Direct Detection Research Articles

2-[18F]F-p-aminobenzoic acid specifically detects infective endocarditis in positron emission tomography

Abstract Background To the present day infective endocarditis (IE) represents a life-threatening disease with high mortality rate especially when caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), the most common causative pathogen in this disease. Diagnosis of IE is based on clinical manifestations, pathogen detection by blood cultures and echocardiographic or other imaging findings. However, none of the methods used is capable of detecting the causative bacterial cells on the endothelium directly. Modern molecular imaging such as positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is playing an increasingly important role in unclear IE cases. This study focused on 2-[18F]F-p-aminobenzoic acid (2-[18F]F-PABA), a bacteria specific tracer for the diagnosis of IE using PET imaging for direct pathogen detection. Methods In vitro assays were performed to analyze 2-[18F]F-PABA uptake by S. aureus. For proof-of-concept in vivo trials an endocarditis mouse model was used to diagnose IE by PET/Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. A subcutaneous abscess mouse model was supplemented to create larger bacterial vegetations for PET imaging. Results 2-[18F]F-PABA in vitro uptake by S. aureus was confirmed. Only living bacteria were able to accumulate the tracer while the extent of uptake varied between different S. aureus strains. In the in vivo proof-of-concept, IE was visualized in mice using 2-[18F]F-PABA-PET/MR imaging. Subsequently, 2-[18F]F-PABA specifically located S. aureus vegetations in the subcutaneous abscess model. Conclusions This study highlights the great potential of 2-[18F]F-PABA imaging for the direct detection of IE. Future studies might further investigate the clinical potential of this molecular imaging approach, finally aiming at a clinical implementation.

Binding-driven forward tearing protospacer activated CRISPR-Cas12a system and applications for microRNA detection

CRISPR-Cas12a system, characterized by its precise sequence recognition and cleavage activity, has emerged as a powerful and programmable tool for molecular diagnostics. However, current CRISPR-Cas12a-based nucleic acid detection methods, particularly microRNA (miRNA) detection, necessitate additional bio-engineering strategies to exert control over Cas12a activity. Herein, we propose an engineered target-responsive hairpin DNA activator (TRHDA) to mediate forward tearing protospacer activated CRISPR-Cas12a system, which enables direct miRNA detection with high specificity and sensitivity. Target miRNA specifically binding to hairpin DNA can drive forward tearing protospacer in the stem sequence of hairpin structure, facilitating the complementarity between crRNA spacer and protospacer to activate Cas12a. Upon the hairpin DNA as input-responsive activator of Cas12a, a universal biosensing method enables the multiple miRNAs (miR-21, let-7a, miR-30a) detection and also has exceptional capability in identifying single-base mismatches and distinguishing homologous let-7/miR-30 family members. Besides, TRHDA-mediated Cas12a-powered biosensing has realized the evaluation of miR-21 expression levels in diverse cellular contexts by intracellular imaging. Considering the easy programmability of hairpin DNA in responsive region, this strategy could expand for the other target molecules detection (e.g., proteins, micromolecules, peptides, exosomes), which offers significant implications for biomarkers diagnostics utilizing the CRISPR-Cas12a system toolbox.Graphical abstract

LUT enabled low-complexity electrical dispersion pre-compensation scheme for IM-DD systems

Frequency selective fading caused by chromatic dispersion (CD) and direct detection is the primary impediment for IM-DD systems in achieving a large capacity-distance product. Gerchberg-Saxton (GS) based electrical dispersion pre-compensation (pre-EDC) schemes enhance IM-DD systems' robustness against chromatic dispersion (CD), but their high computational complexity limits practical implementation. In this Letter, a novel, to the best of our knowledge, low-complexity pre-EDC scheme enabled by the cluster-assisting look-up table (CLUT) technique is proposed to further reduce the computation complexity of the non-iterative FIR-based pre-EDC scheme, in which convolution operation is replaced by tables look-up and accumulation processing. And a key strategy is proposed to balance the number and the total size of the LUTs by establishing LUTs for each cluster center after clustering the tap weights. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme, we experimentally demonstrate the transmission of 80 Gbit/s PAM-4 signals and 100 Gbit/s PAM-6 signals over 20 km standard single-mode fiber (SSMF). The experimental results show that the proposed scheme can eliminate the multiplication in convolution operations and reduce the addition times of 58.54% for PAM-4 and 51.22% for PAM-6 signals at the BER of 7% HD-FEC threshold without any penalty.

