Long-term follow-up of a randomized post-induction therapy trial in acute myelogenous leukemia (a Southeastern Cancer Study Group trial)

A phase III clinical trial was designed to determine if more intensive induction and consolidation therapy for acute myeloblastic leukemia increases the remission rate and prolongs survival. A minor objective was to determine if the use of non-cross resistant drugs was more effective than the same drugs used for induction. Patients with untreated leukemia between the ages of 15 and 50 were given daunorubicin 45 mg/m2 for the first 3 days of a 10-day continuous infusion of cytosine arabinoside, initially at a dose of 2000 mg/m2 but reduced to 100 mg/m2 because of toxicity. Those under 36 achieving a complete remission and with an histocompatible donor were assigned to a transplant arm. The rest were randomized to receive one of three consolidation arms: A, cytosine arabinoside, 200 mg/m2 daily for 7 days and daunorubicin 45 mg/m2 daily for 3 days for three courses; B, one course as in Arm A followed by amsacrine, 120 mg/m2 daily for 5 days followed by a 5-day continuous infusion of azacytidine, 150 mg/m2/day; C, thioguanine and cytosine arabinoside, 100 mg/m2 every 12 h and daunorubicin 10 mg/m2 daily for 5 days for three courses followed by four maintenance courses of cytosine arabinoside, 100 mg/m2 daily for 5 days and daunorubicin, 45 mg/m2 for 2 days every 13 weeks. From 1981 to 1986, 398 eligible patients were enrolled and 219 achieved a complete remission. The initial induction dose of cytosine arabinoside was reduced after five of 29 patients exhibited fatal gastrointestinal toxicity. Only 11 patients were assigned to the transplant arm. There were no significant differences in the consolidation arms. The 5 year disease-free survivals were 38, 31 and 27% in arms A, B, and C respectively. Intensive consolidation therapy with the same or different drugs used in induction was as effective as lower dose consolidation followed by maintenance therapy.     

Multiple scattering simulations for the Japanese space lidarproject ELISE

Spaceborne lidar observations have a great potential to improve our knowledge of the atmosphere. However, contrary to ground-based or airborne lidar measurements in observations from space multiple scattering (MS) has to be accounted for under all atmospheric conditions. A simple way to achieve this is to introduce the approximative MS factor F in the single scattering lidar equation. We determined F for measurements of aerosols, ice and water clouds as they were planned with the Japanese space lidar ELISE. We found that F is almost constant in cirrus clouds and in water clouds which are penetrable by lidar. In aerosol layers F depends on penetration depth, extinction coefficient and aerosol type. In comparison to LITE the MS factor is smaller (for aerosols and water clouds) or almost equal (cirrus)     

Step and repeat UV nanoimprint lithography on pre-spin coated resist film: a promising route for fabricating nanodevices

A step and repeat UV nanoimprint lithography process on pre-spin coated resist film is demonstrated for patterning a large area with features sizes down to sub-15 nm. The high fidelity between the template and imprinted structures is verified with a difference in their line edge roughness of less than 0.5 nm (3σ deviation value). The imprinted pattern's residual layer is well controlled to allow direct pattern transfer from the resist into functional materials with very high resolution. The process is suitable for fabricating numerous nanodevices.     

Some results on addition/subtraction chains

Let ?(n) (respectively $\text{?}$(n)) be the length of the shortest addition chain respectively addition/subtraction chain for n. We shall present several results on $\text{?}$(n). In particular, we determine $\text{?}$(n) for all n satisfying $\text{s}\text{(}\text{n}\text{) ? 3}$ and show $\text{?}\text{log n}\text{? + 2 ?}\text{?}\text{(}\text{n}\text{)}$ for all n satisfying $\text{s}\text{(}\text{n}\text{) ? 3}$, where $\text{s}\text{(}\text{n}\text{)}$ is the extended sum of digits of n. These results are based on analogous results for ?(n) and on the following two inequalities: |n| ? 2^d?1F_f+3 < 2^k?b and $\text{f + b}\text{?}\text{log}\text{s}\text{(n)}$ for a chain of length k = d + f + b with d doublings, f short steps, and b back steps for n. Moreover, we show that the difference $\text{?(}\text{n}\text{)?}\text{?}\text{(}\text{n}\text{)}$ (respectively $\text{?}\text{(}\text{n}\text{)??}\text{log n}\text{?}$) can be made arbbitrarily large. In addition, we prove that $\text{?}\text{(}\text{m}\text{) ?}\text{?}\text{(?}\text{m}\text{) ?}\text{?}\text{(}\text{m}\text{) + 1}\text{for m}\text{> 0}$ and characterize the case $\text{?}\text{(?}\text{m}\text{) =}\text{?}\text{(}\text{m}\text{)}$. Finally, we determine $\text{?}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>k</mtext>}}\text{(}\text{n}{}_1\text{,…,}\text{n}{}_{\mathrm{k}}\text{)}$, the k-dimensional generalization of $\text{?}$, with the help of $\text{?}\text{(}\text{n}{}_1\text{,…,}\text{n}{}_{\mathrm{k}}\text{)}$, the k-element generalization of $\text{?}$.     

Progress in superconductivity

Superconductors are in a quantum state, extending over macroscopic distances. Consequently, they trap magnetic flux in multiples of the flux quantum. This point of view will be taken for a discussion of some recent developments related mainly to induction phenomena in superconductors. 1) In superconductors of the second kind magnetic flux penetrates at external magnetic field values within a certain interval (mixed state). This state violates the traditional characteristics of superconductivity. Not only does it fail to show the perfect Meissner diamagnetism, but it is also, in principle, a resistive state. The latter feature is correlated with the instability of the magnetic structure in the mixed state when a current is injected, the induced flux flow phenomenon being responsible for a variety of effects recently studied, including the Hall effect and a mode of magnetic coupling which makes a dc transformer feasible. 2) It is well known by now that superconductors of the second kind may obtain excellent current-carrying capacities if the mixed state magnetic pattern is stabilized, or pinned. This process is still not fully understood. The recent manufacture of some interesting and practicable wires and cables and the problems of coil construction and their stabilization will be briefly surveyed. 3) By proper manipulation of magnetic flux in superconducting systems, electromagnetic induction of heavy direct currents may be achieved. Fully superconducting dc generators or dynamos have recently been developed, the qualities of which will be discussed. The results of some of the author's recent investigations will be given, including those on multikiloampere dynamos for energizing supermagnets.     

Common free time of family members under different shift systems

The amount and the chronological position of common free time of fathers under different shift systems with their children of different ages is analysed for reasons for explaining deficiencies in the school career of children of shiftworking fathers. It is shown that the amount of common free time is interactively determined by the particular form of the fathers' shift schedules and the timetables of their children. Shiftworkers have smaller amounts of common free time at their disposal for contacts with schoolgoing children than dayworkers, but within the group of shiftworkers the amount of common free time explains only a small proportion of the variance in the shiftworkers, evaluations of their interpersonal relations to their children.