Quantum-state input-output relations for absorbing cavities

The quantized electromagnetic field inside and outside an absorbing high-$Q$ cavity is studied, with special emphasis on the absorption losses in the coupling mirror and their influence on the outgoing field. Generalized operator input-output relations are derived, which are used to calculate the Wigner function of the outgoing field. To illustrate the theory, the preparation of the outgoing field in a Schr\"{o}dinger cat-like state is discussed.Comment: 12 pages, 5 eps figure

Validation of the psychometric properties of the health-promoting lifestyle profile in a sample of Taiwanese women

PURPOSE: To examine the preliminary psychometric properties of the Chinese health-promoting lifestyle profile II (HPLP II) among Taiwanese women. METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from 137 middle-aged women in southern Taiwan. HPLP II reliability was estimated with Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and concurrent validity was estimated with Pearson's correlation between the HPLP II, the World Health Organization's abbreviated Quality of Life assessment (WHOQOL-BREF), perceived health, and demographic variables. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) evaluated construct validity. RESULTS: Initial CFA using a six-factor measurement model aligned with the original HPLP II, excepting the factor loading of one subsequently excluded item. CFA of the revised 51-item HPLP II yielded a good estimate of fit. Correlations between the revised instrument and the six subscales were acceptable >0.7. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient surpassed 0.7 for the revised instrument and six subscales ranged from 0.71 to 0.91. The relationships between the 51-item instrument, perceived health, WHOQOL-BREF domain scores, and demographic variables were also significantly positive. CONCLUSIONS: The revised HPLP II scale is appropriate to measure the health-promoting lifestyles of Taiwanese women.published_or_final_versionSpringer Open Choice, 21 Feb 201

Metabolic and anthropometric parameters contribute to ART-mediated CD4+ T cell recovery in HIV-1-infected individuals: an observational study

Background The degree of immune reconstitution achieved in response to suppressive ART is associated with baseline individual characteristics, such as pre-treatment CD4 count, levels of viral replication, cellular activation, choice of treatment regimen and gender. However, the combined effect of these variables on long-term CD4 recovery remains elusive, and no single variable predicts treatment response. We sought to determine if adiposity and molecules associated with lipid metabolism may affect the response to ART and the degree of subsequent immune reconstitution, and to assess their ability to predict CD4 recovery. Methods We studied a cohort of 69 (48 females and 21 males) HIV-infected, treatment-naïve South African subjects initiating antiretroviral treatment (d4T, 3Tc and lopinavir/ritonavir). We collected information at baseline and six months after viral suppression, assessing anthropometric parameters, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and magnetic resonance imaging scans, serum-based clinical laboratory tests and whole blood-based flow cytometry, and determined their role in predicting the increase in CD4 count in response to ART. Results We present evidence that baseline CD4+ T cell count, viral load, CD8+ T cell activation (CD95 expression) and metabolic and anthropometric parameters linked to adiposity (LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio and waist/hip ratio) significantly contribute to variability in the extent of CD4 reconstitution (ΔCD4) after six months of continuous ART. Conclusions Our final model accounts for 44% of the variability in CD4+ T cell recovery in virally suppressed individuals, representing a workable predictive model of immune reconstitution

Validation of Collett-Lester's Fear of Death Scale in a sample of nursing students Validación de la Escala de Miedo a la Muerte de Collett-Lester en una muestra de estudiantes de Enfermería Validação de Escala de Medo da Morte de Collett-Lester em uma amostra de estudantes de enfermagem

This study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of Collett-Lester&#39;s Fear of Death Scale. A sample of 349 nursing students answered Fear of Death and Attitude toward death scales. Content validity was checked by expert review; reliability was proven using Cronbach&#39;s alpha; statistical analysis of the items, correlation between items and construct validity were checked by the correlation of the Scale with the Attitude toward death Scale. The multidimensionality of the scale was reviewed through factor analysis with varimax rotation. The Fear of Death Scale possesses good internal consistency and construct validity, confirmed by the significant correlation with the Attitude toward death Scale. Factor analysis partially supports content validity of the subscale items, but presented a modified multidimensional structure that points towards the reconceptualization of the subscales in this sample.<br>El presente trabajo tiene el objetivo de evaluar las características psicométricas de la Escala del Miedo a la Muerte de Collett-Lester. Material y método: una muestra de 349 estudiantes respondieron las Escala de Miedo a la Muerte y Actitud ante la Muerte. La validez de contenido fue revisada por expertos, la confiabilidad se comprobó mediante el Coeficiente alfa de Cronbach; se verificó el análisis de los resultados estadísticos, correlación entre elementos y la validez del constructo a través de la correlación con la escala: Actitud ante la Muerte. Se revisó la multidimensionalidad de la escala a través del análisis factorial con el método Rotación Varimax. La Escala Miedo a la Muerte tiene buena consistencia interna y una validez de constructo confirmada por la correlación significativa con la otra Escala de Actitud ante la muerte. El análisis factorial apoya parcialmente la validez de contenido de los ítems de las subescalas, presentado una estructura multidimensional adicional, que orienta hacia una reconceptualización de las subescalas en la muestra estudiada.<br>O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar as características psicométricas da Escala de Medo da Morte de Collett-Lester. A amostra foi composta por 349 estudantes de enfermagem que responderam às perguntas das Escalas de Medo da Morte e de Atitude diante da Morte. A validade de conteúdo foi realizada por revisão de experts; a confiabilidade foi verificada pelo coeficiente alfa de Cronbach e averiguada pela análise estatística dos elementos e correlação entre elementos e validade de construto, através da correlação da escala com a Escala de Atitude diante da Morte. Através da análise fatorial com rotação Varimax, revisou-se a multidimensionalidade da escala. A Escala Medo da Morte tem boa consistência interna e validade de construto, confirmada pela correlação significativa com a Escala de Atitude diante da Morte. A análise fatorial apoia parcialmente a validade do conteúdo dos itens das subescalas, apresentando, porém, estrutura multidimensional adicional que orienta para a reconceituação das subescalas na amostra estudada

Nanoscale Patterns of Oligonucleotides Formed by Electrohydrodynamic Jet Printing with Applications in Biosensing and Nanomaterials Assembly

The widespread use of DNA in microarrays for applications in biotechnology, combined with its promise in programmed nanomaterials assembly, unusual electronic devices, and other areas has created interest in methods for patterning DNA with high spatial resolution. Techniques based on thermal or piezoelectric inkjet printing are attractive due to their noncontacting nature and their compatibility with diverse materials and substrate types; their modest resolution (i.e., 10-20 mu m) represents a major limitation for certain systems. Here we demonstrate the use of an operationally similar printing approach that exploits electrohydrodynamic forces, rather than thermal or acoustic energy, to eject DNA inks through fine nozzles, in a controlled fashion. This DNA printer is capable of resolution approaching 100 nm. A range of experiments on patterns of DNA formed with this printer demonstrates its key features. Example applications in DNA-directed nanoparticle assembly and DNA aptamer-based biosensing illustrate two representative uses of the patterns that can be formed.close716