Main Discharge Research Articles

Extended Cylindrical Low-Pressure Arc Discharge Plasma Emitter for Generation of a Radially Diverging Electron Beam

The paper presents the results of studies of processes of generation of a beam-plasma formation in an extended cylindrical hollow mesh anode with a diameter of 115 mm and a length of about 1 m of a non-self-sustaining low-pressure arc discharge with thermionic and hollow cathodes. The probe method was used to measure the longitudinal distributions of the plasma parameters inside the mesh hollow anode of the arc discharge for burning conditions with/without a flow of ions injected from the plasma of the main glow discharge, for which the hollow anode was the plasma emitter of electrons. The distributions of the ion current density on the probe inside the cylindrical anode of the arc discharge (electron emitter) as functions of the operating pressure, the longitudinal magnetic field in the hollow cathode of the arc plasma source, and the arc discharge current are experimentally determined. In an extended plasma emitter, unequal conditions of plasma formation are formed, leading to the formation of a potential barrier for the propagation of the arc plasma. The emission of ions from the glow discharge plasma in the beam-plasma formation allows the inhomogeneity of the plasma formed in the hollow plasma emitter to be reduced significantly. The results obtained show the possibility of forming relatively uniform extended beam-plasma formations inside the extended mesh anode of the arc discharge under conditions of injection of an external ion flow through the mesh cells.

Analysis of hydrochemical evolution in main discharge aquifers under mining disturbance and water source identification

To discuss the hydrochemical evolution characteristics of the mining process of Peigou Coal Mine, based on the test results of 43 water samples collected at different times from three main discharge aquifers, namely, Carboniferous Taiyuan Formation limestone water (L7-8 + L5-6 water), Ordovician limestone water (including Taiyuan Formation L1-4), and Permian main mining coal seam roof and floor sandstone water (roof and floor water), a hydrochemical evolution model of the mining disturbances since 2003 has been established. The carbonate and sulphate dissolution and pyrite oxidation in Ordovician limestone water significantly decreased and then increased in 2006, and silicate weathering was weak. The carbonate and sulphate dissolution, silicate weathering and pyrite oxidation of roof and floor sandstone water increased. At the same time, a water source identification model suitable for the Peigou Coal Mine was developed by comparing the Fisher discriminant and the BP (back propagation) neural network discriminant. The accuracy rates of Fisher discriminant and BP neural network discriminant are 81.40% and 83.72% respectively, which indicates that BP neural network is more accurate. Finally, the evolution of hydraulic connection between aquifers is analysed. We speculate that there is a fracture development channel between Ordovician limestone water and roof and floor water aquifers that is affected in 2005 by the mining disturbance. This study has significance for examining the hydrochemical evolution of groundwater in mines and acting as a guideline to prevent and control water inrushes.

Oldest Dryas hydroclimate reorganization in the eastern Iberian Peninsula after the iceberg discharges of Heinrich Event 1

AbstractThis study examines the first precisely dated and temporally highly resolved speleothem record from Iberia that reconstructs the Oldest Dryas (OD). The onset of cold conditions in the study area, contemporary with the beginning of Heinrich Stadial 1, is recorded at 18.13 ± 0.08 ka, with a pronounced drop of 6.1‰ in δ13C in 250 years. Henceforth, stadial conditions depict a period of instability in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, peaking in freshwater input from iceberg melting during Heinrich Event 1. Anomalies in the δ18O of the stalagmite attributed to such a freshwater event are found from 16.17 to 15.89 ka. Such absolute dates given to the onset of the OD in Iberia and to the main iceberg discharges are reliable anchor points for non-absolute chronologies. Two periods are identified in the OD: OD-a (18.13–16.17 ka) is characterized by wet conditions and a faster growth rate, and OD-b (15.89–14.81 ka) exhibits relative dryness and a slower growth rate. The sudden release of fresh water is considered to be the reason for the disruption of rainfall patterns in eastern Iberia. The present study also highlights the existence of heterogeneous and complex hydrological conditions during the OD in Iberia when both Atlantic and Mediterranean realms are considered.

Relationships Between Time-at-Bedside During Hospital Ward Rounds, Clinician-Patient Agreement, and Patient Experience.

