Comparative analysis of air permeability between UHPC and epoxy-coated normal concrete for hyperloop tube structures.

This study evaluates the air permeability of epoxy-coated normal concrete and ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) for use in Hyperloop tube structures, where maintaining ultra-low air permeability is crucial to preserving the vacuum environment. While UHPC is recognized for its exceptionally low permeability due to its dense microstructure, this research explores epoxy-coated conventional concrete as a cost-effective alternative. Using a vacuum-based permeability test simulating Hyperloop's near-vacuum conditions, the study found that epoxy-coated concrete significantly reduced air permeability compared to uncoated concrete, with specimens coated on both sides approaching near-zero permeability.

Busulfan and cyclophosphamide for autologous stem cell transplantation in patients with multiple myeloma after proteasome inhibitor and/or immunomodulatory drug treatment.

High-dose melphalan at 200 mg/m (MEL-200) is the standard conditioning regimen before autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Busulfan (BU) and cyclophosphamide (CY) can be used as alternatives when MEL is unavailable. However, most studies on BU/CY conditioning regimens were conducted before proteasome inhibitors (PIs) and immunomodulatory drugs (IMIDs) were available.

Very-Large-Scale GPU-Accelerated Nuclear Gradient of Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory with Tamm-Dancoff Approximation and Range-Separated Hybrid Functionals.

Modern graphics processing units (GPUs) provide an unprecedented level of computing power. In this study, we present a high-performance, multi-GPU implementation of the analytical nuclear gradient for Kohn-Sham time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT), employing the Tamm-Dancoff approximation (TDA) and Gaussian-type atomic orbitals as basis functions. We discuss GPU-efficient algorithms for the derivatives of electron repulsion integrals and exchange-correlation functionals within the range-separated scheme.

Repeatability of Scheimpflug-Placido camera in mild dry eye versus normal eyes according to the topographical position of the cornea.

We aimed to investigate the repeatability of various corneal measurements according to topographical location in the entire cornea measured by dual rotating Scheimpflug-Placido camera and to explore the differences in repeatability between patients with mild dry eye and those with normal eyes. In both the normal and dry eye groups, divided based on BUT or the height of the tear film, there were no statistically significant differences in the ratio of unacceptable variation (RUV) and ICC. The consistency of the examination of the anterior and posterior refractive values and corneal thickness according to the corneal location, measured three times repeatedly using the Galilei anterior segment camera, was high.

Combination of rituximab and methotrexate followed by rituximab and cytarabine in elderly patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma.

The optimal treatment strategy for newly diagnosed primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) has yet to be established, especially in the elderly. In the current study, we conducted a phase II study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of rituximab plus high-dose MTX followed by rituximab plus cytarabine in patients aged ≥60 years newly diagnosed with PCNSL. Patients received an induction treatment of high-dose methotrexate plus rituximab followed by two cycles of a consolidation treatment of cytarabine plus rituximab.

ATR2 from Arabidopsis-infecting downy mildew requires 4 TIR-NLR immune receptors for full recognition.

Arabidopsis Col-0 RPP2A and RPP2B confer recognition of Arabidopsis downy mildew (Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis [Hpa]) isolate Cala2, but the identity of the recognized ATR2 effector was unknown. To reveal ATR2, an F population was generated from a cross between Hpa-Cala2 and Hpa-Noks1. We identified ATR2 as a non-canonical RxLR-type effector that carries a signal peptide, a dEER motif, and WY domains but no RxLR motif.

Long-term Psychiatric and Endocrine Complications Following Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Hematologic Disease in Korea: A Nation-Wide Cohort Study.

Purpose: Numerous patients experience long-term complications after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). This study aimed to identify the frequency and risk factors for psychiatric and endocrine complications following HSCT through big data analyses.

Materials And Methods: We established a cohort of patients with hematologic disease who underwent HSCT in Korea between 2010 and 2012 using the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service data.

Predictors of Choledocholithiasis in Cholecystectomy Patients and Their Cutoff Values and Prediction Model in Korea in Comparison with the 2019 ASGE Guidelines.

Background/aims: : In 2019, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) established clinical predictors for choledocholithiasis. Our study was designed to evaluate these predictors within the Korean clinical context, establish cutoff values, and develop a predictive model.

Methods: : This retrospective study analyzed patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Assessment of Bone Marrow Involvement in B-Cell non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Using Immunoglobulin Gene Rearrangement Analysis with Next-Generation Sequencing.

Background: Assessment of bone marrow involvement (BMI) in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is crucial for determining patient prognosis and treatment strategy. We assessed the prognostic value of next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based immunoglobulin (Ig) gene clonality analysis as an ancillary test for BMI evaluation in NHL.

Methods: A retrospective cohort of 124 patients newly diagnosed with B-cell NHL between 2019 and 2022 was included.

Clinical significance of bone marrow involvement by immunoglobulin gene rearrangement in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a multicenter retrospective study.

Background: Bone marrow (BM) involvement is an indicator of a poor prognosis in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL); however, few studies have evaluated the role of immunoglobulin gene rearrangement (IgR) in detecting BM involvement.

Methods: We evaluated the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with DLBCL based on histological BM involvement or positive BM IgR using polymerase chain reaction or next-generation sequencing. We also investigated the role of consolidative upfront autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in patients with DLBCL and BM involvement.

Diagnostic Value of Ileal Lesions Found during Colonoscopy with Reference to Endoscopic Indications and Findings.

