Directional Force Measurement Using Specialized Single-Mode Polarization-Maintaining Fibers

Two different types of specialist single-mode polarization-maintaining side-hole(s) fibers have been specifically chosen in this paper for the direct measurement of transverse force, and their performance characteristics have been recorded and cross compared. To achieve this, side-hole fibers have been used which were investigated both theoretically and experimentally for their respective pressure sensitivities as a function of rotation angles and magnitudes of the applied external force. The experimental results obtained have shown good agreement with theoretical predictions for situations where an external force applied was within a certain range. It was thus concluded that the pressure measurement sensitivities of these specialist fibers are strongly dependent upon the direction of the force applied (with reference to the fast or slow axis of the fibers). Therefore, devices based on these fibers can be used effectively as sensors for the measurement of pressure, force, and mass of an object through an appropriate device configuration, enabling measurements over a wide range and in real time

Impact of a nurse led telephone intervention on satisfaction and health outcomes of children with inflammatory rheumatic diseases and their families: a crossover randomized clinical trial.

Children suffering from rheumatic disease are faced with multidimensional challenges that affect their quality of life and family dynamics. Symptom management and monitoring of the course of the disease over time are important to minimize disability and pain. Poor disease control and anticipation of the need for treatment changes may be prompted by specialist medical follow-up and regular nurse-led consultations with the patient and families, in which information and support is provided. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a nurse-led telephone intervention or Telenursing (TN) compared to standard care (SC) on satisfaction and health outcomes of children with inflammatory rheumatic diseases and their parents. A multicentered, randomized, longitudinal, crossover trial was conducted with pediatrics outpatients newly diagnosed with inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups TN and SC for 12 months and crossed-over for the following 12 months. TN consisted of providing individualized affective support, health information and aid to decision making. Satisfaction (primary outcome) and health outcomes were assessed with the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8 and the Juvenile Arthritis Multidimensional Assessment Report, respectively. A mixed effect model, including a group x time interaction, was performed for each outcome. Satisfaction was significantly higher when receiving TN (OR = 7.7, 95% CI: 1.8-33.6). Morning stiffness (OR = 3.2, 95% CI: 0.97-7.15) and pain (OR = 2.64, 95% CI: 0.97-7.15) were lower in the TN group. For both outcomes a carry-over effect was observed with a higher impact of TN during the 12 first months of the study. The other outcomes did not show any significant improvements between groups. TN had a positive impact on satisfaction and on morning stiffness and pain of children with inflammatory rheumatic diseases and their families. This highlights the importance of support by specialist nurses in improving satisfaction and symptom management for children with inflammatory rheumatisms and their families. ClinicalTrial.gov identifier: NCT01511341 (December 1st, 2012)

Theoretical Analysis of a Non-Symmetric Polarization-Maintaining Single-Mode Fiber for Sensor Applications

An asymmetric polarization-maintaining single mode filter with one side-hole being incorporated into the fiber cladding has been investigated analytically in this work for potential pressure measurements. The material birefringence of the fiber is calculated using a thermo-elastic displacement potential method through the superposotion of sectional displacement potentials. The results obtained are generic and are thus applicable to any one-hole fiber structures, should the hole diameter or position vary in the fiber cladding, or the fiber hole be empty or filled in with any material. This enables the analysis to be applied more widely in a range of optical fiber senor applications

Thyrotroph Embryonic Factor Regulates Light-Induced Transcription of Repair Genes in Zebrafish Embryonic Cells

Numerous responses are triggered by light in the cell. How the light signal is detected and transduced into a cellular response is still an enigma. Each zebrafish cell has the capacity to directly detect light, making this organism particularly suitable for the study of light dependent transcription. To gain insight into the light signalling mechanism we identified genes that are activated by light exposure at an early embryonic stage, when specialised light sensing organs have not yet formed. We screened over 14,900 genes using micro-array GeneChips, and identified 19 light-induced genes that function primarily in light signalling, stress response, and DNA repair. Here we reveal that PAR Response Elements are present in all promoters of the light-induced genes, and demonstrate a pivotal role for the PAR bZip transcription factor Thyrotroph embryonic factor (Tef) in regulating the majority of light-induced genes. We show that tefβ transcription is directly regulated by light while transcription of tefα is under circadian clock control at later stages of development. These data leads us to propose their involvement in light-induced UV tolerance in the zebrafish embryo

