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Provides information on a study which presented an analysis of the evolution of the crystallographic texture of blanket electroplated copper films before and after the room temperature recrystallization process. Details on the experiment; Results and discussion.

Presents a system for deposition of palladium from a single-component metallo-organic film of palladium acetate. Factors from which the magnitude of the periodic structure is a function; Ways in which precursors must be tailored to quench the explosive phenomenon and achieve high-purity features; Description of palladium acetate.

Presents information on a study which examined the chemical and mechanistic properties of laser direct-write metallization in metallo-organic films. Analysis of investigations on the potential impact of laser direct-write metallization on integrated circuit microfabrication; Methodology of the study; Results and discussion.

Focuses on the development of types of periodic structure through laser-initiated microchemistry in thin films. Determination of the spatial period; Relation of the mechanism to laser-initiated explosive phenomena observed in the recrystallization of amorphous semiconductors; Discussion on the potential applications of laser direct-write techniques in device development and customization and litographic mask repair.

Discusses the influence of topography on the dynamics of recrystallization of electroplated copper (Cu) thin films. Factors for the effect of topography on the recrystallization process; Why electroplating is emerging as a method of choice for the copper deposition; Conclusion.

Presents a study which investigated the use of a low oxidation state titanium compound as a potential source for TiN and titanium in plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition processes. Features of the films; Description of effective diffusion barriers between aluminum and silicon; Use of TiN; Motive for the deposition of a thin film of titanium prior to the TiN.

Reports on a low-pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition of aluminum using triethylamine alane. Function of the liquid source; Activators for nucleation of aluminum; Electrical resistivities of the aluminum films on titanium-nitrogen.

Discusses the focused ion beam stimulated deposition of aluminum from trimethylamine alane, a white solid and triethylamine alane, a colorless liquid. Initiation of growth on silicon and silicon dioxide substrates; Enhancement of nucleation; Features of the aluminum.

Presents information on a study which fabricated palladium (Pd) features by high-energy ion irradiation of thin Pd acetate films. Information on spin coating a Pd acetate; Structure of Pd acetate; Illustration of the fluence dependence of the infrared spectrum; Monitoring of gas evolution.

