Abstract: In order to estimate the size of an initial population of nucleic acids in a sample of interest, in particular by PCR, the following steps are performed: a) providing a model of the effectiveness (En) of the PCR, the model comprising a constant stage (E0) followed by a non-constant stage, the stages being united by a changeover region having a changeover index (CEEP); b) using the model of effectiveness to express a relationship between the changeover index and a parameter representative of the initial population size; and c) determining the changeover index by comparison with the experimental measurements, and deducing therefrom the initial population size in the sample of interest.

Abstract: A packaging device for protectively enclosing an optical component in a substantially clean and anhydrous environment without imparting undue mechanical stresses on the optical component and adjacent segments of optical fiber coupled thereto. An intermediate component is used in combination with a sealing material for sealing the fiber aperture of a protective housing while allowing an optical fiber to extend therethrough. The protective housing is made out of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion that closely matches that of the optical fiber. A chain of material CTE that includes the CTE of the intermediate component is used in order to circumvent the need for a sealing material having a high melting temperature. The packaging device is also designed so as to reduce water ingress by optimizing the configuration of the sealing component and adjacent structures.

Abstract: A packaging device for protectively enclosing an optical component in a substantially clean and anhydrous environment without imparting undue mechanical stresses on the optical component and adjacent segments of optical fiber coupled thereto. An intermediate component is used in combination with a sealing material for sealing the fiber aperture of a protective housing while allowing an optical fiber to extend therethrough. The protective housing is made out of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion that closely matches that of the optical fiber. A chain of material CTE that includes the CTE of the intermediate component is used in order to circumvent the need for a sealing material having a high melting temperature. The packaging device is also designed so as to reduce water ingress by optimizing the configuration of the sealing component and adjacent structures.

Abstract: An optical fiber winding tool for winding a strip of optical fiber. The optical fiber winding tool having a guiding body defining a guiding recess. A fiber inlet aperture extends into the guiding recess for allowing the slideable insertion of the strip of optical fiber thereinto. The recess peripheral wall is configured and sized such that as the strip of optical fiber is inserted through the fiber inlet aperture, a recess peripheral surface abuttingly guides the optical fiber strip into a generally parabolic configuration that sweeps against the recess peripheral surface while the optical fiber winds into a coil. The optical fiber winding tool is mountable over a flat surface with the peripheral edge of the guiding recess abuttingly contacting the supporting surface. A driving assembly is optionally provided for driving the strip of fiber into the guiding recess.

Abstract: An optical fiber winding tool for winding a strip of optical fiber. The optical fiber winding tool having a guiding body defining a guiding recess. A fiber inlet aperture extends into the guiding recess for allowing the slideable insertion of the strip of optical fiber thereinto. The recess peripheral wall is configured and sized such that as the strip of optical fiber is inserted through the fiber inlet aperture, a recess peripheral surface abuttingly guides the optical fiber strip into a generally parabolic configuration that sweeps against the recess peripheral surface while the optical fiber winds into a coil. The optical fiber winding tool is mountable over a flat surface with the peripheral edge of the guiding recess abuttingly contacting the supporting surface. A driving assembly is optionally provided for driving the strip of fiber into the guiding recess.