Quantum randomness introduced through squeezing operations and random number generation.

Quantum random numbers play a crucial role in diverse applications, including cryptography, simulation, and artificial intelligence. In contrast to predictable algorithm-based pseudo-random numbers, quantum physics provides new avenues for generating theoretically true random numbers by exploiting the inherent uncertainty contained in quantum phenomena. Here, we propose and demonstrate a quantum random number generator (QRNG) using a prepared broadband squeezed state of light, where the randomness of the generated numbers entirely originates from the quantum noise introduced by squeezing operation rather than vacuum noise. The relationship between entropy rate and squeezing level is analyzed. Furthermore, we employ a source-independent quantum random number protocol to enhance the security of the random number generator.

Effects of White Noise on Pain Scores and Salivary Cortisol Levels in Surgical Neonates: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Neonates experience varying intensities of pain after surgery. While white noise has been used for postoperative pain relief in infants, its effects on neonates after surgery need further exploration. PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of white noise on pain scores and salivary cortisol levels in surgical neonates. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 64 neonates scheduled for surgery were recruited and assigned by block randomization into 2 groups. The intervention group listened to white noise at 50 dB, while the control group listened to white noise at 0 dB, for 30 minutes 6 times for 48 hours postoperatively. Pain scores, measured by the COMFORTneo Scale, and salivary cortisol levels were compared. RESULTS: Although pain scores decreased after surgery in all subjects, no statistically significant difference was observed between the 2 groups (P = .937). There was a significant difference between pre- and postintervention pain scores in the intervention group only (P = .006). Salivary cortisol levels decreased after intervention in the intervention group, but there was no significant difference between pre- and postintervention levels in the 2 groups (P = .716). IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Given the reduction in pain scores and salivary cortisol concentrations after white noise intervention, white noise shows potential as an adjunctive soothing measure for neonates after surgery. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: Future studies are needed to confirm the efficacy and utility of white noise intervention in clinical settings.

High-Speed Quantum Radio-Frequency-Over-Light Communication.

Quantum dense coding (QDC) means to transmit two classical bits by only transferring one quantum bit, which has enabled high-capacity information transmission and strengthened system security. Continuous-variable QDC offers a promising solution to increase communication rates while achieving seamless integration with classical communication systems. Here, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a high-speed quantum radio-frequency-over-light (RFOL) communication scheme based on QDC with an entangled state, and achieve a practical rate of 20 Mbps through digital modulation and RFOL communication. This scheme bridges the gap between quantum technology and real-world communication systems, which bring QDC closer to practical applications and offer prospects for further enhancement of metropolitan communication networks.

Effects of reverse osmosis membrane replacement of pure water system on clinical chemistry and immunoassay in clinical laboratory.

Introduction: Reverse osmosis (RO) membrane, key component of water-purifying equipment, is often stored in protection fluid containing substances such as glycerol, which may contaminate the water at replacement. This study aims to explore the effects of RO membrane replacement on clinical chemistry and immunoassay, particularly triglyceride (TG), providing reference for managing test interference caused by RO membrane replacement. Materials and methods: The RO membrane of water-purifying equipment A, which provided water to C16000 biochemistry analyzer (Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, USA) and E801 electrochemiluminescence analyzer (Roche, Basel, Switzerland), was replaced. Water resistivity was recorded, and quality control (QC) tests were performed on C16000 and E801. Moreover, TG was measured in 29 of selected serum samples on C16000 at 0.5h and 10.5h after RO membrane replacement and on reference biochemistry analyzer BS2000M (Mindray Biomedical Electronics Co., Shenzhen, China), which was connected to water-purifying equipment B without RO membrane replacement. Finally, blank, calibrator 1 and calibrator 2 of TG reagent were measured on C16000 before and at 0.5h, 2.5h and 10.5h after RO membrane replacement. All statistical analyses of data were done using GraphPad Prism (GraphPad Software Inc., San Diego, USA), and a value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: After RO membrane replacement, all QC results of clinical chemistry and immune tests passed except TG that showed positive bias of 536% and 371% at two levels, respectively. Moreover, TG results of the same serum samples were significantly higher at 0.5h than 10.5h after RO membrane replacement. Meanwhile, there was worse agreement and correlation of TG results between C16000 and BS2000M at 0.5h than 10.5h after replacement. Furthermore, the absorbance of TG blank, calibrator 1 and calibrator 2 was significantly higher at 0.5h and 2.5h after replacement than before replacement, and the absorbance gradually returned to normal value at 10.5h after replacement. Conclusions: Replacement of RO membrane could cause significant interference to TG test while have no effects on other laboratory tests performed in the study, which may be due to glycerol contamination. Our data provides important reference for management of test interference caused by RO membrane replacement. Clinical laboratory should observe the effects of RO membrane replacement on laboratory tests through both water quality monitoring and QC detection.

