Cholesterol crystal-induced endothelial cell activation is complement-dependent and mediated by TNF

Cholesterol crystals are known to be a hallmark of atherosclerosis with recent studies demonstrating deposition of these crystals in early fatty streak formation as well as penetrating the intima following plaque rupture. Inflammation has also become a central focus in atheroma development and endothelial cell activation is recognized as necessary for the recruitment of inflammatory cells to the plaque. However, the extent to which cholesterol crystals can induce inflammation and activate endothelial cells is not known. To investigate this, we developed a novel model activating human umbilical vein endothelial cells using lepirudin anticoagulated human whole blood. We found that cholesterol crystals caused a marked and dose-dependent increase in the adhesion molecules E-selectin and ICAM-1 on the surface of the endothelial cells after incubation with whole blood. There was no activation of the cells when the crystals were incubated in medium alone, or in human serum, despite substantial crystal-induced complement activation in serum. Complement inhibitors at the C3 and C5 levels reduced the whole blood induced endothelial cell activation by up to 89% (p < 0.05) and abolished TNF release (p < 0.01). Finally, the TNF inhibitor infliximab reduced endothelial activation to background levels (p < 0.05). In conclusion, these data demonstrate that endothelial activation by cholesterol crystals is mediated by complement-dependent TNF release, and suggests that complement-inhibition might have a role in alleviating atherosclerosis-induced inflammation.Author preprin

Recent Advances in Exopolysaccharides from Paenibacillus spp.: Production, Isolation, Structure, and Bioactivities

[[abstract]]This review provides a comprehensive summary of the most recent developments of various aspects (i.e., production, purification, structure, and bioactivity) of the exopolysaccharides (EPSs) from Paenibacillus spp. For the production, in particular, squid pen waste was first utilized successfully to produce a high yield of inexpensive EPSs from Paenibacillus sp. TKU023 and P. macerans TKU029. In addition, this technology for EPS production is prevailing because it is more environmentally friendly. The Paenibacillus spp. EPSs reported from various references constitute a structurally diverse class of biological macromolecules with different applications in the broad fields of pharmacy, cosmetics and bioremediation. The EPS produced by P. macerans TKU029 can increase in vivo skin hydration and may be a new source of natural moisturizers with potential value in cosmetics. However, the relationships between the structures and activities of these EPSs in many studies are not well established. The contents and data in this review will serve as useful references for further investigation, production, structure and application of Paenibacillus spp. EPSs in various fields.[[notice]]補正完畢[[journaltype]]國外[[incitationindex]]SCI[[ispeerreviewed]]Y[[booktype]]電子版[[countrycodes]]CH

Rhodium doped strontium titanate for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution with carbon quantum dots

The worlds energy demands continue to increase, and the reserves of fossil fuels are limited. Therefore the world is in need of finding different energy sources. Production of hydrogen by splitting water, using photocatalysis is a potential solution. Previous studies have shown that strontium titanate doped with rhodium is active in the visible light area. The purpose of this study was to synthesize rhodium doped strontium titanate and enhance the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution with carbon quantum dots from a solution containing a sacrificial reagent. Strontium titanate and rhodium doped strontium titanate was synthesized from titanium dioxide, strontium carbonate, and rhodium(III) oxide, using the solid state reaction method. The XRD specter showed the characteristic peaks for strontium titanate for all of the synthesized samples along with some impurity peaks. Previous studies have shown that the Sr/(Ti+Rh) ratio is important for achieving high activity from Rh doped strontium titanate. The ratio was investigated using ICP-MS. UV-vis DRS measurements were used to obtain the absorbance spectra of the synthesized samples. The rhodium doped strontium titanate sample prepared at 1100 degrees Celsius (B8.Rh) is considered to be the most active of the synthesized samples and is exhibiting all the characteristics found in literature for Rh doped strontium titanate except for having a slightly larger band gap. However, the titanium dioxide, P25, from Sigma Aldrich with photodeposited Pt evolved hydrogen at a much higher rate than the B8.Rh with photodeposited Pt. Carbon quantum dots was loaded on to the B8.Rh, but completely hampered the photocatalytic activity

Expert Teams: Do Shared Mental Models of Team Members make a Difference?

