bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Virtual tower measurements during the American WAKE ExperimeNt (AWAKEN)
Authors: Newsom Rob , Krishnamurthy Raghavendra , Chand Duli , Pekour Mikhail , Kaul Colleen , Flynn Donna , Goldberger Lexie , Rai Raj , Wharton Sonia
Published: July 2024

Dual-Doppler lidar measurements were made during the American WAKE ExperimeNt to provide height-resolved measurements of wind speed and direction at multiple locations immediately south of the leading row turbines in the King Plains wind farm in Oklahoma. These so-called virtual tower measurements were performed to characterize the inflow into the wind farm and to assess possible upwind blockage effects due to the collective action of the wind farm. The campaign was conducted from 12 November 2022 to 17 October 2023, during which time 14 unique virtual tower locations were sampled with heights ranging from 240 to 490 m AGL. The wind retrieval algorithm provided estimates of the horizontal winds and their uncertainties with a vertical resolution of about 10 m, while also accounting for the tilt of the lidar platform. The virtual tower results are compared to collocated lidar wind profiling data at the A1 site, which was located roughly 2.4 rotor diameters south of the nearest turbine. The wind speed difference between the wind profiler and the virtual tower was found to be quite sensitive to atmospheric stability and wind direction below 250 m AGL. The largest differences were observed for inflow under stable conditions, where the profiler wind speeds were observed to be about 22% lower than the virtual tower near hub height. These results suggest that there are persistent horizontal gradients in the flow upwind of the wind farm which result in biased estimates using standard ground-based lidar wind profiling methods.
Robust Transfer of Optical Frequency over 500km Fiber Link with Instability of 10−21
Authors: Zhou 周 Qian 茜 , Zhang 张 Xiang 翔 , Zang 臧 Qi 琦 , Wu 吴 Mengfan 梦凡 , Wang 王 Dan 丹 , Liu 刘 Jie 杰 , Dong 董 Ruifang 瑞芳 , Liu 刘 Tao 涛 , Zhang 张 Shougang 首刚
Published: July 2024

Our primary objective is to mitigate the adverse effects of temperature fluctuations on the optical frequency transmission system by reducing the length of the interferometer. Following optimization, the phase-temperature coefficient of the optical system is reduced to approximately 1.35 fs/K. By applying a sophisticated temperature control to the remained “out-of-loop” optics fiber, the noise floor of the system has been effectively lowered to 10−21 level. Based on this performance-enhanced transfer system, we demonstrate coherent transmission of optical frequency through 500-km spooled fiber link. After being actively compensated, the transfer instability of 4.5 × 10−16 at the averaging time of 1 s and 5.6 × 10−21 at 10000 s is demonstrated. The frequency uncertainty of received light at remote site relative to that of the origin light at local site is achieved to be 1.15 × 10−19. This enhanced system configuration is particularly well suited for future long-distance frequency transmission and comparison of the most advanced optical clock signals.
Diagnosis for railway point machines using novel derivative multi-scale permutation entropy and decision fusion based on vibration signals
Authors: Sun Yongkui , Cao Yuan , Li Peng , Su Shuai
Published: July 2024

Railway point machines (RPMs) are safety-critical pieces of equipment closely related to train operation safety. Due to their high failure rate, it is urgent to develop an effective diagnosis method for RPMs. Considering the easy-to-collect and anti-interference characteristics of vibration signals, this paper develops a vibration-based diagnosis method. First, to address the difficulty of multi-scale permutation entropy in characterizing the fault information contained in the derivatives of the raw signal, a novel feature named derivative multi-scale permutation entropy is designed, which can further complete the fault information of RPMs. Second, to further improve the diagnosis accuracy of support vector machines, a decision fusion strategy based on three feature sets is developed, which can further improve the diagnosis accuracy, especially in the normal-reverse direction. Finally, the effect and superiority of the proposed method are verified based on the collected vibration signals from Xi’an Railway Signal Co.,Ltd by experiment comparisons. The diagnosis accuracies of reverse-normal and normal-reverse directions reach 99.43% and 100% respectively, indicating its superiority.
CT-based synthetic contrast-enhanced dual-energy CT generation using conditional denoising diffusion probabilistic model
Authors: Gao Yuan , Qiu Richard L J , Xie Huiqiao , Chang Chih-Wei , Wang Tonghe , Ghavidel Beth , Roper Justin , Zhou Jun , Yang Xiaofeng
Published: July 2024

Objective. The study aimed to generate synthetic contrast-enhanced Dual-energy CT (CE-DECT) images from non-contrast single-energy CT (SECT) scans, addressing the limitations posed by the scarcity of DECT scanners and the health risks associated with iodinated contrast agents, particularly for high-risk patients. Approach. A conditional denoising diffusion probabilistic model (C-DDPM) was utilized to create synthetic images. Imaging data were collected from 130 head-and-neck (HN) cancer patients who had undergone both non-contrast SECT and CE-DECT scans. Main Results. The performance of the C-DDPM was evaluated using Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Structural Similarity Index (SSIM), and Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR). The results showed MAE values of 27.37±3.35 Hounsfield Units (HU) for high-energy CT (H-CT) and 24.57±3.35HU for low-energy CT (L-CT), SSIM values of 0.74±0.22 for H-CT and 0.78±0.22 for L-CT, and PSNR values of 18.51±4.55 decibels (dB) for H-CT and 18.91±4.55 dB for L-CT. Significance. The study demonstrates the efficacy of the deep learning model in producing high-quality synthetic CE-DECT images, which significantly benefits radiation therapy planning. This approach provides a valuable alternative imaging solution for facilities lacking DECT scanners and for patients who are unsuitable for iodine contrast imaging, thereby enhancing the reach and effectiveness of advanced imaging in cancer treatment planning.
Non-linear media in weakly curved spacetime: optical solitons and probe pulses for gravimetry
Authors: Belenchia Alessio , Spengler Felix , Rätzel Dennis , Braun Daniel
Published: July 2024

