Superb Sensitivity Research Articles

Ultrasensitive and Breathable Hydrogel Fiber‐Based Strain Sensors Enabled by Customized Crack Design for Wireless Sign Language Recognition

AbstractWearable strain sensors, capable of continuously detecting human movements, hold great application prospects in sign language gesture recognition to alleviate the daily communication barriers of the deaf and mute community. However, the unsatisfactory strain sensing performance (such as low sensitivity, narrow detection range, etc.) and wearing discomfort severely hinder their practical application. Here, high‐performance breathable hydrogel strain sensors are proposed by introducing an adjustable localized crack in a closed‐loop connected hydrogel fiber encapsulated by porous elastomer films. Upon loading/unloading of external strain, the dynamic opening/closing of the pre‐cut crack causes a rapid switching in the hydrogel conductive path, resulting in sharp changes in resistance and a high sensitivity. Consequently, the hydrogel‐based crack‐effect strain sensor exhibits a superb sensitivity (GF up to 3930), a broad detection range (from 0.02% to 80%), fast response/recovery time (78/52 ms), repeatability, and structural stability. Based on the capability to accurately detect various strains across the full range of human movements, a wireless sign language recognition system is developed to achieve a high recognition accuracy of 98.1% by encoding and decoding various sign language gestures with the assistance of machine learning, providing a robust platform for efficient sign language intelligibility and barrier‐free communication.

Topological Fermiology of gate-tunable Rashba electron gases.

By introducing first-order quantum phases as topological invariants, recent symmetry analysis-based theories have reinvigorated magnetic quantum oscillations as a versatile quantum probe for unfolding the Fermi surface topology along with the geometry information, i.e., topo-Fermiology. Here, we demonstrate the comprehensive topo-Fermiology of high-mobility Rashba two-dimensional electron gases with ultragate tunability of spin-orbit coupling parameter in few-layer black arsenic. The remarkable consistencies with the key theoretical predictions of period doubling in quantum oscillations, gate-tunable aperiodic beating patterns, and the symmetry-enforced Landau level crossing phenomena controlled by the competition between Rashba coupling and the Zeeman interaction, which ultimately manifests as all odd-filling factor integer quantum Hall effect with superb sensitivity to quantum phases, establish topo-Fermiology as an indispensable methodology for studying topological quantum matters.

PEARLS: Discovery of Point-source Features within Galaxies in the North Ecliptic Pole Time Domain Field

The first public 0.9–4.4 μm NIRCam images of the North Ecliptic Pole Time Domain Field uncovered galaxies displaying point-source features in their cores as seen in the longer-wavelength filters. We visually identified a sample of 66 galaxies (∼1 galaxy arcmin–2) with pointlike cores and have modeled their two-dimensional light profiles with GalFit, identifying 16 galactic nuclei with measurable point-source components. GalFit suggests that the visual sample is a mix of both compact stellar bulge and point-source galaxy cores. This core classification is complemented by spectral energy distribution modeling to infer the sample’s active galactic nucleus (AGN) and host-galaxy parameters. For galaxies with measurable point-source components, the median fractional AGN contribution to their 0.1–30.0 μm flux is 0.44, and 14/16 are color-classified AGN. We conclude that near-infrared point-source galaxy cores are signatures of AGN. In addition, we define an automated sample-selection criterion to identify these point-source features. This criterion can be used in other extant and future NIRCam images to streamline the search for galaxies with unresolved IR-luminous AGN. The James Webb Space Telescope’s superb angular resolution and sensitivity at infrared wavelengths are resurrecting the morphological identification of AGN.

Resolving Twin Jets and Twin Disks with JWST and ALMA: The Young WL 20 Multiple System

