Browse Articles

Exploiting colour-channel decorrelation for smartphone-based fluorescence detection

Abstract Detecting fluorescence using consumer-accessible imaging devices could enable low-cost authentication and sensing technologies. Here we present a smartphone-based fluorescence detection method that exploits decorrelation between $$RGB_{\textrm{det}}$$ camera channels under controlled illumination. Using 16-bit smartphone images, we measured responses from fluorescent and colour-matched non-fluorescent samples under 125 illumination conditions defined by combinations of red, green, and blue LED intensities. Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) values were calculated across the pixel intensities within cropped image regions, quantifying the statistical relationship between pairs of camera colour channels, ( $$R_{\textrm{det}}$$ , $$G_{\textrm{det}}$$ , $$B_{\textrm{det}}$$ ), to assess inter-channel relationships. Non-fluorescent samples exhibited consistently strong correlations (PCC $$\approx$$ 1), reflecting proportional scaling of reflected light across channels. In contrast, fluorescent materials produced broader PCC distributions spanning − 1 to 1 due to Stokes-shifted emission that disrupts linear channel relationships. Simple PCC thresholding enabled robust discrimination between fluorescent and non-fluorescent samples across illumination conditions. This RGB-PCC approach demonstrates that fluorescence signatures can be detected using correlation structure rather than absolute intensity, enabling a low-cost, hardware-efficient method for visible-light fluorescence detection with potential applications in authentication, materials analysis, and portable sensing.

A Portable Colorimetric Device for Rapid Bacterial Detection with Cleavable Functional Nucleic Acid Probes for A Common Bacterial Endoribonuclease

ABSTRACT Rapid bacterial detection, including multiplex formats, is critical for clinical diagnostics, particularly when distinct pathogens cause similar symptoms and complicate differential diagnosis. Here we report a portable gold‐coated filter tip‐based assay (GFTA) for rapid, colorimetric, and two‐plex bacterial detection. Cleavable functional nucleic acid (FNA) probes were obtained through in vitro selection to target RNase H2, a conserved bacterial endoribonuclease. In GFTA, horseradish peroxidase (HRP) serves as the reporter, while a bacterium‐specific FNA probe functions both as the recognition element and as a molecular bridge linking HRP to a gold‐coated filter tip. When a target bacterium is present, its RNase H2 cleaves the FNA probe and releases HRP. The released enzyme is then captured by a second gold‐coated filter tip, where it catalyzes tetramethylbenzidine oxidation to generate a visible color change. The assay is completed within 30 min. GFTA enabled specific detection of Clostridioides difficile and Salmonella typhimurium at concentrations as low as as low as 1.3 × 10 3 CFU/mL in fecal samples. Clinical validation using 60 human fecal samples achieved 83.3% sensitivity and 100% specificity for C. difficile detection. Its simplicity, portability, and instrument‐free colorimetric readout make GFTA attractive for resource‐limited settings.

Phytochemical profiling and systemic organoprotection of Tridax procumbens against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury

Built‐In Self‐Regeneration of Platinum Catalysis in Propane Dehydrogenation with Rare‐Earth‐Modified Zeolites

ABSTRACT Platinum‐based zeolite catalysts are among the most effective systems for propane dehydrogenation (PDH), yet their industrial deployment is limited by their poor regenerability under harsh redox cycling. Here, we report a ligand‐protected strategy to simultaneously encapsulate subnanometric CeO x and Pt clusters within silicalite‐1 (S‐1) zeolite. Zeolite confinement stabilizes both Pt and CeO x species under reducing dehydrogenation conditions, while the dynamic and reversible formation of strong Pt–CeO x interactions facilitates the reversible redispersion of Pt species during oxidative regeneration. Notably, the Pt‐4CeO x @S‐1 catalyst remains fully regenerable after 9 consecutive redox cycles and sustained operation over 5000 min at 600°C. Even after steam treatment at 600°C, the catalyst fully recovers its activity through simple calcination–reduction, demonstrating outstanding structural durability under industrially relevant conditions. Integrated theoretical and experimental evidence shows that confinement within the zeolite framework allows CeO x to dynamically capture mobile PtO x via Pt–O‒Ce bond formation, facilitating atomic‐scale Pt redispersion under oxidative conditions. This work offers a generalizable strategy for constructing redox‐adaptive catalyst architectures with built‐in self‐regeneration, advancing the design of robust zeolite‐based catalysts for high‐temperature and cyclic catalytic processes.

