I was doing some research about why a certain students was unable to leave comments on the blog.  I didn't quite find the answer, but I did find out that I could change the settings to allow ANYONE to leave comments.  So now to leave a comment, you don't have to have a google account!!  When you write your comment, and it prompts you to choose a profile, scroll to the bottom and choose "anonymous".  So now that it is easier to post comments, I expect to see a lot more comments on here!  Remember to keep them positive and school-related, although you may send positive, encouraging comments to each other!

Well this week has been quite the crap-shoot of productivity.  At the times when I needed to be productive and get stuff done, I wasn't able to focus between the upcoming football, ridiculously ever-changing weather, and random activities around the lab.  And other times when I had time to just sit back and relax I decided to to go big instead of go home (my ass still hurts from plyometrics on Tuesday but whatever).  So, I have about an half hour to burn before my last requirement for the week on campus, my major professor's is giving a seminar to another department...and there's free refreshments!

Anyway, I wasn't prepared for a Fragments this week because I have just been lazy and forgotten to save interesting articles.  Plus, I have spent a good amount of my usual time spent of science and news articles looking at the Purdue vs Notre Dame preview and fantasy football stats. See Hammerandrails.com or BoiledSports.com for good Purdue sports blogs!

Side Note: Quick shout out to my brother, Adam, is 0-3 in our fantasy league but is by far the best manager I ever had in a fantasy league.  The dude writes extensive weekly reviews about the match-ups, previews upcoming games, and has created a ton of weekly "trophies" for me to waste time looking at during the week.  It feels some much more legit when I win!  Thanks dude! (I should also note that he isn't completely terrible at fantasy football, but he drafted Arian Foster [bust #1] and Peyton Manning before the surgery [bust #2]).

I digress, so I do have a few interesting links for you to finish your week up with...

-Being in the field of pharmaceuticals I get asked the same question a lot; "Why do drugs cost so much?"  I could (and will someday soon) explain the situation and my view on how the system works and how I believe it should work.  But until then here is a very well written article to explain some of the dynamics of the pharmaceutical industry.  I disagree with the idea thrown out at the end that the industry will enter an "Ice Age" soon but otherwise it is a very good article. (About 5-10 minute read)

-If you have ever seen those annoying QR codes and wondered what reasonable application they can have, look no further.  Wikipedia is going to start incorporating them into, well, anything and everything!  The Indianapolis Children's Museum is already using them.  I personally think this is a great idea!

-AlphaDog robot project...the video speaks for itself (hint: it's creepily awesome).

-I believe I may have noted about new injection techniques earlier but here is quick article about the advancement of needles and the future of injections.  This is standard IPPH stuff.

-Lastly, if you remember back in the spring there was talk of "alien life" found on earth.  Well, if you are really hurting to waste some time, this review over at PopSci.com is a great look at the debacle that is/was the "new life" form and the subsequent fallout for the scientists involved.

Alright that's all I got right now. Oh and don't forget to Boiler Up this weekend against the Crying Irish of Notre Dame!

• Finish any pre-requisite classes (Physical Chemistry, Linear Algebra andDifferential Equations, etc.).
• Take full course load of classes that are either helpful for your futureresearch or helpful for background in you research area (Organic Spectroscopy,Statistical Design of Experiments, Computation Chemistry, etc.).
• STAY OUT OF TROUBLE academically!

• Begin working in the laboratory.
• Identify area of research for thesis (non-specific).
• Give “First Required Seminar”involving a literary review of relevant topics and preliminary data.
• Take a few more classes that could aid in your work (Properties of Solids,Crystallography, etc.)

• Continue lab projects.
• Take one or two more classes.
• Complete an “Oral Preliminary Exam”based on your direction of your thesis work. Sometimes this is referred as an Opening Defense.

• Lab experiments.
• Write thesis.
• Enjoy life.

• Give “Last Required Seminar” overyour thesis research to the department.
• Complete your “Thesis Defense.”
• Submit your final “Thesis.”
• Get a job!

Don't forget:  Copying and pasting from internet is not allowed and is technically illegal and cheating.  You must paraphrase the information--put it in your own words!  You can do it!!!

Today you researched various presidents during your visit to the Media Center.  Tell which president you researched.  Tell three things you learned about this person.

This week our selection is historical fiction.  It takes place at the time of The Great Depression. Find an article that tells about this period in our country's history.  Read the article and post three things you learned in your own words.  Please don't cut and paste!  (Remember our class discussions on plagiarism and paraphrasing.)

Congratulations to the following students for completing both homework assignments we have had so far this year.  Great job!  You are making our blog successful!!

• Angelo F.
• Amaya G.
• Victor J.
• Alexandra C.
• Nicole M.
• Sierra P.
• Malia C.
• Mark W.
• Kayvan B.
• Dez'Anaya H.
• Heaven S.

This is just a quick post to say congratulations to Angelo and his father for posting very thoughtful and informative comments for the two homework assignments we have had so far! Angelo has also commented on 3 different extra credit prompts.  This is the kind of participation that will make our blog something to be celebrated! Great job Angelo!  Keep up the good work!

Time to get out the ol' standard form again:

Drug Company: Scios Division of Johnson & Johnson
Drug: Nesiritide (Natrecor)
Settled Federal charges of: Misbranding, off label marketing
Fine paid: $85M
Fine as % of Sales of Drug during Peak Year: 37% (2004)
Company Admits Guilt?: Can't tell from news report

The above from Bloomberg News:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-09/j-j-s-scios-unit-charged-in-misbranding-of-natrecor-drug-1-.html

Hat tip to the Health Care Renewal Blog which also provides good backstory analysis:
http://hcrenewal.blogspot.com/2011/09/johnson-and-johnson-pleads-guilty.html

Now, you may ask, why am I bothering even to mention this judgment involving the chump change of $85M, when the record for settlements in such cases is now well upwards of $1B? As HCR informs us, the reason is well summarized in two commentaries by cardiologist Dr. Eric Topol:
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe1103116
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp058139

What we have here is a drug (brand name Natrecor) that was approved by the FDA based on very slimsy evidence involving surrogate endpoints and despite considerable suggestion of risk of harm, for congestive heart failure, a condition for which many other treatment options exist. The company then aggressively marketed the drug for an off label use, weekly "tune-ups" by injection, and instructed cardiologists how to get big bucks in reimbursement for these "tune-ups," similar to what cancer docs get for injecting chemotherapy. Dr. Topol wrote in 2005 that more than 600,000 patients were getting these tune-ups despite the lack of any evidence that this use of the drug was helpful and despite these being off-label.

Finally, a company-sponsored trial was published in July, 2011, showing no excess deaths or cases of renal failure from nesiritide, but no benefits either when added to a regimen of other drugs. In short, Scios was making a lot of money for several years (before warnings such as Topol's took hold around 2004-5) on a drug that could not have helped and may very well have hurt a lot of folks.

If you wanted firm evidence of the Inverse Benefit Law in action--
http://brodyhooked.blogspot.com/2011/01/inverse-benefit-law-making-sense-of-how.html
--I can't think of a more obvious case.

September 23, 2011.


Local supergroup; Doomfu*k rocked The ROTA Gallery (19 Clinton Street) in Plattsburgh, NY.


Also on the bill:

• super-collective noise-rockers; Tranquilizer Full Of (T.F.O)
• up-and-coming group; Implode The Abyss 
• grind-core group on tour from Georgia; Dead In The Dirt. 

Doomfu*k's lineup consisted of a standup bass player, a live drummer, a guitarist , a violinist , a vocalist, and a noise-technician/turtablist. The group featured several interesting alternative musical techniques, such as playing guitar with a pencil, and incorporating a shopping cart into their stage setup. The event saw an excellent turnout.


Nino Cuzco (French + Spanish education major at SUNY Plattsburgh) had this to say about the event:

"Matt added a nice punk flavor with his drumming, in contrast to Shannon's elegant violin technique." 


For more information on upcoming events at The ROTA Gallery, visit: www.rotagallery.com.

September 23 2011 marked the start of homecoming weekend at the prestigious SUNY Plattsburgh (aka. SUNY Iceburg). Alumni and student's families flooded the campus in hopes of experiencing the magic of 'public university life'. At 9pm, fireworks lit up the night sky. Light rain was no deterrent for the masses gathered to see the explosives being ignited behind the Memorial Hall gymnasium. A typical 20-30 minute fireworks display costs between $3,000-$30,000. In addition to this fantastic use of tuition money, the college hosted a martini social in Sibley Hall from 8-11pm.

For a complete list of homecoming events, visit http://www.plattsburgh.edu/alumni/homecoming/events.php

I did not give a new assignment this week in order to allow everyone to catch up on the first two assignments.  Next week, you will be assigned Reading homework through Study Island.  The first assignment will be to complete the Reading pretest.  In order to log on to Study Island, you will enter your first name and last name (together with no space) @ LCMS as your user name.   Example:  velvetjordan@LCMS  Your password will be your student ID number (lunch number).  You will continue to do the blog or reading journal for Language Arts homework. 

This week we read about the life of Lou Gehrig.  His life ended prematurely due to ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease).  Research the internet to find an article that will provide more information about this disease.  Post the link to the blog.

