A group of 100 carefully selected chest radiographs was read by ten observers, five experienced and five inexperienced. The radiographs were chosen to present the readers with a disproportionately large number of both subtle abnormalities and nonpulmonary lesions. Each reader was allowed to search the radiographs for as long as appropriate, up to a maximum of four minutes. The length of time taken for each observation was recorded to the nearest second. The time-perception data were plotted on both linear and semilogarithmic graphs. The results showed that experienced readers concluded their visual search while positive detection rate was higher than the rate for false-positives. For lesions in the central phasic, with both a rapid and a slow component of perception. If these data are plotted on a semilogarithmic scale, each of the two components plots as a straight line. For lesions in the periphery of the radiograph (chest wall and upper abdomen), the time-perception curve is monophasic, showing only a slow component.
Vibrio species are marine bacteria that occur in estuaries worldwide; many are virulent human pathogens with high levels of antibiotic resistance. The average annual incidence of all Vibrio infections has increased by 41% between 1996 and 2005. V. vulnificus (Vv), a species associated with shellfish and occurring in the US Southeast, has ranges of temperature (16–33 °C) and salinity (5–20 ppt) dependencies for optimal growth. Increased water temperatures caused by atmospheric warming and increased salinity gradients caused by sea level rise raise concerns for the effect of climate change on the geographic range of Vv and the potential for increased exposure risk. This research combined monthly field sampling, laboratory analysis, and modeling to identify the current occurrence of Vv in the Winyah Bay estuary (South Carolina, USA) and assess the possible effects of climate change on future geographic range and exposure risk in the estuary. Vv concentrations ranged from 0 to 58 colony forming units (CFU)/mL, salinities ranged from 0 to 28 ppt, and temperature from 18 to 31 °C. A significant empirical relationship was found between Vv concentration and salinity and temperature that fit well with published optimal ranges for growth for these environmental parameters. These results, when coupled with an existing model of future specific conductance, indicated that sea level rise has a greater impact on exposure risk than temperature increases in the estuary. Risk increased by as much as four times compared to current conditions with the largest temporally widespread increase at the most upriver site where currently there is minimal risk.
Stormwater ponds are commonly used in residential and commercial areas to control flooding. The accumulation of urban contaminants in stormwater ponds can lead to water-quality problems including nutrient enrichment, chemical contamination, and bacterial contamination. This study presents 5 years of monitoring data assessing water quality of a residential subdivision pond and adjacent tidal creek in coastal South Carolina, USA. The stormwater pond is eutrophic, as described by elevated concentrations of chlorophyll and phosphorus, and experiences periodic cyanobacterial blooms. A maximum monthly average chlorophyll concentration of 318.75 μg/L was measured in the stormwater pond and 227.63 μg/L in the tidal creek. Fecal coliform bacteria (FCB) levels were measured in both the pond and the tidal creek that exceeded health and safety standards for safe recreational use. A maximum monthly average FCB level of 1,247 CFU/100 mL was measured in the stormwater pond and 12,850 CFU/100 mL in the tidal creek. In addition, the presence of antibiotic resistant bacteria and pathogenic bacteria were detected. Low concentrations of herbicides (atrazine and 2,4-D: ), a fungicide (chlorothalonil), and insecticides (pyrethroids and imidacloprid) were measured. Seasonal trends were identified, with the winter months having the lowest concentrations of chlorophyll and FCB. Statistical differences between the stormwater pond and the tidal creek were also noted within seasons. The tidal creek had higher FCB levels than the stormwater pond in the spring and summer, whereas the stormwater pond had higher chlorophyll levels than the tidal creek in the summer and fall seasons. Chlorophyll and FCB levels in the stormwater pond were significantly correlated with monthly average temperature and total rainfall. Pesticide concentrations were also significantly correlated with temperature and rainfall. Pesticide concentrations in the stormwater pond were significantly correlated with pesticide concentrations in the adjacent tidal creek. Chlorophyll and FCB levels in the tidal creek, however, were not significantly correlated with levels in the pond. While stormwater ponds are beneficial in controlling flooding, they may pose environmental and human health risks due to biological and chemical contamination. Management to reduce residential runoff may improve water quality in coastal stormwater ponds and their adjacent estuarine ecosystems.
Incidences of harmful algal blooms (HABs) and Vibrio infections have increased over recent decades. Numerous studies have tried to identify environmental factors driving HABs and pathogenic Vibrio populations separately. Few have considered the two simultaneously, though emerging evidence suggests that algal blooms enhance Vibrio growth and survival. This study examined various physical, nutrient, and temporal factors associated with incidences of HABs, V. vulnificus, and V. parahaemolyticus in South Carolina coastal stormwater detention ponds, managed systems where HABs often proliferate, and their receiving tidal creek waters. Five blooms occurred during the study (2008–2009): two during relatively warmer months (an August 2008 cyanobacteria bloom and a November 2008 dinoflagellate bloom) followed by increases in both Vibrio species and V. parahaemolyticus, respectively, and three during cooler months (December 2008 through February 2009) caused by dinoflagellates and euglenophytes that were not associated with marked changes in Vibrio abundances. Vibrio concentrations were positively and significantly associated with temperature and dissolved organic matter, dinoflagellate blooms, negatively and significantly associated with suspended solids, but not significantly correlated with chlorophyll or nitrogen. While more research involving longer time series is needed to increase robustness, findings herein suggest that certain HAB species may augment Vibrio occurrences during warmer months.
The challenge of providing high-quality public defense services continues to be a concern at federal, state, and local levels. Some scholars have alluded to a potential solution in client-centered representation, but research in this area is sparse at best. Such a lack of understanding leaves in its place speculation, particularly as to the potential importance of client perceptions in shaping broader system legitimacy. To fill this gap and create an empirical platform for future research, an exploratory pilot study was launched with the Hamilton County, Ohio Public Defender's Office, which used mixed methodologies to assess client attitudes toward public defenders as a potential resource for aiding the improvement of indigent representation. Findings from this pilot study suggest that there are five factors a public defense attorney should address that may prove to be very important in obtaining client satisfaction and cooperation: engaging the client for input, listening to the client, examining the prosecutor's evidence, focusing on the client's case during meetings, and informing the client of potential consequences. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
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