Towards million-token context windows: a topology-preserving framework for adaptive transformer sparsification

Deep Dehydrated Layered Vermiculite Membrane for Selective Lithium Separation

ABSTRACT Two‐dimensional (2D) layered membranes hold great promise in water treatment due to their simple film formation, tunable interlayer spacing, and designable surface chemistry. However, their practical application of aqueous ion sieving is largely constrained by swelling problems. Here, we report a deep dehydration strategy to suppress reswelling after ion‐intercalation by removing free and bound water within the interlayer channels. The deep dehydration drives the interlayer free spacing below a critical threshold, enhancing van der Waals and electrostatic interactions, thereby energetically inhibiting rehydration and stabilizing the intercalated ions. Additionally, the intercalated ions can further enhance mono/divalent ion selectivity by reducing the transport energy barrier of monovalent ions. The resulting deeply dehydrated vermiculite membranes exhibit exceptional anti‐swelling properties, maintaining narrow interlayer channels that enable high Li + /Mg 2+ selectivity over long‐term operation. These attributes allow for the extraction of lithium from salt‐lake water, facilitating the production of industrial‐grade Li 2 CO 3 via an integrated electrodialysis–precipitation process. Notably, the membrane shows minimal water crossover under high osmotic pressure, reducing freshwater consumption. The deep dehydration strategy is not limited to vermiculite but demonstrates broad generalizability to other 2D materials, offering a universal and effective route to address the major challenge of ion sieving in complex aqueous environments.

Implementation of an ai-enabled multimodal emergency care system is associated with improved sudden cardiac death rescue outcomes in anyang

Abstract Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide, with outcomes critically dependent on the effective implementation of the “Chain of Survival” — early recognition, early CPR, early defibrillation, and post-resuscitation care. In regional and pre-hospital settings, systemic fragmentation between emergency dispatch, ambulance services, and hospitals undermines this chain. This study presents the development, implementation, and impact evaluation of an integrated, AI-enabled multi-modal emergency care system designed to strengthen the entire Chain of Survival for SCD in a regional context.: We designed and deployed a system integrating a unified information platform, IoT-enabled devices, point-of-care testing (POCT), and AI-driven clinical decision support. The system was implemented phased across three counties in Anyang, China (population ≈ 2.1 million) from January 2022 to December 2023. We conducted a quasi-experimental before-and-after study using routinely collected emergency medical services (EMS) data. Primary outcomes were median response time (call receipt to scene arrival), pre-hospital STEMI identification rate, and return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) of cardiac origin. Data from 1,208 emergency cases (pre-implementation: n  = 587; post-implementation: n  = 621) were analyzed. Interrupted time series (ITS) analysis was performed to control for secular trends. The median emergency response time decreased from 9.8 min (IQR: 7.2–13.1) to 6.7 min (IQR: 5.1–9.0) ( P  < 0.001). The pre-hospital STEMI identification rate improved from 65% to 90% ( p  < 0.01). For OHCA of cardiac origin, the ROSC rate increased from 18% to 31% ( p  < 0.05), representing a 72% relative improvement. ITS analysis confirmed a significant level change for response time (β = -2.8 min, 95% CI: -3.7 to -1.9, P  < 0.001) and for ROSC (β = +12% points, 95% CI: +5 to + 19, P  = 0.01) immediately following implementation, with no significant pre-existing trends. The AI models demonstrated robust performance during validation (deterioration prediction AUC 0.89; STEMI detection AUC 0.92). The Anyang Model provides evidence that a systematically integrated, AI-driven platform is feasible and temporally associated with substantial improvements in regional emergency care for SCD. While causal attribution requires further validation, this systems-level approach offers a replicable framework that can be adapted to diverse resource settings.