Stabilization improvement of the squeezed optical fields using a high signal-to-noise ratio bootstrap photodetector.

High-precision cavity locking is crucial for squeezing optical fields. Here, a bootstrapped low-noise photodetector is utilized in the generation process of the squeezed state of light. This process is based on a combination of a modified trans-impedance amplifier (TIA) circuit and a two-stage bootstrap amplifier circuit. This not only achieves high-precision and long-term stable locking of the optical cavity, but it also improves the degree to which the light field is squeezed. The experiment results show that the detector has a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 26.7 dB at the analysis frequency of 3 MHz when measuring the shot noise with an injection optical power of 800 µW, and the equivalent optical power noise level is lower than 2.4 pW/Hz in the frequency range of 1-30 MHz. Moreover, the squeezing degree of the quadrature amplitude squeezed state light field can be improved by more than 34.9% when the detector is used for optical cavity locking. The photodetector is useful in continuous variable (CV) quantum information research.

Effects of blood sample handling procedures on measurable interleukin 6 in plasma and serum.

INTRODUCTION: Interleukin-6(IL-6) measurement is used as a biomarker in medical diagnosis, therapy, and prognosis in various diseases. However, several pre-analytical factors may yield a false IL-6 result. In this study, we set out to investigate the effects of corrected blood sample handling procedures on measurable IL-6. METHOD: EDTA plasma and serum samples were collected from 45 healthy individuals. The participants were divided into three groups to perform different handling procedures. Different centrifugal timing, storage temperature, and time were executed on the samples. The changed trends of IL-6 levels were analyzed. RESULTS: At baseline, while the paired plasma and serum IL-6 values had a good correlation, the plasma levels were higher than serum. In general, the unseparated EDTA plasma kept steady with time. With the increase in storage temperature and time, a more pronounced rise in unseparated serum IL-6 was observed. Nevertheless, the samples in Group 3 which centrifuged and separated immediately kept stable after a different temperature and longtime storage. CONCLUSION: Sample types, centrifugal timing, storage temperature, and time may affect the IL-6 levels. A standard blood sample handling procedure should be performed to ensure the accuracy and stability of IL-6 values.

A retrospective analysis of the application of the Elecsys® HIV combi PT assay in southern China.

BACKGROUND: Fourth-generation HIV assays have been implemented worldwide as a screening test for many years. Understanding the performance of fourth-generation assay in low HIV prevalence region is pivotal to interpret the test result correctly. In this study, retrospective analysis was used to evaluate application of the Elecsys® HIV combi PT assay. METHODS: A total of 85 043 specimens from a low prevalence setting were detected between June 2013 and October 2015. We evaluated the false-positive rate (FPR), specificity, and positive predictive value (PPV). RESULTS: The specificity between male and female were 99.85% and 99.82%, respectively. The PPV on male (50.75%) was higher than female (17.05%) significantly, while the FPR was 0.15% and 0.18%. The gap between false-positive (median: 1.83, [IQR]: 1.30, 3.38) and confirmed-positive (median: 407.5, [IQR]: 184.2, 871.7) is enormous. The highest s/co ratio for false-positive cases was 85.45, while the lowest s/co ratio for confirmed-positive cases was 59.68. Various reasons were attributed to false-positive cases. CONCLUSION: Optimal cutoff value is needed to be set to reduce the false-positive cases and predict the final status of HIV infection reliably. Retrospective analysis will help us to understand more about diagnosis of HIV.

[Effect of intermittent fasting on physiology and gut microbiota in presenium rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of intermittent fasting on metabolize and gut microbiota in obese presenium rats fed with high-fat-sugar-diet. METHODS: We fed the Wistar rats with high-fat and high-sugar diet to induce adiposity, and the rats for intermittent fasting were selected base on their body weight. The rats were subjected to fasting for 72 h every 2 weeks for 18 weeks. OGTT test was performed and fasting blood samples and fecal samples were collected for measurement of TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C and sequence analysis of fecal 16S rRNA V4 tags using Illumina. Gut microbial community structure was analyzed with QIIME and LEfSe. RESULTS: After the intervention, the body weight of the fasting rats was significantly lower than that in high-fat diet group (P<0.01). OGTT results suggested impairment of sugar tolerance in the fasting group, which showed a significantly larger AUC than compared with the high-fat diet group (P<0.05). Intermittent fasting significantly reduced blood HDL-C and LDL-C levels (P<0.05) and partially restored liver steatosis, and improved the gut microbiota by increasing the abundance of YS2, RF32 and Helicobacteraceae and reducing Lactobacillus, Roseburia, Erysipelotrichaceae and Ralstonia. Bradyrhizobiaceae was found to be positively correlated with CHOL and HDL-C, and RF39 was inversely correlated with the weight of the rats. CONCLUSION: Intermittent fasting can decrease the body weight and blood lipid levels and restore normal gut microbiota but can cause impairment of glucose metabolism in obese presenium rats.