TLR1-induced chemokine production is critical for mucosal immunity against Yersinia enterocolitica.

Our gastrointestinal tract is a portal of entry for a number of bacteria and viruses. Thus, this tissue must develop ways to induce antigen-specific T cell and antibody responses quickly. Intestinal epithelial cells are a central player in barrier function and also in communicating signals from invading pathogens to the underlying immune tissue. Here we demonstrate that activation of Toll-like receptor 1 (TLR1) in the epithelium leads to the upregulation of the chemokine CCL20 during oral infection with Yersinia enterocolitica. Further, both neutralization of CCL20 using polyclonal antibody treatment and deletion of TLR1 resulted in a defect in CCR6+ dendritic cells (DCs), which produce innate cytokines that help to induce anti-Yersinia-specific T helper 17 (TH17) cells and IgA production. These data demonstrate a novel role for TLR1 signaling in the intestinal epithelium and demonstrate that together TLR1 and CCL20 are critical mediators of TH17 immunity through the activation and recruitment of DCs

Investigation of an Ablation-dominated Arc in a Model Chamber by Optical Emission Spectroscopy

A switching arc in a model chamber is investigated by means of optical emission spectroscopy. Ignition wire is applied to initiate an arc of several kiloampere between tungsten−copper electrodes. Radiation emitted by the arc plasma is absorbed by a surrounding PTFE nozzle, leading to an ablation–dominated discharge. Video spectroscopy is carried out using an imaging spectrometer combined with a high–speed video camera. Carbon ion and fluorine atom line emission from the heating channel as well as copper, oxygen and nitrogen from ignition wire and ambient air are analyzed with focus on the low–current phases at the beginning of discharge and near current zero. Additionally, electrical parameters and total pressure are recorded while the general behavior of the discharge is observed by another video camera. Considering rotational symmetry of the arc the corresponding radial emission coefficients are determined. Finally, radial temperature profiles are calculated

Investigation of an Ablation-dominated Arc in a Model Chamber by Optical Emission Spectroscopy

A switching arc in a model chamber is investigated by means of optical emission spectroscopy. Ignition wire is applied to initiate an arc of several kiloampere between tungsten−copper electrodes. Radiation emitted by the arc plasma is absorbed by a surrounding PTFE nozzle, leading to an ablation–dominated discharge. Video spectroscopy is carried out using an imaging spectrometer combined with a high–speed video camera. Carbon ion and fluorine atom line emission from the heating channel as well as copper, oxygen and nitrogen from ignition wire and ambient air are analyzed with focus on the low–current phases at the beginning of discharge and near current zero. Additionally, electrical parameters and total pressure are recorded while the general behavior of the discharge is observed by another video camera. Considering rotational symmetry of the arc the corresponding radial emission coefficients are determined. Finally, radial temperature profiles are calculated

Emission Spectroscopy During High-Current Anode Modes in Vacuum Arc

A vacuum interrupter reaches its interruption limit once high-current anode phenomena occur. High-current anode modes lead to an increase of the anode surface temperature and an increased generation of metal vapor, which may result in a weakening of the dielectric recovery strength after current zero. In this work, different discharge modes in a vacuum arc for AC 50 Hz including diffuse, footpoint, anode spot type 1 and type 2, and anode plume are investigated. Electrodes made of CuCr7525 with diameter of 10 mm are used. The final gap length is about 20 mm. Time and space resolved optical emission spectroscopy is used to examine the temporal and spatial distribution of atomic and ionic copper lines. The distribution of atomic and ionic lines parallel and perpendicular to the anode surface is investigated. Radiator density is also determined for CuI, CuII, and CuIII near the anode surface

Determination of Cr Density in the Active Phase of a High-current Vacuum Arcs

Melting and evaporation of the anode surface strongly influence the interruption capability of vacuum circuit breakers, because they lead to injection of atomic vapour into the inter-electrode gap. Determination of the vapour density and its dynamics with respect to different anode phenomena is therefore of great importance. Results of Cr density measurements in a high-current vacuum arc by using broadband absorption spectroscopy are presented. The vapour density of atomic Cr is determined after the formation of anode spots as well as close to the current zero. Cr I resonance lines at 425.43 nm have been used for the analysis. An AC current pulse with maximum value of 7 kA and a frequency of 100 Hz is applied to a vacuum arc between two cylindrical butt electrodes made of CuCr7525 with a diameter of 10 mm. The high-current anode modes are observed by means of high-speed camera imaging. The temporal evolution of the Cr ground state density is presented and discussed

