Westinghouse Science Research Articles

Race/ethnicity, gender, and the Intel Westinghouse Science Award: a 16-year descriptive analysis

The model minority stereotype of Asian Americans suggests that they are overrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. This article considers 16 years of Intel Westinghouse Science Award finalists (n = 640) data procured online. The data are analyzed to determine whether there are racial/ethnic or gender patterns among the finalists. Social Network Theory informs data analysis and interpretation of results. Findings suggest that homophily, the tendency for people/institutions to interact with similar others, contributes to the demographic patterns of the Intel Westinghouse finalists. Contrary to the expectation that White males from private boarding schools are the most likely to be Intel Westinghouse Science Award finalists, the data indicate that Asian American males who attend public schools are significantly more likely to be finalists.

WE‐A‐201‐00: Anne and Donald Herbert Distinguished Lectureship On Modern Statistical Modeling

Chris Marshall: Memorial IntroductionDonald Edmonds Herbert Jr., or Don to his colleagues and friends, exemplified the “big tent” vision of medical physics, specializing in Applied Statistics and Dynamical Systems theory. He saw, more clearly than most, that “Making models is the difference between doing science and just fooling around [ref Woodworth, 2004]”.Don developed an interest in chemistry at school by “reading a book” ‐ a recurring theme in his story. He was awarded a Westinghouse Science scholarship and attended the Carnegie Institute of Technology (later Carnegie Mellon University) where his interest turned to physics and led to a BS in Physics after transfer to Northwestern University. After (voluntary) service in the Navy he earned his MS in Physics from the University of Oklahoma, which led him to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore to pursue a PhD. The early death of his wife led him to take a salaried position in the Physics Department of Colorado College in Colorado Springs so as to better care for their young daughter. There, a chance invitation from Dr. Juan del Regato to teach physics to residents at the Penrose Cancer Hospital introduced him to Medical Physics, and he decided to enter the field. He received his PhD from the University of London (UK) under Prof. Joseph Rotblat, where I first met him, and where he taught himself statistics. He returned to Penrose as a clinical medical physicist, also largely self‐taught. In 1975 he formalized an evolving interest in statistical analysis as Professor of Radiology and Head of the Division of Physics and Statistics at the College of Medicine of the University of South Alabama in Mobile, AL where he remained for the rest of his career. He also served as the first Director of their Bio‐Statistics and Epidemiology Core Unit working in part on a sickle‐cell disease. After retirement he remained active as Professor Emeritus.Don served for several years as a consultant to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and may be remembered for his critique of the National Academy of Sciences BEIR III report (stating that their methodology “imposes a Delphic quality to the .. risk estimates”.) This led to his appointment as a member of the BEIR V committee. Don presented refresher courses at the AAPM, ASTRO and RSNA meetings and was active in the AAPM as a member or chair of several committees. He was the principal author of AAPM Report 43, which is essentially a critique of established clinical studies prior to 1992. He was co‐editor of the Proceedings of many symposia on Time, Dose and Fractionation held in Madison, Wisconsin. He received the AAPM lifetime Achievement award in 2004.Don's second wife of 46 years, Ann, predeceased him and he is survived by daughters Hillary and Emily, son John and two grandsons. Don was a true gentleman with a unique and erudite writing style illuminated by pithy quotations. If he had a fault it was, perhaps, that he did not realize how much smarter he was than the rest of us.This presentation draws heavily on a biography and video interview in the History and Heritage section of the AAPM website. The quote is his own.Andrzej Niemierko:Statistical modeling plays an essential role in modern medicine for quantitative evaluation of the effect of treatment. This session will feature an overview of statistical modeling techniques used for analyzing the many types of research data and an exploration of recent advances in new statistical modeling methodologies. Learning Objectives: To learn basics of statistical modeling methodology. To discuss statistical models that are frequently used in radiation oncology To discuss advanced modern statistical modeling methods and applications.