Dark matter raining on DUNE and other large volume detectors

Direct detection is a powerful means of searching for particle physics evidence of dark matter (DM) heavier than about a GeV with \U0001d4aa(kiloton) volume, low-threshold detectors. In many scenarios, some fraction of the DM may be boosted to large velocities enhancing and generally modifying possible detection signatures. We investigate the scenario where 100% of the DM is boosted at the Earth due to new attractive long-range forces. This leads to two main improvements in detection capabilities: (1) the large boost allows for detectable signatures of DM well below a GeV at large-volume neutrino detectors, such as DUNE, Super-K, Hyper-K, and JUNO, as possible DM detectors, and (2) the flux at the Earth’s surface is enhanced by a focusing effect. In addition, the model leads to a significant anisotropy in the signal with the DM flowing dominantly vertically at the Earth’s surface instead of the typical approximately isotropic DM signal. We develop the theory behind this model and also calculate realistic constraints using a detailed GENIE simulation of the signal inside detectors.

Frequency-locked Si3N4 microring for Doppler frequency shift detection

In this paper, we propose to use a homemade all-fiber Si3N4 microring as the frequency discriminator for Doppler frequency shift detection. The full width at half maximum of the microring is 361.83 MHz, which covers the dynamic range of ± 70 m/s for wind measurement applications. By introducing a time-division multiplexing method, we have achieved the frequency locking of the microring to the central frequency of the laser source, which effectively stabilizes the measurement accuracy against perturbations such as temperature fluctuations. By alternatively upshifting and downshifting the pulses, a dual-frequency lasing scheme has been designed to realize the double-edge technique for frequency shift detection. A commercial single-photon detector with 25% quantum efficiency and approximately 1300 Hz dark count rate is used to detect the backscattered signals, which circumvents the need for bulky and expensive superconducting single-photon detectors. The proposed system is validated through an outdoor wind speed detection experiment using a reference anemometer. The experiment results demonstrate the feasibility of using microring as the frequency discriminator and that the precise frequency locking control is able to improve the measurement accuracy to the state-of-the-art level under the influence of perturbations, which highlights the potential for highly integrated direct detection Doppler wind lidar design.

Graphene quantum dots modified electrodes as electrochemical sensing tool towards the detection of codeine in biological fluids and soft drinks.

An electroanalytical method based on disposable screen-printed carbon electrodes modified with non-toxic carbonaceous nanodots is proposed as a reliable and effective device for codeine determination in biological fluids and soft drinks. Graphene quantum dots (GQDs), carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and carbon nanodots (CNDs) were evaluated as electrode modifiers for the determinationof the drug. The electroactive areas of the modified electrodes were assessed by cyclic voltammetry using potassium ferricyanide. Results demonstrated that GQDs provided the best analytical response for codeine, displaying an intense and well-defined anodic wave approximately 0.9V vs reference electrode. The method exhibits an acceptable linear dynamic range, low limits of detection and quantification (0.21 and 0.73µM, respectively), and satisfactory precision (below 3.9% expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD)) in saliva. Only the analysis of biofluids requires a simple extraction protocol. The feasibility and applicability of this novel approach were assessed by determining codeine in different matrices, with recoveries ranging from 69 to 112%. This cost-effective, simple, easily miniaturised and portable method was applied not only to biofluids but also for the direct detection of codeine in soft drinks combined with a codeine-enriched syrup, a medication that is being used to adulterate beverages, particularly at specific events (drinking and nightclub parties). There is no need forany sample treatment, demonstrating its versatility in analysing beverages for potential adulteration as well.

