A computer architecture based on disruptive information technologies for drug management in hospitals

The drug management currently carried out in hospitals is inadequate due to several factors, such as processes carried out manually, the lack of visibility of the hospital supply chain, the lack of standardized identification of medicines, inefficient stock management, an inability to follow the traceability of medicines, and poor data exploitation. Disruptive information technologies could be used to develop and implement a drug management system in hospitals that is innovative in all its phases and allows these problems to be overcome. However, there are no examples in the literature that show how these technologies can be used and combined for efficient drug management in hospitals. To help solve this research gap in the literature, this article proposes a computer architecture for the whole drug management process in hospitals that uses and combines different disruptive computer technologies such as blockchain, radio frequency identification (RFID), quick response code (QR), Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence and big data, for data capture, data storage and data exploitation throughout the whole drug management process, from the moment the drug enters the hospital until it is dispensed and eliminated

The evolution of agrarian prices received and paid by the farmers in Spain (2000-2009)

La evolución de los precios de los alimentos en años recientes se ha evaluado en numerosos estudios considerando: el análisis de los márgenes comerciales y la evolución temporal de los precios, si bien, la mayoría de ellos centrados en la óptica del consumidor. En este artículo se analizó la evolución temporal de los precios de los alimentos en España en el período 2000-2009 desde el punto de vista del agricultor y ganadero. Concretamente se utilizó información relacionada con los precios percibidos, precios pagados y el índice de precios de consumo (IPC), y con técnicas de análisis de series temporales se analizó la existencia de relaciones de equilibrio a largo plazo entre las series. Los resultados reflejan una relación de equilibrio a largo plazo entre: los precios percibidos y pagados; el IPC y los precios percibidos. Las principales conclusiones muestran que, a pesar de los desequilibrios existentes a corto plazo, a largo plazo los precios percibidos y pagados tienden a una situación de equilibrio. Un elemento importante en la evolución del IPC lo constituyen los precios percibidos por los productos en el sector primario. Sin embargo, la fijación de los precios de los insumos (pagados) en el sector primario; lejos de regirse en el largo plazo por la evolución del IPC; no muestra una relación significativa con dicho indicador.The recent evolution of the foods prices has been evaluated in several studies considering: the commercial margins analysis and the prices temporal evolution although more of them have been developed using the consumer optics. In this paper, the temporal evolution of the foods prices in Spain has been analysed in the period 2000-2009 considering the farmer optics. Concretely, information in relation with the prices received by the farmers, the prices paid by them and the consumer price index (CPI) has been used. Then, using a time series analysis, the long run relationships between series have been analysed. The results show a long run balance between the prices received and paid by the farmer and between the CPI and the received prices. The main conclusions show that, in spite of the existing imbalances in the short term, in the long term the received and paid prices tend to a balance situation. An important element in the evolution of the CPI is the prices received by the products in the primary sector. Nevertheless, the inputs price fixation in the primary sector in the long term does not show a significant relationship with the CPI.Fil: Andrés Martínez, María Encarnación. Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales de Albacete.Fil: Alfaro Navarro, José Luis. Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales de Albacete.Fil: López Ruiz, Víctor Raúl. Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales de Albacete

Implementation of a piezo-diagnostics approach for damage detection based on PCA in a linux-based embedded platform

The implementation of damage-detection methods for continuously assessing structural integrity entails systems with attractive features such as storage capabilities, memory capacity, computational complexity and time-consuming processing. In this sense, embedded hardware platforms are a promising technology for developing integrated solutions in Structural Health Monitoring. In this paper, design, test, and specifications for a standalone inspection prototype are presented, which take advantage of piezo-diagnostics principle, statistical processing via Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and embedded systems. The equipment corresponds to a piezoelectric active system with the capability to detect defects in structures, by using a PCA-based algorithm embedded in the Odroid-U3 ARM Linux platform. The operation of the equipment consists of applying, at one side of the structure, wide guided waves by means of piezoelectric devices operated in actuation mode and to record the wave response in another side of the structure by using the same kind of piezoelectric devices operated in sensor mode. Based on the nominal response of the guide wave (no damages), represented by means of a PCA statistical model, the system can detect damages between the actuated/sensed points through squared prediction error (Q-statistical index). The system performance was evaluated in a pipe test bench where two kinds of damages were studied: first, a mass is added to the pipe surface, and then leaks are provoked to the pipe structure by means of a drill tool. The experiments were conducted on two lab structures: (i) a meter carbon-steel pipe section and (ii) a pipe loop structure. The wave response was recorded between the instrumented points for two conditions: (i) The pipe in nominal conditions, where several repetitions will be applied to build the nominal statistical model and (ii) when damage is caused to the pipe (mass adding or leak). Damage conditions were graphically recognized through the Q-statistic chart. Thus, the feasibility to implement an automated real-time diagnostic system is demonstrated with minimum processing resources and hardware flexibility.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Promoting Sustainability Transparency in European Local Governments: An Empirical Analysis Based on Administrative Cultures

