Fitting chemical data with Excel: A practical tutorial

La revista es Open AccessExcel es un programa de hojas de cálculo incluido en Microsoft Office utilizado en un gran número de empresas públicas y privadas en el mundo. Este programa permite realizar muchas operaciones, como el ajuste de datos experimentales a funciones matemáticas. Estas tareas son comunes en los laboratorios químicos, y parece razonable entrenar a los profesionales en el uso de estas herramientas. En este trabajo se han estudiado 4 metodologías de ajuste usando este programa, resolviendo algunos ejemplos prácticos de datos químicos, considerando sus ventajas y desventajas.Excel is spreadsheets software included in Microsoft Office that is used in a high number of public and private companies all over the world. This program allows carrying out many operations such as fitting experimental data to mathematical functions. These tasks are usually performed in chemical laboratories and, accordingly, it seems reasonable to train professionals in the use of these tools. In this work, four fitting methodologies using this program have been studied by solving some practical examples of chemical data, considering their advantages and disadvantage

TRES: Multiradar-Multisensor Data Processing assessment using Opportunity Traffic

In this paper we describe a new tool being currently developed by Eurocontrol for Air Traffic Control multiradarmultisensor data processing systems assessment. This tool, called TRES (Trajectory Reconstruction and Evaluation Suite), will become in a near future a replacement for some parts of current versions of SASS-C (Surveillance Analysis Support System for Centres) suite. The paper describes the overall architecture of the assessment system, and details the methods used in TRES for the calculation of reference trajectories, taking into account sensor detection characteristics, available information, sensor accuracies, biases, ... The whole system has been tested with real traffic and simulated data, some illustrative examples are presented at the end

Guia de medicaments d’Atenció Primària que requereixen una vigilància especial per la seva dispensació en pacients amb funció renal disminuïda.

Projecte: AVCRI 279 Requeriments tècnics: L’entorn és l’EXCEL de Microsoft. L'accés al codi no estarà disponible fins la fi de la data d'embargament. Si esteu interessats a accedir-hi, contacteu amb idea(at)fbg.ub.eduAquesta Base de Dades (Guia de Medicaments) recull informació per tal d’indicar quins medicaments són susceptibles d'ajustos de dosi per evitar la iatrogènia medicamentosa en pacients amb deteriorament de la funció renal. Aquesta informació s'ha consensuat entre farmacèutics i metges nefròlegs a partir de la informació disponible en diferents bases de dades nacionals i internacionals. Per agilitzar l'ús de la Guia s'ha consensuat categoritzar en nivell baix, moderat o alt el risc que suposa pel pacient l’ús d'aquests medicaments segons el seu filtrat glomerular. A més la Guia recull els ajustos de dosi a realitzar, les interaccions medicamentoses i la simptomatologia per sobre dosificació en pacients amb funció renal disminuïda. A partir d'aquesta Base de Dades, s'ha dissenyat una aplicació web que facilita al professional sanitari la presa de decisions per a l'ajust de dosis de medicaments en funció del filtrat glomerular del pacient

Epidemiology, clinical profile, management, and two-year risk complications among patients with chronic kidney disease in Spain

Objectives: To describe the epidemiology, clinical profile, treatments, and to determine cardiovascular and renal outcomes after two years of follow-up in a contemporary chronic kidneay disease (CKD) population in Spain. This was also analyzed among the DAPA-CKD-like population (patients who met most inclusion criteria of DAPA-CKD trial). Methods: Observational, retrospective, population-based study using BIG-PAC database. The CKD population was defined as patients >= 18 years, with at least one diagnostic code of CKD prior to the index date (January 1st, 2018). CKD was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 30 mg/g. Results: We identified 56,435 CKD patients after exclusions (76.4 years, 52.2% men, urine-album into-creatinine ratio 390.8 mg/g, eGFR 49.7 mL/min/1.73 m(2)). CKD prevalence was4.91% and incidence 2.10 per 1000 patient-years. Regarding treatments, 69.2% were taking renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (only 4.2% at maximal doses) and 3.5% of diabeticpatients SGLT-2 inhibitors. During the two years of follow-up, rates of heart failure, all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and CKD were 17.9, 12.1, 7.2, 6.3, and 5.9 events per 100 patient-years, respectively. During this period, 44% of patients were hospitalized, and 6.8% died during hospitalization. Cardiovascular outcomes were more common in the DAPACKD-like population. Conclusions: In Spain, CKD population is older and comorbidities, including diabetes and heart failure, are common. Cardiovascular and renal outcomes are frequent. There is room for improvement in CKD management, particularly through the use of drugs with proven cardiovascular and renal benefit. (C) 2021 Sociedad Espanola de Nefrolog ' ia. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U

Costs and healthcare utilisation of patients with chronic kidney disease in Spain

