Novel switching mode in a vertically aligned liquid crystal contact lens

Liquid crystal (LC) contact lenses are emerging as an exciting technology for vision correction. A homeotropically (vertical) aligned LC lens is reported that offers improved optical quality and simplified construction techniques over previously reported LC contact lens designs. The lens has no polarization dependence in the off state and produces a continuous change in optical power of up to 2.00 ± 0.25 D with a voltage applied. The variation in optical power results from the voltage-induced change in refractive index of the nematic LC layer, from 1.52 to a maximum of 1.72. One device substrate is treated with an alignment layer that is a mixture of planar and homeotropic polyimides, rubbed to induce a preferred director orientation in the switched state. Defects that could occur during switching are thus avoided and the lens exhibits excellent optical quality with a continuous variation in focal power

The Ursinus Weekly, November 8, 1973

Dr. Pancoast predicts much competition for teachers • Civil service commission announces test dates • Service organization shows true colors • Christmas concert • Campus Chest schedules fund raising activities • Concert cancellation • Editorial: When the life sciences become the death sciences • Letters to the editor: Beef over rhetoric; Physics dept. maintains status quo; A plea for silence; What are we doing here? • Alumni corner • Faculty Portrait: Mr. Ted Xaras • The stage: ProTheatre begins year with three one-act plays in new theatre • A bundle of letters • Film: “Jeremy” • Third team goes undefeated! • Football Bears tie, 21-21 • Once beaten Harriers enter MAC championship • Women’s volleyball team into actionhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1005/thumbnail.jp

Acinetobacter baumannii Regulates Its Stress Responses via the BfmRS Two-Component Regulatory System

Acinetobacter baumannii is a common nosocomial pathogen that utilizes numerous mechanisms to aid its survival in both the environment and the host. Coordination of such mechanisms requires an intricate regulatory network. We report here that A. baumannii can directly regulate several stress-related pathways via the two-component regulatory system BfmRS. Similar to previous studies, results from transcriptomic analysis showed that mutation of the BfmR response regulator causes dysregulation of genes required for the oxidative stress response, the osmotic stress response, the misfolded protein/heat shock response, Csu pilus/fimbria production, and capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis. We also found that the BfmRS system is involved in controlling siderophore biosynthesis and transport, and type IV pili production. We provide evidence that BfmR binds to various stress-related promoter regions and show that BfmR alone can directly activate transcription of some stress-related genes. Additionally, we show that the BfmS sensor kinase acts as a BfmR phosphatase to negatively regulate BfmR activity. This work highlights the importance of the BfmRS system in promoting survival of A. baumannii. IMPORTANCE Acinetobacter baumannii is a nosocomial pathogen that has extremely high rates of multidrug resistance. This organism’s ability to endure stressful conditions is a key part of its ability to spread in the hospital environment and cause infections. Unlike other members of the gammaproteobacteria, A. baumannii does not encode a homolog of the RpoS sigma factor to coordinate its stress response. Here, we demonstrate that the BfmRS two-component system directly controls the expression of multiple stress resistance genes. Our findings suggest that BfmRS is central to a unique scheme of general stress response regulation by A. baumannii

The Ursinus Weekly, November 1, 1973

UN Day held at UC • USGA-Union lock horns over new rep. position • SFARC elections held; warning system set • Protheatre productions scheduled for weekend • Musicians initiated into Pi Nu Epsilon • Editorial: The American Film Theatre; New furniture in Wilkinson lounge • Letters to the editor: Jazz fan responds; Starving student complains; Mr. Self speaks • Alumni corner • Jazz: Herman Herd in motion • Faculty Portrait: Dr. Peter G. Jessup • A discourse on mental divorce • Billy Jack • Ursinus downs U of P; then falls to Rams • Bears lose fifth game to a tough Widener teamhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1004/thumbnail.jp

The Ursinus Weekly, February 14, 1974

Week-long festival of arts slated to begin February 22 • Ursinus, at mid-winter, continues coping with problems of energy conservation • Forums set for semester • ProTheatre to present evening of avant-garde • Villanova University to sponsor tenth law review symposium • Editorial: The Myrin follies; Situation wanted: Hero • First semester Dean’s List • Letters to the editor: Union anniversary; Madison Avenue\u27s effect • Student teachers respond to experiences in area schools • SFARC News • Film Review: The Exorcist • Alumni Corner: Mike Hunter: Society drop-in • De-horn the Rams! • Jazz: Thad Jones, Mel Lewis • USGA holds elections, makes amendments and forms committees • 9-5 and still alive!https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1009/thumbnail.jp

