Theoretical and experimental analysis of staircase pulses in passive mode-locked fiber lasers

We report an experimental observation of staircase pulses generated from an Er:Yb co-doped fiber laser operat-ing in the anomalous dispersion regime. The staircase pulses consist of two distinct square pulses associated withdifferent wavelengths in a dual peak spectrum and they exhibit particular temporal characteristics. To establish atheory behind the experimental results, we simulate numerically the fiber oscillator by using a master equationand taking into consideration the gain inhomogeneities as well as other nonlinear variables

Laser à fibre dopée erbium à 1600 nm. Fonctionnement continu et verrouille en phase

L\u27objectif de cet article est de démontrer la possibilité de faire osciller à 1.6 µm un amplificateur à fibre double gaine dopée erbium opérant dans la bande C, en ajustant les pertes intra-cavité. Deux configurations de cavité ont été utilisées, une cavité en anneau et une cavité en forme de huit. Dans les deux cas, il est possible d\u27obtenir l\u27oscillation à 1.6 µm en continu ou bien en impulsions ultra-courtes

1.6 μm emission based on linear loss control in a Er:Yb doped double-clad fiber laser

Based on the control of the linear losses of the cavity, we demonstrate the possibility to achieve filterless laser emission above 1.6 μm, from a C-band double-clad Er:Yb doped fiber amplifier. The concept is validated in both continuous wave and mode-locked regimes, using a figure-of-eight geometry. A unidirectional ring cavity is also tested in the continuous regime. Spectral properties of laser emissions are characterized as a function of the intracavity linear losses

The impact of prior platinum therapy on survival in patients with metastatic urothelial cancer receiving vinflunine

Background: A phase III trial demonstrated an overall survival advantage with the addition of vinflunine to best supportive care (BSC) in platinum-refractory advanced urothelial cancer. We subsequently examined the impact of an additional 2 years of survival follow-up and evaluated the influence of first-line platinum therapy on survival. Methods: The 357 eligible patients from the phase III study were categorised into two cohorts depending on prior cisplatin treatment: cisplatin or non-cisplatin. Survival was calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Results: The majority had received prior cisplatin (70.3%). Survival was higher in the cisplatin group (HR: 0.76; CI 95% 0.58–0.99; P=0.04) irrespective of treatment arm. Multivariate analysis including known prognostic factors (liver involvement, haemoglobin, performance status) and prior platinum administration did not show an independent effect of cisplatin. Vinflunine reduced the risk of death by 24% in the cisplatin-group (HR: 0.76; CI 95% 0.58–0.99; P=0.04) and by 35% in non-cisplatin patients (HR: 0.65; CI 95% 0.41–1.04; P=0.07). Interpretation: Differences in prognostic factors between patients who can receive prior cisplatin and those who cannot may explain the survival differences in patients who undergo second line therapy. Prior cisplatin administration did not diminish the subsequent benefit of vinflunine over BSC

Higher testosterone serum levels are associated with a higher childbirth in patients treated for testicular cancer

Aim of our study was to assess fertility of patients treated with orchifunicolectomy for testicular cancer. A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing orchifunicolectomy for testicular cancer was conducted in three centers from 2000 to 2019. Demographic, clinical and histological characteristics of the patients were recorded. Adjuvant treatments were recorded. Number of pregnancies, number of children, cryopreservation, in vitro fertilization were recorded as well as postoperative testosterone serum level. Risk factors for pregnancy were evaluated. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to evaluate factors influencing pregnancy rates

1.61 μm high-order passive harmonic mode locking in a fiber laser based on graphene saturable absorber

We demonstrate a passive mode-locked Er:Yb doped double-clad ring fiber laser based on graphene saturable absorber. By adjusting the polarization controller and minimizing the cavity loss, the laser can operate at hundreds of harmonics of the fundamental repetition frequency of the resonator with the central wavelength of 1.61 μm. Up to 683rd harmonic (which corresponds to 5.882 GHz) of the fundamental repetition frequency was achieved

Sexual and functional outcomes of prostate artery embolisation. A prospective long-term follow-up, large cohort study.

Among minimally invasive procedures for treating benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) prostate artery embolisation (PAE) is described as safe and effective. Aim of this study is to report our results, focusing on sexual outcomes (erectile and ejaculatory functions sparing) of PAE in patients suffering from bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) secondary to BPH