WE‐A‐201‐02: Modern Statistical Modeling

Chris Marshall: Memorial IntroductionDonald Edmonds Herbert Jr., or Don to his colleagues and friends, exemplified the “big tent” vision of medical physics, specializing in Applied Statistics and Dynamical Systems theory. He saw, more clearly than most, that “Making models is the difference between doing science and just fooling around [ref Woodworth, 2004]”.Don developed an interest in chemistry at school by “reading a book” ‐ a recurring theme in his story. He was awarded a Westinghouse Science scholarship and attended the Carnegie Institute of Technology (later Carnegie Mellon University) where his interest turned to physics and led to a BS in Physics after transfer to Northwestern University. After (voluntary) service in the Navy he earned his MS in Physics from the University of Oklahoma, which led him to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore to pursue a PhD. The early death of his wife led him to take a salaried position in the Physics Department of Colorado College in Colorado Springs so as to better care for their young daughter. There, a chance invitation from Dr. Juan del Regato to teach physics to residents at the Penrose Cancer Hospital introduced him to Medical Physics, and he decided to enter the field. He received his PhD from the University of London (UK) under Prof. Joseph Rotblat, where I first met him, and where he taught himself statistics. He returned to Penrose as a clinical medical physicist, also largely self‐taught. In 1975 he formalized an evolving interest in statistical analysis as Professor of Radiology and Head of the Division of Physics and Statistics at the College of Medicine of the University of South Alabama in Mobile, AL where he remained for the rest of his career. He also served as the first Director of their Bio‐Statistics and Epidemiology Core Unit working in part on a sickle‐cell disease. After retirement he remained active as Professor Emeritus.Don served for several years as a consultant to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and may be remembered for his critique of the National Academy of Sciences BEIR III report (stating that their methodology “imposes a Delphic quality to the .. risk estimates”.) This led to his appointment as a member of the BEIR V committee. Don presented refresher courses at the AAPM, ASTRO and RSNA meetings and was active in the AAPM as a member or chair of several committees. He was the principal author of AAPM Report 43, which is essentially a critique of established clinical studies prior to 1992. He was co‐editor of the Proceedings of many symposia on Time, Dose and Fractionation held in Madison, Wisconsin. He received the AAPM lifetime Achievement award in 2004.Don's second wife of 46 years, Ann, predeceased him and he is survived by daughters Hillary and Emily, son John and two grandsons. Don was a true gentleman with a unique and erudite writing style illuminated by pithy quotations. If he had a fault it was, perhaps, that he did not realize how much smarter he was than the rest of us.This presentation draws heavily on a biography and video interview in the History and Heritage section of the AAPM website. The quote is his own.Andrzej Niemierko:Statistical modeling plays an essential role in modern medicine for quantitative evaluation of the effect of treatment. This session will feature an overview of statistical modeling techniques used for analyzing the many types of research data and an exploration of recent advances in new statistical modeling methodologies. Learning Objectives: To learn basics of statistical modeling methodology. To discuss statistical models that are frequently used in radiation oncology To discuss advanced modern statistical modeling methods and applications.

WE‐A‐201‐01: Memorial Introduction

Chris Marshall: Memorial IntroductionDonald Edmonds Herbert Jr., or Don to his colleagues and friends, exemplified the “big tent” vision of medical physics, specializing in Applied Statistics and Dynamical Systems theory. He saw, more clearly than most, that “Making models is the difference between doing science and just fooling around [ref Woodworth, 2004]”.Don developed an interest in chemistry at school by “reading a book” ‐ a recurring theme in his story. He was awarded a Westinghouse Science scholarship and attended the Carnegie Institute of Technology (later Carnegie Mellon University) where his interest turned to physics and led to a BS in Physics after transfer to Northwestern University. After (voluntary) service in the Navy he earned his MS in Physics from the University of Oklahoma, which led him to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore to pursue a PhD. The early death of his wife led him to take a salaried position in the Physics Department of Colorado College in Colorado Springs so as to better care for their young daughter. There, a chance invitation from Dr. Juan del Regato to teach physics to residents at the Penrose Cancer Hospital introduced him to Medical Physics, and he decided to enter the field. He received his PhD from the University of London (UK) under Prof. Joseph Rotblat, where I first met him, and where he taught himself statistics. He returned to Penrose as a clinical medical physicist, also largely self‐taught. In 1975 he formalized an evolving interest in statistical analysis as Professor of Radiology and Head of the Division of Physics and Statistics at the College of Medicine of the University of South Alabama in Mobile, AL where he remained for the rest of his career. He also served as the first Director of their Bio‐Statistics and Epidemiology Core Unit working in part on a sickle‐cell disease. After retirement he remained active as Professor Emeritus.Don served for several years as a consultant to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and may be remembered for his critique of the National Academy of Sciences BEIR III report (stating that their methodology “imposes a Delphic quality to the .. risk estimates”.) This led to his appointment as a member of the BEIR V committee. Don presented refresher courses at the AAPM, ASTRO and RSNA meetings and was active in the AAPM as a member or chair of several committees. He was the principal author of AAPM Report 43, which is essentially a critique of established clinical studies prior to 1992. He was co‐editor of the Proceedings of many symposia on Time, Dose and Fractionation held in Madison, Wisconsin. He received the AAPM lifetime Achievement award in 2004.Don's second wife of 46 years, Ann, predeceased him and he is survived by daughters Hillary and Emily, son John and two grandsons. Don was a true gentleman with a unique and erudite writing style illuminated by pithy quotations. If he had a fault it was, perhaps, that he did not realize how much smarter he was than the rest of us.This presentation draws heavily on a biography and video interview in the History and Heritage section of the AAPM website. The quote is his own.Andrzej Niemierko:Statistical modeling plays an essential role in modern medicine for quantitative evaluation of the effect of treatment. This session will feature an overview of statistical modeling techniques used for analyzing the many types of research data and an exploration of recent advances in new statistical modeling methodologies. Learning Objectives: To learn basics of statistical modeling methodology. To discuss statistical models that are frequently used in radiation oncology To discuss advanced modern statistical modeling methods and applications.