Modulating the intrinsic fluorescence properties of amoxicillin by sulfur nanodot-based nanoreactor for its direct fluorescence detection

Direct fluorescence detection of amoxicillin (AMX) is highly desired for food and environment safety but remains a formidable challenge because of its low conjugation degree and stabilization effects on excitons. In this work, we proposed a direct fluorometry for AMX through modulating its fluorescence properties by utilizing sulfur nanodots (S-dots) as nanoreactors. S-dots provided both confined carrier and reactants (polyethylene glycol (PEG) and sulfite ions) to modulate the fluorescence properties of AMX, achieving a 277-fold increase on the fluorescence intensities. PEG and SO32- interacted with AMX through both covalent and hydrogen bounds, which stabilized the excited states, decreased the chances of nonradiative path and activated the radiative decay. The ultrasmall sized S-dots also provided confinement carries for promoting the reactivity between AMX and surface function groups. Quantitative detection of AMX in commercial milk samples was realized through direct recording the fluorescence signals, achieving a limit of detection of 159 nM. The reported results provided a new idea to design fluorescence assays for extremely weak emissive molecules, showing great potential in food safety analysis, environmental and healthy monitoring.

Rotary excitation of non-sinusoidal pulsed magnetic fields: Towards non-invasive direct detection of cardiac conduction.

There is a need for high resolution non-invasive imaging methods of physiologic magnetic fields. The purpose of this work is to develop a MRI detection approach for non-sinusoidal magnetic fields based on the rotary excitation (REX) mechanism which was previously successfully applied for the detection of oscillating magnetic fields in the sub-nT range. The new detection concept was examined by means of Bloch simulations, evaluating the interaction effect of spin-locked magnetization and low-frequency pulsed magnetic fields. The REX detection approach was validated under controlled conditions in phantom experiments at 3 T. Gaussian and sinc-shaped stimuli were investigated. In addition, the detection of artificial fields resembling a cardiac QRS complex, which is the most prominent peak visible on a magnetocardiogram, was tested. Bloch simulations demonstrated that the REX method has a high sensitivity to pulsed fields in the resonance case, which is met when the spin-lock frequency coincides with a non-zero Fourier component of the stimulus field. In the experiments, we found that magnetic stimuli of different durations and waveforms can be distinguished by their characteristic REX response spectrum. The detected REX amplitude was proportional to the stimulus peak amplitude (R2 > 0.98) and the lowest field detection was 1 nT. Furthermore, the detection of QRS-like fields with varying QRS durations yielded significant results in a phantom setup (p < 0.001). REX detection can be transferred to non-sinusoidal pulsed magnetic fields and could provide a non-invasive, quantitative tool for spatially resolved assessment of cardiac biomagnetism. Potential applications include the direct detection and characterization of cardiac conduction.

Impact of Receiver Bandwidth on the Performance of Nonlinear Volterra Equalizer in IM/DD Systems

Nonlinear electrical equalization is an effective means to compensate for nonlinear waveform distortions in short-haul intensity-modulation (IM)/direct-detection (DD) optical transmission systems. Nonlinear distortions contain broader spectral components than the original signal. Thus, a wide receiver bandwidth and high sampling rate are beneficial to effective compensation of nonlinear distortions. However, this leads to poor signal-to-noise ratio at the receiver. In this paper, we investigate the impact of receiver bandwidth on the performance of 2nd-order nonlinear Volterra equalizer in IM/DD transmission systems. Through the computer simulation and the experimental verification performed with 4-ary pulse amplitude modulation signals, we show that an optimum receiver bandwidth for bit-error ratio performance increases with the amount of nonlinear distortions in IM/DD systems. We also show that the sampling rate should also be increased to avoid the aliasing of the nonlinear distortion components. The cost of the receiver increased by the wider receiver bandwidth and higher sampling rate could be offset in part by the non-integer fractionally sampled nonlinear Volterra equalizer.

