainties can indeed be responsible for the discrepancy between measurements and models and that the slope of the silicon isotope correlation line measured in mainstream SiC grains agrees with chemical evolution models within the nuclear reaction rate uncertainties. Our result highlights the importance of future precision reaction rate measurements for resolving the apparent data–model discrepancy.

Rubidium Isotope Measurements of Low‐Rb Geological Materials by MC‐ICP‐MS

The rubidium (Rb) isotope system has the potential to trace planetary evolution, magmatic‐fluid interaction and chemical weathering. These applications are based on Rb isotope measurement results with precisions fit for purpose, but measurements of low‐Rb geological materials are challenging due to large sample consumption and overload of ion‐exchange resin. Here we developed a measurement procedure for Rb isotope data (δ87RbSRM984) of low‐Rb geological materials using MC‐ICP‐MS. Using an Aridus III desolvator and Ni standard sampler + Ni X skimmer cone combination, the Rb loading amount was reduced significantly to 20 ng. A comparison between two methods for instrumental mass‐bias correction, the sample‐standard bracketing and combined sample‐standard bracketing and internal (Zr) normalisation (C‐SSBIN), shows that C‐SSBIN could produce Rb isotope data with better intermediate measurement precisions but strictly restricted to optimal Zr/Rb ratio. The robustness of this method was demonstrated by monitoring δ87RbSRM984 data of two in‐house Rb isotope standards, replicates, some reference materials with δ87RbSRM984 values previously reported, and element‐doped and matrix‐spiked synthetic solutions. Based on repeated measurements of Rb isotope standards and reference materials, the long‐term (over one year) intermediate precision was better than 0.05‰ (2s, standard deviations). We additionally recommend thirteen reliable reference materials for future Rb isotope ratio measurements.

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons/ASSH Clinical Practice Guideline Summary Management of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Management of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline is based on a systematic review of published studies with regard to the diagnosis and treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome in adult patients (≥18 years of age). The scope of this guideline addresses the diagnosis and treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome and contains nine recommendations to assist orthopaedic surgeons and all qualified clinicians managing patients presenting with signs and symptoms which may be attributable to carpal tunnel syndrome based on the best current available evidence. It is also intended to serve as an information resource for professional healthcare practitioners, health services researchers, and developers of practice guidelines and recommendations. In addition to providing pragmatic practice recommendations, this guideline also highlights gaps in the literature and informs areas for future research and quality measure development.

Fine structure of the doublet P levels of boron

We report high-accuracy calculations of the ground and the lowest eight excited Po2 states of the two stable isotopes of the boron atom, B10 and B11, as well as of the boron atom with an infinite nuclear mass ∞B. The nonrelativistic wave function of each of the states is generated in an independent variational calculation by expanding it in terms of a large number, 12000–17000, of all-electron explicitly correlated Gaussian (ECG) functions whose nonlinear parameters are extensively optimized with a procedure that employs analytic energy gradient determined with respect to these parameters. These highly accurate wave functions are used to compute the fine-structure splittings using the first order of the perturbation theory (∼α2), where α is the fine-structure constant, which are then corrected for the electron magnetic moment anomaly (∼α3). As the nonrelativistic Hamiltonian explicitly depends on the mass of the nucleus, the recoil corrections up to the order of α2 are automatically accounted for in the fine-structure calculations. Furthermore, the off-diagonal corrections to the fine structure (∼α4) are estimated using the multireference methods based on one-electron Gaussian orbitals. The results obtained in this paper are considerably more accurate than those available in the literature. Moreover, we report accurate splittings for a number of excited Po2 states, for which there have been no reliable experimental or theoretical data at all. The calculated values presented in this paper may serve as a valuable guide for future experimental measurements of the fine structure of the boron atom. As the fine structure of an atom provides a spectral signature that can facilitate atom's detection, our data can also aid the search for trace amounts of boron in the interstellar medium. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Three Quenched, Faint Dwarf Galaxies in the Direction of NGC 300: New Probes of Reionization and Internal Feedback

