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Ohio
State's news, experts and events give you more on the news

News

Drugs used to treat anthrax are OK for children, too -- The two drugs most commonly used to treat anthrax in adults could cause unwanted side effects if used in children, according to an analysis of pediatric anthrax treatment options at Ohio State. But the risks of using either medication pale in comparison to the risks of anthrax disease, said Milap Nahata, professor and chair of pharmacy practice and administration. “Anthrax can be fatal, and children may have the greatest risk for developing the disease in the event of a major bioterrorism attack,” Nahata said. “So the use of these antibiotics can be recommended despite the lack of adequate efficacy and safety studies in children.” Even with antibiotic treatment, the risk of death from inhalation anthrax is nearly 100 percent for adults, Nahata said. Fatality from the cutaneous form of the disease is lower: 20 percent without antibiotic treatment and less than 1 percent with treatment. Children may have a greater chance of contracting the infection simply because their respiration is faster than adults and their skin is more permeable. Contact: Milhap Nahata, Pharmacy, 614-292-2472;Nahata.1@osu.edu see http://www.osu.edu/units/research/archive/ciprodox.htm

Experts

Tree-eating Gypsy moths are emerging; spraying begins this week – Gypsy moths have begun to emerge throughout Ohio, prompting speculation by forestry officials that the invasive insects will continue to spread throughout the southeastern half of the state. Dan Herms, an OSU Extension entomologist and researcher at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC), has been monitoring the hatching of eggs in some parts of the state to accurately time migration practices. He says the eggs begin hatching when redbud trees bloom. Herms believes defoliation will be low in northeast Ohio this season, but will continue to increase in the eastern and southeastern parts of the state. The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) says the gypsy moth has already established itself in nearly half of Ohio's 88 counties, encompassing the uppermost western counties and spreading east through central Ohio to the southern boundaries of Hocking and Athens counties. The insect feeds on more than 100 species of deciduous and evergreen trees, severely stressing, and in some cases killing, them. The ODA will begin gypsy moth suppression treatments starting May 1. Aerial treatments will cover 16,000 acres in 21 Ohio counties. Contact:Dan Herms, OARDC, (330) 202-3506, herms.2@osu.edu

Makeover or start over? Columbus Public Schools faces challenges in facility plan – As Columbus Public School officials look at options to improve facilities, what kinds of competing interests must they balance? The school district is considering renovation and/or replacement of a number of schools. Ohio State University Education Professor Daryl Siedentop, director of the P-12 Project, says there are a number of challenges ahead. Among the issues that must be considered: research shows students benefit from smaller classes; protection and sensitive restoration of historic buildings; and the urgent need to bring many buildings up to current standards for health, safety and technology. The P-12 Project is a university-wide partnership developed to strengthen the scope and effectiveness of OSU's commitment to P-12 education, with a special emphasis on the education of underserved children and youth. Contact: Daryl Siedentop, P-12 Project, (614) 247-6398, or Siedentop.1@osu.edu

Events

Ohio State soccer team plays Columbus Crew to commemorate Connor Senn – April 30. The Ohio State University soccer team will battle the Columbus Crew at 7 p.m. Tuesday, (4/30), at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. The game is the first Connor Senn Memorial Match, featuring the Buckeyes and the Crew, and will be played each spring. Tickets are $3 for adults and $1 for students and youth under 18. Part of the proceeds will go toward the Connor Senn Memorial Scholarship Fund. A postgame autograph session with Ohio State and the Crew follows the game. Senn, a native of Granville, Ohio, and a freshman member of the men's soccer team, died Sept. 26, 2001, after collapsing during the second half of the Ohio State at Akron match. An autopsy later revealed that Senn died of a congenital heart defect. A walk-on defender, Senn had earned a starting position midway through the season, seeing action in eight of ten matches and starting five. Contact: John Bluem, Soccer Coach, (614) 292-9017.