We report the discovery of jets emanating from pre-main-sequence objects exclusively at mid-infrared wavelengths, enabled by the superb sensitivity of JWST’s Mid-Infrared Instrument Medium-Resolution Spectrometer. These jets are observed only in lines of [Ni ii], [Fe ii], [Ar ii], and [Ne ii]. The H2 emission, imaged in eight distinct transitions, has a completely different morphology, exhibiting a wide-angled, biconical shape, symmetrically distributed about the jet axes. Synergistic high-resolution Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) observations resolve a pair of side-by-side edge-on accretion disks lying at the origin of the twin mid-infrared jets. Assuming coevality of the components of the young multiple system under investigation, the system age is at least (2–2.5) × 106 yr, despite the discrepantly younger age inferred from the spectral energy distribution of the combined edge-on disk sources. The later system evolutionary stage is corroborated by ALMA observations of CO(2−1), 13CO(2−1), and C18O(2−1), which show no traces of molecular outflows or remnant cavity walls. Consequently, the observed H2 structures must have their origins in wide-angled disk winds, in the absence of any ambient, swept-up gas. In the context of recent studies of protostars, we propose an outflow evolutionary scenario in which the molecular gas component dominates in the youngest sources, whereas the fast, ionized jets dominate in the oldest sources, as is the case for the twin jets discovered in the WL 20 system.

Leveraging Long-Distance Singlet-Oxygen Transfer for Bienzyme-Locked Afterglow Imaging of Intratumoral Granule Enzymes.

Dual-locked activatable optical probes, leveraging the orthogonal effects of two biomarkers, hold great promise for the specific imaging of biological processes. However, their design approaches are limited to a short-distance energy or charge transfer mechanism, while the signal readout relies on fluorescence, which inevitably suffers from tissue autofluorescence. Herein, we report a long-distance singlet oxygen transfer approach to develop a bienzyme-locked activatable afterglow probe (BAAP) that emits long-lasting self-luminescence without real-time light excitation for the dynamic imaging of an intratumoral granule enzyme. Composed of an immuno-biomarker-activatable singlet oxygen (1O2) donor and a cancer-biomarker-activatable 1O2 acceptor, BAAP is initially nonafterglow. Only in the presence of both immune and cancer biomarkers can 1O2 be generated by the activated donor and subsequently diffuse toward the activated acceptor, resulting in bright near-infrared afterglow with a high signal-to-background ratio and specificity toward an intratumoral granule enzyme. Thus, BAAP allows for real-time tracking of tumor-infiltrating cytotoxic T lymphocytes, enabling the evaluation of cancer immunotherapy and the differentiation of tumor from local inflammation with superb sensitivity and specificity, which are unachievable by single-locked probes. Thus, this study not only presents the first dual-locked afterglow probe but also proposes a new design way toward dual-locked probes via reactive oxygen species transfer processes.

Ultrawideband sub-pascal sensitivity piezopolymer detectors

Piezoelectric detectors are integral part of modern ultrasound imaging systems. Their utility has also been extended beyond the established methodologies into the emerging realm of hybrid optoacoustic imaging. Conventional piezoceramic detectors, however, struggle to combine high detection sensitivity with ultrawide bandwidth, both considered critical for attaining optimal optoacoustic imaging performance. Our research, both theoretical and empirical, unveils that damped piezopolymer detectors fabricated from PVDF-TrFE are markedly capable of achieving a synergistic blend between broad bandwidth and superb sensitivity. Experimental evaluations reflected an average sensitivity of 15.5 µV/Pa within a 1–10 MHz band for a 120 µm thick detector and 6.4 µV/Pa within a 1–30 MHz band for a 20 µm thick detector, thus outperforming conventional piezoelectric analogues. The resultant noise equivalent pressure (NEPs) values were 0.3 Pa and 1.2 Pa for the 20 µm and 120 µm detectors, respectively. Our findings herald a significant stride towards enhancing the efficacy of ultrawideband ultrasound and optoacoustic imaging systems.

PDRs4All

Context. Mid-infrared observations of photodissociation regions (PDRs) are dominated by strong emission features called aromatic infrared bands (AIBs). The most prominent AIBs are found at 3.3, 6.2, 7.7, 8.6, and 11.2 µm. The most sensitive, highest-resolution infrared spectral imaging data ever taken of the prototypical PDR, the Orion Bar, have been captured by JWST. These high-quality data allow for an unprecedentedly detailed view of AIBs.Aims. We provide an inventory of the AIBs found in the Orion Bar, along with mid-IR template spectra from five distinct regions in the Bar: the molecular PDR (i.e. the three H2dissociation fronts), the atomic PDR, and the HIIregion.Methods. We used JWST NIRSpec IFU and MIRI MRS observations of the Orion Bar from the JWST Early Release Science Program, PDRs4All (ID: 1288). We extracted five template spectra to represent the morphology and environment of the Orion Bar PDR. We investigated and characterised the AIBs in these template spectra. We describe the variations among them here.Results. The superb sensitivity and the spectral and spatial resolution of these JWST observations reveal many details of the AIB emission and enable an improved characterization of their detailed profile shapes and sub-components. The Orion Bar spectra are dominated by the well-known AIBs at 3.3, 6.2, 7.7, 8.6, 11.2, and 12.7 µm with well-defined profiles. In addition, the spectra display a wealth of weaker features and sub-components. The widths of many AIBs show clear and systematic variations, being narrowest in the atomic PDR template, but showing a clear broadening in the HIIregion template while the broadest bands are found in the three dissociation front templates. In addition, the relative strengths of AIB (sub-)components vary among the template spectra as well. All AIB profiles are characteristic of class A sources as designated by Peeters (2022, A&A, 390, 1089), except for the 11.2 µm AIB profile deep in the molecular zone, which belongs to class B11.2. Furthermore, the observations show that the sub-components that contribute to the 5.75, 7.7, and 11.2 µm AIBs become much weaker in the PDR surface layers. We attribute this to the presence of small, more labile carriers in the deeper PDR layers that are photolysed away in the harsh radiation field near the surface. The 3.3/11.2 AIB intensity ratio decreases by about 40% between the dissociation fronts and the HIIregion, indicating a shift in the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) size distribution to larger PAHs in the PDR surface layers, also likely due to the effects of photochemistry. The observed broadening of the bands in the molecular PDR is consistent with an enhanced importance of smaller PAHs since smaller PAHs attain a higher internal excitation energy at a fixed photon energy.Conclusions. Spectral-imaging observations of the Orion Bar using JWST yield key insights into the photochemical evolution of PAHs, such as the evolution responsible for the shift of 11.2 µm AIB emission from class B11.2in the molecular PDR to class A11.2in the PDR surface layers. This photochemical evolution is driven by the increased importance of FUV processing in the PDR surface layers, resulting in a “weeding out” of the weakest links of the PAH family in these layers. For now, these JWST observations are consistent with a model in which the underlying PAH family is composed of a few species: the so-called ‘grandPAHs’.

GOALS-JWST: Gas Dynamics and Excitation in NGC 7469 Revealed by NIRSpec

We present new JWST NIRSpec integral field spectroscopy (IFS) data for the luminous infrared galaxy NGC 7469, a nearby (70.6 Mpc) active galaxy with a Seyfert 1.5 nucleus that drives a highly ionized gas outflow and a prominent nuclear star-forming ring. Using the superb sensitivity and high spatial resolution of the JWST instrument NIRSpec IFS, we investigate the role of the Seyfert nucleus in the excitation and dynamics of the circumnuclear gas. Our analysis focuses on the [Fe ii], H2, and hydrogen recombination lines that trace the radiation/shocked-excited molecular and ionized interstellar medium around the active galactic nucleus (AGN). We investigate gas excitation through H2/Brγ and [Fe ii]/Paβ emission line ratios and find that photoionization by the AGN dominates within the central 300 pc of the galaxy except in a small region that shows signatures of shock-heated gas; these shock-heated regions are likely associated with a compact radio jet. In addition, the velocity field and velocity dispersion maps reveal complex gas kinematics. Rotation is the dominant feature, but we also identify noncircular motions consistent with gas inflows as traced by the velocity residuals and the spiral pattern in the Paα velocity dispersion map. The inflow is 2 orders of magnitude higher than the AGN accretion rate. The compact nuclear radio jet has enough power to drive the highly ionized outflow. This scenario suggests that the inflow and outflow are in a self-regulating feeding–feedback process, with a contribution from the radio jet helping to drive the outflow.

