MARCO Grand Rounds for February 26, 2012

From Warren, KD4GUA,

 

This Sunday we will continue the discussion on "Thyroid Disease."  We learned this week that the TSH is a screening test that if positive should be checked with a T-3 and a free T-4.  Propagation started out fine then deteriorated but we managed to pick up 48 stations, a near record (55).

     Anyone who wants to share a room with another Marco member in Dayton should let us know as soon as possible as time figits...we already have one member seeking a roommate--and he claims he doesn't snore---loudly! (he hasn't woken, awoken  himself up yet).

MARCO Grand Rounds for February 19, 2012

There was no formal net on February 12, as several folks were unavailable.


On February 19, the topic will be Thyroid Diseases. Lots to cover, so keep your ears open and your radio tuned to 14.307 MHz at 11 AM EST/1600 UTC.

MARCO Grand Rounds for February 5, 2012

From Warren KD4GUA:

This Sunday by request, we will discuss Metabolic Syndrome.   There are some good articles in the latest JAMA which states that "Overweight doctors are not pushing overweight patients enough as are smoking doctors (are there any?) push abstinence from tobacco. "  (an indirect quote.)  STOP pancreatic poop-out, tune in and join the march against METABOLIC SYNDROME !  Should be fun.

The Return of Streaming Audio

The last time streaming audio was tried for the MARCO net was in 2009.  Subsequently, the sunspot cycle dropped so low that I could not hear Warren and there was nothing to stream or record.  A beam antenna is just not going to happen in uptown New Orleans, so this project has been on hold until the past few weeks when Warren and the 'topic of the week' have been booming in.

Note that Bruce, KM2L is already providing net audio through Skype, which is high-quality and has the potential for being 2-way.

The audio stream coming out of New Orleans will be in Icecast or Shoutcast MP3 format.  It is one-way only.  It has the advantage of being playable on any computer or portable device with an internet connection, without subscribing to a service, simply by clicking on a link.  Hopefully this will entice some non-members to get involved, and will provide a service our members who are traveling or without a radio.

Initially, I will stream it from my home computer and ADSL line which can serve about 10 simultaneous 32K streams.  If the demand ever becomes consistently higher than that, space on a commercial Shoutcast server can be rented fairly cheaply.

Audio quality is directly proportional to the stream bandwidth.  32K should handle the full spectrum of a SSB signal and is a good compromise between number of users and quality.  Additional bandwidth will be purchased if there are complaints.

Another advantage of an MP3 stream is that it can be recorded.  The software I am using now: BUTT! (Broadcast Using This Tool) is open-source and has the ability to stream and record simultaneously.  The goal is to make these recordings available as podcasts on demand for people who miss the nets due to conflicts.

Access the stream by clicking on: http://tkeister.net:8000/stream

or type this link into the music player on your computer, phone, or pad.

I am interested in feedback on quality of the link and of the audio.  You should hear everything I hear on my radio with about a 15-second delay.  I might miss some mornings due to on-call, social, or religious obligations.  I am also fast to pull the plug if there is lightning nearby.  Finally, I still have to rebuild the monitor bypass for my own audio, so now when I press the Mic, you will hear dead air.  Within these limitations -- Enjoy!

Chip, N5RTF.

MARCO Grand Rounds for January 29, 2012

From Warren KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will continue the discussion on Needlestick Injuries, since we didn't finish it last week.  Lot of interesting comments, i.e., it costs round $700 for your ER visit after a needlestick for lab work and meds.  

Harry EDP chipped in with great comments claiming the writer in JAMA (Jan. 4, 2012, page 75) was behind schedule with his protocol.  Problem with police also in searching druggies.   Using needles now-a-days is like walking on slippery ice-- and be careful using hemostats to sew--use a real driver, like a needle holder.  

Tune in should be fun.

MARCO Grand Rounds for January 22, 2012

From Warren KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will discuss "Management of Needlestick Injuries."  Fear & anxiety rise when we accidentally stick ourselves with a dirty needle....did the patient have HIV? Hepatitis B? C?  What should I do?  Ignore it?  After all it was just a needle stick!  Oh yeah!  Better tune in, we want you on the front lines--with heavy armor and reasonable thinking.  Tune in, it may save you something.

   

Suggest you read article JAMA Jan. 4, 2012, Page 75.

MARCO Grand Rounds for January 8, 2012

From Warren KD4GUA:

This Sunday, by request, we will discuss "Restless Legs Syndrome."  It is estimated that about 10% of the population has this disorder in one form or another...therefore, best we are up on this one (It has been suggested that one of the causes is "headaches.").  Tune in should be fun....

MARCO Grand Rounds for January 1, 2012

From Warren KD4GUA:

This Sunday, we will discuss the "hangover effect" on the G.I. tract.  That is the way food & alcohol is digested, all the enzymes starting with Ptylin in the saliva.  If we have time, we will indulge in gastro-esophageal diseases, burp....pardon me.  Since football doesn't start until later in the day we may have a few stations available for check-ins.   Remember over the holidays don't drink and drive, driving will spill your drinks. 

     (And by the way, on  a recent poll, 34% of holiday accidents are alcohol related.  That means, 66% of the accidents are caused by non-drinkers--so be wary of the sober drivers.)  burp.

NO Grand Rounds on Sunday, December 25, 2011

From Warren, KD4GUA:

 

There will be no net this Sunday as most of our members will be busy with family and religious services.  We will resume Jan. 1, 2012.  

 

Your CME certificate will be mailed with the February edition of Aether.  All those with over 5 hours CME will receive a certificate providing your dues are current. 