Background: Data about the impact of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on health care costs in Spain are scarce This study was aimed to evaluate cumulative costs and healthcare utilisation in CKD in Spain. Methods: Observational, retrospective, population-based study, which included adults who received care for CKD between 2015 and 2019. Healthcare and medication costs were summarized on a yearly basis starting from the index date (1st January 2015), and then cumulatively until 2019. Results: We identified 44,214 patients with CKD (year 2015: age 76.4 ± 14.3 years, 49.0% women, albumin-to-creatinine ratio 362.9 ± 176.8 mg/g, estimated glomerular filtration rate 48.7 ± 13.2 mL/min/1.73 m2). During the 2015-2019 period, cumulative CKD associated costs reached 14,728.4 Euros, being cardiovascular disease hospitalizations, particularly due to heart failure and CKD, responsible for 77.1% of costs. Total medication cost accounted for 6.6% of the total cost. There was a progressive decrease in cardiovascular disease hospital costs per year (from 2741.1 Euros in 2015 to 1.971.7 Euros in 2019). This also occurred with cardiovascular and diabetic medication costs, as well as with the proportion of hospitalizations and mortality. Costs and healthcare resources use were higher in the DAPA-CKD like population, but also decreased over time. Conclusions: Between 2015 and 2019, costs of patients with CKD in Spain were high, with cardiovascular hospitalizations as the key determinant. Medication costs were responsible for only a small proportion of total CKD costs. Improving CKD management, particularly with the use of cardiovascular and renal protective medications may be helpful to reduce CKD burden

Costs and healthcare utilisation of patients with heart failure in Spain

Background: Increasing the knowledge about heart failure (HF) costs and their determinants is important to ascertain how HF management can be optimized, leading to a significant decrease of HF costs. This study evaluated the cumulative costs and healthcare utilisation in HF patients in Spain. Methods: Observational, retrospective, population-based study using BIG-PAC database, which included data from specialized and primary care of people ≥18 years, from seven autonomous communities in Spain, who received care for HF between 2015 and 2019. The healthcare and medication costs were summarized on a yearly basis starting from the index date (1st January 2015), and then cumulatively until 2019. Results: We identified 17,163 patients with HF (year 2015: mean age 77.3 ± 11.8 years, 53.5% men, 51.7% systolic HF, 43.6% on NYHA functional class II). During the 2015–2019 period, total HF associated costs reached 15,373 Euros per person, being cardiovascular disease hospitalizations the most important determinant (75.8%), particularly HF hospitalizations (51.0%). Total medication cost accounted for 7.0% of the total cost. During this period, there was a progressive decrease of cardiovascular disease hospital costs per year (from 2834 Euros in 2015 to 2146 Euros in 2019, P < 0.001), as well as cardiovascular and diabetic medication costs. Conclusions: During the 2015–2019 period, costs of HF patients in Spain were substantial, being HF hospitalizations the most important determinant. Medication costs represented only a small proportion of total costs. Improving HF management, particularly through the use of drugs that reduce HF hospitalization may be helpful to reduce HF burden

Efficiency of virtual reality for cardiopulmonary resuscitation training of adult laypersons: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND Virtual reality (VR) is an interesting and promising way to teach cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to adult laypersons as its high immersive characteristics could improve the level of skills and acquired knowledge in learning basic life support (BLS). METHODS This systematic review assesses current literature about BLS training with VR and its possible effect on CPR-quality parameters, self-efficacy, perceived learning, and learners' satisfaction and short and long-term patients' outcome. We screened the Cochrane Library, PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE Ovid, Web of Science, and Scopus databases and included only clinical trials and quasi-experimental studies published from inception to October 1, 2021, which analyzed adult laypersons' BLS training with the use of VR. Primary outcomes were CPR parameters (chest compression rate and depth, Automated External Defibrillator use). Secondary outcomes were self-efficacy, perceived learning and learners satisfaction, and patients' outcomes (survival and good neurologic status). The risk of bias of included study was assessed using the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions tool to evaluate randomized control trials and the transparent reporting of evaluations with nonrandomized designs checklist for nonrandomized studies. RESULTS After full article screening, 6 studies were included in the systematic review (731 participants) published between 2017 and 2021. Because of the heterogeneity of the studies, we focused on describing the studies rather than meta-analysis. The assessment of the quality of evidence revealed overall a very low quality. Training with VR significantly improved the rate and depth of chest compressions in 4 out of 6 articles. VR was described as an efficient teaching method, exerting a positive effect on self-efficacy, perception of confidence, and competence in 2 articles. CONCLUSION VR in BLS training improves manual skills and self-efficacy of adult laypersons and may be a good teaching method in a blended learning CPR training strategy. VR may add another way to divide complex parts of resuscitation training into easier individual skills. However, the conclusion of this review suggests that VR may improve the quality of the chest compressions as compared to instructor-led face-to-face BLS training

