Phase-field model for Hele-Shaw flows with arabitrary contrast II: numerical approach

We present a phase-field model for the dynamics of the interface between two inmiscible fluids with arbitrary viscosity contrast in a rectangular Hele-Shaw cell. With asymptotic matching techniques we check the model to yield the right Hele-Shaw equations in the sharp-interface limit, and compute the corrections to these equations to first order in the interface thickness. We also compute the effect of such corrections on the linear dispersion relation of the planar interface. We discuss in detail the conditions on the interface thickness to control the accuracy and convergence of the phase-field model to the limiting Hele-Shaw dynamics. In particular, the convergence appears to be slower for high viscosity contrasts.

Neutron diffraction analysis on FINEMET alloys

Neutron diffraction has been used to study in situ the nanocrystallization process of Fe73.5Cu1Nb3Si22.5-xBx (x = 5, 9, and 12) amorphous alloys. Nanocrystallization results in a decrease of both the silicon content and the grain size of the Fe(Si) phase with increasing value of x. By comparing the radial distribution function peak areas with those predicted for ideal bcc and DO3 structure, it can be concluded that the ordering in DO3 Fe(Si) crystals increases with the silicon content.

Coexisting ferro- and antiferromagnetism in Ni2MnAl Heusler alloys

The structural and magnetic properties of stoichiometric Ni2MnAl are studied to clarify the conditions for ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic ordering claimed to occur in this compound. X-ray and magnetization measurements show that although a single phase B2 structure can be stabilized at room temperature, a single L21 phase is not readily stabilized, but rather a mixed L21+B2 state occurs. The mixed state incorporates ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic parts for which close-lying Curie and a Néel temperatures can be identified from magnetization measurements.

Lattice-gas model of particles with orientational and positional degrees of freedom: Mean-field treatment

We consider a lattice-gas model of particles with internal orientational degrees of freedom. In addition to antiferromagnetic nearest-neighbor (NN) and next-nearest-neighbor (NNN) positional interactions we also consider NN and NNN interactions arising from the internal state of the particles. The system then shows positional and orientational ordering modes with associated phase transitions at Tp and To temperatures at which long-range positional and orientational ordering are, respectively, lost. We use mean-field techniques to obtain a general approach to the study of these systems. By considering particular forms of the orientational interaction function we study coupling effects between both phase transitions arising from the interplay between orientational and positional degrees of freedom. In mean-field approximation coupling effects appear only for the phase transition taking place at lower temperatures. The strength of the coupling depends on the value of the long-range order parameter that remains finite at that temperature.

Phase I study of sorafenib combined with radiation therapy and temozolomide as first-line treatment of high-grade glioma.

BACKGROUND: Sorafenib (Sb) is a multiple kinase inhibitor targeting both tumour cell proliferation and angiogenesis that may further act as a potent radiosensitizer by arresting cells in the most radiosensitive cell cycle phase. This phase I open-label, noncontrolled dose escalation study was performed to determine the safety and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of Sb in combination with radiation therapy (RT) and temozolomide (TMZ) in 17 patients with newly diagnosed high-grade glioma. METHODS: Patients were treated with RT (60 Gy in 2 Gy fractions) combined with TMZ 75 mg m(-2) daily, and Sb administered at three dose levels (200 mg daily, 200 mg BID, and 400 mg BID) starting on day 8 of RT. Thirty days after the end of RT, patients received monthly TMZ (150-200 mg m(-2) D1-5/28) and Sb (400 mg BID). Pharmacokinetic (PK) analyses were performed on day 8 (TMZ) and on day 21 (TMZ&Sb) (Clinicaltrials ID: NCT00884416). RESULTS: The MTD of Sb was established at 200 mg BID. Dose-limiting toxicities included thrombocytopenia (two patients), diarrhoea (one patient) and hypercholesterolaemia (one patient). Sb administration did not affect the mean area under the curve(0-24) and mean Cmax of TMZ and its metabolite 5-amino-imidazole-4-carboxamide (AIC). Tmax of both TMZ and AIC was delayed from 0.75 (TMZ alone) to 1.5 h (combined TMZ/Sb). The median progression-free survival was 7.9 months (95% confidence interval (CI): 5.4-14.55), and the median overall survival was 17.8 months (95% CI: 14.7-25.6). CONCLUSIONS: Although Sb can be combined with RT and TMZ, significant side effects and moderate outcome results do not support further clinical development in malignant gliomas. The robust PK data of the TMZ/Sb combination could be useful in other cancer settings.

EORTC 26083 phase I/II trial of dasatinib in combination with CCNU in patients with recurrent glioblastoma.

