Browse Articles

Critical current density field and thickness dependence in thin flakes of quasi-two-dimensional superconductor NbS2

We present an investigation of the critical current density and pinning force in superconducting NbS2 flakes in a parallel magnetic field. Our study demonstrates that the critical current in intermediate fields exhibits strong pinning across the full temperature range. Investigation of the pinning force suggests significant contributions from both point-like and surface defects. We observe an increase in critical current density with decreasing the sample thickness, which can be associated with a transition to two-dimensional pinning. The 3D phase diagram Jc(B, T) of the NbS2 flake in a parallel field is plotted.

Inorganic nitrogen metabolic reprogramming of the gut microbiome drives fecal microbiota transplantation in ulcerative colitis

Entanglement dynamics of multi-fluxonium-qubits under non-Markovian TLS noise

We examine the entanglement dynamics of two capacitively connected fluxonium qubits influenced by correlated non-Markovian two-level-system (TLS) noise. The environment is represented by an Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process with a Lorentzian spectrum, and the filter-function formalism is utilized as the main framework to assess finite-memory effects and analyze dynamical-decoupling (DD) performance. We design a TLS-oriented DD sequence by optimizing pulse placements within experimentally motivated control limitations for the low-frequency-dominated TLS spectrum pertinent to fluxonium devices. Numerical results indicate that the optimized protocol more efficiently mitigates spectral overlap with TLS noise and enhances the preservation of two-qubit entanglement throughout empirically pertinent timeframes, in comparison to traditional sequences. A succinct post-Markovian master-equation analysis is incorporated solely as a phenomenological consistency verification for the finite-memory crossover. The results establish a quantifiable standard for entanglement preservation in linked fluxonium qubits subjected to colored non-Markovian noise and underscore the need for spectrum-aware DD design for superconducting qubit systems.

Maternal age and pregnancy-related cardiovascular complications

Electric-double-layer memcapacitive reservoirs for energy-efficient human action processing

Physical reservoir computing (PRC) exploits intrinsic material dynamics for energy-efficient neuromorphic hardware. However, conventional resistive PRC implementations suffer from high power consumption and hardware complexity owing to leakage currents and the requirement for peripheral readout circuitry. Here, we demonstrate an electric-double-layer memcapacitive reservoir based on an Al/nanogranular SiO2/ITO sandwiched structure. The device enables direct open-circuit voltage readout and utilizes reversible ionic charge accumulation at the interface, enabling robust nonlinearity and short-term memory. The PRC system based on such a device achieves a normalized root mean square error of 0.097 in the Mackey–Glass chaotic time series prediction task. It also yields high human action recognition accuracies of 92.00% on the profile-based Weizmann dataset (10 classes) and 86.54% on the depth-based UTD multimodal human action dataset (27 classes), respectively. This memcapacitive device shows a single-pulse energy consumption of 0.68 pJ and an operating power of ∼27 pW in action recognition task, superior to most traditional current-readout reservoirs by over an order of magnitude. These results highlight a structurally simple and highly energy-efficient physical pathway for neuromorphic visual processing.

Compact photonic spiking neuron with inherent stochasticity based on phase-change material for probabilistic computing

Pressure-induced higher-order topological phase in CsAu3S2

External pressure is an efficient means for manipulating various topological states (such as topological insulators and topological semimetals), yet its potential for driving higher-order topology remains relatively unexplored. In this work, we propose that CsAu3S2 provides an ideal system for exploring pressure-driven higher-order topological phases. Based on first-principles calculations and developed tight-binding models, CsAu3S2 is identified as a real Chern insulator with hinge states below 22.5 GPa, while it evolves into a real nodal line semimetal driven by a double band inversion under external pressure exceeding 22.5 GPa. When SOC is included, the system exhibits a rich pressure-induced topological phase diagram. A band inversion occurs at 17.2 GPa, driving a topological phase transition from a real Chern insulator to a topological insulator. A second band inversion at 24.7 GPa further transforms the system into a higher-order topological insulator, characterized by the inversion symmetry-based indicator z4 = 2 and the emergence of six pairs of spin Weyl nodes. The interplay between high pressure and spin–orbit coupling endows CsAu3S2 with a rich variety of topological phases, rendering it a promising candidate for exploring pressure-induced topological phase transitions.

