Additive Manufacturing of Metal Bandpass Filters for Future Radar Receivers

Selective laser melting (SLM) is a powder-bed fusion (PBF) process that bonds successive layers of powder with a laser to create components directly from computer-aided design (CAD) files. The additive nature of the SLM process in addition to the use of fine powders facilitates the construction of complex geometries, which has captured the attention of those involved in the design of bandpass filters for radar applications. However, a significant drawback of SLM is its difficulty in fabricating parts with overhangs necessitating the use of support structures, which, if not removed, can greatly impact the performance of bandpass filters. Therefore, in this study bandpass filters are manufactured in two stages with 304L stainless steel where each builds only a portion of the part to improve the reliability in manufacturing the overhangs present. The results show that the versatility of SLM can produce difficult-to-manufacture bandpass filters with high dimensional accuracy

Additive Manufacturing of Metal Bandpass Filters for Future Radar Receivers

Selective laser melting (SLM) is a powder-bed fusion (PBF) process that bonds successive layers of powder with a laser to create components directly from computer-aided design (CAD) files. The additive nature of the SLM process in addition to the use of fine powders facilitates the construction of complex geometries, which has captured the attention of those involved in the design of bandpass filters for radar applications. However, a significant drawback of SLM is its difficulty in fabricating parts with overhangs necessitating the use of support structures, which, if not removed, can greatly impact the performance of bandpass filters. Therefore, in this study bandpass filters are manufactured in two stages with 304L stainless steel where each builds only a portion of the part to improve the reliability in manufacturing the overhangs present. The results show that the versatility of SLM can produce difficult-to-manufacture bandpass filters with high dimensional accuracy.This work was funded by Honeywell Federal Manufacturing & Technologies under Contract No. DE-NA0002839 with the U.S. Department of Energy.Mechanical Engineerin

Survey of CAM interest, self-care, and satisfaction with health care for type 2 diabetes at group health cooperative

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Very little research has explored the factors that influence interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments. We surveyed persons with sub-optimally controlled type 2 diabetes to evaluate potential relationships between interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments, current self-care practices, motivation to improve self-care practices and satisfaction with current health care for diabetes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>321 patients from a large integrated healthcare system with type 2 diabetes, who were not using insulin and had hemoglobin A1c values between 7.5-9.5%, were telephoned between 2009-2010 and asked about their self-care behaviors, motivation to change, satisfaction with current health care and interest in trying naturopathic (ND) care for their diabetes. Responses from patients most interested in trying ND care were compared with those from patients with less interest.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>219 (68.5%) patients completed the survey. Nearly half (48%) stated they would be very likely to try ND care for their diabetes if covered by their insurance. Interest in trying ND care was not related to patient demographics, health history, clinical status, or self-care behaviors. Patients with greater interest in trying ND care rated their current healthcare as less effective for controlling their blood sugar (mean response 5.9 +/- 1.9 vs. 6.6 +/- 1.5, p = 0.003), and were more determined to succeed in self-care (p = 0.007). Current CAM use for diabetes was also greater in ND interested patients.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Patients with sub-optimally controlled type 2 diabetes expressed a high level of interest in trying ND care. Those patients with the greatest interest were less satisfied with their diabetes care, more motivated to engage in self-care, and more likely to use other CAM therapies for their diabetes.</p

Adjunctive naturopathic care for type 2 diabetes: patient-reported and clinical outcomes after one year

Abstract Background Several small, uncontrolled studies have found improvements in self-care behaviors and reductions in clinical risk in persons with type 2 diabetes who received care from licensed naturopathic physicians. To extend these findings and determine the feasibility and promise of a randomized clinical trial, we conducted a prospective study to measure the effects of adjunctive naturopathic care (ANC) in primary care patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes. Methods Forty patients with type 2 diabetes were invited from a large integrated health care system to receive up to eight ANC visits for up to one year. Participants were required to have hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) values between 7.5-9.5 % and at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor (i.e., hypertension, hyperlipidemia or overweight). Standardized instruments were administered by telephone to collect outcome data on self-care, self-efficacy, diabetes problem areas, perceived stress, motivation, and mood. Changes from baseline scores were calculated at 6- and 12-months after entry into the study. Six and 12-month changes in clinical risk factors (i.e., HbA1c, lipid and blood pressure) were calculated for the ANC cohort, and compared to changes in a cohort of 329 eligible, non-participating patients constructed using electronic medical records data. Between-cohort comparisons were adjusted for age, gender, baseline HbA1c, and diabetes medications. Six months was pre-specified as the primary endpoint for outcome assessment. Results Participants made 3.9 ANC visits on average during the year, 78 % of which occurred within six months of entry into the study. At 6-months, significant improvements were found in most patient-reported measures, including glucose testing (P = 0.001), diet (P = 0.001), physical activity (P = 0.02), mood (P = 0.001), self-efficacy (P = 0.0001) and motivation to change lifestyle (P = 0.003). Improvements in glucose testing, mood, self-efficacy and motivation to change lifestyle persisted at 12-months (all P Conclusions Improvements were noted in self-monitoring of glucose, diet, self-efficacy, motivation and mood following initiation of ANC for patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes. Study participants also experienced reductions in blood glucose that exceeded those for similar patients who did not receive ANC. Randomized clinical trials will be necessary to determine if ANC was responsible for these benefits.</p

