Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

My thyroid gland is not a terrorist weapon!

A recent article in the British Medical Journal says patients receiving treatment with radioisotopes could trigger radiation alarms. The article cites a case in which a patient activated an airport radiation detector six weeks after receiving radioiodine therapy. Dr. Terrence Lee, chemistry, says, “The thyroid collects and concentrates any iodine that is part of a person’s diet (usually as a trace element, and frequently found in seafood). Depending on the dose given and the isotope, it is possible that six weeks after treatment, enough radioactive iodine remains in the patient’s thyroid (located in the front of the neck) to register on an airport radiation detector.”

Contact Lee at 615-898-5947.
tlee@mtsu.edu

Corporate spy vs. corporate spy

Hewlett-Packard’s outgoing chairwoman, Patricia Dunn, and other H-P officials have been asked to testify before a U.S. House subcommittee tomorrow about the use of false identities to gain access to the confidential phone records of board members and reporters. Dr. Don Roy, management and marketing, says, “While there has been a negative effect on HP’s stock price in recent days, the crisis can be overcome by swift, visible action from the company’s top management. Continued improvement in HP’s sales and profits will likely remove the issue from investors’ minds. However, the situation could negatively impact HP if it takes management’s focus off of business strategy or if more allegations of misconduct arise.”

Contact Roy at 615-904-8564.
droy@mtsu.edu

Who will pass the midterm (election)?

Rutherford County candidates for the state legislature will square off in a forum from 7 to 9 p.m. THIS TUESDAY in the State Farm Lecture Hall of the Business Aerospace Building. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and all guests must be seated by 6:55. “This forum will provide voters a chance to familiarize themselves with the candidates and the issues in this important election,” Dr. Mark Byrnes, professor of political science. This event is made possible through the League of Women Voters and MTSU’s participation in the American Democracy Project. Dr. Bob Pondillo, electronic media communication, will be the moderator. Media welcomed.

Contact Byrnes at 615-898-2351.
mbyrnes@mtsu.edu

TR EXTRA

LEAD THE WAY—The MT Leadership Conference is a unique opportunity for students to learn about the principles and techniques of effective leadership and network with other students. This year, the content will include lectures, facilitation exercises and debates on a variety of leadership topics. The conference will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. FRIDAY in the Keathley University Center. The cost is $15 for lunch and conference materials. Registration forms can be found at http://www.mtsu.edu/~mtleader. For more information, contact Jackie Victory at 615-898-5812 or jvictory@mtsu.edu

IT’S YOUR BUSINESS--Bankers, business owners and managers, students, community officials and leaders—they’re all coming to the MTSU Economic Outlook Conference THIS FRIDAY. Distinguished speakers will provide valuable insight into questions pertinent to today’s economic issues. Dr. Donald Ratajczak, former director of the Economic Forecasting Center at Georgia State University, will return to offer his expertise. Also slated to speak are William Poole, president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, who will talk about “Data Dependence,” and Dr. David Penn, director of MTSU’s Business and Economic Research Center, who will present the BERC’s annual Midstate/Regional Economic Update. Media welcomed. Contact the College of Business at 615-898-4736.

THE SWEET SMELL OF SCIENCE--Registration is open for the 2006 Expanding Your Horizons in Math and Science. The conference for girls in grades 5-8 will be held from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, across the MTSU campus. Open to the first 300 girls who register, EYH will be celebrating its 10th anniversary on campus. To register, visit http://www.mtsu.edu/~EYH. Look for the registration button on the left side. Complete, print out, and mail the form to: Dr. Judith Iriarte-Gross, c/o MTSU EYH, P.O. Box 161, Murfreesboro, Tenn. 37132. For more information, contact Dr. Judith Iriarte-Gross at 615-904-8253 or jiriarte@mtsu.edu