A Virtual Instrument for Measuring the Piezoelectric Coefficients of a Thin Disc in Radial Resonant Mode.

In this paper, we describe and present a Virtual Instrument, a tool that allows the determination of the electromechanical, dielectric, and elastic coefficients in polarised ferroelectric ceramic discs (piezoceramics) in the linear range, including all of the losses when the piezoceramics are vibrating in radial mode. There is no evidence in the recent scientific literature of any automatic system conceived and implemented as a Virtual Instrument based on an iterative algorithm issued as an alternative to solve the limitations of the ANSI IEEE 176 standard for the characterisation of piezoelectric coefficients of thin discs in resonant mode. The characterisation of these coefficients is needed for the design of ultrasonic sensors and generators. In 1995, two of the authors of this work, together with other authors, published an iterative procedure that allowed for the automatic determination of the complex constants for lossy piezoelectric materials in radial mode. As described in this work, the procedures involved in using a Virtual Instrument have been improved: the response time for the characterisation of a piezoelectric sample is shorter (approximately 5 s); the accuracy in measurement and, therefore, in the estimates of the coefficients has been increased; the calculation speed has been increased; an intuitive, simple, and friendly user interface has been designed, and tools have been provided for exporting and inspecting the measured and processed data. No Virtual Instrument has been found in the recent scientific literature that has improved on the iterative procedure designed in 1995. This Virtual Instrument is based on the measurement of a unique magnitude, the electrical admittance (Y = G + iB) in the frequency range of interest. After measuring the electrical admittance, estimates of the set of piezoelectric coefficients of the device are obtained. The programming language used in the construction of the Virtual Instrument is LabVIEW 2019®.

A Virtual Instrument for Road Vehicle Classification Based on Piezoelectric Transducers.

This paper describes a virtual instrument capable of the automatic and quasi-instantaneous classification of a vehicle according to category when it is driving along the road. The vehicle's classification is based on accurate measurements of both the vehicle's speed and its wheelbase. Our research is focused on achieving accurate speed and wheelbase measurements and then determining the category of the vehicle through the developed software. The vehicle categorization is based on the wheelbase measurements and the number of axles and metal masses of the vehicle. The system has a complementary magnetic sensor, which helps in classifying the vehicle when the wheelbase measurement could be representative of different categories, and a camera to confirm the results of the experiment. The proposed measurement system presents a novel method for classifying vehicles according to type using piezoelectric transducers (piezo sensors). In addition, no system references have been found that encompass the functionalities of the presented system based on the information of only two piezoelectric transducers. The system has important advantages over current alternatives (systems based on inductive loops, cameras, fiber optic sensors or lasers), the installation is simple and non-invasive and with a success rate of the classification greater than 90%. The system consists of a signal acquisition point on the pavement, signal conditioning hardware and a data acquisition (DAQ) module, which links the hardware and the virtual instrument developed in LabVIEW®. Finally, the system has been tested on the road with real traffic, and the experimental results are presented and discussed in this paper.

Comparison of Solute Removal Properties Between High-Efficient Dialysis Modalities in Low Blood Flow Rate.

Blood flow (Qb) is one of the dialysis parameters most strongly influencing the performance of dialysis modalities. However, few studies have compared different dialysis modalities in patients with low Qb. We conducted a prospective, single-center study in 21 patients. Each patient underwent four dialysis sessions with routine dialysis parameters: high-flux hemodialysis (HD), predilution hemodiafiltration (pre-HDF), expanded HD (HDx), and postdilution HDF (post-HDF). The removal ratios (RR) of urea, creatinine, ß2 -microglobulin, myoglobin, prolactin, α1 -microglobulin, free kappa and lambda immunoglobulin light chains (kFLC and λFLC), α1 -acid glycoprotein, and albumin were compared intraindividually. A proportional part of the dialysate was collected to quantify albumin loss. There were no differences in urea and creatinine RRs. The ß2 -microglobulin RR was higher in pre-HDF and post-HDF. Myoglobin and prolactin RRs were higher with HDx and post-HDF. The α1 -microglobulin and α1 -acid glycoprotein RRs were significantly higher with post-HDF than with other treatments, and RRs obtained with HDx were higher than obtained with HD and pre-HDF. Free kFLC and λFLC RRs showed the following results in ascending order: HD, pre-HDF, HDx, and post-HDF, most of them with statistical significance. Albumin loss varied from 0.45 g with HD to 3.5 g with post-HDF. The global removal score values were 41.0 ± 4.8% with HD, 44.0 ± 5.2% with pre-HDF, 49.5 ± 4.6% with HDx, and 54.8 ± 5.3% with post-HDF, with significant differences between all treatment modalities. In conclusion, this study confirms the superiority of post-HDF over high-flux HD, pre-HDF, and HDx in patients with low Qb. HDx was the closest alternative to post-HDF and was clearly superior to HD and pre-HDF. Finally, pre-HDF was also superior to HD. With this Qb, there was a higher risk of underdialysis, both diffusive and convective, especially in patients with a session duration of less than 5 h.

Niveles y motivos de satisfacción o insatisfacción en los familiares de los fallecidos en una unidad de cuidados paliativos / Levels and reasons for satisfaction or dissatisfaction in the relatives of the deceased in a palliative care unit

Objetivo: conocer el nivel y motivos de satisfacción o insatisfacción de los familiares de fallecidos a lo largo del 2011 en una unidad de cuidados paliativos (UCP) de la Comunidad de Madrid. Método: estudio descriptivo, por autoinforme anónimo y voluntario enviado mediante correo postal, que incluía variables demográficas del encuestado (familiar), su relación con el fallecido, 9 preguntas cerradas relativas a la calidad de la atención recibida, valoración global de la atención recibida, ambiente percibido en el equipo de UCP y tres preguntas abiertas sobre motivos de satisfacción o insatisfacción. Resultados: respondieron 66 personas al cuestionario, con una media de edad de 59,02 años. La tasa de respuesta fue del 27,5%. Un 28,8% (19) hombres y un 71,2% (47) mujeres, con estudios. El fallecido era progenitor en un 56,1% y cónyuge en un 40,9%. La valoración global media fue de 9,11. Entre el 90% y el 98,5% contestaron que el dolor de su familiar se controló bien, su familiar tuvo buena calidad de vida antes de morir, su muerte fue tranquila y en paz, tuvo la suficiente ayuda del equipo para enfrentarse con la enfermedad y la muerte, tuvo facilidades para hablar con cualquier miembro del equipo, y se sintió satisfecho con la información recibida sobre la enfermedad y su evolución. El 50,8% creía que no tenía temas pendientes, el 29,2% que recibió ayuda en este sentido, y el 15,4% no la recibió. El 74,6% está elaborando el duelo adecuadamente; el 88,9% contestó que la coordinación con este otro equipo (de atención al duelo) se realizó de forma adecuada. El ambiente del equipo se valoró principalmente como acogedor y amable. Los motivos de satisfacción hacen referencia al trato recibido "exquisito, aseo, comida, amabilidad y empatía, delicadeza, calor humano y voluntarios" y, en general, "las instalaciones". Los de insatisfacción, a la "falta de información del médico y la atención de distintos profesionales (psicólogo, fisioterapeuta, trabajador social y sacerdote)". Conclusiones: destacamos que la asistencia integral incluye los aspectos más humanos y propios de la esfera íntima; las personas en situación de vulnerabilidad los agradecen o echan de menos cuando no los reciben

Objective: to know level and reasons for satisfaction or dissatisfaction in the relatives of deceased throughout 2011 in a CPU from the community of Madrid. Method: descriptive study, by anonymous and voluntary self-report sent via postal mail, including demographic variables of the respondent (relatives), their relationship with the deceased, 9 closed questions relating to the quality of care received, overall assessment of care received, environment perceived in the CPU and 3 open questions on reasons for satisfaction or dissatisfaction. Results: 66 people answered to the questionnaire with mean age 59,02. The response rate was 27.5%. 28.8% (19) men and 71.2% (47) women, with studies. The deceased was parent 56.1% and spouse by 40.9%. The average overall score was 9.11. Between 90% and 98.5% answered that his relative pain was well controlled, had a good quality of life before dying, his death was peaceful and in peace, had sufficient support team to deal with the illness and death, had facilities to speak to any member of the team and felt satisfied with the information received about the disease and its evolution. 50.8% believed that he had no outstanding issues, 29.2% who received assistance in this regard, 15.4% not received. 74.6% is preparing the grief properly, 88.9% replied that coordination with the other (grief support) team was proper. The atmosphere of the team was mainly assessed how welcoming and friendly. The reasons for satisfaction make reference to the treat "exquisite, toilet, food, friendliness and empathy, delicacy, voluntary and human heat" and general "facilities". Dissatisfaction to the "lack of information from the physician and the attention of various professionals (psychologist, physiotherapist, social worker and priest)". Conclusions: we highlight the overall assistance includes aspects of the human and intimate sphere, vulnerable people appreciate them or miss when they do not receive them

Atención espiritual en cuidados paliativos. Valoración y vivencia de los usuarios / Spiritual needs in palliative care. Users assesment and experience