Nowadays, the transparency of governments with respect to the sustainability of public services is a very interesting issue for stakeholders and academics. It has led to previous research and international organisations (EU, IMF, OECD, United Nations, IFAC, G-20, World Bank) to recommend promotion of the online dissemination of economic, social and environmental information. Based on previous studies about e-government and the influence of administrative cultures on governmental accountability, this paper seeks to identify political actions useful to improve the practices of transparency on economic, social and environmental sustainability in European local governments. We perform a comparative analysis of sustainability information published on the websites of 72 local governments in 10 European countries grouped into main three cultural contexts (Anglo-Saxon, Southern European and Nordic). Using international sustainability reporting guidelines, our results reveal significant differences in local government transparency in each context. The most transparent local governments are the Anglo-Saxon ones, followed by Southern European and Nordic governments. Based on individualized empirical results for each administrative style, our conclusions propose useful policy interventions to enhance sustainability transparency within each cultural tradition, such as development of legal rules on transparency and sustainability, tools to motivate local managers for online diffusion of sustainability information and analysis of information needs of stakeholders

Identifying Motivation of the Local Governments to Improve the Sustainability Transparency

This paper examines the sustainability transparency of governments, i.e., the disclosure of information on the sustainability of their actions. To do so, we identify contributory factors to the online disclosure of environmental, social, economic and general information by local governments in Nordic countries. Linear regression analysis was used to identify factors infl uencing the online dissemination of government information on sustainability; a factor analysis, as a precursor to linear regression, led us to reduce 14 explanatory variables to four factors: fi nancial risk, demography, professional qualifi cations and local government resources. The results obtained show that local fi - nancial priorities have a greater impact on the sustainability-related content of governmental websites than does concern for the needs of the population. Furthermore, an organization’s disclosure of its fi nancial risks, together with greater awareness of stakeholders’ demands, could promote transparency in the fi eld of environmental, social and economic sustainability, while local demographic characteristics could foster the publication of information on environmental sustainability.This study was carried out with the assistance of a research project funded by the Regional Government of Andalusia (Ref. P11-SEJ-7700) and that of two projects funded by the National Research Plan, Nos. ECO2010-17463-ECON and ECO2010-20522-ECON

Adequacy of Parenteral Nutrition in Preterm Infants According to Current Recommendations: A Study in A Spanish Hospital

Background: In preterm infants, it is important to ensure adequate nutritional intake to accomplish foetal growth requirements. This study evaluated clinical practice regarding the prescription of parenteral nutrition in preterm infants in the neonatology unit of a tertiary hospital. Methods: It was a retrospective observational study of a sample of preterm infants (n = 155) born between January 2015 and December 2017 who were prescribed parenteral nutrition. Compliance with the hospital’s protocol and with the guidelines of the scientific societies American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN), European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) and Spanish Society of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (SENPE) was evaluated. The differences in macronutrient intake and total duration of parenteral nutrition were analysed according to gestational age and birth weight. Results: The established protocol was followed in a high percentage (95.5%–100%) except with respect to the initiation of supplying established trace elements (64.9%). Compliance with the recommendations set forth in the guidelines was between 82.1% and 100%, with the exception of the initial carbohydrate intake recommended by ASPEN and ESPEN, for which compliance was 8.3%. Lower gestational age and birth weight were correlated with longer duration of parenteral nutrition (p < 0.001). Conclusions: A lower gestational age and birth weight are related to a longer duration of parenteral nutrition. The results of this study demonstrate the importance of developing and evaluating protocols in clinical practice

Consensus of Spanish Society of Hospital Pharmacy on optimal medication therapy management of atopic dermatitis.