Molecular Radiative Funneling Mitigates Multimodal Optical Losses in >19.7% Efficiency Flexible Organic Solar Cells

ABSTRACT Recycling plasmonic energy from non‐radiative damping is essential for overcoming efficiency limits in plasmon‐mediated optoelectronic systems, yet is often restricted by the lack of an integrated pathway that converts near‐field dissipation into usable optical output. Here, we establish a plasmon‐to‐photon relay that bridges the gap between parasitic plasmonic loss and usable photon flux. By tailoring multiple‐resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR‐TADF) mediators from a planar H‐BN to the sterically expanded TPS‐BN, we simultaneously strengthen near‐field capture via plasmon‐induced resonance energy transfer (PIRET) and preserve high radiative efficiency by suppressing intermolecular exciton loss. Upon integration into silver nanowire‐based flexible organic solar cells (FOSCs), this configuration effectively intercepts multimodal optical losses, including interfacial plasmonic dissipation and broadband photon escape, and redirects them into a radiative flux, which are preferential harvested by the active layer. Consequently, this radiative funneling enables a champion device with a record efficiency of 19.75%. This work highlights molecular spatial configuration as a determinant for regulating plasmon‐mediated energy flow and spectral distribution in high‐performance plasmon‐mediated optoelectronic devices.

Performance optimization of high efficiency CdSeTe thin film solar cell with back-contact buffer layer using numerical simulations

Brush‐on‐Brush Topological Solid Polymer Electrolyte Enables Stable Lithium Metal Battery Cycling at 110°C

ABSTRACT High‐temperature batteries capable of operating above 100°C are crucial in various industry applications. However, conventional high‐temperature systems, such as lithium‐thionyl chloride batteries, are not rechargeable. Lithium metal batteries (LMBs) utilizing solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) offer a promising pathway toward thermally stable, rechargeable energy storage. Here, we design and synthesize an SPE with unique brush‐on‐brush topology (BOB‐Li) to simultaneously enhance mechanical properties and electrochemical stability of electrolyte at elevated temperatures. The rigid poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) backbone imparts sufficient mechanical strength, while the ether moieties on poly(ethylene glycol) acrylate (PEGA) brushes provide tight adhesion and ionic conductivity. Furthermore, BOB‐Li promotes anion‐rich solvation structure with LiTFSI, inducing stable solid‐electrolyte interphase (SEI). Consequently, Li||LiFePO 4 cell employing BOB‐Li retains 90% of its initial capacity after 1000 cycles at 1C and 110°C. Additionally, Li||LiNi 0.6 Co 0.2 Mn 0.2 O 2 cell can work steadily for 100 cycles at 85°C. This work validates a topological design strategy of thermally stable SPE as well as a viable route to fabricate LMBs for extreme high‐temperature applications.

Dynamic platelet trajectory patterns and their nonlinear association with mortality in acute myocardial infarction

Inside Back Cover: Neutral X‐Site ABX ₃ ‐Type Perovskites (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 28/2026)

Chiral Through‐Space Charge‐Transfer Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescent Emitter with Multiple Stereogenic Centers

ABSTRACT The development of high‐performance circularly polarized thermally activated delayed fluorescence (CP‐TADF) emitters featuring through‐space charge‐transfer (TSCT) transitions is fascinating yet challenging due to the difficulty in balancing efficiency, dissymmetry factors, and structural diversity. Here, we report the first helical‐configuration integrated TSCT‐type CP‐TADF emitter, which adopts a dual‐spiro‐locked face‐to‐face acceptor/donor/acceptor scaffold. This sandwiched design not only enables degenerate energy states via multi‐channel TSCT transitions but also incorporates multiple stereogenic centers, resulting in an exceptionally small singlet–triplet energy gap of 0.04 eV, a high reverse intersystem crossing rate of >10 6 s − 1 , and near‐unity photoluminescence quantum yields (>93%), accompanied by a benchmark high photoluminescence dissymmetry factor (| g PL |) of 4.4 × 10 − 3 among such TSCT‐type emitters. When applied as an emitter in organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs), this molecule achieves a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE max ) of 27.4% with suppressed efficiency roll‐off and strong electroluminescence dissymmetry (| g EL | ≈ 3.2 × 10 − 3 ). When used as a sensitizer for a multiple‐resonance TADF emitter, it enables an impressive maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE max ) of 38.4% while maintaining high | g EL | (≈ 3.0 × 10 − 3 ). This work greatly diversifies the structural frameworks of TSCT‐type CP‐TADF emitter with improved performance.

