The generation of an autoresonantly phase-locked high-amplitude plasma waves to the chirped beat frequency of two driving lasers is studied in two dimensions using particle-in-cell simulations. The two-dimensional plasma and laser parameters correspond to those that optimized the plasma wave amplitude in one-dimensional simulations. Near the start of autoresonant locking, the two-dimensional simulations appear similar to one-dimensional particle-in-cell results (Luo et al., Phys. Rev. Res., vol. 6, 2024, p. 013338) with plasma wave amplitudes above the Rosenbluth–Liu limit. Later, just below wave breaking, the two-dimensional simulation exhibits a Weibel-like instability and eventually laser beam filamentation. These limit the coherence of the plasma oscillation after the peak plasma wave field is obtained. In spite of the reduction of spatial coherence of the accelerating density structure, the acceleration of self-injected electrons in the case studied remains at $70\,\%$ to $80\,\%$ of that observed in one dimension. Other effects such as plasma wave bowing are discussed.

We present the first results from a new backend on the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder, the Commensal Realtime ASKAP Fast Transient COherent (CRACO) upgrade. CRACO records millisecond time resolution visibility data, and searches for dispersed fast transient signals including fast radio bursts (FRB), pulsars, and ultra-long period objects (ULPO). With the visibility data, CRACO can localise the transient events to arcsecond-level precision after the detection. Here, we describe the CRACO system and report the result from a sky survey carried out by CRACO at 110-ms resolution during its commissioning phase. During the survey, CRACO detected two FRBs (including one discovered solely with CRACO, FRB 20231027A), reported more precise localisations for four pulsars, discovered two new RRATs, and detected one known ULPO, GPM J1839 $-$10, through its sub-pulse structure. We present a sensitivity calibration of CRACO, finding that it achieves the expected sensitivity of 11.6 Jy ms to bursts of 110 ms duration or less. CRACO is currently running at a 13.8 ms time resolution and aims at a 1.7 ms time resolution before the end of 2024. The planned CRACO has an expected sensitivity of 1.5 Jy ms to bursts of 1.7 ms duration or less and can detect $10\times$ more FRBs than the current CRAFT incoherent sum system (i.e. 0.5 $-$2 localised FRBs per day), enabling us to better constrain the models for FRBs and use them as cosmological probes.

With wide-field phased array feed technology, the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) is ideally suited to search for seemingly rare radio transient sources that are difficult to discover previous-generation narrow-field telescopes. The Commensal Real-time ASKAP Fast Transient (CRAFT) Survey Science Project has developed instrumentation to continuously search for fast radio transients (duration ≲ 1 second) with ASKAP, with a particular focus on finding and localising Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs). Since 2018, the CRAFT survey has been searching for FRBs and other fast transients by incoherently adding the intensities received by individual ASKAP antennas, and then correcting for the impact of frequency dispersion on these short-duration signals in the resultant incoherent sum (ICS) in real-time. This low-latency detection enables the triggering of voltage buffers, which facilitates the localisation of the transient source and the study of spectro-polarimetric properties at high time resolution. Here we report the sample of 43 FRBs discovered in this CRAFT/ICS survey to date. This includes 22 FRBs that had not previously been reported: 16 FRBs localised by ASKAP to. ≲ 1 arcsec and 6 FRBs localised to ∼ 10 arcmin. Of the new arcsecond-localised FRBs, we have identified and characterised host galaxies (and measured redshifts) for 11. The median of all 30 measured host redshifts from the survey to date is z = 0.23. We summarise results from the searches, in particular those contributing to our understanding of the burst progenitors and emission mechanisms, and on the use of bursts as probes of intervening media. We conclude by foreshadowing future FRB surveys with ASKAP using a coherent detection system that is currently being commissioned. This will increase the burst detection rate by a factor of approximately ten and also the distance to which ASKAP can localise FRBs.

Maximum likelihood estimation of generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) is difficult due to marginalization of the random effects. Derivative computations of a fitted GLMM’s likelihood are also difficult, especially because the derivatives are not by-products of popular estimation algorithms. In this paper, we first describe theoretical results related to GLMM derivatives along with a quadrature method to efficiently compute the derivatives, focusing on fitted lme4 models with a single clustering variable. We describe how psychometric results related to item response models are helpful for obtaining the derivatives, as well as for verifying the derivatives’ accuracies. We then provide a tutorial on the many possible uses of these derivatives, including robust standard errors, score tests of fixed effect parameters, and likelihood ratio tests of non-nested models. The derivative computation methods and applications described in the paper are all available in easily obtained R packages.

