Discharge Mode Research Articles

“Discharge Doesn’t Mean the End” Exploring Success in Discharge to Community Self-management For Young Adults Living with Chronic Pain: A Qualitative Study

Background Living with chronic pain as a young adult (YA) can impact the physical, emotional, social, cognitive, and role function domains of life. Once YAs receive care for their specialist chronic pain care they are expected to self-navigate a complex healthcare system to transition to community-based care (i.e. primary care). Inadequate discharge planning may increase the unique difficulties YAs face in self-management, which may lead to adverse health outcomes, suboptimal discharge, and a need to re-access care. Aims The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore how YAs with chronic pain define a successful discharge transition from a health service delivery model of specialized chronic pain services setting to self-management in a community setting (i.e. primary care) and contextual factors that promote discharge success. Methods This qualitative study included young adults with chronic pain. Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews which were transcribed verbatim and analyed using inductive content analysis.. Results Ten participants identified that successful discharge includes the following consideration, 1) acknowledging the tension between moving forward and looking back, 2) a collaborative discharge process, and 3) the need for ongoing, relevant resources and support. Conclusion This study provided a deeper understanding of how YAs with chronic pain characterize success in the discharge transition from specialized chronic pain services to community self-management. Our findings highlighted the importance of provider-patient collaboration during the discharge planning process to develop a patient centered self-management plan that incorporates community resources tailored to the needs of the individual to promote an optimal discharge.

Effect of antenna helicity on discharge characteristics of helicon plasma under a divergent magnetic field

The characteristics of the blue core phenomenon observed in a divergent magnetic field helicon plasma are investigated using two different helical antennas, namely right-handed and left-handed helical antennas. The mode transition, discharge image, spatial profiles of plasma density and electron temperature are diagnosed using a Langmuir probe, a Nikon D90 camera, an intensified charge-coupled device camera and an optical emission spectrometer, respectively. The results demonstrated that the blue core phenomenon appeared in the upstream region of the discharge tube at a fixed magnetic field under both helical antennas. However, it is more likely to appear in a right-handed helical antenna, in which the plasma density and ionization rate of the helicon plasma are higher. The spatial profiles of the plasma density and electron temperature are also different in both axial and radial directions for these two kinds of helical antenna. The wavelength calculated based on the dispersion relation of the bounded whistler wave is consistent with the order of magnitude of plasma length. It is proved that the helicon plasma is part of the wave mode discharge mechanism.

Perspectives of family caregivers and nurses on hospital discharge transitional care for Muslim older adults living with COPD: a qualitative study

BackgroundThe increased number of emergency department visits among older adults living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease reflects the challenges of hospital discharge transition, especially in those from a cultural minority. The barriers and facilitators of this discharge from the perspective of formal and informal care providers, such as nurses and family caregivers, are important to identify to provide effective symptom management and quality of care. The purpose of this study was to describe the barriers and facilitators in caring for Muslim older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) during hospital discharge transitional care.MethodsA descriptive qualitative study was conducted in a hospital of Thailand where Muslim people are a cultural minority. Thirteen family caregivers of Muslim older adults living with COPD and seven nurses were purposively recruited and participated in semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Content analysis was used to analyze the data.ResultsFive barriers and three facilitating factors of transitional care for Muslim older adults living with COPD were outlined. Barriers included: (1) lack of knowledge about the causes and management of dyspnea, (2) inadequate discharge preparation, (3) language barrier, (4) discontinuity of care, and (5) COVID-19 epidemic. Facilitators included: (1) the ability to understand Malayu language, (2) the presence of healthcare professionals of the same gender, and (3) the presence of Muslim healthcare providers.ConclusionFamily caregivers require more supportive care to meet the care needs of Muslim older adults living with COPD. Alternative nurse-based transitional care programs for these older adult caregivers should be developed.