Conference examines rebuilding Columbus schools – May 1. Ohio State University’s P-12 Project is partnering with Columbus Public Schools and the Columbus Education Association for “Rebuilding Education,” a conference focusing on the rebuilding of Columbus schools. The conference will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday (5/1) at the Hyatt on Capitol Square. Workshops, which will take place from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., will include research-based information on a variety of topics, including “Historic Landmark Schools and New Facilities,” “Models for School Redesign and their Effects on Urban Student Achievement,” “Meeting the Needs of Special Children (Gifted, ESL, Spec. Ed.),” “Needs of the Urban Child; Schools as Community Centers,” and “Accountability.” Since media will play a crucial role in communicating information about the district’s plans to improve school facilities, organizers are hoping that news organizations can both join and report on the conference. Since many of the workshops occur simultaneously, news organizations should consider dedicating more than one reporter to this story. A noon luncheon will feature Gene Harris, superintendent of Columbus Public Schools; John Grossman, president of the Columbus Education Association; and Daryl Siedentop, professor of education and director of Ohio State University’s P-12 Project. Contact: Bob Buelow, Columbus Education Association, (614) 253-4731.

Wrecking ball to make way for Gateway – May 1. Ohio State University President William E. Kirwan and Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman will release a wrecking ball at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday (5/1) to begin demolition along two blocks of North High Street to make way for construction of the University Gateway Center. The Gateway Center, which will be built on 7.4 acres in the area of 11th Avenue and High Street adjacent to Ohio State's Columbus campus, will be a dynamic blend of entertainment, retail, office space, rental housing and parking to serve one of the nation's largest collegiate markets. The total investment in the project is likely to be more than $100 million. The demolition is scheduled to be completed in mid-July. Contact: Elizabeth Conlisk, University Relations,(614) 292-3040; or Steve Sterrett, Campus Partners, (614) 294-7300.

Plastics. The industry of the future – May 1. As businesses continue to recover from the 2001 recession, one American industry seems especially poised for revival: plastics. Arthur J. Epstein, Distinguished University Professor, Departments of Physics and Chemistry, will talk about new plastics technologies and how they relate to future industry during his University Distinguished Lecture, “Nanotechnology, Plastics, and Your Investments,” at 4 p.m. Wednesday (5/1) in the Wexner Center Film/Video Theater. Epstein, who co-invented the first plastic magnet in 1985, has further advanced the field by developing plastics that conduct electricity and change color. These plastics could one day form video screens for light, portable -- and plastic-only -- electronic devices. Today, Epstein's work involves manufacturing plastics with very detailed, minute structures on the scale of nanotechnology. During his 17 years at the university, Epstein has earned some 25 technology patents and garnered numerous awards. His lecture is open to the public and will be broadcast live via the Internet. The University Distinguished Lectureship is one of the University’s highest honors for senior faculty. In addition to the lecture, the lectureship carries a $5,000 award to support an academic program or project of the lecturer's choice. Contact: Arthur Epstein, (614) 292-1133.

Literacy advocate recalls saving Hurricane Carter – May 2. Lesra Martin, who was instrumental in freeing Rubin “Hurricane” Carter from prison, will be featured Thursday, May 2, as the College of Education's 2002 Karlsberger Lecturer at The Ohio State University. Martin will present “The Power of Literacy: The Story of Lesra and the Hurricane” at 6 p.m. in Hitchcock Hall Auditorium, 2070 Neil Avenue. As a functionally illiterate teenager, Martin came across a book about Carter while learning to read. He became a champion of the boxer, who had been convicted of murder. Martin and his family found lawyers who were willing to dispute Carter's imprisonment. After five years of legal battles, Carter was freed. Martin completed his education and became an attorney and literacy advocate in British Columbia. Their story is the basis for the book, “Lazarus and the Hurricane,” and was part of the inspiration for “The Hurricane,” an award-winning film starring Denzel Washington. The Karlsberger Lecture honors the memory of Penny Chapdelaine Karlsberger, who received her bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in education from Ohio State. Martin will be available for media interviews. Reporters should set up appointments with Jeri Kozobarich, director of advancement, 614-292-8011 or kozobarich.1@osu.edu Contact: Gemma McLuckie, Education, (614) 292-4658.

Volunteers needed for Buckeye Swamp cleanup – May 3. Tie on a pair of old tennis shoes and help celebrate the beginning of American Wetlands Month Friday, May 3, at Ohio State’s Olentangy River Wetland Research Park, 352 Dodridge Road. From 1:30-4 p.m., volunteers of all ages can stop by to help plant wetland plants in select areas, remove invasive plants from the 13-acre of forest along the banks of the Olentangy and also clean up litter along the bike path, river and wetlands. Rain or shine, volunteers are asked to meet at Sandefur pavilion at the wetlands. Contact:Bill Mitsch, Wetland Research Park, (614) 297-7984.

