New perspectives on the molecular basis of the interaction between oxygen homeostasis and iron metabolism

Oxygen and iron are two elements closely related from a (bio)chemical point of view. Moreover, they share the characteristic of being indispensable for life, while also being potentially toxic. Therefore, their level is strictly monitored, and sophisticated pathways have evolved to face variations in either element. In addition, the expression of proteins involved in iron and oxygen metabolism is mainly controlled by a complex interplay of proteins that sense both iron levels and oxygen availability (ie, prolyl hydroxylases, hypoxia inducible factors, and iron regulatory proteins), and in turn activate feedback mechanisms to re-establish homeostasis. In this review, we describe how cells and organisms utilize these intricate networks to regulate responses to changes in oxygen and iron levels. We also explore the role of these pathways in some pathophysiological settings

Ironing out Macrophage Immunometabolism

Over the last decade, increasing evidence has reinforced the key role of metabolic reprogramming in macrophage activation. In addition to supporting the specific immune response of different subsets of macrophages, intracellular metabolic pathways also directly control the specialized effector functions of immune cells. In this context, iron metabolism has been recognized as an important component of macrophage plasticity. Since macrophages control the availability of this essential metal, changes in the expression of genes coding for the major proteins of iron metabolism may result in different iron availability for the macrophage itself and for other cells in the microenvironment. In this review, we discuss how macrophage iron can also play a role in immunometabolism

Correction scheme for close-range lidar returns

Because of the effect of defocusing and incomplete overlap between the laser beam and the receiver field of view, elastic lidar systems are unable to fully capture the close-range backscatter signal. Here we propose a method to empirically estimate and correct such effects, allowing to retrieve the lidar signal in the region of incomplete overlap. The technique is straightforward to implement. It produces an optimized numerical correction by the use of a simple geometrical model of the optical apparatus and the analysis of two lidar acquisitions taken at different elevation angles. Examples of synthetic and experimental data are shown to demonstrate the validity of the technique

Surgical management of gingival recession using autogenous soft tissue grafts

One of the chief goals of periodontal plastic surgery is establishment of ideal pink esthetics through the reconstruction of gingival recessions. A gold standard treatment approach for coverage of gingival recession with predictable esthetic outcomes is the transplantation of autogenous soft tissue grafts. Various surgical techniques can be used in combination with autogenous soft tissue grafts for gingival recession coverage

Bonding machine for forming a solar array strip

A machine is described for attaching solar cells to a flexable substrate on which printed circuitry has been deposited. The strip is fed through: (1) a station in which solar cells are elevated into engagement with solder pads for the printed circuitry and thereafter heated by an infrared lamp; (2) a station at which flux and solder residue is removed; (3) a station at which electrical performance of the soldered cells is determined; (4) a station at which an encapsulating resin is deposited on the cells; (5) a station at which the encapsulated solar cells are examined for electrical performance; and (6) a final station at which the resulting array is wound on a takeup drum

The RAMNI airborne lidar for cloud and aerosol research

We describe an airborne lidar for the characterization of atmospheric aerosol. The system has been set up in response to the need to monitor extended regions where the air traffic may be posed at risk by the presence of potentially harmful volcanic ash, and to study the characteristics of volcanic emissions both near the source region and when transported over large distances. The lidar provides backscatter and linear depolarization profiles at 532 nm, from which aerosol and cloud properties can be derived. The paper presents the characteristics and capabilities of the lidar system and gives examples of its airborne deployment. Observations from three flights, aimed at assessing the system capabilities in unperturbed atmospheric conditions, and at characterizing the emissions near a volcanic ash source (Mt. Etna) and transported far away from the source, are presented and discussed