Effect of a negative DC bias on a capacitively coupled Ar plasma operated at different radiofrequency voltages and gas pressures

The effect of a negative DC bias, |V dc|, on the electrical parameters and discharge mode is investigated experimentally in a radiofrequency (RF) capacitively coupled Ar plasma operated at different RF voltage amplitudes and gas pressures. The electron density is measured using a hairpin probe and the spatio-temporal distribution of the electron-impact excitation rate is determined by phase-resolved optical emission spectroscopy. The electrical parameters are obtained based on the waveforms of the electrode voltage and plasma current measured by a voltage probe and a current probe. It was found that at a low |V dc|, i.e. in α-mode, the electron density and RF current decline with increasing |V dc|; meanwhile, the plasma impedance becomes more capacitive due to a widened sheath. Therefore, RF power deposition is suppressed. When |V dc| exceeds a certain value, the plasma changes to α–γ hybrid mode (or the discharge becomes dominated by the γ-mode), manifesting a drastically growing electron density and a moderately increasing RF current. Meanwhile, the plasma impedance becomes more resistive, so RF power deposition is enhanced with |V dc|. We also found that the electrical parameters show similar dependence on |V dc| at different RF voltages, and α–γ mode transition occurs at a lower |V dc| at a higher RF voltage. By increasing the pressure, plasma impedance becomes more resistive, so RF power deposition and electron density are enhanced. In particular, the α–γ mode transition tends to occur at a lower |V dc| with increase in pressure.

Spatial structures of different particles in helicon plasma

The spatial density structures of different particles (high-energy electron excited ionic and low-energy electron excited neutral particles) in both discharge and plume plasmas of a helicon source were characterized by an optical emission spectroscope (OES) and a Langmuir probe. Filters of 480 nm band pass and 600 nm high pass were used to distinguish the ionic and the excited neutral particles, respectively. The ion energy distributions at the outlet of the discharge tube with different magnetic field were obtained by a four-grid retarding field energy analyzer (RFEA). Results show that as RF input power increased, the helicon discharge modes change from a capacitive (E mode) to an inductive (H mode) to a wave coupling or a helicon discharge (W mode). After reaching the W mode, neutral particles are basically saturated, but ions will experience another growth as the power increases. Moreover, the reversed applied magnetic field can change the axial distribution of ion density (ionization region). The IEDF test results show that the maximum (most probable) ion energy increases with increasing input power. Meanwhile, the reversed magnetic field (+ 50 A) can increase the maximum ion energy by about 15 eV, which is believed to be the ionization/acceleration zone is close to the ion energy test point. Therefore, the directed ion energy is more correlated with the ion density distribution excited by high-energy electrons.

Maze-solving in a plasma system based on functional analogies to reinforcement-learning model.

Maze-solving is a classical mathematical task, and is recently analogously achieved using various eccentric media and devices, such as living tissues, chemotaxis, and memristors. Plasma generated in a labyrinth of narrow channels can also play a role as a route finder to the exit. In this study, we experimentally observe the function of maze-route findings in a plasma system based on a mixed discharge scheme of direct-current (DC) volume mode and alternative-current (AC) surface dielectric-barrier discharge, and computationally generalize this function in a reinforcement-learning model. In our plasma system, we install two electrodes at the entry and the exit in a square lattice configuration of narrow channels whose cross section is 1×1 mm2 with the total length around ten centimeters. Visible emissions in low-pressure Ar gas are observed after plasma ignition, and the plasma starting from a given entry location reaches the exit as the discharge voltage increases, whose route converging level is quantified by Shannon entropy. A similar short-path route is reproduced in a reinforcement-learning model in which electric potentials through the discharge voltage is replaced by rewards with positive and negative sign or polarity. The model is not rigorous numerical representation of plasma simulation, but it shares common points with the experiments along with a rough sketch of underlying processes (charges in experiments and rewards in modelling). This finding indicates that a plasma-channel network works in an analog computing function similar to a reinforcement-learning algorithm slightly modified in this study.