Image-Based Generative Artificial Intelligence in Radiology: Comprehensive Updates.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has been applied to images for image quality enhancement, domain transfer, and augmentation of training data for AI modeling in various medical fields. Image-generative AI can produce large amounts of unannotated imaging data, which facilitates multiple downstream deep-learning tasks. However, their evaluation methods and clinical utility have not been thoroughly reviewed. This article summarizes commonly used generative adversarial networks and diffusion models. In addition, it summarizes their utility in clinical tasks in the field of radiology, such as direct image utilization, lesion detection, segmentation, and diagnosis. This article aims to guide readers regarding radiology practice and research using image-generative AI by 1) reviewing basic theories of image-generative AI, 2) discussing the methods used to evaluate the generated images, 3) outlining the clinical and research utility of generated images, and 4) discussing the issue of hallucinations.

Protein-bridged size-permeable DNAzyme@PEG hollow nanosphere reactor facilitates direct and rapid monitoring of trace circulating microRNAs in undiluted cancer patient serums

The direct monitoring of low levels of circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) in undiluted human serums is of significant clinical importance for the diagnosis of different diseases in the early stages; however, this is highly challenged by both the short lengths, low abundance and homogeneity nature of miRNAs and the complicated sample matrix of human serums. In this work, we show the synthesis of a new protein-bridged and size-permeable DNAzyme@PEG hollow nanosphere reactor (p-DPHNR) that enables direct and rapid detection of trace circulating microRNAs in undiluted serums from prostate carcinoma patients. The hydrophilic PEG shell of p-DPHNR efficiently reduces protein adsorption; its size-permeability only allows short miRNAs to enter the core cavity and protects the core DNA signal probes from digestion; and the confinement of the NIR signal amplification DNA probes in the nanosphere core accelerates the reaction kinetics and minimizes the serum background fluorescence. Such p-DPHNR exhibits a 1.8 pM detection limit with a short 20 min assay time for miRNA-141 and can realize clear discrimination of prostate carcinoma patients from healthy donors, thereby manifesting its robust clinical applications for the convenient and early diagnosis of various diseases

Visualizing the obscure- Chromophore-assisted retinal break detection.

Finding a retinal break which is responsible for retinal detachment is a critical step in the surgical treatment of this condition. In spite of improvement in visualization systems in pars plana vitrectomy, identifying the break which is the source of subretinal fluid (SRF) could pose a challenge, especially in complex retinal detachments or re-detachments with extensive laser scars. The current technique of break identification involves direct detection of the break via peripheral indentation or using perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL) to displace SRF from the posterior retina to the periphery and visualizing the proteinaceous SRF egress from the retinal break. In retinal detachments, if no peripheral breaks are visualized, surgeons tend to make a posterior draining retinotomy and drain SRF, the necessity of which can be confirmed after subretinal brilliant blue green (BBG) dye injection. In addition, in already vitrectomized eyes where it can be difficult to identify SRF egressing via the break, subretinal BBG dye provides a color contrast that enhances break visualization. A method to identify these occult breaks was required, which is described in this video. Hence, the idea of BBG dye injection into the subretinal space with a 41G subretinal needle was thought of. PFCL would be placed over the posterior pole, which would displace the dye to the periphery, and this would disperse out into the vitreous cavity into a blue plume via the break, thereby leading to its identification. Subretinal dye injection is useful for occult retinal break detection as it provides a color contrast. A posterior draining retinotomy can be avoided. It is also useful in recurrent retinal detachments. We describe the use of BBG, which is the least toxic dye available, and report the use of this technique in Indian eyes. https://youtu.be/JGXQjNV9asw.

