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In this paper, by establishing a mathematical model of the coverage width of the multi-beam bathymetric system and the overlap rate between adjacent strips, and combining it with a computer language program, several unknown quantities, such as the coverage width of the multi-beam bathymetric strips, the opening angle of the multi-beam transducer, and the overlap rate with the previous line of measurement, were accurately calculated. In addition, the study extended the model with optimization and in-depth analysis to determine the shortest measurement length of the multi-beam survey vessel. Finally, the validity and accuracy of the model in actual measurements are verified by testing the model. The model improves the working efficiency and measurement accuracy of the bathymetric system and provides an important theoretical basis for future marine scientific research.

The generation of consensual scientific knowledge significantly influences the development, evolution and outcome of international environmental negotiations. The impact of consensual science on global environmental policy-making is determined, inter alia , by a number of multidimensional factors. Some of these factors are closely associated with the nature and content of the usable scientific knowledge base. This article introduces the concept of gradated scientific validity and demonstrates how different types and aspects of consensual scientific information affect variously the negotiation process of international environmental agreements. Drawing on the negotiation of the Protocol for the Protection of the Mediterranean against Pollution from Land-Based Sources (1980), it shows that the thorough examination and in-depth analysis of the content and basic characteristics of the available scientific knowledge play a pivotal role in the elaboration and formulation of effective implementing measures of an environmental agreement. It is argued that the prominence of consensual science and subsequently its influence on environmental negotiations are substantially determined by the dynamic role of two interrelated variables of gradated scientific validity: the high or low degree of consensus in relation to the significance and value of the provided scientific information ( degree of consensus ), and the expanding or narrow scientific consensus on distinct underlying aspects of a negotiating problem, including its causes, extent and consequences ( content of consensus ). This article indicates that the extensive analysis of the nature, content and distinct characteristics of a consensual knowledge base lays the groundwork for comprehensively understanding the role of consensual science in the negotiation and implementation of an international environmental agreement.

This study aimed to develop STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)-based project instructional materials on Newton’s Laws that are both feasible and effective in enhancing scientific literacy. The development process employed the 4-D model proposed by Thiagarajan, which consists of four stages: (1) define, (2) design, (3) develop, and (4) disseminate. The instructional materials included lesson plans and student worksheets, designed by integrating project-based learning within the STEM framework. Data were collected through tests and questionnaires. The study was conducted at MAN 1 Yogyakarta with 63 tenth-grade students selected using a cluster sampling technique. The feasibility of the lesson plans and worksheets was evaluated by expert and practitioner validators using structured questionnaires. The validation results indicated that the lesson plans and worksheets were rated as highly feasible by three expert validators and two practitioner validators (physics teachers). The empirical validity of the scientific literacy test items was analyzed using the QUEST program, and the results showed that all items were valid and highly reliable based on the Rasch model. The effectiveness of the instructional materials was analyzed using ANOVA. The results revealed a significance value of 0.001, which is smaller than α = 0.05, indicating a statistically significant effect. Furthermore, the N-gain score of students’ scientific literacy in the experimental class (0.65) was higher than that of the control class (0.51). The pre-test and post-test scores in the experimental class were 54.01 and 84.88, respectively, indicating a substantial improvement. These findings confirm that STEM-based project instructional materials are effective in improving students’ scientific literacy skills.

The discovery of scientific formulae that parsimoniously explain natural phenomena and align with existing background theory is a key goal in science. Historically, scientists have derived natural laws by manipulating equations based on existing knowledge, forming new equations, and verifying them experimentally. However, this does not include experimental data within the discovery process, which may be inefficient. We propose a solution to this problem when all axioms and scientific laws are expressible as polynomials and argue our approach is widely applicable. We model notions of minimal complexity using binary variables and logical constraints, solve polynomial optimization problems via mixed-integer linear or semidefinite optimization, and prove the validity of our scientific discoveries in a principled manner using Positivstellensatz certificates. We demonstrate that some famous scientific laws, including Kepler’s Law of Planetary Motion and the Radiated Gravitational Wave Power equation, can be derived in a principled manner from axioms and experimental data. Scientific discovery is a highly relevant task in natural sciences, however generating scientifically meaningful laws and determining their consistency remains challenging. The authors introduce an approach that exploits both experimental data and underlying theory in symbolic form to generate formulas that hold scientific significance by solving polynomial optimization problems.