Serum miR-181a-5p, miR-214-3p, and miR-223-3p in epithelial ovarian cancer

Abstract Early detection of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) remains challenging due to nonspecific symptoms and limitations of current biomarkers. Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as minimally invasive candidates for cancer detection. This study evaluated the baseline, free-circulating serum expression of miR-181a-5p, miR-214-3p, and miR-223-3p in treatment-naïve patients with EOC and healthy controls. In this single-center prospective case–control study, pretreatment serum samples were collected from 77 patients with histologically confirmed EOC and 74 healthy female controls. miRNA expression was quantified by quantitative real-time PCR using U6 RNA as internal control. Associations with clinicopathologic features and overall survival (OS) were assessed. Diagnostic performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Serum miR-181a-5p and miR-223-3p levels were significantly lower in patients compared with controls ( p  < 0.001 for both), while miR-214-3p showed no significant difference ( p  = 0.505). After adjustment for age and BMI, reduced expression of miR-181a-5p and miR-223-3p remained significant. ROC analysis demonstrated moderate diagnostic accuracy for miR-181a-5p (AUC = 0.704) and miR-223-3p (AUC = 0.732). No significant associations were identified between serum miRNA levels and FIGO stage, tumor grade, platinum sensitivity, progression-free survival, or overall survival (all p  > 0.05). Serum miR-181a-5p and miR-223-3p are significantly downregulated in EOC and exhibit moderate discriminatory capacity, suggesting that they may warrant further evaluation as components of future multimodal biomarker strategies. Prospective multicenter studies, ideally complemented by paired tissue and exosomal profiling to address compartment-specific dynamics, are warranted to validate these findings.

A plug and play attention block for accurate multi scenario remote sensing image segmentation

Germanium Vacancy Release and Atomic Off‐Centering Engineering for Advanced GeTe Thermoelectrics

ABSTRACT Germanium telluride (GeTe) is a leading candidate for medium‐temperature applications, yet its performance is intrinsically limited by high carrier concentrations arising from the spontaneous formation of Ge vacancies. Conventional strategies for suppressing Ge vacancies to modulate carrier concentration often sacrifice the beneficial phonon scattering centers. Here, we demonstrate that Ge vacancy release and atomic off‐centering engineering enable high‐performance GeTe thermoelectrics. Specifically, CdTe alloying introduces Ge vacancy clusters and a hierarchical precipitate structure composed of a matrix, secondary phase, and nanoprecipitates. In parallel, the local off‐centering of Ge atoms gives rise to intense phonon coupling and pronounced lattice strain. Simultaneously, CdTe/ZnTe alloying causes bandgap widening, band convergence, and impurity bands, thereby raising the effective mass. Consequently, (Ge 0.92 Sb 0.02 Bi 0.06 Te) 0.96 (CdTe) 0.04 and (Ge 0.92 Sb 0.02 Bi 0.06 Te) 0.99 (ZnTe) 0.01 attain peak dimensionless figure of merit ( zT ) values of ∼2.2 and ∼2.1 at 723 K, as well as average zT values of ∼1.4 and ∼1.2 over 323–723 K, respectively. Meanwhile, both samples exhibit a Vickers hardness exceeding 235 HV. This work demonstrates a local structural strategy that offers a promising approach for advancing high‐performance thermoelectric materials with low thermal conductivity.