Measurement invariance is a fundamental assumption in item response theory models, where the relationship between a latent construct (ability) and observed item responses is of interest. Violation of this assumption would render the scale misinterpreted or cause systematic bias against certain groups of persons. While a number of methods have been proposed to detect measurement invariance violations, they typically require advance definition of problematic item parameters and respondent grouping information. However, these pieces of information are typically unknown in practice. As an alternative, this paper focuses on a family of recently proposed tests based on stochastic processes of casewise derivatives of the likelihood function (i.e., scores). These score-based tests only require estimation of the null model (when measurement invariance is assumed to hold), and they have been previously applied in factor-analytic, continuous data contexts as well as in models of the Rasch family. In this paper, we aim to extend these tests to two-parameter item response models, with strong emphasis on pairwise maximum likelihood. The tests’ theoretical background and implementation are detailed, and the tests’ abilities to identify problematic item parameters are studied via simulation. An empirical example illustrating the tests’ use in practice is also provided.

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) consumption, characterized by high levels of sugars, unhealthy fats, and additives, yet low in nutrients, has increased significantly in recent decades(1). Previous studies have demonstrated the link between UPF consumption and Type 2 diabetes (T2D)(2). Considering the variation in these food categories across studies and the scarcity of large-scale studies focusing on specific UPF subgroups, this study aims to explore the prospective association between UPFs, their subgroups, and the incidence of T2D in a UK based cohort study.

A total of 7,774 participants aged 40-69 years without T2D (69% men and 31% women) from the Whitehall II cohort, who had dietary intake data at baseline (1993/1994) and follow-up data on T2D incidence available, were included in the analyses. Food intake was assessed using a validated 127item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). We applied the NOVA classification to categorize FFQ items into four classes based on the level of processing. The intake of UPFs per day was calculated as a percentage of the total daily food intake in grams to account for UPFs that do not provide energy. The incidence of T2D was evaluated from 1993/1994 to 2007/2009 through self- reports and oral glucose tolerance test results. Multivariate Cox regression models were employed to assess the prospective association between UPFs consumption (in quintiles) and T2D risk, adjusting for socioeconomic factors, family history of T2D, lifestyle characteristics, total energy intake, and indicators of nutritional quality.

During the 15-year follow-up, 954 cases of T2D were confirmed. In multivariable models adjusted for family history of T2D, socioeconomic, and lifestyle factors, the highest UPF consumption quintile [mean 33% of total daily intake (grams)] was associated with an increased risk of T2D [HR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.06-1.71] compared to the lowest quintile [mean 9.6% of total daily intake (grams)]. Adjustment for total energy intake slightly increased the risk of T2D [HR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.12-1.91].

Additional adjustments for sugar, sodium, and fat intake further increased the risk of T2D [HR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.15-1.98]. Among UPFs subgroups, only the intake of soft drinks was significantly associated with an increased risk of T2D [HR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.08], whereas no significant associations were found for other UPFs subgroups. Similar results were found after multiple imputation of missing values.

In UK midlife adults, higher UPF consumption tends to be prospectively associates with an increased risk of T2D, with notable variations across UPFs subgroups. These findings suggest that the association between UPFs intake and T2D might be independent of nutritional quality and energy intake, indicating that food processing itself could be a contributing factor. This study provides evidence to support efforts to limit UPF consumption as a strategy to alleviate the population burden of T2D.

Despite national dietary guidelines, dairy intakes remain low in China, partially because of high prevalence of lactose malabsorption1. The fibre intake adequacy is also low comparing to the recommendation in China2. Milk-N is a new range of fortified and non-fortified low-lactose/highfibre milk products. In this study we analyzed the associations between consumption of Milk-N products and nutritional status using diet modelling3.

We used data from China Health and Nutrition Survey-20114, participants above 20y were included in the analysis (n = 12127, 47% men, 53% women). Nutrient intakes were estimated through 3 days dietary record and household food inventory. Two diet scenarios were modelled: A) Adding a serving (200ml) of generic milk or of Milk-N to participants not meeting the dairy recommendation, and B) Substituting dairy food intakes with Milk-N in equivalent amount for dairy consuming participants. Paired t-test and Pearson’s Chi-squared test were used to compare the amount of intake and prevalence of nutrient intake adequacy between the two types of addition, and before and after the substitution.

Overall, 17.4% of participants consumed dairy foods with an average intake of 160.5g/day, among those 81.2% consumed milk. Only 1.1% of the population met dairy intake recommendations.