Emission Spectroscopy During High-Current Anode Modes in Vacuum Arc

A vacuum interrupter reaches its interruption limit once high-current anode phenomena occur. High-current anode modes lead to an increase of the anode surface temperature and an increased generation of metal vapor, which may result in a weakening of the dielectric recovery strength after current zero. In this work, different discharge modes in a vacuum arc for AC 50 Hz including diffuse, footpoint, anode spot type 1 and type 2, and anode plume are investigated. Electrodes made of CuCr7525 with diameter of 10 mm are used. The final gap length is about 20 mm. Time and space resolved optical emission spectroscopy is used to examine the temporal and spatial distribution of atomic and ionic copper lines. The distribution of atomic and ionic lines parallel and perpendicular to the anode surface is investigated. Radiator density is also determined for CuI, CuII, and CuIII near the anode surface

Determination of Cr Density in the Active Phase of a High-current Vacuum Arcs

Melting and evaporation of the anode surface strongly influence the interruption capability of vacuum circuit breakers, because they lead to injection of atomic vapour into the inter-electrode gap. Determination of the vapour density and its dynamics with respect to different anode phenomena is therefore of great importance. Results of Cr density measurements in a high-current vacuum arc by using broadband absorption spectroscopy are presented. The vapour density of atomic Cr is determined after the formation of anode spots as well as close to the current zero. Cr I resonance lines at 425.43 nm have been used for the analysis. An AC current pulse with maximum value of 7 kA and a frequency of 100 Hz is applied to a vacuum arc between two cylindrical butt electrodes made of CuCr7525 with a diameter of 10 mm. The high-current anode modes are observed by means of high-speed camera imaging. The temporal evolution of the Cr ground state density is presented and discussed

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 promotes acute cellular and systemic inflammation.

Inflammatory critical illness is a syndrome that is characterized by acute inflammation and organ injury, and it is triggered by infections and noninfectious tissue injury, both of which activate innate immune receptors and pathways. Although reports suggest an anti-inflammatory role for the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5), we previously found that ERK5 mediates proinflammatory responses in primary human cells in response to stimulation of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2). We inhibited the kinase activities and reduced the abundances of ERK5 and MEK5, a MAPK kinase directly upstream of ERK5, in primary human vascular endothelial cells and monocytes, and found that ERK5 promoted inflammation induced by a broad range of microbial TLR agonists and by the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Furthermore, we found that inhibitors of MEK5 or ERK5 reduced the plasma concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines in mice challenged with TLR ligands or heat-killed Staphylococcus aureus, as well as in mice that underwent sterile lung ischemia-reperfusion injury. Finally, we found that inhibition of ERK5 protected endotoxemic mice from death. Together, our studies support a proinflammatory role for ERK5 in primary human endothelial cells and monocytes, and suggest that ERK5 is a potential therapeutic target in diverse disorders that cause inflammatory critical illness

Interaction of a free burning arc with regenerative protective layers

The possible use of protective layers made of ceramic powders for walls in thermal plasma applications is studied. A stable free burning arc of currents up to 5 kA between copper- tungsten electrodes is used to analyse the arc interaction with samples coated by mixtures of CaCO3, MgCO3, and Mg(OH)2 with plaster. By means of optical emission spectroscopy the maximum arc temperature and the radiation impact on the surfaces are estimated to be around 15000 K and 20 MWm-2, respectively. Thermographic measurements confirm the efficient protection of substrates by all layer materials. Layers containing CaCO3 lead to the lowest heating of ceramic samples which may be caused by a strong evaporation of the layer material

Investigation of a Multi-Chamber System for Lightning Protection at Overhead Power Lines

A multi-chamber system with composite electrodes fitted into silicone rubber has been recently proposed for lightning protection of power lines. The arc extinction during a current pulse in the arc chamber has been studied. Optical emission spectroscopy and high speed imaging used in experiments allowed to es-timate plasma temperature and velocity of the jet. Erosion coefficients for electrode materials were esti-mated. Investigations of different materials of the arc chamber were carried out