In-situ plasma assisted lithium-ion battery cathodes to catalytically pyrolyze lignin for H2-rich syngas production

In-situ plasma assisted lithium-ion battery cathodes catalysis was investigated to pyrolyze lignin to H2-rich syngas, oil and char. The effects of temperature, cathode to lignin ratio and plasma current on syngas production were investigated by using the typical ternary cathode NCM111 (LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2) as catalyst and adopting dielectric barrier discharge mode. Response surface methodology based on BOX-BEHNKEN design was used to analyze the significance and interactions of process factors on the syngas yield. The conditions of 837℃, 10.4 %, and 185 mA for obtaining high-yield syngas (22.58 %) were more stringent; thereinto, from high to low, the intensity of factors on the yield was temperature, plasma current, and cathode ratio. Furthermore, different cathodes (non-cathode, NCM811 (LiNi4/5Co1/10Mn1/10O2), LCO (LiCoO2), and LMO (LiMn2O4)) were applied to decouple the catalytic effects of three metals in the NCM111. NCM111 enhanced both lignin gasification and carbonization by reducing condensable components, and NCM811 further improved gasification, but LCO and LMO had weaker gasification ability. NCM111 increased H2 volume fraction from 22.35 % to 67.31 %, NCM811 elevated the micro-discharge performance, promoting the hydrogasification reactions between energetic H species and char to produce more CH4, while LCO and LMO tended to produce the CO-rich syngas. Besides, in-situ plasma and its synergy with cathodes inhibited the formation of heavy aromatics and produced some high-value bio-oils rich in light aromatics, in which NCM111 achieved 92.30 % selectivity towards MAHs. High Ni ratio was beneficial for improving the char porosity, and the chars obtained by using NCM811 had a surface area of 409.29 m2/g, and a pore volume of 0.401 cm3/g. Comparably, the degree of catalytic lignin gasification for preparing H2-rich syngas could be ranked as Ni > Co > Mn in the ternary cathode.

Optimal Placement of Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storages in a Distribution Network with Embedded Wind Power Generation

The prevalence of distributed generation in most power grids can negatively affect their performance in terms of power loss, voltage deviation, and voltage stability. Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storages (SMESs) can help in addressing this problem as long as they are optimally placed in the distribution network. This paper presents a hybrid Grasshopper Optimization Algorithm and a Simulated Annealing (GOA-SA) method to determine the optimal placement of SMESs in a distribution network with an embedded wind power generation system. The optimization was formulated as a multi-objective problem to minimize active power losses, reactive power losses, and voltage deviation and maximize the voltage stability index. An IEEE 57-node distribution network was employed and simulations were performed using MATLAB R2020b. Based on simulations using 200 kW SMESs in discharge mode, the active power loss decreased by 82.57%, the reactive power loss decreased by 80.71%, the average voltage deviation index decreased by 66.91%, and the voltage stability index improved by 34.97%. In the charging operation mode, the active power loss increased by 24.86%, the reactive power loss increased by 8.21%, the average voltage deviation increased by 12.86%, and the voltage stability index increased by 12.79%. These results show that SMESs can improve the technical performance of a distribution network.

Effects of cavity resonance and antenna resonance on mode transitions in helicon plasma

Mechanisms of cavity resonance and antenna resonance and their coupling effects on mode transitions in argon helicon plasma excited by a half-helical antenna (14 cm in length) were investigated in this paper. Cavity length was changed to distinguish the effects of cavity and antenna resonances in experiments. Plasma parameters under various discharge conditions, such as input power (0–2500 W), magnetic field (0–1000 G) and cavity length (10–42 cm) were measured. Characteristics of helicon discharges and mode transitions in cases of fixed and continuously changing cavity lengths were compared. The results show that multiple axial eigenmodes (at least five in the present work) were observed in both cases. In fixed-length cavities, the helicon discharge changes abruptly during mode transitions, while in changeable-length cavities, discharge features can change continuously (e.g. in a large range of density from 1.7 × 1012 to 1.3 × 1013 cm−3) without mode transition. Mode transitions also occur as the cavity length increases at fixed input power and magnetic field with periodical variations of plasma parameters. Cavity resonance plays a dominant role in the formation of standing helicon waves of eigenmodes and mode transitions, while antenna resonance significantly affects the transition from inductively coupled modes to helicon wave modes. Enhanced inter-coupling of cavity resonance and antenna resonance appears at specific axial wavelengths of eigenmodes. The threshold conditions for mode transitions were deduced and the overall transition path of wave modes and the corresponding density were predicted quantitatively, which shows that cavity resonance determines the transition path of wave modes, while antenna resonance gives the lower limit of the transition path. Characteristics of helicon discharge and mode transition are closely related to the axial wavenumber. Cavity and antenna resonances influence the helicon discharge and mode transition by determining the axial wavenumber of eigenmodes.

Temporally resolved measurement of a force induced by a pulsed water-fuelled magnetron sputtering source

A high-speed solenoid-type pulsed valve is applied to a water-fuelled magnetron sputtering thruster, which can lead a compact and neutralizer-free electric propulsion device by generating a thrust due to the ejection of the sputtered target material, in order to minimize the size of the gas feeding system. The pulsed valve is opened for approximately 5 msec and the gaseous water is introduced into the source via a gas line connected to the source. A dc high voltage is firstly applied between the cathode and the anode; then the discharge is sustained for the period in which a gas pressure enough for the discharge is maintained and a change in the discharge mode is observed during the discharge pulse. To investigate the impact of the mode change on the thrust generation, a temporally resolved measurement of the force is equivalently performed by installing a pulsed voltage power supply and by changing the pulse width of the discharge voltage. The results show the temporal reduction of the thrust-to-power ratio during a pulsed discharge due to the nonlinear correlation between ion energy and sputtering yield. It is suggested that the use of a pulsed valve would be useful for downsizing of the electric propulsion system, while an optimization to properly control the gas flow rate is needed for further development.

A Resilient Control for Distributed Energy Storage Units in an Islanded AC Microgrid

A high number of charge/discharge cycles results in premature aging of Distributed Energy Storage Units (DESUs). Since classical droop control does not consider this issue and leads to MG voltage and frequency fluctuations in steady state, controls such as State of Charge (SoC) synchronization control are used to minimize DESUs number of charge/discharge cycles. However, few methods in the literature investigate frequency and voltage (f & V) restoration while ensuring a functional SoC equalization control in both charge and discharge modes. In this paper, an Adaptive Frequency Droop based on Virtual Power (AFDVP) method is proposed to achieve DESUs SoC equalization to prolong their lifespan while ensuring MG voltage and frequency regulation. In addition, AFDVP strategy ensures optimal use of second life batteries, since they are naturally less solicited due to the decrease in their capacity. DESUs SoC equalization is achieved thanks to virtual active powers using a PI controller. A complete stability analysis is provided to choose optimal parameters for the proposed distributed control. Experimental tests are performed to check the performance of the AFDVP technique in several study cases. A comparison is also performed with a SoC equalization strategy from the literature.

Three-electrode surface dielectric barrier discharge driven by repetitive pulses: streamer dynamic evolution and discharge mode transition

The streamer dynamic evolution and discharge mode transition of a three-electrode surface dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD) driven by repetitive pulses are studied experimentally and numerically for better plasma-mode control and optimized application. Spatial-temporal plasma morphologic features together with electro-optical behavior are utilized to analyze the streamer dynamic evolution and streamer-to-spark transition. To gain a deep insight into the physical mechanism of the discharge mode transition in repetitive pulses, a 2D fluid model combined with a 0D kinetic model is built and studied. A good agreement between the experimental measurements and numerical simulation in the propagation dynamics and voltage–current characteristics is achieved. The results show that the surface-streamer discharge in the form of primary and transitional streamers can transform into a surface-spark discharge characterized by the primary streamer, transitional streamer and spark phase in repetitive pulses under the high applied electric field. A high gas temperature will result in a large reduced electric field after the transitional streamer, which exceeds the ionization threshold and thus promotes the discharge mode transition. A high number of electrons can be released from the negative charges by oxygen atoms during the inter-pulse period, which is favorable for the re-ignition and ionization process of the subsequent pulse discharge.

