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UC Davis News: General Interest

Nanotechnology in Reverse Uses Cell to Calibrate Tools
Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Nanotechnology researchers at UC Davis have shown that they can use a red blood cell to calibrate a sensitive instrument, an atomic force microscope. "It turns around the rules of nanotechnology, by using biology to calibrate an instrument," said Volkmar Heinrich, assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at UC Davis and co-author of the paper with graduate student Chawin Ounkomol. An atomic force microscope uses a tiny lever that runs over the surface of an object. Small deflections of the tip are read and translated to produce an image of the object's surface. However, accurate calibration of the springiness of the tip is difficult. Heinrich and Ounkomol used individual red blood cells sucked onto the end of a pipette to push the lever. The lab has previously developed a model that calculates the exact forces needed to squeeze a red blood cell by a certain amount. They could therefore use the red blood cell to very accurately calibrate the springiness of the atomic force microscope cantilever. Heinrich does not see the technique as a new way to calibrate these instruments, but it does show that the red blood cell can be used as an accurate force transducer, he said, and could be used as a tool to measure forces between individual molecules and cells or between molecules. Those measurements can advance our understanding of cell biology, for example how cancers spread or how immune cells enter tissues to fight infection. The paper is published in the April 14 issue of the journal Applied Physics Letters and also was selected for the April 28 issue of the Virtual Journal of Nanoscale Science and Technology, which links to original papers in other journals.
Monkey Studies Important for Brain Science
Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Studies with non-human primates have made major contributions to our understanding of the brain and will continue to be an important, if small, part of neuroscience research, according to a recent review published in the British medical journal, The Lancet. Authors John P. Capitanio, professor of psychology at UC Davis and associate director of the California National Primate Research Center, and Professor Marina E. Emborg at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center describe the importance of non-human primates in studies of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, neurological complications of AIDS and stress. "The key contribution of these studies is based on the similarities between the brains of humans and those of non-human primates," said Capitanio, who studies animal behavior. Human and monkey brains show similar organization and structure, and the animals show complex behavior that can be compared to human behavior. However, he said, several complicating factors will always limit the number of animals used, including the financial expense, ethical issues and the relative difficulty of breeding compared to other model animals such as rodents. All animal models have their strengths and limitations, Capitanio said. But just as a model building helps engineers and architects understand how a structure will work, animal models can help researchers understand body systems. For example, the drug MPTP -- first synthesized in an illegal drug laboratory -- causes symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease in both humans and monkeys, but not in rats or mice, which lack a crucial enzyme. Researchers are now studying monkeys treated with MPTP to better understand new treatments for Parkinson's disease -- the second most common neurodegenerative disease in people over 65. "A model is not the real thing, but it can help you understand the real thing," Capitanio said. The California National Primate Research Center (CNPRC) is part of a network of eight national primate research centers sponsored by the National Center for Research Resources, a division of the National Institutes of Health.
Earthquake Engineering Conference
Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Experts on earthquake engineering and simulation will meet at the Sacramento Convention Center May 18-22 for the fourth decennial Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering and Soil Dynamics conference, organized by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Conference topics will address how soils and the structures built on them behave during earthquakes, and how dams, levees, bridges, tunnels and other structures can be engineered to withstand earthquake damage. Sessions will range from basic research to specific case histories and new technologies for preventing earthquake damage. Plenary speakers include Professor Thomas O'Rourke, Cornell University, on "Earthquake Engineering for Complex Geotechnical and Lifeline Systems"; Professor Raymond Seed, UC Berkeley, on "Seismic Evaluation of Levees"; and Bruce Kutter, professor of civil and environmental engineering at UC Davis, who will discuss modeling studies of the Bay Area's BART tube tunnel. There will also be demonstrations of equipment for earthquake engineering research, including ground-shaking trucks and UC Davis' large geotechnical centrifuge. The equipment show will be held on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 20, at the UC Davis Center for Geotechnical Modeling, part of the George E. Brown Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) funded by the National Science Foundation. The meeting is organized by the Geo-Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Ross Boulanger, professor of civil and environmental engineering at UC Davis, is chair of the conference organizing committee. Conference registration is available online at http://www.geesd.org. News reporters interested in attending the meeting should contact Joan Buhrman at ASCE for details on press registration.