RefGenes: identification of reliable and condition specific reference genes for RT-qPCR data normalization

Background RT-qPCR is a sensitive and increasingly used method for gene expression quantification. To normalize RT-qPCR measurements between samples, most laboratories use endogenous reference genes as internal controls. There is increasing evidence, however, that the expression of commonly used reference genes can vary significantly in certain contexts. Results Using the Genevestigator database of normalized and well-annotated microarray experiments, we describe the expression stability characteristics of the transciptomes of several organisms. The results show that a) no genes are universally stable, b) most commonly used reference genes yield very high transcript abundances as compared to the entire transcriptome, and c) for each biological context a subset of stable genes exists that has smaller variance than commonly used reference genes or genes that were selected for their stability across all conditions. Conclusion We therefore propose the normalization of RT-qPCR data using reference genes that are specifically chosen for the conditions under study. RefGenes is a community tool developed for that purpose. Validation RT-qPCR experiments across several organisms showed that the candidates proposed by RefGenes generally outperformed commonly used reference genes. RefGenes is available within Genevestigator at http://www.genevestigator.com

Formation and spectral characterisation of Bragg gratings in standard single-mode optical fibers

Permanent Bragg gratings in monomode optical fibers are obtained by irradiation through an interference pattern of an ultraviolet laser. The main parameters of such gratings, in particular the index modulation amplitude and their length, are precisely determined by a fine adjustment between the measured reflectivity and a theoretical curve. Gratings have been formed in a standard monomode telecommunication fiber, with reflectivities above 90% and with bandwidths on the order of 1 to 3 nm. Their reflectivity spectra are symmetric and comparable with theoretical curves. Index modulations up to 1.2 10-3 have been determined, which is more than one order of magnitude greater than earlier reported. A precise knowledge of the maximal index change allows one to know the formation possibilities of gratings with regard to reflectivity and bandwidt

Bragg gratings with directional, efficient, and wavelength-selective fiber outcoupling

Wavelength demultiplexing is a very promising application of photoinduced fiber gratings. In this paper efficient outcoupling of a very narrow wavelength band, in addition to the usual guided Bragg reflection, is presented. The selective outcoupling gratings were fabricated by focusing the irradiation beam to a dimension smaller than the core diameter of a standard fiber. The highly selective outcoupling of such devices might increase the multiplexing densit

All Optical Up-Conversion of WLAN signal in 60 GHz Range with Side-Band Suppression

International audienc

Safety and Efficacy of an Atraumatic Uterine Cervical Traction Device: A Pilot Study.

Introduction: Alignment of the uterine cervix with the vaginal canal is often required during insertion of an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD). Currently available instruments are traumatic tenacula, which can cause pain and bleeding and represent an obstacle for certain patients to pursue their medical follow-up. A novel investigational cervical vacuum tenaculum, enables atraumatic traction of the cervix using a semi-circular suction pad, designed to conform to the anatomical shape of the external cervical os. Suction is generated by manually pulling out a sliding tube in a vacuum chamber. Methods: We performed a single arm non-comparative pilot study to assess the safety and efficacy of the cervical vacuum tenaculum in 13 women receiving an IUD. Data on procedural efficacy, safety, patient-reported pain scores at specific time points during IUD insertion procedure and patient satisfaction were collected prospectively. Results: Insertion of IUD was successful with use of the study device in 7 of the 13 enrolled patients (54%). No bleeding or only limited ecchymosis were caused by the device. No adverse events were reported. Participants reported very little pain (mean Visual Analog Scale <10) when applying the device. Participants who achieved IUD insertion with the device reported strong overall satisfaction with the procedure. Conclusions: The suction-based atraumatic tenaculum can be used to manipulate the cervix during IUD insertion with satisfactory efficacy and safety. The results of this pilot study support further studies of this device in larger populations comparing with standard single-tooth tenaculum. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT04441333