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Proposes a pivoting strategy for the block diagonal decomposition LDL[sup T] on a multiprocessor system with distributed memory. Computation of algebraic Riccati equations; Requirement of only one dimension of the matrix for the selection of the pivot; Generation of regular communication patterns; Establishment of a software mechanism for the development of fault-tolerant applications.

Abstract The objective of this study was to study the correlation between statements made by injecting drug users (IDUs) and the analytical observation of their used syringes, with regard to needle and syringe non-sharing and HIV serology. A survey was carried out on 137 IDUs participating in different needle exchange programmes (NEPs) throughout the Basque Autonomous Community (BAC). The used syringe they handed over in exchange for a new one was kept to study the 'DNA fingerprint' and the presence of HIV. The DNA fingerprint carried on 123 syringes belonging to different injectors who stated that they had not shared them with other IDUs, confirmed that this was so in 98% of the cases. HIV analysis was applied to the 137 syringes and 63 (46%) had HIV antibodies. The consistency was 89% for the cases who voluntarily declared themselves to be HIV-positive and 76% for the cases who declared themselves to be HIV-negative. For the unknown cases, six (31.6%) syringes were HIV-positive. This study supports the validity and reliability of the surveys, based on statements made by the IDUs themselves, on their behaviour. The prevalence of HIV infection in the IDU population must be based on detection of antibodies against HIV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To systemise the pharmaceutical care provided to patients with chronic diseases. To evaluate the pharmacist's participation in the drug treatment plan, studying their intervention in the reconciliation of the patient's habitual treatment and the detection and resolution of drug-related problems., Method: A multicentre study based on the comparison of two cohorts: one with the intervention of the pharmacist and one without. Inclusion criteria were as follows: patients over the age of 70 with chronic cardiovascular conditions being treated with more than 6 drugs. They were selected between 24-48 hours from admittance; a control patient was chosen for each patient in the intervention group. The pharmaceutical intervention consisted of medication reconciliation on admittance, drug treatment monitoring and reconciliation on discharge. Drug-related problems, their seriousness, the pharmaceutical intervention, the degree of resolution and the clinical outcomes on discharge were all recorded. A total of 24 hospitals participated, with a total of 356 patients: 180 in the intervention cohort and 176 in the control one., Results: A total of 602 drug-related problems were identified: 66.9% belonging to the intervention group and 33% to the control group. Interventions were made in 359 (89%) patients belonging to the intervention group, 66% were resolved after the pharmaceutical intervention, producing a total or partial improvement in the patient in 36.3% of cases., Conclusions: Pharmaceutical care has been systematised, providing an instrument that enables all the hospitals to work in a standardised manner. The active participation of the pharmacist in the healthcare team contributes to preventing and resolving drug-related problems.