That light propagating in a gravitational field gets frequency-shifted is one of the basic consequences of any metric theory of gravity rooted in the equivalence principle. At the same time, also a time dependent material’s refractive index can frequency-shift light propagating in it. The mathematical analogy between the two effects is such that the latter has been used to study the optical analogue of a black-hole spacetime. Here, we combine these two effects by showing that light propagation in non-linear media in the presence of a moving refractive index perturbation can lead to a gravity-dependent blueshift. We find that the predicted blueshift surpasses the gravitational redshift even if the medium is considered to be perfectly stiff. In realistic scenarios, by far the strongest frequency shift arises due to the deformation of the dielectric medium and the corresponding photoelastic change of refractive index. This has the potential to facilitate optical sensing of small gravity gradients.
A model to predict indoor concentrations and internal radiation doses of radioactive aerosols from nuclear accidents
Authors: Orabi M
Published: July 2024

Spread of radiation contaminations can be affected by several factors. Some of these factors were considered in previous articles. Those studies were based on some Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) schemes and gave good results for describing deposition and penetration of aerosol particles. In this paper, those CFD schemes are applied to set a model that can be used to calculate the indoor concentrations of the radioactive aerosols that release from nuclear accidents. The one of the Fukushima nuclear power plant (NPP) that took place in 2011 is taken as an example. Furthermore, the internal radiation doses caused by the intake of the radioactive aerosols are estimated. Considering in particular the radionuclide

C

137

s
,

due to its very long half-life, the internal doses are calculated for the lungs and some of the surrounding vital organs. The radiation transport throughout the body is simulated by codes of the Monte-Carlo N-Particle simulation software, version 5 (MCNP5), with exploiting the human body representation by the phantom of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory-Medical Internal Radiation Dose (ORNL-MIRD). The results show a large spread of the radiation contaminations from outdoors to indoors, and that the whole-body annual dose from

C

137

s

is more than tenfold higher than the annual dose limit set by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP).
Nuclear acoustic envelope soliton in a relativistically degenerate magneto-rotating stellar plasma
Authors: Chandra Swarniv , Manna Gobinda , Mahanta Deepsikha
Published: July 2024

The study explores a model called Relativistic Degenerate Magneto-Rotating Quantum Plasma (RDMRQP), which comprises a static heavy nucleus, an inertial non-degenerate light nucleus, and warm non-relativistic or ultra-relativistic electrons. The focus is on observing the emergence of Nucleus-Acoustic Envelope Solitons (NAESs). Using the reductive perturbation method, a Nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE) is derived to characterize the properties of NAESs. We have analysed the Peregrine breather soliton solution. The investigation reveals that the temperature of warm degenerate species, plasma system’s rotational speed, and the presence of heavy nucleus species can alter the fundamental features (height and width) of NAESs in the WDMRQP system. The study emphasizes the existence of only positive NA wave potential. Additionally, a phase plane analysis is conducted to gain a deeper understanding of the parametric dependencies. Through detailed mathematical and numerical analysis, the study avoids overloading with complex mathematics while demonstrating parametric dependence via phase portrait analysis. The research augments the envelop soliton model with breather mode solutions and discusses modulation instability using the Benjamin-Feir Index, highlighting the significance of solitons in star formation. Envelop solitons, stable waves within stars and proto-stars, influence energy transport and stellar evolution, playing a crucial role in the accretion process and formation of stable structures. Key findings include the effects of various parameters on NAESs’ generation and propagation in which non-relativistic and ultra-relativistic electrons support NAESs, with amplitude and width influenced by temperature, rotational frequency, inclination angle, and the presence of a static heavy nucleus. The research is applicable to hot white dwarfs and neutron stars, suggesting further exploration of quantum effects and non-planar or arbitrary amplitude NAESs.
Evidence of spin-phonon interactions in MgCu2O3: low temperature Raman studies
Authors: Chandra Somesh , Kaur Gurpreet , Gupta Rajkumar , Chakravarty Sujay , Bhalerao G M , R Govindaraj
Published: July 2024

Experimental low temperature Raman spectroscopy studies upto the temperature of 83 K were performed on MgCu2O3 compound using 785 nm excitation source. Experimentally obtained Raman spectra compare well with those obtained from DFPT calculations. Phonon modes show different behaviour below and above the Néel temperature ∼95 K. Anharmonic contribution is prominent above the Néel temperature but a significant departure from the anharmonic behaviour was observed for certain

A

g

and

B

3
g

modes below the Néel temperature. This behaviour is attributed to spin-phonon coupling present in the compound. The spin-phonon coupling arises due to modulation in the exchange integral by the lattice vibrations. The atomic vibrations of each mode and their effect on the exchange integral are discussed.
Artificial bee colony optimization algorithm with full dimensional updating strategy and its application
Authors: Li Yuangang , Deng Wu
Published: July 2024

