Role of Symmetry Breaking in Observing Strong Molecule-Cavity Coupling Using Dielectric Microspheres

This is the final version. Available from the American Chemical Society via the DOI in this record. The emergence of dielectric open optical cavities has opened a new research avenue in nanophotonics. In particular, dielectric microspheres support a rich set of cavity modes with varying spectral characteristics, making them an ideal platform to study molecule-cavity interactions. The symmetry of the structure plays a critical role in the outcoupling of these modes and, hence, the perceived molecule-cavity coupling strength. Here, we experimentally and theoretically study molecule-cavity coupling mediated by the Mie scattering modes of a dielectric microsphere placed on a glass substrate and excited with far-field illumination, from which we collect scattering signatures both in the air and glass sides. Glass-side collection reveals clear signatures of strong molecule-cavity coupling (coupling strength 2g = 74 meV), in contrast to the air-side scattering signal. Rigorous electromagnetic modeling allows us to understand molecule-cavity coupling and unravel the role played by the spatial mode profile in the observed coupling strength.European Research Council (ERC)European Research Council (ERC)Spanish MICINNSpanish MICINNCatalan CERCA ProgramFundaciós Cellex and Mir-Pui

An E7 Surprise

We explore some curious implications of Seiberg duality for an SU(2) four-dimensional gauge theory with eight chiral doublets. We argue that two copies of the theory can be deformed by an exactly marginal quartic superpotential so that they acquire an enhanced E7 flavor symmetry. We argue that a single copy of the theory can be used to define an E7-invariant superconformal boundary condition for a theory of 28 five-dimensional free hypermultiplets. Finally, we derive similar statements for three-dimensional gauge theories such as an SU(2) gauge theory with six chiral doublets or Nf=4 SQED.Comment: 27 page

Influence of daily beer or ethanol consumption on physical fitness in response to a high-intensity interval training program. The BEER-HIIT study

The authors would like to thank all the participants that took part of the study for their time and effort. We are grateful to Ms. Ana Yara PostigoFuentes for her assistance with the English language. This study is part of Cristina Molina-Hidalgo’s Doctoral Thesis conducted in the Official Doctoral Programme in Psychology of the University of Granada, Spain.Background: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is an effective approach to improve physical fitness, but consuming beer, which is a regular practice in many physically active individuals, may interfere with these effects. The purposes of this study were to investigate the effects of a 10-week (2 days/week) HIIT program on cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength and power parameters, and also to assess the possible influence on them of a moderate consumption of beer (at least from Monday to Friday) or its alcohol equivalent. Methods: Young (24 ± 6 years old) healthy adults (n = 73, 35 females) were allocated to five groups. Four groups participated in the HIIT intervention program while the fifth group was a control Non-Training group (n = 15). Participants in the training groups chose whether they preferred receiving alcohol or alcohol-free beverages. Those choosing alcohol were randomized to either beer or ethanol intake: (i) T-Beer group (alcohol beer, 5.4%; n = 13) or (ii) T-Ethanol (sparkling water with vodka, 5.4%; n = 14). Those choosing alcohol-free intake were randomized to (iii) T-Water group (sparkling water, 0.0%; n = 16), or (iv) T-0.0Beer group (alcohol-free beer, 0.0%; n = 15). Men ingested 330 ml of the beverage at lunch and 330 ml at dinner; women ingested 330 ml at dinner. Before and after the intervention, maximal oxygen uptake in absolute and relative terms (VO2max.), maximal heart rate, total test duration, hand grip strength and four types of vertical jumps were measured. Results: HIIT induced significant improvements in absolute and relative values of VO2max, and total test duration (all p < 0.05) in all the training groups; also, clinical improvements were found in hand grip strength. These positive effects were not influenced by the regular intake of beer or alcohol. No changes in the vertical jumps occurred in any of the groups. Conclusions: A moderate beer or alcohol intake does not mitigate the positive effect of a 10-week HIIT on physical fitness in young healthy adults. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03660579. Registered 20 September 2018. Retrospectively registered.Centro de Informacion Cerveza y Salud (CICS), Madrid, SpainSpanish Government FPU14/04172 FPU15/0396

Response shift in patient-reported outcomes:definition, theory, and a revised model