An Active Equalization Method for Cascade Utilization Lithium Battery Pack With Online Measurement of Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy

Abstract With the rapid development of new energy vehicles, a large number of lithium batteries have been produced, used and retired. The full utilization and safe use of the whole life cycle of the batteries have become a hot topic in the research field. Compared to brand new batteries, retired power batteries exhibit significant inconsistency and safety risks due to aging, thus necessitating effective battery equalization and safety monitoring methods. In this article, an active equalization method for cascade utilization lithium battery pack with online measurement of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy is proposed to actively equalize the retired battery pack and alleviate the inconsistency of the battery pack. Besides, the electrochemical impedance spectrum of the single battery is measured online without adding additional hardware circuit, so as to realize real-time safety monitoring and solve the safety problem of the battery. Finally, in order to verify the feasibility of the active equalization and electrochemical impedance spectrum monitoring scheme designed in this article, a simulation model is built based on MATLAB-Simulink platform. The simulation results show that the six batteries in the proposed scheme model complete the active equalization in about 710s, 850s and 740s respectively in the balance mode, charge mode and discharge mode, and the electrochemical impedance spectrum in the frequency range of 1-20KHz can be successfully measured.

Stability and complexity evaluation of attractors in a controllable piezoelectric Fitzhugh-Nagumo circuit

Chaotic systems have potential applications in secure communication and image encryption. The FitzHugh-Nagumo (FHN) neuron circuit model, as one of the most important models for neuron modelling, has a good chaotic discharge mode. On this basis, a controllable FHN piezoelectric neuron circuit is designed in this paper. By adjusting the state of the switch on or off, the circuit model can produce three different operating modes. The results show that the dynamic state of the system is determined by external stimuli, internal parameters of the system, and the number and nature of the external driving sources. More drivers can provide more chaos parameters. By converting different working modes, we can generate chaotic sequences with high randomness under different parameters. We found that when multiple drivers work together, the system output is more complex, and there is competition between dynamics induced by different drivers in the system. The addition of chaotic current makes the output discharge of the system produce chaotic resonance and pseudo-chaotic mode, which greatly improves the complexity of the sequence. This provides a new method for generating chaotic sequences with high randomness. Our work lays a theoretical foundation for the optimization of chaotic encryption algorithms in the future. In the future, we will further explore the effects of chaotic current stimulation with different properties. We hope that these findings will provide new insights into the security of information communications.

The Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Hospitalizations for Ambulatory Care-Sensitive Conditions in Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia.

Background and Objectives: We aimed to explore whether the COVID-19 pandemic influenced hospitalizations for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions (ACSCs) in Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia. Materials and Methods: We performed a cross-sectional comparative study using two different time periods, the pre-pandemic (from March 2019 to February 2020) and the pandemic period (from March 2020 to February 2021), to explore the possible influences that the COVID-19 pandemic had on hospitalizations for ACSCs. The ACSCs were classified into the categories of vaccine-preventable, chronic, and acute disease. The indicators were statistically analyzed. Results: During the pandemic, a decrease in the total number of hospitalizations and ACSC hospitalizations was recorded. The relative risk for having any ACSC hospitalization in the pandemic period compared to the pre-pandemic period was 0.67 (95% CI, 0.64-0.71; p = 0). The risk reduction was seen in all three categories of vaccine-preventable ACSCs, chronic disease, and acute disease. Large reductions were found in the relative risk of hospitalization for COPD and asthma. Considering the mode of discharge, there was a statistically significantly higher risk of ACSCs with fatal outcomes during the pandemic than in the pre-pandemic period (relative risk 1.31; 95% CI, 1.01-1.7; p = 0.0197). Conclusions: The results of this study show that the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the total number of hospitalizations as well as hospitalizations relating to ACSCs. Certainly, one of the reasons for these changes was due to organizational changes in the working of the entire health system due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract 3468: Emerging lessons from patient-reported hospital discharge experiences among hospitalized cancer patients with frequent emergency department use