For the low accuracy and slow convergence speed of artificial bee colony(ABC) algorithm in solving complex optimization problems, an improved artificial bee colony(ABC) algorithm based on the new full dimensional updating ABC/best /1 strategy, namely FNABC was proposed in this paper. In the FNABC, for the low efficiency of one-dimensional search, the full dimensional updating search strategy and ABC/best /1 strategy were combined to design a new full dimensional updating ABC/best/1 strategy, which expanded the search space, improved the mining ability and search efficiency. Then, a new evolutionary phase is designed to balance the global search ability and local mining ability to avoid falling into local optimum and improve the convergence accuracy. Finally, the FNABC is compared with eight state-of-the-art ABC variants such as AABC, iqABC, MEABC, ABCVSS, GBABC, DFSABC, MABC-NS, MGABC in solving 12 complex functions. All functions have obtained the best optimal values among 9 algorithms. Additionally, FNABC is applied to solve a real-world train operation adjustment problem. The experiment results indicate that the FNABC has better optimization ability, scalability and robustness. It obtains the ideal train operation adjustment results.
Size-dependent nonlinear free vibration of magneto-electro-elastic nanobeams by incorporating modified couple stress and nonlocal elasticity theory
Authors: Zhou Yang , Zheng Yu-fang , Wang Feng , Chen Chang-ping
Published: July 2024

Magneto-Electro-Elastic (MEE) Composites, as an innovative functional material blend, are composed of multiple materials, boasting exceptional strength, rigidity, and an extraordinary magneto-electric interaction effect. This paper establishes a nonlocal modified couple stress (NL-MCS) magneto-electro-elastic nanobeam dynamic model. To accurately capture the intricate influences of scale effects on nanostructures, This model meticulously examines scale effects from two distinct perspectives: leveraging nonlocal elasticity theory to elucidate the softening phenomena in nanostructures stemming from long-range particle interactions, and employing modified couple stress theory to reveal the hardening effects attributed to the rotational behavior of particles within the structure. By incorporating Von Karman geometric nonlinearity, Reddy’s third-order shear deformation theory and Maxwell’s equations, the governing equations for the nonlinear free vibration of MEE nanobeams are derived using Hamilton’s principle. Finally, a two-step perturbation method is employed to solve these equations. Two-step perturbation method disintegrates the solution process into two stages, iteratively approximating and refining the solution, thereby progressively unraveling the intricate details and enhancing the precision of the solution in a systematic manner. Finally, the nonlinear free vibration behavior of MEE nanobeams is explored under the coupled magnetic-electric-elastic fields, with a focus on the effects of various factors that including length scale parameters, nonlocal parameters, Winkler-Pasternak coefficients, span-to-thickness ratios, applied voltages and magnetic potentials.
Primordial black hole sterile neutrinogenesis: sterile neutrino dark matter production independent of couplings
Authors: Chen Muping , Gelmini Graciela B. , Lu Philip , Takhistov Volodymyr
Published: July 2024

Sterile neutrinos (ν

s
s) are well-motivated and actively searched for hypothetical
neutral particles that would mix with the Standard Model active neutrinos. They are considered
prime warm dark matter (DM) candidates, typically when their mass is in the keV range, although
they can also be hot or cold DM components. We discuss in detail the characteristics and
phenomenology of ν

s
s that minimally couple only to active neutrinos and are produced in the
evaporation of early Universe primordial black holes (PBHs), a process we called “PBH sterile
neutrinogenesis”. Contrary to the previously studied νs
production mechanisms, this novel
mechanism does not depend on the active-sterile mixing. The resulting ν

s
s have a distinctive
spectrum and are produced with larger energies than in typical scenarios. This characteristic
enables ν

s
s to be WDM in the unusual 0.3 MeV to 0.3 TeV mass range, if PBHs do not
matter-dominate the Universe before evaporating. When PBHs matter-dominate before evaporating, the
possible coincidence of induced gravitational waves associated with PBH evaporation and
astrophysical X-ray observations from νs
decays constitutes a distinct signature of
our scenario.
Characterization of atmosphere-skimming cosmic-ray showers in high-altitude experiments
Authors: Tueros Matías , Cabana-Freire Sergio , Alvarez-Muñiz Jaime
Published: July 2024

Atmosphere-skimming showers are initiated by cosmic rays with incoming directions such that the full development of the cascade occurs inside the atmosphere without ever reaching the ground. This new class of showers has been observed in balloon-borne experiments such as ANITA, but a characterisation of their properties is lacking. The interplay between the Earth's magnetic field, the long distances over which atmosphere-skimming showers develop, and the low density of the atmosphere they traverse gives rise to several effects that are not seen in downward-going cascades, and require detailed modeling. In this article, we used the latest version of the ZHAireS-RASPASS shower simulation program to tackle this problem, and dwell on the particular phenomena that arises from the peculiar environment in which these showers develop. We focus in particular on the properties of the longitudinal profile of the shower and its fluctuations as a function of cosmic-ray energy, direction and primary mass. We have also studied the phase-space of cosmic-ray arrival directions where detection in high-altitude experiments is more likely, and have found that only in a small range of directions the showers are sufficiently developed before reaching the altitude of the detector. Our results are relevant for the design of high-altitude and in particular balloon-borne experiments, and for the interpretation of the data they collect.
Applying simulation-based inference to spectral and spatial information from the Galactic Center gamma-ray excess
Authors: Christy Katharena , Baxter Eric J. , Kumar Jason
Published: July 2024