Atopic Dermatitis; Hospital Pharmacy; Multidisciplinary approachDermatitis atòpica; Farmàcia hospitalària; Enfocament multidisciplinariDermatitis atópica; Farmacia hospitalaria; Enfoque multidisciplinarioAim: This study's aims are: 1) To use the Delphi method to determine the level of consensus among hospital pharmacists (HPs) as regards the factors involved in the current approach to patients with atopic dermatitis (AD); 2) To identify potential areas for improvement in hospital pharmacy in terms of dealing with patients with severe AD; and 3) To contribute to adequate pharmaceutical care for patients with AD by drawing up recommendations. Methods: A two-round Delphi survey with participation from HPs from all over Spain. Three theme-based blocks were set out: 1) AD; 2) Management of patients with severe AD in the Hospital Pharmacy setting; and 3) Unmet needs (pathology, patient, treatment and management). Results: The 42 HPs participating reached a consensus in recognising the impact of severe AD on the patients suffering from it, the need to encourage adherence and the recommendations to use scales that take into account the patient's quality of life and indicators of the patient's experience. It has also been demonstrated that it is worthwhile evaluating the results in real clinical practice in consensus with other specialists from the multidisciplinary team. Finally, it is advisable to use drugs that have demonstrated long-term effectiveness and safety for patients with severe AD, given the disease's chronic nature. Conclusions: This Delphi consensus highlights the impact of severe AD on patients, the importance of a multidisciplinary and holistic approach, in which HP play a major role. It also highlights the importance of increased access to new drugs to improve health outcomes

Reversible Interlayer Sliding and Conductivity Changes in Adaptive Tetrathiafulvalene-Based Covalent Organic Frameworks.

Ordered interlayer stacking is intrinsic in two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks (2D COFs) and has strong implications on COF's optoelectronic properties. Reversible interlayer sliding, corresponding to shearing of 2D layers along their basal plane, is an appealing dynamic control of both structures and properties, yet it remains unexplored in the 2D COF field. Herein, we demonstrate that the reversible interlayer sliding can be realized in an imine-linked tetrathiafulvalene (TTF)-based COF TTF-DMTA. The solvent treatment induces crystalline phase changes between the proposed staircase-like sql net structure and a slightly slipped eclipsed sql net structure. The solvation-induced crystallinity changes correlate well with reversible spectroscopic and electrical conductivity changes as demonstrated in oriented COF thin films. In contrast, no reversible switching is observed in a related TTF-TA COF, which differs from TTF-DMTA in terms of the absence of methoxy groups on the phenylene linkers. This work represents the first 2D COF example of which eclipsed and staircase-like aggregated states are interchangeably accessed via interlayer sliding, an uncharted structural feature that may enable applications such as chemiresistive sensors

High-frequency photothermal processing of commercial polymers under femtosecond laser irradiation for waveguide writing

The processing of three commonly used commercial polymer films (poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and polypropylene (PP)) with different thermal properties under femtosecond (450 fs) irradiations at high frequency (1 kHz-1 MHz) multi-pulse (N=10-18000) laser at λ=515 (1.34 J/cm2, radius 9 μm) is analysed in order to have knowledge of which material and laser conditions are more suitable to write waveguides. Thermal and ablative effects are observed after laser irradiations. Heat accumulation effects of successive pulses impinging are simulated through a photothermal model in order to explain the results of irradiating these materials. Thermal analyses (Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry (MDSC) and Thermogravimetry (TG)) are performed and used to explain the different behaviour of each polymer. Three different regimes (non-thermal, thermal and saturation) are identified and explained from the model and experimental results. A connection between ablation depth and simulated reached temperature is established. A study of which number of pulses/spot area and frequency are appropriate for a better shape and ablation depth for writing waveguides on these polymers is performed.The work was supported by “Generalitat Valenciana” (IDIFEDER/2021/014 cofunded by FEDER program, project PROMETEO/2021/006, and INVEST/2022/419 financed by Next Generation EU), “Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación” of Spain (projects PID2021-123124OB-I00; PID2019-106601RB-I00) and UATALENTO18-10 by “Universidad de Alicante”

Selective sulfur dioxide adsorption on crystal defect sites on an isoreticular metal organic framework series

The widespread emissions of toxic gases from fossil fuel combustion represent major welfare risks. Here we report the improvement of the selective sulfur dioxide capture from flue gas emissions of isoreticular nickel pyrazolate metal organic frameworks through the sequential introduction of missing-linker defects and extra-framework barium cations. The results and feasibility of the defect pore engineering carried out are quantified through a combination of dynamic adsorption experiments, X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy and density functional theory calculations. The increased sulfur dioxide adsorption capacities and energies as well as the sulfur dioxide/carbon dioxide partition coefficients values of defective materials compared to original non-defective ones are related to the missing linkers enhanced pore accessibility and to the specificity of sulfur dioxide interactions with crystal defect sites. The selective sulfur dioxide adsorption on defects indicates the potential of fine-tuning the functional properties of metal organic frameworks through the deliberate creation of defects.We thank generous funding from the European Research Council through an ERC Starting Grant (ERC2011-StG-279520-RASPA), the Spanish Ministry of Economy (CTQ2013-48396-P, CTQ2014-53486-R, CTQ2015-70135-REDT) and FEDER and Marie Curie IIF-625939 (LMRA) funding from European Union and Andalucía Region (FQM-1851)