Board of Trustees meets – May 3. The Ohio State University Board of Trustees will meet in regular session at 10:30 a.m. on Friday (5/3) at the Longaberger Alumni House, 2200 Olentangy River Road. Committee meetings, where most of the discussion takes place, begin at 9 a.m. Incoming Chair James Patterson will give an update on the search for President Kirwan’s replacement. Contact: Elizabeth Conlisk, University Relations, (614) 292-3040.

Optometry fraternity sponsors run to raise money for Pilot Dogs – May 4. Epsilon Psi Epsilon, the professional Optometry fraternity at Ohio State, is holding its 19th annual 5K Fun Run at 8 a.m. on Saturday (5/4) at the Columbus Whetstone Park, off North High Street in Clintonville. Signs will direct people to the exact location of the race. The purpose of this event is to raise money for the Pilot Dogs, Inc., and the Vision Center of Central Ohio. Last year, more than 100 runners completed the race and helped to raise $3,000 in donations to the charities. Pilot Dogs, Inc., is a nonprofit organization that trains guide dogs as well as their vision-impaired masters. The Vision Center of Central Ohio helps people who are blind or who have low vision adjust to their condition so they can live normal lives. Contact: Dave Anderson, Epsilon Psi Epsilon, (614) 937-6101.

4-H Pet Expo features kids showing their dogs and cats – May 4. About 200 4-H'ers and their families will bring their dogs and cats to Ohio State on Saturday (5/4) for the campus's first-ever “4-H Pet Expo.” About 150 dogs and 30 cats are expected to participate. Among the events:
*Dog Showmanship (grooming and handling) Show-n-Go and Clinic,” 9:30 a.m. to noon, Animal Science Building arena, 2029 Fyffe Court. (Note: The front entrance to the Animal Science Building is closed for remodeling. Follow the signs to use the back entrance to the arenas.);
*Dog Obedience Show-n-Go and Clinic, 9:30 a.m. - noon, Animal Science Building arena;
*Canine Good Citizenship testing (reacting in crowds, greeting strangers, etc.) for American Kennel Club certification, 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m;
*Cat Showmanship Show-n-Go and Clinic, 9:30 a.m. to noon, Agricultural Engineering Building, Room 103, 590 Woody Hayes Drive; and
*Search and rescue demonstrations by the K-9 Response Search and Rescue Program, 1:45 p.m., Plumb Hall, 2027 Coffey Road. Contact:Lucinda Miller, Ohio 4-H Small Animal & Youth-Companion Animal Interaction Programs, (614) 292-4410; miller.78@osu.edu

OSU researcher works to make airline travel safer – A new software tool could soon help rerouted airliners reach their destinations as safely and quickly as possible. Called the Reroute Advisory Tool (RAT), the software would electronically support communication and information shared between airline dispatchers and Federal Aviation Administration traffic managers who work together to reroute commercial flights. Phil Smith, a professor of industrial, welding and systems engineering at Ohio State and co-director of Ohio State’s Institute for Ergonomics, is working with airline and FAA officials to develop RAT. The software would improve efficiency in communicating and responding to plans for dealing with weather or air traffic disruptions, which in turn helps flights deliver passengers and cargo safely and efficiently. Smith says FAA traffic managers often reroute airliners to divert them away from airspace that is constrained by traffic congestion or stormy weather.
On a hot, humid summer day, when thunderstorms sweep across much of the country, the FAA can issue well over 100 reroute advisories that affect thousands of flights and require hundreds of people to interpret them in real time. The RAT software would take over some of the more routine cognitive tasks involved in rerouting, reducing the heavy workloads of dispatchers and traffic managers.
Smith is highly respected in the airline industry and at the FAA for his research concerning the design of cooperative problem-solving systems that support people performing complex tasks. An expert in human factors engineering, he has collaborated with airlines and the FAA to develop software and procedures that make the nation’s air travel system safer and more efficient. Contact:Phil Smith, Engineering, (614) 292-4120; phil+@osu.edu

The person listed as Contact will have the best information about the story. Call on our media relations staff for help with any Ohio State story – Elizabeth Conlisk, (614) 292-3040; Liz Cook, (614) 292-7276; Randy Dunham, (614) 292-8295; Amy Murray, (614) 292-8385, and Shannon Wingard, (614) 247-6821.