 

If you have any hot topics, submit.  In the meantime, eat cautiously because too much too fast gives you rapid transit time and GAS! !

 

 Keep the blue side up and Happy Holidays to all Marco hams.  Let's have another great year.   More later.

MARCO Grand Rounds for December 18, 2011

This Sunday we will discuss "GAS."    We will revue the passage of food and water, enzymes secreted, time en route etc.  We reported the estimated flatulence/day at 14 last Sunday but more recent studies show it averages about 17-21 X/daily and as high as 141 X in the elderly.  Most swallowed air is belched when standing and pushed into the duodenum when lying down, thus the need to burp babies vertically.   Public gas passage in ancient Rome resulted in imprisonment whereas Benj. Franklin invented a "flatulence sweetener" which was never patented.  What causes diverticulosis?  Tune in should be fun............      Warren KD4gua  Note:  This subject was chosen because no other subject was suggested.  Don't let this happen too often or ................

MARCO Grand Rounds for December 11, 2011

From Warren KD4GUA:

 

This Sunday we will discuss an important subject--antibiotic prophylaxis.  When should it be given.  Should bi-pass patients who have dental work have antibiotics?  What about joint replacement patients?  Yes, No?  Indications have changed--tune in and keep up to date.  

 

We didn't break the 53 station check-in record set two weeks ago, but we did have 45 stations on board the past Sunday--and the after hours rag chew was great.  It is not who is right it is what is right--

MARCO Grand Rounds for December 4, 2011

From Warren KD4GUA:

 

This Sunday we will continue the discussion on "Strokes."  Last Sunday we broke the all-time check-in record of 47 stations by adding six additional for a total of 53 .  Propagation was great and we had good group participation.  

 

Hope everyone has received their "Aether" as it was sent out on Monday. 

CME Category II certificates will be sent in the next issue to all those with their dues paid-up, so check your labels for your dues due date.

 

Let's break another record this Sunday!  Keep the blue side up.

MARCO Grand Rounds for November 27, 2011

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last Sunday was a wash-out due to the contest...if you didn't hear them in the north we could hear them in Dixie and if Dixie couldn't hear them you heard them in the North.  So, the discussion was postponed until this Sunday.  The topic being:      ACUTE STROKE AT THE CROSSROADS (JAMA Nov. 9, 2011, page 2026). 

 

I hope Fred K0FS can be on board (our neurologist) but he has been operating on a thin wire lately.

 

The Newsletter should go out tomorrow, Nov. 25,  More later--keep the blue side up.

MARCO Grand Rounds fro November 20, 2011

From Warren KD4GUA:

This Sunday is scheduled for a "CONTEST."  However, we will attempt to have a discussion on VOX POX, not chicken pox, i.e., a variety of today's problems in medicine and radio.  If you have an interesting subject you would like discussed please advise.  

Otherwise the prime target will be "Acute Stroke Therapy at the Crossroads."  (JAMA Nov. 9, 2011 page 2026).

MARCO Grand Rounds for November 13, 2011

From Warren, KD4GUA:

We should have started Sunday's net with "reveille," as apparently some didn't "fall back" in time--we did harness 32 stations but propogation was good to start but then got inundated with noise...

     This coming Sunday we will discuss "Medical Marijuana."  Many of you live in states where it is illegal (like in Florida) yet it flourishes.  It is a fuzzy topic because apparently it is not enforceable with bad economies and limited jail space.  Some say it should be legalized and then penalize users when they break other laws like driving while under the influence--similar to alcohol.  Would it empty our jails and bring in more tax money?  Getting interesting isn't it?  Let us know what your state is doing.    Tune in, should be fun.

MARCO Grand Rounds for October 30, 2011

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday, providing we will not be drowned out by the World Wide Dx contest" we will discuss "Is This the End of Popping Vitamins."  Two recently published studies were written "up" in the Wall Street Journal of Oct. 25.   Results?  Tune in should be fun and educational.

MARCO Grand Rounds for October 22, 2011

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will wrap up the discussion on statin Drugs.  With time left over we will talk about the drop in hospital admissions for "heart failure" per article JAMA Oct. 19, 2011, pg. 1669.

MARCO Grand Rounds for October 16, 2011

From Warren KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will discuss the STATIN DRUGS.  We will show how deceptive statistical drug advertising fools most people--also, a general discussion is warranted for the best-ever selling drug--Lipitor--should it be sold over-the-counter?  Tune in should be fun. 

MARCO Grand Rounds for October 9, 2011

From Warren, KD4GUA:

This Sunday we will discuss "FACE TRANSPLANTS starting to gain acceptance" and if we have time, "Does Saw Palmetto really work in BPH." 

     Now is the time to get a  new face...just think of your xyl's reaction to the "new U!"   OR, maybe its time for both of you to change!  Then we can have another wedding.  Visceral objections to the surgery are fading in light of dramatic early successes.  Tune in, should be fun.

MARCO Grand Rounds for September 25, 2011

From Warren KD4GUA:

CORRECTION:  I mentioned on Sunday's Grand Rounds I will be out-of-town this Sunday.  I was wrong, it will be the following Sunday.  This Sunday we will discuss the out-going "ALPHA MALE,"  the fellow who takes over in any group as leader and is the fellow who makes big bucks for big industries and who is now a target.

     The "Alpha Male" is not necessarily a coronary prone energetic "Type A personality."  (Type B personality is the easy-going laid back guy).  Since most of us want to be ALPHA MALES without being Type A personalities we are asking all of you who have succeeded-- to be on board to tell us about it .  Should be fun.