VO2-based switchable radiator for spacecraft thermal control.

Direct calorimetric measurements of a solid state passive switchable radiator for spacecraft thermal control have been performed in a simulated space environment. Dynamic emissivity control is provided by the thermochromic phase change in a multilayer VO2 thin film based resonant absorber. The measured radiated power difference between 300 K and 373 K was 480 W/m2 corresponding to a 7× difference in radiative cooling power. We present theoretical and experimental radiator values for both normal and hemispherical as well the optical properties of VO2 as determined via infrared spectroscopic ellipsometry.

Governance of Academic Health Centers and Systems: A Conceptual Framework for Analysis.

Health care has evolved from a cottage industry to a very complex one constituting nearly one-fifth of the U.S. economy. Large aggregated health care systems have evolved primarily for the purpose of optimizing financial performance by capturing greater market share and taking advantage of economies of scale in care delivery. With the noble intent of providing a broader base of support for the academic mission, academic health centers (AHCs) have followed suit by partnering with community hospitals and organizations with variable prior experience in the education and research arenas. Such a strategy makes good business sense, but it creates challenges for the academic mission. Singular emphasis on physicians' clinical productivity enhances financial margin but often reduces faculty time and effort dedicated to the academic mission. While individual AHC governance is varied, the leadership structure of large aggregated health systems built around an AHC is even more complex and heterogeneous. Yet, to ensure the prosperity of the academic mission, the governance structure of such health care systems is of critical importance. Preservation of academic oversight of the faculty practice plan, a unifying central focal point of organizational decision making, and genuine physician leadership are three overarching governance characteristics that strengthen the prosperity of the academic mission within large aggregated health systems. Despite the heterogeneous nature of academic health system governance, these critical components of organizational leadership structure facilitate support of a robust academic mission. Understanding these principles and objectives of governance is essential for critical faculty engagement in AHC leadership activities.

Governance of Academic Medical Centers Is Indeed a Complex and Unique Operation.

As academic medical centers (AMCs) have extended their operations into their communities, partnered with new organizations, and developed new modes of operation to achieve their missions, new governance approaches are required. Chari and colleagues, in this issue of Academic Medicine, describe the development and application of criteria to evaluate governance options for the University of California (UC), which has a number of public AMCs, almost all of which are components of individual UC universities. Although many of these criteria may also be applicable to smaller AMCs, a more individual approach to governance is required-that is, one must step back and first ask about the organization, structure, and goals of the entities to be governed. The major nonfederal and nonspecialty teaching hospitals in the United States are about evenly split between those that are university owned or controlled and those having an independent relationship with their associated medical school. However, the challenges, obstacles, and desired end points are similar. The development of a successful governance structure will require identifying and appreciating many factors.