Search for: All records

Abstract Electromagnetic hyperbolicity has driven key functionalities in nanophotonics, including super-resolution imaging, efficient energy control, and extreme light manipulation. Central to these advances are hyperbolic polaritons—nanometer-scale light-matter waves—spanning multiple energy-momentum dispersion orders with distinct mode profiles and incrementally high optical momenta. In this work, we report the mode conversion of hyperbolic polaritons across different dispersion orders by breaking the structure symmetry in engineered step-shape van der Waals (vdW) terraces. The mode conversion from the fundamental to high-order hyperbolic polaritons is imaged using scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM) on both hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) and alpha-phase molybdenum trioxide (α-MoO₃) vdW terraces. Our s-SNOM data, augmented with electromagnetics simulations, further demonstrate the alteration of polariton mode conversion by varying the step size of vdW terraces. The mode conversion reported here offers a practical approach toward integrating previously independent different-order hyperbolic polaritons with ultra-high momenta, paving the way for promising applications in nano-optical circuits, sensing, computation, information processing, and super-resolution imaging. 

Abstract MotivationCell communication is predominantly governed by secreted proteins, whose diverse secretion patterns often signify underlying physiological irregularities. Understanding these secreted signals at an individual cell level is crucial for gaining insights into regulatory mechanisms involving various molecular agents. To elucidate the array of cell secretion signals, which encompass different types of biomolecular secretion cues from individual immune cells, we introduce the secretion-signal map (S2Map). ResultsS2Map is an online interactive analytical platform designed to explore and interpret distinct cell secretion-signal patterns visually. It incorporates two innovative qualitative metrics, the signal inequality index and the signal coverage index, which are exquisitely sensitive in measuring dissymmetry and diffusion of signals in temporal data. S2Map’s innovation lies in its depiction of signals through time-series analysis with multi-layer visualization. We tested the SII and SCI performance in distinguishing the simulated signal diffusion models. S2Map hosts a repository for the single-cell’s secretion-signal data for exploring cell secretio-types, a new cell phenotyping based on the cell secretion signal pattern. We anticipate that S2Map will be a powerful tool to delve into the complexities of physiological systems, providing insights into the regulation of protein production, such as cytokines at the remarkable resolution of single cells. Availability and implementationThe S2Map server is publicly accessible via https://au-s2map.streamlit.app/. 

Abstract Aggressive cancers, characterized by high metastatic potential and resistance to conventional therapies, present a significant challenge in oncology. Current treatments often fail to effectively target metastasis, recurrence, and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, while causing significant off‐target toxicity. Here, superparamagnetic copper iron oxide nanoparticles (SCIONs) as a multifunctional platform that integrates magnetic hyperthermia therapy, immune modulation, and targeted chemotherapeutic delivery, aiming to provide a more comprehensive cancer treatment is presented. Specifically, SCIONs generate localized hyperthermia under an alternating magnetic field while delivering a copper‐based anticancer agent, resulting in a synergistic anticancer effect. The hyperthermia induced by SCIONs caused ER stress and ROS production, leading to significant tumor cell death, while the copper complex further enhanced oxidative stress, ferroptosis, and apoptosis. Beyond direct cytotoxicity, SCIONs disrupted the tumor microenvironment by inhibiting cancer‐associated fibroblasts, downregulating epithelial‐mesenchymal transition markers, and reducing cell migration and invasion, thereby limiting metastasis. Additionally, SCION‐based therapy reprogrammed the immune microenvironment by inducing immunogenic cell death and enhancing dendritic cell activation, resulting in increased CD8+ T cell infiltration and amplified antitumor immunity. This integrated approach targets primary and metastatic tumors while mitigating immunosuppression, offering a promising next‐generation therapy for combating cancer with enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects.