Atom probe tomography (APT) has been fast rising in prominence over the past decade as a key tool for nanoscale analytical characterization of a range of materials systems. APT provides three-dimensional mapping of the atom distribution in a small volume of solid material. The technique has evolved, with the incorporation of laser pulsing capabilities, and, combined with progress in specimen preparation, APT is now able to analyse a very range of materials, beyond metals and alloys that used to be its core applications. The present article aims to provide an overview of the technique, providing a brief historical perspective, discussing recent progress leading to the state-of-the-art, some perspectives on its evolution, with targeted examples of applications.

Atom probe tomography is a time-of-flight mass spectrometry-based microanalysis technique based on the field evaporation of surface atoms of a tip-shaped specimen under an extremely high surface electric field. It enables three-dimensional characterization for deeper understanding of chemical nature in conductive materials at nanometer/atomic level, because of its high depth and spatial resolutions and ppm-level sensitivity. Indeed, the technique has been widely used to investigate the elemental partitioning in the complex microstructures, the segregation of solute atoms to the boundaries, interfaces, and dislocations as well as following of the evolution of precipitation staring from the early stage of cluster formation to the final stage of the equilibrium precipitates. The current review article aims at giving a comment to first atom probe users regarding the limitation of the techniques, providing a brief perspective on how we correctly interprets atom probe data for targeted applications.

Detailed structural and molecular imaging of intact organs has incurred academic interest because the associated technique is expected to provide innovative information for biological investigation and pathological diagnosis. The conventional methods for volume imaging include reconstruction of images obtained from serially sectioned tissues. This approach requires intense manual work which involves inevitable uncertainty and much time to assemble the whole image of a target organ. Recently, effective tissue clearing techniques including CLARITY and ACT-PRESTO have been reported that enables visualization of molecularly labeled structures within intact organs in three dimensions. The central principle of the methods is transformation of intact tissue into an optically transpicuous and macromolecule permeable state without loss of intrinsic structural integrity. The rapidly evolving protocols enable morphological analysis and molecular labeling of normal and pathological characteristics in large assembled biological systems with single-cell resolution. The deep tissue volume imaging will provide fundamental information about mutual interaction among adjacent structures such as connectivity of neural circuits; meso-connectome and clinically significant structural alterations according to pathologic mechanisms or treatment procedures.

This study intended to compare the effects of the sugar-Omija extract tea (SO) and LuoHanGuo-Omija extract tea (LO) to blood glucose levels and metabolism among streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice and to prove the positive effects of LuoHanGuo extract as a sugar substitute. According to the results, the rate of blood glucose increase and the blood glucose level was reduced, and the weight was increased. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total cholesterol was decreased, and albumin, total protein, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was increased in the STZ/LO group as compared to the STZ group. Compared to the STZ/SO group, the rate of blood glucose increase and glucose tolerance was decreased. AST, ALT, and total cholesterol was decreased, and HDL-C level was high. In conclusion, the LO displayed hypoglycemic effect, prevented weight loss caused by diabetes, recovered liver function, and improved lipid metabolism. In addition, such positive effects were obviously shown during comparison with the experimental group treated with the SO. Therefore, the LO were considered as favorable food supplements that can be safely taken by persons with diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and heart disease; they have to control their sugar intake as well as their diet.

The ultrastructure of fertilized egg envelope from Pseudobagrus fulvidraco belongs to Bagridae was investigated using light and electron microscopes. The fertilized egg was compressed spherical, light-yellowish, demersal, and adhesive. The size of fertilized egg is about $1.85{\pm}0.13mm$, perivitelline space is not well developed, and there were no appendicular structures on the outer surface of egg envelope and oil droplets in vitelline membrane under light microscope. The micropyle was located in the animal pole of fertilized egg. Adhesive reticular fiber was covered fertilized egg envelope. The thickness of egg envelope was about $3.7{\sim}4.2{\mu}m$, and the egg envelope consisted of two layers: an outer, electron-dense adhesive fibers layer and an simple inner layer with pore. Therefore, the ultrastructure of cross section of the fertilized egg envelope showed species specificity, but studies on the other species belongs to Bagridae were need to get correct information about common traits in family.

This paper analyses the relationship between the distribution of a dielectric layer on the apex of a metal field electron emitter and the distribution of electron emission. Emitters were prepared by coating a tungsten emitter with a layer of epoxylite resin. A high-resolution scanning electron microscope was used to monitor the emitter profile and measure the coating thickness. Field electron microscope studies of the emission current distribution from these composite emitters (Tungsten-Clark Electromedical Instruments Epoxylite resin [Tungsten/CEI-resin emitter]) have been carried out. Two forms of image have been observed: bright single-spot images, thought to be associated with a smooth substrate and a uniform dielectric layer; and multi-spot images, though to be associated with irregularity in the substrate or the dielectric layer.

Effect of dealloying condition on the formation of nanoporous structure in melt-spun $Al_{60}Ge_{30}Mn_{10}$ alloy has been investigated in the present study. In as-melt-spun $Al_{60}Ge_{30}Mn_{10}$ alloy spinodal decomposition occurs in the undercooled liquid during cooling, leading to amorphous phase separation. By immersing the as-melt-spun $Al_{60}Ge_{30}Mn_{10}$ alloy in 5 wt% HCl solution, Al-rich amorphous region is leached out, resulting in an interconnected nano-porous $GeO_x$ with an amorphous structure. The dealloying temperature strongly affects the whole dealloying process. At higher dealloying temperature, dissolution kinetics and surface diffusion/agglomeration rate become higher, resulting in the accelerated dealloying kinetics, i.e., larger dealloying depth and coarser pore-ligament structure.

Electron channeling contrast imaging (ECCI) is a powerful analyzing tool for identifying lattice defects like dislocations and twin boundaries. By using diffraction-based scanning electron microscopy technique, it enables microstructure analysis, which is comparable to that obtained by transmission electron microscopy that is mostly used in defect analysis. In this report, the optimal conditions for investigating crystal defects are suggested. We could obtain the best ECCI images when both acceleration voltage and probe current are high (30 kV and 20 nA). Also, shortening the working distance (6 mm) enhances the quality of defect imaging.

Solder/electroless nickel immersion gold (ENIG) joint sample which is comprised of dissimilar materials with different mechanical properties has limited the level of success in preparing thin samples for transmission electron microscopy (TEM). This short technical note reports the operation parameters for ultramicrotomy of solder joint sample and TEM analysis results. The solder joint sample was successfully sliced to 50~70 nm thick lamellae at slicing speed of 0.8~1.2 mm/s using a boat-type $45^{\circ}$ diamond knife. Ultramicrotomy can be applied as a routine sample preparation technique for TEM analysis of solder joints.