Underwater military munitions (UWMM) may pose a risk to aquatic environments because they typically contain munitions constituents (MC) such as 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX). If UWMM become corroded or breaches, the fill material may leak or dissolve into the surrounding environment, which could potentially adversely affecting affect the exposed biota. In large part, because of the high cost and complexity associated with sampling MC at UWMM sites, detailed and reliable information about MC in water, sediment, and biota is available for only a few sites, and therefore temporal and spatial uncertainties persist. Examination of available data indicates that concentrations of MC in water and sediment were largely below detection or were relatively low (e.g., parts per billion), with higher concentrations being highly localized and typically near a point source. These findings were in accordance with predictive modeling and with fate studies. Available toxicity data derived for a variety of freshwater and marine species were compiled and used to derive interim water quality criteria and protective values derived from species sensitivity distributions. Toxicity varied widely across a diversity of MC and species. For most aquatic sites, MC contamination in sediment and in the watercolumn presents low risk to the resident biota.

With the owners of television news networks growing more diversified, critics say that pressure for profits may affect news. A survey of network news correspondents was conducted to determine if they felt any story influence from owners or advertisers. Results showed that about 20% felt some ownership pressure to report or censor stories and 7% reported some advertiser pressure. CNN correspondents perceived more ownership pressure than the other four networks surveyed. A t test revealed that correspondents who reported ownership pressure had statistically significantly lower job satisfaction rates than did those who reported no pressure.

Women have been emp loyed in national television news since the 1960s, but there is a questio n about gender balance now. Th is study surveye d correspondents at national television news networks. The results showed that on average women were significantly younger and less experienced than men, which affected women's salaries . Women were less satisfied than men about their work environment, and after controlling for years emp loyed at their network, wome n also were less satisfied with their jobs overall.

Objective To determine the source and identify control measures of an outbreak of Tsukamurella species bloodstream infections at an outpatient oncology facility. Design Epidemiologic investigation of the outbreak with a case control study. Methods A case was an infection in which Tsukamurella spp. was isolated from a blood or catheter tip culture during January 2011–June 2012 from a patient of the oncology clinic. Laboratory records of area hospitals and patient charts were reviewed. A case-control study was conducted among clinic patients to identify risk factors for Tsukamurella spp. bloodstream infection. Clinic staff were interviewed and infection control practices were assessed. Results Fifteen cases of Tsukamurella (T. pulmonis or T. tyrosinosolvens) bloodstream infection were identified, all in patients with underlying malignancy and indwelling central lines. Median age of case-patients was 68 years; 47% were male. The only significant risk factor for infection was receipt of saline flush from the clinic during September–October 2011 (P=0.03), when the clinic had been preparing saline flush from a common-source bag of saline. Other infection control deficiencies that were identified at the clinic included suboptimal procedures for central line access and preparation of chemotherapy. Conclusion Although multiple infection control lapses were identified, the outbreak was likely caused by improper preparation of saline flush syringes by the clinic. The outbreak demonstrates that bloodstream infections among oncology patients can result from improper infection control practices and highlights the critical need for increased attention to and oversight of infection control in outpatient oncology settings.

No abstract