We present different approaches for high repetition rate, few-cycle pulse generation with μJ-level energy from compact OPCPA systems. The sources are based on octave spanning Ti:Sa oscillators with all-optical synchronization to state-of-the-art Ytterbium based amplifiers.

We study the temporal and spectral behaviour of high order harmonics generated by pulses with temporally modulated polarization. We observe a harmonic temporal confinement and a harmonic spectral broadening, compatible with 1 -or-2 attosecond pulse emission.

We present theoretical studies of high-order harmonic generation in a rare-gas medium. The experimental results obtained at Saclay with a 1064 nm Nd-YAG laser in the 1013 W cm-2 intensity range are summarized. The harmonic emission strengths first decrease rather steeply for the first orders, then form a long plateau up to the 21st harmonic in xenon, or up to the 33rd harmonic in argon, before dec

We study the role of propagation effects in high-order harmonic-generation experiments. The phase-matching integrals are calculated in the weak-field limit by taking into account the dispersion of the rare-gas medium at each harmonic frequency and the absorption of the harmonics. The refractive indices of the rare gases are deduced from a calculation of the dynamic polarizabilities within the fram

We present a theoretical analysis of a recent experiment [J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 6, 1513 (1989)] on two-color threephotonionization of Xe through resonant even-parity Rydberg states. We calculate second-order ac-Stark shifts, two-photon Rabi frequencies, and ionization widths by using wave functions obtained from a multichannel quantum-defect-theory analysis of the Rydberg series in Xe. We perform a d

We present experimental results on high-order harmonic generation in xenon, using a Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm). The harmonic generation efficiency is studied as a function of the laser intensity in the 1013 W/cm2 range. The harmonic conversion rates show a significant change of behavior when the medium becomes ionized (∼1013 W/cm2). This effect can be understood as the change of the nonlinear response

The processes that led to the formation of the planetary bodies in the Solar system are still not fully understood. Using the results obtained with the comprehensive suite of instruments onboard the European Space Agency's Rosetta mission, we present evidence that comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko likely formed through the gentle gravitational collapse of a bound clump of mm-sized dust aggregates ('

There has never been, and will never be, a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial demonstrating that exercise in youth, adulthood or old age reduces fragility or osteoporosis-related fractures in old age. The next level of evidence, a randomized, controlled but unblinded study with fractures as an end-point is feasible but has never been done. The basis for the belief that exercise reduc

No prospective randomized study with fracture as end point exists in men. Data from retrospective and prospective observational and case control studies suggest that activity in men is associated with reduced fracture risk. This may be correct, but consistently replicated sampling bias may produce the same observation, as these studies are hypothesis generating, never hypothesis testing. Higher mu

Anorexia nervosa is associated with bone loss during adulthood, but may also delay skeletal growth and mineral accrual during growth. We asked the following questions. 1) Is anorexia nervosa associated with reduced bone size and reduced volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD)? 2) Is estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) or recovery from anorexia nervosa associated with normal bone size and vBMD? Using

Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in the upper half of the skull, in 324 residents (178 women and 146 men, age-range 20-87 years) in the city of Malmo, Sweden. Since muscular activity influences the skeleton we found it was of interest to compare one region influenced by physical load with one virtually unaffected by physical stress. The skull may be assum

Introduction: The ability to degrade neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) is reduced in a subset of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). NETs consist of chromatin covered with antimicrobial enzymes and are normally degraded by DNase-I, an enzyme which is known to have reduced activity in SLE. Decreased ability to degrade NETs is associated with disease activity. In the current study

Objective. To investigate antibody responses to a broad panel of peptides derived from human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) among unselected patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods. In sera obtained from 69 patients with SLE and healthy blood donors, immunoassay was used to measure levels of antibody against synthetic peptides derived from HERVs, exogenous retroviruses, and nonv