The purpose of the present thesis was to investigate whether and how familiarity influences coordination, resilience, and efficiency in high performance teams in safetycritical organizations. Research has accumulated solid support for the general presumption that shared mental models are associated with team effectiveness (see overview, Kozlowski & Ilgen, 2006). Unfortunately, familiarity and shared mental models have seldom been the subject of investigation. This is surprising since the importance of team members having a shared understanding is underlined in dynamic situations that require high levels of flexibility and adaptability in the team (Cannon-Bowers et al., 1993; Salas & Fiore, 2004). The first study investigated whether knowledge about individual team members would augment the effect of operational skills in predicting operational effectiveness in trained expert teams. The second study investigated the consequences of shared mental models (SMM) of team members in teams that are forced to coordinate their activities towards a shared goal in a distributed team setting. The third study investigated whether shared mental models of team members would transfer across new tasks or situations and, through better coordination, result in improved efficiency and less physiological arousal. Study 1 included samples from 24 active duty officers who made up four submarine attack teams. Studies 2 and 3 included a total of 177 cadets from the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy. The findings from these three studies indicate that familiar teams used coordination strategies that enhanced efficiency. The coordination strategies used by familiar teams are characterized by less overt communication (statements per minute) during high workload (Study 1), a higher global anticipation rate (Study 2), and more adaptability and back-up statements during cross-training (Study 3). In addition, familiar teams showed more overt communication (e.g., confirmation) when confronted with a novel situation (Studies 2 and 3). Familiar teams outperformed unfamiliar teams, being more accurate, quicker and achieving greater mission success (i.e., more hits). Familiar teams were more physiologically aroused (HR) during low workload (Study 2), and less during high workload (Study 1), recovery (Studies 2 and 3), and decreasingly so during training (Study 3). These three studies extend previous research by presenting new empirical data on the significance of shared mental models of team members. Study 1 demonstrated that knowledge about team members (i.e., shared mental models of team members) adds to performance over and above the contribution of operational skills (Aim 1). Studies 2 confirmed Study 1 (within teams) and provide empirical evidence for the effect of shared mental models of team members in distributed teams (Aim 2). The findings from Study 3 suggest that shared mental models of team members are transferable across tasks and enhance the effects of cross-training (Aim 3). All studies extend previous research, but Study 3 in particular indicates that shared mental models of team members are distinctly different from transactive memory systems (Aim 3). Hence, a shared mental model of team members represents an independent, adaptive asset at team level that enhances team performance and efficiency. These studies are the first to provide empirical evidence in support of the notion that shared mental models of team members are a mechanism that improves teams’ efficiency, resilience, and coordination. This thesis confirms shared mental models of team members as an important and independent construct with an added value in relation to team performance and efficiency. It thus expands previous knowledge, where the focus has been on equipment, tasks, and team interaction. The findings are a contribution to and fill an important gap in the literature on Shared Mental Models. Implications are discussed for training, staffing and safety issues in teams in safety-critical organizations

Techno-economical optimization of energy storage for increased wind farm integration

Med en økende andel av fornybare energikilder som har en varierende produksjonsprofil, for eksempel vindturbiner og solcellepaneler, kan det oppstå problemer knyttet til stabiliteten i nettet. En løsning for å forbedre stabiliteten kan være å installere energilagringssystemer. Energilagringsystemer kan brukes både for å anskaffe nettjenester og forbedre tilkoblingen av fornybare energikilder. Nettselskaper kan ikke med dagens regelverk i EU eie energilagringsystemer, og dermed må slike prosjekter være lønnsomme. Derfor har hovedmålet med denne masteroppgaven vært å se på lønnsomheten og fordelene som en investering i ett energilagringsystem kan gi for en vindpark. Et litteraturstudie med oppsummering av tidligere studier og optimaliseringsteknikker for energilagringssystemer og vindparker har blitt utført for å finne potensielle forskningsfelt. I litteraturstudiet kom det fram av de fleste tidligere studier har fokusert på de økonomiske aspektene ved energilagringssystemer, og at reservemarkeder har gitt positive resultater i forhold til lønnsomhet. Det ble gjennomført en studie av et energilagringssystem for vindparken som eies av Midtfjellet Vindkraft AS. Modellen besto av en last, vindpark, litium-ion batterilagringssystem, og kraftmarkeder for Elspot, primærreserver (FCR-N) og hurtige primærreserver (FFR). Modellen ble laget i PSS(R)DE, en optimaliseringsprogramvare for distribuerte energisystemer utviklet av Siemens AG. FFR-markedet ble modellert ved å heve SoC-nivået på batteriet i PSS(R)DE for å reservere kapasitet, og inntektene for dette beregnet ved å bruke diskontert kontantstrøm i Excel. Scenarioene ble laget med en tiårshorisont og inneholdt forskjellige fremtidige priser for litium-ionbatterier og kraftmarkeder. Tekno- økonomisk optimalisering ble utført for scenarioene med en prosjektlevetid på 20 år. Totalt ble 44 scenarier konstruert og simulert. Resultatene fra studie viste at det var mulig å få en positiv investering for et litium-ion batterilagringssystem kombinert med Midtfjellet vindpark ved å delta på flere markeder. Konkret var deltagelse i FCR-N- og Elspot markedet tilstrekkelig til å gi en positiv endring i nettonåverdi for systemet, allerede i 2020. For 2030 verdier ga alle scenarioer som inneholdt to eller flere markeder en økning i nettonåverdi i forhold til referansen.The problem with an increasing share of renewable energy sources (RES) is that the fluctuating nature of some of the most prominent RES, wind turbines and solar photovoltaic panels, can cause stability issues in the grid. A solution to mitigate this can be to install Energy Storage Systems (ESS). ESS can be used both to provide ancillary services and improve RES integration. However, as Distribution System Operators (DSOs) in the current EU legislation cannot own ESS, ESS investments must be profitable. The main objective of this thesis has, therefore, been to assess the profitability and benefits that can be obtained with an ESS investment. A review of previous studies and optimization techniques for ESS and wind farms was conducted to shed light on potential research opportunities. The review showed that most articles have focused on the economic aspects of ESS installment, and that participation in reserve markets could provide profitable ESS investments. A real case study of ESS investment for the wind farm owned by Midtfjellet Vindkraft AS wind farm was conducted. The model for the case study system consisting of a load, wind farm, Li-Ion battery energy storage system (BESS), and energy market structures for the Nordic Day-Ahead, normal frequency containment reserves (FCR-N) and fast frequency reserves (FFR). The model was made in PSS(R)DE, an optimization software developed by Siemens AG. The FFR market was modeled by raising the SoC level of the battery in PSS(R)DE to reserve capacity, and the revenue for this calculated using discounted cash flow in Excel. For the case study, 44 scenarios with a ten-year horizon were developed, using projections for the future price of Li-Ion BESS and power markets. Techno-economical optimization was performed for the scenarios with a project lifetime of 20 years. The results from the case study showed that it was possible to obtain a positive business case for ESS coupled with Midtfjellet wind farm using revenue stacking. Concretely, participation in the FCR-N and Day-Ahead market was sufficient to provide a positive change in net present value (NPV) for the combined wind farm, load, and Li-Ion BESS system already in 2020. For the 2030 scenarios, inclusion of any two markets yielded an increase in NPV compared to the reference case