The two most favored explanations of the Fermi Galactic Center gamma-ray excess (GCE) are millisecond pulsars and self annihilation of the smooth dark matter halo of the galaxy.
In order to distinguish between these possibilities, we would like to optimally use all information in the available data, including photon direction and energy information.
To date, analyses of the GCE have generally treated directional and energy information separately, or have ignored one or the other completely.
Here, we develop a method for analyzing the GCE that relies on simulation-based
inference with neural posterior models to jointly analyze photon directional and spectral information while correctly accounting for the spatial and energy resolution of the telescope, here assumed to be the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT).
Our results also have implications for analyses of the diffuse gamma-ray background, which we discuss.
Impact of the thermal contrast between the Arabian Sea and the Iranian Plateau on the interannual variability of the East Asian summer monsoon
Authors: Wang Lin , Wang Zhihao , Cao Jie , Liu Yimin , Wang Dongxiao , Leung Marco Y-T
Published: July 2024

The land–sea thermal contrast is known to have a significant impact on the atmospheric circulation. We investigated the influence of the thermal contrast between the Arabian Sea (AS) and the Iranian Plateau (IP) on the interannual variability of the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM). It is found that the thermal distribution of AS–IP exhibits a fixed dipole mode. When the apparent heat over AS (IP) is higher (lower) than normal, summer rainfall is abundant over the mid- and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and Japan with the adjacent maritime regions. By contrast, there is lower rainfall in North China and the coastal regions of South China. We attribute this phenomenon to the propagation of mid-latitude Rossby waves, which play a crucial role in regulating the atmospheric circulations on East Asia and the Northwest Pacific. Significant anomalies in the transport of water vapor were seen in our statistical analyses and were partly reproduced by the Linear Baroclinic Model and Weather Research and Forecasting model experiments. The anticipated outcomes of this research will help to identify another factor related to the variability of the EASM, and provide a scientific basis for understanding the distribution and interaction of thermal anomalies on the plateau system and the Indian Ocean.
Multidecadal variations in North Atlantic SSTs modulate the relationship between ENSO and the South Atlantic Subtropical Dipole since 1900
Authors: Yu Lejiang , Zhong Shiyuan , Vihma Timo , Sui Cuijuan , Sun Bo
Published: July 2024

This study investigates the long-term variability of the relationship between the El Niño South/Oscillation (ENSO) and the South Atlantic Subtropical Dipole (SASD), and their connection to multidecadal variations in the North Atlantic sea surface temperature (MDV-SST). Using a century’s worth of SST and atmospheric data and the Community Atmosphere Model version 5, the study found significant interdecadal variability in the correlation between the Niño3.4 index and the SASD index. This variability is closely linked to the North Atlantic MDV-SST, often interpreted as Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO). This is demonstrated by significant ENSO-SASD correlations during warm (positive) phases of MDV-SST (1930–1960 and 2001–2020) and insignificant correlations during cold (negative) phases (1900–1929 and 1961–2000). Through a Gill-type response, MDV-SST excites Rossby wave over the tropical Pacific Ocean, influencing surface wind, SST, convective activities and upper-level zonal wind over the Pacific Ocean. During warm MDV-SST phases, the more eastward positioned Rossby wave source (RWS), triggered by SST and precipitation anomalies over the South Pacific Ocean, along with a stronger, more northward subtropical jet stream, propagates the wavetrain more eastwards into the South Atlantic Ocean, thereby strengthening the SST anomalies in the SASD. Conversely, during the cold MDV-SST phases, the more westward-positioned ENSO-related RWS and a stronger mid-latitude jet stream guide the wavetrain southeastwards into the southeastern Pacific Ocean, exerting less influence on the SST anomalies in the SASD. The Ekman pumping caused by anomalous surface pressure and the associated surface wind field as well as surface turbulent heat flux also affect the SST anomalies in the SASD and the ENSO-SASD relation.
Mixing artificial and natural intelligence: from statistical mechanics to AI and back to turbulence
Authors: Chertkov Michael (Misha)
Published: July 2024

The paper reflects on the future role of artificial intelligence (AI) in scientific research, with a special focus on turbulence studies, and examines the evolution of AI, particularly through Diffusion Models rooted in non-equilibrium statistical mechanics. It underscores the significant impact of AI on advancing reduced, Lagrangian models of turbulence through innovative use of Deep Neural Networks. Additionally, the paper reviews various other AI applications in turbulence research and outlines potential challenges and opportunities in the concurrent advancement of AI and statistical hydrodynamics. This discussion sets the stage for a future where AI and turbulence research are intricately intertwined, leading to more profound insights and advancements in both fields.
Temperature and medium structurization effect on spontaneous evolution of domains and bubbles in magnetic nanostructures
Authors: Janutka Andrzej
Published: July 2024