Biodiversity and habitat complexity buffer the destabilizing effects of anthropogenic activities on riverine fish communities

Sustainable Aqueous Zn‐ion Batteries: Green Materials, Low‐Carbon Manufacturing, and Circular Economy

ABSTRACT Sustainable aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (AZIBs) have emerged as promising next‐generation energy storage solutions, aligning with global initiatives to mitigate climate change and promote low‐carbon transitions. Their appeal stems from the utilization of earth‐abundant materials and aqueous electrolytes, which minimize reliance on scarce metals and alleviate the safety and environmental risks associated with organic‐solvent‐based systems. This review systematically evaluates the sustainability of AZIBs throughout their entire life cycle, encompassing material selection, cell manufacturing, operational use, and end‐of‐life recycling, while providing a forward‐looking perspective on their advancement. However, critical hurdles to industrialization persist, including zinc dendrite growth, cathode dissolution, and restricted cycle life. To realize genuine sustainability, future research must prioritize green material innovations, such as bio‐based binders, functional separators, and eco‐friendly electrolytes, while implementing dry electrode fabrication and other low‐impact manufacturing techniques. Adopting a comprehensive life‐cycle approach guided by circular economy principles is vital for fostering synergistic optimization across design, production, use, and recycling, ultimately achieving a “cradle‐to‐cradle” system. Furthermore, supportive policies, cross‐sector collaboration, and international standardization are essential to bridge the gap between laboratory research and large‐scale application. Through systematic, multi‐faceted innovation, sustainable AZIBs are well‐positioned to drive the global energy transition.

Reference-free computational holographic imaging based on non-zero frequency single-pixel detection

Single-pixel imaging (SPI) provides unique advantages for complex-field imaging, especially in weak-light conditions or at special wavelengths. However, existing schemes still face the conventional limitations of interferometric metrology that requires strict optical path stability between reference and object beams. In this work, we propose a novel common-path single-pixel holographic imaging method that operates without any physical reference beam. By strategically detecting a non-zero frequency component in an amplitude-only modulation SPI system, a virtual reference wave is effectively simulated, generating an equivalent off-axis interference effect that enables direct phase retrieval. Using this approach, we realize high-speed complex-field imaging, achieving 64 × 64-pixel holographic reconstruction in 0.4 s. This work demonstrates enhanced system simplicity, rapid imaging speed, and competitive robustness, making it particularly suitable for dynamic imaging and complex-field measurements in vibration-prone environments.

Detection of Zwan-Wolf effect in the ionosphere of Mars

Theoretical study on image encryption based on near-field thermal radiation of many-body systems

Under the escalating challenges in information security, encryption technology has become a core defensive measure, yet single digital encryption still faces interception and decryption risks, driving the development of hybrid encryption combining physical mechanisms with digital algorithms. Near-field thermal radiation exhibits high sensitivity to parameters such as materials and distance at the sub-wavelength scales, which provides the possibility of constructing high-security, electromagnetic-interference-resistant physical encryption systems. In this Letter, a near-field thermal radiation modulator is presented based on a vanadium dioxide/graphene emitter and graphene/silicon carbide receiver photonic heterostructure, thereby filling the research gap in the transient analysis of many-body near-field thermal radiation. A key space is established by tuning the emitter temperature, gap distance, and graphene Fermi level. At the algorithmic level, image scrambling and diffusion are achieved by combining a convolutional neural network with chaotic systems. Analysis demonstrates that the proposed encryption system exhibits excellent performance in pixel distribution, correlation, information entropy, and resistance to differential attacks, providing a novel technical pathway for high-security image encryption.

Unveiling Spin Dependent Effectiveness of Strain Engineering in Metal Catalysts

Nonlinearity correction-free FMCW LiDAR based on monolithically integrated sideband injection locking: Breaking coherence length limit

The frequency-sweep nonlinearity of the light source in frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) LiDAR degrades the signal-to-noise ratio, thereby affecting the ranging accuracy and effective detection range of the LiDAR. Meanwhile, the maximum detection range of FMCW LiDAR is restricted by the coherence length of the light source. The inherent frequency modulation nonlinearity of a linear frequency-modulated (LFM) laser has to be corrected by complex predistortion compensation circuits or digital post-processing algorithms, which increases hardware cost and system integration difficulty. In addition, the ultra-narrow linewidth required for long-distance detection also raises the fabrication difficulty of LiDAR light sources. To solve the above-mentioned problems, this paper proposes an innovative FMCW LiDAR scheme without nonlinearity correction. Based on monolithically integrated sideband injection-locking technology, low-distortion LFM laser output can be realized without additional correction systems. Experimental results show that the proposed scheme achieves a frequency modulation nonlinearity of approximately 0.025% and a relative ranging error of less than 0.6%. Clear scanning imaging of the target is obtained. Moreover, the proposed scheme overcomes the light source's coherence length limitation, achieving a detection range exceeding seven times its intrinsic coherence length.

