Pp Data Research Articles

First Measurement of ν_{e} and ν_{μ} Interaction Cross Sections at the LHC with FASER's Emulsion Detector.

The first results of the study of high-energy electron neutrino (ν_{e}) and muon neutrino (ν_{μ}) charged-current interactions in the FASERν emulsion-tungsten detector of the FASER experiment at the LHC are presented. A 128.8kg subset of the FASERν volume was analyzed after exposure to 9.5 fb^{-1} of sqrt[s]=13.6 TeV pp data. Four (eight) ν_{e} (ν_{μ}) interaction candidate events are observed with a statistical significance of 5.2σ (5.7σ). This is the first direct observation of ν_{e} interactions at a particle collider and includes the highest-energy ν_{e} and ν_{μ} ever detected from an artificial source. The interaction cross section per nucleon σ/E_{ν} is measured over an energy range of 560-1740GeV (520-1760GeV) for ν_{e} (ν_{μ}) to be (1.2_{-0.7}^{+0.8})×10^{-38} cm^{2} GeV^{-1} [(0.5±0.2)×10^{-38} cm^{2} GeV^{-1}], consistent with standard model predictions. These are the first measurements of neutrino interaction cross sections in those energy ranges.

Application of multicomponent seismic data to tight gas reservoir characterization: A case study in the Sichuan Basin, China

Combining PP and PS waves from multicomponent data is an effective hydrocarbon characterization strategy because these two wave types are sensitive to different subsurface properties. We develop a case study using multicomponent data to characterize tight sandstone gas reservoirs in the Jurassic Shaximiao Formation, the western Sichuan Basin, China. In the study area, with PP data it is difficult to distinguish sandstones, mudstones, and gas sand, whereas recently acquired multicomponent data indicate potential for the joint characterization of lithology, porosity, and gas saturation from the combination of PP and PS reflections. Sandstones and mudstones have small P-wave velocity contrasts and large S-wave velocity contrasts. Thus, PS data provide a more accurate description of sandstones, as a substantial proportion of sandstones are undetectable from PP sections. P impedance is sensitive to sandstone porosity variation, and seismic-predicted porosities based on impedance inversion are in good agreement with log-interpreted porosities. The ratio of P-wave velocity to S-wave velocity is sensitive to gas accumulation, and the ratios derived from joint PP-PS prestack inversion are determined to be better than from PP prestack inversion in terms of their agreements with logs and distinct gas-sand boundaries.

NNLL resummation for projected three-point energy correlator

The projected energy correlator measures the energy deposited in multiple detectors as a function of the largest angular distance xL = (1 − cos χL)/2 between detectors. The collinear limit xL → 0 of the projected energy correlator is particularly interesting for understanding the jet-substructures, while the large logarithms of xL could potentially spoil the perturbation theory and must be resummed. As a necessary ingredient for its resummation at next-to-next-to-leading logarithmic (NNLL) accuracy, we calculate the two-loop jet functions for the projected three-point energy correlator (E3C), using direct integration method and the parameter space Integration-by-Part (IBP) method. We then present the NNLL resummation for e+e− annihilation and an approximate NNLL resummation for pp → jj process, where the two-loop hard constant is estimated in the latter case. The convergence is improved and the hadronization effect in the collinear limit is suppressed when considering the ratio of E3C distribution to two-point energy-energy correlator (EEC). Our results show potential in precision determination of strong coupling constant using energy correlators from both e+e− data and pp data.

Quantitative pressure and saturation engineering values from 4D PP and PS seismic data

AbstractFor field development and drilling decisions, production assets and reservoir engineers require dynamic reservoir properties, such as saturation and pressure changes of a reservoir from the pre‐production virgin state. To date, geophysicists have produced time‐lapse (4D) seismic attributes (mostly on stacked seismic data) rather than dynamic parameters directly. In this paper, we present a new method to estimate saturation and pressure properties from time‐lapse seismic data to provide to reservoir engineers. This new three‐step method is demonstrated over the Edvard Grieg field in the North Sea. We can realize this method thanks to advanced seismic multi‐component acquisition via PP and PS seismic data and processing that allows accurate estimation of amplitude‐variation‐with‐offset parameters P‐ and S‐impedances. With time‐lapse P‐ and S‐impedances optimally resolved, we estimate a stable set of axes identifying water saturation increase (water replacing oil), gas saturation increase (gas injection or gas out of solution), pressure increase (at injectors) and pressure decrease (at producers). Once these axes are obtained, we convert every 4D P‐ and S‐impedance data points into 4D pseudo‐saturation and pseudo‐pressure using a transformation of coordinates. We next use the rock physics relationships of this field to show that a linear relationship can be used to map any 4D change in the field from impedances to saturations and pressures. Key locations in the field with largest saturation and pressure changes are used to find calibration values at these extreme points. Next, from the pseudo‐seismic 4D data, a linear mapping is used to calculate actual reservoir property changes (fractions for saturation and bars for pressure). This allows us to obtain fieldwide dynamic values for water and gas saturations and injection and production related pressure changes. The results are shown, and dynamic changes are interpreted on the Edvard Grieg field data.

Study of charm hadronization with prompt Λc+\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ {\\Lambda}_{\ extrm{c}}^{+} $$\\end{document} baryons in proton-proton and lead-lead collisions at sNN\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ \\sqrt{s_{\ extrm{NN}}} $$\\end{document} = 5.02 TeV

The production of prompt Λc+\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ {\\Lambda}_{\ extrm{c}}^{+} $$\\end{document} baryons is measured via the exclusive decay channel Λc+→pK−π+\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ {\\Lambda}_{\ extrm{c}}^{+}\ o p{\ extrm{K}}^{-}{\\pi}^{+} $$\\end{document} at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of 5.02 TeV, using proton-proton (pp) and lead-lead (PbPb) collision data collected by the CMS experiment at the CERN LHC. The pp and PbPb data were obtained in 2017 and 2018 with integrated luminosities of 252 and 0.607 nb−1, respectively. The measurements are performed within the Λc+\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ {\\Lambda}_{\ extrm{c}}^{+} $$\\end{document} rapidity interval |y| < 1 with transverse momentum (pT) ranges of 3–30 and 6–40 GeV/c for pp and PbPb collisions, respectively. Compared to the yields in pp collisions scaled by the expected number of nucleon-nucleon interactions, the observed yields of Λc+\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ {\\Lambda}_{\ extrm{c}}^{+} $$\\end{document} with pT> 10 GeV/c are strongly suppressed in PbPb collisions. The level of suppression depends significantly on the collision centrality. The Λc+\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ {\\Lambda}_{\ extrm{c}}^{+} $$\\end{document}/D0 production ratio is similar in PbPb and pp collisions at pT> 10 GeV/c, suggesting that the coalescence process does not play a dominant role in prompt Λc+\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ {\\Lambda}_{\ extrm{c}}^{+} $$\\end{document} baryon production at higher pT.

Plant-based monitoring techniques to detect yield and physiological responses in water-stressed pepper

Today, the use of sensors and imaging techniques, which are used to obtain information about plants and soil in smart irrigation systems, is rapidly becoming widespread. This study aimed to investigate the usability of leaf turgor pressure and thermal images from plant-based monitoring techniques to detect water stress and the irrigation time of pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. "California Wonder") and to determine their relationship with physiological traits in Canakkale/Türkiye in 2017 and 2018. The four irrigation treatments (100%, 75%, 50%, and 25%) were applied in the experiment. Leaf turgor pressure (Pp), thermal images and physiological measurements were carried out during the growing season. Soil moisture and Pp were monitored in real time by remote. Thermal and physiological measurements were made before each irrigation. As a result of the study, the average evapotranspiration (ETc) was 697 mm, and the yield value was 83.7 t ha−1 under non-stress conditions. Depending on the decrease in ETc, yield values also decreased significantly. Leaf water potential and stomatal conductivity values were statistically different in all irrigation treatments. The change in the activity of catalase (CAT) due to water stress was greater than that of superoxide dismutase (SOD). In this case, it can be said that other physiological traits are more successful than SOD in distinguishing water stress. According to the regression models, significant relationships were determined between both the indices calculated from the thermal images and Pp, yield, and physiological traits. The predictive ability of Pp values has been strengthened with the addition of meteorological properties to the model in general. The highest correlation (R2 =0.63) was between Pp + meteorological properties and CAT. All the regression models between physiological traits and indices calculated from thermal images were statistically significant. The highest R2 values were obtained in August. In this month, the highest correlations were between Crop Water Stress Index (CWSIp) and leaf water potential / stomatal conductivity (R2 =0.91), IGp and stomatal conductivity (R2 =0.80). The predictive power of CWSIp was higher than Stomatal Conductivity Index (IGp). The experiment illustrated that Pp and temperature data, which are plant-based monitoring methods, have the potential to detect water stress in peppers.

