Monday, February 18, 2013

End of Term Youtube Extravaganza, Once Again

As always, here at the end of the term, we turn to fun rather than work. I offer up this latest crop of interesting clips from youtube, and will see you again at the start of the new term. Enjoy the break!

1. Epic Extreme Skiing: This is a clip of some skiing neither you nor I would ever consider doing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNTX55Rpk8w
2. Banana Joe: I just watched both days of the Westminster Dog Show, and on the first day, in the Toy group, I predicted this dog would win, since he simply owned the arena when he did his walk: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lelakXKfITc
3. Insane Baseball Skill: I have the sense this one is either gamed or manipulated, but it is pretty cool nonetheless: l http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dlwvK2Ix58

4. Best Pool Trick Shot Ever; Yes, it really is, Amazing!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsBBW4bYZXA

5. Ricky Jay: One of the best playing card manipulators who has ever lived. There are no tricks here; this is how good he is at what he does. Do not ever play poker with him.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWvRorX0KhQ
6. Red Bull Rampage; You have to be out of your mind to ride a bike down the routes you see here.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbF6ZZqVMyk

7. Bigfoot: Guilty pleasure for me is watching the TV show “Finding Bigfoot,” with its inept scientists and silly explanations. But here is one of the clips that drive people nuts. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFL7Hp351lw
8. The Hillary Step: The last hard part of getting up, and then getting back down, Mount Everest.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKq-3H04SkQ

9. Magma- Best band in the universe, with the greatest drummer you never heard of, Plus, Zab, Stella dn Himiko: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShPIetLInoQ

9. Laughing Baby: Always leave ’em laughing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RP4abiHdQpc

 

 

Monday, February 11, 2013

Writing a consent document for a clinical trial or for a survey requires the investigator to ensure that all legally required elements are contained in the document. As defined in 45CFR46 (the Common Rule), these elements include:

  1. A statement that the study involves research, an explanation of the purposes of the research and the expected duration of the subject's participation, a description of the procedures to be followed, and identification of any products which are experimental. This is critically important in human subject research because research is not the same as therapy; the involvmeent of a researcher is different from that of a patient’s physician, and this may lead to what is known as therapeutic misconception.
  2. A description of any reasonably foreseeable risks or discomforts to the subject. In the case of adjustment, this may require referral to risk of musculoskeletal pain, or in the case of cervical adjustments for research purposes, to the exceedingly small risk of stroke.
  3. A description of any benefits to the subject or to others which may reasonably be expected from the research. Typically, there is no specific benefit to the patient in terms of improvement of a condition. We cannot guarantee that research subjects will improve. Usually, this is couched in terms of the knowledge that will be gained.
  4. A disclosure of appropriate alternative procedures or courses of treatment, if any, that might be advantageous to the subject. This is part of informing the participant so he or she can make an informed decision.
  5. A statement describing the extent, if any, to which confidentiality of records identifying the subject will be maintained and that notes the possibility that external regulatory agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration, may inspect the records. Also, that HIPAA will be followed.
  6. For research involving more than minimal risk, an explanation as to whether any compensation and/or medical treatments are available if injury occurs and, if so, what they consist of, or where further information may be obtained.
  7. An explanation of whom to contact for answers to pertinent questions about the research and research subjects' rights, and whom to contact in the event of a research-related injury to the subject.
  8. A statement that participation is voluntary, that refusal to participate will involve no penalty or loss of benefits to which the subject is otherwise entitled, and that the subject may discontinue participation at any time without penalty or loss of benefits to which the subject is otherwise entitled. People need to know they are free to leave a study. However, in large-scale investigational new drug studies, there may be problems if people do leave the study, and this would need to be disclosed as well.

 

Monday, February 4, 2013

More on Atomic Learning

As I previously noted, we have contracted with Atomic learning offer the full gamut of training videos that the company has on file. For Palmer faculty, please log on to the Atomic Learning website, using your standard email address as your user name, and the word “learning” as your initial password. The system will allow you to log in only if you are a member of our faculty; we submitted the list of names to the company when the contract was signed. If for any reason you cannot log I, first try the alternate email naming system. Those of you here for a long time might be using lastname_firstinitial@palmer.edu, while some of us are listed as firstname.lastname@palmer.edu. Since we sent the names in, we might have got it wrong. If neither works, let us know and we will add you to the accepted list.

Once you are able to log in, the main home screen you are will have 2 parts. On the left is a set of options labeled “Getting Started,” and “What’s Hot.” Here you can access instructions that can help you navigate more effectively through the site, and also where you will find links to the latest uploads available. On the right of your screen is a large window that allows you select from 3 choices: Tutorials, Projects and Workshops. Clicking the tab for each brings to a dedicated search screen for that tab. Most of you will likely work in the “Tutorials” tab. It is here that you will find links to hundreds of different computer programs and well as different versions ot hat program. If, for instance, you want to find out about some function in Excel, the system allows you to also specify what version of Excel you have. Thus, it tailors the selection specifically for your needs. Using the pull-down menu for “applications,” go ahead and look at the full gamut of programs covered. It is extensive.
The “Projects” tab is used for assigned work, where for example a supervisor might assign someone a set of links to watch, and then look to see if that has been done. Or it could be used for a collaborative project of some sort.

The “Workshop” tab links you to s set of programs that are more educationally derived. These are topic craven; for example, one workshop is entitled “Effective Presentation design” and covers how to  use PowerPoint most effectively for educational purposes. You can play around here and follow your own interests.
This is a powerful tool and resource for you. I hope that you will use it regularly and will gain much from doing so, and I would be grateful if you would share your experiences in using it with me. Enjoy!