The Ursinus Weekly, February 28, 1974

Dean of men’s office ransacked, washing machines destroyed as vandalism continues: USGA proposes community action to eliminate problem • Sorority bids signed; sophomore girls join three campus groups • Christian fellowship will present musical program • First concert scheduled for Helfferich Hall • St. Andrew’s Society announces deadline for scholarships • Editorials: Festival of the Arts; On vandalism • Alumni corner: Leidy lacks leisure • Forum review: Yass Hakoshima • Drama review: “This is the Rill speaking” and “The Interview” • I.F. Winter Party scheduled March 8 • Woodstock abdication • Bearettes come back! • It was a very good year! • First gymnastics meet takes placehttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1011/thumbnail.jp

The Ursinus Weekly, October 18, 1973

U.S.G.A. initiates tough new policy, vows good supervision of open houses • Ursinus admission requirements, unlike national trends, maintain standards • Cooperative atmosphere at education banquet • Ursinus karate club holds demonstration • Chapel program begins • College Union calendar full • Debating club forming; Mr. Perreten will head group • Editorial: On the outside looking in; Autumn at Ursinus • Letters to the Editor: Early riser protests; Declaration of independence; Compromise called for • Alumni Corner • Film: “Heavy Traffic” • Bagpiper Bud Hamilton plays at first College Union program • Ornithology - flocking together Supersax plays Bird • Library staff portrait: Mr. James Rue • Bearettes down Glassboro, F&M, and Bucks County • Another game, another loss • Cross country wins roll on • Soccer team now 3-2https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1002/thumbnail.jp

The Ursinus Weekly, October 25, 1973

Fraternities select homecoming candidates; Students will vote for favorites today • Ursinus will make record books with giant banana split • Chemistry department gets $3000 grant • Longer hours suggested for noisy Myrin library • Volunteer service program begins work; Ken-Crest Center will be first effort • Editorial: Minority student speaks out on biological overpopulation • Faculty portrait: Mrs. Mary Anne Clausen • The Big Game • Alumni corner • Letter to the editor: Tradition and the individual • Lord Caradon, U.N. Representative, speaks on “obligation of optimism” • Shaw-Bernard art exhibit opens today • Placement office helpful for job-hunting seniors • Bearettes sweep south and extend wins to nine • Harriers return to winning ways • Sing wins tournament • Soccer team’s record now stands at 3-3-1 • Ursinus Bears win first game of the seasonhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1003/thumbnail.jp

The Ursinus Weekly, October 11, 1973

Ursinus hires seven new faculty members for term • Sororities go bananas as bids are accepted • USGA is as potent as students permit • Freshmen elect officers despite near fight over voting procedure • Lord Caradon to speak at next Ursinus forum • Editorial: President Pettit’s letter, Is it bull - - - -? • Faculty portrait: Dr. Peter Perreten • Alumni corner: Alumni leaders seek firmer ties with students • Summer school in review: Japanese-American interaction encouraged • Christian fellowship plans busy fall • Ursinus Bearettes spark southern tournament • Ursinus Booters 2-1 • Cross country eyes MAC championshiphttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1001/thumbnail.jp

The Ursinus Weekly, February 21, 1974

Theatre production will start week of arts festivities • Service stations in Collegeville reflect national trends in current fuel shortage • Whitians name nineteen new members to group • Freshman class discusses donations, cut system • Open house policy to continue this semester • Strategy is key word in new club • Editorials: Solzhenitsyn: One man in the world; Behind the green porn • Letter to the editor: Faculty flops • Forum Review: Dr. Joseph Feldmeier • Alumni Corner: Dr. Jacob Shade • In concert: Yes, even closer to the edge • The Zodiac: Will Ursinus survive the Aquarian age? • Little known Bill of Rights, responsibilities makes its appearance after three years • What can you say? • Grapplers close season; boast 3 shut-outs in rowhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1010/thumbnail.jp