A Prospective, Randomized, Double-blind, Vehicle-controlled, Multi-centre Clinical Trial of Efficacy, Safety and Local Tolerability

This study was a prospective, parallel-group, randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled, multi-centre clinical trial to compare the efficacy of topical sertaconazole 2% cream with vehicle in reducing chronic pruritus in subjects with atopic dermatitis, and to assess its safety and local tolerability. A total of 70 subjects applied either of the 2 treatments twice daily for a period of 4 weeks on affected, itchy skin areas. Treatment efficacy was evaluated primarily considering the item itch intensity on a 5-point verbal rating scale. Insomnia, state of atopic dermatitis (Scoring Atopic Dermatitis; SCORAD), quality of life and therapy benefit were also assessed. No significant difference between active treatment and vehicle was found at any of the time-points for any of the investigated parameters. Under the experimental conditions of the study, sertaconazole 2% cream did not exert anti-pruritic effects that were better than vehicle in subjects with atopic dermatitis who had chronic pruritus. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT01792713

Long-Term Outcomes with Subcutaneous C1-Inhibitor Replacement Therapy for Prevention of Hereditary Angioedema Attacks

Background For the prevention of attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE), the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous human C1-esterase inhibitor (C1-INH[SC]; HAEGARDA, CSL Behring) was established in the 16-week Clinical Study for Optimal Management of Preventing Angioedema with Low-Volume Subcutaneous C1-Inhibitor Replacement Therapy (COMPACT). Objective To assess the long-term safety, occurrence of angioedema attacks, and use of rescue medication with C1-INH(SC). Methods Open-label, randomized, parallel-arm extension of COMPACT across 11 countries. Patients with frequent angioedema attacks, either study treatment-naive or who had completed COMPACT, were randomly assigned (1:1) to 40 IU/kg or 60 IU/kg C1-INH(SC) twice per week, with conditional uptitration to optimize prophylaxis (ClinicalTrials.gov registration no. NCT02316353). Results A total of 126 patients with a monthly attack rate of 4.3 in 3 months before entry in COMPACT were enrolled and treated for a mean of 1.5 years; 44 patients (34.9%) had more than 2 years of exposure. Mean steady-state C1-INH functional activity increased to 66.6% with 60 IU/kg. Incidence of adverse events was low and similar in both dose groups (11.3 and 8.5 events per patient-year for 40 IU/kg and 60 IU/kg, respectively). For 40 IU/kg and 60 IU/kg, median annualized attack rates were 1.3 and 1.0, respectively, and median rescue medication use was 0.2 and 0.0 times per year, respectively. Of 23 patients receiving 60 IU/kg for more than 2 years, 19 (83%) were attack-free during months 25 to 30 of treatment. Conclusions In patients with frequent HAE attacks, long-term replacement therapy with C1-INH(SC) is safe and exhibits a substantial and sustained prophylactic effect, with the vast majority of patients becoming free from debilitating disease symptoms

Structure and photoelectrical properties of SiO2 Si SiO2 single quantum wells prepared under ultrahigh vacuum conditions

SiO2 Si SiO2 single quantum wells QWs were prepared under ultrahigh vacuum conditions in order to study their structural, chemical and photo electrical properties with respect to a possible application in photovoltaic devices. Amorphous silicon a Si layers thickness lt;10 nm were deposited onto quartz glass SiO2 substrates and subsequently oxidized with neutral atomic oxygen at moderate temperatures of 600 C. Under these conditions, the formation of suboxides is mostly suppressed and abrupt Si SiO2 interfaces are obtained. Crystallization of a Si QWs requires temperatures as high as 1000 C resulting in a nanocrystalline structure with a small amorphous fraction. The spectral dependence of the internal quantum efficiency of photoconductivity correlates well with the nanocrystalline structure and yields mobility lifetime products of lt;10 7 cm2 V 1. This rather low value points towards a strong influence of Si SiO2 interface states on the carrier mobility and the carrier lifetime in Si QWs. Electronic passivation of interface states by subsequent hydrogen treatment in forming gas enhances the internal quantum efficiency by nearly one order of magnitud

Gardens designed and planted, trees, shrubs, roses, bulbs /

192

Photoconductivity in Si SiO2 single quantum wells and quantum dot layers

Si SiO2 single quantum wells and quantum dot layers were prepared under ultrahigh vacuum conditions and studied with respect to possible photovoltaic applications. The detection of a photocurrent in such structures is demonstrated. Its spectral dependence correlates with the respective structural properties. Internal quantum efficiencies of photoconductivity and, thus, carrier mobilities and lifetimes, are strongly affected by Si SiO2 interface states and were enhanced upon hydrogen treatment due to passivation of interface gap state

Si SiO2 quantum well and quantum dot structures atomic scale preparation and characterization with respect to photovoltaic application

Si SiO2 single quantum wells and quantum dot layers were prepared under ultrahigh vacuum conditions in order to study their structural, chemical and photo electrical properties with respect to a possible application in photovoltaic devices. Particular focus is put on the realization of well defined and abrupt interfaces with low densities of interface gap states. The detection of a photocurrent in these quantum structures is demonstrated. Its spectral dependence correlates with the respective structural properties. Internal quantum efficiencies of photoconductivity and, thus, carrier mobility lifetime products are strongly affected by Si SiO2 interface states and were significantly enhanced upon hydrogen treatment due to passivation of interface gap state

Designing a Litter Tracking Method for Worcester, MA

In Worcester parks, litter is a growing problem. We worked in collaboration with Jacquelyn Burmeister, Senior Environmental Analyst with the Worcester Department of Public Works (DPW) to develop a litter tracking system that would help assess the amount of litter in parks to determine if litter mitigation efforts are effective. To do this we conducted interviews, field research, and a pilot study of different litter tracking methods. After analyzing our data, we developed both a mobile survey and an accompanying ranking table and guidelines. DPW employees will be able to rate parks using 5 different categories, catalogue litter types, and assess the impact of trash and the clean up effort over time. Finally, we developed numerous recommendations to reduce the amount of litter in Worcester