Discovery of Thionylimide, HNSO, in Space: The first N-, S-, and O-bearing Interstellar Molecule

We present the first detection in space of thionylimide (HNSO) toward the Galactic center molecular cloud G + 0.693-0.027, thanks to the superb sensitivity of an ultradeep molecular line survey carried out with the Yebes 40 m and IRAM 30 m telescopes. This molecule is the first species detected in the interstellar medium containing, simultaneously, N, S, and O. We have identified numerous K a = 0, 1, and 2 transitions belonging to HNSO covering from J up = 2 to J up =10, including several completely unblended features. We derive a molecular column density of N = (8 ± 1)×1013 cm−2, yielding a fractional abundance relative to H2 of ∼6 × 10−10, which is about ∼37 and ∼4.8 times less abundant than SO and SO2, respectively. Although there are still many unknowns in the interstellar chemistry of NSO-bearing molecules, we propose that HNSO is likely formed through the reaction of the NSO radical and atomic H on the surface of icy grains, with alternative routes also deserving exploration. Finally, HNSO appears as a promising link between N, S, and O interstellar chemistry, and its discovery paves the route to the detection of a new family of molecules in space.

Electrochemical Biosensing Strategy for Ultrasensitive Detection of Aquaporin-4 Antibody as Neuromyelitis Optica Autoimmune Disease Biomarker Using Aquaporin-4 Extracellular Loop

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a severe and disabling neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system (CNS). Neuromyelitis optica-Immunoglobulin G (NMO-IgG) is a serum IgG autoantibody almost exclusively present in NMO patients, which helps to differentiate NMO from other CNS disorders. Developing standardized and user-friendly assays remains a significant challenge in making NMO-IgG testing widely available. Label-free methods are simpler and faster, without additional reagents and procedures. Here, we present a peptide-based label-free electrochemical biosensor for detecting aquaporin-4 antibodies (AQP4-Abs) using extracellular AQP4 to diagnose NMO disease via the DPV electrochemical method. We have developed a novel approach in which the E loop of extracellular AQP4 is bemployed to detect NMO. 3 phenylalanines (Phe) were annexed to the C terminal, and because phenylalanine has a benzene ring, it can have π-π interaction with the benzene ring of carbon nanotube (CNT). In the designated platform, instead of using functional groups with complex and multi-step processes for immobilizing on the electrode surface, we used Nickel-Metal−organic framework /CNT as a novel modifier for measuring AQP4 antibodies with a simple, cheap, and accessible synthesis method. The developed sensor can detect antibodies with detection limit and quantification of 6.2 and 10.0 pg ml−1, respectively (S/N = 3). Also, superb sensitivity of the biosensor was attained as 28.8 μA mL ng−1 cm−2, confirming that the sensor has great potential for clinical application as a diagnostic test.

Deconvolution of JWST/MIRI Images: Applications to an Active Galactic Nucleus Model and GATOS Observations of NGC 5728

The superb image quality, stability, and sensitivity of JWST permit deconvolution techniques to be pursued with a fidelity unavailable to ground-based observations. We present an assessment of several deconvolution approaches to improve image quality and mitigate the effects of the complex JWST point-spread function (PSF). The optimal deconvolution method is determined by using WebbPSF to simulate JWST’s complex PSF and MIRISim to simulate multiband JWST/Mid-Infrared Imager Module (MIRIM) observations of a toy model of an active galactic nucleus (AGN). Five different deconvolution algorithms are tested: (1) Kraken deconvolution, (2) Richardson–Lucy, (3) the adaptive imaging deconvolution algorithm, (4) sparse regularization with the Condat–Vũ algorithm, and (5) iterative Wiener filtering and thresholding. We find that Kraken affords the greatest FWHM reduction of the nuclear source of our MIRISim observations for the toy AGN model while retaining good photometric integrity across all simulated wave bands. Applying Kraken to Galactic Activity, Torus, and Outflow Survey (GATOS) multiband JWST/MIRIM observations of the Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 5728, we find that the algorithm reduces the FWHM of the nuclear source by a factor of 1.6–2.2 across all five filters. Kraken images facilitate detection of extended nuclear emission ∼2.″5 (∼470 pc, position angle ≃ 115°) in the SE–NW direction, especially at the longest wavelengths. We demonstrate that Kraken is a powerful tool to enhance faint features otherwise hidden in the complex JWST PSF.

Competing Visual Cues Revealed by Electroencephalography: Sensitivity to Motion Speed and Direction.

