Sistemas personalizados de dosificación: una herramienta para la práctica profesional sanitaria en la atención farmacéutica

A finales del año 2010, estaba fi nalizando el plazo que el Gobierno de España se había marcado para conseguir adecuar las cantidades (dosis) de medicamentos dispensadas al paciente a las prescripciones que éstos habían recibido y así implantar lo que correctamente debería denominarse sistemas de dosis unitarias para dispensación. Así, han surgido algunas opiniones, incluso sorprendentemente desde el ámbito farmacéutico, contrarias a una práctica bastante extendida como es el uso de los conocidos como sistemas personalizados de dosifi cación (SPD), que el farmacéutico realiza después del acto de la dispensación y con la autorización expresa del paciente. Para nosotros, el uso de los SPD supone para los farmacéuticos una muy limitada inversión económica en material y utillaje, una pequeña aunque necesaria formación  acreditación, y un considerable incremento en la adquisición de responsabilidad y recuperación de prestigio social; esto último derivado de que suponen unas ventajas indiscutibles para los pacientes y los propios Sistemas de Salud. Consecuentemente, aportamos nuestras experiencias positivas al haber demostrado científicamente la hermeticidad de un sistema SPD (Anota®) y la estabilidad química de omeprazol (genérico en cápsulas, 20 mg) y enalapril (genérico en comprimidos, 20 mg), ambos de Laboratorios Mylan, durante un tiempo muy superior a previsto para el uso del SPD

Sistemas personalizados de dosificación: una herramienta para la práctica profesional sanitaria en la atención farmacéutica

A finales del año 2010, estaba fi nalizando el plazo que el Gobierno de España se había marcado para conseguir adecuar las cantidades (dosis) de medicamentos dispensadas al paciente a las prescripciones que éstos habían recibido y así implantar lo que correctamente debería denominarse sistemas de dosis unitarias para dispensación. Así, han surgido algunas opiniones, incluso sorprendentemente desde el ámbito farmacéutico, contrarias a una práctica bastante extendida como es el uso de los conocidos como sistemas personalizados de dosifi cación (SPD), que el farmacéutico realiza después del acto de la dispensación y con la autorización expresa del paciente. Para nosotros, el uso de los SPD supone para los farmacéuticos una muy limitada inversión económica en material y utillaje, una pequeña aunque necesaria formación  acreditación, y un considerable incremento en la adquisición de responsabilidad y recuperación de prestigio social; esto último derivado de que suponen unas ventajas indiscutibles para los pacientes y los propios Sistemas de Salud. Consecuentemente, aportamos nuestras experiencias positivas al haber demostrado científicamente la hermeticidad de un sistema SPD (Anota®) y la estabilidad química de omeprazol (genérico en cápsulas, 20 mg) y enalapril (genérico en comprimidos, 20 mg), ambos de Laboratorios Mylan, durante un tiempo muy superior a previsto para el uso del SPD

Approximate gravitational field of a rotating deformed mass

A new approximate solution of vacuum and stationary Einstein field equations is obtained. This solution is constructed by means of a power series expansion of the Ernst potential in terms of two independent and dimensionless parameters representing the quadrupole and the angular momentum respectively. The main feature of the solution is a suitable description of small deviations from spherical symmetry through perturbations of the static configuration and the massive multipole structure by using those parameters. This quality of the solution might eventually provide relevant differences with respect to the description provided by the Kerr solution.Comment: 16 pages. Latex. To appear in General Relativity and Gravitatio

Basis Functions for Linear-Scaling First-Principles Calculations

In the framework of a recently reported linear-scaling method for density-functional-pseudopotential calculations, we investigate the use of localized basis functions for such work. We propose a basis set in which each local orbital is represented in terms of an array of `blip functions'' on the points of a grid. We analyze the relation between blip-function basis sets and the plane-wave basis used in standard pseudopotential methods, derive criteria for the approximate equivalence of the two, and describe practical tests of these criteria. Techniques are presented for using blip-function basis sets in linear-scaling calculations, and numerical tests of these techniques are reported for Si crystal using both local and non-local pseudopotentials. We find rapid convergence of the total energy to the values given by standard plane-wave calculations as the radius of the linear-scaling localized orbitals is increased.Comment: revtex file, with two encapsulated postscript figures, uses epsf.sty, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Towards a Linear-Scaling DFT Technique: The Density Matrix Approach

