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- Alvarado-Kristensson, Maria, et al.
(author)
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p38-MAPK signals survival by phosphorylation of caspase-8 and caspase-3 in human neutrophils
- 2004
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In: Journal of Experimental Medicine. - : Rockefeller University Press. - 0022-1007 .- 1540-9538. ; 199:4, s. 449-458
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Neutrophil apoptosis occurs both in the bloodstream and in the tissue and is considered essential for the resolution of an inflammatory process. Here, we show that p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) associates to caspase-8 and caspase-3 during neutrophil apoptosis and that p38-MAPK activity, previously shown to be a survival signal in these primary cells, correlates with the levels of caspase-8 and caspase-3 phosphorylation. In in vitro experiments, immunoprecipitated active p38-MAPK phosphorylated and inhibited the activity of the active p20 subunits of caspase-8 and caspase-3. Phosphopeptide mapping revealed that these phosphorylations occurred on serine-364 and serine-150, respectively. Introduction of mutated (S150A), but not wild-type, TAT-tagged caspase-3 into primary neutrophils made the Fas-induced apoptotic response insensitive to p38-MAPK inhibition. Consequently, p38-MAPK can directly phosphorylate and inhibit the activities of caspase-8 and caspase-3 and thereby hinder neutrophil apoptosis, and, in so doing, regulate the inflammatory response.
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2. |
- Davidsson, Paul, et al.
(author)
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A Framework for Evaluation of Multi-Agent System Approaches to Logistics Network Management
- 2004
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In: An Application Science for Multi-Agent Systems. - : Kluwer. ; , s. 27-40
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Book chapter (other academic/artistic)abstract
- We study the applicability of multi-agent systems (MAS) to production and logistics network management. The goal is to create and evaluate sets of intelligent agents that can cooperatively support production and logistics network decisions, as well as to compare their performance to other more traditional methods. A short description of supply chains is given, as well as a formal characterization of the problem space under investigation. We outline a general simulator that allows for a systematic evaluation of different multi-agent approaches across the different parts of this problem space. This is illustrated by a case study on district heating systems. A major concern in this domain is how to cope with the uncertainty caused by the discrepancies between the estimated and the actual customer demand. Another concern is the temporal constraints imposed by the relatively long production and/or distribution times. In the case study we show how to lessen the impact of these problems by the usage of agent clusters and redistribution of resources.
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4. |
- Davidsson, Paul, et al.
(author)
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A Multi-Agent System Architecture for Coordination of Just-in-time Production and Distribution
- 2002
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A multi-agent system architecture for coordination of just-in-time production and distribution is presented. The problem to solve is two-fold: first the right amount of resources at the right time should be produced, and then these resources should be distributed to the right consumers. In order to solve the first problem, which is hard when the production and/or distribution time is relatively long, each consumer is equipped with an agent that makes predictions of future needs that it sends to a production agent. The second part of the problem is approached by forming clusters of consumers within which it is possible to redistribute resources fast and at a low cost in order to cope with discrepancies between predicted and actual consumption. Reallocation agents are introduced (one for each cluster) to manage the redistribution of resources. The suggested architecture is evaluated in a case study concerning management of district heating systems. Results from a preliminary simulation study show that the suggested approach makes it possible to control the trade-off between quality-of-service and degree of surplus production. We also compare the suggested approach to a reference control scheme (approximately corresponding to the current approach to district heating management), and conclude that it is possible to reduce the amount of resources produced while maintaining the quality of service. Finally, we describe a simulation experiment where the relation between the size of the clusters and the quality of service was studied.
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5. |
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6. |
- Davidsson, Paul, et al.
(author)
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A Multi-Agent System Architecture for Coordination of Just-in-time Production and Distribution (extended version).
- 2002
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In: Knowledge engineering review (Print). - : Cambridge University Press. - 0269-8889 .- 1469-8005. ; 17:4, s. 317-329
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A multi-agent system architecture for coordination of just-in-time production and distribution is presented. The problem to solve is twofold: first the right amount of resources at the right time should be produced, then these resources should be distributed to the right consumers. In order to solve the first problem, which is hard when the production and/or distribution time is relatively long, each consumer is equipped with an agent that makes predictions of future needs that it sends to a production agent. The second part of the problem is approached by forming clusters of consumers within which it is possible to redistribute resources fast and at a low cost in order to cope with discrepancies between predicted and actual consumption. Redistribution agents are introduced (one for each cluster) to manage the redistribution of resources. The suggested architecture is evaluated in a case study concerning management of district heating systems. Results from a simulation study show that the suggested approach makes it possible to control the trade-off between quality of service and degree of surplus production. We also compare the suggested approach to a reference control scheme (approximately corresponding to the current approach to district heating management), and conclude that it is possible to reduce the amount of resources produced while maintaining the quality of service. Finally, we describe a simulation experiment where the relation between the size of the clusters and the quality of service was studied.
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7. |
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8. |
- Davidsson, Paul, et al.
(author)
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Agent-Based Approaches to Transport Logistics
- 2004
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper provides a survey of existing research on agent-based approaches to transportation and traffic management. A framework for describing and assessing this work will be presented and systematically applied. We are mainly adopting a logistical perspective, thus focusing on freight transportation. However, when relevant, work of traffic and transport of people will be considered. A general conclusion from our study is that agent-based approaches seem very suitable for this domain, but that this still needs be verified by more deployed system.
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9. |
- Davidsson, Paul, et al.
(author)
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Agent-Based Approaches to Transport Logistics
- 2005
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In: Applications of Agent Technology in Traffic and Transportation, Whitestein Series in Software Agent Technologies. - : Birkhäuser.
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Book chapter (other academic/artistic)
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10. |
- Davidsson, Paul, et al.
(author)
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An Analysis of Agent-Based Approaches to Transport Logistics
- 2005
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In: Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies. - : Elsevier. - 0968-090X. ; 13:4, s. 255-271
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper provides a survey of existing research on agent-based approaches to transportation and traffic management. A framework for describing and assessing this work will be presented and systematically applied. We are mainly adopting a logistical perspective, thus focusing on freight transportation. However, when relevant, work of traffic and transport of people will be considered. A general conclusion from our study is that agent-based approaches seem very suitable for this domain, but that this still needs to be verified by more deployed system.
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