Focused helium and neon ion beam induced etching for advanced extreme ultraviolet lithography mask repair

The gas field ion microscope was used to investigate helium and neon ion beam induced etching of nickel as a candidate technique for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography mask editing. No discernable nickel etching was observed for room temperature helium exposures at 16 and 30 keV in the dose range of 1 x 10(15)-1 x 10(18) He+/cm(2); however, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed subsurface damage to the underlying Mo-Si multilayer EUV mirror. Subsequently, neon beam induced etching at 30 keV was investigated over a similar dose range and successfully removed the entire 50 nm nickel top absorber film at a dose of similar to 3 x 10(17) Ne+/cm(2). Similarly, TEM revealed subsurface damage in the underlying Mo-Si multilayer. To further understand the helium and neon damage, the authors simulated the ion-solid interactions with our EnvizION Monte-Carlo model, which reasonably correlated the observed damage and bubble formation to the nuclear energy loss and the implanted inert gas concentration, respectively. A critical nuclear energy density loss of similar to 80 eV/nm(3) and critical implant concentration of similar to 2.5 x 10(20) atoms/cm(3) have been estimated for damage generation in the multilayer structure. (C) 2014 American Vacuum Society

Efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy and autologous stem cell transplant in relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: A systematic review

BackgroundWe aimed to compare the efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy with that of autologous stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) in relapsed/refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL).Research design and methodsWe searched eligible publications up to January 31st, 2022, in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Springer, and Scopus. A total of 16 publications with 3484 patients were independently evaluated and analyzed using STATA SE software.ResultsPatients who underwent CAR-T cell therapy showed a better overall response rate (ORR) and partial response (PR) than those treated with auto-HSCT (CAR-T vs. auto-HSCT, ORR: 80% vs. 73%, HR:0.90,95%CI:0.76-1.07,P = 0.001; PR: 20% vs. 14%, HR:0.65,95%CI:0.62-0.68,P = 0.034). No significant difference was observed in 6-month overall survival (OS) (CAR-T vs. auto-HSCT, six-month OS: 81% vs. 84%, HR:1.23,95%CI:0.63-2.38, P = 0.299), while auto-HSCT showed a favorable 1 and 2-year OS (CAR-T vs. auto-HSCT, one-year OS: 64% vs. 73%, HR:2.42,95%CI:2.27-2.79, P < 0.001; two-year OS: 54% vs. 68%, HR:1.81,95%CI:1.78-1.97, P < 0.001). Auto-HSCT also had advantages in progression-free survival (PFS) (CAR-T vs. auto-HSCT, six-month PFS: 53% vs. 76%, HR:2.81,95%CI:2.53-3.11,P < 0.001; one-year PFS: 46% vs. 61%, HR:1.84,95%CI:1.72-1.97,P < 0.001; two-year PFS: 42% vs. 54%, HR:1.62,95%CI:1.53-1.71, P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis by age, prior lines of therapy, and ECOG scores was performed to compare the efficacy of both treatment modalities.ConclusionAlthough CAR-T cell therapy showed a beneficial ORR, auto-HSCT exhibited a better long-term treatment superiority in R/R DLBCL patients. Survival outcomes were consistent across different subgroups

Identification of microtubule-associated biomarkers in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and prognosis prediction

Background: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a genetically heterogeneous disease with a complicated prognosis. Even though various prognostic evaluations have been applied currently, they usually only use the clinical factors that overlook the molecular underlying DLBCL progression. Therefore, more accurate prognostic assessment needs further exploration. In the present study, we constructed a novel prognostic model based on microtubule associated genes (MAGs).Methods: A total of 33 normal controls and 1360 DLBCL samples containing gene-expression from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were included. Subsequently, the univariate Cox, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), and multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to select the best prognosis related genes into the MAGs model. To validate the model, Kaplan-Meier curve, and nomogram were analyzed.Results: A risk score model based on fourteen candidate MAGs (CCDC78, CD300LG, CTAG2, DYNLL2, MAPKAPK2, MREG, NME8, PGK2, RALBP1, SIGLEC1, SLC1A1, SLC39A12, TMEM63A, and WRAP73) was established. The K-M curve presented that the high-risk patients had a significantly inferior overall survival (OS) time compared to low-risk patients in training and validation datasets. Furthermore, knocking-out TMEM63A, a key gene belonging to the MAGs model, inhibited cell proliferation noticeably.Conclusion: The novel MAGs prognostic model has a well predictive capability, which may as a supplement for the current assessments. Furthermore, candidate TMEM63A gene has therapeutic target potentially in DLBCL