Systematic discovery of motif-based interactions of the auxiliary domains of USP family deubiquitinases

Abstract The ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs) family is the largest family of human deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs). While most USPs are agnostic to polyubiquitin linkage-type, their substrate specificity is thought to be mediated by the recognition of the ubiquitnated protein itself. In addition to their catalytic domain, USPs have one or more auxiliary domains (ADs) with key functions in regulating DUB activity and localization. We hypothesize that some ADs bind short linear motifs (SLiMs) typically found in intrinsically disordered regions of proteins to achieve targeting to substrates and multiprotein complexes. To test this, we systematically assess the potential of 29 USP-ADs and two full-length USPs for SLiM binding using a combination of proteomic-peptide phage display, peptide SPOT arrays and affinity measurements. We discover SLiM-based interactions for 14 ADs from 9 USP-DUBs, including CYLD, USP11, USP19, USP20, USP22 and USP33, and define the consensus motif and properties of the SLiM-AD binding. Interestingly, we establish that the zf-UBP and DUSP2 domains of USP20 and USP33 are SLiM binding ADs with similar binding profiles, explaining the functional redundancy between the two DUBs. Our work reveals unique motifs recognized by the auxiliary domains CAP-Gly, UBL, zf-UBP and DUSP, with potential functional implications for substrate recognition and complex assemblies.

Role of CoFeB/Pt stacking order on interfacial Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction driven spin-wave asymmetry

The interfacial Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction (iDMI) plays a vital role in stabilizing chiral magnetic textures and enabling nonreciprocal spin-wave propagation, both of which are essential for the development of next-generation spintronic devices. Controlling iDMI through material design and interface engineering is therefore important for achieving more energy-efficient information technologies. CoFeB/Pt heterostructures are particularly versatile due to their adjustable magnetic and spin–orbit properties. In this study, we examine how stacking sequence, interface quality, and magnetic moment density influence iDMI in CoFeB/Pt thin films using magnetometry and Brillouin light scattering. We find that changing the layer order, creating symmetric stacks, or inserting spacer layers significantly alters spin-wave nonreciprocity. Notably, the frequency shift when CoFeB is deposited on top of Pt is more than twice, and the iDMI constant is almost four times higher than that when Pt is on top of the CoFeB; the effects related to ferromagnet thickness and moment density confirm that the origin is at the interface. These findings offer practical insights into interface engineering for tunable chiral spin dynamics in ultrathin magnetic films.

Nicotine biosynthesis is completed by cryptic activating glucosylation

Abstract Nicotine is a neuroactive alkaloid produced by tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum ) as a defence against herbivory, and an addictive stimulant that has been used by humans for millennia. Despite its significance, the core steps of its biosynthesis have remained elusive. Here, we demonstrate the in vitro reconstruction of a four-enzyme stereoselective biocatalytic cascade that forms ( S )-nicotine from nicotinic acid and N -methylpyrrolinium. This cascade includes two glucose-processing enzymes that participate in a cryptic activating glucosylation step. We also reconstruct this pathway in planta and present high resolution X-ray structures of the key carbon-carbon bond forming reductase-oxidase pair bound to their substrate and product, respectively. This work establishes the complete biosynthetic pathway to nicotine, providing new gene targets for controlling alkaloid production in Nicotiana and unlocking enzymatic routes to pyridine alkaloids.

Outside Back Cover: One Atom Makes a Big Difference in NHC‐Ligated Alloy Nanoclusters: From Structure and Properties to Catalysis (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 21/2026)

Hillock formation on high-temperature annealed AlN templates due to dislocation nucleation at AlON particles

The origin of hillocks in AlGaN layers grown on high-temperature annealed (HTA) AlN templates has been reinvestigated. During the HTA process, AlON precipitates form within the AlN matrix due to oxygen contamination. The thermal mismatch between the precipitates and the compressively strained AlN generates shear stress on pyramidal glide planes, which provide the glide system for (a + c) dislocations. Importantly, the proximity of a precipitate to the free surface amplifies this localized shear field and lowers the barrier for half-loop formation, making subsurface precipitates the most effective dislocation sources. Once the shear stress reaches a critical value, a single (a + c) dislocation half-loop nucleates. The threading segments of the loop terminate at the HTA-AlN surface and trigger spiral growth during AlGaN epitaxy, ultimately leading to hillock formation.

Unsupervised visual learning is revealed for task-irrelevant natural scenes due to reduced attentional suppression effects in visual areas