The stringent safety requirements for civil aircraft flight control have consistently favoured the application of Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) in conventional flight control design. However, PID gain adjustment becomes burdensome when designing multimode flight control laws within the full envelope. For advanced civil aircraft, the complexity of mode management and gain adjustment is likely to escalate further. The Incremental Nonlinear Dynamic Inverse (INDI) holds promise as an effective solution. The scientific validity of INDI has been demonstrated through cases such as F35-B. However, there remains significant challenges in applying INDI to the flight control laws design of civil aircraft. One key challenge is the design of a unified INDI control scheme that can accommodate Level 1 flight quality commands. Another challenge is to demonstrate that INDI can effectively simplify gain tuning and mode management while achieving the desired control effect. This paper addresses these issues by proposing a model-based INDI control scheme and corresponding evaluation scheme, demonstrating satisfactory adaptability to the stringent safety requirements and the simplification advantages. The proposed solution herein is a meaningful endeavour to apply INDI to civil aircraft flight control law design, which contributes to leverage the advantages of advanced civil aircraft in various scenarios.

ObjectiveConflicts of interest in research threaten the validity of scientific inference. Evidence synthesis efforts for cancer hazard identification by the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s (IARC) Monographs Programme are vulnerable to bias introduced by industry funded studies, particularly for epidemiological evidence of occupational exposures. We sought to demonstrate a proof of concept for using a large language model (LLM) to identify industry-funded studies reviewed by the IARC Monographs for the carcinogenicity of occupational agents.Materials and MethodsWe extracted text from a convenience sample of studies reviewed for the evaluation of the carcinogenicity of cobalt metal. We used a novel tool called InfluenceMapper, which uses a LLM (GPT-4), to read study text, extract conflict of interest disclosures, funding sources, and author names and affiliations, and classify reported information according to relationships to private industry. Any reported entity was classified as industry or non-industry funded. For studies reporting an industry funded entity, author-entity and study-entity relationships were classified as receiving direct payments, grants, materials (i.e., data), academic benefits, or involvement in legal testimony. The tool’s output was inspected for measurement error.ResultsPreliminary results from the convenience sample indicated high sensitivity and specificity in correctly identifying industry entities and classifying relationships to industry from extracted study text. The tool identified the International Tungsten Industry Association and the Freeport Cobalt company as industry entities that funded epidemiology studies reviewed for the monograph. The tool correctly classified authors of these studies as having received grants and material support from the industry entity.ConclusionInfluenceMapper is a viable tool for rapidly identifying and describing industry funded entities, studies, and authors. Characterizing the nature of industry-funded research may support the IARC Monographs in their efforts to reduce bias in scientific reviews of the carcinogenicity of occupational exposures.

IntroductionInnovative public procurement (IPP) is a driver of innovation across sectors. IPP involves the strategic acquisition of cutting-edge technologies and solutions by public entities in collaboration with the private sector. This approach aims to leverage the potential of “omics” technologies, such as genomics and proteomics, within the public sector to advance healthcare solutions.MethodsThe IPP process comprises key phases such as needs identification, solicitation preparation, execution, evaluation and awarding, and impact and assessment. The methodology applied was based on the Rapid Assessment Tool for Omics Technologies developed by the Andalusian Agency for Health Technology Assessment, accompanied by clinical validity reports from the impact and evaluation phase of the Technical Office for IPP of Andalusia. The aim was to assess the clinical validation results of two omics technologies, that is, two diagnostic tests. A systematic review was performed to identify existing evidence. We also addressed the challenges associated with implementing the Rapid Assessment Tool in the IPP process.ResultsSystematic reviews identifying evidence on the clinical validity and utility of omics technologies provided a foundation for the subsequent evaluation of two technologies in development, once the clinical trials had finished. An analysis of scientific evidence, together with the compilation of information provided by industry, was conducted through a questionnaire and clinical data derived from the company’s studies. The analysis of clinical and diagnostic validity was not conclusive. We delivered the final assessment report to support decision-making in the public health system of Andalusia.ConclusionsBoth assessed technologies presented a high degree of innovation, but different challenges and issues were identified during the application of the Rapid Assessment Tool for Omics Technologies. Further improvement in IPP procedures for innovative technologies in Andalusia, including integration of our methodological approach at the start the IPP process, could facilitate the acquisition of cutting-edge technologies in collaboration with public entities.