Spontaneous evolutions of domains in magnetic nanowires and of magnetic bubbles in open ferromagnetic nanolayers are investigated using micromagnetic simulations. We compare temperature dependent dynamics of domain wall (DW) systems in Permalloy (Py) nanowires and systems of chiral DWs in ultra-thin nanowires with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) and Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI). In Py nanowires DWs collide and, in majority of cases, the collision leads to the DW annihilation in disagreement with the expectation of topological protection of sums of all the magnetic charges attached to the nanowire edges which are carried by DWs. For our purpose of discussing the DW collision in the presence of thermal excitations, we revisit the problem of field-driven collisions of DWs in Py nanowires at zero temperature. We claim that thermal fluctuations can counteract the collision-induced annihilation of DWs, thought further improvement of stabilization of domain structures is achievable via structurization of the magnetic nanowires (dividing them into grains). In PMA-DMI nanowires, thermally-excited chiral DWs can be randomly approaching or moving away while not being annihilated. A problem related to the motion of chiral DWs is the spontaneous motion of magnetic bubbles in open PMA-DMI planes. The magnetic bubbles expand or shrink to vanishing dependent on strength of the DMI interaction. Such a motion appears to be be strongly influenced by temperature and by structural discontinuities of the magnetic layer.
The ultrametric backbone is the union of all minimum spanning forests
Authors: Rozum Jordan C , Rocha Luis M
Published: July 2024

Minimum spanning trees and forests are powerful sparsification techniques that remove cycles from weighted graphs to minimize total edge weight while preserving node reachability, with applications in computer science, network science, and graph theory. Despite their utility and ubiquity, they have several limitations, including that they are only defined for undirected networks, they significantly alter dynamics on networks, and they do not generally preserve important network features such as shortest distances, shortest path distribution, and community structure. In contrast, distance backbones, which are subgraphs formed by all edges that obey a generalized triangle inequality, are well defined in directed and undirected graphs and preserve those and other important network features. The backbone of a graph is defined with respect to a specified path-length operator that aggregates weights along a path to define its length, thereby associating a cost to indirect connections. The backbone is the union of all shortest paths between each pair of nodes according to the specified operator. One such operator, the max function, computes the length of a path as the largest weight of the edges that compose it (a weakest link criterion). It is the only operator that yields an algebraic structure for computing shortest paths that is consistent with De Morgan’s laws. Applying this operator yields the ultrametric backbone of a graph in that (semi-triangular) edges whose weights are larger than the length of an indirect path connecting the same nodes (i.e. those that break the generalized triangle inequality based on max as a path-length operator) are removed. We show that the ultrametric backbone is the union of minimum spanning forests in undirected graphs and provides a new generalization of minimum spanning trees to directed graphs that, unlike minimum equivalent graphs and minimum spanning arborescences, preserves all

max
−
min

shortest paths and De Morgan’s law consistency.
On a class of stochastic fractional heat equations
Authors: Song Jian , Wang Meng , Yuan Wangjun
Published: July 2024

For the fractional heat equation
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="StartFraction partial-differential Over partial-differential t EndFraction u left-parenthesis t comma x right-parenthesis equals minus left-parenthesis negative normal upper Delta right-parenthesis Superscript StartFraction alpha Over 2 EndFraction Baseline u left-parenthesis t comma x right-parenthesis plus u left-parenthesis t comma x right-parenthesis ModifyingAbove upper W With dot left-parenthesis t comma x right-parenthesis">

∂

∂
t

u
(
t
,
x
)
=
−
(
−
Δ

)

α
2

u
(
t
,
x
)
+
u
(
t
,
x
)

W
˙

(
t
,
x
)

\frac {\partial }{\partial t} u(t,x) = -(-\Delta )^{\frac {\alpha }{2}}u(t,x)+ u(t,x)\dot W(t,x)

where the covariance function of the Gaussian noise

W
˙

\dot W

is defined by the heat kernel, we establish Feynman-Kac formulae for both Stratonovich and Skorohod solutions, along with their respective moments. In particular, we prove that

d
>
2
+
α

d>2+\alpha

is a sufficient and necessary condition for the equation to have a unique square-integrable mild Skorohod solution. One motivation lies in the occurrence of this equation in the study of a random walk in random environment which is generated by a field of independent random walks starting from a Poisson field.
Faith and reason
Authors: Trigg Roger
Published: July 2024

What role is there in faith for beliefs about what is true? Despite a cognitive element in faith, in cases of incomplete knowledge, we have to make a choice. The temptation is for reason to be reduced to what people with different identities, individually or collectively, decide. Reason becomes changed into an exercise of power. The ‘hermeneutics of suspicion’ tries to unmask deeper motivations. It not only turns its back on faith in God but also faith in reason. Discussions about the role of reason and religious faith go to the heart of basic ideas of human nature. Reason claims universal applicability, and it lies at the root of any religious belief claiming truth.
Gender history takes off
Authors: Burton Antoinette
Published: July 2024

Gender history took root in academic writing in predominantly English-language publications after the 1980s. This chapter moves beyond early debates in the field of gender history to explore how historians of a variety of subjects—Islam, enslavement, the history of science, the French Revolution, colonialism—put gender to work in the context of social and cultural history. It surveys some of the major publications of the first 20 years of the field, showcasing the wide variety of archives and methods that shaped the development of gender history as a practice. The history of masculinity and sexuality is addressed, as are as the ways that gender has remained entangled with the question of women.
Associations of social engagement and loneliness with the progression and reversal of frailty: longitudinal investigations of 2 prospective cohorts from the UK and the USA
Authors: Cai Ziyi , Papacosta Anna Olia , Lennon Lucy T , Whincup Peter H , Wannamethee Sasiwarang Goya , Simonsick Eleanor M , Mathers John C , Ramsay Sheena E
Published: July 2024

