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Probeware (sensors combined with data-analysis software) is a well-established part of physics education. In engineering and technology, sensors are frequently paired with actuators--motors, heaters, buzzers, valves, color displays, medical dosing systems, and other devices that are activated by electrical signals to produce intentional physical change. This article describes how a 20-year project aimed at better integration of the STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) uses brief actuator activities in physics instruction. Math Machines "actionware" includes software and hardware that convert virtually any free-form, time-dependent algebraic function into the dynamic actions of a stepper motor, servo motor, or RGB (red, green, blue) color mixer. With wheels and a platform, the stepper motor becomes LACI, a programmable vehicle. Adding a low-power laser module turns the servo motor into a programmable Pointer. Adding a gear and platform can transform the Pointer into an earthquake simulator.

The ability of lisofylline, an inhibitor of oleate- and linoleate-containing phosphatidic acid formation, to mediate capillary leak and oxidative injury in lungs stimulated by interleukin-8 was investigated. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were used as experimental models to examine the effects of lisofylline on neutrophil metabolism and responsiveness in vitro. Results showed that lisofylline did not prevent interleukin-8-induced neutrophil calcium mobilization or chemotaxis. Moreover, neutrophils pretreated with lisofylline were unable to prevent capillary leak in rat lungs.

* Objective.--To define further the association between survival and clinical disabilities in profoundly disabled people with mental retardation in an 1 1 -year period. Research Design.--An 11-year follow-up study of the survival of six mutually exclusive subgroups. The presence of severe, profound, or suspected mental retardation and incontinence were considered in all individuals when forming the subgroups. Varying combinations of abilities in mobility, rolling, feeding, and arm-hand use were also considered. Participants.--Six subgroups of severely disabled subjects. included were 128248 of 155851 persons who received services from the California Department of Developmental Services between january 1980 and March 1991. Measurements/main Results.--Survival estimates for individuals who were immobile and could not roll over were short regardless of arm-hand use or feeding status, as were estimates for people who were tube fed. For individuals who could roll over, but were otherwise immobile, survival was relatively improved. Conclusion.--Individuals who are unable to move their extremities or bodies voluntarily or who require tube feeding have very shortened life expectancies. (AJDC. 1993;147:329-336), Disabled patients suffering from severe mental retardation may have a significantly shorter life span than other individuals. Individuals who are unable to move their extremities or bodies or who require tube feeding are less likely to survive than other individuals. A study examined the survival over an 11-year period of 128,248 disabled individuals suffering from severe mental retardation. The survival time of individuals who were immobile and could not roll over was significantly shorter than that of other individuals. Immobile patients who could roll over survived significantly longer. The survival time of individuals who were tube fed was significantly shorter than that of individuals who could eat when fed by others. Premature death was caused mainly by respiratory complications in individuals with restricted movement.

Children and adults who have severe mental retardation are known to have a lower life expectancy than the population at large. A study was conducted of 99,543 people with various developmental disabilities, including mental retardation, to ascertain their life expectancy. The population of people who were mentally retarded and suffered from urinary incontinence were divided into three groups: 1,550 individuals who were immobile and required tube feeding; 4,513 individuals who were immobile and required assistance to eat; and 997 individuals who were mobile by means other than walking, and could eat with assistance. Individuals in the first group had the shortest life expectancy, four to five years. Individuals in the second group had a life expectancy of approximately eight more years. Individuals who were mobile had a life expectancy of an additional 23 years. Other studies have shown that mobility, toilet training, and feeding skills can have a profound effect on survival. The study shows that life expectancy with any degree of mobility, e.g., crawling, is associated with a strongly enhanced life expectancy. The leading cause of death among mentally retarded individuals is from respiratory disease, particularly pneumonia. Severe mental retardation is also correlated with defects of coughing, swallowing, and shallow respiration associated with decreased lung capacity. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Pupil-size changes have been shown to indicate positive or negative reactions to several sensory and psychologic stimuli in normal persons. Whether this could be extended to mentally retarded patients who lack ability for verbal or motor behavior was tested by pupillary responses to several visual, tactile, and auditory stimuli. 24 institutionalized severely and profoundly retarded patients were examined by video camera in their usual environments rather than in a controlled laboratory setting. The videotapes were later projected onto a screen for pupil-size measurements. Pupils dilated with pleasant stimuli, including visualizing a familiar person, soft touch to the arm, music, and soft compliments. There was constriction with presenting an unfamiliar person, rough grasp of the arm, and abrasive noise and harsh commands. The findings demonstrate the existence of pupil reactivity in profoundly retarded persons and suggest such testing as a means of determining which elements of their environment are pleasing or aversive to them.

Although it has become popular to classify people as Type A or Type B, particularly with reference to their risk for cardiovascular disease, we questioned the accuracy of the layman's evaluation of himself. 56 adults were asked their concepts of their behavior type, and results were compared to their scores on the Jenkins Activity Survey. There was general agreement in the typing and on the other Jenkins subscales. But many who on the Jenkins scale scored Type A felt they were Type B, and some of these scored low on the other three component scales; and many Type B persons called themselves Type A, and some scored high on the other subscales.

Background and Purpose: Formal training for health promotion practitioners often includes academic study in health education. Accreditation is an important quality assurance mechanism. One concern expressed during Council of Education for Public Health (CEPH) professional meetings is the capacity of stand-alone undergraduate programs in health education to meet the demands of accreditation. The purpose of this study was to determine the accreditation knowledge level among the program directors of stand-alone programs, and identify the perceived challenges, support for and value ascribed to accreditation among these programs operating without an affiliated graduate program. Methods: Thirtyfive undergraduate program coordinators identified via the 2009 American Association for Health Education (AAHE) directory completed a 21-item survey instrument. Results: Most program coordinators knew about undergraduate accreditation requirements (82.9%), but program coordinators of self-identified small programs had significantly more concerns about the availability of resources needed to successfully attain accreditation. Conclusion: It is important to consider and provide resources for successful attainment of accreditation among smaller undergraduate institutions. Information regarding this general concern will be important to both the CEPH and academic program coordinators as they move forward with the new stand-alone baccalaureate accreditation initiative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]