Abstract We report the discovery of three faint and ultrafaint dwarf galaxies—Sculptor A, Sculptor B, and Sculptor C—in the direction of NGC 300 (D = 2.0 Mpc), a Large Magellanic Cloud–mass galaxy. Deep ground-based imaging with Gemini/GMOS resolves all three dwarf galaxies into stars, each displaying a red giant branch indicative of an old, metal-poor stellar population. No young stars or H i gas are apparent, and the lack of a GALEX UV detection suggests that all three systems are quenched. Sculptor C (D = 2.04 − 0.13 + 0.10 Mpc; M V = −9.1 ± 0.1 mag or L V = (3.7 − 0.3 + 0.4 ) × 105 L ⊙) is consistent with being a satellite of NGC 300. Sculptor A (D = 1.35 − 0.08 + 0.22 Mpc; M V = −6.9 ± 0.3 mag or L V = (5 − 1 + 1 ) × 104 L ⊙) is likely in the foreground of NGC 300 and at the extreme edge of the Local Group, analogous to the recently discovered ultrafaint Tucana B in terms of its physical properties and environment. Sculptor B (D = 2.48 − 0.24 + 0.21 Mpc; M V = −8.1 ± 0.3 mag or L V = (1.5 − 0.4 + 0.5 ) × 105 L ⊙) is likely in the background, but future distance measurements are necessary to solidify this statement. It is also of interest due to its quiescent state and low stellar mass. Both Sculptor A and B are ≳2–4 r vir from NGC 300 itself. The discovery of three dwarf galaxies in isolated or low-density environments offers an opportunity to study the varying effects of ram-pressure stripping, reionization, and internal feedback in influencing the star formation history of the faintest stellar systems.

Intra-individual polymorphisms in the mitochondrial COI gene of tick-killing Ixodiphagus wasps parasitizing Haemaphysalis flava ticks.

Ixodid ticks are significant vectors of pathogens affecting both humans and animals. Biological control with natural enemies represents a sustainable tool for managing ticks. However, there is a substantial lack of knowledge about the natural enemies of ticks. Wasps of the genus Ixodiphagus (Encyrtidae) are currently the only known tick-specific parasitoids. While these wasps have been sporadically recorded worldwide, their presence in Eastern Asia is poorly documented. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of Ixodiphagus wasps in field-collected ticks reared on rabbits under laboratory conditions. Ticks were collected from the Hokkaido, Hokuriku, Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu regions in Japan. Out of 1,933 Haemaphysalis ticks attached to rabbits, adult wasps emerged from 15 engorged ticks. All the ticks from which wasps emerged were morphologically and molecularly identified as Haemaphysalis flava. Additionally, wasp DNA was detected in unfed H. flava nymphs using a newly designed Ixodiphagus-specific PCR assay. Among nine experimental sites in the Chugoku region, Ixodiphagus wasps were detected at three sites, with parasitism rates ranging from 1.8% to 8.1%. Finally, the mitochondrial COI genes of four wasp and two tick samples were characterized using shotgun sequencing, direct sequencing and in-fusion cloning approaches. Multiple intra-individual polymorphisms were observed in all the tested samples. Further studies are needed to investigate the relationship between Ixodiphagus wasps and Ixodid ticks. An increased understanding of these parasitoid wasps could contribute to future biological control measures against ticks.

Severe and Fatal Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever After Exposure in Tecate, Mexico - California, July 2023-January 2024.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a tickborne disease endemic in areas of the Americas. Persistent high incidence of the disease exists in northern Mexico, perpetuated by local populations of brown dog ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato) and free-roaming dogs. Six cases of RMSF caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, including three deaths, were reported to the California Department of Public Health during July 2023-January 2024. All six patients were eventually determined to have had exposure to R. rickettsii in Tecate, Mexico, a municipality on the U.S. border that had not been previously described as a high-risk RMSF area. Identification and reporting of the cases were complicated by challenges in diagnosis. The serious nature of the disease and delays in initiating appropriate treatment can result in life-threatening consequences. Epidemiologic collaborations among local, state, federal, and international public health agencies were essential to identifying Tecate as the location of exposure. Further collaborations will be important for directing future prevention measures. Increased health care provider awareness of RMSF is critical on both sides of the border to facilitate earlier diagnosis and initiation of appropriate treatment.

