In heavy-ion collisions at relativistic energies, the incident nuclei travel at nearly the speed of light. These collisions deposit kinetic energy into the overlap region and create a high-temperature environment where hadrons “melt” into deconfined quarks and gluons. The spectator nucleons, which do not undergo scatterings, generate an ultraintense electromagnetic field—on the order of 10¹⁸ G at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider and 10¹⁹ G at the Large Hadron Collider. These powerful electromagnetic fields have a substantial impact on the produced particles, not only complicating the study of particle interactions but also inducing novel physical phenomena. To explore the nature of these fields and their interactions with deconfined quarks, we provide a detailed overview, encompassing theoretical estimations of their generation and evolution, as well as experimental efforts to detect them. We also provide physical interpretations of the discovered results and discuss potential directions for future investigations.

Ultrasound localization microscopy (ULM) is a novel imaging technique that overcomes the diffraction limit to achieve super-resolution imaging at the 10-μm scale. Despite its remarkable progress, challenges persist in enhancing the precision of microbubble tracking and fulfilling the requirements for high frame rates in practical circumstances, especially in moving organs. To address these issues, an enhanced ULM approach (shorten as vc-Kalman) integrating rapid motion compensation was developed to achieve excellent image quality. Unlike traditional methods relying on observed bubble positions, the proposed algorithm combined statistical information derived from historical data with Kalman-filter-predicted positions to enable more accurate bubble localization. Meanwhile, microbubble brightness in adjacent frames was incorporated as multidimensional feature to further improve the matching efficacy. Furthermore, velocity constraint was applied to minimize possible erroneous traces and enhance the contrast-to-noise ratio of ULM images, while ensuring the continuity of vascular reconstruction and the accuracy of the blood flow analysis to generate a reduced normalized root mean square error in velocity estimation, even at a relatively low frame rate of 146 Hz. More important, to effectively suppress the impact of physiological movements in moving organs like kidneys, this algorithm fulfilled subpixel displacement vector identification through parabolic fitting and expedited motion compensation via dynamic programming-based cross-correlation search. The results indicated that this advanced vc-Kalman method substantially boosted both the robustness and accuracy of ULM imaging, thereby opening more opportunities for clinical applications of super-resolution ULM technology.

Thermoelectric (TE) materials have garnered widespread research interest owing to their capability for direct heat-to-electricity conversion. Binary indium-based chalcogenides (In–X, X = Te, Se, S) stand out in inorganic materials by virtue of their relatively low thermal conductivity. For example, In₄Se_2.35 shows a low thermal conductivity of 0.74 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ and an impressive zT value of 1.48 along the b–c plane at 705 K, as a result of structural anisotropy. Here, we review the structural features and recent research progress in the TE field for In–X materials. It begins by presenting the characteristics of crystal structure, electronic band structure, and phonon dispersion, aiming to microscopically understand the similarity/dissimilarity among these In–X compounds, notably the role of unconventional bonds (such as In–In) in modulating the band structures and lattice vibrations. Furthermore, TE optimization strategies of such materials were classified and discussed, including defect engineering, crystal orientation engineering, nanostructuring, and grain size engineering. The final section provides an overview of recent progress in optimizing TE properties of indium tellurides, indium selenides, and indium sulfides. An outlook is also presented on the major challenges and opportunities associated with these material systems for future TE applications. This Review is expected to provide critical insights into the development of new strategies to design binary indium-based chalcogenides as promising TE materials in the future.