Fall seems to have finally made it's way to Purdue, as evidence by my unpredictable sinuses!  And as such, football is in full swing.  Now, my friend Aaron and I were discussing about heading to a local high school football game...not because we want to cheer for a team or because we know someone on a team.  But because we kind of miss the "Friday Night Lights" experience.  You know, paying 10 dollars for popcorn and a child size coke to watch awkward teenage boys hit each other, while the "cool kids" yell (usually at each other) on the sidelines, and the parents either get way too into the game and spray you with extraneous spittle or look like they are the subjects of a stress test gone haywire!  Now personally, I miss the halftime show.  You know, the real reason everyone shows up on Friday nights (at least in Avon).  That's right the marching band show.  So as a personal en devour I will attempting to not only make it to a local high school football game, but also a local marching band contest on a Saturday.  And I recommend it to all who want to relieve a little part of their teenage years.  Heck, take your significant other and make it a creative date (or man-date if you don't have that special someone).  So for anyone who would like to tackle this vendetta with me, hit me up in the comments section or text/call me if you have my number.  But I digress from the real reason you are here...the fragments!

The new Windows "Blue Screen of Death" Now with 50% less intimidation and 100% more "you're an idiot!"

For a good while now I have been occasionally posting on a regular theme from Dr. Roy Poses's Health Care Renewal Blog, for instance:
http://brodyhooked.blogspot.com/2011/07/kid-gloves-on-corporate-crime-different.html
--that we cannot expect drug/device industry wrongdoing to cease so long as the corporation merely has to pay a fine for legal transgressions; they merely budget the looked-for fine as a cost of doing business and go merrily on their way. Only if individual execs are held accountable under criminal law can we expect behavior to improve.

Well, at least one French judge seems to have gotten the message (not sure if non-subscribers can access but here goes anyway):
http://www.theheart.org/article/1283233.do

Basic bottom line-- a drug (benfluorex) was approved for use in Europe but not the U.S. that seems to be a cousin of the fen-phen combo that I discussed in HOOKED, marketed as a weight loss drug and then shown to cause deadly adverse reactions including heart valve damage and pulmonary fibrosis. The head of Servier, France's second-largest drug company, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, aggravated deception, and fraud for marketing the drug despite known risks. The CEO has had to post $5.5M bail (which, if French CEO compensation is anything like the U.S., he probably was carrying around as loose change).

My own comment is that the French more or less have the right idea, but I'm an old softie. I would have been happy with just the aggravated deception (whatever that is) and fraud charges. I would not have seen the need to add manslaughter.

Last week I was able to catch up with one of our Professors of Education - Dr. Gordon Sutherlin. I have worked with Gordon on technology workshops but had never really known much about him besides his incredible knowledge of technology - read on to see some of the things I learned about this guy!

Online gamers crack AIDS enzyme puzzle | Games Blog - Yahoo! Games:

'via Blog this'

Administrators in public education often catch a lot of flack (albeit sometimes deserved) but I wanted to share a story with you of one administrator who really gave back. For a heartwarming story of a California superintendent who believed enough in some educational programs that he was willing to sacrifice his own compensation to continue to fund them, I invite you to read School superintendent gives up $800k in pay. I know you may be thinking, who even has $800k to give up in the first place?? (I know I had to wonder!) but I really do think it's an encouraging story.  In a world where the news is often filled with disappointing and disheartening events, I think news stories like these are uplifting. Feel free to share some stories of teachers or administrators in your school or district that have really given back. And don't worry, it doesn't have to be $800k - sometimes the best gifts are much smaller in size!

Another year another birthday! Currently I am sitting in a lecture hall "proctoring" an exam. Thus I will take this opportunity to give a quick birthday perspective.  This is unscripted and whatever comes to my mind will be written! And at 24 years old I have to say, I have the odd feelings of both being old and young at the same time.  I shall explain...

At 24, I am young.  I have (hopefully) 75% of my life to live still.  I have gotten through the awkward teenage years and through the crazy awesome college times.  So on the one hand I feel like I have the whole world at my finger tips and that I can achieve anything.

This is the nerdiest (coolest) birthday cake I have ever seen!

On the other hand, I am a grad student at Purdue.  Which means that on a daily basis I see thousands 18-22 year olds walking around campus, not to mention all the Purdue tours with kids that have Class of 2014 on the side of their letter jacket! I discussed with my friend the other day that the gap from 18-21 is a hundred times larger than the gap from 21-24 (or even 21-30).  Once you turn 21, you are a full fledged adult.  But a lot of people grow up, mature, and change from 18-21. Those are the years that will define you as a person.  So from that aspect I feel old because I have been "21" for three years now.  This might be the feeling middle aged women get once they turn 48, I mean the 18th anniversary of their 30th birthday!

In another aspect, I have done quite a bit of maturing myself over the past year.  Things change fast in life and adapting and maturing is the best way to move forward!  I had no idea I'd be where I am today a year ago and I can only hope that the next year brings about more progress and success.  To everyone that has been a part of my life, thank you from the bottom of my heart.  And to my parents, I would not be the man I am today without all your love, support, and guidance!