Associations between long-term blood pressure trajectory and all-cause and CVD mortality among old people in China

BackgroundOptimal blood pressure (BP) management strategy among the elderly remains controversial, with insufficient consideration of long-term BP trajectory. This study aimed to identify BP trajectory patterns as well as terminal BP trajectory among the Chinese elderly and to explore the relationships between BP trajectories and all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality.MethodsWe included 11,181 participants older than 60 at baseline (mean age, 80.98 ± 10.71) with 42,871 routine BP measurements from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. Latent class trajectory analysis and Cox proportional hazard model were conducted to identify trajectory patterns and their associations with mortality. Furthermore, we also applied mixed-effects model to identify terminal BP trajectories among the elderly.ResultsCompared with stable at normal high level trajectory, excess systolic BP (SBP) trajectory with decreasing trend was associated with a 34% (HR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.23–1.45) higher risk of all-cause mortality. Considering the competing risk of non-CVD death, excess BP trajectory with decreasing trend had a more pronounced effect on CVD mortality, in which HR (95% CI) was 1.67 (1.17, 2.37). Similar results were also found in diastolic BP (DBP), pulse pressure (PP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) trajectories. We further conducted a mixed-effects model and observed that SBP and PP trajectories first increased and began to decline slightly six years before death. In contrast, DBP and MAP showed continuous decline 15 years before death.ConclusionLong-term BP trajectory was associated with all-cause mortality, especially CVD mortality. Keeping a stable BP over time may be an important way for CVD prevention among the elderly

Stress-Induced Nanoparticle Crystallization

We demonstrate for the first time a new mechanical annealing method that can significantly improve the structural quality of self-assembled nanoparticle arrays by eliminating defects at room temperature. Using <i>in situ</i> high-pressure small-angle X-ray scattering, we show that deformation of nanoparticle assembly in the presence of gigapascal level stress rebalances interparticle forces within nanoparticle arrays and transforms the nanoparticle film from an amorphous assembly with defects into a quasi-single crystalline superstructure. Our results show that the existence of the hydrostatic pressure field makes the transformation both thermodynamically and kinetically possible/favorable, thus providing new insight for nanoparticle self-assembly and integration with enhanced mechanical performance

Monodisperse Fluorescent Organic/Inorganic Composite Nanoparticles: Tuning Full Color Spectrum

Monodisperse fluorescent organic/inorganic composite nanoparticles are synthesized through the spontaneous self-assembly of block copolymer polystyrene-<i>block</i>-poly­(vinylpyridine) and rare-earth ions (europium, terbium, thulium, etc.). Depending on the rare-earth ions selected, tunable light-emission colors, including the primary red, green, and blue, are accomplished. Further, by stoichiometric mixing of the nanoparticles that emit different colors, the full color spectrum can be accessed. Both electron microscopy and spectroscopic characterizations confirm specific interactions of rare-earth and block copolymers. The resulting nanoparticles are monodisperse as characterized by dynamic light scattering. They are very stable and can be dispersed in common solvents, and together with homopolymers, they form ordered arrays and thin films (both supported and free-standing) upon solvent evaporation. The resulting nanoparticle thin films exhibit mechanical flexibility for ease of processing or device integration

Chromium(III) Terephthalate Metal Organic Framework (MIL-101): HF-Free Synthesis, Structure, Polyoxometalate Composites, and Catalytic Properties

Hybrid materials of the metal–organic framework (MOF), chromium­(III) terephthalate (MIL-101), and phosphotungstic acid (PTA) were synthesized in aqueous media in the absence of hydrofluoric acid. XRD analysis of the MIL101/PTA composites indicates the presence of ordered PTA assemblies residing in both the large cages and small pores of MIL-101, which suggests the formation of previously undocumented structures. The MIL101/PTA structure enables a PTA payload 1.5–2 times higher than previously achieved. The catalytic performance of the MIL101/PTA composites was assessed in the Baeyer condensation of benzaldehyde and 2-naphthol, in the three-component condensation of benzaldehyde, 2-naphthol, and acetamide, and in the epoxidation of caryophyllene by hydrogen peroxide. The catalytic efficiency was demonstrated by the high (over 80–90%) conversion of the reactants under microwave-assisted heating. In four consecutive reaction cycles, the catalyst recovery was in excess of 75%, whereas the product yields were maintained above 92%. The simplicity of preparation, exceptional stability, and reactivity of the novel composites indicate potential in utilization of these catalytic matrices in a multitude of catalytic reactions and engineering processes