Double blockade of CD14 and complement C5 abolishes the cytokine storm and improves morbidity and survival in polymicrobial sepsis in mice

Sepsis and septic shock, caused by an excessive systemic host-inflammatory response, are associated with high morbidity and mortality. The complement system and TLRs provide important pattern recognition receptors initiating the cytokine storm by extensive cross-talk. We hypothesized that double blockade of complement C5 and the TLR coreceptor CD14 could improve survival of experimental polymicrobial sepsis. Mice undergoing cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)–induced sepsis were treated with neutralizing anti-CD14 Ab biG 53, complement C5 inhibitor coversin (Ornithodoros moubata C inhibitor), or a combination thereof. The inflammatory study (24-h observation) revealed statistically significant increases in 22 of 24 measured plasma biomarkers in the untreated CLP group, comprising 14 pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and 8 chemokines, growth factors, and granulocyte activation markers. Single CD14 or C5 blockade significantly inhibited 20 and 19 of the 22 biomarkers, respectively. Combined CD14 and C5 inhibition significantly reduced all 22 biomarkers (mean reduction 85%; range 54–95%) compared with the untreated CLP group. Double blockade was more potent than single treatment and was required to significantly inhibit IL-6 and CXCL1. Combined inhibition significantly reduced morbidity (motility and eyelid movement) and mortality measured over 10 d. In the positive control CLP group, median survival was 36 h (range 24–48 h). Combined treatment increased median survival to 96 h (range 24–240 h) (p = 0.001), whereas survival in the single-treatment groups was not significantly increased (median and range for anti-CD14 and anti-C5 treatment were 36 h [24–48 h] and 48 h [24–96 h]). Combined with standard intervention therapy, specific blockade of CD14 and C5 might represent a promising new therapeutic strategy for treatment of polymicrobial sepsis

A new model for understanding teamwork onboard: the shipmate model

The increasing complexity onboard a ship underline the importance of crews that are able to coordinateand cooperate with each other to facilitate task objectives through a shared understanding of resources (e.g. team members’ knowledge, skills and experience), the crew’s goals, and the constrains under whichthey work. Rotation of personnel through 24/7 shift-work schedules and replacements often put crews ina position of having little or no previous history as a team. Findings from 3 studies indicated that unfamiliarteams used less efficient coordination strategies which reduced efficiency and increased levels of stress insituations where team members where experts on task, distributed or unknown to task and environment.Implications for staffing, safety and training are discussed

Team og moralsk handlekraft

I mange sikkerhetskritiske organisasjoner må team ta vanskelige og moralske valg i pressede situasjoner. I artikkelen diskuteres hvilken kompetanse som er nødvendig. Felles moralske mentale modeller holdes frem som en forutsetning for å få et samlet team til å forstå hva som skjer og dermed bli i stand til å koordinere hurtig internt i teamet, noe som kan være avgjørende når utfordrende moralske situasjoner oppstår. Artikkelen fremholder særlig et teams evne til å utøve gjensidig monitorering, støtteatferd, tilpasningsatferd, teamorientering og team lederskap i kombinasjon med de to koordineringsmekanismene sirkelkommunikasjon og gjensidig tillit som avgjørende for å skape gode felles moralske mentale modeller og dermed styrke teamets moralsk handlekraft. Flere forslag til nyere forskning blir foreslått