Hospital medicine ward rounds are often conducted away from patients’ bedsides, but it is unknown if more time-at-bedside is associated with improved patient outcomes. Our objective is to measure the association between “time-at-bedside,” patient experience, and patient–clinician care agreement during ward rounds. Research assistants directly observed medicine services to quantify the amount of time spent discussing each patient’s care inside versus outside the patient’s room. “Time-at-bedside” was defined as the proportion of time spent discussing a patient’s care in his or her room. Patient experience and patient–clinician care agreement both were measured immediately after ward rounds. Results demonstrated that the majority of patient and physicians completely agreement on planned tests (66.3%), planned procedures (79.7%), medication changes (50.6%), and discharge location (66.9%), but had no agreement on the patient’s main concern (74.4%) and discharge date (50.6%). Time-at-bedside was not correlated with care agreement or patient experience (P > .05 for all comparisons). This study demonstrates that spending more time at the bedside during ward rounds, alone, is insufficient to improve patient experience.

Discharge model and plasma characteristics of high-power pulsed magnetron sputtering titanium target

<sec>High-power pulsed magnetron sputtering has become a popular research tool in surface technology industry because it can prepare the films with excellent surface quality. The plasma density and metal ionization rate are the key factors affecting the quality of the film deposited by high-power pulsed magnetron sputtering. The parameters of high-power pulsed magnetron sputtering (such as applied voltage, pulse width, deposition pressure and peak current) affect the plasma density and metal ionization rate. In this paper, in order to more easily understand the plasma densities and metal ionization rates at the different process parameters, the plasma densities and ionization rates are calculated numerically. An equivalent circuit model established by MATLAB/Simulink software is used to obtain the discharge current curve of high-power pulsed magnetron sputtering titanium (Ti) target. The plasma density near the plasma sheath is calculated by the sheath resistance in the equivalent circuit model. The ionization rate of Ti is calculated by using the semi-cylinder global model theory combined with the discharge current simulated by equivalent circuit model. It is found that under the different high power pulse sputtering voltages, pulse widths and different deposition pressures, the discharge modes are of gas discharge and metal ion discharge, and the gas discharge interacts with metal ion discharge. The equivalent circuit model is produced by the main discharge mode, and the equivalent circuit model composed of capacitor, inductor and resistors in series and in parallel can be used to simulate the discharge current of Ti target. The result shows that the simulated discharge current is accurate in the rising edge and peak value in comparison with experimental data. The value of electron component in the model is related to the saturation ion current.</sec><sec>According to the sheath resistance in the model, the average plasma density in the vacuum chamber increases with increasing sputtering voltage, pulse width and deposition pressure. And the plasma density in the vacuum chamber lies in a range of (2–9) × 10<sup>17</sup> m<sup>–3</sup>. The particle equilibrium equation is established by using the semi-cylinder global model theory. The electron temperature (5 eV) and discharge current are used as boundary conditions to calculate the ionization rate of Ti. The value of the ionization rate of Ti is in a range of 31%–38% at different deposition pressures, and the ionization rate of Ti increases with the increase of deposition pressure.</sec>

Influence of Electron Injection on the Characteristics of a Hollow Cathode Glow Discharge

The article presents the results of experimental studies of a glow discharge with a hollow cathode in helium and argon gases using an auxiliary discharge as an electron emitter. The authors proposed to make the electrode common for both discharges in the form of a cylindrical metal mesh. The advantage of this design is explained as follows. The connection between the discharges is carried out through holes in the grid with a geometric transparency of 0.2, which makes it possible not only to smoothly control the glow discharge current, but also to enhance the discharge current. Plasma is known to be one of the most efficient electron emitters; however, its use as a cathode in devices with a glow discharge at low gas pressures is complicated by the fact that a grid with small holes is required to separate the electron flow from the plasma, and it is impractical to use such a system in view of low mechanical strength of the grid Since the hollow cathode works effectively at low gas pressures, the release of an electron flux from the plasma of some auxiliary discharge is possible with much larger holes in the grid separating the plasma and the hollow cathode cavity. In this case, the grid can be made such that it can withstand sufficiently high thermal loads and can operate in typical discharge modes with a hollow cathode. The injection of electrons into the cathode cavity of the glow discharge changes the radial distribution of the glow intensity, the width of the cathode dark space, and other parameters of the plasma in the cathode cavity. The influence of electrons penetrating from the auxiliary discharge into the cathode cavity of the main discharge becomes significant when the current of these electrons is comparable to or exceeds the current of electrons leaving the grid cathode surface as a result of γ-processes. In parallel with the measurement of the optical and electrical characteristics of the hollow cathode glow discharge plasma, measurements of the electron concentration were carried out by the microwave sounding method. The entire current of the auxiliary discharge penetrates into the cavity of the main discharge; however, after acceleration in the cathode dark space, the electrons penetrating from the auxiliary discharge ionize gas atoms and noticeably increase the current of the main discharge. Additional ions formed due to the ionization of the gas by the injected electrons knock out new electrons from the cathode surface, which makes it possible to increase the discharge current.