Luminosity determination in pp collisions at sqrt{s}=13 TeV using the ATLAS detector at the LHC

The luminosity determination for the ATLAS detector at the LHC during Run 2 is presented, with pp collisions at a centre-of-mass energy sqrt{s}=13 TeV. The absolute luminosity scale is determined using van der Meer beam separation scans during dedicated running periods in each year, and extrapolated to the physics data-taking regime using complementary measurements from several luminosity-sensitive detectors. The total uncertainties in the integrated luminosity for each individual year of data-taking range from 0.9% to 1.1%, and are partially correlated between years. After standard data-quality selections, the full Run 2 pp data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 140.1pm 1.2 hbox {fb}^{-1}, i.e. an uncertainty of 0.83%. A dedicated sample of low-pileup data recorded in 2017–2018 for precision Standard Model physics measurements is analysed separately, and has an integrated luminosity of 338.1pm 3.1 hbox {pb}^{-1}.

Extraction of multiparton interactions from ALICE pp collisions data using machine learning

Over the last years, Machine Learning (ML) methods have been successfully applied to a wealth of problems in high-energy physics. In this work, we discuss the extraction of the average number of Multiparton Interactions (⟨Nmpi⟩) from minimum-bias pp data at LHC energies using a regression based on Boosted Decision Trees (BDT). Using the available ALICE data on transverse momentum spectra as a function of multiplicity, we report that for minimum-bias pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV the average Nmpi is 3.98 ± 1.01, which complements our previous results for pp collisions at √s = 5.02 and 13 TeV. The comparisons indicated a modest center-of-mass energy dependence of ⟨Nmpi⟩. The study is further extended extracting the multiplicity dependence of Nmpi for the three center-of-mass energies. These results are qualitatively consistent with the existing ALICE measurements sensitives to Multiparton Interactions (MPI). Through the ML method applied to pp collisions at √s = 13 TeV, we also show that computing the multiplicity in the forward region the extraction of Nmpi is improved. This result opens the possibility to extract the number of MPI event-by-event, and in this way study the particle production as a function of MPI. Our results provide additional evidence of the presence of MPI in hadronic interactions and can help to the understanding of the heavy-ion-like behaviour observed in pp collisions data.

Comparison of inclusive and photon-tagged jet suppression in 5.02 TeV Pb+Pb collisions with ATLAS

Parton energy loss in the quark–gluon plasma (QGP) is studied with a measurement of photon-tagged jet production in 1.7 nb−1 of Pb+Pb data and 260 pb−1 of pp data, both at sNN=5.02 TeV, with the ATLAS detector. The process pp →γ+jet+X and its analogue in Pb+Pb collisions is measured in events containing an isolated photon with transverse momentum (pT) above 50 GeV and reported as a function of jet pT. This selection results in a sample of jets with a steeply falling pT distribution that are mostly initiated by the showering of quarks. The pp and Pb+Pb measurements are used to report the nuclear modification factor, RAA, and the fractional energy loss, Sloss, for photon-tagged jets. In addition, the results are compared with the analogous ones for inclusive jets, which have a significantly smaller quark-initiated fraction. The RAA and Sloss values are found to be significantly different between those for photon-tagged jets and inclusive jets, demonstrating that energy loss in the QGP is sensitive to the colour-charge of the initiating parton. The results are also compared with a variety of theoretical models of colour-charge-dependent energy loss.