 

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Altshuler, Alan A. - Professor of Urban Policy and Planning at Harvard University, teaches and conducts research on urban politics, land use policy, and transportation. CV, course information, and list of books and other publications.

Apte, Prakash M. - Papers on housing, architecture, planning, development, management, and education by the Indian architect and planner.
Meta Description: [ Articles on Low cost housing and Urban Development By Eisenhover fellow Prakash Apte ]

Benenson, Itzhak - University professor specializing in urban dynamics and ecological modeling. Includes information on research, publications, and classes.

Berman, Marshall - Cultural theorist examines the social roles and intentions of artists in modern urban life. He advocates Marxist humanism and proposes that the urban realities of the marketplace are neither fixed nor immutable. (Book: All That is Solid Melts into Air)

Bertaud, Alain - The Study of Urban Spatial Structures - Papers and reports focused on urban spatial development.
Meta Description: [ This page contains papers and report concerning urban planning, urban spatial structures and more generally the spatial development of cities. ]

Burchell, Robert - Professor at the Center for Urban Policy Research, is the author of 25 books and more than 50 articles, is an expert on fiscal impact analysis, land-use development and regulation, and housing policy. Dr. Burchell co-authored the Development Impact Assessment Handbook for The Urban Land Institute. (Books: The Fiscal Impact Hand-book; The New Practitioner's Guide to Fiscal Impact Analysis; The Adaptive Reuse Handbook; The Environmental Impact Handbook).

Castells, Manuel - Leading urban theorist since the 1960's. His work has moved from early Marxist analyses of the city, to an analysis of grass roots urban movements in the city, to a later interest in the impact of information technology on urban development. Books: The City and the Grassroots; City, Class, and Power)
Meta Description: [ The University of California, Berkeley, Department of Sociology is one of the world's top-ranked centers for sociological research and teaching. Distinctive for its diversity of intellectual and methodological approaches. ]

Chapin, Jr., F. Stuart - Pioneer in the Department of City and Regional Planning, University of North Carolina. Spent nearly four decades establishing and improving the department's urban studies curriculum. Distinguished Service Award from the American Institute of Planners, as well as the Historic Planning Pioneer Award. (Books: Urban Land Use Planning).

Clusterfuck Nation - Commentary on current events by Jim Kunstler.

404 Cronon, William - A Professor of Geography, Cronon's work focuses on the intersection of that field with history and the environment.

Davis, Mike - Author whose writings on the architecture of control and the extinction of public spaces have influenced many theorists and designers working to create a more livable city. (Books: City of Quartz; Ecology of Fear)
Meta Description: [ For 27 years, LA Weekly has been the premier source for award-winning coverage of Los Angeles music, arts, film, theater, culture, concerts, events, politics, communities, society, lifestyle, restaurants, bars, clubs, nightlife and virtually everything else you could want to know. On stands ever... ]

500 DeGrove, John - Teaches growth management (smart growth) with a special focus on initiatives to contain sprawl and ensure sustainable urban and natural systems. Florida Atlantic University Joint Center for Environmental and Urban Problems Director from 1972 until February 1999. (Books: Land, Growth and Politics; Balanced Growth: A Planning Guide for Local Government).

Downs, Anthony - Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington D.C. He was for 18 years a member and then Chairman of Real Estate Research Corporation, a nationwide consulting firm advising private and public decision-makers on real estate investment, housing policies, and urban affairs.
Meta Description: [ Contains research, writings, and publications authored by Anthony Downs - renowned scholar in urban policy, real estate markets, and economic issues ]

Doxiadis, Constantinos (1913-1975) - Author and founder of Doxiadis Associates, a private firm of consulting engineers, with a small group of architects and planners. (Books: Ekistics - An Introduction to the Science of Human Settlements).