In the addition scenario, compared to the addition of generic milk, adding one serving of fortified or non-fortified Milk-N increased fibre intake by 25-35% (from 17.6g/day to 22-23.8 g/day), leading to increased fibre intake adequacy from 16.4% to 27.0-32.8%, i.e. 65-100% increase. Addition of fortified Milk-N improved daily average intakes of calcium, iron, zinc, vitamins A and C by 27-31%, 9%, 8%, 3%, and 16%, respectively. Consequently, the proportion of the population with inadequate intakes decreased (p<0.01) for generic milk vs fortified Milk-N as follows, for calcium (66.3% vs. 23.4-29.6%), iron (5.5% vs. 2.2%), zinc (28.1% vs. 18.9%), vitamin A (61.7% vs. 52.7%) and vitamin C (62.4% vs. 51.5%).

In the substitution scenario, replacing current dairy food intake with fortified or non-fortified Milk-N increased fibre intake by 20-27% (from 18.4 to 22.0-23.4g/day), leading to increased proportion of dairy consumers with adequate fibre intake from 18.7% to 28.2-32.3%, i.e., 51-73% increase. Substitution with fortified Milk-N improved intakes of calcium, iron, zinc, vitamins A and C by 2327%, 7%, 7%, 10%, and 12%, respectively. Consequently, the proportion of dairy consumers with inadequate micronutrient intakes significantly decreased (p<0.01) for calcium (from 72.9% to 50.353.3%), iron (from 7.5% to 4.7%), zinc (from 33.0% to 26.1%), vitamin A (from 56.9% to 47.4%), and vitamin C (from 60.2% to 50.8%).

In addition to the reduced lactose that helps to address lactose malabsorption, consumption of any Milk-N alternative could improve fibre intake, while fortified Milk-N could also contribute to reducing micronutrient inadequacies in Chinese adults.

Objectives: Antipsychotic use among patients with Alzheimer’s dementia can pose safety concerns, including accidents/injuries, cardiovascular events, extrapyramidal symptoms, and somnolence/sedation. In the US, brexpiprazole is approved for the treatment of agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. This post hoc analysis aimed to evaluate the timing and duration of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) in three randomized clinical trials of brexpiprazole.

Methods: Data were included from three Phase 3, 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of brexpiprazole in patients with agitation associated with Alzheimer’s dementia (ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers: NCT01862640, NCT01922258, NCT03548584). Data for all patients who received ≥1 dose of trial medication were pooled by randomized dose group: brexpiprazole 0.5 or 1 mg/day (fixed-dose), brexpiprazole 2 or 3 mg/day (fixed- dose) (FDA- approved recommended-to-maximum dose), brexpiprazole 0.5 – 2 mg/day (flexible-dose), and placebo. Time-to-event analyses were performed to first occurrence of any TEAE, any serious TEAE, discontinuation due to AE, and TEAEs of interest, separately, and presented using descriptive statistics and Kaplan–Meier Methodsology. The duration of all TEAEs in each category was also determined.

Results: The pooled sample comprised 1,043 patients. Median time to first TEAE was 24 days with brexpiprazole .5 or 1 mg/day (fixed-dose), 32 days with brexpiprazole 2 or 3 mg/day (fixed-dose), 28 days with brexpiprazole 0.5–2 mg/day (flexible-dose), and 28 days with placebo. Median duration of all TEAEs was 7 days, 6 days, 8 days, and 4 days (respectively). Median time to (and incidence of) discontinuation due to AEs was 45 days (8.9%) with brexpiprazole 0.5 or 1 mg/day, 46.5 days (4.9%) with brexpiprazole 2 or 3 mg/day, 30 days (6.8%) with brexpiprazole 0.5 –2 mg/day, and 30 days (3.4%) with placebo. The incidence of serious TEAEs and TEAEs of interest is presented in the Table.

Conclusions: In patients with agitation in Alzheimer’s dementia, time to first occurrence of any TEAE was similar between brexpiprazole 2 or 3 mg/day (FDA-approved recommended-to- maximum dose) and placebo, and time to discontinuation due to AEs was longer with brexpiprazole 2 or 3 mg/day than placebo. Overall, no unexpected safety concerns were revealed by this analysis.