Model-independent search for the presence of new physics in events including H → γγ with sqrt{s} = 13 TeV pp data recorded by the ATLAS detector at the LHC

A model-independent search for new physics leading to final states containing a Higgs boson, with a mass of 125.09 GeV, decaying to a pair of photons is performed with 139 fb−1 of sqrt{s} = 13 TeV pp collision data recorded by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. This search examines 22 final states categorized by the objects that are produced in association with the Higgs boson. These objects include isolated electrons or muons, hadronically decaying τ-leptons, additional photons, missing transverse momentum, and hadronic jets, as well as jets that are tagged as containing a b-hadron. No significant excesses above Standard Model expectations are observed and limits on the production cross section at 95% confidence level are set. Detector efficiencies are reported for all 22 signal regions, which can be used to convert detector-level cross-section limits reported in this paper to particle-level cross-section constraints.

Searches for dark matter with the ATLAS detector

The presence of a non-baryonic Dark Matter (DM) component in the Universe is inferred from the observation of its gravitational interaction. If DM interacts weakly with Standard Model (SM) particles it could be produced at the LHC. The ATLAS experiment has developed a broad search program for DM candidates in final states with large missing transverse momentum produced in association with other SM particles (light and heavy quarks, photons, Z and H bosons, as well as additional heavy scalar particles). The results of recent searches on 13 TeV pp data, their interplay and interpretation are presented.

Measurements of the suppression and correlations of dijets in Pb+Pb collisions at sNN=5.02 TeV

Studies of the correlations of the two highest transverse momentum (leading) jets in individual Pb+Pb collision events can provide information about the mechanism of jet quenching by the hot and dense matter created in such collisions. In Pb+Pb and pp collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_\text{NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV, measurements of the leading dijet transverse momentum ($p_{\mathrm{T}}$) correlations are presented. Additionally, measurements in Pb+Pb collisions of the dijet pair nuclear modification factors projected along leading and subleading jet $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ are made. The measurements are performed using the ATLAS detector at the LHC with 260 pb$^{-1}$ of pp data collected in 2017 and 2.2 nb$^{-1}$ of Pb+Pb data collected in 2015 and 2018. An unfolding procedure is applied to the two-dimensional leading and subleading jet $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ distributions to account for experimental effects in the measurement of both jets. Results are provided for dijets with leading jet $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ greater than 100 GeV. Measurements of the dijet-yield-normalized $x_{\mathrm{J}}$ distributions in Pb+Pb collisions show an increased fraction of imbalanced jets compared to pp collisions; these measurements are in agreement with previous measurements of the same quantity at 2.76 TeV in the overlapping kinematic range. Measurements of the absolutely-normalized dijet rate in Pb+Pb and pp collisions are also presented, and show that balanced dijets are significantly more suppressed than imbalanced dijets in Pb+Pb collisions. It is observed in the measurements of the pair nuclear modification factors that the subleading jets are significantly suppressed relative to leading jets with $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ between 100 and 316 GeV for all centralities in Pb+Pb collisions.

Estimating S-wave statics from a PS-receiver-stack image

Estimating converted-wave (S-wave) statics is a difficult challenge in reality, but it is crucial for the final success of PS-wave processing and imaging. A novel and practical method is introduced to directly estimate the S-wave statics from a PS-receiver-stack image. Before a PS data set is stacked to a PS-receiver-stack image, available source-side P-wave statics and common-conversion-point normal-moveout (NMO) correction are applied, so we only need to estimate an S-wave static value for each trace in this PS-receiver-stack image. For the corresponding PP data set, the PP-receiver stack is generated by stacking the NMO-corrected gathers with source- and receiver-side P-wave statics applied. We select a target event on the PP-receiver-stack image and convert it to a PS-guidance structure via available P-to-S velocity conversions. Because the target PS event on our PS-receiver-stack image only has source-side P-wave statics applied, the time differences between this PS-guidance structure and the target PS event on the PS-receiver-stack image are actually the outstanding receiver-side S-wave statics. By aligning this PS target event to its corresponding PS-guidance structure, the S-wave statics for this PS data set are retrieved. A challenging field data set is used as an example to demonstrate the robustness of our new S-wave statics estimation method.