Motion speed and direction are two fundamental cues for the mammalian visual system. Neurons in various places of the neocortex show tuning properties in term of firing frequency to both speed and direction. The present study applied a 32-channel electroencephalograph (EEG) system to 13 human subjects while they were observing a single object moving with different speeds in various directions from the center of view to the periphery on a computer monitor. Depending on the experimental condition, the subjects were either required to fix their gaze at the center of the monitor while the object was moving or to track the movement with their gaze; eye-tracking glasses were used to ensure that they followed instructions. In each trial, motion speed and direction varied randomly and independently, forming two competing visual features. EEG signal classification was performed for each cue separately (e.g., 11 speed values or 11 directions), regardless of variations in the other cue. Under the eye-fixed condition, multiple subjects showed distinct preferences to motion direction over speed; however, two outliers showed superb sensitivity to speed. Under the eye-tracking condition, in which the EEG signals presumably contained ocular movement signals, all subjects showed predominantly better classification for motion direction. There was a trend that speed and direction were encoded by different electrode sites. Since EEG is a noninvasive and portable approach suitable for brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), this study provides insights on fundamental knowledge of the visual system as well as BCI applications based on visual stimulation.

Active Galactic Nuclei and Host Galaxies in COSMOS-Web. I. NIRCam Images, Point-spread-function Models and Initial Results on X-Ray-selected Broad-line AGNs at 0.35 ≲ z ≲ 3.5

We present detailed and comprehensive data reduction and point-spread-function (PSF) model construction for all public JWST NIRCam imaging data from the COSMOS-Web treasury program (up to 2023 June, totaling 0.28 deg2). We show that the NIRCam PSF has significant short-timescale temporal variations and random spatial variations in all four filters (F115W, F150W, F277W, and F444W). Combining NIRCam with archival Hubble Space Telescope imaging, we perform multiwavelength active galactic nucleus (AGN)+host image decomposition to study the properties of 143 X-ray-selected (L bol = 1043.6–47.2 erg s−1) broad-line AGNs at 0.35 ≲ z ≲ 3.5. Leveraging the superb resolution, wavelength coverage, and sensitivity of NIRCam, we successfully detect host stellar emission after decomposing the central AGN point source in 142 objects. ∼2/3 AGNs are in star-forming galaxies based on the UVJ diagram, suggesting that there is no instantaneous negative AGN feedback. X-ray-selected broad-line AGN hosts follow a similar stellar mass–size relation as inactive galaxies, albeit with slightly smaller galaxy sizes. We find that although major mergers are rare (∼7%–22%) among the sample, more subtle nonaxisymmetric features from stellar bars, spiral arms, and minor mergers are ubiquitous, highlighting the importance of secular processes and minor mergers in triggering AGN activity. For a subsample of 30 AGNs at 1 < z < 2.5 with black hole mass measurements from single epoch spectra, they follow a similar black hole mass-stellar mass relation as local inactive early-type galaxies but reside preferentially near the upper envelope of nearby AGNs. We caution that selection biases and the intrinsic differences of AGN populations at different redshifts may significantly affect their location on the black hole mass-stellar mass plane.

An antifouling coating that enables electrochemical biosensing of MecA gene in complex samples

As an important emerging pollutant, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) monitoring is crucial to protect the ecological environment and public health, but its accurate detection is still a major challenge in complex environment samples. In this study, a robust antifouling electrochemical DNA biosensor (E-DNA biosensor) was proposed for highly sensitive and selective detection of the mecA gene in complex water samples. The antifouling coating of electrode consisted of a branched-shaped zwitterionic peptide and gold nanoparticles (CPEK-AuNPs). And, the PPPP linker of peptide between the anchoring and antifouling domains adopted a polyproline helix conformation. The CPEK-AuNPs-modified electrode interface with stable hydration layer prevented non-specific interactions while enhancing electron transfer to the electrode surface, resulting in high current response and outstanding antifouling performance. Coupled with synergistic isothermal strand displacement polymerase reaction (ISDPR), the proposed antifouling sensing strategy exhibited superb sensitivity for the mecA gene. The limit of detection (LOD) was as low as 16.67 fM (S/N = 3) in a broad linear range of 0.05–5000 pM, and a high specificity to resolve from even single base mismatch towards the complex water samples was obtained. Benefiting from the stable hydration layer, the as-prepared E-DNA biosensor preserved 91.8 % of the initial signal after 15 days of exposure in unprocessed wastewater samples. The excellent specificity, stability and reproducibility (RSD＜3%) of mecA gene detection indicated that the proposed sensing strategy with antifouling performance can be a versatile tool for accurate quantitative analysis of ARGs in complex environment samples.