Acute effect of citrate bath on postdialysis alkalaemia

AbstractIntroductionThe correction of metabolic acidosis caused by renal failure is achieved by adding bicarbonate during dialysis. In order to avoid the precipitation of calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate that takes place in the dialysis fluid (DF) when adding bicarbonate, it is necessary to add an acid, usually acetate, which is not free of side effects. Thus, citrate appears as an advantageous alternative to acetate, despite the fact that its acute effects are not accurately known.ObjectiveTo assess the acute effect of a dialysis fluid containing citrate instead of acetate on acid-base balance and calcium-phosphorus metabolism parameters.Material and methodsA prospective crossover study was conducted with twenty-four patients (15 male subjects and 9 female subjects). All patients underwent dialysis with AK-200-Ultra-S monitor with SoftPac® dialysis fluid, made with 3 mmol/L of acetate and SelectBag Citrate®, with 1 mmol/L of citrate and free of acetate. The following were measured before and after dialysis: venous blood gas monitoring, calcium (Ca), ionic calcium (Cai), phosphorus (P) and parathyroid hormone (PTH).ResultsDifferences (p<0.05) were found when using the citrate bath (C) compared to acetate (A) in the postdialysis values of: pH, C: 7.43 (0.04) vs. A: 7.47 (0.05); bicarbonate, C: 24.7 (2.7) vs. A: 27.3 (2.1) mmol/L; base excess (BEecf), C: 0.4 (3.1) vs. A: 3.7 (2.4) mmol/L; corrected calcium (Cac), C: 9.8 (0.8) vs. A: 10.1 (0.7) mg/dL; and Cai, C: 1.16 (0.05) vs. A: 1.27 (0.06) mmol/L. No differences were found in either of the parameters measured before dialysis.ConclusionDialysis with citrate provides better control of postdialysis acid-base balance, decreases/avoids postdialysis alkalaemia, and lowers the increase in Cac and Cai. This finding is of special interest in patients with predisposing factors for arrhythmia and patients with respiratory failure, carbon dioxide retention, calcifications and advanced liver disease

Desarrollo de un Robot-Guía con Integración de un Sistema de Diálogo y Expresión de Emociones: Proyecto ROBINT

Este artículo presenta la incorporación de un sistema de diálogo hablado a un robot autónomo, concebido como elemento interactivo en un museo de ciencias capaz de realizar visitas guiadas y establecer diálogos sencillos con los visitantes del mismo. Para hacer más atractivo su funcionamiento, se ha dotado al robot de rasgos (como expresividad gestual o síntesis de voz con emociones) que humanizan sus intervenciones. El reconocedor de voz es un subsistema independiente del locutor (permite reconocer el habla de cualquier persona), que incorpora medidas de confianza para mejorar las prestaciones del reconocimiento, puesto que se logra un filtrado muy importante de habla parásita. En cuanto al sistema de comprensión, hace uso de un sistema de aprendizaje basado en reglas, lo que le permite inferir información explícita de un conjunto de ejemplos, sin que sea necesario generar previamente una gramática o un conjunto de reglas que guíen al módulo de comprensión. Estos subsistemas se han evaluado previamente en una tarea de control por voz de un equipo HIFI, empleando nuestro robot como elemento de interfaz, obteniendo valores de 95,9% de palabras correctamente reconocidas y 92,8% de conceptos reconocidos. En cuanto al sistema de conversión de texto a voz, se ha implementado un conjunto de modificaciones segmentales y prosódicas sobre una voz neutra, que conducen a la generación de emociones en la voz sintetizada por el robot, tales como alegría, enfado, tristeza o sorpresa. La fiabilidad de estas emociones se ha medido con varios experimentos perceptuales que arrojan resultados de identificación superiores al 70% para la mayoría de las emociones, (87% en tristeza, 79,1% en sorpresa)

The influence of oxytocin and prolactin during a first-episode of psychosis: the implication of sex differences, clinical features and cognitive performance

Background: Approximately 3% of the population suffers a first episode of psychosis (FEP), and a high percentage of these patients subsequently relapse. Because the clinical course following a FEP is hard to predict, it is of interest to identify cognitive and biological markers that will help improve the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of such events and to define new therapeutic targets. Here we analyzed the plasma oxytocin and prolactin levels during an FEP, assessing their correlation with clinical and cognitive features. Methods: The oxytocin and prolactin in plasma was measured in 120 FEP patients and 106 healthy controls, all of whom were subjected to a clinical and neuropsychological assessment. Most patients were under antipsychotics. Statistical analyses aimed to identify factors associated with the FEP and to search for associations between the variables. This study is preliminary and exploratory because the P-values were not corrected for multiple comparisons. Results: FEP patients had less oxytocin, more prolactin, and a poor premorbid IQ, and they performed worse in sustained attention. Male patients with higher prolactin levels experienced more severe psychotic symptoms and required higher doses of antipsychotics. Low oxytocin was associated with poor sustained attention in women, whereas low oxytocin and high prolactin in men correlated with better performance in sustained attention. Conclusion: Low oxytocin, high prolactin, and poor premorbid IQ and sustained attention are factors associated with an FEP, representing potential therapeutic targets in these patients. These biological factors and cognitive domains might play an important role during a FEP, which could help us to develop new strategies that improve the outcomes of this disorder and that should perhaps be gender specific