Contents
Vol 4, Issue 6
Contents
Research Articles
- Higher-order topological insulators
A new class of materials that are insulating in the bulk and on surfaces but have conducting hinge channels is studied.
- Toward broadband, dynamic structuring of a complex plasmonic field
Researchers report a reconfigurable and wavelength-independent platform for generating a tailored plasmonic field distribution.
- Nanophotonic particle simulation and inverse design using artificial neural networks
New deep learning techniques may hold the key to solving intractable photonics problems.
- Thermal conductivity in Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3+x and the role of dense dislocation arrays at grain boundaries
Reduction of lattice thermal conductivity in Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3+x is absent despite dense dislocation arrays at grain boundaries.
- A simple electron counting model for half-Heusler surfaces
A simple model explains the atomic and electronic structure of Heusler surfaces, supported by experiments and first-principles theory.
- Evidence of link between quorum sensing and sugar metabolism in Escherichia coli revealed via cocrystal structures of LsrK and HPr
AI-2–mediated quorum sensing of E. coli is directly connected to sugar metabolism via the phosphocarrier HPr protein of PTS.
- Deconvolution of optical multidimensional coherent spectra
Techniques for deblurring images are adapted for optical multidimensional coherent spectra to reveal the underlying dynamics.
- Dirac surface state–modulated spin dynamics in a ferrimagnetic insulator at room temperature
Spin dynamics of magnetic insulator is markedly modulated by the Dirac surface states in the adjacent topological insulator.
- Intermetallic nickel silicide nanocatalyst—A non-noble metal–based general hydrogenation catalyst
Incorporation of silicon atoms into nickel nanoparticles boosts the catalytic activity for (de)hydrogenation reactions.
- Electrostatically driven fog collection using space charge injection
We drastically increase fog harvesting efficiency using space charge injection and electrostatic driving forces.
- Parity-time–symmetric optoelectronic oscillator
A parity-time–symmetric optoelectronic oscillator was demonstrated without the use of a narrowband microwave or optical filter.
- Causes of irregularities in trends of global mean surface temperature since the late 19th century
Our analyses provide empirical explanations for slowdowns and irregularities in global surface temperature variation, 1891–2015.
- Practical water production from desert air
Next-generation MOF device and material for water production from desert air.
- Nucleolar integrity during interphase supports faithful Cdk1 activation and mitotic entry
The maintenance of nucleolar integrity during interphase is essential for proper cell cycle progression to mitosis.
- Epigenome-associated phenotypic acclimatization to ocean acidification in a reef-building coral
Changes in gene body methylation predict phenotypic acclimatization of the coral Stylophora pistillata to ocean acidification.
- Using Internet search data to examine the relationship between anti-Muslim and pro-ISIS sentiment in U.S. counties
Internet search data reveal an association between anti-Muslim and pro-ISIS searches in U.S. counties.
- Synthetic phonons enable nonreciprocal coupling to arbitrary resonator networks
Wavelike spatiotemporal modulation of discrete coupling elements creates synthetic phonons that enable nonreciprocal coupling.
- Corporate control and global governance of marine genetic resources
One corporation has registered 47% of all patented marine genetic sequences.
- Late Ediacaran trackways produced by bilaterian animals with paired appendages
Ediacaran trackways suggest the evolution of early legged bilaterian animals 551 to 541 million years ago.
- Superconductivity with twofold symmetry in Bi2Te3/FeTe0.55Se0.45 heterostructures
Superconductivity with twofold symmetry is observed by STM in Bi2Te3/FeTe0.55Se0.45 heterostructures.
- A pyrolyzed polyacrylonitrile/selenium disulfide composite cathode with remarkable lithium and sodium storage performances
A pyrolyzed polyacrylonitrile/selenium disulfide composite cathode manifests high performance for both lithium and sodium storage.
- Pascalammetry with operando microbattery probes: Sensing high stress in solid-state batteries
Stress waveforms applied to microbatteries induce current transients with a power-law decay that signals stress.
- Clay mineral diversity and abundance in sedimentary rocks of Gale crater, Mars
Clay minerals found in Gale crater, Mars, record surficial chemical weathering and changing conditions in an ancient lake.
- The economics of fishing the high seas
Much of the economic profitability of fishing the high seas is dependent on government subsidies.
- Self-organized stress patterns drive state transitions in actin cortices
The interplay between network percolation and myosin-generated stress propagation leads to dynamically distinct steady states in cortices.