Restoration and evaluation for severed streams in high-density urban areas based on a multi-objective framework: A case study of Heping Stream in Nanjing

Numerous severed streams that emerge during rapid urbanization has been negatively impacting regional water systems and urban environments. Traditional restoration efforts are prone to focus on water quality, overlooking the complex of urban severed stream as natural-social ecosystems. However, current literature indicates a lack of systematic restoration methods and post-implementation evaluations tailored to severed streams, which adversely affects water resource management and sustainable urban development. This study bases on research of the severed streams in Nanjing’s Hexi New District to develop methods for the restoration and evaluation of severed streams in high-density urban areas. Taking the Heping Stream as a case study, it took three years to complete a full-process study encompassing the design, implementation, and post-occupancy evaluation of the restoration of the severed stream. We developed a multi-objective framework, including five measures for the restoration of severed streams, along with performance evaluation indicators from environmental, social, and economic perspectives to compare the state of the severed-stream before and after the restoration. So as to assess the effectiveness of the restoration methods and to put forward suggestions for the improvement of the restoration measures. The results showed that the method had a positive effect on the quality of the water environment, public evaluation, capital investment and energy consumption. Some of the environmental performance indicators were significantly improved after the restoration, especially the dissolved oxygen content, water flow. Most of the social performance indicators were better after the restoration than before. In terms of economic performance indicators, the use of photovoltaic energy resulted in significant savings in electricity and pumping costs. Performance evaluation confirmed comprehensive benefits of the method, with Run off Control, Waterfalls Construction and Riverbank Ecological Restoration being most effective. To improve the benefits of restoration, diverse strategies should be combined together, including runoff control, artificial wetlands, vegetated buffers, and riverbank restoration. This research can support the optimization of future restoration measures and scientific decision-making in urban severed-stream restoration.

A short-term home with long-term potential: temporary aquatic habitat additions to support macroinvertebrate colonisation

ABSTRACT River restoration projects often focus on water quality and riparian vegetation, assuming this will result in direct improvements to ecological health. However, successful recovery of aquatic communities likely requires additional steps targeting habitat beneath the water surface. We trialled the addition of simple, instream habitat units as a practicable short-term restoration tool targeting aquatic macroinvertebrate communities. Habitat units were built from readily available, biodegradable materials. They were deployed at three sites around Auckland with differing hydromorphology and surrounding land use, enabling evaluation of both the efficacy of installation and impacts on biodiversity. Additional macroinvertebrate sampling (Surber and drift collection) was conducted to assess community responses following habitat unit addition. All habitat units showed significant increases in macroinvertebrate densities and taxon richness compared to the surrounding existing habitat. However, the most marked increases in abundance may be attributable to inundation of habitat units by pre-existing tolerant taxa capitalising on the increase in available habitat, rather than successful colonisation by additional taxa. This work highlights the potential of small-scale, short-term habitat additions as a restoration tool. This approach facilitates evaluation of restoration potential, informing design and implementation of more permanent restoration measures in future.

Measurements of the solar coronal magnetic field based on coronal seismology with propagating Alfvénic waves: forward modeling

Abstract Recent observations have demonstrated the capability of mapping the solar coronal magnetic field using the technique of coronal seismology based on the ubiquitous propagating Alfv'{e}nic/kink waves through imaging spectroscopy. We established a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model of a gravitationally stratified open magnetic flux tube, exciting kink waves propagating upwards along the tube. Forward modeling was performed to synthesize the Fe \textsc{xiii} 1074.7 and 1079.8 nm spectral line profiles, which were then used to determine the wave phase speed, plasma density, and magnetic field with seismology method. A comparison between the seismologically inferred results and the corresponding input values verifies the reliability of the seismology method. In addition, we also identified some factors that could lead to errors during magnetic field measurements. Our results may serve as a valuable reference for current and future coronal magnetic field measurements based on observations of propagating kink waves.

Eridanus III and DELVE 1: Carbon-rich Primordial Star Clusters or the Smallest Dwarf Galaxies?* *This paper includes data gathered with the 6.5 m Magellan Telescopes located at Las Campanas Observatory, Chile.

We present spectroscopy of the ultra-faint Milky Way satellites Eridanus III (Eri III) and DELVE 1. We identify eight member stars in each satellite and place nonconstraining upper limits on their velocity and metallicity dispersions. The brightest star in each object is very metal poor, at [Fe/H] = −3.1 for Eri III and [Fe/H] = −2.8 for DELVE 1. Both of these stars exhibit large overabundances of carbon and very low abundances of the neutron-capture elements Ba and Sr, and we classify them as CEMP-no stars. Because their metallicities are well below those of the Milky Way globular cluster population, and because no CEMP-no stars have been identified in globular clusters, these chemical abundances could suggest that Eri III and DELVE 1 are dwarf galaxies. On the other hand, the two systems have half-light radii of 8 pc and 6 pc, respectively, which are more compact than any known ultra-faint dwarfs. We conclude that Eri III and DELVE 1 are either the smallest dwarf galaxies yet discovered, or they are representatives of a new class of star clusters that underwent chemical evolution distinct from that of ordinary globular clusters. In the latter scenario, such objects are likely the most primordial star clusters surviving today. These possibilities can be distinguished by future measurements of carbon and/or iron abundances for larger samples of stars or improved stellar kinematics for the two systems.