Alcohol and Associated Characteristics among Older Persons Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus on Antiretroviral Therapy

BackgroundAlcohol use, and particularly unhealthy alcohol use, is associated with poor human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related outcomes among persons living with HIV (PLWH). Despite a rapidly growing proportion of PLWH ≥50 years, alcohol use and its associated characteristics are underdescribed in this population. The authors describe alcohol use, severity, and associated characteristics using data from a sample of PLWH ≥50 years who participated in a trial of a telephone-based intervention to improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART).MethodsParticipants were recruited from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) service organizations in 9 states and included PLWH ≥50 years who were prescribed ART, reported suboptimal adherence at screening (missing &gt;1.5 days of medication or taking medications 2 hours early or late on &gt;3 days in the 30 days prior to screening), and consented to participate. The AUDIT-C (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption) alcohol screen, sociodemographic characteristics, substance use, and mental health comorbidity were assessed at baseline. AUDIT-C scores were categorized into nondrinking, low-level drinking, and mild-moderate unhealthy, and severe unhealthy drinking (0, 1-3, 4-6, and 7-12, respectively). Analyses described and compared characteristics across drinking status (any/none) and across AUDIT-C categories among drinkers.ResultsAmong 447 participants, 57% reported drinking in the past year (35%, 15%, and 7% reported low-level drinking, mild-moderate unhealthy drinking, and severe unhealthy drinking, respectively). Any drinking was most common among men and those who were lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT), married/partnered, had received past-year alcohol treatment, and never used injection drugs (P values all &lt;.05). Differences in race, employment status, past-year alcohol treatment, and positive depression screening (P values all &lt;.05) were observed across AUDIT-C categories, with African American race, less than full-time employment, past-year alcohol treatment, and positive depression screening being most common among those with the most severe unhealthy drinking.ConclusionsIn this sample of older PLWH with suboptimal ART adherence, a majority reported past-year alcohol use and 22% screened positive for unhealthy alcohol use. Any and unhealthy alcohol use were associated with demographics, depression, and substance use history. Further research is needed regarding alcohol use among older PLWH

Alcohol and Associated Characteristics Among Older Persons Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus on Antiretroviral Therapy

BackgroundAlcohol use, and particularly unhealthy alcohol use, is associated with poor human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related outcomes among persons living with HIV (PLWH). Despite a rapidly growing proportion of PLWH ≥50 years, alcohol use and its associated characteristics are underdescribed in this population. The authors describe alcohol use, severity, and associated characteristics using data from a sample of PLWH ≥50 years who participated in a trial of a telephone-based intervention to improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART).MethodsParticipants were recruited from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) service organizations in 9 states and included PLWH ≥50 years who were prescribed ART, reported suboptimal adherence at screening (missing &gt;1.5 days of medication or taking medications 2 hours early or late on &gt;3 days in the 30 days prior to screening), and consented to participate. The AUDIT-C (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption) alcohol screen, sociodemographic characteristics, substance use, and mental health comorbidity were assessed at baseline. AUDIT-C scores were categorized into nondrinking, low-level drinking, and mild-moderate unhealthy, and severe unhealthy drinking (0, 1-3, 4-6, and 7-12, respectively). Analyses described and compared characteristics across drinking status (any/none) and across AUDIT-C categories among drinkers.ResultsAmong 447 participants, 57% reported drinking in the past year (35%, 15%, and 7% reported low-level drinking, mild-moderate unhealthy drinking, and severe unhealthy drinking, respectively). Any drinking was most common among men and those who were lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT), married/partnered, had received past-year alcohol treatment, and never used injection drugs (P values all &lt;.05). Differences in race, employment status, past-year alcohol treatment, and positive depression screening (P values all &lt;.05) were observed across AUDIT-C categories, with African American race, less than full-time employment, past-year alcohol treatment, and positive depression screening being most common among those with the most severe unhealthy drinking.ConclusionsIn this sample of older PLWH with suboptimal ART adherence, a majority reported past-year alcohol use and 22% screened positive for unhealthy alcohol use. Any and unhealthy alcohol use were associated with demographics, depression, and substance use history. Further research is needed regarding alcohol use among older PLWH