International audiencePurpose The extant response shift definitions and theoretical response shift models, while helpful, also introduce predicaments and theoretical debates continue. To address these predicaments and stimulate empirical research, we propose a more specific formal definition of response shift and a revised theoretical model. Methods This work is an international collaborative effort and involved a critical assessment of the literature. Results Three main predicaments were identified. First, the formal definitions of response shift need further specification and clarification. Second, previous models were focused on explaining change in the construct intended to be measured rather than explaining the construct at multiple time points and neglected the importance of using at least two time points to investigate response shift. Third, extant models do not explicitly distinguish the measure from the construct. Here we define response shift as an effect occurring whenever observed change (e.g., change in patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) scores) is not fully explained by target change (i.e., change in the construct intended to be measured). The revised model distinguishes the measure (e.g., PROM) from the underlying target construct (e.g., quality of life) at two time points. The major plausible paths are delineated, and the underlying assumptions of this model are explicated. Conclusion It is our hope that this refined definition and model are useful in the further development of response shift theory. The model with its explicit list of assumptions and hypothesized relationships lends itself for critical, empirical examination. Future studies are needed to empirically test the assumptions and hypothesized relationships

Alcohol use among amateur sportsmen in Ireland

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The objective of this study was to establish baseline data on alcohol consumption patterns, behaviours and harms among amateur sportsmen in the Republic of Ireland.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>The study presents findings from the baseline survey for a cluster randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a community intervention programme to reduce problem alcohol use among a representative sample of Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) clubs in two counties in the Republic of Ireland. Self reported alcohol use, prevalence of binge drinking, AUDIT scores and alcohol-related harms were assessed in amateur GAA sportsmen aged 16 years and over.</p> <p>Nine hundred and sixty (960) players completed questionnaires (72% response rate). Mean age was 24.0 years (S.D. 5.2). Of those aged 18 years or over, 75% had post-primary education; most (864, 90%) were current drinkers and 8.2% were regular smokers. The self-reported average yearly alcohol consumption was 12.5 litres. Almost one third (31%) of current drinkers reported drinking over the recommended limit of 21 standard drinks per week and just over half (54.3%) reported drinking 6 or more standard drinks in a row at least once a week (regular binge drinking). Of those who (self) completed the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) questionnaire, three-quarters (74.7%) had a score of 8 or more; 11.5% had a score of 20 or above warranting referral for diagnostic evaluation and treatment. Almost all (87.6%) of the 864 drinkers reported experiencing at least one harm due to their drinking. These alcohol misuse outcomes were higher than those found in a nationally representative sample of males of a similar age. There were strong associations between regular binge drinking and reporting harms such as being in a fight (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.02, p < 0.001), missing time from work or college (adjusted OR 1.39, p = 0.04) or being in an accident (adjusted OR 1.78, p = 0.04).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These male amateur sportsmen reported high rates of alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm.</p

Unrelenting plasmons

Following a brief historic introduction to plasmons, their useful properties and early applications, we highlight some of the key advances in the field over the past decade. We then discuss new directions for the future, such as the use of 2D materials and strong coupling phenomena, which are likely to shape the field over the next ten years. For centuries, metals were employed in optical applications only as mirrors and gratings. New vistas opened up in the late 1970s and early 1980s with the discovery of surface-enhanced Raman scattering and the use of surface plasmon (SP) resonances for sensing. However, it was not until the 1990s, with the appearance of accurate and reliable nanofabrication techniques, that plasmonics blossomed1. Initially, the attention focused on the exploitation of SPs (collective electronic oscillations at the surface of metals) for sensing, subwavelength waveguiding and extraordinary optical transmission2. Since then, the scientific and technological interest in SPs has expanded. Correspondingly, as illustrated in Fig. 1, the number of publications in the field has increased in a steady exponential fashion for more than two decades, and the momentum driving plasmonics research looks set to continue (...

Absence of association between SERPINE2 genetic polymorphisms and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Han Chinese: a case-control cohort study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Recent studies have proposed that the serine protease inhibitor E2 (<it>SERPINE2</it>) was a novel susceptibility gene for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Caucasians. However, this issue still remained controversial. Additional evidences from populations with different environments and/or genetic backgrounds, such as East Asian, would be helpful to elucidate the issue.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this study, five proposed causal SNPs in <it>SERPINE2 </it>were genotyped in 327 COPD patients and 349 controls, all of which belonged to the Han population sampled from Southwest China. The frequency of each SNP was compared both individually and in combination between patients and controls. The potential relationship between these SNPs and severity of COPD was also investigated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Three SNPs (rs3795877, rs6747096, and rs3795879) showed complete linkage disequilibrium (r²= 1), and the minor allele frequencies were 13.0% and 12.9% in case and control cohorts, respectively, with no significant difference observed (<it>P </it>= 0.96). We also failed to observe any significant correlation between these SNPs and COPD severity (<it>P </it>= 0.67). The other two SNPs (rs7579646 and rs840088) also presented a similar pattern. Moreover, four major haplotypes were observed in our sample but none showed a significant difference between case and control groups (<it>P </it>> 0.1).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results failed to obtain the evidence that these SNPs in <it>SERPINE2 </it>contributed to the COPD susceptibility in the Han Chinese population.</p