404 Ellin, Nan - Places the work of design professionals in their cultural context: how they address contemporary crises and social phenomena, and how they sometimes perpetuate them. (Books: Architecture of Fear; Postmodern Urbanism)

404 Fishman, Robert - Urban historian focuses on a social and architectural history of American suburban planning and design. (Book: Bourgeois Utopias)

Fulton, William - Journalist, urban planner, researcher, pundit, and best-selling author. Regarded as one of the nation's leading commentators on urban planning, metropolitan growth, and economic development.(Books: Guide to California Planning, California Land and Legacy).

Gehl, Jahn - People, Gehl found, are drawn to crowded, bustling spaces, where those unpredictable, surprising actors - other human beings - are on centre stage. As a Scandinavian proverb puts it: People come where people are. (Book: Life Between Buildings)
Meta Description: [ An independent unbiased service, the Resource for Urban Design Information (RUDI) is the largest web resource dedicated to urban design and placemaking. RUDI commissions, researches and creates materials for professionals in the public and private sector. As part of a value-added membership ser... ]

Gordon, Peter - University of Southern California professor offers his weblog, papers, recommended reading, and curriculum vitae.

Hall, Peter - Professor of Planning at the Bartlett School of Architecture and Planning at the University College London, Hall is also the author or editor of nearly thirty books on urban and regional planning and related topics.

Halprin, Lawrence - Significant contributor in the areas of landscape architecture and urban design, active over six decades in the 20th century. Biographical information and index to his projects.

Harvey, David - A geographer concerned with environmental justice and uneven development, Harvey writes devastating descriptions of current urban situations, and offers a new framework for questioning design decisions. (Books: The Urban Experience, Spaces of Hope)

Haussmann, Baron (1809-1891) - French planner famous for the redevelopment of Paris under Napoleon III.

Hise, Greg - Associate Professor of urban history, his research focuses generally on the American West and specifically on Los Angeles. (Book: Magnetic Los Angeles: Planning the Twentieth Century Metropolis)

Huxtable, Ada Louise - Architecture critic for the Wall Street Journal, she advocates for preservation and cities as places of contrast. (Book: The Unreal America)

Jacobs, Allan - Urban Designer and Professor, Jacobs has observed street users and has studied a wide array of street types and urban spaces around the world. Books: Making City Planning Work, Great Streets, Boulevard Book.

404 Johns, Michael - Geography professor at UC Berkeley offers a walking tour of San Francisco with special regard to the economy and culture of the Western city.

404 Katz, Peter - Author and real estate marketing consultant, he argues that New Urbanism integrates modern life into pedestrian-friendly communities with effective links to their larger regions. (Books: The New Urbanism: Toward an Architecture of Community)

Kay, Jane Holtz - Architecture and planning critic for The Nation and author. She has written for Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Planning, The Boston Globe, The New York Times, Preservation and Sierra. (Books: Asphalt Nation, Preserving New England and Lost Boston).
Meta Description: [ Jane Holtz Kay is the architecture and planning critic for The Nation, and author of Asphalt Nation, Lost Boston, and Preserving New England. This site includes information about her books and reprints of selected articles. ]

Kent, Fred - Founder and president of the Project for Public Spaces. Biography, publications, and interviews.

Kotkin, Joel - The author of The New Geography offers commentary, articles, consulting, his schedule, and a biography.

Kunstler, James Howard - Kunstler believes a lot of people share his feelings about the tragic landscape of highway strips, parking lots, housing tracts, mega-malls, junked cities, and ravaged countryside that makes up the everyday environment where most Americans live and work. (Books: The Geography of Nowhere, Home from Nowhere, The Long Emergency).