Andrew Marienhoff Sessler

Andrew Marienhoff Sessler

‘A Highly Selected Strain of Guinea Pigs’: The Westinghouse Science Talent Search and Educational Meritocracy, 1942–1958

Overview This article examines the Westinghouse Science Talent Search over the first sixteen years of its operation. A national contest involving thousands of high school seniors annually, it reflected a growing national concern with developing scientific manpower in the midst of global conflict, the Cold War, and a growing military–industrial complex. Background/Context While there have been recent studies on the historical development of science education, particularly in the mid-twentieth century and immediate postwar era, little attention has been devoted to such extracurricular activities as science fairs and academic contests. This study addresses this gap by examining a prominent national talent search competition, while assessing its place in the development of a meritocratic ethos in science. Focus of Study The study describes the genesis of the Science Talent Search, its approach to identifying winners, and the inequitable impact of this approach. Although the competition's organizers emphasized its meritocratic quality, our analysis demonstrates that the selection process that it employed systematically discriminated against certain groups of students. Research Design The study was conducted by historical research in primary and secondary sources, particularly those associated with the Science Talent Search in the first two decades of its existence. Statistical data also were compiled from Science Talent Search records and combined with data from the U.S. Office of Education and the Census Bureau to conduct an analysis of factors contributing to success in the contest. Conclusions/Recommendations Most Science Talent Search winners over the period in question were White males from large urban schools with greater financial resources. Women and African American students were underrepresented, as were students from rural areas and schools with relatively few resources. Ultimately, this national competition reflected social and cultural forces that shaped the science professions in a crucial period of their growth, and may have represented a lost opportunity to make scientific training more truly meritocratic at a formative time in its development.

Eric Davidson

Eric Davidson

The 2009 Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting: Roger Y. Tsien, Chemistry 2008