Microfluidic-based fluorescence enhancement of silica-embedded carbon dots for direct detection and quantification of unamplified HCV RNA in clinical samples

Microfluidic-based fluorescence enhancement of silica-embedded carbon dots for direct detection and quantification of unamplified HCV RNA in clinical samples

Evaluation of Immunochromatographic Test for Rapid Detection of Norovirus, Rotavirus, and Adenovirus in Stool Samples.

Viral enteric infections are illnesses caused by several types of viruses that primarily affect the gastrointestinal system. Globally, three major viruses associated with gastroenteritis, including norovirus (NoV), rotavirus A (RVA), and human adenovirus (HAdV), have been widely recognized. Accordingly, a rapid and sensitive diagnostic tool, such as immunochromatographic (IC) test, for diarrheal virus detection is required and helpful for rapid diagnosis. The IP-Triple I IC test kit for simultaneous triple virus detections of NoV, RVA, and HAdV was evaluated for its efficacy by using stool specimens that were known positive for these viruses by real-time RT-PCR or PCR, which was used as the gold standard method. The results revealed that the IP-Triple I IC test kit exhibited a very high level of specificity (100%) for NoV, RVA, and HAdV detections, while the sensitivity was slightly different for these three viruses. The sensitivity of detection for RVA was 86.7%, whereas those for NoV and HAdV were 70.6% and 76.2%, respectively. This IP-Triple I IC kit could detect common antigens of a wide range of NoV, RVA, and HAdV genotypes (NoV GII.2, GII.4, GII.6, GII.7, GII.10, GII.17, RVA G1P[8], G2P[4], G3P[8], G8P[8], G9P[8], HAdV-C1, -C2, -C5, -A12, -F40, and -F41). Our results revealed that the IP-Triple I IC test kit is highly effective for simultaneous, direct detection of common antigens of several genotypes of NoV, RVA, and HAdV in stool specimens and useful for screening and rapid diagnosis of diarrheal viruses during the seasonal outbreak.

A passive, flexible dual-function sensor for simultaneous pressure and sliding direction detection

Flexible pressure and omnidirectional slide sensors show significant potential in wearable devices and robotics. However, the integration of various sensor types to achieve multi-functionality introduces challenges. Complex structures and processing difficulties limit their miniaturization and flexibility, while dependence on external power sources further constrains their practical use. Here, we report a novel strategy that utilizes a piezoelectric-conductive nanoresistance network with edge electrodes to develop an advanced pressure sensor. This sensor is capable of simultaneously detecting pressure and sliding direction through multiple-channel pulses. We demonstrate its functionality using a polyacrylonitrile/polypyrrole nanofiber membrane (PAN/PPY NFM) configured with either two or three electrodes. By exploiting the signal transmission characteristics of the nanoresistance network, the sensor simultaneously responds to both force and sliding direction through amplitude-frequency analysis of the output signals from multiple channels. Additionally, the sensor operates without an external power supply. This streamlined approach simplifies sensor design and processing, providing a promising solution for advanced touch sensing applications.

Van der Waals GeSe with Strain- and Gate-Tunable Linear Dichroism for Wearable Electronics.

The direct detection of light polarization poses a crucial challenge in the field of optoelectronics and photonics. Herein, the tunable linear dichroism (LD) in GeSe-based polarized photodetectors is presented through electronic and structural asymmetry modulation, and demonstrate their application prospects in wearable electronics. An improvement in the dichroic ratio up to 34% is achieved under a gate voltage of 20V, and the improvement reaches 44% by applying a tensile strain along the zigzag direction. Theoretical calculations reveal that the gate regulation of barrier height between GeSe and Au electrodes is responsible for the electrical-tunable LD, while the anisotropic optical absorption in response to strains leads to the strain-tunable LD. Moreover, flexible GeSe transistors are developed for wearable applications including motion sensors and glucose monitors. This study offers viable approaches for modulating the optical anisotropy of low-dimensional materials and emphasizes the versatility of van der Waals materials for practical applications in wearable electronic devices.