To summarize, embrace your birthday no matter what age.  Live life to the fullest, cherish the memories, and revel in the light that is your future!

*image edited to protect the safety of WQKE personelle

After years of sloppiness, the WQKE display case located in the Angel College Center at SUNY Plattsburgh has been updated! WQKE is SUNY Plattsburgh's student-run commercial-free radio station, broadcasting 24/7 at 93.9fm. Although the board was updated last year, this is the first time it has seen a complete re-vamp in 4 years!

Anonymous

So, I apologize for the lack of commitment lately on here.  I have excuse but I will refrain from using them as I know you probably don't care about my excuses.  I don't have too many fragments but I had an hour to kill before my first big presentation in my lab group (on Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation which will be the topic of an upcoming Under the Hood).

-I believe I have said this before but I would so be willing to be one of the first people to colonize Mars.  Well, NASA gave us a look at the rocket that might get us there!

-For all you "green" enthusiasts out there...the most environmentally friendly way to be disposed of when you die is evidently to be liquefied.

-In another AIDS research project, scientists have made kittens glow in the dark.  They used the glowing genes to indicate which cells had the target gene transfected into them.  Overview here....scientific article here.

-For some reason I find this terrifying but evidently you can make a flying, computer hacking drone that is untraceable.

-Recently, the US government has been debating things to cut in the budget.  One of those things is "public science."  Essentially it is governmentally funded research.  This is excellent article explaining the situation and I recommend it to anyone who likes science or politics (warning: it is pro-science, SHOCKER).

-Lastly, the Florida Marlins are going to be renamed the Miami Marlins and Nike has released the Air Mag shoe.  Back to the Future seems like a real possibility now!

UPDATE (per request)

-Miss Universe crowned their winner recently....Miss Angola (you're welcome Lindsey)!

Do you ever find yourself thinking those very words? Some readers at eSchool News have compiled a list of Ten Things Every New Teacher Should Know and we invite you to check it out. Can you relate to any of them? What would you add to the list?

On September 12, 2011; SUNY Plattsburgh's Professor J. Jeong was seen drinking an ICED coffee. This is highly out of character for Professor Jeong, as he is usually observed consuming a piping hot brew. In a brief interview, Professor Jeong admitted that his coffee consumption was as necessary as breathing.





On September 13th, Professor Jeong was once again seen drinking a hot cup of joe. It appears that all is well.

In addition to his return to hot coffee, Professor Jeong set an exciting new fashion trend by sporting not one, but TWO ties!

September 29th is National Coffee Day.

Today you were introduced to five key types of nonfiction--essays, interviews, biographies, autobiographies, and informational articles.  Search the internet for one of these types.  Copy and paste the link into the comment box.  Tell what type of nonfiction it is.  Tell how you know.

For this assignment, you will interview someone who is old enough to remember the tragic events on September 11, 2001.  You may want to interview parents, relatives, or teachers.  Think of 5 questions you would like to ask.  Some suggestions for questions are:

1. Describe how you found out about the planes crashing into the twin towers.
2.  What did you do immediately after finding out about the news?
3.  How did it affect your daily routine for that day or the day after?
4.  What emotions were you feeling throughout that day?
5.  How do you think it has affected our country as a whole?
6.  How has that day affected your life since?
7.  What do you think we can learn from this event?
8.  Tell one positive outcome from the tragedy.

These are just suggestions.  You may use them or think of your own.  Report your interview by clicking the comment box under this post.  Tell who you interviewed.  Tell your questions and the person's answers.  Write a paragraph describing what YOU learned from doing this interview.

Apologies if you cannot access this post by Merrill Goozner; I am not sure if you need to be a subscriber to reach his blog:
http://gooznews.com/?p=3156

"Gooz," author of the excellent book, The $800 Million Pill, offers a comment on the recent NIH study showing that stents for arteries in the brain do not prevent strokes and indeed worsen the stroke risk. The good news was that Medicare-Medicaid had held off paying for these stents even with an earlier, smaller study funded by the stent company (Stryker) that was much more promising. (The definitive study, that was stopped early due to the poor outcomes, was funded by NIH.) This was billed as a success story for evidence-based medicine. Medicare-Medicaid insisted that any patient who wanted such a stent had to be enrolled in a proper clinical trial so that the evidence could be collected.

Gooz says-- not so fast. Why wasn't Stryker required to do the large-scale study right from the get-go? He even suggests that the US taxpayers ought to get a refund for the NIH study.

Gooz may be counseling perfection on some matters, but I concur with his general point that the FDA requirements for approving new devices need to be tightened up generally, as we have addressed in previous posts such as:
http://brodyhooked.blogspot.com/2011/08/more-on-iom-report-on-fda-scrutiny-of.html