Depth dependence of atomic mixing by ion beams

Ion backscattering spectrometry has been used to investigate the depth dependence of atomic mixing induced by ion beams. Samples consisting of a thin Pt (or Si) marker a few tens of angstroms thick buried at different depths in a deposited Si (or Pt) layer were bombarded with Xe+ of 300 keV at 2×10^16 cm^–2 dose and Ar+ of 150 keV at 5×10^15cm^–2 dose. Significant spreading of the marker was observed as a result of ion irradiation. The amount of spreading was measured as a function of depth of the marker, which was then compared with the deposited energy distribution. Measurements of this kind promise new insight into the nature of the interaction between ion beams and solids

Relaxation of classical many-body hamiltonians in one dimension

The relaxation of Fourier modes of hamiltonian chains close to equilibrium is studied in the framework of a simple mode-coupling theory. Explicit estimates of the dependence of relevant time scales on the energy density (or temperature) and on the wavenumber of the initial excitation are given. They are in agreement with previous numerical findings on the approach to equilibrium and turn out to be also useful in the qualitative interpretation of them. The theory is compared with molecular dynamics results in the case of the quartic Fermi-Pasta-Ulam potential.Comment: 9 pag. 6 figs. To appear in Phys.Rev.

Methodological aspects of diagnostics and minimal residual disease monitoring in infant acute leukemias

Hereby we present methodological aspects and prognostic significance of minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring in infant acute leukemias. Based on our own experience we made algorithm for detection of MRD in this group of patients. We conclude that general concordance between MRD detection by flow cytometry and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for fusion gene transcripts achieved 87.0 %. Concordance was significantly lower during induction in comparison to consolidation/intensification and relapse treatment (78.6; 90.4 and 93.4 %, correspondingly; p = 0.002). It was not dependent on presence of normal B-cell precursors. Concordance between MRD results obtained by qualitative real-time PCR in bone marrow and peripheral blood samples was 84.5 %. Interestingly, all discrepant results (22 samples 15.5 %) were MRD-positive in bone marrow, but negative in peripheral blood. Despite high qualitative concordance rate between MRD detection in bone marrow and peripheral blood samples we could not show prognostic value of MRD monitoring in peripheral blood by fusion gene transcripts. Multivariate analysis revealed that MRD-positivity at time-point 4 in bone marrow was the only significant and independent prognostic factor of unfavorable outcome in the observed group of patients (hazard ratio 7.326; 95 % confidence interval 2.378–22.565)

A Multicriteria Analysis on the Strategies to Open Taiwan's Mobile Virtual Network Operators Services

[[abstract]]This study investigates the trends followed by MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) in the last three years and analyzes the strategies that can contribute to the success of Taiwan's telecommunications industry and marketing. We apply the method and concept of PATTERN (Planning Assistance Through Technical Evaluation of Relevance Number) to establish relevant systems for searching out the key successful factors of strategies to attract MVNOs. We also use the fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) method for analyzing the different preference of a decision group in the criteria weights and for ranking the alternatives in a fuzzy environment in order to provide a strategy scheme. These results provide a reference to assist telecommunications operators, 3G license owners, potential MVNOs, and equipment manufacturers when working out business plans.[[incitationindex]]SCI[[booktype]]紙

Analysis of efficiency and profitability of franchise services

The present study analyses the relative efficiency of franchise services and characterises the best companies, confirming the relationship between efficiency and profit. These companies are from the trade and other services sector , the main group of service-providing companies in the Spanish economy. The methodology calls for first comparing the relative efficiency of franchisers and ownership enterprises. Second, the focus turns to the most efficient franchise services, using a super-efficiency model to rank them. The paper then goes on to cover the analysis of the main characteristics of the best franchise enterprises, the number of own establishments in a franchise business and the profitability of the company. This paper presents arguments as to why companies from the trade and other services sector are included. The main conclusion is that, whilst the number of establishments is irrelevant in achieving greater efficiency, many of the most efficient enterprises have high returns.García Martin, CJ.; Medal Bartual, A.; Peris-Ortiz, M. (2014). Analysis of efficiency and profitability of franchise services. Service Industries Journal. 34(9):796-810. doi:10.1080/02642069.2014.905921S79681034

Multidimensional Facets of Perceived Risk in Mobile Travel Booking

Despite the growing prevalence of smartphones in daily life and travel context, travellers still perceive an extent of risk associated with using their smartphone to book travel products. In order to alleviate or reduce perceived risk, it is important to better understand the dimensions of and the factors that contribute to perceived risk. This study analysed 411 responses from an online panel to examine perceived risk in mobile travel booking and identified the following facets: time risk, financial risk, performance risk, privacy/security risk, psychological risk, physical risk, and device risk. Several antecedents of perceived risk were identified. Perceived collection of personal information via smartphones contributes positively, while consumer innovativeness, trust, and visibility contribute negatively to perceived risk. Further, the predictive validity of perceived risk is confirmed as it significantly explains perceived usefulness, attitude, and behavioural intention in mobile travel booking. Implications to manage perceived risk and its antecedents are provided

The KMT2A recombinome of acute leukemias in 2023

Chromosomal rearrangements of the human KMT2A/MLL gene are associated with de novo as well as therapy-induced infant, pediatric, and adult acute leukemias. Here, we present the data obtained from 3401 acute leukemia patients that have been analyzed between 2003 and 2022. Genomic breakpoints within the KMT2A gene and the involved translocation partner genes (TPGs) and KMT2A-partial tandem duplications (PTDs) were determined. Including the published data from the literature, a total of 107 in-frame KMT2A gene fusions have been identified so far. Further 16 rearrangements were out-of-frame fusions, 18 patients had no partner gene fused to 5'-KMT2A, two patients had a 5'-KMT2A deletion, and one ETV6::RUNX1 patient had an KMT2A insertion at the breakpoint. The seven most frequent TPGs and PTDs account for more than 90% of all recombinations of the KMT2A, 37 occur recurrently and 63 were identified so far only once. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the KMT2A recombinome in acute leukemia patients. Besides the scientific gain of information, genomic breakpoint sequences of these patients were used to monitor minimal residual disease (MRD). Thus, this work may be directly translated from the bench to the bedside of patients and meet the clinical needs to improve patient survival