Measurable Residual Disease in High-Risk Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Mounting evidence suggests measurable residual disease (MRD) assessments are prognostic in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). High-risk AML encompasses a subset of AML with poor response to therapy and prognosis, with features such as therapy-related AML, an antecedent hematologic disorder, extramedullary disease (in adults), and selected mutations and cytogenetic abnormalities. Historically, few patients with high-risk AML achieved deep and durable remission with conventional chemotherapy; however, newer agents might be more effective in achieving MRD-negative remission. CPX-351 (dual-drug liposomal encapsulation of daunorubicin/cytarabine at a synergistic ratio) demonstrated MRD-negativity rates of 36\u201364% across retrospective studies in adults with newly diagnosed high-risk AML and 84% in pediatric patients with first-relapse AML. Venetoclax (BCL2 inhibitor) demonstrated MRD-negativity rates of 33\u201353% in combination with hypomethylating agents for high-risk subgroups in studies of older adults with newly diagnosed AML who were ineligible for intensive therapy and 65% in combination with chemotherapy in pediatric patients with relapsed/refractory AML. However, there is no consensus on optimal MRD methodology in AML, and the use of different techniques, sample sources, sensitivity thresholds, and the timing of assessments limit comparisons across studies. Robust MRD analyses are needed in future clinical studies, and MRD monitoring should become a routine aspect of AML management

Electrooptic soft mode response of compounds exhibiting the antiferroelectric phase

We report measurements on the electrooptic response of thin samples (~2-5 μm) of two antiferroelectric liquid crystals. All the phase transitions in these compounds can be very easily detected using this technique. We have been able to measure such an electrooptic effect for the first time in the antiferroelectric and smectic I∗ phases of a tolane compound. The response shows a relaxation at high frequencies (~10 KHz) and is at-tributed to a soft mode which produces an asymmetry in the molecular tilt in successive layers

A constructive study of the module structure of rings of partial differential operators

The purpose of this paper is to develop constructive versions of Stafford's theorems on the module structure of Weyl algebras A n (k) (i.e., the rings of partial differential operators with polynomial coefficients) over a base field k of characteristic zero. More generally, based on results of Stafford and Coutinho-Holland, we develop constructive versions of Stafford's theorems for very simple domains D. The algorithmization is based on the fact that certain inhomogeneous quadratic equations admit solutions in a very simple domain. We show how to explicitly compute a unimodular element of a finitely generated left D-module of rank at least two. This result is used to constructively decompose any finitely generated left D-module into a direct sum of a free left D-module and a left D-module of rank at most one. If the latter is torsion-free, then we explicitly show that it is isomorphic to a left ideal of D which can be generated by two elements. Then, we give an algorithm which reduces the number of generators of a finitely presented left D-module with module of relations of rank at least two. In particular, any finitely generated torsion left D-module can be generated by two elements and is the homomorphic image of a projective ideal whose construction is explicitly given. Moreover, a non-torsion but non-free left D-module of rank r can be generated by r+1 elements but no fewer. These results are implemented in the Stafford package for D=A n (k) and their system-theoretical interpretations are given within a D-module approach. Finally, we prove that the above results also hold for the ring of ordinary differential operators with either formal power series or locally convergent power series coefficients and, using a result of Caro-Levcovitz, also for the ring of partial differential operators with coefficients in the field of fractions of the ring of formal power series or of the ring of locally convergent power series. © 2014 Springer Science+Business Media

Impacts des vers de terre sur les composants et la dynamique du sol (synthèse bibliographique)

Impacts of earthworms on soil components and dynamics. A review. Earthworm populations are important decomposers contributing to aggregate formation and nutrient cycling processes involving nitrogen cycles, phosphorus and carbon. They are known to influence soil fertility by participating to important processes in soil such as soil structure regulation and organic matter dynamics. Earthworms also modify the microbial communities through digestion, stimulation and dispersion in casts. Consequently, changes in the activities of earthworm communities, as a result of soil management practices, can also be used as indicators of soil fertility and quality. It is therefore important to understand how earthworm communities affect soil dynamics. This review adresses the current state of knowledge on earthworm's impacts on soil structure and soil organic matter (carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus) dynamics, with special emphasis on the effects of land management practices on earthworm communities

