Gender differences and influenza-associated mortality in hospitalized influenza A patients during the 2018/19 season.

BACKGROUND: In this study we analyzed gender differences in the clinical presentation of patients with molecular confirmed influenza A. Additionally, we tried to identify predictors of influenza-associated mortality. MATERIALS/METHODS: In this prospective observational multi-center-study we included all influenza-positive patients ≥ 18 years who were hospitalized and treated on flu-isolation-wards in three hospitals in Vienna during the 2018/19 influenza season. Diagnoses were made via Cobas® Liat® POCT. RESULTS: 490 Patients (48.8% female) tested positive for influenza A. Female patients were older (median age 76 years vs. 70 years, p < 0.001). Male patients had a higher rate of chronic liver disease in history (8.8% vs. 2.9%, p = 0.006), myositis (11.7% vs. 3.1%, p < 0.001) and ICU admissions (9.6% vs. 4.6%, p = 0.03). The in-hospital mortality rate was 4.3% and increased to 9.5% during the 90-day follow-up period. Female patients > 75 years had a significantly higher in-hospital mortality rate than ≤ 75-year-old females (9.2% vs. 1.7%, p = 0.019). This effect was not observed in male patients (5.4% vs. 1.9%, p = ns). Age > 75 years (OR 5.49, 95% CI 1.10-27.43), acute heart failure (OR 3.56, 95% CI 1.03-12.05) and ICU admission (OR 6.1, 95% CI 0.98-37.91) were predictors for in-hospital mortality for female patients, while any malignancy (OR 9.4, 95% CI 1.90-46.54) and ICU admission (OR 7.05, 95% CI 1.44-34.55) were predictors in male patients. CONCLUSIONS: Gender is associated with differences in clinical presentation and complications of influenza A virus infection. Women with acute heart failure or aged > 75 years have an increased risk of influenza associated in-hospital mortality, while ICU admission and any malignancy are predictors for male patients. Mortality rates in patients > 75 years are 5-10 times higher compared to their non-hospitalized influenza-negative Austrian counterparts.

Evidence against solar influence on nuclear decay constants.

The hypothesis that proximity to the Sun causes variation of decay constants at permille level has been tested and disproved. Repeated activity measurements of mono-radionuclide sources were performed over periods from 200 days up to four decades at 14 laboratories across the globe. Residuals from the exponential nuclear decay curves were inspected for annual oscillations. Systematic deviations from a purely exponential decay curve differ from one data set to another and are attributable to instabilities in the instrumentation and measurement conditions. The most stable activity measurements of alpha, beta-minus, electron capture, and beta-plus decaying sources set an upper limit of 0.0006% to 0.008% to the amplitude of annual oscillations in the decay rate. Oscillations in phase with Earth's orbital distance to the Sun could not be observed within a 10-6 to 10-5 range of precision. There are also no apparent modulations over periods of weeks or months. Consequently, there is no indication of a natural impediment against sub-permille accuracy in half-life determinations, renormalisation of activity to a distant reference date, application of nuclear dating for archaeology, geo- and cosmochronology, nor in establishing the SI unit becquerel and seeking international equivalence of activity standards.

Update of NIST half-life results corrected for ionization chamber source-holder instability.

As reported at the ICRM 2011, it was discovered that the source holder used for calibrations in the NIST 4πγ ionization chamber (IC) was not stable. This has affected a large number of half-life measurement results previously reported and used in compilations of nuclear data. Corrections have been made on all of the half-life data based on the assumption that the changes to the ionization chamber response were gradual. The corrections are energy dependent and therefore radionuclide specific. This presentation will review our results and present the recommended changes in half-life values and/or uncertainties.

Unexpected bias in NIST 4πγ ionization chamber measurements.

