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We demonstrate that two incoherently pumped atoms coupled to an optical resonator produce light with position-dependent field and intensity correlations. The fluorescence spectrum may comprise one, two or three peaks, while the second-order correlation function exhibits bunched or antibunched photon statistics depending on the position of the measurement. These dynamical quantum effects are connected to cavity-induced anticorrelation of the atomic dipoles (Phys. Rev. Lett., 79 (1997) 2650).

A scheme which results in the simultaneous narrowing of all three spectral peaks of the Mollow triplet is proposed. In particular, we investigate the effect on resonance fluorescence of processing the squeezed output of an optical parametric oscillator by propagation through a linear dielectric. The frequency-dependent squeezing phase induced by this process is found to result in subnatural spectral widths for appropriate parameter choices. The line-narrowing mechanisms at the Rabi sidebands manifest themselves in the second-order correlation function of the fluorescent field which is found to decay at a subnatural rate. The potential for experimental realization of these phenomena is discussed.

We present an analytical technique for investigating the behaviour of a coherently driven atom damped by a squeezed vacuum with finite squeezing bandwidth. A master equation and analytic expressions for the fluorescent spectrum are derived for the simple case of a two-level atom exactly resonant with the frequencies of both the squeezed field and the driving field. Suitable choices of driving strength, phase and squeezing source lead to either sub-natural lincwidths of the Rabi sidebands or a sub-natural linewidth of the central spectral peak or indeed sub-natural linewidths of all three spectral peaks when squeezing bandwidths are taken into account. We also establish the remarkable result that in the strong driving regime, the width of the central peak of the fluorescent spectrum depends solely on the squeezing found at the Rabi sideband frequencies.

Two-mode squeezed Gaussons are non-classical states of light which are intermediate between single-mode and two-mode squeezed states. They may be prepared by coherently mixing two single-mode squeezed states at a beam-splitter or via a frequency converter. When equally squeezed single-mode squeezed states are incident on a 50/50 beam-splitter the output will range between a two-mode squeezed state and two single-mode squeezed states as the phase of the input squeezed light is varied. This behaviour is reflected when the properties of such states are investigated.

Objective.— To investigate the effect of early acute migraine intervention with almotriptan vs placebo on functional disability and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) indicators. Design/Methods.— In this multicenter, double-blind, parallel-group trial, adults with international classification of headache disorders-defined migraine, with or without aura, were randomized 1:1 to treat 3 consecutive headaches with either almotriptan 12.5 mg or placebo. Patients were instructed to take their study medication at the first sign of migraine headache pain of any intensity, within 1 hour of onset. Patients recorded level of functional disability (normal, disturbed, bed rest required, emergency room [ER]/hospitalization required) at baseline (pretreatment), 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 24 hours posttreatment and at time of pain-free. Patients completed the Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS) at randomization and completed the Migraine Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (MQoL) at 24 hours after each attack. Results.— Results are presented for 315 patients (160 almotriptan, 155 placebo) in the evaluable for efficacy population. At 2 hours posttreatment of Attack 1, 54.4%, 32.5%, 13.1%, and 0%, respectively, of almotriptan-treated patients reported normal function, disturbed function, bed rest required, and ER/hospitalization required compared with 38.1%, 45.2%, 16.1%, and 0.6%, respectively, of placebo-treated patients. The differences in level of functional disability between the 2 treatment groups were statistically significant at 2 hours (P = .007; Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel, stratified by center) and at 4 hours (P

The Cancer Helpline is a telephone information and support service operated throughout Australia.Data from all calls received during the months of July, August and September from 2001 to 2003 were collected and analysed.Over 76,000 contacts were made, mostly from women (79%). Almost half of all calls were from people with general inquiries (rather than cancer patients, their families, or health professionals). The most common cancer type discussed was breast cancer, (26% of all calls, 42% of calls from people with cancer). Diagnosed cancer patients most frequently called about treatment/management and practical issues. People with general inquiries called to obtain information about the prevention and early detection of cancer.The helpline can complement the role of other information and support providers for people living with or concerned about cancer.

