Nonlinear optical transformation of the polarization state of circularly polarized light with holographic-cut cubic crystals.

Nonlinear modification of circularly polarized light propagating in holographic-cut cubic crystals is theoretically predicted and experimentally observed. To the best of our knowledge this is the first demonstration of nonlinear modification of circularly polarized light with cubic crystals.

Preservation of the carrier envelope phase during cross-polarized wave generation.

The preservation of carrier envelope phase (CEP) during Cross-Polarized Wave Generation (XPWG) is demonstrated through two independent experiments based on the spatially and spectrally resolved interference fringes formed by the XPW beam and its fundamental. In a first measurement, we found that the vertical fringe position on the spatial detector was maintained over many consecutive laser shots, implying practically no change in relative CEP between the XPW and the fundamental. In a second experiment, we measured the change in relative CEP between the XPW and fundamental beam by systematically varying the amount of material dispersion inside the XPW arm of the interferometer. The recorded rate of relative phase change was in excellent agreement with the theoretical value.

Closed-loop carrier-envelope phase stabilization with an acousto-optic programmable dispersive filter.

We demonstrate arbitrary carrier-envelope (CE) phase control of femtosecond laser pulses by an acousto-optic programmable dispersive filter (AOPDF), with an accuracy better than pi/100 at a repetition rate of 1 kHz. We also demonstrate, for the first time to the best of our knowledge, 15 Hz closed-loop CE phase stabilization using an AOPDF inside a 1 kHz chirped pulse amplifier to correct for slow CE phase drifts.

Reproduction and population density affect humoral immunity in bank voles under field experimental conditions.

Density dependence is a common feature in the dynamics of animal populations. Availability of food resources critical to immunity is likely to be one of the mechanisms mediating the effect of population density on individual fitness. The ability to mount an immune response to an antigen is also affected by levels of immunosuppressive hormones associated with reproduction or mediating the response to ecological and social stress. We assessed variation in condition and intensity of humoral immune response to a T-cell-dependent antigen in bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) by experimentally altering population density before immunisation. Consistent with our prediction, males had lower humoral immunocompetence in the breeding than in the non-breeding season. Contrary to our expectation, males did not show enhanced immunocompetence and females showed depressed humoral immune response under experimentally lowered population density. Variation of immune response in relation to population density depended on sex, with females but not males showing lower immune response under experimentally reduced density. We conclude that humoral immunity of bank voles was affected by reproduction and social environment rather than by population density.

[Bromperidol decanoate in the residual phase of schizophrenia]. / Bromperidolo decanoato nel disturbo schizofrenico in fase residua.

We assessed the safety and therapeutic efficacy of bromperidol decanoate in a six-month open trial on 21 patients (13 males and 8 females), mean age 41.3 years, who were no longer in the acute phase and were being treated as outpatients. The recommended initial dosage was 150 mg bromperidol (one 3 ml ampoule), and this did not in fact have to be increased during the trial. The scores for psychotic symptom rating scales (SAPS, SANS, BPRS, HAM-D and social adaptation scale) were analysed by analysis of variance, which indicated that bromperidol decanoate was effective on almost all parameters. Adverse reactions were reported for 14.3% of the patients, indicating that the drug was very well tolerated; only three patients complained of a total of seven adverse events. In conclusion, bromperidol decanoate was effective in the treatment of residual schizophrenia, with significant differences between before and after treatment ratings for symptoms. The drug was well tolerated, only one patient dropping out on account of adverse reactions.