Introduction This report summarizes recommendations relating to haemophilia therapy arising from discussions among experts from 36 European countries during the 'Kreuth IV' meeting in May 2016. Aim The objective of the meeting was for experts in the field of haemophilia from across Europe to draft resolutions regarding current issues relating to the treatment of haemophilia. Results Hospitals providing clinical care for people with haemophilia and related disorders are strongly recommended to seek formal designation as either European Haemophilia Treatment Centres ( EHTC) or European Haemophilia Comprehensive Care Centres ( EHCCC). There should be agreed national protocols or guidelines on management of the ageing patient with haemophilia. The minimum consumption of factor VIII and IX concentrate in any country should be 4 IU and 0.5 IU per capita of general population respectively. Treatment for hepatitis C with direct-acting antiviral agents should be provided to all people with haemophilia on a priority basis. Genotype analysis should be offered to all patients with severe haemophilia. Genetic counselling, when given, should encompass the recommendation that genetic relatives of the affected person be advised to seek genetic counselling. People with inhibitors should have access to bypassing agents, immune tolerance and elective surgery. National or regional tenders for factor concentrates are encouraged. Outcome data including health related quality of life should be collected. Treatment with extended half-life factors should be individualized and protection against bleeding should be improved by increasing trough levels. Steps should be taken to understand and minimize the risk of inhibitor development. Conclusion It is hoped that these recommendations will help to foster equity of haemophilia care throughout Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Payers in European countries request studies with high levels of evidence for decision making also for rare diseases like haemophilia B ( HB). The objective of the study was to determine the status quo of current studies in HB regarding the overall level of evidence generated. The methods used for performing the study were systematic literature research in EMBASE and MEDLINE, search terms ' HB' and 'factor IX' ( FIX). The inclusion criteria were journal articles ( JA), conference abstracts ( CA), English language, published between January 2009 and March 2013, studies only; screening of titles, abstracts, full texts subsequently. ClinicalTrials.gov search: unpublished registered trials ( RT) concerning HB or FIX. The analysis was performed on research topic, sponsor, recruitment status and study design. Screening of 1639 hits yielded 31 JA describing 35 studies, and 62 CA. FIX was subject of 21 studies (60.0%) and 29 CA (46.8%). Seven studies focused on various aspects of HB, six on haemophilia studies with separate HB data. Screening of 173 hits from ClinicalTrials.gov yielded 42 RT. Overall, 32 RT (76.2%) related to FIX. Measurement of health-related quality of life ( HRQoL) was identified in none of these studies, four CA (6.5%), four RT (9.5%). Randomized study design was found in one study (2.9%), four RT (9.5%). Three studies (8.6%) and seven RT (16.7%) were prospective, observational and comparative. The majority of published clinical studies do not meet payers' expectations for evidence. Therefore, clinical investigation concepts addressing randomization, outcomes research including HRQoL and comparison of therapy options should be discussed. Refined statistical methods and exploitation of complementary real-life data sources may fill current evidence gaps concerning rare diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to evaluate a lyophilized anti-D immunoglobulin preparation to serve as a global standard for potency assays of anti-D immunoglobulin products. The candidate global standard, 01/572, was calibrated against the World Health Organization (WHO) International Reference Preparation (IRP) for anti-D immunoglobulin, human (68/419), along with two reserve candidate reference preparations, in an international collaborative study involving 25 laboratories in 15 countries. The United States Food and Drug Administration (US-FDA) Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) Standard for anti-D immunoglobulin, Lot 3, was included for comparison. Most laboratories (20/25) performed AutoAnalyser methodology, competitive enzyme-linked immunoassay (EIA) and/or flow cytometry. The overall mean potency of the candidate global standard, 01/572, was 284·5 international units (IU)/ampoule, with an interlaboratory variability, expressed as a percentage geometric coefficient of variation (% gcv), of 9·7. The mean potency of the US Standard was 859·4 IU/ml with an interlaboratory variability of 9·5% gcv, excluding an outlier. The mean potencies of the reserve preparations per ampoule/vial were 110·6 IU and 106·7 IU when calibrated against the IRP, and 112·2 IU and 106·6 IU when calibrated against 01/572, respectively, with interlaboratory % gcv values of 9·6–18·3 (excluding outliers). Preparation 01/572 proved more suitable for use as a global standard than the reserve candidate preparations and was established, with an assigned potency of 285 IU/ampoule, by the WHO as the 2nd International Standard for anti-D immunoglobulin; by FDA-CBER as the Standard for anti-D immunoglobulin, Lot 4; and by the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines (EDQM) as the 1st Biological Reference Preparation for anti-D immunoglobulin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract--The surface modification of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and UV-cured tripropyleneglycol diacrylate (acrylic) films induced by remote N[sub 2] and Ar microwave plasmas (2.45 GHz) was compared by in-situ XPS measurements. Both N[sub 2] and Ar plasma treatments led to destruction of the initial oxygen-containing groups. The destruction of ester groups was much faster for the acrylic than for the PET film, and the destruction of ether groups was much faster than that of ester groups within the acrylic film. Among the plasma gases, N[sub 2] was more effective than Ar in the case of PET, but their difference was negligible in the case of the acrylic film. The higher stability of the PET surface was attributed to the presence of a rigid aromatic backbone, which protected the ester groups from plasma UV irradiation and stabilized the free radicals. The lower stability of the acrylic film was associated with the presence of weak ether groups. New functional groups were created, attributed to carbonyl in the case of Ar, and carbonyl/amide and amine in the case of N[sub 2] plasma treatments. The formation of these new functional groups was very small compared with the loss of ether and ester groups, suggesting that the destruction of these oxygen-containing groups proceeded mainly through elimination of the entire groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]