CRISPR/Cas12a triggered SERS and naked eye dual-mode biosensor for ultrasensitive and on-site detection of nucleic acid via cascade signal amplification

Highly sensitive and on-site detection of nucleic acids has always been a critical issue in the field of analytical chemistry. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based biosensing exhibits huge potential in nucleic acid detection, while the applicability is restricted in trace nucleic acid screening due to the lack of appropriate signal recognition, transducing and amplification technologies. Inspired by the specific recognition of CRISPR/Cas12a and the improved sensitivity through cascade signal amplification, we innovatively proposed a CRISPR/Cas12a triggered SERS and naked eye dual-mode biosensor for ultrasensitive and on-site detection of nucleic acid via cascade signal amplification. Upon the target DNA recognition, the activated CRISPR/Cas12a indiscriminately cleaved substrate ssDNA, leading to the failure of toehold-mediated DNA-strand displacement reaction (TSDR), and triggering hybridization chain reaction (HCR) to assemble numerous G-quadruplex/hemin DNAzyme (GQH DNAzyme) for cascade signal amplification. The generated GQH DNAzyme catalyzed the oxidation of l-cysteine to cystine, perturbing the aggregation of 4-NTP@AuNPs, resulting in significant Raman signal change. On the other hand, GQH DNAzyme catalyzed the oxidation of 2,2′-azino-di-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), leading to obvious color change to realize portable naked-eye detection. Through this strategy, target nucleic acid concentration was tactfully transformed into sensitive Raman and portable visualization signals, and the limit of detection were as low as 34.9 aM and 1 pM, respectively. Then, this biosensor was successfully applied to meat adulteration detection, which showed superb selectivity, sensitivity and applicability for on-site detection of trace nucleic acid in complicated food matrix.

H i galaxy signatures in the SARAO MeerKAT Galactic Plane Survey – I. Probing the richness of the great attractor wall across the inner zone of avoidance

ABSTRACT This paper presents the first H i results extracted from the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) MeerKAT Galactic Plane Survey (SMGPS) – a narrow strip (Δb ∼ 3°) along the southern Milky Way. The primary goal consisted in tracing the great attractor (GA) wall across the innermost zone of avoidance. We reduced a segment spanning the longitude range 302° ≤ ℓ ≤ 332° for the redshift range z ≤ 0.08. The superb SMGPS sensitivity (rms = 0.3–0.5 mJy beam−1 per 44 km s−1 channel) and angular resolution (∼31″ × 26″) lead to a detection limit of log(MH i/M⊙) ≥ 8.5 at the GA distance ($\mbox{$V_{\rm {hel}}$}\, \sim 3500{\!-\!}6500$ km s−1). A total of 477 galaxy candidates were identified over the full redshift range. A comparison of the few H i detections with counterparts in the literature (mostly HIZOA) found the H i fluxes and other H i parameters to be highly consistent. The continuation of the GA wall is confirmed through a prominent overdensity of N = 214 detections in the GA distance range. At higher latitudes, the wall moves to higher redshifts, supportive of a possible link with the Ophiuchus cluster located behind the Galactic Bulge. This deep interferometric H i survey demonstrates the power of the SMGPS in improving our insight of large-scale structures at these extremely low latitudes, despite the high obscuration and continuum background.

Semiconducting Polymer Nanospherical Nucleic Acid Probe for Transcriptomic Imaging of Cancer Chemo-Immunotherapy.

Real-time in vivo imaging of RNA can enhance the understanding of physio-pathological processes. However, most nucleic acid-based sensors have poor resistance to nucleases and limited photophysical properties, making them suboptimal for this purpose. To address this, a semiconducting polymer nanospherical nucleic acid probe (SENSE) for transcriptomic imaging of cancer immunity in living mice is developed. SENSE comprisesa semiconducting polymer (SP) backbone covalently linked with recognition DNA strands, which are complemented by dye-labeled signal DNA strands. Upon detection of targeted T lymphocyte transcript (Gzmb: granzyme B), the signal strands are released, leading to a fluorescence enhancement correlated to transcript levels with superb sensitivity. The always-on fluorescence of the SP core also serves as an internal reference for tracking SENSE uptake in tumors. Thus, SENSE has the dual-signal channel that enables ratiometric imaging of Gzmb transcripts in the tumor of living mice for evaluating chemo-immunotherapy; moreover, it has demonstrated sensitivity and specificity comparable to flow cytometry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, yet offering a faster and simpler means of T cell detection in resected tumors. Therefore, SENSE represents a promising tool for in vivo RNA imaging.