Abstract Background: While teamwork is essential to providing high-quality patient-centered care, challenges in interprofessional collaboration and decision-making in the hospital settings are common, especially for cancer patients. The purpose of this study was to identify emerging themes related to hospital discharge experiences among patients hospitalized for cancer who became frequent emergency department (ED) users following their hospital discharge. Design & Methods: A cohort of cancer patients discharged from an academic health center in Montreal (Canada) between October 2014 and November 2016 was assembled. Frequent ED (FED) users were identified as patients who had a > 4 ED visits in the year following hospital discharge using health administrative claims from the provincial universal health care program. Qualitative analysis of telephone interviews conducted with patients 30 days’ post-discharge were used for in-depth exploratory analyses to characterize hospital discharge experiences and transition process from the hospital to the community. Results: A cohort of 1253 cancer patients was formed. The mean age was 70.9 (SD=11.8) and the most frequent cancers included 488 (38.9%) respiratory and 309 (24.6%) upper digestive cancer. Overall, 14.5% (n=182) of patients became FED users. Content analyses revealed the most common emerging themes from the FED patients interviews on hospital discharge experiences. These included:1. Early hospital discharge putting patients at high risk of being re-admitted and going back to the ER shortly after that. Some patients mentioned post-discharge complications and emerging of new health issues that could have been avoided if patient was kept in the hospital for longer.2. Lack of communication between different specialists at the hospital. Some patients mentioned the help of a nurse as crucial during inpatient stays in maintaining communication between doctors. 3. Lack of communication of medications prescribed. Some patients mentioned the lack of communication of what doses was modified, what medications were stopped and which ones were newly prescribed.4. The need to schedule follow-up appointments at the time of hospital discharge. This becomes especially important for vulnerable patients who have been on pain medication during the hospital stay, affecting their cognitive abilities and making post-discharge planning more difficult. Conclusions: This study using integrated data from administrative claims and patient interviews provided insights into the challenges related to hospital discharge experiences and transition into community among hospitalized cancer patients with frequent emergency department use. Application of our findings could assist in hospital discharge preparation and improvement in healthcare delivery and health outcomes. Citation Format: Siyana Kurteva, Robyn Tamblyn. Emerging lessons from patient-reported hospital discharge experiences among hospitalized cancer patients with frequent emergency department use [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 3468.

Post-discharge nutritional management for patients with coronary heart disease and frailty: a qualitative study

BackgroundFrail elderly patients experience physiological function and reserve depletion, leading to imbalances in their internal environment, which increases the risk of coronary heart disease recurrence and malnutrition. However, the majority of these patients, who primarily have a low level of education and lack self-management skills, face difficulties actively dealing with obstacles during the transition period after their discharge from hospitalization. Therefore, it is necessary to understand and discuss in depth the nutrition management experience of discharged elderly patients with coronary heart disease and frailty (ages 65-80 years old) and to analyze the promoting and hindering factors that affect scientific diet behavior during the discharge transition period.MethodsFifteen elderly patients with coronary heart disease and frailty who had been discharged from the hospital for 6 months were interviewed using a semistructured method. The directed content analysis approach to descriptive research was used to extract topics from the interview content.ResultsAll participants discussed the problems in health nutrition management experience of discharged. Five topics and ten subtopics were extracted, such as ①Weak perceptions and behaviors towards healthy eating (personal habit solidification, negative attitudes towards nutrition management), ②Lack of objective factors for independently adjusting dietary conditions (reliance on subjective feelings, times of appetite change), ③Personal hindrance factors (memory impairment, deficiencies in self-nutrition management), ④Expected external support (assistance care support, ways to obtain nutritional information), ⑤Lack of continuous nutrition management (interruption of professional guidance, avoidance of medical treatment behavior).ConclusionsNutrition management after discharge places a burden on elderly patients with coronary heart disease and frailty. According to the patients' physical conditions, we should develop a diet support system that is coordinated by individuals, families and society.