Исследования механизма коммутации короткого вакуумного промежутка с помощью вспомогательного искрового разряда

The ionization of a rarefied gas in a short gap by a stream of short-wave radiation and fast electrons from the plasma of an auxiliary spark discharge along the dielectric surface is detected, sufficient to initiate an arc discharge in the gap. The density of the ionizing flow of particles and radiation determines the delay time of the switching gap in relation to the start of the auxiliary discharge. With an increase in the initial concentration of free electrons in the main discharge gap, the transition time to an arc discharge is reduced, due to the development of instabilities.

Capturing carbon dioxide in Na–CO2 batteries: A route for green energy

AbstractLimiting the carbon emission to the atmosphere requires the efficient utilization of carbonaceous gases and their capture via well‐designed platforms. Metal–CO2 batteries are currently being demonstrated as the route to utilize CO2 and produce energy simultaneously. In particular, Na–CO2 batteries are considered an alternative to Li‐batteries because of their abundance and low cost. In the current review, the developments in the field of Na–CO2 batteries are discussed. Carbon dioxide reactions to the decomposition of discharge products have been discussed elaborately. The main discharge products of Na–CO2 batteries are Na2CO3 and C. In the current review, various strategies are discussed to decompose the discharge products and hence improve cycle stability. The fraction of CO2 has a substantial influence on cell cycles. A plausible route of battery reaction can be drawn with the help of an ex situ analysis of the electrodes. The final part of the review focuses on the use of solid‐state Na‐ion conductors in Na–CO2 batteries.

Three-dimensional simulation of neutral transport in gases and weakly ionized plasmas

Transport and redeposition of plasma-facing materials in future fusion devices may have a critical influence on performance of in-vessel components. Evaluation of the impurity migration in diagnostic ports is important to predict degradation of in-vessel optics during the main plasma discharges as well as for development of in-situ cleaning maintenance. The Monte-Carlo code KITe was developed for modeling transport of neutral particles in weakly ionized plasma. The code employs advanced neutral particle collision model. The first KITe simulation and experimental validation of sputtered atom transport demonstrate performance of the proposed approach.

Формирование радиоактивного загрязнения Ольховского болота

According to [1] Beloyarskaya NPP began discharge radionuclides into the Olkhov swamp in 1977, and its contamination occurred as a flowing swamp. In this paper, a numerical model was developed for such a swamp and calculations were made with the main discharges that lasted for 15 years, starting from 1977.

A gas-insulated mega-ampere-class linear transformer driver with pluggable bricks.

This paper presents the design and test of a gas-insulated linear transformer driver (LTD) cavity aimed at the Z-pinch experimental device CZ-34. The LTD cavity has a diameter of 2290 mm and a height of 346 mm. It consists of 23 main bricks and 1 trigger brick. Each main brick is comprised of two 100 nF capacitors connected electrically in series with a field-distortion gas switch. The trigger brick is comprised of two 50 nF capacitors connected in series with a compact multi-gap gas switch. All bricks are placed in the cavity filled with compressed SF6 and are pluggable like drawers. The trigger pulse generated by the trigger brick passes through an azimuthal transmission line to the trigger ring and makes the main bricks discharge synchronously. The LTD cavity can deliver ∼1 MA current pulse with a rise time of 115 ns to 0.08 Ω liquid resistance load when the charging voltage is ±100 kV, which is in good agreement with the circuit simulation results. Experimental results demonstrate the successful application of using gas insulation and pluggable bricks. The technical feasibility of the charging configuration, triggering method, and isolation resistors is verified. There is little difference in output performance as return-current rods replaced the outside metal cylinder, which provides a new path for the design of LTD cavities in series.

