During periods of dehydration, water transport through xylem conduits can become blocked by embolism formation. Xylem embolism compromises water supply to leaves and may lead to losses in ...productivity or plant death. Vulnerability curves (VCs) characterize plant losses in conductivity as xylem pressures decrease. VCs are widely used to characterize and predict plant water use at different levels of water availability. Several methodologies for constructing VCs exist and sometimes produce different results for the same plant material. We directly compared four VC construction methods on stems of black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa), a model tree species: dehydration, centrifuge, X‐ray–computed microtomography (microCT), and optical. MicroCT VC was the most resistant, dehydration and centrifuge VCs were intermediate, and optical VC was the most vulnerable. Differences among VCs were not associated with how cavitation was induced but were related to how losses in conductivity were evaluated: measured hydraulically (dehydration and centrifuge) versus evaluated from visual information (microCT and optical). Understanding how and why methods differ in estimating vulnerability to xylem embolism is important for advancing knowledge in plant ecophysiology, interpreting literature data, and using accurate VCs in water flux models for predicting plant responses to drought.
We directly compared four methods for constructing xylem vulnerability to cavitation curves (VCs). Differences among VCs constructed with hydraulic and visual methods were associated with how losses in conductivity were evaluated, the spatial scale evaluated, and vessel network characteristics.
X-ray microtomography (microCT) is becoming a valuable noninvasive tool for advancing our understanding of plant–water relations. Laboratory-based microCT systems are becoming more affordable and ...provide better access than synchrotron facilities. However, some systems come at the cost of comparably lower signal quality and spatial resolution than synchrotron facilities. In this study, we evaluated laboratory-based X-ray microCT imaging as a tool to nondestructively analyse hydraulic vulnerability to drought-induced embolism in a woody plant species.
We analysed the vulnerability to drought-induced embolism of benchtop-dehydrated Eucalyptus camaldulensis plants using microCT and hydraulic flow measurements on the same sample material, allowing us to directly compare the two methods. Additionally, we developed a quantitative procedure to improve microCT image analysis at limited resolution and accurately measure vessel lumens.
Hydraulic measurements matched closely with microCT imaging of the current-year growth ring, with similar hydraulic conductivity and loss of conductivity due to xylem embolism. Optimized thresholding of vessel lumens during image analysis, based on a physiologically meaningful parameter (theoretical conductivity), allowed us to overcome common potential constraints of some lab-based systems.
Our results indicate that estimates of vulnerability to embolism provided by microCT visualization agree well with those obtained from hydraulic measurements on the same sample material.
3D graphene aerogel (GA) integrated with active metal or its derivatives has emerged as a novel class of multifunctional constructs with range of potential applications. However, GA fabricated by ...self‐assembly in the liquid phase still suffers from low conductivity and poor knowledge related to spatial active phase distribution and 3D structure. To address these issues, a facile approach involving in situ integration of 1D silver nanowire (AgNW) during gelation of graphene oxide flakes is presented. AgNWs prevent the restacking of graphene sheets and act as an efficient electron highway and Ag source for deposition of ultrasmall Ag nanocrystals (AgNCs). When applied as the cathodic electrocatalyst in a zinc–air battery, the 3D GA integrated with 0D AgNCs and 1D AgNWs permit ultrahigh discharge rates of up to 300 mA cm−2. Moreover, for the first time, with the help of phase‐contrast X‐ray computed microtomography, the interconnected porous network of millimeter‐sized GA and a full‐field view of the macrodistribution of Ag is delivered, offering the vitally complementary macroscopic structure information, which has been missing in previous reports.
X‐ray computed microtomography (X‐ray μCT) reveals the macrodistribution of active phase (i.e., Ag) and supermacroporous structure in the self‐assembled graphene aerogel for the first time. The interconnected 3D Ag network is the key to achieve high oxygen reduction reaction activity and utrahigh rate performance in Zn–air batteries.
