The fracture behavior of Cr2AlC coatings

The erosion - and self-healing - behavior of Cr2AlC MAX phase coatings has been investigated [1]. It is well known that Cr2AlC coatings can be deposited at temperatures of around 450 °C [2], which is significantly lower than for other MAX phase systems, which often require growth temperatures around 900 °C [3]. To further explore the applicability of the Cr2AlC system in harsh environments, it is necessary to determine its mechanical response. Recent advances in micromechanical testing allow investigating the mechanical properties of hard coatings, especially the fracture behavior, which is of particular interest for several thin film applications. Furthermore, it is possible to deposit the Cr2AlC system with different microstructures, e.g. nanocrystalline or amorphous [2]. Preliminary results revealed a fracture toughness of ~2 MPam1/2 for a coating with columnar morphology. In this investigation, the effect of morphology and microstructure on the fracture toughness of Cr2AlC coatings will be presented. References [1] D. Eichner, A. Schlieter, C. Leyens, L. Shang, S. Shayestehaminzadeh, J.M. Schneider, Solid particle erosion behavior of nanolaminated Cr2AlC films, Wear. 402–403 (2018) 187–195. doi:10.1016/j.wear.2018.02.014. [2] C. Walter, D.P. Sigumonrong, T. El-Raghy, J.M. Schneider, Towards large area deposition of Cr2AlC on steel, Thin Solid Films. 515 (2006) 389–393. doi:10.1016/j.tsf.2005.12.219. [3] P. Eklund, M. Beckers, U. Jansson, H. Högberg, L. Hultman, The Mn+1AXn phases: Materials science and thin-film processing, Thin Solid Films. 518 (2010) 1851–1878. doi:10.1016/j.tsf.2009.07.184

A national evaluation analysis and expert interview study of real-world data sources for research and healthcare decision-making

Real-world data (RWD) can provide intel (real-world evidence, RWE) for research and development, as well as policy and regulatory decision-making along the full spectrum of health care. Despite calls from global regulators for international collaborations to integrate RWE into regulatory decision-making and to bridge knowledge gaps, some challenges remain. In this work, we performed an evaluation of Austrian RWD sources using a multilateral query approach, crosschecked against previously published RWD criteria and conducted direct interviews with representative RWD source samples. This article provides an overview of 73 out of 104 RWD sources in a national legislative setting with favourable RWD incentives, which can be used to extrapolate to other EU data regions under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and upcoming legislation such as the European Health Data Space Act (EHDS). We were able to detect omnipresent challenges associated with data silos, variable standardisation efforts and governance issues. Our findings suggest a strong need for a national health data strategy and governance framework, which should inform researchers, as well as policy- and decision-makers to improve RWD-based research in the healthcare sector to ultimately support actual regulatory decision-making and provide strategic information for governmental health data policies

A national evaluation analysis and expert interview study of real-world data sources for research and healthcare decision-making

Real-world data (RWD) can provide intel (real-world evidence, RWE) for research and development, as well as policy and regulatory decision-making along the full spectrum of health care. Despite calls from global regulators for international collaborations to integrate RWE into regulatory decision-making and to bridge knowledge gaps, some challenges remain. In this work, we performed an evaluation of Austrian RWD sources using a multilateral query approach, crosschecked against previously published RWD criteria and conducted direct interviews with representative RWD source samples. This article provides an overview of 73 out of 104 RWD sources in a national legislative setting where major attempts are made to enable secondary use of RWD (e.g. law on the organisation of research, "Forschungsorganisationsgesetz"). We were able to detect omnipresent challenges associated with data silos, variable standardisation efforts and governance issues. Our findings suggest a strong need for a national health data strategy and data governance framework, which should inform researchers, as well as policy- and decision-makers, to improve RWD-based research in the healthcare sector to ultimately support actual regulatory decision-making and provide strategic information for governmental health data policies

Topical corticosteroids in plaque psoriasis: a systematic review of efficacy and treatment modalities.

International audienceINTRODUCTION: Topical steroids are used for more than 50 years to treat mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the efficacy but also the optimal modalities of administration of topical corticosteroids in psoriasis i.e. influence of steroid potency on clinical response, putative impact of topical formulation, occlusion procedure, rate of application to control the initial response and the potential interest of a maintenance treatment to prolong psoriasis clearance. Material and METHODS: A systematic search was performed between 1980 and January 2011 in Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases (English and French language, adults), using the keywords 'psoriasis'/exp/mj AND 'corticosteroid'/exp/mj. To analyse response across studies, three levels of response were categorized depending on the data available in studies: percentage of patients who achieved more than 50%, 75% or 90% improvement of initial psoriasis severity. RESULTS: From an initial selection of 1269 references, 1166 references were excluded on reading the title or the abstract and 32 on reading the article and 71 were finally retained and analysed. Fifty randomized controlled trials (RCT) assessing topical steroids in the initial treatment of mild-to-severe psoriasis body plaque psoriasis were retained: 40 were parallel-group studies and 10 were within-patient studies. Treatment duration was mostly 4 weeks. Sample size varied from 30 to 1 603 patients. Outcome measures to assess efficacy were highly variable. A total of 30-90% patients across parallel group studies experienced more than 50% of initial mild-to-severe psoriasis improvement while from 7% to 85% experienced more than 75% improvement and from 5% to 85% experienced at least 90% of improvement. The success rate in the within-patient studies varied from 10% to 70%. Eighteen RCT were performed in scalp psoriasis: 16 were parallel-group and two were within-patient studies, with a treatment follow-up time from 2 weeks to 6 months, enrolling 42-1417 patients. A total from 40% to 75% patients across studies experienced more than 75% of initial scalp psoriasis improvement and from 43% to 90% experienced more than 90% initial psoriasis improvement. Only three RCT studies evaluated topical steroids as a maintenance treatment for body psoriasis and one for scalp lesions. Despite heterogeneity in treatment schedule, topical steroid intermittent maintenance treatment was shown to prolong remission. The literature analysis did not provide with high evidence-based quality data on the role of formulation, topical steroid potency, number of applications per day to obtain the highest rate of success excepting occlusion dressing which provided with additional benefit. CONCLUSION: The clinical development of topical steroids in psoriasis did not follow state of the art modern methodology. Treatment success appears to be highly variable across studies. Maintenance intermittent treatment appears to be useful to prolong remission. Recommendations concerning topical steroids treatment modalities in plaque psoriasis should be mostly based on expert opinion