High-detectivity optical heterodyne method for wideband carrier-envelope phase noise analysis of laser oscillators.

Broadband characterization of the carrier-envelope phase (CEP) noise spectral density of free-running mode-locked lasers is essential for advanced low-noise optical frequency comb designs. Here we present a direct method that utilizes an optical heterodyne beat between a pair of repetition-rate-locked mode-locked lasers for CEP noise characterization, without requiring an f-2f interferometer or nonlinear optical conversion steps. A proof-of-principle experiment in a femtosecond Yb-fiber laser achieves CEP noise spectral density characterization with >270  dB dynamic range over a Fourier frequency range from 5 mHz to 8 MHz.

Role of Intrapulse Coherence in Carrier-Envelope Phase Stabilization.

The concept of coherence is of fundamental importance for describing the physical characteristics of light and for evaluating the suitability for experimental application. In the case of pulsed laser sources, the pulse-to-pulse coherence is usually considered for a judgment of the compressibility of the pulse train. This type of coherence is often lost during propagation through a highly nonlinear medium, and pulses prove incompressible despite multioctave spectral coverage.

Excess carrier-envelope phase noise generation in saturable absorbers.

Attosecond spectroscopy and precision frequency metrology depend on the stabilization of the carrier-envelope phase (CEP) of mode-locked lasers. Unfortunately, the phase of only a few types of lasers can be stabilized to jitters in the few-hundred millirad range. In a comparative experimental study, we analyze a femtosecond Ti:sapphire laser and three mode-locked fiber lasers.

[Evaluation of family doctor-centred health care in Germany based on AOK Rheinland/Hamburg claims data].

Background: Health insurance funds in Germany are obliged to offer family doctor-centred health care models (Hausarztzentrierte Versorgung, "HzV"). The participation is voluntary for the insured persons. Participants agree to utilise outpatient specialist care only if their family doctor or general practitioner ("gatekeeper") refers them to a specialist.

Intracavity measurement of the electro-optic Kerr effect via carrier-envelope phase demodulation.

Placing a sinusoidally driven air capacitor in the intracavity beam path of a mode-locked few-cycle Ti:sapphire oscillator, we measure the influence of the electro-optical Kerr effect on the carrier-envelope phase of the laser pulses. Using a capacitor length of only 8 cm at atmospheric pressure, we observe a Kerr-induced frequency modulation of the carrier-envelope beat note. From the measured frequency excursion, we determine a Kerr constant of the order of 10  m/V, which is found to agree with theoretically computed hyperpolarizabilities of the nitrogen and oxygen molecules.

Low-dose-rate brachytherapy for low-grade prostate cancer.

Background: Prostate cancer is a radiosensitive type of cancer for which radiotherapy is used for both curative and palliative purposes. Low-dose-rate brachytherapy is an internal radiotherapy technique which allows high doses of radiation to be delivered to a tumour at short range and with a high degree of precision. We have conducted a systematic review of the evidence base for this treatment.

Implementation of high-dose-rate brachytherapy and androgen deprivation in patients with prostate cancer.

Purpose: To evaluate outcome (overall survival [OS], the actuarial 5-year cancer-specific survival [CSS], disease-free survival [DFS], biochemical failure-free survival [BFS]), complications and morbidity in patients treated with high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) boost and hormonal treatment with curative aims.

Methods: Between 2004 and 2009, 275 prospectively followed pN0/N0M0 patients were included: 19 patients (7%) with T2, Gleason score 7 and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) <10 and 256 patients (93%) with T3 or Gleason score 8-10 or PSA >20 received multimodal treatment with conformal four-field radiotherapy (prostate/vesiculae 2 Gy × 25) combined with HDR-BT (iridium 192; prostate 10 Gy × 2) with long-term androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).

Results: After a median observation time of 44.

[High dose rate brachytherapy in prostate cancer in Norway].

Background: A correlation exists between applied dose to the prostate and local tumour control. External radiotherapy of the prostate implies administering curative doses near the upper limit of normal tissue tolerance. Brachytherapy with a high dose rate permits an escalation of dose within the prostate without increasing the risk of side effects to the surrounding rectum and bladder.

[Treatment of hormone-resistant prostate cancer].

Hormone-resistant prostate cancer is defined by disease progression despite of castration levels of serum testosterone. Due to a good palliative effect and low toxicity, radiotherapy is the cornerstone in treatment of painful bone metastases, the most frequent symptom of advanced hormone-resistant prostate cancer. Patients presenting with spinal cord compression should be assessed for decompressive surgery before radiotherapy.

[Deep vein thrombosis and localized rhabdomyolysis in a patient with bladder cancer].

Background: Rhabdomyolysis is caused by skeletal muscle injury that results in the release of intracellular contents into the circulatory system. In certain cases, potentially fatal conditions may develop. Multiple conditions followed by muscular necrosis may lead to rhabdomyolysis.