- The growth of lithospheric diamonds
The different habits of lithospheric diamonds are formed from the same fluids, from redox reactions at isotopic equilibrium.
- Soft mechanical metamaterials with unusual swelling behavior and tunable stress-strain curves
Soft mechanical metamaterials were designed to offer large negative/positive swelling ratios and tunable stress-strain curves.
- Elastic properties of 2D Ti3C2Tx MXene monolayers and bilayers
Nanoindentation experiments show that Ti3C2Tx MXenes have a higher elastic modulus than other solution-processed 2D materials.
- Sequencing conjugated polymers by eye
Electrospray deposition and STM as a new analytical technique to sequence conjugated polymers and reveal polymerization defects.
- X chromosome protects against bladder cancer in females via a KDM6A-dependent epigenetic mechanism
Why are men more likely than women to have cancer? We report that the genetic inequality is an independent intrinsic cause.
- Biomimetic enzyme cascade reaction system in microfluidic electrospray microcapsules
Biomimetic enzyme cascade reaction systems in microcapsules are developed for mimicking biocatalysis of organelles.
- Nanoscale momentum-resolved vibrational spectroscopy
A widely applicable method for accessing phonon dispersions of materials at high spatial resolution is demonstrated.
- Methane emissions partially offset “blue carbon” burial in mangroves
Water and sediment methane emissions have the potential to offset “blue carbon” burial in mangrove coastal ecosystems.
- Viscoelastic properties of vimentin originate from nonequilibrium conformational changes
Hierarchical molecular architecture renders intracellular vimentin a high-performance, shock-absorbing material.
- MXenes stretch hydrogel sensor performance to new limits
We developed stretchable and self-healable MXene hydrogel that can sense complex motions without multiple sensor arrays.
- Oxygen-deficient triple perovskites as highly active and durable bifunctional electrocatalysts for oxygen electrode reactions
Triple perovskite, Nd1.5Ba1.5CoFeMnO9−δ, enriched with oxygen defects shows high activity and durability as a bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst.
- Basal channels drive active surface hydrology and transverse ice shelf fracture
Ice shelf basal channels cause transverse fractures that can be exacerbated by surface rivers, culminating in calving.
- Addressable metasurfaces for dynamic holography and optical information encryption
We present addressable plasmonic metasurfaces for optical information encryption and holography.
- Stacking symmetry governed second harmonic generation in graphene trilayers
A novel optical second harmonic generation arises from the stacking order of three centrosymmetric graphene monolayer sheets.
- Deep-biosphere methane production stimulated by geofluids in the Nankai accretionary complex
Scientific drilling at a submarine mud volcano shows that geofluid migration stimulates methanogenesis in the deep biosphere.
- Experimental benchmarking of quantum control in zero-field nuclear magnetic resonance
High-fidelity quantum control of nuclear spins at zero magnetic field.
- Extensive marine-terminating ice sheets in Europe from 2.5 million years ago
Ice sheets repeatedly advanced into the central North Sea, south of ~60°N, from 2.53 Ma ago onward moving over slippery beds with low slung profiles.
- Multifunctional structural design of graphene thermoelectrics by Bayesian optimization
Efficient multifunctional materials informatics enables the design of optimal graphene thermoelectrics.
- Anthropogenic changes to the Holocene nitrogen cycle in Ireland
Chemical signatures from Bronze Age animal bones show that prehistoric humans had a major impact on the nitrogen cycle in Ireland.
- Was Aztec and Mixtec turquoise mined in the American Southwest?
Isotopes indicate that Aztec and Mixtec turquoise comes from Mesoamerica, not the Southwest U.S. as previously thought.
- Ultra-confined mid-infrared resonant phonon polaritons in van der Waals nanostructures
Resonant polaritonic nanoantennas allow manipulation of light and optical forces at the nanoscale for sensing applications.
- Excited state engineering for efficient reverse intersystem crossing
Excited state engineering in purely organic molecules provides highly efficient and stable TADF-OLEDs.
- Wavelength-tunable and shape-reconfigurable photonic capsule resonators containing cholesteric liquid crystals
Shape-reconfigurable photonic capsules are microfluidically designed to make wavelength- and intensity-tunable microlasers.
- A transgenic mouse for imaging activity-dependent dynamics of endogenous Arc mRNA in live neurons
A transgenic mouse reveals real-time dynamics of transcription and transport of endogenous Arc mRNA in live neurons.
- Eavesdropping on the Arctic: Automated bioacoustics reveal dynamics in songbird breeding phenology
Soundscape-level acoustic recordings revealed delay in arrival of songbird community to arctic breeding grounds.