Introducción Es importante la atención de las necesidades espirituales de pacientes y familiares para vivir un proceso de final de la vida de calidad. El objetivo del estudio es evaluar cómo perciben los pacientes y los cuidadores principales de una unidad de cuidados paliativos la atención espiritual recibida y compararla entre grupos: paciente, cuidador durante ingreso y cuidador en seguimiento. Método Descriptivo comparativo de corte transversal mediante cuestionario ad hoc (ítems sobre estado emocional, medida de atención espiritual recibida y otros recursos), sobre una población de 219 usuarios de una unidad de cuidados paliativos donde existe servicio de atención espiritual. Criterios de entrada: al menos 2 días de ingreso y un primer contacto con el agente espiritual, sin deterioro cognitivo, que aceptara participar y que pudiera responder. Participantes Se preseleccionaron 145 usuarios, la muestra final fue de 66 usuarios (tasa de respuesta 45,5%), 56 (84,8%) pacientes oncológicos; 38 (57,6%) mujeres y 28 (42,4%) hombres. Media de edad 76 años (desviación típica 9). Tasa de respuesta; pacientes 36,7% (11), cuidadores de ingresados 44,9% (22) y cuidadores en seguimiento 50% (33). Razones de rechazo: 83,5% (66) negativa a participar, 8,9% (10) no contactados y 3,8% (3) el familiar no lo permite. Resultados La atención espiritual ayuda al 88% a sentirse esperanzado, al 83% confortado, al 79,1% a encontrar significado y al 73,4% a comprender el sentido. El 95,2% valora la atención espiritual necesaria en la enfermedad. Conclusión Aunque el intento de cuantificar la atención espiritual reduce sustancialmente su valor nuestros datos apoyan la hipótesis de que una atención espiritual adecuada mejora la calidad de la vivencia de la fase terminal de la vida y el afrontamiento de la muerte influyendo positivamente sobre el paciente y los familiares (AU)

Introduction Attention to the spiritual needs of patients and caregivers is important in the end of life quality care process. This study aims to assess perception of spiritual care received by patients and main caregivers in a palliative care unit, and to compare this between groups: patient, caregiver during admission, and caregiver in follow-up. Method A descriptive comparative cross-sectional study, using an ad hoc questionnaire (items on emotional state, received spiritual attention and other resources), on a population of 219 users of a palliative care unit with a spiritual care service. Entry criteria: at least two days of admission, a first contact with the spiritual care provider, without cognitive impairment, agreement to participate, and able to respond. Participants A total 145 users were preselected, with a final sample of 66 people (45.5% response rate); 56 (84.8%) were oncology patients; 38 (57.6%) women and 28 (42.4%) men. The mean age was 76 years (standard deviation, 9). Response rate; 36.7% patients (11), caregivers of admitted patients, 44.9% (22) and caregivers of follow up patients, 50% (33). Reasons for rejection: 83.5% (66) refusal to participate, 8.9% (10) not contacted, and 3.8% (3) family did not allow it. Results Spiritual care helped 88% to feel hopeful, 83% comforted, 79.1% to find meaning, and 73.4% to understand the meaning. Al most all (95.2%) valued spiritual care in disease as necessary. Conclusion Although the attempt to quantify the spiritual care substantially reduces its value, our data support the hypothesis that appropriate spiritual care improves the quality of the end of life stage experience and coping with death, and positively influences patient and family members (AU)

Methods for the diagnosis of creatine deficiency syndromes: a comparative study.

The increasing number of patients with creatine deficiency syndromes (CDS) stresses the need to develop screening procedures for the identification these inherited disorders. Guanidinoacetate (GAA) and creatine (Cr) are reliable biochemical markers of CDS and several analytical methods to measure both metabolites have been developed. High-pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) is quick and sensitive but, unlike HPLC and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS), it is unavailable in most laboratories. Thus, we decided to evaluate comparatively HPLC-MS/MS, GC/MS and HPLC methods, as well as to establish reference values in a healthy paediatric population. According to our results, these three methods may be suitable for analysing GAA in urine. Furthermore, Passing-Bablock plots showed good agreement among all three. However, when comparing the Cr/Crn ratio, our results revealed that while HPLC-MS/MS data were in agreement with those of GC/MS, a constant and proportional error was observed when compared with those of HPLC. Consequently, the Cr/Crn ratio obtained by the last method should be evaluated with caution. Our reference values for GAA and Cr/Crn ratio in urine negatively correlate with age. Concerning GAA and Cr measurements in plasma, it is interesting to note that in contrast to what was occurring in urine, GAA concentration increased significantly with age, while we did not find any significant difference for Cr values within the same age group.