Initial Impact of COVID-19 on Radiology Practices: An ACR/RBMA Survey

© 2020 American College of Radiology Purpose: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affected radiology practices in many ways. The aim of this survey was to estimate declines in imaging volumes and financial impact across different practice settings during April 2020. Methods: The survey, comprising 48 questions, was conducted among members of the ACR and the Radiology Business Management Association during May 2020. Survey questions focused on practice demographics, volumes, financials, personnel and Northwell Health adjustments, and anticipation of recovery. Results: During April 2020, nearly all radiology practices reported substantial (56.4%-63.7%) declines in imaging volumes, with outpatient imaging volumes most severely affected. Mean gross charges declined by 50.1% to 54.8% and collections declined by 46.4% to 53.9%. Percentage reductions did not correlate with practice size. The majority of respondents believed that volumes would recover but not entirely (62%-88%) and anticipated a short-term recovery, with a surge likely in the short term due to postponement of elective imaging (52%-64%). About 16% of respondents reported that radiologists in their practices tested positive for COVID-19. More than half (52.3%) reported that availability of personal protective equipment had become an issue or was inadequate. A majority (62.3%) reported that their practices had existing remote reading or teleradiology capabilities in place before the pandemic, and 22.3% developed such capabilities in response to the pandemic. Conclusions: Radiology practices across different settings experienced substantial declines in imaging volumes and collections during the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020. Most are actively engaged in both short- and long-term operational adjustments

Congenital rubella syndrome and autism spectrum disorder prevented by rubella vaccination - United States, 2001-2010

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) is associated with several negative outcomes, including autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The objective of this study was to estimate the numbers of CRS and ASD cases prevented by rubella vaccination in the United States from 2001 through 2010.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Prevention estimates were calculated through simple mathematical modeling, with values of model parameters determined from published literature. Model parameters included pre-vaccine era CRS incidence, vaccine era CRS incidence, the number of live births per year, and the percentage of CRS cases presenting with an ASD.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Based on our estimates, 16,600 CRS cases (range: 8300-62,250) were prevented by rubella vaccination from 2001 through 2010 in the United States. An estimated 1228 ASD cases were prevented by rubella vaccination in the United States during this time period. Simulating a slight expansion in ASD diagnostic criteria in recent decades, we estimate that a minimum of 830 ASD cases and a maximum of 6225 ASD cases were prevented.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We estimate that rubella vaccination prevented substantial numbers of CRS and ASD cases in the United States from 2001 through 2010. These findings provide additional incentive to maintain high measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination coverage.</p

The influence of zinc on properties of common cements

W pracy omówiono wyniki badań dotyczących wpływu cynku na właściwości cementów. Celem artykułu było wyjaśnienie niektórych ważnych problemów związanych ze zwiększonym dodatkiem cynku, a także różnic wynikających z dodawania związków cynku bezpośrednio do cementu oraz do zestawu surowcowego do produkcji klinkieru portlandzkiego. Omówiono także wpływ cynkano-glinianów wapnia, które powstają w klinkierze ze zwiększoną zawartością cynku w składzie surowcowym, na właściwości cementów. Przedstawiono również opis ostatnich badań dotyczących granicznej zawartości cynku (dodawanego wraz z surowcami), po przekroczeniu której następuje gwałtowne pogorszenie właściwości cementu.In the paper the results of recent studies of the zinc influence on cement properties are presented. The aim of this work was clarification of some important issues associated with higher zinc content, and also the explanation of the differences, which result from the way of zinc introduction i.e. addition of zinc compounds directly to cement and to the raw mix to Portland clinker production. The influence of zinc phases, which form in clinker with higher zinc content in raw mix, on cement properties was also discussed. Description of recent studies concerning the limit zinc content (added with raw materials), which exceeding causes rapid deterioration of cement properties