For scientific, ethical and economic reasons, experiments involving animals should be appropriately designed, correctly analysed and transparently reported. This increases the scientific validity of the results, and maximises the knowledge gained from each experiment. A minimum amount of relevant information must be included in scientific publications to ensure that the methods and results of a study can be reviewed, analysed and repeated. Omitting essential information can raise scientific and ethical concerns. We report the findings of a systematic survey of reporting, experimental design and statistical analysis in published biomedical research using laboratory animals. Medline and EMBASE were searched for studies reporting research on live rats, mice and non-human primates carried out in UK and US publicly funded research establishments. Detailed information was collected from 271 publications, about the objective or hypothesis of the study, the number, sex, age and/or weight of animals used, and experimental and statistical methods. Only 59% of the studies stated the hypothesis or objective of the study and the number and characteristics of the animals used. Appropriate and efficient experimental design is a critical component of high-quality science. Most of the papers surveyed did not use randomisation (87%) or blinding (86%), to reduce bias in animal selection and outcome assessment. Only 70% of the publications that used statistical methods described their methods and presented the results with a measure of error or variability. This survey has identified a number of issues that need to be addressed in order to improve experimental design and reporting in publications describing research using animals. Scientific publication is a powerful and important source of information; the authors of scientific publications therefore have a responsibility to describe their methods and results comprehensively, accurately and transparently, and peer reviewers and journal editors share the responsibility to ensure that published studies fulfil these criteria.

Articles published in the Journal of Biomechanics still reflect bias, with males positioned as the default in human research. This meta-analysis on the 2024 articles reveals a large disparity in female representation. One in four studies showed an imbalance (<30 % female representation) favouring male participants, while only 8 % favoured females. Male-only studies outnumbered female-only studies by over fivefold. Of particular concern is that male-only studies often lack justification for their single-gender focus, whereas female-only studies typically provide clear reasoning. This inconsistency not only lacks accountability but also reinforces the notion that male data is the standard in biomechanics research. I named this issuebiasmechanicsto encourage efforts to address them. While there are valid scientific reasons for focusing on specific gender/sex groups, this should not be the default. Authors must consider sex- and gender-based differences, and reviewers and editors should adopt stricter standards for accepting articles with unjustified imbalances. The Journal of Biomechanics could establish standardized guidelines promoting equitable representation in research. Exclusions of any sex or gender must include clear scientific justification in the introduction and methodology sections. The discussion and limitations sections should assess the implications of such exclusions, including their effects on validity, generalizability, and bias. If appropriate, titles and abstracts should clearly indicate single-sex or gender-specific studies to ensure transparency about the research’s scope and applicability. By collectively affirming as a scientific community that, except for legitimate scientific justification, we oppose the exclusion of female participants, we can shift the default approach in our research studies.

Forensic toolmark examiners have been comparing features observed in toolmarks to help determine their source for over a century. However, in the past decade, the holistic process of comparing toolmarks and presenting findings in court have faced intense scrutiny. This paper provides a summary of the voiced criticisms, primarily concerning the scientific reliability and validity of the comparison methods employed by examiners and the conclusions they testify to. The focus of this review is specifically on the examination of striated toolmarks. We assess the comparison methods and reporting practices currently in use, while also delving deeper into research aligned with current recommendations, such as PCAST (The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology). Throughout the review, we examine both the strengths and weaknesses of existing practices, aiming to assist practitioners in identifying key research needs and addressing the concerns raised by critics. By doing so, we seek to enhance the credibility and effectiveness of toolmark analysis in the field of forensic science. •Review of the response to organizations challenges.•Automatic methods: implementation and strengths.•The influence of the tool’s use on the variability of marks.•Creating empirical and operational datasets.•The adoption of the probabilistic framework, the way forward.