A recently proposed linear-scaling scheme for density-functional pseudopotential calculations is described in detail. The method is based on a formulation of density functional theory in which the ground state energy is determined by minimization with respect to the density matrix, subject to the condition that the eigenvalues of the latter lie in the range [0,1]. Linear-scaling behavior is achieved by requiring that the density matrix should vanish when the separation of its arguments exceeds a chosen cutoff. The limitation on the eigenvalue range is imposed by the method of Li, Nunes and Vanderbilt. The scheme is implemented by calculating all terms in the energy on a uniform real-space grid, and minimization is performed using the conjugate-gradient method. Tests on a 512-atom Si system show that the total energy converges rapidly as the range of the density matrix is increased. A discussion of the relation between the present method and other linear-scaling methods is given, and some problems that still require solution are indicated.Comment: REVTeX file, 27 pages with 4 uuencoded postscript figure

Positive influence of a dental anaesthesia simulation model on the perception of learning by Mexican dental students

Introduction: This study evaluated the influence of three-repetition training with a dental anaesthesia simulation model (DASM) on the perception of learning by dental students. Materials and methods: Dental students who had never used a dental anaesthesia technique were randomly divided into two groups that were taught the anterior superior alveolar nerve infiltrative anaesthesia technique. Group 1 (G1; N = 10) followed a three-stage learning method: (i) theoretical lecture, (ii) clinical demonstration and (iii) DASM training, including three repetitions of the anaesthesia technique. Group 2 (G2; N = 10) followed only the 1st and 2nd stages. The students in both groups then performed the anaesthesia technique. The perception of the students was evaluated by four learning concepts. Each was evaluated with a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire. The average score of each item of the questionnaire for G1 was compared with that of G2. Statistically significant differences were identified with the Mann–Whitney test. The average working time of each group was timed and compared by Student's t-test to identify possible statistically significant differences. Results: Students in G1 showed higher average scores of perception in controlling the handling of the dental syringe and confidence in performing the injection (P < 0.05) and showed an average working time shorter than that of the students in G2 (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The DASM positively influenced the perception learning of the dental students; it increased their confidence and syringe handling ability, as well as skills to perform the injection of anaesthesia more quickly

Assessing sea grass meadows condition at “El Río” Special Area of Conservation off “La Graciosa e Islotes del Norte de Lanzarote” Marine Reserve

Cymodosea nodosa meadows, known as ‘sebadales’ or ‘manchones’ at Canary Islands, represent EUNIS habitat type code A5.5311, called Macaronesian Cymodocea beds. As it’s described at European Union Habitats Directive (92/43/CEE) Annex 1, sea grass meadows belong to 1110 Sandbanks which are slightly covered by seawater all the time, within Natura 2000 Network. Several ‘sebadales’ throughout the archipelago are included in this Network as Special Areas of Conservation. Cymodosea nodosa is regionally included within the Canary Islands Protected Species List (Ley 4/2010), as a species ‘of interest to ecosystems of Canary Islands”, is usually found at a narrow depth range (10 to 20 m of depth) and, on the whole, best structured meadows are settled at sheltered bays, away from wave and current beating, flimsier at exposed areas. Deeper meadows are also sparser, being C. nodosa replaced by green algae Caulerpa prolifera and Caulerpa racemosa, although mixed algae-sea grass meadows are often found at different depths. The project Assessment of marine flora (‘sebadal’, ma¨erl, ‘mujo’) of ‘La Graciosa e Islotes del Norte de Lanzarote’ Marine Reserve, funded by ‘Viceconsejer´ıa de Pesca y Aguas de la Consejer´ıa de Agricultura, Ganader´ıa, Pesca y Aguas’, Canary Islands Government, has had the aim of assessing sea grass meadows condition and distribution at ‘El R´ıo’ Natura 2000 Network Special Area of Conservation, the channel between La Graciosa and Lanzarote. ‘LA GRACIOSA 1311’ cruise was performed within the framework of the project. First of all previous information on sea grass shallow distribution (up to a depth of 20 m) in the study area was reviewed. Afterwards, a tugged underwater video camera was used onboard of the Marine Reserve Surveillance Vessel to update cartographic info performing a grid of sampling stations, covering previously known distribution limits and verifying current presence/absence data and density. Furthermore, population parameters were obtained in order to assess ‘sebadal’ condition. Fixed stations were selected in regards to this process, and methodology applied on them was as follows: five radial arranged transects were performed, identifying fragmentation (it estimates meadow continuity regarding observed cover), density (mean value of several shoots number counts with 20 x 20 cm grids placed every 2 m), height (mean value in cm of 10 independent samples by transect) and fish and macroinvertebrate species richness for each transect. Graphic picture of sea grass density was made depending on two levels: low density level transects ( 10 shoots/grid ( 50 shoots/m2) and medium density level transects ( 10 shoots/grid ( 50 shoots/m2). Main study result is an estimate for the study region (‘El R´ıo’) and time of year of Cymodocea nodosa population total distribution cover which comes to 1.640.076 m2, including a higher density ‘sebadal’ of 178.256 m2