American biochemist Roger Tsien shared the 2008 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Martin Chalfie and Osamu Shimomura for their discovery and development of the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP). Tsien, who was born in New York in 1952 and grew up in Livingston New Jersey, began to experiment in the basement of the family home at a young age. From growing silica gardens of colorful crystallized metal salts to attempting to synthesize aspirin, these early experiments fueled what would become Tsien's lifelong interest in chemistry and colors. Tsien's first official laboratory experience was an NSF-supported summer research program in which he used infrared spectroscopy to examine how metals bind to thiocyanate, for which he was awarded a $10,000 scholarship in the Westinghouse Science Talent Search. Following graduation from Harvard in 1972, Tsien attended Cambridge University in England under a Marshall Scholarship. There he learned organic chemistry --a subject he'd hated as an undergraduate-- and looked for a way to synthesize dyes for imaging neuronal activity, generating BAPTA based optical calcium indicator dyes. Following the completion of his postdoctoral training at Cambridge in 1982, Tsien accepted a faculty position at the University of California, Berkeley. There he and colleagues developed and improved numerous small molecule indicators, including indicators fura-2 and indo-1. In 1989, Tsien moved his laboratory to the University of California at San Diego, where he and his colleagues developed the enhanced mutant of GFP as a way to devise a cyclic AMP (cAMP) sensor for use in live cells. They initially engineered molecules to take advantage of the conformational change that occurs when cAMP binds to protein kinase A (PKA). By labeling one part of PKA with fluoroscein and another with a rhodamine, they hoped to detect Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET), which would occur when the two molecules were in close proximity. The initial experiments presented numerous difficulties due to the challenges of expressing PKA subunits in E. coli, labeling the protein without destroying its function, and delivering the protein to cells via microinjection. Eventually, Tsien sought a more elegant approach, hoping to use and modify a naturally fluorescent protein that could be expressed in the cell. GFP originally described by Davenport in 1955, extracted and purified by Shimomura in 1965, and cloned by Prasher in 1992 was an appealing candidate. To make the protein more useful for their FRET studies, Tsien and colleagues modified the amino acid structure of the protein (S65T). The improved protein had an excitation peak near that of fluoroscein, and was photostable. Tsien and colleagues also solved the protein's crystal structure, enabling them to generate additional colors with spectral properties suitable for FRET. However, when they attempted to use the GFP proteins in the detection of cAMP, they experienced further difficulties with PKA. Instead, their first successful use of GFP derivatives for FRET was in the detection of intracellular calcium using their engineered calmodulin-based calcium indicator, Cameleon. In a short time, Tsien's work has led to further technological developments and important scientific findings. GFP and its derivatives have been used in a wide range of biological applications, from the study of protein localization to understanding how HIV spreads from cell to cell. The need for such probes is highlighted by the abundance of research conducted using these fluorescent proteins, as well as the continued development of similar fluorescent proteins, such as the coral-derived dsRED. Tsien is currently developing genetically encoded Infrared Fluorescent Proteins (IFPs), which with their long emission wavelengths of >700 nm, have the ability to pass through living tissue and improve imaging in living organisms. He is also building synthetic molecules for use in humans. He cites team effort and the contributions of students and post-docs as key components of progress and success: "Even if I had the time, I couldn't have done the experiments, because I don't know how. It's very much a team effort."

A Professional and Personal Odyssey

As I began to write this article reflecting on my professional career in biomedical research, many memories of people, activities, situations, and experiences were swirling in my head. Because of the extraordinary support that I have received from my family, they are never far from my thoughts. I believe that sharing a few of these memories will be helpful for those who find themselves in similar situations or periods of professional development. This is not meant to be a comprehensive review of the fields to which I have had the privilege of contributing but a personal stroll down a path in which I have found extraordinary pleasure and from which I have derived a sense of accomplishment.

How Good are the Asians? Refuting Four Myths about Asian-American Academic Achievement