Nucleon axial radius

We present the first systematic study of the relativistic axial-vector four-current distributions inside a nucleon. We show in particular that the slope of the axial form factor GA(Q2) in the forward limit—conventionally denoted as RA2 in the literature—does not represent the three-dimensional mean-square axial radius in the Breit frame, but corresponds instead to a contribution to the mean-square spin radius. We derive explicit expressions for the latter in different frames and find in general additional contributions that depend on both the nucleon mass and the forward values of the axial-vector form factors GA(0) and GP(0). This provides an additional key motivation for ongoing lattice quantum chromodynamics (QCD) calculations and future experimental measurements of the induced pseudoscalar form factor GP(Q2). Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Bayesian inference of fine features of the nuclear equation of state from future neutron star radius measurements to 0.1 km accuracy

Bayesian inference of fine features of the nuclear equation of state from future neutron star radius measurements to 0.1 km accuracy

Micro and nano plastics: contaminants in beverages and prevention strategies

The widespread use of plastics in beverage packaging has led to the accumulation of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) in beverages, which poses significant environmental and health hazards. This review explores the sources, entry pathways, and risk factors for MPs and NPs in beverages, emphasizing their toxicological profiles and harmful effects on human health and the environment. Methods for detecting MPs and NPs in beverages are discussed, highlighting the need for standardized testing protocols. Furthermore, future solution strategies, challenges, and preventive measures for mitigating MP and NP contamination in beverages are proposed, including advanced filtration systems, the development of alternative packaging materials, and the strengthening of regulatory standards. Collaborative efforts among industry stakeholders, scientific institutions, and policymakers are essential to address this complex issue and ensure the safety and purity of beverages for consumers worldwide.

Nanodosimetric investigation of the track structure of therapeutic carbon ion radiation part2: detailed simulation

Objectivea previous study reported nanodosimetric measurements of therapeutic-energy carbon ions penetrating simulated tissue. The results are incompatible with the predicted mean energy of the carbon ions in the nanodosimeter and previous experiments with lower energy monoenergetic beams. The purpose of this study is to explore the origin of these discrepancies.Approachdetailed simulations using the Geant4 toolkit were performed to investigate the radiation field in the nanodosimeter and provide input data for track structure simulations, which were performed with a developed version of the PTra code.Main resultsthe Geant4 simulations show that with the narrow-beam geometry employed in the experiment, only a small fraction of the carbon ions traverse the nanodosimeter and their mean energy is between 12% and 30% lower than the values estimated using the SRIM software. Only about one-third or less of these carbon ions hit the trigger detector. The track structure simulations indicate that the observed enhanced ionization cluster sizes are mainly due to coincidences with events in which carbon ions miss the trigger detector. In addition, the discrepancies observed for high absorber thicknesses of carbon ions traversing the target volume could be explained by assuming an increase in thickness or interaction cross-sections in the order of 1%.Significancethe results show that even with strong collimation of the radiation field, future nanodosimetric measurements of clinical carbon ion beams will require large trigger detectors to register all events with carbon ions traversing the nanodosimeter. Energy loss calculations of the primary beam in the absorbers are insufficient and should be replaced by detailed simulations when planning such experiments. Uncertainties of the interaction cross-sections in simulation codes may shift the Bragg peak position.

Finite Bubble Statistics Constrain Late Cosmological Phase Transitions.

We consider first order cosmological phase transitions (PTs) happening at late times below standard model temperatures T_{PT}≲GeV. The inherently stochastic nature of bubble nucleation and the finite number of bubbles associated with a late-time PT lead to superhorizon fluctuations in the PT completion time. We compute how such fluctuations eventually source curvature fluctuations with universal properties, independent of the microphysics of the PT dynamics. Using cosmic microwave background (CMB) and large scale structure measurements, we constrain the energy released in a dark-sector PT. For 0.1 eV≲T_{PT}≲keV this constraint is stronger than both the current bound from additional neutrino species ΔN_{eff}, and in some cases, even CMB-S4 projections. Future measurements of CMB spectral distortions and pulsar timing arrays will also provide competitive sensitivity for keV≲T_{PT}≲GeV.