Background: No robust biomarkers have been identified to predict the efficacy of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LANPC). We aimed to develop radiomic models using pre-immunotherapy MRI to predict the response to PD-1 inhibitors and the patient prognosis. Methods: This study included 246 LANPC patients (training cohort, n = 117; external test cohort, n = 129) from 10 centers. The best-performing machine learning classifier was employed to create the radiomic models. A combined model was constructed by integrating clinical and radiomic data. A radiomic interpretability study was performed with whole slide images (WSIs) stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). A total of 150 patient-level nuclear morphological features (NMFs) and 12 cell spatial distribution features (CSDFs) were extracted from WSIs. The correlation between the radiomic and pathological features was assessed using Spearman correlation analysis. Results: The radiomic model outperformed the clinical and combined models in predicting treatment response (area under the curve: 0.760 vs. 0.559 vs. 0.652). For overall survival estimation, the combined model performed comparably to the radiomic model but outperformed the clinical model (concordance index: 0.858 vs. 0.812 vs. 0.664). Six treatment response-related radiomic features correlated with 50 H&E-derived (146 pairs, |r|= 0.31 to 0.46) and 2 to 26 IHC-derived NMF, particularly for CD45RO (69 pairs, |r|= 0.31 to 0.48), CD8 (84, |r|= 0.30 to 0.59), PD-L1 (73, |r|= 0.32 to 0.48), and CD163 (53, |r| = 0.32 to 0.59). Eight prognostic radiomic features correlated with 11 H&E-derived (16 pairs, |r|= 0.48 to 0.61) and 2 to 31 IHC-derived NMF, particularly for PD-L1 (80 pairs, |r|= 0.44 to 0.64), CD45RO (65, |r|= 0.42 to 0.67), CD19 (35, |r|= 0.44 to 0.58), CD66b (61, |r| = 0.42 to 0.67), and FOXP3 (21, |r| = 0.41 to 0.71). In contrast, fewer CSDFs exhibited correlations with specific radiomic features. Conclusion: The radiomic model and combined model are feasible in predicting immunotherapy response and outcomes in LANPC patients. The radiology–pathology correlation suggests a potential biological basis for the predictive models.

Enzyme–photosensitizer (PS) conjugates hold great promise for clinical treatment of cancer and infectious diseases via catalysis-augmented photodynamic therapy (PDT). Compared to covalent coupling, physical binding utilizing noncovalent interactions provides a simple and nondestructive strategy to combine PS with enzymes. However, the mechanism of enzyme–PS physical combination remains largely unknown, and physically bonded enzyme–PS conjugates are rarely reported. Here, we systematically investigate the interacting behaviors of representative enzymes with one of the most popular PS of chlorin e6 (Ce6) and elucidate their binding dynamics and crucial determinants. Our results reveal that the positively charged and hydrophobic residues on the surface of enzymes are crucial determinants of Ce6 binding. In addition, we demonstrate that the positively charged surface area of enzymes can be employed as a reliable criterion for assessing and predicting the enzyme–Ce6 binding affinity. Guided by this criterion, we further construct catalase–Ce6 nanoconjugates (CAT–Ce6 NCs) with superior stability and robust photodynamic antimicrobial capability via physical binding. In a showcase treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-infected mouse model of subcutaneous abscess, CAT–Ce6 NCs enable hypoxia pathological microenvironment remodeling and bacteria elimination, realizing effective catalysis-augmented PDT. This study deciphers the physical binding mechanism of enzyme–PS and establishes a theoretical framework to facilitate the design and construction of outstanding enzyme–PS NCs for catalysis-augmented PDT.

Macrophages participate in the immune system by recognizing and engulfing foreign bodies inside phagosomes, which fuse with lysosomes in their cytoplasm to form mature phagolysosomes. Lysosomes have an acidic interior and generate and release reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) to destroy the endocytosed entities. It has been previously reported that intra-lysosomal pH plays an essential role in the regulation of ROS/RNS. However, the exact regulatory mechanism remains to be elucidated. Taking advantage of the large number of active lysosomes distributed along the phagocytic lumen during frustrated phagocytosis of glass fibers by macrophages, the intensity of 4 primary ROS/RNS released fluxes (ONOO⁻, H₂O₂, NO, and NO₂⁻) was monitored with platinum nanoelectrochemical sensors, thereby revealing the important role of intra-lysosomal pH on ROS/RNS fluxes after pharmacological modulations. Acidification (pH <5.0) does not alter the rate of production of ROS/RNS precursors (superoxide ions, O₂^•−, and parent NO) but promotes O₂^•− protonation, leading to an increase of H₂O₂ release. In contrast, the initial production of NO, which subsequently increased the release of ONOO⁻ and NO₂⁻, was enhanced by alkalinization (pH >6.0). The resulting increased oxidative stress was associated with massive proinflammatory cytokine release. Taken together, these results provide important information about the impact of lysosomal pH on ROS/RNS regulation.

Micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) light detection and ranging (LiDAR) systems are widely employed in diverse applications for their precise ranging and high-resolution imaging capabilities. However, conventional Lissajous scanning patterns, despite their design flexibility, are increasingly limited in meeting the growing demands for image quality. In this study, we propose a novel programmable scanning method that enhances angular resolution within defined regions of interest (ROIs). By applying parameter modulation techniques, we establish a direct, analytical link between the scanning trajectory and ROI placement, enabling precise resolution control. The proposed method increases point cloud density by 2 to 6 times across any ROI within a Lissajous scan, achieving localized improvements of up to 650%, independent of frequency constraints. Moreover, it reduces the design complexity of MEMS scanning mirrors by half, while maintaining comparable high-resolution performance. Incorporating a gaze-inspired trajectory modulation strategy and random modulation continuous wave ranging, we develop a MEMS LiDAR prototype that greatly enhances point cloud fidelity and enables accurate 3-dimensional imaging within ROIs—achieving a ranging accuracy of 2.4 cm (3σ). This approach not only improves angular resolution in targeted regions but also extends the practical applicability of MEMS LiDAR to multitarget tracking and recognition scenarios. Furthermore, the study establishes a robust theoretical framework for ROI-based trajectory control, contributing to the advancement of next-generation high-resolution imaging systems.

Ferroptosis plays a role in wound healing during the maturation of senescent endothelial cells. This study explores the modulation of ferroptosis in senescent human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and wound-healing processes by Piezo1 activation at the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels. Elevated Piezo1 expression was observed in HUVECs treated with the senescence inducer doxorubicin (Doxo) and the ferroptosis inducer erastin and in aged wound tissue. Pharmacological inhibition or knockdown of Piezo1 protected senescent HUVECs and aged wound tissue from ferroptosis. Additionally, Piezo1 channel activity was found to promote ferroptosis in senescent HUVECs by increasing intracellular Ca²⁺ levels. The calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII)/activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3)/SLC7A11 signaling axis was activated upon stimulation with erastin and Doxo, driving Piezo1-induced ferroptosis. CaMKII directly interacted with ATF3, which could be modulated through Piezo1 channel regulation. Notably, Piezo1 knockout mice or adeno-associated virus 9-mediated silencing of ATF3 attenuated ferroptosis in senescent cells and accelerated wound repair. Mechanistically, both genetic and pharmacological inhibition of Piezo1 promoted wound healing in aged tissues and regulated ferroptosis in senescent HUVECs through the CaMKII/ATF3/SLC7A11 pathway. In conclusion, these findings suggest that targeting Piezo1-mediated ferroptosis in senescent HUVECs offers a promising therapeutic approach for improving wound healing in the elderly.

Ferroptosis has promising potential for augmenting antitumor effects, but monotherapy with ferroptosis inducers in vivo has been reported to have limited efficacy in tumor management. The development of synergistic strategies with targeted capabilities is crucial for enhancing the antitumor efficacy of ferroptosis inducers. In this study, we designed and characterized a novel self-assembled nanomedicine by mixing ferrous ions (Fe²⁺) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in a controllable manner and encapsulating the ferroptosis inducer RSL3, named Fe-EGCG@RSL3. This multifunctional nanomedicine effectively induces ferroptosis and growth inhibition in bladder cancer cells and patient-derived organoids. In vivo, Fe-EGCG@RSL3 was enriched in the subcutaneous tumors of allogenic and xenograft mouse models, thereby substantially overcoming RSL3 resistance. Intravesical instillation of Fe-EGCG@RSL3 controls orthotopic bladder tumor progression. Furthermore, nanomedicine potentiates the therapeutic effect of anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) immunotherapy by increasing the cytotoxicity of CD8⁺ T cells to cancer cells and modulating the proportions of both T-cell and myeloid cell subpopulations within the tumor immune microenvironment. Overall, Fe-EGCG@RSL3 has dual functions as a multifaceted nanomedicine that integrates ferroptosis induction with immunomodulation, offering a novel and clinically translatable strategy for bladder cancer therapy.

There is remarkable demand for bio-based specialty resins such as benzoxazine thermosets, but they are brittle and difficult to process. This study reports the synthesis of a processable bio-based polybenzoxazine resin via the copolymerization of rigid and soft benzoxazine dimers synthesized from bio-based phenols. The polybenzoxazine copolymer demonstrated excellent thermoplasticity and a tunable toughness in the range of 9.0 to 24.1 MJ/m³. The incorporation of soft segments and dynamic ester bonds in the polybenzoxazine notably improved its thermoplasticity compared with traditional thermosetting benzoxazine resins. The polybenzoxazine copolymer also demonstrated a dielectric constant of 2.99 and a dielectric loss of 0.019 at 3 GHz, as well as a high breakdown voltage of 27.2 kV/mm. This research highlights the promising mechanical and thermal properties of the resulting bio-based resin, as well as its tunable dielectric properties, making it a competitive candidate for various high-performance applications in the polymer industry.