Social connections may impact the dynamic trajectory of frailty. Using data from the British Regional Heart Study (BRHS) in the UK (n = 715) and the US Health, Aging and Body Composition (Health ABC) Study (n = 1256), we conducted multinominal regression analyses to examine the association of baseline and change in social engagement and loneliness with progression to prefrailty and frailty, as well as their association with reversal to prefrailty and robust status among older adults. A higher level of social engagement at baseline (BRHS: relative risk ratio [RRR] 0.69 [95% CI, 0.55–0.85]; Health ABC: 0.56 [0.45-0.70]) and an increase in social engagement (BRHS: 0.73 [0.59-0.90]; Health ABC: 0.51 [0.41-0.63]) were associated with a lower risk of developing frailty. In BRHS, a higher level of loneliness at baseline (1.42 [1.10-1.83]) and an increase in loneliness (1.50 [1.18-1.90]) raised the risk of developing frailty. For reversal of frailty, higher social engagement at baseline (Health ABC: 1.63 [1.08-2.47]) and an increase in social engagement (BRHS: 1.74 [1.18-2.50]; Health ABC: 1.79 [1.17-.274]) were beneficial. Social connections may be potentially important and modifiable factors in both preventing and reversing progression of frailty in older adults.
Nineteenth-Century Intersex Bodies and the ‘Appearance of a Double Sex’: Nadar’s Medical Anti-Illustration
Authors: McBryde Brynne
Published: July 2024

This essay demonstrates that Nadar’s 1860 ‘Hermaphrodite’ series disappeared from the famed French photographer’s oeuvre because it does not function as a medical illustration. It explains the relative obscurity of the series and reveals often-overlooked biases and distortions in medical illustrations. By placing the photographs in the context of nineteenth-century European medical theories about the intersex body, and the successful illustrations, often wood engravings, that accompanied those theories in texts, it reveals that Nadar’s series contradicted rather than supported existing anatomical teachings in an artistic medium renowned for its fidelity to nature, thus posing a threat to medical authority. Whereas doctors asserted that the hermaphrodite was a biological myth, an aberration obscuring natural male or female bodies that could be easily identified by experts, Nadar’s photographs, backed by the medium’s inherent claim to indexical truth, showed the intersex body as naturally integrated and complete and thus doomed themselves to obscurity.
A prospective observational cohort study comparing the treatment effectiveness and safety of ciclosporin, dupilumab and methotrexate in adult and paediatric patients with atopic dermatitis: results from the UK–Irish A-STAR register
Authors: Alexander Helen , Malek Rayka , Prieto-Merino David , Gribaleva Elizaveta , Baden Manisha , Beattie Paula , Brown Sara , Burton Tim , Cameron Shona , Coker Bola , Cork Michael J , Hearn Ross , Ingram John R , Irvine Alan D , Johnston Graham A , Lambert Alice , Lunt Mark , Man Irene , Newell Louise , Ogg Graham , Patel Prakash , Wan Mandy , Warren Richard B , Woolf Richard , Yiu Zenas Z N , Reynolds Nick , Ardern-Jones Michael R , Flohr Carsten
Published: July 2024

Background

The main conventional systemic treatments for atopic dermatitis (AD) are methotrexate (MTX) and ciclosporin (CyA). Dupilumab was the first novel systemic agent to enter routine clinical practice. There are no head-to-head randomized controlled trials or real-world studies comparing these agents directly. Network meta-analyses provide indirect comparative efficacy and safety data and have shown strong evidence for dupilumab and CyA.

Objectives

To compare the real-world clinical effectiveness and safety of CyA, dupilumab and MTX in AD.

Methods

We compared the effectiveness and safety of these systemic agents in a prospective observational cohort study of adult and paediatric patients recruited into the UK–Irish Atopic eczema Systemic TherApy Register (A-STAR). Treatment effectiveness measures included Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM), Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale (PP-NRS), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and children’s DLQI (cDLQI). The minimum duration of treatment was 28 days and follow-up was 12 months. Adjusted Cox-regression analysis was used to compare the hazard ratios of achieving EASI-50, EASI-75 and EASI-90 over time, and linear mixed-effects models were used to estimate changes in efficacy scores. Treatment safety was assessed by examining adverse events (AEs) at follow-up visits.

Results

We included 488 patients (311 adults and 177 children/adolescents) on dupilumab (n = 282), MTX (n = 149) or CyA (n = 57). CyA and MTX were primarily used as the first-line treatment, while dupilumab was mainly a second-line systemic treatment as per UK National Institute of Clinical and Care Excellence (NICE) recommendations. EASI-50, EASI-75 and EASI-90 were achieved more rapidly in the dupilumab and CyA groups compared with MTX. After adjustment for previous severity, the reduction in EASI, POEM, PP-NRS and DLQI was greater for patients treated with dupilumab compared with MTX. In patients with severe disease the reduction in EASI, POEM and PP-NRS was even greater with CyA. The incidence rates of AEs were similar across groups (734, 654 and 594 per 10 000 person-month on CyA, dupilumab and MTX, respectively).