Effects of the anthropogenics pressures (marine litter) on the coastal ecosystems of the Marine Reserve “Isla de La Graciosa e islotes del norte de Lanzarote”

The European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC) considers marine litter as one of its environmental descriptors, requiring the development and standardization of criteria and methodologies for its use to test the good environmental status of marine conditions. The assessment of the impact caused by litter accumulation in the shoreline lacked specific monitoring planning and had not been systematically performed to date in Canary Islands. During the project ”Evaluation of the effect of the anthropogenic pressures (marine litter in beaches and alteration of shallow seabed by boats anchoring) on the coastal ecosystems of the “Marine Reserve of Isla de La Graciosa e islotes del norte de Lanzarote (MRLG)” developed with the financial help of the Canary Islands Government (Council of Agriculture, Ranching, Fishing and Waters), two surveys were carried out, ”LA GRACIOSA 1310” and “LA GRACIOSA 1311”, both developed at MRLG and its vicinities. The aim has been to depict MRLG shoreline and to locate marine litter accumulation points the most, contributing with some tools to assess and manage the coastal ecosystems of the marine reserve. Total shoreline sampled at both surveys together was 38326 m, 1834 m at Alegranza, 1366 m at Monta˜na Clara, 24656 m at La Graciosa Island, and the rest, 10470 m, at the Lanzarote’s shoreline portion bathed by MRLG waters. Shoreline sampling was made qualitatively sorting the sampling stations, according to litter presence and distribution, by means of a upward numerical coding related to the type of waste or garbage found. Moreover, each station was additionally depicted according to the type of substrate as well as to the prevailing type of waste, defining what we named “transects”. To validate methodology to European standards, a more exhaustive experimental sampling was made in four transects identified as high density or high concentration of marine litter, following guidelines of a method developed for OSPAR maritime area during the first half of 2000 decade (OSPAR, 2007). It involves evaluating the possibilities and needs of adjustment of this methodology to the particular conditions of our region (Gonz´alez, et al., 2013 a and b). As preliminary results, the spatial distribution of garbage coastal accumulation will be shown in a cartographic base, expressed as relative abundance by island, according to a 4 degrees scale (no litter, low, medium and high litter presence) and according to the dominant kind of garbage in each transect. An example with one of the most densely occupied with trash transects is shown to illustrate a sampling method without the requirement of trash collection. This method uses a sampling unit of 1x1 m grid, divided in 10x10 cm subgrids. This grid is set parallel to sampling direction repeatedly. Distance between grids is determined by a randomizing software. Sampling direction zigzags from sea border to beach back shore, making 45° degrees angles. Subgrids occupied by trash are counted once the grid is set. Waste is depict and identified following a guide developed for this purpose by OSPAR in 2010

Search for direct production of charginos and neutralinos in events with three leptons and missing transverse momentum in √s = 7 TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector

A search for the direct production of charginos and neutralinos in final states with three electrons or muons and missing transverse momentum is presented. The analysis is based on 4.7 fb−1 of proton–proton collision data delivered by the Large Hadron Collider and recorded with the ATLAS detector. Observations are consistent with Standard Model expectations in three signal regions that are either depleted or enriched in Z-boson decays. Upper limits at 95% confidence level are set in R-parity conserving phenomenological minimal supersymmetric models and in simplified models, significantly extending previous results

Jet size dependence of single jet suppression in lead-lead collisions at sqrt(s(NN)) = 2.76 TeV with the ATLAS detector at the LHC

Measurements of inclusive jet suppression in heavy ion collisions at the LHC provide direct sensitivity to the physics of jet quenching. In a sample of lead-lead collisions at sqrt(s) = 2.76 TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of approximately 7 inverse microbarns, ATLAS has measured jets with a calorimeter over the pseudorapidity interval |eta| < 2.1 and over the transverse momentum range 38 < pT < 210 GeV. Jets were reconstructed using the anti-kt algorithm with values for the distance parameter that determines the nominal jet radius of R = 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5. The centrality dependence of the jet yield is characterized by the jet "central-to-peripheral ratio," Rcp. Jet production is found to be suppressed by approximately a factor of two in the 10% most central collisions relative to peripheral collisions. Rcp varies smoothly with centrality as characterized by the number of participating nucleons. The observed suppression is only weakly dependent on jet radius and transverse momentum. These results provide the first direct measurement of inclusive jet suppression in heavy ion collisions and complement previous measurements of dijet transverse energy imbalance at the LHC.Comment: 15 pages plus author list (30 pages total), 8 figures, 2 tables, submitted to Physics Letters B. All figures including auxiliary figures are available at http://atlas.web.cern.ch/Atlas/GROUPS/PHYSICS/PAPERS/HION-2011-02