In-hospital care in acute heart failure during the COVID-19 pandemic: insights from the German-wide Helios hospital network.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to changes in health care utilization for different acute cardiovascular diseases. Whether hospitalization rates and in-hospital mortality were affected by the pandemic in patients with acute symptomatic heart failure (HF) was investigated in this study. Administrative data provided by 67 German Helios hospitals were examined for patients with a main discharge diagnosis of HF using ICD codes. Urgent hospital admissions per day were compared for a study period (13 March-21 May 2020) with control intervals in 2020 (1 January-12 March) and 2019 (13 March-21 May), resulting in a total of 13 484 patients excluding all patients with laboratory-proven COVID-19 infection. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) were calculated using Poisson regression. Generalized linear mixed models were used for univariable and multivariable analysis to identify predictors of in-hospital mortality. The number of admissions per day was lower in the study period compared to the same year [IRR 0.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67-0.73, P < 0.01] and the previous year control group (IRR 0.73, 95% CI 0.70-0.76, P < 0.01). Age was similar throughout the intervals, but case severity increased in terms of distribution within New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes and comorbidities. Within the study period, 30-day rates for urgent hospital readmissions were higher compared to the same year but not the previous year control group. In-hospital mortality was 7.3% in the study period, 6.1% in the same year (P=0.03) and 6.0% in the previous year control group (P=0.02). In multivariable analysis, age, NYHA class and other predictors of fatal outcome were identified but hospitalization during the study period was not independently associated with mortality. Our data showed a significant reduction of urgent hospital admissions for HF with increased case severity and concomitant in-hospital mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. Identifying causes of reduced inpatient treatment rates is essential for the understanding and valuation with regard to future optimal management of patients with HF.

ANALYSIS OF THE USE OF HOSPITAL SERVICES BY THE ELDERLY, IN ROMANIA, IN 2019

Population aging is a phenomenon with a strong dynamic, which requires a constant concern of health policies in order to make the most effective and efficient decisions for this population segment. The health needs of the elderly have many age-specific features, and records of patterns of hospital use by the elderly population can support the decision-making process. The purpose of the analysis was to identify the main models in the use of hospital services, by analyzing the causes of hospitalization and in-hospital death in the elderly, over 65 years, in Romania. METHOD. The DRGNational database was investigated in order to select hospitalization episodes for the elderly in 2019. All hospitals that reported patient-level data were included. Data on the main diagnosis and discharge status were extracted, as well as other variables that allowed the analysis of demographic characteristics. calls for the formulation of economic and health policies in line with the needs of the elderly related to their economic and social protection, specific health services and home care for people with disabilities or various forms of disability, and the elderly without family support. RESULTS. The most common major categories of hospitalization that required hospitalization of patients over 65 years were: diseases and disorders of the circulatory system, diseases and disorders of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue, diseases and disorders of the nervous system. Among the most common cardiovascular diseases, hospitalized patients presented with congestive heart failure, valvopathies such as mitral regurgitation or primary hypertension as the main diagnosis of hospitalization. The pattern of frequent use can be summarized as follows: women with an average age of 77 years, from rural areas, who needed an average length of hospitalization of 8 days, most patients being discharged as ameliorated, while a fifth died. Most in-hospital deaths occurred in the elderly hospitalized for diseases and disorders of the circulatory system (a quarter of the total), diseases and disorders of the nervous system (about one-fifth) and diseases and disorders of the respiratory system (over one-tenth of the total). Pattern of the elderly who died in the hospital: the average age of 78 years, most of them came from urban areas, with a slight predominance of women. Among cardiovascular diseases, the most common deaths were recorded in patients with the main diagnosis: unspecified cardiac arrest, congestive heart failure, dilated cardiomyopathy, but also acute myocardial infarction, sudden heart death, or heart failure. Patients who died with such diagnoses had an average age of 78 years, women predominated, came mostly from urban areas and were hospitalized for an average of 11 days. CONCLUSIONS. The in-depth analysis of hospital activity must provide an overview, but at the same time a comparative picture of the causes of hospitalization and in-hospital death by age groups (children, adults, the elderly). Decisions on the allocation of resources and their use at the hospital sector level must be supported by valid, up-to-date records, and taking into account the particularities in the use of hospital services by older age groups. Keywords: hospital activity, use, the elderly, Romania Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:Table Normal; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:107%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:Calibri,sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Times New Roman; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language:EN-US; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}

Serial Changes in Clinical Presentations and Outcomes of 5,740 Patients Requiring Repeated Hospital Admissions (Four or More Times) due to Worsened Heart Failure.

Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of death and hospitalization worldwide. In particular, hospital readmission due to worsened HF occurs frequently after the onset of HF. However, the association of repeated hospital admission with clinical manifestations and outcomes is unclear. The aim of this study was to clarify the serial changes in presentation and clinical course of patients requiring repeated hospital admission due to worsened HF. Among 466,921 patients who were admitted and discharged between January 2010 and March 2018, with the main discharge diagnosis of HF, we studied 5,740 patients who were hospitalized 4 times or more, using the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database. We evaluated serial changes in continuous data using the Jonckheere trend test, and categorical data using the Cochran-Armitage trend test. The median age of the patients was 78 years, and 3,326 patients (58%) were male. Body mass index and Barthel Index decreased with increased numbers of admissions. Patients requiring respiratory support and hemodialysis increased, whereas patients undergoing intra-aortic balloon pumping decreased with increased numbers of admissions. The length of hospital stay was prolonged and the interval between hospitalizations was shortened with increased numbers of hospital admissions. The in-hospital mortality rate was 8.8% at the fourth admission. In conclusion, this is the first large-scale real-world study on the serial changes in characteristics and outcomes of HF patients requiring repeated hospitalization, suggesting that repeated hospitalization might adversely affect the general status of patients with HF and result in a vicious clinical cycle.

Effectiveness of pulse-plasma ignition systems with synchronization of processes in discharge circuits

The results of the development and modeling of pulse-plasma ignition systems (IS) of gas turbine engines with synchronization of processes in the main and auxiliary discharge circuits, which occupy an intermediate position between the pulsed capacitive and plasma IS, in which a long electric arc discharge is implemented, are presented. It is experimentally proven that the flammability of pulsed-plasma IS exceeds the igniting ability of capacitive IS of an oscillatory discharge with equal energies of storage capacitors. Keywords: pulse-plasma ignition system, aperiodic discharge, process synchronization, discharge current, spark plug voltage, flammability, starting characteristic of the igniter. texprom@yandex.ru

Pharmacoeconomic management of patient with severe asthma in the Emergency Department: retrospective multicentric and cost of illness study.

The aim of the study was to develop a cost-of-illness model that would investigate the costs associated with the management of patients suffering from asthma and severe asthma in the context of acute episodes managed in the emergency room. A total of 795 records were collected between adults and paediatric patients. The data collection form reported an identification code for each patient included, gender, age, main discharge diagnosis, medical examinations carried out in the emergency room, the hospitalizations, and, if required by the patient condition, an outpatient visit performed by a pneumologist after the acute event that led the patient to the emergency room. In addition, the data collection form included information related to the pharmacological therapy taken by the patient. Among adult patients who had an admission with an asthma diagnosis, the average cost for the management of an adult patient in a green code in the emergency room is €330.39. As for the yellow code and the red code, the cost rises respectively to €444.04 and €808.25. The paediatric population has a slightly higher cost. As for the green code, the average cost stands at €355.87, for the yellow code €562.34 and €1,041.96 for the red code. Asthma and severe asthma impose a high burden on patients and society due to its chronicity, losses of productivity, and an increase in use of healthcare resources. We carried out the present observational retrospective analysis on asthma and severe asthma patients with the aim of assessing the economic impact from the Italian NHS perspective focusing also on the prescribed pharmacological therapies in the target conditions.

Numerical simulation of Ne-like Ar plasma dynamics and laser beam characteristics of 46.9 nm laser excited by capillary discharge

In this work, we performed computer modeling of high electrical discharge in an Ar filled alumina capillary in order to investigate the parameters of the discharge system that may lead to achieve an intense laser beam. One-dimensional magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) simulations were used to study the parameters of discharge produced Ar plasma. The radial evolution of plasma parameters such as electron temperature, electron density, and Ne-like argon density was estimated from MHD simulations. Additionally, the influence of the main discharge current on the pinching time and plasma radius was analyzed with the one-dimensional MHD model. The active medium for lasing is created by a high amplitude main pulse and pre-pulse. Specifically, we investigated the optimum main discharge current and Ar filling pressure. The main discharge current of 30 kA was declared as the best current to obtain the 46.9 nm laser with a 4 mm alumina capillary. The influence of the main discharge current and lasing pressure on laser beam intensity and beam characteristics has been studied theoretically and experimentally. The saturated laser intensity was obtained with a main discharge current of 30 kA. A severe reduction in laser intensity was observed above the main discharge current of 30 kA due to capillary wall ablation. The laser beam divergence was observed to be less than 3.5 mrad. The theoretical results obtained from MHD simulations are in good agreement with the experimental results of laser intensity and laser beam characteristics.

