University of Konstanz

About: University of Konstanz is a education organization based out in Konstanz, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Visualization. The organization has 12115 authors who have published 27401 publications receiving 951162 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Constance & Universität Konstanz.

Commensal bacteria regulate toll-like receptor 3-dependent inflammation after skin injury

Abstract: The normal microflora of the skin includes staphylococcal species that will induce inflammation when present below the dermis but are tolerated on the epidermal surface without initiating inflammation Here we reveal a previously unknown mechanism by which a product of staphylococci inhibits skin inflammation This inhibition is mediated by staphylococcal lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and acts selectively on keratinocytes triggered through Toll-like receptor 3(TLR3) We show that TLR3 activation is required for normal inflammation after injury and that keratinocytes require TLR3 to respond to RNA from damaged cells with the release of inflammatory cytokines Staphylococcal LTA inhibits both inflammatory cytokine release from keratinocytes and inflammation triggered by injury through a TLR2-dependent mechanism To our knowledge, these findings show for the first time that the skin epithelium requires TLR3 for normal inflammation after wounding and that the microflora can modulate specific cutaneous inflammatory responses

Distance measurements on spin-labelled biomacromolecules by pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance

Abstract: The biological function of protein, DNA, and RNA molecules often depends on relative movements of domains with dimensions of a few nanometers. This length scale can be accessed by distance measurements between spin labels if pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) techniques such as electron-electron double resonance (ELDOR) and double-quantum EPR are used. The approach does not require crystalline samples and is well suited to biomacromolecules with an intrinsic flexibility as distributions of distances can be measured. Furthermore, oligomerization or complexation of biomacromolecules can also be studied, even if it is incomplete. The sensitivity of the technique and the reliability of the measured distance distribution depend on careful optimization of the experimental conditions and procedures for data analysis. Interpretation of spin-to-spin distance distributions in terms of the structure of the biomacromolecules furthermore requires a model for the conformational distribution of the spin labels.

Transformational Leadership and Team Innovation : Integrating Team Climate Principles

Abstract: Fostering team innovation is increasingly an important leadership function. However, the empirical evidence for the role of transformational leadership in engendering team innovation is scarce and mixed. To address this issue, the authors link transformational leadership theory to principles of M. A. West's (1990) team climate theory and propose an integrated model for the relationship between transformational leadership and team innovation. This model involves support for innovation as a mediating process and climate for excellence as a moderator. Results from a study of 33 research and development teams confirmed that transformational leadership works through support for innovation, which in turn interacts with climate for excellence such that support for innovation enhances team innovation only when climate for excellence is high.

Interacting quintessence solution to the coincidence problem

Abstract: We show that a suitable interaction between a scalar field and a matter fluid in a spatially homogeneous and isotropic spacetime can drive the transition from a matter dominated era to an accelerated expansion phase and simultaneously solve the coincidence problem of our present Universe. For this purpose we study the evolution of the energy density ratio of these two components. We demonstrate that a stationary attractor solution is compatible with an accelerated expansion of the Universe. We extend this study to account for dissipation effects due to interactions in the dark matter fluid. Finally, type Ia supernovae and primordial nucleosynthesis data are used to constrain the parameters of the model.