New Formulas for Evaluation of Cyclohexanol Solidification on Substrates with Surface Nanostructures.

In semiconductor manufacturing, the sublimation drying process is crucial but poorly understood-particularly regarding the solidification of agents such as cyclohexanol on Si substrates. This knowledge gap results in inconsistent film properties and risks such as structural collapse. To address this critical gap in knowledge, the present study focused on an in-depth examination of the nucleation behavior exhibited by cyclohexanol during its cooling and solidification on Si substrates. Using a digital camera (GoPro10), the solidification process in experiments was recorded for a range of cooling rates and using substrates with distinct surface patterns. To evaluate temporal changes in crystal nucleation, video images were visually checked, and the temporal changes in the number of nuclei were examined. For a more quantitative analysis, the least-squares method was successfully employed to correlate mathematical equations to time-dependent nucleation data. Interestingly, the outcomes revealed significant correlations between the nucleation rate, cooling rate, and substrate pattern. In summary, this research offers a robust experimental framework for understanding the complex solidification behavior of cyclohexanol on Si substrates. The study contributes both qualitative and quantitative analyses, enriching our understanding of the variables that govern the solidification process, which has significant implications for enhancing the overall reliability and efficiency of semiconductor manufacturing.

Outcomes of Autologous stem cell transplantation in patients with primary refractory Diffuse Large B-cell lymphoma who demonstrate chemosensitivity to salvage chemotherapy.

Rituximab with anthracycline-based combination frontline chemoimmunotherapy can cure 50-60% of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). However, studies on the outcomes of patients with DLBCL who experience partial response (PR), stable or progressive disease in response to frontline rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (RCHOP) therapy are limited, as are data on the outcomes of high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in patients with primary refractory DLBCL who demonstrate chemosensitivity to salvage chemotherapy (SC). We assessed the latter among 184 patients, 144 of whom started SC, with 84 responding and 72 receiving HDC-ASCT. The 5-year survival rate was 58.9%; the median overall survival (OS) was not reached. The difference in response to SC (partial response versus complete response) was significant, with higher 2- and 5-year OS rates in patients with CR (78.1% and 74.9%, respectively) than in those with PR (55.3% and 47%, respectively). The median OS for the whole group was 15 months and particularly patients who had progressive disease after frontline R-CHOP had dismal outcomes. Our study suggests that in patients with primary refractory DLBCL without initial progressive disease after frontline R-CHOP, the depth of response to SC before HDC-ASCT is predictive of relapse.

Comparing redo surgery and stereotactic radiosurgery for recurrent, residual, and/or tumors showing progression in nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) are well-differentiated benign tumors originating from the adenohypophyseal cells of the pituitary gland. They present with headaches, visual disorders, or cranial nerve deficits. NFPAs can recur, progress, or present as residual tumors. We, therefore, conducted this review to compare the effects of both revision surgery and stereotactic surgery on tumor size, visual status, endocrine status, and complications. Methods: A systematic review of published literature on recurrent, residual, or progressing NFPAs that underwent redo surgery or stereotactic radiosurgery from the inception till June 2020 was conducted as per Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Thirteen records (1209 patients) were included, and risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) estimated from each study were pooled using a random-effects meta-analysis model. Results: Redo surgery was the preferred intervention in patients presenting with larger tumor sizes and was more effective in reducing the tumor size as compared to stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) (risk ratio [RR] 56.14; 95% CI, 16.45-191.58). There was more visual loss with revision surgery as compared to SRS (risk ratio [RR] 0.08; 95% CI, 0.03-0.20). However, SRS was associated with fewer complications, such as new diabetes insipidus, as compared to the redo surgery (risk ratio [RR] 0.01; 95% CI 0.01-0.03). Conclusion: Redo surgery is the superior choice in the treatment of recurrent/residual or progressing NFPAs if the tumor size is large and an immediate reduction in tumor burden through debulking is warranted. However, redo surgery is associated with a higher risk of visual loss, new endocrinopathies, and other complications, in contrast to SRS.

International Prognostic Score for Nodular Lymphocyte-Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma.

PURPOSE: Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) is a rare cancer, and large international cooperative efforts are needed to evaluate the significance of clinical risk factors and immunoarchitectural patterns (IAPs) for all stages of pediatric and adult patients with NLPHL. METHODS: Thirty-eight institutions participated in the Global nLPHL One Working Group retrospective study of NLPHL cases from 1992 to 2021. We measured progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), transformation rate, and lymphoma-specific death rate. We performed uni- and multivariable (MVA) Cox regression stratified by management to select factors for the lymphocyte-predominant international prognostic score (LP-IPS) validated by five-fold cross-validation. RESULTS: We identified 2,243 patients with a median age of 37 years (IQR, 23-51). The median follow-up was 6.3 years (IQR, 3.4-10.8). Most had stage I to II (72.9%) and few B symptoms (9.9%) or splenic involvement (5.4%). IAP was scored for 916 (40.8%). Frontline management included chemotherapy alone (32.4%), combined modality therapy (30.5%), radiotherapy alone (24.0%), observation after excision (4.6%), rituximab alone (4.0%), active surveillance (3.4%), and rituximab and radiotherapy (1.1%). The PFS, OS, transformation, and lymphoma-specific death rates at 10 years were 70.8%, 91.6%, 4.8%, and 3.3%, respectively. On MVA, IAPs were not associated with PFS or OS, but IAP E had higher risk of transformation (hazard ratio [HR], 1.81; P < .05). We developed the LP-IPS with 1 point each for age ≥45 years, stage III-IV, hemoglobin <10.5 g/dL, and splenic involvement. Increasing LP-IPS was significantly associated with worse PFS (HR, 1.52) and OS (HR, 2.31) and increased risk of lymphoma-specific death (HR, 2.63) and transformation (HR, 1.41). CONCLUSION: In this comprehensive study of all ages of patients with NLPHL, we develop the LP-IPS to identify high-risk patients and inform upcoming prospective clinical trials evaluating de-escalation of therapy for patients with low LP-IPS scores (<2).

Kinetics formulation for Two-Dimensional Growth Behavior of Water/Ice Interface on Si Substrate.

Sublimation drying is used in the drying process of semiconductor device manufacturing. However, the solidification behavior mechanics of sublimation agents on substrates has not been clarified. Therefore, the properties of solidified films within substrate surfaces can become nonuniform, leading to their collapse. This study aimed to analyze the interface growth behavior during the cooling and solidification of a water/ice system as a basic case and to clarify the dynamic mechanism of the solidification behavior of liquid films on Si substrates. The solidification behavior of a water/ice system on Si substrates was captured on a video at different cooling rates. The recorded video was subjected to a digital image analysis to examine the crystal morphology and quantify the interface growth rate. The least-squares method with kinetic formulas was used to evaluate the feasibility of fitting the temperature variation to the interface growth rate. A visual examination of the morphology of interfacial growth revealed that it can be classified into four morphologies. The proposed kinetic equation describes the experimental results regarding the temperature dependence of the interfacial growth rate. Through image analysis, the interface growth rate of water and ice was quantified, and an evaluation formula was proposed.