Conclusions

This real-world comparison of CyA, dupilumab and MTX in AD suggests that dupilumab is consistently more effective than MTX and that CyA is most effective in very severe disease within 1 year of follow-up.
Beneath the surface: a case of subcutaneous human dirofilariasis
Authors: Acharya Bhukampa , Dev Anubha , Sinha Anindita , Kumar Parmod , De Dipankar , Mahajan Rahul
Published: July 2024

A woman in her sixties, from Kerala, India, presented with a painless cystic swelling of the left infraorbital area for 15 days, with a preceding history of an insect bite.
Aerial Wildlife Image Repository for animal monitoring with drones in the age of artificial intelligence
Authors: Samiappan Sathishkumar , Krishnan B. Santhana , Dehart Damion , Jones Landon R , Elmore Jared A , Evans Kristine O , Iglay Raymond B
Published: July 2024

Drones (unoccupied aircraft systems) have become effective tools for wildlife monitoring and conservation. Automated animal detection and classification using artificial intelligence (AI) can substantially reduce logistical and financial costs and improve drone surveys. However, the lack of annotated animal imagery for training AI is a critical bottleneck in achieving accurate performance of AI algorithms compared to other fields. To bridge this gap for drone imagery and help advance and standardize automated animal classification, we have created the Aerial Wildlife Image Repository (AWIR), which is a dynamic, interactive database with annotated images captured from drone platforms using visible and thermal cameras. The AWIR provides the first open-access repository for users to upload, annotate, and curate images of animals acquired from drones. The AWIR also provides annotated imagery and benchmark datasets that users can download to train AI algorithms to automatically detect and classify animals, and compare algorithm performance. The AWIR contains 6587 animal objects in 1325 visible and thermal drone images of predominantly large birds and mammals of 13 species in open areas of North America. As contributors increase the taxonomic and geographic diversity of available images, the AWIR will open future avenues for AI research to improve animal surveys using drones for conservation applications.

Database URL: https://projectportal.gri.msstate.edu/awir/
A young woman presenting with dyspnoea and diffuse T-wave inversions: a case report
Authors: Dong Wenjie , Zhang Jingwen , Cao Yunshan
Published: July 2024

Background

T-wave inversions on electrocardiograms (ECGs) indicate a variety of conditions, such as coronary artery disease, myocarditis, and cardiomyopathy. Pulmonary artery stenosis (PAS) and pulmonary hypertension (PH) may cause right ventricular enlargement and ischaemia, which are reflected as T-wave inversions on ECGs. Continuous ECG monitoring is crucial for detecting dynamic changes indicative of PAS progression and reversal in right heart remodelling.

Case summary

This report presents the case of a young woman who experienced exertional dyspnoea for 5 years with ECG findings showing T-wave inversions across multiple leads. The patient was diagnosed with PAS and PH caused by Takayasu arteritis (TA). Following three successful balloon pulmonary angioplasty sessions, the patient exhibited significant clinical improvement, including the remission of PAS and PH. Throughout a 59-month cumulative follow-up period, the sustained effectiveness of the treatment was evidenced by the regression of right heart remodelling, as manifested in the normalization of the initially inverted T-waves on the ECG.

Discussion

Electrocardiogram changes, including right axis deviation, right bundle branch block, a deep S wave in lead I (R/S < 1), and a prominent R wave in lead aVR (R/Q > 1), have been termed PAS syndrome, often linked to TA-associated PAS, especially in young East Asian females. Early diagnosis is crucial but challenging due to atypical symptoms. The non-invasive ECG is vital for detection, with balloon pulmonary angioplasty serving as an effective treatment for TA-induced PAS when surgery is not an option, improving outcomes and potentially reversing right heart remodelling.
May Measurement Month 2021: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Ghana
Authors: Twumasi-Ankrah Betty , Kiddy-Kodua Joseph O , Aniagyei Marian , Owoo Jessica , Boachie-Yiadom Edwin , Beaney Thomas , Ahmadi-Abhari Sara , Poulter Neil R , Adzaho Emmanuella , Myers-Hansen Gustavus A
Published: July 2024

May Measurement Month (MMM) is a global campaign initiated by the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) with the aim of raising awareness of high blood pressure (BP) and serving as a catalyst for the establishment of screening programmes around the world. An opportunistic cross-sectional survey of volunteers aged ≥18 years was conducted. A standardized protocol for MMM was used to measure BP and collect relevant health information from participants at screening sites in four regions of Ghana. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg or on antihypertensive medication. A total of 4832 people agreed to take part in the MMM21 study and were screened. After multiple imputation of missing BP readings, 1426 people (29.5%) had hypertension. 11.9% of the 1426 participants with hypertension were aware of their condition, and 8.6% reported taking antihypertensive medication. 24.2% of 123 people on antihypertensive medication had their BP under control (<140/90 mmHg). In addition, only 2.1% of the 1426 participants with hypertension had controlled BP. Results from this study found that almost nine out of 10 people with hypertension who were screened were unaware of their condition, most were untreated, and only 2% of those with hypertension had their BP controlled with medication. This emphasizes the importance of BP screening campaigns as a tool for identifying and referring people with high BP for treatment.
May Measurement Month 2021: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Mexico
Authors: Alcocer Luis , Palomo Silvia , Rangel-Zertuche Ricardo A , Berumen-Lechuga María Guadalupe , Medina-Serrano Julio M , García-Cortés Luis Rey , Mejía-Rodríguez Oliva , Beaney Thomas , Kerr Gabriele , Poulter Neil R ,   GRETHA and GCHA research groups, Gonzalez-Coronado Vidal Jose , Paniagua-Sierra Jose Ramon , Gonzalez-Palomo Esteban , Leon-Vazquez MarIa de la Luz , Piedras-Herrera Mónica Gabriela , Seefoo-Jarquin Patricia , Dzib Roxana del Socorro-González , Dominguez-Hernandez  , Ortiz-Fonseca Dulce Samantha , Robles-Rosas Maria Rosario Isabel , Felix-Palma Martin Alberto , Martinez-Villa Francisco Antonio , Acosta-Vazquez Eunice , Felix-Heredia Jose Luis , Tirado-Reyes Roberto Joel , Hernandez-Ayala Juan Francisco , Acosta-Sanchez Abigail Leticia , García-Tinoco Rosa María , Castañeda-Lopez Nuvia Karina , Salazar-Valenzuela Oswaldo , Ruiz-Mejía German , Zazueta-Angulo Elisa Catalina , Morales-Alvarez Jesús José , Sarmiento-Rodríguez Laura Lucía , Casaubon-Vargas Mariana , Martínez-Reyna Luis Carlos , Meza-Cardona Jorge Alejandro , -Hernandez Rocio Guadalupe Galván , Lopez-Campos Dora Elía , Negras Piedras , Cervantes-Carranza Magdalena , Flores-Salinas Alberto , Tello-Orduña Elba Rosario , Franco-Vergara Beatriz Cecilia , Hernández-Rodriguez Jose Ubaldo , Brown-Mena Christian , Carbó-Villalobos César Alejandro , Frontera Ciudad , Lozano-Mendoza Carlos Ramiro , Rosita Nueva , Guzman-Rodríguez Humberto
Published: July 2024