Warped P-SV wavelet distortion correction using a time-frequency adaptive shaping filter

To perform joint PP/PS amplitude-variation-with-angle inversion or attribute analysis, we usually map converted-wave (PS) data to the compressional wave (PP) time domain to guarantee that the reflection events from similar reflectors have the same two-way traveltimes. Mapping PS data to the PP time domain leads to a nonstationary characteristic of the PS data. Nonstationary here means varying spectral content of the wavelet in PS data, which will degrade inversion results. We develop a zero-phase time-frequency adaptive shaping filter to filter the nonstationary PS data to be stationary. This adaptive filter can correct the distorted wavelets in the PS data without introducing numerical noise and artifacts. In addition, we use the dynamic time warping algorithm to estimate the time shifts between the PP and PS data and the local seismic attribute estimation method to estimate the subsurface [Formula: see text] ratios from the time shifts. The estimated [Formula: see text] ratios will be used to calculate the time- and location-varying wavelets by the Fourier scaling theorem, and then the adaptive shaping filter is constructed. Based on the synthetic and field data examples, we determine the better performance of the adaptive shaping filter over the conventional shaping filter in attenuating numerical noise and artifacts.

OP84 Cost Consequence Analysis: A Potential Framework To Incorporate Patient Preferences Into Health Technology Assessment And Reimbursement Decisions

IntroductionPatient preferences (PPs) are an important source of evidence in health technology assessment (HTA). However, a methodological framework to achieve their integration in decision-making is lacking. We aim to investigate the potential role of evaluative frameworks to integrate PP evidence into HTA and decision-making.MethodsWe undertook a scoping review to identify potential methodological frameworks to consider PP evidence in HTA and evidence of the acceptability of these frameworks for decision-makers. We searched PubMed, Cochrane, and the grey literature to identify relevant studies, reports, or guidance documents. We restricted our search to the use of PP rather than patient experience data and excluded articles solely relating to deliberative approaches.ResultsFrameworks identified as having the potential to integrate PP evidence included cost-utility analysis, cost-consequence analysis (CCA), the efficiency-frontier approach, and multi-criteria decision analysis. All have been used in various HTA contexts, but not necessarily for inclusion of PP evidence. Distinct benefits and challenges of integrating PP data were identified for each framework. These included the theoretical basis of the frameworks, their ability to consider non-health as well as health outcomes, and their ability to separate outcomes based on PPs from outcomes based on population preferences. There is limited evidence and no consensus on the application of these frameworks to consider PPs in HTA or on their acceptability for decision-makers. However, CCA has the advantage that it is both based on economic decision theory and it leaves patient preferences disaggregated from population preferences in an HTA.ConclusionsThe frameworks identified in this review offer potential approaches to systematically and transparently integrate PPs into HTA and decision-making. Based on the review findings, we propose a research agenda to explore the potential of CCA in particular. We anticipate that our findings will augment the recommendations of the Innovative Medicines Initiative PREFER project, which are expected to report in 2022.

Constraining super-light sterile neutrinos at Borexino and KamLAND

The presence of a super-light sterile neutrino can lead to a dip in the survival probability of solar neutrinos, and explain the suppression of the upturn in the low energy solar neutrino data. In this work, we systematically study the survival probabilities in the 3+1 framework by taking into account of the non-adiabatic transitions and the coherence effect. We obtain an analytic equation that can predict the position of the dip. We also place constraints on the parameter space of sterile neutrinos by using the latest Borexino and KamLAND data. We find that the low and high energy neutrino data at Borexino are sensitive to different regions in the sterile neutrino parameter space. In the case with only θ01 being nonzero, the 8B data sets the strongest bounds at Delta {m}_{01}^2 ≈ (1.1 ∼ 2.2) Delta {m}_{21}^2 , while the low energy neutrino data is more sensitive to other mass-squared regions. The lowest bounds on Delta {m}_{01}^2 from the pp data can reach 10−12 eV2 because of the coherence effect. Also, due to the presence of non-adiabatic transitions, the bounds in the range of 10−9 eV2 ≲ Delta {m}_{01}^2 ≲ 10−5 eV2 become weaker as Delta {m}_{01}^2 or sin2 2θ01 decreases. We also find that in the case with only θ02 or θ03 being nonzero, the low energy solar neutrino data set similar but weaker bounds as compared to the case with only θ01 being nonzero. However, the bounds from the high energy solar data and the KamLAND data are largely affected by the sterile mixing angles.