Holonomic functions of several complex variables and singularities of anisotropic Ising n-fold integrals

Lattice statistical mechanics, often provides a natural (holonomic) framework to perform singularity analysis with several complex variables that would, in a general mathematical framework, be too complex, or could not be defined. Considering several Picard-Fuchs systems of two-variables "above" Calabi-Yau ODEs, associated with double hypergeometric series, we show that holonomic functions are actually a good framework for actually finding the singular manifolds. We, then, analyse the singular algebraic varieties of the n-fold integrals $\chi^{(n)}$, corresponding to the decomposition of the magnetic susceptibility of the anisotropic square Ising model. We revisit a set of Nickelian singularities that turns out to be a two-parameter family of elliptic curves. We then find a first set of non-Nickelian singularities for $\chi^{(3)}$ and $\chi^{(4)}$, that also turns out to be rational or ellipic curves. We underline the fact that these singular curves depend on the anisotropy of the Ising model. We address, from a birational viewpoint, the emergence of families of elliptic curves, and of Calabi-Yau manifolds on such problems. We discuss the accumulation of these singular curves for the non-holonomic anisotropic full susceptibility.Comment: 36 page

Basic Module Theory over Non-Commutative Rings with Computational Aspects of Operator Algebras

The present text surveys some relevant situations and results where basic Module Theory interacts with computational aspects of operator algebras. We tried to keep a balance between constructive and algebraic aspects.Comment: To appear in the Proceedings of the AADIOS 2012 conference, to be published in Lecture Notes in Computer Scienc

Dislocation loops in overheated free-standing smectic films

Static and dynamic phenomena in overheated free-standing smectic-A films are studied using a generalization of de Gennes' theory for a confined presmectic liquid. A static application is to determine the profile of the film meniscus and the meniscus contact angle, the results being compared with those of a recent study employing de Gennes' original theory. The dynamical generalization of the theory is based on on a time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau approach. This is used to compare two modes for layer-thinning transitions in overheated films, namely "uniform thinning" vs. nucleation of dislocation loops. Properties such as the line tension and velocity of a moving dislocation line are evaluated self-consistently by the theory.Comment: 16 pages, 8 figure

Turning evidence into recommendations: Protocol of a study guideline development groups

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Health care practice based on research evidence requires that evidence is synthesised, and that recommendations based on this evidence are implemented. It also requires an intermediate step: translating synthesised evidence into practice recommendations. There is considerable literature on evidence synthesis and implementation, but little on how guideline development groups (GDGs) produce recommendations. This is a complex process, with many influences on communication and decision-making, <it>e.g</it>., the quality of evidence, methods of presentation, practical/resource constraints, individual values, professional and scientific interests, social and psychological processes. To make this process more transparent and potentially effective, we need to understand these influences. Psychological theories of decision-making and social influence provide a framework for this understanding.</p> <p>Objectives</p> <p>This study aims to investigate the processes by which GDGs formulate recommendations, drawing on psychological theories of decision-making and social influence. The findings will potentially inform the further evolution of GDG methods, such as choice of members and procedures for presenting evidence, conducting discussion and formulating recommendations.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Longitudinal observation of the meetings of three National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) GDGs, one from each of acute, mental health and public health, will be tape recorded and transcribed. Interviews with a sample of GDG members at the beginning, middle, and end of the GDG's work will be recorded and transcribed. Site documents including relevant e-mail interchanges, GDG meeting minutes, and stakeholders' responses to the drafts of the recommendations will be collected. Data will be selected for analysis if they refer to either evidence or recommendations; the focus is on "hot spots", <it>e.g</it>., dilemmas, conflicts, and uncertainty. Data will be analysed thematically and by content analysis, drawing on psychological theories of decision-making and social influence.</p