New limit theory is provided for a wide class of sample variance and covariance functionals involving both nonstationary and stationary time series. Sample functionals of this type commonly appear in regression applications and the asymptotics are particularly relevant to estimation and inference in nonlinear nonstationary regressions that involve unit root, local unit root, or fractional processes. The limit theory is unusually general in that it covers both parametric and nonparametric regressions. Self-normalized versions of these statistics are considered that are useful in inference. Numerical evidence reveals interesting strong bimodality in the finite sample distributions of conventional self-normalized statistics similar to the bimodality that can arise in t-ratio statistics based on heavy tailed data. Bimodal behavior in these statistics is due to the presence of long memory innovations and is shown to persist for very large sample sizes even though the limit theory is Gaussian when the long memory innovations are stationary. Bimodality is shown to occur even in the limit theory when the long memory innovations are nonstationary. To address these complications, new self-normalized versions of the test statistics are introduced that deliver improved approximations that can be used for inference.

The pth ($p\geq 1$) moment exponential stability, almost surely exponential stability and stability in distribution for stochastic McKean–Vlasov equation are derived based on some distribution-dependent Lyapunov function techniques.

Capacity development is crucial for enduring conservation success. Recent scholarship has called for a systems perspective based on input from local stakeholders to better understand and develop conservation capacity. However, few studies have adopted such an approach to explore interactions among capacities or how capacity development needs and priorities evolve. We address this gap through a case study from Bhutan, centred on perceptions from 52 local conservation practitioners, planners, funders and community members. We use mixed methods to identify which capacities have been important for conservation success, which capacities are needed for future success, which capacities are foundational and how capacities interact. We find that capacity needs have shifted from individual-level knowledge and skills to community- and societal-level capacities in response to changing political and economic dynamics. Participants identified political support and leadership, reliable and sufficient funding, strengthening the research base, and increasing community awareness and engagement as critical future needs. Investing in these capacities holds the promise of further augmenting capacity development, thus increasing the value of limited resources. Our results demonstrate that capacity development should be viewed as a dynamic process and supported by strategic investment even in countries with track records of conservation success.

In the transitioning era towards the COVID-19 endemic, there is still a sizable population that has never been vaccinated against COVID-19 in the Netherlands. This study employs Bayesian spatio-temporal modelling to assess the relative chances of COVID-19 vaccination uptake – first, second, and booster doses – both at the municipal and regional (public health services) levels. Incorporating ecological regression modelling to consider socio-demographic factors, our study unveils a diverse spatio-temporal distribution of vaccination uptake. Notably, the areas located in or around the Dutch main urban area (Randstad) and regions that are more religiously conservative exhibit a below-average likelihood of vaccination. Analysis at the municipal level within public health service regions indicates internal heterogeneity. Additionally, areas with a higher proportion of non-Western migrants consistently show lower chances of vaccination across vaccination dose scenarios. These findings highlight the need for tailored national and local vaccination strategies. Particularly, more regional efforts are essential to address vaccination disparities, especially in regions with elevated proportions of marginalized populations. This insight informs ongoing COVID-19 campaigns, emphasizing the importance of targeted interventions for optimizing health outcomes during the second booster phase, especially in regions with a relatively higher proportion of marginalized populations.

In epidemiological investigations, pathogen genomics can provide insights and test epidemiological hypotheses that would not have been possible through traditional epidemiology. Tools to synthesize genomic analysis with other types of data are a key requirement of genomic epidemiology. We propose a new ‘phylepic’ visualization that combines a phylogenomic tree with an epidemic curve. The combination visually links the molecular time represented in the tree to the calendar time in the epidemic curve, a correspondence that is not easily represented by existing tools. Using an example derived from a foodborne bacterial outbreak, we demonstrated that the phylepic chart communicates that what appeared to be a point-source outbreak was in fact composed of cases associated with two genetically distinct clades of bacteria. We provide an R package implementing the chart. We expect that visualizations that place genomic analyses within the epidemiological context will become increasingly important for outbreak investigations and public health surveillance of infectious diseases.

This longitudinal study investigated modifications in lexical tones and intonation in Cantonese infant-directed speech (IDS) to children aged 15 and 23 months. The results showed that to children at both ages, mothers increased intonational pitch height and pitch variability across utterances, and produced lexical tones with generally larger tonal space and greater intra-talker tone variation within categories in IDS compared to adult-directed speech. No significant changes were found in either lexical tones or intonation in IDS between the two ages. In addition, positive correlations were found between the degree of age-related changes in tonal space and intonational exaggerations in IDS as children grow older. The findings were discussed with a focus on the co-occurrence of an increase in tone variation along with tonal space expansion, the age-related changes in lexical tones and intonation, and the associations between the lexical and prosodic pitch modifications.