The broad aims of the present evaluation were, firstly, to describe the information and support needs of callers to a Cancer Helpline and, secondly, to describe the response of the service to these needs. A further aim was to use these results to develop strategies to improve the service. Anonymous caller information collected over a 6-year period was analysed. The setting of the study was the Cancer Helpline service operated by the Cancer Council Victoria within the state of Victoria, Australia. The caller profile was similar to that described in the literature, with the majority of callers being women, younger than the general cancer population and enquiring most commonly about breast cancer. Patients and their relatives called to obtain information about cancer diagnosis, treatment and management and to obtain psychological and emotional support. Callers received emotional support, were supplied with verbal and written information and were referred to a variety of support services. Some population groups are underrepresented in the data. Changes to the Helpline and other services over the 6-year period are described. The pattern of callers to the Cancer Helpline appears similar to that described in the USA and Europe. Many issues and challenges are common. The paper discusses additional strategies for meeting the information and support needs of those affected by cancer and describes current and suggested research areas.

Background IDEA 033 is a formulation of ketoprofen in Transfersome – ultra-deformable carriers – that is applied epicutaneously for the treatment of pain associated with OA, thus minimising the potential for systemic adverse events (AEs) associated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Objectives To compare 3 doses of IDEA 033 (25mg, 50mg and 100mg ketoprofen in Transfersome gel) with orally administered naproxen and placebo for treating the signs and symptoms of OA of the knee. Methods A multicentre, randomised, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-group, placebo- and active-controlled study in patients having radiographic evidence of OA in both knees for ≥6 mo and meeting ACR Functional Class I–III OA criteria. Patients had at least moderate pain (2) on a 5-point Likert scale when not taking NSAIDs at screening and met OA flare criteria at baseline [WOMAC pain subscale ≥40 mm (based on a normalised 0–100 mm VAS scale) and ≥15 mm greater than at screening]. Patients received 12 wks of therapy twice daily with 25mg, 50mg or 100mg ketoprofen in Transfersome plus oral placebo; epicutaneous placebo (Transfersome gel without ketoprofen; TDT 064) plus oral placebo (combined placebo); or oral 500mg naproxen plus TDT 064. WOMAC pain was assessed at baseline and wks 2, 4, 8 and 12. Patients’ response to therapy was measured on a 5-point Likert scale at wks 2, 6, 9 and 12. Results There were 837 patients in the intent-to-treat (ITT) and safety populations. Baseline median WOMAC pain subscale scores were high (Table). At 2 wks, all groups showed substantial decreases in pain with small changes in pain scores thereafter. The a priori hypothesis test (ITT population) showed no statistically significant improvement between ketoprofen in Transfersome and combined placebo. The naproxen plus TDT 064 arm was significantly superior to the ketoprofen in Transfersome arms and combined placebo arm. The combined placebo arm had the lowest rate of AEs (Table). Serious AEs were considered not/unlikely to be related to study treatment. ![Figure][1] Conclusions Epicutaneously applied ketoprofen (25mg, 50mg and 100mg) in Transfersome (IDEA 033) for 12 wks was not statistically superior to combined treatment with epicutaneous placebo (TDT 064) and oral placebo, possibly owing to the substantial change from baseline reported for the combination of TDT 064 and oral placebo, high baseline pain severity and high protocol violation/dropout rate (ITT population). All treatments were well tolerated. Investigation of the apparent beneficial effect of epicutaneous placebo (TDT 064) is ongoing. Disclosure of Interest M. Rother Shareholder of: IDEA AG (sponsor of the trial), Employee of: IDEA AG (sponsor of the trial) at the time of trial conduct, G. Yeoman: None Declared, E. Ekman Grant/Research support from: Funding for conduct of the clinical study was provided by IDEA [1]: pending:yes