May Measurement Month 2021 (MMM21) in Mexico was an opportunistic survey that aimed to improve blood pressure awareness at the individual and population levels and to analyse the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence, knowledge, and rates of hypertension in the country. This survey followed the methodology of MMM, previously published. The total number of participants screened was 77 547, of which 47 793 (61.6%) were female and 29 178 (37.6%) were male. The mean age (SD) was 46.2 (16.6) years. Of all 77 547 participants, 14 939 (19.3%) had hypertension, of which 48% were aware. The frequency and awareness of hypertension in this survey are similar to those reported before the pandemic (MMM19—Mexico and the 2019 National Health Survey), suggesting that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in these parameters of arterial hypertension was not as important as expected. These data are concordant with the official reports in Mexico that showed that the pandemic had a severe impact on cardiovascular mortality but did not modify mortality due to hypertension or stroke.
May Measurement Month 2021: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Uganda
Authors: Wanzhu Zhang , Byakika-Kibwika Pauline , Ingabire Prossie , Nabirye Stella , Beaney Thomas , Janssen-Telders Carolina , Poulter Neil R , Mondo Charles Kiiza
Published: July 2024

High blood pressure (BP) is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease in Uganda accounting for more than 50% of cardiovascular related deaths each year. In Uganda, more than 25% of adults have high BP with lack of awareness being the main barrier to achieving satisfactory control rates. May measurement month (MMM) is a global initiative aimed at raising awareness of high BP and to act as a temporary solution to the lack of BP screening programmes. A cross-sectional survey of voluntary screenees aged 18 years and above was carried out between May and September 2021. Screening was carried out in two outpatient departments of two referral hospitals within the capital city, Kampala. BP measurements, the definition of hypertension and statistical analysis followed the standard MMM protocol. A total of 1671 people were screened and included in analysis. After multiple imputation, 1018 (60.9%) had hypertension. Of all 1018 participants with hypertension, 765 (75.1%) were aware and 750 (69.3%) were on antihypertensive medicine. Of the participants on antihypertensive medicine, 248 (35.2%) had controlled BP (<140/90 mmHg). Previous history of stroke and taking alcohol 1–6 times per week were significantly associated with higher diastolic BP. The MMM21 Uganda campaign highlights the importance of measuring BP as it generates real-time data on untreated and inadequately treated hypertension. This should motivate government and policy makers to promote routine local screening for BP.
May Measurement Month 2021: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from the Philippines
Authors: Mina Arnold Benjamin C , David-Ona Deborah Ignacia , Bonzon Dolores D , Vilela Gilbert C , Balmores Benjamin A , Co Marlon T , Mercado-Asis Leilani B , Castillo Rafael R , Abasolo-Lao Evelyn M , Dela Cruz Peter Bryan , Rabago Norman Panfilo G , Poulter Neil R , Beaney Thomas , Clarke Jonathan M , Diaz Alejandro Bimbo F
Published: July 2024

The Philippine Society of Hypertension (PSH) took part again in the annual May Measurement Month 2021 (MMM21) blood pressure (BP) campaign to raise awareness of hypertension. The MMM standard protocol designed by the MMM coordinating centre was used during screening. These included the collection of basic data on demography, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Standardized sitting BP measurements were taken three times, using automated BP apparatus and were either entered via MMM21 app, MMM@Home, and Google Forms or recorded on paper and transferred to Excel spreadsheets by PSH encoders. Hypertension was defined either as systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg or on antihypertensive medication. A total of 59 655 participated through opportunistic convenience sampling. After multiple imputation, a total of 26 813 (44.9%) participants were identified as having hypertension. Of these, 14 449 (53.9%) were aware and 12 978 (48.4%) were on antihypertensive medication. Of those who were treated, 5644 (43.5%) had controlled BP (<140/90 mmHg) and 7334 (56.5%) were uncontrolled. These latest local data showed that BP awareness is still low with BP control achieved in less than half of treated patients. Continued collaboration is needed to improve BP screening programmes in the country.