In January of 2010, it was discovered that the source holder used for calibrations in the NIST 4πγ ionization chamber (IC) has not been stable. The positioning ring that determines the height of the sample in the reentrant tube of the IC has slowly shifted during 35 years of use. This has led to a slow change in the calibration factors for the various radionuclides measured by this instrument. The changes are dependent on γ-ray energy and the time the IC was calibrated for a given radionuclide. A review of the historic data with regard to when the calibrations were done has enabled us to approximate the magnitude of the changes with time. This requires a number of assumptions, and corresponding uncertainty components, including whether the changes in height were gradual or in steps as will be shown in drawings of sample holder. For calibrations the changes in calibration factors have been most significant for low energy gamma emitters such as (133)Xe, (241)Am, (125)I and (85)Kr. The corrections to previous calibrations can be approximated and the results corrected with an increase in the overall uncertainty. At present we are recalibrating the IC based on new primary measurements of the radionuclides measured on the IC. Likewise we have been calibrating a new automated ionization-chamber system. A bigger problem is the significant number of half-life results NIST has published over the last 35 years that are based on IC measurements. The effect on half-life is largest for long-lived radionuclei, especially low-energy γ-ray emitters. This presentation will review our results and recommend changes in values and/or uncertainties. Any recommendation for withdrawal of any results will also be undertaken.

Measurements of the 82Sr half-life.

Half-life of (82)Sr was measured at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) using gamma-ray spectrometry and a 4pigamma pressurized ionization chamber. The (82)Sr half-life was found to be 25.36+/-0.03 days (k=1) according to gamma-ray spectrometry and 25.34+/-0.02 days (k=1) according to the 4pigamma pressurized ionization chamber measurements.

A new large-area 2pi proportional counting system at NIST.

A new large-area gas flow multi-wire proportional counter has been developed to replace the large-area counting system that is currently in use at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and several Department of Defense counting facilities for calibrating large-area alpha and beta sources. The current systems are over 20 years old and part replacement is very difficult. The new systems have been built using specifications that will improve on the current systems and allow collecting data at pressures up to 0.2MPa. The ability to operate at higher pressures will increase the beta efficiency of the counter and lead to improved precision in the final measured results. Comparison of the results from the old and new systems is presented for both alpha and beta sources.

Calibration of HPGe gamma-ray detectors for measurement of radioactive noble gas sources.

Measurements of radioactive noble gases are routinely made with gamma-ray spectrometers. This work describes the calibration of high purity germanium detectors provided by the full-energy-peak efficiency as a function of the gamma-ray energy. A comparison of measured efficiency values with a new, simplified method based on a direct mathematical method is given here.

[Which factors influence job satisfaction and motivation in an institute of radiology?]. / Welche Faktoren beeinflussen die Arbeitszufriedenheit und -motivation an einem Institut für Radiologie?

PURPOSE: As empirically shown, increasing job satisfaction and motivations correlates with reduced job fluctuation and costs of absenteeism in an organisation. To provide a motivating environment for employees becomes more important in the health-care system and thus also in radiology. The purpose of our study was therefore to evaluate job satisfaction of our team and to define important influencing factors. METHODS: For data collection, as standardized questionnaire was designed. As a result of a discussion in a focus group, 9 indicators characterizing job satisfaction and motivation were determined (four-point ordinal scale), in addition there were open questions as well as space for comments. The questionnaires were distributed to all employees at the institute during the study period 11/2005. It was assured in the study design that data analysis was anonymous. For statistical analysis, all replies were coded (scale 1-4) and transferred to an excel sheet. RESULTS: Rate of return was 92% (46/50). In general, employees enjoyed work (mean 3.37 +/- 0.5); no significant difference between physicians, technicians and other staff members were observed. Factors most important for personal motivation were good working climate (3.85 +/- 0.4), good reputation of the institute (3.56 +/- 0.8) and personal recognition (3.54 +/- 0.6). Wage raise (3.01 +/- 0.9) and bonus payments (3.11 +/- 0.9) were rated less important. Communication between groups of employees could be improved (2.78 +/- 0.7). When asked, which factors would improve motivation, common answer included teamwork and communication (n = 9), more participation in planning processes (n = 8), more appreciation (n = 7) and continuing education (n = 5). CONCLUSIONS: Profound knowledge of factors influencing job satisfaction and motivation of employees allows for the implementation of targeted strategies for continuous improvement.

Development of gamma-ray emitting test sources for portal monitors.

A new set of gamma-ray emitting test sources was designed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for testing of radiation portal monitors for homeland security applications. This paper provides a description of the construction and characterization of these new sources that were designed and built to meet the American National Standard Institute (ANSI) N42.35-2004 and N42.38 standards' requirements.