They have three to five times their proportionate share of college faculty, architects, scientists, teachers, engineers, and physicians. They are over-represented among winners of National Merit Scholarships, U.S. Presidential Scholarships, Arts Recognition and Talent Search scholars, and Westinghouse Science Talent Search scholars. They are overrepresented at American's most prestigious universities (Flynn 1991), constituting roughly 50% of freshmen at University of California at Berkeley and 10% to 30% of students in many other elite universities (Arenson 2007). They score higher on SAT and ACT, especially in math. In published report cards mandated by No Child Left Behind Act, they perform much better than other minority groups. They are called the model minority. They are Asian Americans. But, at Cornell University, 13 of 21 student suicide victims since 1996 have been Asian or Asian American, and a survey at Cornell in 2005 indicated that Asian-American/Asian students seriously considered or attempted suicide at higher-than-average rates (Ramanujan 2006). What is wrong with them? They should be content and happy. After all, they are model for all other minorities and immigrants. Much of what has been said about Asian Americans is myth. In recent years, these myths have been strengthened by another set of myths about Asians, especially East Asians, because of their performance in international comparative studies and economic achievement of these countries. The myths hurt Asian Americans, a rapidly growing population in American schools. They mask many problems Asian students encounter in school and society. They justify overlooking many Asian students who do not fit stereotype. The myths hurt other minority groups. They are used to deny racism--if Asians can do it, then race is not a factor in America, so logic goes. The myths also can hurt education in general as Asian way of education is imitated--evidenced by growing popularity of different versions of cram schools in U.S. and praise for Asian education system by American education leaders--without consideration of its negative consequences. Thus, returning some truth to these myths is important. MYTH #1: ASIAN AMERICANS HAVE SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT. Some subgroups of Asian Americans, particularly East Asians, do perform better in a number of areas than other ethnic groups. Chinese Americans are overrepresented in many of nation's elite universities, receive higher SAT scores in mathematics, are overrepresented among finalists of National Merit Scholars and other recognitions, and are less likely to lag behind their age group. Other Asian subgroups do not have same performance. For instance, 2007 National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) data show that Cambodian and Hmong students had a higher dropout rate (7%) than did Chinese (2%) and Korean students (2%). Chinese young adults who were foreign born had higher dropout rates than did those of same subgroups who were U.S. natives (NCES 2007). Moreover, there is an issue of gender equity. According to 2002 U.S. Census data, about 10% of Asian/Pacific Islander women have less than a 9th-grade education, more than twice percentage for non-Hispanic whites (4%), while percentages for Asian/Pacific Islander men are close between those for other Asians (5%) and whites (4%) (Reeves and Bennett 2003). Even East Asian Americans do not perform equally well in all subjects (Rohrlick et al. 1998). For example, their SAT verbal scores have been consistently lower than their scores in mathematics (Flynn 2007), though these results should be interpreted cautiously due to confounding factors of language barriers and cultural bias. East Asian Americans earn 45,008 bachelor degrees in social sciences and humanities, disproportionately fewer than whites (668,782), as well as blacks (84,568) and Hispanics (72,088) (NSF 2007), while they generally excel in quantitative skills and outnumber whites in engineering and computer science disciplines (Hune and Chan 1997). …

ICONE15-10665 VIPRE-01/BOA Modeling of Westinghouse Advanced Loop Tester (WALT)

Heavy deposits (typically called crud) on fuel have had a significant impact on plant operation, causing unexpected Crud Induced Power Shifts (CIPS) and in some cases crud induced cladding failure (CIF). The Westinghouse Advanced Loop Tester (WALT) at the George Westinghouse Science and Technology Center (STC), which was completed in October 2005, is designed to model the top grid span of a high power rod in a fuel assembly under Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) operating conditions. Both clean and crudded fuel rod surfaces can be simulated in the WALT loop, and thus the chemical and thermal effects of crud can be studied. Currently, a number of clean surface tests and crud formation tests have been accomplished in the WALT loop. In addition, the WALT loop is being used to examine how the crud is formed and the effects of crud formation on fuel pin cladding. The WALT loop test section is modeled with VIPRE-01/VIPRE-W and BOA, which are computer codes developed for Light Water Reactors (LWR). VIPRE-W (or VIPRE-01) is Westinghouse version of the VIPRE-01 code developed for the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). The VIPRE-01 and BOA codes are widely used in the nuclear industry for PWR reload safety analyses and CIPS analysis. The Westinghouse Advanced Loop Tester (WALT) test facility was used to study hot rod surface conditions and the effects of crud deposition under PWR operating conditions. This paper compares WALT loop experimental data to predictions made with the VIPRE-01 and BOA computer codes. VIPRE-01 and BOA models were developed for the WALT loop core using code options commonly used for PWR design applications. Results of this study show that predicted differences in cladding temperature at a given crud thickness for a crudded rod are in reasonably good agreement with test data. Sensitivity studies are also performed in this paper to investigate the variation in cladding temperature differences and crud thickness between VIPRE-01/BOA code predicted results and experimental data.

The Development of Scientific Talent in Westinghouse Finalists and Members of the National Academy of Sciences

This paper reports the results of two studies on the development of scientific talent among the scientific elite: finalists in the Westinghouse Science Competition and members of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS). Sampling four cohorts of finalists, we examined whether these gifted teenagers actually do go on to be the best scientists of the next generation by coding education and career outcomes. Finalists were quite successful and stayed mostly within science and medicine for their career choice. A rather high—although marginally unequal—portion of male (91%) and female (74%) finalists earned a doctoral degree. Women were also more likely to change to non-scientific professions than men. Among the most compelling findings from the NAS study were: age that scientific talent was recognized by self and others was an important predictor of early publication, which in turn was an important predictor of lifetime productivity. Growth curve analyses suggested a cubic model best fit productivity data over time. Moreover, in both samples there was an association between scientific achievement and recent immigrant status. Various theoretical models are discussed as possible explanations for the developmental, gender, and immigrant-status findings on scientific talent.