The body wall of starfish is composed of magnesium calcite ossicles connected by collagenous tissue and muscles and it exhibits remarkable variability in stiffness, which is attributed to the ...mechanical mutability of the collagenous component. Using the common European starfish Asterias rubens as an experimental animal, here we have employed a variety of techniques to gain new insights into the structure of the starfish body wall. The structure and organisation of muscular and collagenous components of the body wall were analysed using trichrome staining. The muscle system comprises interossicular muscles as well as muscle strands that connect ossicles with the circular muscle layer of the coelomic lining. The collagenous tissue surrounding the ossicle network contains collagen fibres that form loop‐shaped straps that wrap around calcite struts near to the surface of ossicles. The 3D architecture of the calcareous endoskeleton was visualised for the first time using X‐ray microtomography, revealing the shapes and interactions of different ossicle types. Furthermore, analysis of the anatomical organisation of the ossicles indicates how changes in body shape may be achieved by local contraction/relaxation of interossicular muscles. Scanning synchrotron small‐angle X‐ray diffraction (SAXD) scans of the starfish aboral body wall and ambulacrum were used to study the collagenous tissue component at the fibrillar level. Collagen fibrils in aboral body wall were found to exhibit variable degrees of alignment, with high levels of alignment probably corresponding to regions where collagenous tissue is under tension. Collagen fibrils in the ambulacrum had a uniformly low degree of orientation, attributed to macrocrimp of the fibrils and the presence of slanted as well as horizontal fibrils connecting antimeric ambulacral ossicles. Body wall collagen fibril D‐period lengths were similar to previously reported mammalian D‐periods, but were significantly different between the aboral and ambulacral samples. The overlap/D‐period length ratio within fibrils was higher than reported for mammalian tissues. Collectively, the data reported here provide new insights into the anatomy of the body wall in A. rubens and a foundation for further studies investigating the structural basis of the mechanical properties of echinoderm body wall tissue composites.
Abstract
Laboratory x-ray micro–computed tomography (micro-CT) is a fast-growing method in scientific research applications that allows for non-destructive imaging of morphological structures. This ...paper provides an easily operated “how to” guide for new potential users and describes the various steps required for successful planning of research projects that involve micro-CT. Background information on micro-CT is provided, followed by relevant setup, scanning, reconstructing, and visualization methods and considerations. Throughout the guide, a Jackson's chameleon specimen, which was scanned at different settings, is used as an interactive example. The ultimate aim of this paper is make new users familiar with the concepts and applications of micro-CT in an attempt to promote its use in future scientific studies.
Understanding geochemical dissolution in porous materials is crucial, especially in applications such as geological CO
storage. Accurate estimation of reaction rates enhances predictive modeling in ...geochemical-flow simulations. Fractured porous media, with distinct transport time scales in fractures and the matrix, raise questions about fracture-matrix interface dissolution rates compared to bulk dissolution rate and the scale-dependency of reaction rate averaging. Our investigation delves into these factors, studying the impact of flow rate and mineralogy on interface dissolution patterns. By injecting carbonated water into carbonate rock samples containing a central channel (mimicking fracture hydrodynamics), our study utilized μCT X-ray imaging at 3.3 μm spatial resolution to estimate the reaction rate and capture the change in pore morphology. Results revealed dissolution rates significantly lower (up to 4 orders of magnitude) than batch experiments. Flow rate notably influenced fracture profiles, causing uneven enlargement at low rates and uniform widening at higher ones. Ankerite presence led to a dissolution-altered layer on the fracture surface, showing high permeability and porosity without greatly affecting the dissolution rate, unlike clay-rich carbonates. This research sheds light on controlling factors influencing dissolution in subsurface environments, critical for accurate modeling in diverse applications.
Virtual histology is increasingly utilized to reconstruct the cell mechanisms underlying dental morphology for fragile fossils when physical thin sections are not permitted. Yet, the comparability of ...data derived from virtual and physical thin sections is rarely tested. Here, the results from archaeological human deciduous incisor physical sections are compared with virtual ones obtained by phase‐contrast synchrotron radiation computed microtomography (SRµCT) of intact specimens using a multi‐scale approach. Moreover, virtual prenatal daily enamel secretion rates are compared with those calculated from physical thin sections of the same tooth class from the same archaeological skeletal series. Results showed overall good visibility of the enamel microstructures in the virtual sections which are comparable to that of physical ones. The highest spatial resolution SRµCT setting (effective pixel size = 0.9 µm) produced daily secretion rates that matched those calculated from physical sections. Rates obtained using the lowest spatial resolution setup (effective pixel size = 2.0 µm) were higher than those obtained from physical sections. The results demonstrate that virtual histology can be applied to the investigated samples to obtain reliable and quantitative measurements of prenatal daily enamel secretion rates.
The implementation of synchrotron radiation X‐ray microtomography for non‐destructive visualization of the dental prenatal enamel microstructure of intact archaeological human deciduous teeth is presented and compared with the physical thin‐sectioning of the same archaeological dental series. Prenatal daily enamel secretion rates, i.e. the distance between two adjacent daily enamel microstructures, have been measured with the two approaches. Results show a good agreement between physical and virtual histology.
A unique sandwich structure is designed with pure sulfur between two graphene membranes, which are continuously produced over a large area, as a very simple but effective approach for the fabrication ...of Li–S batteries with ultrafast charge/discharge rates and long lifetimes.
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