Search

In the context of cell biology, the term mesoscale describes length scales ranging from that of an individual cell, down to the size of the molecular machines. In this spatial regime, small building blocks self-organise to form large, functional structures. A comprehensive set of rules governing mesoscale self-organisation has not been established, making the prediction of many cell behaviours difficult, if not impossible. Our knowledge of mesoscale biology comes from experimental data, in particular, imaging. Here, we explore the application of soft X-ray tomography (SXT) to imaging the mesoscale, and describe the structural insights this technology can generate. We also discuss how SXT imaging is complemented by the addition of correlative fluorescence data measured from the same cell. This combination of two discrete imaging modalities produces a 3D view of the cell that blends high-resolution structural information with precise molecular localisation data.

Since the closure of fishing in the Yangtze River, the population of ferocious fish in Poyang Lake has been steadily increasing. In order to investigate whether the Predatory activity of ferocious fish impact the population of Procambarus clarkii, we employed Silurus asotus and Channa argus as predators, using eight different types of bait organisms in this study. Three sizes of P. clarkii larvae (small: 39.20±1.30 mm; medium: 49.82±2.13 mm; large: 58.99±1.16 mm), along with Cyprinus carpio, Carassius auratu, Squaliobarbus curriculus, Mosquitofish, Hypoph-thalmichthys molitrix, Pseudorasbora parva and Macrobrachium nipponense, were used as prey to examine the species selectivity of S. asotus and C. argus and the size selectivity of P. clarkii larvae. The results revealed that: (1) S. asotus and C. argus exhibited a preference for nocturnal predation, with their peak predation occurring between 20:00--8:00; (2) In the presence of various food organisms simultaneously, S. asotus and C. argus did not prey on P. clarkii larvae, displaying clear predation preference for C. carpio, mosquitofish and M. nipponense. (3) When presented with P. clarkii larvae of the same size, S. asotus exhibited a pronounced predation preference for small size P. clarkii larvae, while C. argus preyed significantly more on small-sized P. clarkii larvae than on large-sized ones (P<0.05). (4) In the equal polyculture combination of various sizes of P. clarkii larvae, both S. asotus and C. argus displayed a clear preference for small size P. clarkii larvae, and this preference intensified with increasing size gap among the P. clarkii larvae. In summary, when multiple food organisms coexist, P. clarkii is not the preferred prey for ferocious fish, however, when the variety and quantity of other food organisms are limited, smaller-sized P. clarkii larvae remain at a high risk of predation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compared the efficacy and complication rates of quantitative radiofrequency ablation guided by ablation index (RFCA-AI) with those of second-generation cryoballoon ablation (CBA-2). Consecutive patients (n = 230) with symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing a first ablation CBA-2 (92 patients) or RFCA-AI (138 patients) procedure were enrolled in this study. The late recurrence rate in the CBA-2 group was higher than that in the RFCA-AI group (P =.012). Subgroup analysis showed the same result in patients with paroxysmal AF (PAF) (P =.039), but no difference was found in patients with persistent AF (P =.21). The average operation duration in the CBA-2 group (85 [75-99.5] minutes) was shorter than that in the RFCA-AI group (100 [84.5-120] minutes) (P <.0001), but the average exposure time (17.36(13.87-22.49) vs 5.49(4.00-8.24) minutes) in the CBA-2 group and X-ray dose (223.25(149.15-336.95) vs 109.15(80.75-168.7) mGym) were significantly longer than those in RFCA-AI group (P <.0001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that left atrial diameter (LAD), early recurrence, and methods of ablation (cryoballoon ablation) were independent risk factors for late recurrence after AF ablation. Early recurrence of AF and LAD were independent risk factors for predicting late recurrence after AF ablation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All-solid-state flexible dye-sensitized solar cells will not only expand the application scenarios of solar cells but also significantly extend the lifetime of solar cells. However, improving their bending-resistant ability is still a great challenge. In this study, a bending-resistant flexible all-solid dye-sensitized solar cell was designed and prepared. Firstly, for the preparation of TiO2 photoanode, the traditional nano-sized film has been replaced by dual-porous film with both nano and submicron pores, which can not only benefit the filling of the electrolyte but also supply the space for stress release. Secondly, for the filling of the Poly(vinylidene fluoride)/Poly(ethylene oxide)-based electrolyte, the solvent is removed by a vacuum method, and the electrolyte fibers forming in the submicron pores also show the potential for stress release. Lastly, combined with the advantages of the dual-porous TiO2 film and the fast evaporation of the polymer electrolyte, the conversion efficiency of the solar cells remains constant after the 20,000 bending times. The study supplies a demonstration for the development of all-solid-state flexible dye-sensitized solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition metal sulfides (TMSs) are favorable as electrode materials for supercapacitors (SCs) because of their high theoretical capacity, low cost, fascinating redox reversibility, electronic conductivity, and reduced charge transfer resistance. However, TMS electrodes suffer from weak compatibility and combination at heterogeneous interfaces, resulting in TMS stripping and electrode capacity degradation during long-term charging/discharging processes. Herein, we used a convenient, feasible, cheap, and environmentally friendly hydrothermal method to grow S/CoS2/NiS2in situ on Pien Tze Huang-based porous carbon (PZH) to promote the poor electric conductivity and unsatisfactory cycling stability of TMSs. Furthermore, TMSs can be tightly embedded on the surface of PZH to prevent falling off or collapse during long-term processes and usage. The prepared S/CoS2/NiS2/PZH electrode possessed an excellent specific capacitance of 1159.2 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1, and after 10 000 cycles at 5 A g−1, the capacitance retention was maintained over 84.6%. This in situ method is promising for the development of stable TMS-based electrodes for supercapacitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we present a [3+2] cycloaddition of rationally designed trisubstituted cyclic α‐chloroamides, primarily those incorporating pharmacological pyrazolone cores, as potent synthons for synthesizing valuable spirocyclic γ‐lactam architectures. This protocol exhibits 52–96% yields, impressive substrate compatibility, and scale‐up capacity. Importantly, this study also represents one of the rare examples that harness enaminone C−N bond cleavage to engineer relevant spirocyclic γ‐lactam skeletons of biological interest. Moreover, we propose a plausible mechanistic explanation to elucidate the outstanding chemical outcomes observed, thereby enriching the synthetic toolbox for pyrazolone chemistry and α‐haloamide‐mediated reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiments were carried out with TIG welding-brazing of AZ31B magnesium alloy to PRO500 steel using TIG arc as heat source. The interfacial reaction characteristics and mechanical properties of the welding-brazing bonding were investigated. The results show that an effective bonding is achieved between AZ31B magnesium alloy and PRO500 steel by using TIG welding-brazing method. Some spontaneous oxidation reactions result in the formation of a transition zone containing AlFe3 phase with rich oxide. The micro-hardness value of the interfacial transition zone is between that of the AZ31B and the PRO500. Temper softening zone appears due to the welding thermal cycle nearby the bonding position in the interface. A higher heat input makes an increase of the brittle phases and leads to an obvious decrease of the bonding strength.