Axion and dark fermion electromagnetic form factors in superfluid He4

Condensed matter materials have shown great potential in searching for light dark matter (DM) via detecting the phonon or magnon signals induced by the scattering of DM off the materials. In this paper, we study the possibility of detecting electromagnetic form factors of fermionic DM and axionlike particles (ALPs) using superfluid He4. The phonon induced by a sub-GeV fermionic DM scattering off the superfluid can be described using the effective field theory with the interaction between DM and the bulk He4. Signals arising from the electromagnetic form factors of light DM in the presence of an external electric field are calculated. Projected constraints on the charge radius, anapole moment, and magnetic moment of the DM are derived with 1 kg·yr exposure. The phonon signal induced by the scattering of ALPs off the superfluid is also calculated, which can put competitive and the first direct detection bounds on ALP-photon-dark photon couplings in the projected experiments. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Emerging New-Generation Semiconductor Single Crystals of Metal Halide Perovskites for Radiation Detection

Radiation detection uses semiconductor materials to convert high-energy photons into charge (direct detection) or low-energy photons (indirect detection), and it has a wide range of applications in nuclear physics, medical imaging, astronomical detection, homeland security, and other fields. Metal halide perovskites have the advantages of high frequency number, high carrier mobility, high defect tolerance, low defect density, adjustable band gap, and fast light response, and they have wide application prospects in the field of radiation detection. However, the research is still in its infancy stage, and it is far from meeting the requirements of industrial application. This paper focuses on the advantages of metal halide perovskite single-crystal materials in both semiconductors-based direct conversion detection and scintillator-based indirect detection as well as the latest progress in this promising field. This paper not only introduces the latest application of lead halide perovskite monocrystalline materials in high-energy electromagnetic radiation detection (X-ray and γ-rays), but it also introduces the latest development of α-particle/β-particle/neutron detection. Finally, this paper points out the challenges and future prospects of metal halide perovskite single-crystal materials in radiation detection.

SSBI counteraction technology in a single photodetector-based direct detection system receiving an independent dual-single sideband signal

To further meet the large capacity, high spectrum efficiency (SE), reduce the signal-signal beat interference (SSBI) of the independent dual single sideband (ISB) system and the complexity of the receiver, we propose an iterative signal-signal beat interference counteraction (ISSBIC) algorithm to suppress SSBI. The 16-Gbps left sideband and the 16-Gbps right sideband signals in the ISB system are quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) modulated. After standard single-mode fiber (SSMF) transmission, the LSB and RSB signals are synthesized to a 16-quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) signal after conversion through the photodetector (PD) square law. The simulation results show that the ISSBIC with just 2 iterations is superior to Kramers–Kronig (KK) receiver in processing the system error bit. In the meantime, the ISSBIC requires a sampling rate of 20GSa/s, whereas KK requires 40GSa/s. Moreover, the proposed ISSBIC algorithm has a simpler complexity. According to the simulation results, the suggested ISSBIC receiver can lower the ADC requirements and system costs, which opens up a wide range of applications in multiplex and higher SE transmission systems.

Higgs-portal spin-1 dark matter with parity-violating interaction

We introduce the spin-1 U(1)X gauged field X with Z2 odd dark parity to evade the current strong constraints on kinetic mixing. Then, X becomes stable and a candidate for the dark matter. The lowest mass dimension of interaction is six, and the type is the Higgs portal. Two types of dim-6 operators are introduced. We consider the freeze-out dark matter scenario. With the limit of null momentum transfer, a parity odd operator is free from the direct detection constraints. Accordingly, the strong constraints on a parity even operator indicate turning on this parity odd operator to realize the dark matter relic density of the Universe. With the 1 TeV cut-off scale, our dark matter of around 400 GeV mass can explain the dark matter relic density and is allowed from the LUX-ZEPLIN experiment of the direct detection.