Ultracompact Vernier-effect-improved sensor by a single microfiber-knot resonator.

Fiber-optic sensors are an indispensable element of modern sensing technologies by virtue of their low cost, excellent electromagnetic immunity, and remote sensing capability. Optical Vernier effect is widely used to enhance sensitivity of fiber-optic sensors but requires bulky and complex cascaded interferometers. Here we propose and experimentally demonstrate an ultracompact (∼2 mm by ∼2 mm) Vernier-effect-improved sensor by only using a single microfiber-knot resonator. With the Vernier effect achieved by controlling the optical beating with the spectral ripple of a super light emitting diode (SLED), we show ∼20x sensitivity enhancement for quantitative temperature monitoring. Our sensor creates a new practical method to realize Vernier effect in fiber-optic sensors and beyond.

Association between sleep duration and cancer risk: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.

BACKGROUND: Sleep duration has been shown to play an important role in the development of cancer. However, the results have been inconsistent. A meta-analysis with prospective cohort studies was performed to clarify the association between short or long sleep duration and cancer risk. METHODS: PubMed and Embase databases were searched for eligible publications. Pooled relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using random- or fixed- model. RESULTS: A total of 10 prospective studies (8392 incident cases and 555678 participants) were included in the meta-analysis. Neither short nor long sleep duration was statistically associated with increased risk of cancer (short sleep duration: RR=1.05, 95%CI=0.90-1.24, p=0.523; long sleep duration: RR=0.92, 95%CI=0.76-1.12, p=0.415). In the subgroup by cancer type, long sleep duration was positively associated with colorectal cancer (RR=1.29, 95%CI=1.09-1.52, p=0.003). CONCLUSION: The present meta-analysis suggested that neither short nor long sleep duration was significantly associated with risk of cancer, although long sleep duration increased risk of with colorectal cancer. Large-scale well-design prospective studies are required to be conducted to further investigate the observed association.

Occupational cooking and risk of uveal melanoma: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Many observational studies have assessed the possible association between occupational cooking and uveal melanoma risk, but reported results are controversial. Our goal was to evaluate the association between occupational cooking and uveal melanoma risk by conducting a meta-analysis of observational studies. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched through June 2012 to identify all eligible studies. The pooled odds ratio (OR) with its 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was used to evaluate this association. Either a fixed- or a random-effects model were used to calculate pooled ORs. RESULTS: Five case-control studies involving a total of 1,199 cases and 6,927 controls were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, occupational cooking was associated with an increased risk of uveal melanoma (OR: 1.81, 95%CI 1.33-2.46, P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis by gender suggested occupational cooking was associated with increased risk of uveal melanoma in both men (OR: 2.16, 95%CI 1.06-4.40, P = 0.034) and women (OR: 1.92, 95%CI 1.19-3.10, P = 0.008). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis suggests that occupational cooking is associated with an increased risk of uveal melanoma in both men and women.

[Study on the antitussive and antiasthmatic effects of Radix Fici Hirtae].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the antitussive and antiasthmatic effects of Radix Fici Hirtae (RFH). METHODS: Antitussive effects were observed by ammonia water steaming test in mice and by citric acid test in guinea pigs. Antiasthmatic actions in guinea pigs were observed by histamine and acetylcholine ultrasonic atomization test, involved isolated guinea pig tracheal smoth muscle experiment and anaphylactic shock of guinea pigs. RESULTS: RFH decreased the frequency of cough induced by ammonia in mice and by citric acid in guinea pig, prolonged the latent period of cough and inhibited the experimental asthma by histamine and acetylcholine solution in conscious guinea pigs, antagonisted the contraction of tracheal smooth muscle by histamine phosphate in guinea pigs and could compete anaphylactic shock in guinea pigs. CONCLUSION: RFH has obvious antitussive and antiasthmatic effects.