Bistable Multifunctionality and Switchable Strong Ferromagnetic-to-Antiferromagnetic Coupling in a One-Dimensional Rhodium(I)–Semiquinonato Complex

We present a comprehensive study of the synthesis, heat capacity, crystal structures, UV–vis−NIR and mid-IR spectra, DFT calculations, and magnetic and electrical properties of a one-dimensional (1D) rhodium­(I)–semiquinonato complex, [Rh­(3,6-DBSQ-4,5-(MeO)₂)­(CO)₂]_∞ (<b>3</b>), where 3,6-DBSQ-4,5-(MeO)₂^•– represents 3,6-di-<i>tert</i>-butyl-4,5-dimethoxy-1,2-benzosemiquinonato radical anion. The compound <b>3</b> comprises neutral 1D chains of complex molecules stacked in a staggered arrangement with short Rh–Rh distances of 3.0796(4) and 3.1045(4) Å at 226 K and exhibits unprecedented bistable multifunctionality with respect to its magnetic and conductive properties in the temperature range of 228–207 K. The observed bistability results from the thermal hysteresis across a first-order phase transition, and the transition accompanies the exchange of the interchain C–H···O hydrogen-bond partners between the semiquinonato ligands. The strong overlaps of the complex molecules lead to unusually strong ferromagnetic interactions in the low-temperature (LT) phase. Furthermore, the magnetic interactions in the 1D chain drastically change from strongly ferromagnetic in the LT phase to antiferromagnetic in the room-temperature (RT) phase with hysteresis. In addition, the compound <b>3</b> exhibits long-range antiferromagnetic ordering between the ferromagnetic chains and spontaneous magnetization because of spin canting (canted antiferromagnetism) at a transition temperature <i>T</i>_N of 14.2 K. The electrical conductivity of <b>3</b> at 300 K is 4.8 × 10^–4 S cm^–1, which is relatively high despite Rh not being in a mixed-valence state. The temperature dependence of electrical resistivity also exhibits a clear hysteresis across the first-order phase transition. Furthermore, the ferromagnetic LT phase can be easily stabilized up to RT by the application of a relatively weak applied pressure of 1.4 kbar, which reflects the bistable characteristics and demonstrates the simultaneous control of multifunctionality through external perturbation

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field