The treatment of patients with recurrent glioblastoma remains a major oncologic problem, with median survival after progression of 7-9 months. To determine the maximum tolerated dose and dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), the combination of dasatinib and cyclonexyl-chloroethyl-nitrosourea (CCNU) was investigated in this setting. The study was designed as multicenter, randomized phase II trial, preceded by a lead-in safety phase. The safety component reported here, which also investigated pharmacokinetics and preliminary clinical activity, required expansion and is therefore considered a phase I part to establish a recommended dosing regimen of the combination of CCNU (90-110 mg/m(2)) and dasatinib (100-200 mg daily). Overall, 28 patients were screened, and 26 patients were enrolled. Five dose levels were explored. DLTs, mainly myelosuppression, occurred in 10 patients. Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was recorded in 7 patients (26.9%) and thrombocytopenia in 11 patients (42.3%). No significant effect of CCNU coadministration on dasatinib pharmacokinetics was found. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 1.35 months (95% confidence interval: 1.2-1.4) and 6-month PFS was 7.7%. In this phase I study of recurrent glioblastoma patients, the combination of CCNU and dasatinib showed significant hematological toxicities and led to suboptimal exposure to both agents.

90Yttrium-Ibritumomab Tiuxetan Consolidation of First Remission in Advanced-Stage Follicular Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: Updated Results After a Median Follow-Up of 7.3 Years From the International, Randomized, Phase III First-Line Indolent Trial.

PURPOSE Updated results are presented after a median follow-up of 7.3 years from the phase III First-Line Indolent Trial of yttrium-90 ((90)Y) -ibritumomab tiuxetan in advanced-stage follicular lymphoma (FL) in first remission. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with CD20(+) stage III or IV FL with complete response (CR), unconfirmed CR (CRu), or partial response (PR) after first-line induction treatment were randomly assigned to (90)Y-ibritumomab consolidation therapy (rituximab 250 mg/m(2) days -7 and 0, then (90)Y-ibritumomab 14.8 MBq/kg day 0; maximum 1,184 MBq) or no further treatment (control). Primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS) from date of random assignment. Results For 409 patients available for analysis ((90)Y-ibritumomab, n = 207; control, n = 202), estimated 8-year overall PFS was 41% with (90)Y-ibritumomab versus 22% for control (hazard ratio [HR], 0.47; P < .001). For patients in CR/CRu after induction, 8-year PFS with (90)Y-ibritumomab was 48% versus 32% for control (HR, 0.61; P = .008), and for PR patients, it was 33% versus 10% (HR, 0.38; P < .001). For (90)Y-ibritumomab consolidation, median PFS was 4.1 years (v 1.1 years for control; P < .001). Median time to next treatment (TTNT) was 8.1 years for (90)Y-ibritumomab versus 3.0 years for control (P < .001) with approximately 80% response rates to second-line therapy in either arm, including autologous stem-cell transplantation. No unexpected toxicities emerged during long-term follow-up. Estimated between-group 8-year overall survival rates were similar. Annualized incidence rate of myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloblastic leukemia was 0.50% versus 0.07% in (90)Y-ibritumomab and control groups, respectively (P = .042). CONCLUSION (90)Y-ibritumomab consolidation after achieving PR or CR/CRu to induction confers 3-year benefit in median PFS with durable 19% PFS advantage at 8 years and improves TTNT by 5.1 years for patients with advanced FL.

Optical correlation by use of partial phase-only modulation with VGA liquid-crystal displays

The development of liquid-crystal panels for use in commercial equipment has been aimed at improving the pixel resolution and the display efficiency. These improvements have led to a reduction in the thickness of such devices, among other outcomes, that involves a loss in phase modulation. We propose a modification of the classical phase-only filter to permit displays in VGA liquid-crystal panels with a constant amplitude modulation and less than a 2¿(PI) phase modulation. The method was tested experimentally in an optical setup.

Phase-only filters codified with Burckhardt's method

We show that Burckhardt's method is available to codify phase-only filters with amplitude-only variations. Correlation experimental results are given.

Premartensitic and martensitic phase transition in ferromagnetic Ni2MnGa

We present an experimental study of the premartensitic and martensitic phase transitions in a Ni2MnGa single crystal by using ultrasonic techniques. The effect of applied magnetic field and uniaxial compressive stress has been investigated. It has been found that they substantially modify the elastic and magnetic behavior of the alloy. These experimental findings are a consequence of magnetoelastic effects. The measured magnetic and vibrational behavior agrees with the predictions of a recently proposed Landau-type model [A. Planes et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 79, 3926 (1997)] that incorporates a magnetoelastic coupling as a key ingredient.