The diagnostic value of ileoscopy is not well established, and its routine practice is controversial. We aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of biopsy for macroscopically abnormal lesions in the terminal ileum and to identify the association between endoscopic indications and findings and the presence of significant disease. This retrospective study included 551 patients who underwent biopsy of abnormal lesions in the terminal ileum (TI) during colonoscopy between February 2000 and June 2019.

Risk stratification for early mortality in newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia: a multicenter, non-selected, retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: Despite the current effective treatments for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), early mortality (EM), defined as death within 30 days of presentation, is a major hurdle to long-term survival.

Methods: We performed a multicenter retrospective study to evaluate the incidence and clinical characteristics of EM in patients with newly diagnosed APL and to develop a risk stratification model to predict EM.

Results: We identified 313 eligible patients diagnosed between 2000 and 2021 from five academic hospitals.

Sublimation of isolated toric focal conic domains on micro-patterned surfaces.

Toric focal conic domains (TFCDs) in smectic liquid crystals exhibit distinct topological characteristics, featuring torus-shaped molecular alignment patterns with rotational symmetry around a central core. TFCDs have attracted much interest due to their unique topological structures and properties, enabling not only fundamental studies but also potential applications in liquid crystal (LC)-based devices. Here, we investigated the precise spatial control of the arrangement of TFCDs using micropatterns and sublimation of TFCDs to estimate the energy states of the torus-like structures.

Geriatric risk model for older patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (GERIAD): a prospective multicenter cohort study.

Background/aims: Optimal risk stratification based on simplified geriatric assessment to predict treatment-related toxicity and survival needs to be clarified in older patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

Methods: This multicenter prospective cohort study enrolled newly diagnosed patients with DLBCL (≥ 65 yr) between September 2015 and April 2018. A simplified geriatric assessment was performed at baseline using Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Instrumental ADL (IADL), and Charlson's Comorbidity Index (CCI).

Sidewinder-Inspired Self-Adjusting, Lateral-Rolling Soft Robots for Autonomous Terrain Exploration.

Helical structures of liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) hold promise in soft robotics for self-regulated rolling motions. The understanding of their motion paths and potentials for terrain exploration remains limited. This study introduces a self-adjusting, lateral-rolling soft robot inspired by sidewinder snakes.

Enhanced SARS-CoV-2 humoral immunity following breakthrough infection builds upon the preexisting memory B cell pool.

The human immune response must continuously adapt to newly emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. To investigate how B cells respond to repeated SARS-CoV-2 antigen exposure by Wu01 booster vaccination and Omicron breakthrough infection, we performed a molecular longitudinal analysis of the memory B cell pool. We demonstrate that a subsequent breakthrough infection substantially increases the frequency of B cells encoding SARS-CoV-2-neutralizing antibodies.

Dynamics and durability of HIV-1 neutralization are determined by viral replication.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) that prevent infection are the main goal of HIV vaccine discovery. But as no nAb-eliciting vaccines are yet available, only data from HIV-1 neutralizers-persons with HIV-1 who naturally develop broad and potent nAbs-can inform about the dynamics and durability of nAb responses in humans, knowledge which is crucial for the design of future HIV-1 vaccine regimens. To address this, we assessed HIV-1-neutralizing immunoglobulin G (IgG) from 2,354 persons with HIV-1 on or off antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Switchable Chemical-Bond Reorganization for the Stable Charge Trapping in Amorphous Silicon Nitride.

Despite the widespread use of charge-trap flash (CTF) memory, the atomistic mechanism behind the exceptionally stable charge storage at the localized trap sites is still controversial. Herein, by combining first-principles calculations and orbital interaction analysis, a charge-dependent switchable chemical-bond reorganization is elucidated as the underpinning chemistry in the working mechanism of CTF. Especially, positively charged fourfold-coordinated nitrogen (dubbed N center), unappreciated until now, is the decisive component of the entire process; once an electron occupies this site, the N center disappears by breaking one N─Si bond, simultaneously forming a new Si─Si bond with a nearby Si atom which, in turn, creates fivefold coordinated Si.

ARL6IP1 gene delivery reduces neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative pathology in hereditary spastic paraplegia model.

ARL6IP1 is implicated in hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), but the specific pathogenic mechanism leading to neurodegeneration has not been elucidated. Here, we clarified the molecular mechanism of ARL6IP1 in HSP using in vitro and in vivo models. The Arl6ip1 knockout (KO) mouse model was generated to represent the clinically involved frameshift mutations and mimicked the HSP phenotypes.

Atomistic insights into adhesion characteristics of tungsten on titanium nitride using steered molecular dynamics with machine learning interatomic potential.

As transistor integration accelerates and miniaturization progresses, improving the interfacial adhesion characteristics of complex metal interconnect has become a major issue in ensuring semiconductor device reliability. Therefore, it is becoming increasingly important to interpret the adhesive properties of metal interconnects at the atomic level, predict their adhesive strength and failure mode, and develop computational methods that can be universally applied regardless of interface properties. In this study, we propose a method for theoretically understanding adhesion characteristics through steering molecular dynamics simulations based on machine learning interatomic potentials.

Cytomegalovirus reactivation under pre-emptive therapy following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant: Pattern, survival, and risk factors in the Republic of Korea.

Introduction: Pre-emptive therapy for cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation has been used in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). It is unclear if this strategy has poorer clinical outcomes in CMV-endemic areas and if more aggressive prophylaxis is required.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the patterns and survival after CMV reactivation in patients undergoing pre-emptive therapy following allo-HSCT and assessed high-risk patients who could benefit from aggressive CMV prophylaxis in endemic areas.