Retraction Note: Association between low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and prostate cancer risk in non-hypertensive middle-aged and older American men

Metal‐π Sites Localized Hydrogen‐*CO Coupling for Enhanced CO ₂ Electromethanation

ABSTRACT Electrochemical CO 2 ‐to‐CH 4 conversion on Cu–N–C single‐atom catalysts is fundamentally limited by *H/*CO spatial mismatch from numerous metal‐free CN matrix, where the long‐range hydrogen transfer easily causes *H coupling or *CO dimerization, ultimately impeding *CHO formation. Herein, we design a two‐dimensional metal–organic polymer catalyst featuring spatially adjacent Cu and 1H‐benzotriazole to form Cu‐π units, which achieves a Faradaic efficiency of 61% for CH 4 at 800 mA·cm −2 . Using Infrared free‐electron laser (IRFEL) nanospectroscopy, we identify the key Cu‐π coordination environment and low‐frequency bonding modes, unavailable by conventional IR techniques. Complementary in‐situ synchrotron radiation IR, electrochemical experiments and theoretical calculations reveal that π sites adsorb hydrated cations, enabling localized hydrogen supply to adjacent *CO on Cu sites and suppressing long‐range hydrogen transfer‐induced side reactions. This inorganic–organic synergy paves a new pathway to spatially match *H and *CO, advancing efficient CO 2 ‐to‐hydrocarbons conversion.

A General and Scalable Chiral Surrogate Rotaxane Strategy for Highly Enantioenriched Mechanically Planar Chiral Rotaxanes

ABSTRACT We report a general and modular chiral surrogate rotaxane (CSR) strategy for the synthesis of mechanically planar chiral rotaxanes (MPCRs) of high optical purity ( ca . 99.6% ee). A diastereomeric CSR, readily separable by column chromatography, is first generated through an S N 2 interlocking process in which a Na + ‐templated directional macrocycle encircling a chiral nucleophilic auxiliary is captured by a semidumbbell‐shaped electrophile. Subsequent displacement of the auxiliary with a semidumbbell‐shaped nucleophile furnishes the target MPCR with complete stereochemical fidelity and quantitative recovery of the auxiliary. This scalable approach avoids reliance on preparative chiral stationary phase HPLC and supports stereochemical assignment by correlation, reducing the need for product‐by‐product x‐ray crystallographic analysis. Moreover, the strategy provided access to all three stereoisomers of a co‐conformationally mechanically planar chiral [3]rotaxane, each in 99.8% stereoisomeric purity. These results establish a practical platform for accessing stereochemically well defined mechanically chiral rotaxanes for systematic study and future functional applications.

Regioisomer‐Dependent Supramolecular Assembly of Coumarin Derivatives for Wavelength‐Dependent Blue and Near‐Infrared Circularly Polarized Luminescence

ABSTRACT Supramolecular assemblies exhibiting circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) are attractive candidates for advanced photonic and optoelectronic materials. However, precise regulation of CPL output across distinct wavelength regions remains challenging, particularly in systems that require the programmable integration of molecular structure, supramolecular chirality, energy transfer, and external‐stimulus responsiveness. Herein, we report two chiral coumarin‐based cholesterol amide derivatives that exhibit striking regioisomer‐dependent assembly behavior and CPL properties. Notably, CHC‐1 selectively forms long‐range ordered chiral nanofibers in both polar and nonpolar solvents, giving rise to pronounced supramolecular chirality together with strong blue CPL activity. Single‐crystal analysis and theoretical calculations jointly demonstrate that subtle structural isomerism has a pronounced impact on assembly activity. Moreover, co‐assembly of CHC‐1 with thioflavin T affords strong green CPL emission through efficient energy transfer. Furthermore, incorporation of the photoisomerizable spiropyran allows photoresponsive modulation of wavelength‐dependent CPL behavior. Benefiting from the photoisomerization of spiropyran, the co‐assembled gels show distinct near‐infrared CPL emission. This work establishes a versatile strategy for constructing wavelength‐dependent, multi‐mode CPL supramolecular systems and highlights how structurally programmed assembly can be leveraged to regulate chiroptical properties in multi‐component materials.