Nuclear modification of Y states in pPb collisions at [formula omitted

Production cross sections of ▪, ▪, and ▪ states decaying into ▪ in proton-lead (pPb) collisions are reported using data collected by the CMS experiment at sNN=5.02TeV. A comparison is made with corresponding cross sections obtained with pp data measured at the same collision energy and scaled by the Pb nucleus mass number. The nuclear modification factor for ▪ is found to be ▪. Similar results for the excited states indicate a sequential suppression pattern, such that ▪. The suppression of all states is much less pronounced in pPb than in PbPb collisions, and independent of transverse momentum ▪ and center-of-mass rapidity ▪ of the individual ▪ state in the studied range ▪ and ▪. Models that incorporate final-state effects of bottomonia in pPb collisions are in better agreement with the data than those which only assume initial-state modifications.

Dark Sector searches with jets

The presence of a non-baryonic Dark Matter (DM) component in the Universe is inferred from the observation of its gravitational interaction. The ATLAS and CMS experiments located at the LHC have developed a broad search program for DM candidates, including resonance searches for the mediator and searches with large missing transverse momentum. Additionally, searches have been conducted in models where the Higgs Sector and the Dark Sector are connected leading for example to invisible Higgs boson decays. The results of recent searches on 13 TeV pp data, their interplay and interpretation are presented.

Dark Matter searches with the ATLAS Detector

The presence of a non-baryonic dark matter (DM) component in the Universe is inferred from the observation of its gravitational interaction. If dark matter interacts weakly with the Standard Model (SM) it could be produced at the LHC. The ATLAS experiment has developed a broad search program for DM candidates, including resonance searches for the mediator which would couple DM to the SM. The results of recent searches on 13 TeV pp data, their interplay and interpretation will be presented. Prospects for HL-LHC will also be discussed.

The Impact of Traditional Chinese Medicine QingreHuoxue Treatment and the Combination of Methotrexate and Hydroxychloroquine on the Radiological Progression of Active Rheumatoid Arthritis: A 52-Week Follow-Up of a Randomized Controlled Clinical Study.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used successfully to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). QingreHuoxue treatment (QingreHuoxue decoction [QRHXD]/QingreHuoxue external preparation [QRHXEP]) is a Chinese medicine treatment for RA. To date, very few studies have compared the long-term effects of QRHXD with those of conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs on RA disease activity and radiological progression. QRHXD delayed the radiological progression and showed long-term clinical efficacy of RA. In clinical experiments, the clinical evidence of delaying the radiological progression of RA patients was obtained. A portion of the patients who participated in the “Traditional Chinese Medicine QingreHuoxue Treatment vs. the Combination of Methotrexate and Hydroxychloroquine for Active Rheumatoid Arthritis” study were followed up for 52 weeks, and intention-to-treat (ITT) and compliance protocol (PP) analyses were used to collect and compare the clinical indicators and imaging data between baseline and week 52. Two radiologists who were blind to treatment scored the images independently. Of the 468 subjects, 141 completed the 52-week follow-up. There were no significant differences among the three groups: the traditional Chinese medicine comprehensive treatment group, the Western medicine treatment group, and the integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment group. There were no differences in the total Sharp score, joint space stenosis score, and joint erosion score at baseline or 52 weeks. In the comparison of the estimated annual radiographic progression (EARP) and the actual annual Sharp total score changes among the three groups, the actual changes were much lower than the EARP at baseline. The radiological progress in all three groups was well controlled. Results of the ITT and PP data sets showed that the disease activity score 28 level of the three groups at 52 weeks was significantly lower than that at baseline. During the 52-week treatment period, the clearance of heat and promotion of blood circulation controlled disease activity and delayed the radiological progress of active RA.