Objectives: To systematically review radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for treating liver tumors. Data Sources: Databases were searched in July 2003. Study Selection: Studies comparing RFA with other therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and colorectal liver metastases (CLM) plus selected case series for CLM. Data Extraction: One researcher used standardized data extraction tables developed before the study, and these were checked by a second researcher. Data Synthesis: For HCC, 13 comparative studies were included, 4 of which were randomized, controlled trials. For CLM, 13 studies were included, 2 of which were nonrandomized comparative studies and 11 that were case series. There did not seem to be any distinct differences in the complication rates between RFA and any of the other procedures for treatment of HCC. The local recurrence rate at 2 years showed a statistically significant benefit for

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We have demonstrated both large-dynamic range (8100p~) and high-resolution ( 0 . 5~~) from a strain sensing system using a long-period grating interrogating a fibre Bragg grating sensor

Passively mode locked c.w. dyes lasers now represent an important source of femtosecond optical pulses tunable through the visible and near infra red spectrum. Pulses as short as 70 fs have been obtained from dispersion-optimised CPM cavity configurations using active/passive dyes other than the standard combination of Rhodamine 6G and DODCI

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A continuous-wave, argon-ion-pumped, titanium-doped sapphire laser has been constructed. Pulses of 80-psec duration obtained through active mode locking have been compressed to less than 800 fsec using nonlinear external cavity feedback.