404 Massey, Doreen - Geographer critiques globalization and regional uneven development and proposes a need to understand the new urban context of disorder and diversity. (Books: Cities for the Many Not the Few, Space, Place, and Gender)

Newman, Oscar - Influential author of Defensible Space proposes physically restructuring communities to reduce crime and improve stability. Biography, book excerpts, and nonprofit institute profile.
Meta Description: [ Information about the book 'Creating Defensible Space,' author Oscar Newman, his Institute, publications, and ongoing projects. ]

Nozzi, Dom - Walkable Streets - Features original essays and others' essays, consulting and speaking information, a biography, and links.
Meta Description: [ Information useful in designing livable, traditional, sustainable, walkable, and equitable communities and neighborhoods -- communities and neighborhoods we can take pride in. ]

O'Toole, Randal - Economist and director of the Oregon-based Thoreau Institute since 1975. He has also been an adjunct scholar at the Cato Institute since 1995. (Books: The Vanishing Automobile and Other Urban Myths).

Peirce, Neal - Writes on metropolitan regions and their political and economic dynamics, their emerging national and global roles. (Books: The Book of America: Inside 50 States Today; Citistates: How Urban America Can Prosper in a Competitive World; Breakthroughs: Recreating The American City). ).

Penn, William (1644-1718) - Penn's holy experiment and plan was idealistic to the point of utopianism. He wanted to establish a society that was godly, virtuous and exemplary for all of humanity.

404 Plater-Zyberk, Elizabeth - Architect and town planner who cofounded Duany Plater-Zyberk Company in 1980. (Books: Suburban Nation).

Rusk, David - Author, consultant, and leading American regionalist who combines scholarship with practical political experience. Former state legislator in New Mexico and mayor of Albuquerque, the nation's 36th largest city. (Books: Cities without Suburbs).

Salingaros, Nikos A. - Professor of Mathematics at the University of Texas at San Antonio, advocates using scientific understanding to generate life in built structures. (Books: Principles of Urban Structure, A Theory of Architecture).

404 Sassen, Saskia - Leading theorist of globalisation and its impact on cities. Professor Sassen is Professor of Sociology at the University of Chicago and Centennial Visiting professor at the London School of Economics. She is author of many publications on the subject of globalization.

Sitte, Camillo (1843-1903) - The publication of City Planning According to Artistic Principles began a new era in Germanic city planning. Sitte strongly criticized the current emphasis on broad, straight boulevards, and public squares arranged primarily for the convenience of traffic.

Smithson, Peter and Allison - Although they are also both practicing architects, the Smithsons gained most of their recognition through their involvement with Team 10 and its overthrow of old CIAM philosophies.
Meta Description: [ Peter & Alison Smithson, architect in the Great Buildings Online. ]

404 Soja, Edward - Cultural geographer focuses on urban restructuring in Los Angeles, with a more general interest in the spatialization of social relationships such as class, gender, and race. (Books: Postmetropolis, Thirdspace, Postmodern Geographies)

Soleri, Paolo - Author, visionary, architect, and pioneer of new human spaces. (Books: Arcosanti - An Urban Laboratory; Technology and Cosmogenesis; The Omega Seed; The Bridge Between Matter and Spirit is Matter Becoming Spirit; The City in the Image of Man).
Meta Description: [ The Arcosanti Project ]

Staley, Samuel - Director of the Urban Futures Program of the Reason Public Policy Institute. (Books: Smarter Growth: Market-based Land-use Planning for the 21st Century).

Valsson, Trausti - Icelandic professor presents his curriculum vitae and details about two books, Planning in Iceland and City and Nature.

Vélez-Guerra, C. Andrés - Urbanidad- Urbanity- Urbanité: Research papers about urban planning in developing cities.

Zukin, Sharon - Sociologist explores the inter-relations of economic, social, and political power that shape urban form. (Books: Landscapes of Power: From Detroit to Disneyworld, The Cultures of Cities)