A thermodynamic investigation into reactive-metal melting-furnace explosions

Western Zirconium, a plant in the Nuclear Fuels Business Unit of Westinghouse Electric Company, recently embarked on a significant safety-centered improvement to its vacuum-arc remelting (VAR) process. The improvement involved the relocation of the control room and installation of a programmable logic controller control strategy for the VAR furnaces. A critical consideration for the control strategy involved the implementation of the correct response to a breach in the water containment system that would allow water to contact the molten reactive metal in the furnace. Western Zirconium performed a random sampling of reactive metal melters in the United States to ascertain and evaluate the range of industry responses. Two distinct, and differing, approaches were discovered. In order to develop a better understanding and evaluate the responses, Western Zirconium, in conjunction with the Westinghouse Science and Technology Department, evaluated the thermodynamics involved in the reactions of molten reactive metals with water.

Lost Generation of Elite Talent in Science

This study was designed to identify the variables that lead to the retention and attrition of talented men and women in science. It is an outgrowth of a longitudinal investigation conducted by the principal investigator with 1983 winners of the Westinghouse Science Talent Search (currently called the Intel Science Talent Search; Subotnik, Duschl, & Selmon, 1993; Subotnik & Steiner, 1993; 1994). The results of three earlier collection points have established patterns of external and internal influences that lead to participation in the research sciences, into applied sciences (e.g. medicine, engineering), or out of the field altogether.

Dredged material decontamination demonstration for the port of New York/New Jersey

Management of contaminated dredged material is a significant challenge in the Port of New York and New Jersey as a result of more stringent regional ocean placement regulations with escalating costs for upland placement. One component of an overall management plan can be the application of a decontamination technology followed by creation of a product suitable for beneficial use. This concept is the focus of a project now being carried out by the US Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2, the US Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, the US Department of Energy, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and regional university groups that have included Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Rutgers University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, and Stevens Institute of Technology. The project has progressed through phased testing of commercial technologies at the bench scale (15 liters) (Marcor, Metcalf & Eddy, Gas Technology Institute, Westinghouse Science & Technology, BioGenesis, International Technology, and BioSafe) and pilot-scale (1.5–500 m 3) (BioGenesis, Gas Technology Institute, and Westinghouse Science & Technology) levels. The technologies developed by Gas Technology Institute and BioGenesis are now going forward to commercial demonstration facilities that are intended to treat from 23 000 to 60 000 m 3 of dredged material during their first operational period in 2001–2002. Beneficial use products are soils and cement. Treatment costs for the final commercial facilities are estimated at US$ 39 per m 3. Selection of the technologies was made based on the effectiveness of the treatment process, evaluation of the possible beneficial use of the treated materials, and other factors. Major elements of the project are summarized here.

PRESENTATION OF THE PALEONTOLOGICAL SOCIETY MEDAL TO JACK A. WOLFE

As I examine the history of The Paleontological Society Medal, I note that there are but four previous paleobotanical awardees, equal in number to those champions of plant predators—the vertebrate paleontologists (granted, we lead paleo-entomology, which has been honored but once). But the situation is worse than that, for overall, students of autotrophs are greatly outnumbered by students of heterotrophs; this turns the ecological pyramid upon its head. Thus, it is my pleasure to ask our assembled colleagues if they have thanked an autotroph for their professional existence and to up the score on the side of the autotrophs to five by introducing this year's Paleontological Society Medal winner, Dr. Jack A. Wolfe. Jack A. Wolfe was born and raised in Portland Oregon, and quickly found his way to the study of fossil plants in the field. From the fossil-rich west he moved in 1953 to an undergraduate education at Harvard, propelled by a Westinghouse Science Scholarship. At Harvard, Jack studied under Elso Barghoorn, honing his growing interest in Tertiary floras of western North America and starting his long list of professional papers. Returning …

