Conventional rigid 2D substrates cause complex contractile signals in monolayers of human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes.

Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CM) in monolayers interact mechanically via cell-cell and cell-substrate adhesion. Spatiotemporal features of contraction were analysed in hiPSC-CM monolayers (1) attached to glass or plastic (Young's modulus (E) >1 GPa), (2) detached (substrate-free) and (3) attached to a flexible collagen hydrogel (E = 22 kPa). The effects of isoprenaline on contraction were compared between rigid and flexible substrates. To clarify the underlying mechanisms, further gene expression and computational studies were performed. HiPSC-CM monolayers exhibited multiphasic contractile profiles on rigid surfaces in contrast to hydrogels, substrate-free cultures or single cells where only simple twitch-like time-courses were observed. Isoprenaline did not change the contraction profile on either surface, but its lusitropic and chronotropic effects were greater in hydrogel compared with glass. There was no significant difference between stiff and flexible substrates in regard to expression of the stress-activated genes NPPA and NPPB. A computational model of cell clusters demonstrated similar complex contractile interactions on stiff substrates as a consequence of cell-to-cell functional heterogeneity. Rigid biomaterial surfaces give rise to unphysiological, multiphasic contractions in hi PSC-CM monolayers. Flexible substrates are necessary for normal twitch-like contractility kinetics and interpretation of inotropic interventions.Peer reviewe

Recent Progress of the Computational 2D Materials Database (C2DB)

The C2DB is a highly curated open database organizing a wealth of computed properties for more than 4000 atomically thin two-dimensional (2D) materials. Here we report on new materials and properties that were added to the database since its first release in 2018. The set of new materials comprise several hundred monolayers exfoliated from experimentally known layered bulk materials, (homo)bilayers in various stacking configurations, native point defects in semiconducting monolayers, and chalcogen/halogen Janus monolayers. The new properties include exfoliation energies, Bader charges, spontaneous polarisations, Born charges, infrared polarisabilities, piezoelectric tensors, band topology invariants, exchange couplings, Raman- and second harmonic generation spectra. We also describe refinements of the employed material classification schemes, upgrades of the computational methodologies used for property evaluations, as well as significant enhancements of the data documentation and provenance. Finally, we explore the performance of Gaussian process-based regression for efficient prediction of mechanical and electronic materials properties. The combination of open access, detailed documentation, and extremely rich materials property data sets make the C2DB a unique resource that will advance the science of atomically thin materials.Comment: 30 pages, 26 figure

Professional identity formation in the transition from medical school to working life:a qualitative study of group-coaching courses for junior doctors

BACKGROUND: The transition from student to medical doctor is challenging and stressful to many junior doctors. To practice with confidence and professionalism the junior doctors have to develop a strong professional identity. Various suggestions on how to facilitate formation of professional identity have been offered including the possible positive effect of group-coaching courses. The purpose of this study was to explore how group-coaching might facilitate professional identity formation among junior doctors in the transition period. METHODS: Group-coaching courses comprising three whole-day sessions and five 2 h sessions during a period of 4 months were offered to junior doctors in the first years after graduation. The purpose was to support the participants’ professional development, ability to relate to patients, relatives and staff and career development. The coaches in this study had a background as health professionals combined with coaching educations. Data was obtained through observations, open-ended questionnaires and interviews. A generic thematic analysis was applied. RESULTS: Forty-five doctors participated in six coaching groups. The three main themes emerging in the sessions were: Adoption to medical culture, career planning, and work/life-balance. The junior doctors found the coaching intervention highly useful in order to cope with these challenges. Furthermore, the group was a forum where the junior doctors could share thoughts and feelings with colleagues without being afraid that this would endanger their professional career. Many found new ways to respond to everyday challenges mainly through a new awareness of patterns of thinking and feeling. CONCLUSIONS: The participants found that the group-coaching course supported their professional identity formation (thinking, feeling and acting as a doctor), adoption to medical culture, career planning and managing a healthy work/life-balance. Further studies in different contexts are recommended as well as studies using other methods to test the results of this qualitative study. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12909-016-0684-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

The Scotts Company: Note to the (A) case: what happened in 2000-2003

1. Case (A) is designed to expose students to the economic and organizational aspects of a supply chain reorganization. 2. The short-term focus is on identifying cost savings through rationalization. 3. Students will also need to consider ways to create long-term value, such as by reducing complexity and improving service to customers.This supplement is to accompany the case. Case (A) describes how a major player in the agricultural chemicals industry struggles to transform a fragmented group of newly acquired businesses into an integrated supply chain. The case highlights the firm's operational and organizational problems from the perspective of the European supply chain manager, whose primary objective is to streamline operations and cut costs

Diagonalstilt gratsperre i eldre Norske valmkonstruksjoner

I det siste er det blitt funnet eksempler av en hittil ukjent type gratsperre. Denne typen karakteriseres av et firkantet tverrsnitt hvor diagonalen står i lodd. Den ligger symmetrisk mellom de to takflater og ingen av gratsperrens sider er parallell med en av takflatene. Skiftsperrer eller åser møter gratsperret med klauver mot begge sider. Det er funnet eksempler i forskjellige landsdeler i et tidsrom som strekker seg fra begynnelsen av 1700tallet til midten av 1800tallet. Oppgavens hovedfokus ligger på rekonstruksjon av mulige merkeprosedyrer. Som utgangspunkt for dette ble det dokumentert to bygninger, en fra Trondheim og en fra Bergen. I tillegg brukes det observasjoner fra andre bygninger. Bakgrunnen fra tømreryrket i den aktuelle perioden belyses gjennom litteratur, med spesielt hensyn på takkonstruksjoner. På grunnlag av de innsamlede informasjoner ble det utviklet en del hypoteser om hvordan arbeidsprosessen kan ha sett ut. Disse hypoteser ble prøvd og videreutviklet i praktiske forsøk. Resultatene viser at det er mulig å bygge diagonalstilte gratsperrer på flere forskjellige måter. Noen av disse er kjent fra andre sammenhenger, så som loddrett parallellforskyvning, utslag eller bruk av tau. Andre er spesifikk for den diagonalstilte gradsperren. For det ene viste det seg at gratsperrens nedre del, fotpunktet, kan merkes meget enkelt ved bruk av den allerede kjente vinkelen til takfallet. Metoden ville gi en god forklaring på gratsperrens diagonale stilling. Det andre er det vi kallet for kinningssperremetoden. Kinningssperren er en sperre som ligger midt i valmen mellom gratsperrene. I sammenskjæringer er det hugget flater på den som minner på kinninger som de er kjent fra laftingen. Også denne metoden er svært enkelt gjennomførbart og svarer i tillegg veldig bra på både de observerte sporene og den kulturelle bakgrunnen