One, Two, Three ... An Explosive Outflow in IRAS 12326-6245 Revealed by ALMA

In the last years there has been a substantial increase in the number of the reported massive and luminous star-forming regions with related explosive outflows thanks to the superb sensitivity and angular resolution provided by the new radio, infrared, and optical facilities. Here, we report one more explosive outflow related with the massive and bright star-forming region IRAS 12326−6245 using Band 6 sensitive and high-angular-resolution (∼0.″2) Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array observations. We find over 10 molecular and collimated well-defined streamers, with Hubble–Lemaitre–like expansion motions, and pointing right to the center of a dusty and molecular shell (reported for the first time here) localized in the northern part of the UC H ii region known as G301.1A. The estimated kinematic age and energy for the explosion are ∼700 yr and 1048 erg, respectively. Taking into account the recently reported explosive outflows together with IRAS 12326−6245, we estimate an event rate of once every 90 yr in our Galaxy, similar to the formation rate of massive stars.

Near-Infrared Afterglow ONOO--Triggered Nanoparticles for Real-Time Monitoring and Treatment of Early Ischemic Stroke.

Early detection and drug intervention with the appropriate timing and dosage are the main clinical challenges for ischemic stroke (IS) treatment. The conventional therapeutic agents relay fluorescent signals, which require real-time external light excitation, thereby leading to inevitable autofluorescence and poor tissue penetration. Herein, we report endogenous peroxynitrite (ONOO-)-activated BDP-4/Cur-CL NPs that release NIR afterglow signals (λmax 697 nm) for real-time monitoring of the progression of ischemia reperfusion (I/R) brain injury while releasing curcumin for the safe treatment of IS. The BDP-4/Cur-CL NPs exhibited bright NIR afterglow luminescence (maximum 732-fold increase), superb sensitivity (LOD = 82.67 nM), high energy-transfer efficiency (94.6%), deep tissue penetration (20 mm), outstanding antiapoptosis, and anti-inflammatory effects. The activated NIR afterglow signal obtained in mice with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) showed three functions: (i) the BDP-4/Cur-CL NPs are rapidly activated by endogenous ONOO-, instantly illuminating the lesion area, distinguishing I/R damage from normal areas, which can be successfully used for endogenous ONOO- detection in the early stage of IS; (ii) real-time reporting of in situ generation and dynamic fluctuations of endogenous ONOO- levels in the lesion area, which is of great value in monitoring the evolutionary mechanisms of IS; and (iii) dynamic monitoring of the release of curcumin drug for safe treatment. Indeed, the released curcumin effectively decreased apoptosis, enhanced survival, alleviated neuroinflammation, reduced brain tissue loss, and improved the cognition of MCAO stroke mice. This work is the first example of afterglow luminescence for early diagnosis, real-time reporting, drug tracing, and treatment for IS.

Visual and rapid detection of escolar (Lepidocybium flavobrunneum) using loop mediated isothermal amplification in conjunction with a specific molecular beacon probe

Species adulteration has become a main reason for the unexpected exposure to escolar, which is often related with the gastrointestinal disease called keriorrhea. Sensitive and accurate identification of escolar is required to protect consumers from commercial and health frauds. The present study established a visual and rapid method for escolar detection using LAMP (loop-mediated isothermal amplification) in conjunction with a MB (molecular beacon) probe. The visual MB-LAMP assay demonstrated high specificity and superb sensitivity (1 pg DNA) for escolar and low to 0.1 % (w/w) simulated adulteration could be detected within 25 min. Additionally, method validation on commercial products highlighted the umbrella term of white tuna for escolar on Chinese market. All these results indicated that the MB-LAMP method is a useful tool for rapid, sensitive and convenient detection of escolar and can also be used as a point-of-care molecular diagnostic technique since it does not require the expensive equipment.