Plasma triggered spark gap switch for multiple switch synchronization.

A four-electrode plasma based triggered spark gap switch is designed for pulsed power applications, which consists of an anode and cathode of a main spark gap switch and an anode and cathode for a trigger pin. The anode and cathode of the trigger pin are coaxially arranged, and the gap between electrodes is 25 μm. A trigger voltage of 200 V is applied across the trigger gap with the help of a switching insulated gate bipolar transistor. With the breakdown of the trigger gap, plasma is generated, which is injected into the main gap. The trigger pin is placed axisymmetric to the main spark gap in the cathode. The main discharge channel of the spark gap has 0.6 mm space between two electrodes, which is charged to 1000 V. When the spark gap is triggered, the discharge current has a peak value of 6.1 kA with a quarter cycle time period of 0.97 µs. The four-electrode spark gap switch results are compared with those of a three-electrode trigatron switch, which has the peak current of 6 kA with 1.01 µs as quarter-cycle time period. Four similar four-electrode spark gap switches are triggered with the same scheme and synchronized within 10 ns as peak values of currents with jitter as less than 5 ns.

Positive Beliefs and the Likelihood of Successful Community Discharge From Skilled Nursing Facilities

ObjectivesTo examine the association of patient and direct-care staff beliefs about patients’ capability to increase independence with activities of daily living (ADL) and the probability of successful discharge to the community after a skilled nursing facility (SNF) stay. DesignRetrospective cohort study of SNF patients using 100% Medicare inpatient claims and Minimum Data Set resident assessment data. Linear probability models were used to estimate the probability of successful discharge based on patient and staff beliefs about the patient’s ability to improve in function, as well as patient and staff beliefs together. Estimates were adjusted for demographics, health status, functional characteristics, and SNF fixed effects. ParticipantsFee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries (N=526,432) aged 66 years or older who were discharged to an SNF after hospitalization for stroke, hip fracture, or traumatic brain injury. InterventionsNot applicable. Main Outcome MeasuresSuccessful community discharge (discharged alive within 90d of SNF admission and remaining in the community for ≥30d without dying or health care facility readmission). ResultsPatients with positive beliefs about their capability to increase independence with ADLs had a higher adjusted probability of successful discharge than patients with negative beliefs (positive, 63.8%; negative, 57.8%; difference, 6.0%, 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.4-6.6). This remained true regardless of staff beliefs, but the difference in successful discharge probability between patients with positive and negative beliefs was larger when staff had positive beliefs. Conversely, the association between staff beliefs and successful discharge varied based on patient beliefs. If patients had positive beliefs, the difference in the probability of successful discharge between positive and negative staff beliefs was 2.5% (95% CI, 1.0-4.0). If patients had negative beliefs, the difference between positive and negative staff beliefs was –4.6% (95% CI, –6.0 to –3.2). ConclusionsPatients’ beliefs have a significant association with the probability of successful discharge. Understanding patients’ beliefs is critical to appropriate goal-setting, discharge planning, and quality SNF care.

Methane Fluxes at the Water–Atmosphere Interface in the Southern Tatar Strait of the Sea of Japan: Distribution and Variation

Abstract —We present the results of gas-geochemical surveys in the sea surface water layer, water column, and bottom sediments of the Tatar Strait (north of the Sea of Japan) in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2018. The distribution of methane fluxes at the water–atmosphere interface is examined, and its relationship with the geologic structure of the Tatar Strait area is discussed. Methane emission has been revealed throughout most of the Tatar Strait area. The most intense methane fluxes at the water–atmosphere interface, up to 482 mol/(km2×day), are observed on the gas-bearing southwestern shelf and on the gas hydrate slope of Sakhalin Island. The high concentrations of methane in seawater and the high contents of methane, hydrogen, and helium in the shelf and slope bottom sediments are probably due to the seismotectonic activity in the region, the presence of gas hydrates, gas concentration zones, gas migration channels, and the regional deep structure. Application of the model for calculation of the flux and impurity transfer fields to the studied water area has shown high methane emission from the sea surface in areas of vertical gas migration from lithospheric sources. The contribution of hydrodynamic factors to the formation of such zones of high methane emission is less than that of geologic factors. The obtained data on methane flux at the water–atmosphere interface for a shallow sea gave a detailed insight into the main gas discharge zones in the southern Tatar Strait.