Outcomes of the Dulce Digital-COVID Aware (DD-CA) discharge texting platform for US/Mexico border Hispanic individuals with diabetes

BackgroundHispanic individuals have higher type 2 diabetes (T2D) prevalence, poorer outcomes, and are disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Culturally-tailored, diabetes educational text messaging has previously improved HbA1c in this population. MethodsDuring the pandemic, hospitalized Hispanic adults with T2D (N = 172) were randomized to receive Dulce Digital-COVID Aware (“DD-CA”) texting platform upon discharge plus diabetes transition service (DTS) or DTS alone. DD-CA includes diabetes educational messaging with additional COVID-safe messaging (e.g., promoting masking; social distancing; vaccination). FindingsAmong adults with poorly-controlled diabetes (Mean HbA1c = 9.6 ± 2.2 %), DD-CA did not reduce 30- or 90-day readmissions compared to standard care (28 % vs 15 %, p = .06; 37 % vs 35 %, p = .9, respectively). However, the improvement in HbA1c was larger among those in the DD-CA compared to DTS at 3 months (n = 56; −2.69 % vs. −1.45 %, p = .0496) with reduced effect at 6 months (n = 64; −2.03 % vs −0.91 %, p = .07). Low follow-up completion rates and the addition of covariates (to control for baseline group differences that existed despite randomization) impacted statistical power. InterpretationDuring the pandemic, DD-CA offered an alternative digital approach to diabetes and COVID education and support for a high-risk Hispanic population and achieved trends toward improvement in glycemic control despite relatively low engagement and not reducing hospital readmissions.

Influence of A.C. Frequency on Hollow Magnetron Sputtering Discharge Parameters

In the present work, optical emission spectroscopy was used to diagnose the influence of A.C. power source frequency on the hollow magnetron sputtering discharge parameters (such as discharge emission, discharge current and voltage, glow discharge structure, temperature (Te) and electron number density (ne), Debye length (λD), and plasma parameter (ND) of constant pressure. The electron temperature and number density were determined using the Boltzmann plots and the Stark broadening methods, respectively. The results illustrate that the normal glow discharge structure is similar to the D.C. discharge mode. The magnetic field has no impact on the fundamental discharge parameter in both A.C. frequencies under study. On the other hand, the other discharge parameters (Te, ne, λD and ND) increase with increasing the magnetic field in both discharge frequencies. In addition, the increase in the frequency of the A.C. source current led to an increase in the discharge intensity emission and the other discharge parameters being studied. In this case, in frequency 7 kHz, Te surged from 0.685 eV to 0.839 eV, and ne experienced an increase from 3.088 x 1018 m-3 to 4.902 x 1018 m-3. At a frequency of 9 kHz, the electron temperature surged from 0.711eV to 0.911 eV. ne experienced an increase from 3.615 x 1018 m-3 to 6.749 x 1018 m-3.

Quantification of plasma enabled surface cooling by electron emission from high temperature materials

In this work, the potential for hypersonic leading edge cooling by electron emission is demonstrated. To overcome space charge limitations the experiments are carried out in an argon discharge at 1 Torr. Cooling is observed with time-resolved measurements of the electron emission current and surface temperature, taking advantage of well controlled laser heating of the emitting surface and time accurate surface pyrometry. For the ignited mode of the plasma discharge, surface cooling by the electron emission is directly observed, leading to an estimated cooling rate of 1.6±0.2 MW m−2. Higher cooling rates with self sustained plasmas for space charge mitigation are expected using cesium transpiration. A two-dimensional model of heat transfer has been developed, which reproduces well the experimentally observed cooling dynamics. Parametric tests of emitter materials with various work functions show that for effective surface cooling by electron emission, the optimal work function must be less than 3.0 eV. This result indicates that electron cooling can be a promising thermal protection method for leading edges of hypersonic vehicles in flight.