High-School Physics Student Bags Two Competitions

Mariangela Lisanti, a 17-year-old high-school student from Westport, Connecticut, won first prize in a science competition last December for her project “Conductance Quantization in Gold Nanocontacts,” taking home a $100 000 college scholarship. Then, in March, she did it again.Lisanti received first prize both in the Siemens Westinghouse Science and Technology Competition and in the Intel Science Talent Search—garnering a total of $200 000 in prize money—for a device that measures voltage across nanowires. Her device, which may be useful in the development of miniature electronics, is made largely from parts available at the local electronics store. It cost only $35, much less than similar existing commercial products.Intel has sponsored the 60-year-old science talent search since 1998, when it took over from Westinghouse, the original sponsor of the competition. That same year, Siemens, which bought the Westinghouse power generation business, decided to start a competition of its own. Both contests invite independent original research from US high-school students. But unlike the Intel competition, which is open to all fields, the Siemens competition focuses on the hard sciences, includes team entries, and judges students solely on their projects rather than their overall academic potential.The prize money has risen substantially in the past couple of years—combined, the two competitions now give out more than $1.5 million annually. Top scholarships awarded in the Intel competition have more than quadrupled in value over the past 10 years. In an effort to increase participation—about 2000 students took part in the two competitions—Intel now gives each of its 300 semifinalists and their schools prizes worth $1000. And the 40 finalists in the Intel competition each receive a laptop computer. Lisanti struck it rich with her project measuring the conductance of gold nanowires.JOHN HARRINGTONPPT|High resolution© 2001 American Institute of Physics.

Experimental Investigation of Mixing Phenomena inside a Concrete Containment Cooled by an Innovative Passive System

Several advanced nuclear plant concepts are characterized by the use of innovative cooling systems that remove the heat released inside the containment following a hypothetical accident, such as a loss-of-coolant accident, through passive heat transfer mechanisms. The design and installation of a localized passive containment cooling system (PCCS) inside a double-wall concrete containment requires the reliable knowledge of temporal and spatial distribution of noncondensable gas concentration, especially hydrogen, in a multicompartment geometry. Testing was conducted in the Large-Scale Containment Test Facility located at the Westinghouse Science and Technology Center in Pittsburgh, and the testing was modified to simulate in approximately one-tenth scale the main features of a concrete containment, designed by the Italian National Electric Utility (ENEL), in which the heat is removed through internal heat exchangers (HX) located in the dome region, and connected by an intermediate fluid loop to external HXs placed outside the double barrier concrete containment. No active component like pumps or human intervention are required for the operation of the system. The facility instrumentation, the test program, and the experimental results are described along with the first results obtained in the application of the FUMO code to the analysis of these experimental tests. The experimental data measured during the tests include temperature distributions inside the containment, helium concentrations at four internal locations, and laser Doppler anemometer measures to determine the atmosphere mixing under different simulated accident conditions. The experimental results indicate that helium, which simulates the hydrogen that may be released during some accident sequences, is distributed rather homogeneously inside the facility. The very good mixing exhibited by the helium indicates that the localized PCCS induces efficient convective motions inside the containment atmosphere, and this is a positive indication for safety analysis.

Science Fairs Pump Up the Rewards of Talent

If you can9t run the nation9s most prestigious high school science fair, start your own--and make it even more lucrative for the winners. That9s the genesis of the Siemens Westinghouse Science & Technology Competition, which announced its first winners this week in Washington, D.C. In doing so, Siemens prompted Intel, which last year beat out Siemens for sponsorship of the venerable Science Service Talent Search, to raise its prize money as well.

Valuation of R and D Projects Using Options Pricing and Decision Analysis Models

A combination of options-pricing techniques and decision-analysis tools forms a practical process for evaluating R and D projects in a way that correctly values the impact of decision flexibility and the inevitable technical and commercial uncertainties. The options perspective leads to research-funding and project-selection decisions that can be radically different from those developed using the standard net-present-value financial rule. Decision-analysis tools simplify data acquisition. We applied the process at the Westinghouse Science and Technology Center using 13 embryonic research projects as a pilot test and subsequently applied it to the center's complete portfolio of research projects. Such an approach can be cost-effective for the type of scaled-down and decentralized research efforts that increasingly characterize US industry and can help research managers to optimize the level and composition of their research portfolios.