Abstract
The development of modern molecular genetic techniques has allowed breast cancer researchers to clarify the multistep model of breast carcinogenesis. Laser capture microdissection coupled with comparative genomic hybridisation and/or loss-of-heterozygosity methods have confirmed that many pre-invasive lesions of the breast harbour chromosomal abnormalities at loci known to be altered in invasive breast carcinomas. Current data do not provide strong evidence for ductal hyperplasia of usual type as a precursor lesion, although some are monoclonal proliferations; however, atypical hyperplasia and in situ carcinoma appear to be nonobligate precursors. We review current knowledge and the contribution of molecular genetics in the understanding of breast cancer precursors and pre-invasive lesions.

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract
A spatial optical filter based on splice misalignment between optical fibers with different diameters is proposed for gas refractometry. The sensing head is formed by a 2 mm long optical fiber with 50 mu m diameter that is spliced with a strong misalignment between two single-mode fibers (SMF28) and interrogated in transmission. The misalignment causes a Fabry-Perot behavior along the reduced-size fiber and depending on the lead-out SMF28 position, it is possible to obtain different spectral responses, namely, bandpass or band-rejection filters. It is shown that the spatial filter device is highly sensitive to refractive index changes on a nitrogen environment by means of the gas pressure variation. A maximum sensitivity of -1390 nm/RIU for the bandpass filter was achieved. Both devices have shown similar temperature responses with an average sensitivity of 25.7 pm/degrees C. (C) 2012 Optical Society of America

Abstract
In this work, a fibre loop mirror for the simultaneous measurement of strain and temperature is presented. The loop mirror contains a section of a small core microstructured fibre characterized for strain and temperature sensing. Due to the small core geometry and using a small section length, the structure presents high birefringence and also intermodal interference. The spectral response of this configuration shows the presence of three interferometers. One of them corresponds to the interference of light that propagates in the fast and slow axes (group birefringence) and the others are associated with the interference of light in the two lowest order spatial modes in each of the fibre eigenaxis. These interferometers present distinct sensitivities to strain and temperature for different wavelengths.

Abstract
A Temperature-independent strain sensor based on Four-Wave Mixing (FWM) using Raman fiber Bragg grating (FBG) laser sensor with cooperative Rayleigh scattering is proposed. Two FBG were used to form two linear cavities laser sensors based on Raman amplification combined with cooperative Rayleigh scattering. Due to the low dispersion coefficient of the fiber, it is possible to obtain the FWM using the two Raman FBG laser sensors. This configuration allows the operation as a temperature-independent strain sensor where both sensors are sensitive to temperature but only one of the FBG is sensitive to strain. The FWM efficiency is thus dependent on the applied strain but independent to the temperature.