Beyond “Big Eaters”: The Versatile Role of Alveolar Macrophages in Health and Disease

Macrophages act as immune scavengers and are important cell types in the homeostasis of various tissues. Given the multiple roles of macrophages, these cells can also be found as tissue resident macrophages tightly integrated into a variety of tissues in which they fulfill crucial and organ-specific functions. The lung harbors at least two macrophage populations: interstitial and alveolar macrophages, which occupy different niches and functions. In this review, we provide the latest insights into the multiple roles of alveolar macrophages while unraveling the distinct factors which can influence the ontogeny and function of these cells. Furthermore, we will highlight pulmonary diseases, which are associated with dysfunctional macrophages, concentrating on congenital diseases as well as pulmonary infections and impairment of immunological pathways. Moreover, we will provide an overview about different treatment approaches targeting macrophage dysfunction. Improved knowledge of the role of macrophages in the onset of pulmonary diseases may provide the basis for new pharmacological and/or cell-based immunotherapies and will extend our understanding to other macrophage-related disorders.     

Assessing groundwater contamination risk using the DASTI/IDRISI GIS method: coastal system of western Mamora, Morocco

In this study, the DASTI method was used to evaluate vulnerability to groundwater pollution in the vicinity of Rabat, western Morocco. The model is based on the characterization of five intrinsic parameters: unsaturated zone thickness, saturated zone thickness and lithology, soil texture, topography and hydraulic gradient. A system of classes of the hydrogeological characteristics was applied to evaluate relative vulnerability to groundwater contamination and a susceptibility map was prepared based on land use and the vulnerability index map. The study showed the DASTI method (applied using IDRISI software) can serve as a tool to evaluate vulnerability to pollution and thus facilitate programs to protect groundwater resources. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Combustion synthesis of Mg2Si

Magnesium silicide and its derivatives are perceived as light-weight eco-friendly materials for multiple applications, because of the advantageous combination of physical, mechanical and chemical properties. The principal components, silicon and magnesium, are abundant in nature and thus easily accessible. Manufacturing of Mg₂Si-based materials is, however, challenging and a lot of efforts have been made to better control their composition and microstructure. In this work, magnesium silicide dense sinters were successfully produced by self-propagating reaction and hot pressing. The reaction was studied by DTA/TG and high-temperature microscopy. Composition and microstructure of reactants and products were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Property assessment comprised density, hardness, elastic modulus, specific heat, thermal diffusivity, and electrical conductivity.     

Dynamic buckling of thin-walled viscoplastic columns

The purpose of this paper is the analysis of strain-rate effect in dynamic stability of thin-walled orthotropic column of closed rectangular cross-section, subjected to in-plane pulse loading of finite duration. For the solution the first-order shear deformation theory displacement field is employed with the Green–Lagrange strain tensor application. The effect of strain rate sensitivity is included in the framework of the viscoplasticity constitutive Perzyna model for material behaviour under high strain rate loading. The numerical results are obtained with the finite element method application. In the performed analysis the strain-rate effect influence on the dynamic buckling load is examined as well as the initial imperfections of walls, pulse shape and the orthotropy ratio are considered. The results of dynamic criteria application are compared furthermore.     

Where the wind blows

The power systems in Denmark, Spain, Ireland, and New Zealand have some of the highest wind penetrations in the world (see Table 1). The management of the different power systems to date, with increasing amounts of wind energy, has been successful. There have been no incidents in which the wind has directly or indirectly been a major factor causing operational problems for the system. However, there are a number of parameters that are being monitored that indicate the need for active management in the near future (and in some cases already today). In this article, we briefly describe the situations in these four countries, giving special emphasis to the market integration of wind power, the use of wind forecasting, and curtailment experience. The final section provides an overview of the main wind forecasting methodologies and challenges.     

Laser pump and X-ray probe surface photovoltage spectroscopy on Si(111)

Abstract

Laser pump and X-ray probe core-level photoemission experiments probe surface photovoltage transients on p-type Si(111) surfaces. The data are consistent with a picture where the dynamics of mobile surface charge dominate the photovoltage shift, with changes in the surface-states charge density of only secondary importance. A value for the equilibrium band bending is determined, which suggests that a residual oxide layer reduces the density of surface states.