- Low temperature rates for key steps of interstellar gas-phase water formation
Combined experimental-theoretical study suggests facile formation of water in diffuse interstellar media.
- Constraint of a ruthenium-carbon triple bond to a five-membered ring
The first incorporation of a second-row transition metal carbyne unit into a ring is realized by virtue of aromaticity.
- The Chinese import ban and its impact on global plastic waste trade
For decades China imported much of the world’s plastic waste; but a recent import ban requires new ideas and systemic change.
- Self-consistent determination of spin Hall angle and spin diffusion length in Pt and Pd: The role of the interface spin loss
Self-consistent determination of the key parameters in spin-charge conversion via spin pumping–induced inverse spin Hall effect.
- Age and performance at fledging are a cause and consequence of juvenile mortality between life stages
Age and wing development at fledging balances mortality in and out of the nest in a compromise between parents and offspring.
- Upper and lower plate controls on the great 2011 Tohoku-oki earthquake
The 2011 Tohoku-oki earthquake was caused by structural heterogeneities in both the upper and lower plates.
- The brain-penetrant clinical ATM inhibitor AZD1390 radiosensitizes and improves survival of preclinical brain tumor models
Preclinical data highlight AZD1390 as a potentially powerful new therapy to enhance brain tumor patient responses to radiotherapy.
- Macroeconomic evidence suggests that asylum seekers are not a “burden” for Western European countries
We use an econometric model to show that asylum seekers do not deteriorate host countries’ economic performance or fiscal balance.
- Extensive marine anoxia during the terminal Ediacaran Period
Extensive marine anoxia in the terminal Ediacaran ocean was associated with the decline of the Ediacara biota.
- Observation of Poiseuille flow of phonons in black phosphorus
Hydrodynamic flow of phonons, previously detected only in a handful of solids, is observed in black phosphorus.
- Immunity drives TET1 regulation in cancer through NF-κB
A new paradigm has emerged showing that the immune system can influence cancer cell epigenetics through NF-κB–mediated regulation of TET1.
- Direct metabolite detection with an n-type accumulation mode organic electrochemical transistor
This is the first ever demonstration of an accumulation mode OECT for biosensing and n-type polymer in electrocatalysis.
- Heterogeneity of spontaneous DNA replication errors in single isogenic Escherichia coli cells
We found elevated DNA replication errors in isogenic E. coli subpopulations experiencing endogenous stresses.
- City-level climate change mitigation in China
Technological advancement in industrializing cities is critical for reducing CO2 emissions while maintaining economic growth.
- Branching geometry of valley networks on Mars and Earth and its implications for early Martian climate
Valley network branching angles suggest that Mars’ ancient hydrology was not dominated by groundwater flow.
- Inward growth by nucleation: Multiscale self-assembly of ordered membranes
Time-resolved: Self-assembly mechanism and inward growth of multiwalled microtubes.
- The neuronal S100B protein is a calcium-tuned suppressor of amyloid-β aggregation
A novel role for S100B, a recognized brain distress marker, as a chaperone-like suppressor of Aβ42 aggregation and toxicity.
- A general printing approach for scalable growth of perovskite single-crystal films
A seed printing method is developed for controllably producing perovskite single-crystal films with high yield.
- Sampling molecular conformations and dynamics in a multiuser virtual reality framework
VR combined with cloud computing enables surgical manipulation of real-time molecular simulations, accelerating 3D research tasks.
- Microscopy with a single-molecule scanning electrometer
The single-molecule limit in electromechanical sensing is realized through TERS-relayed molecular force microscopy.
- Seismically determined elastic parameters for Earth’s outer core
Seismic properties and equation-of-state parameters of the liquid iron alloy in the outer core are inferred from normal mode data.
- Bioactive polyamine production by a novel hybrid system comprising multiple indigenous gut bacterial strategies
Complex interactions of gut microbiota activate the production of bioactive polyamine, which exerts strong effects on the host.
- Podocyte injury elicits loss and recovery of cellular forces
ERISM continuously maps dynamic changes in the forces podocytes exert on their substrate in a model of acute kidney damage.
- Mandatory labels can improve attitudes toward genetically engineered food
Compared to the rest of the United States, opposition to genetic engineering fell significantly in Vermont after mandatory labeling.
- Permselectivity limits of biomimetic desalination membranes
Biomimetic desalination membranes could achieve ultraselectivity for water over ions, but not over neutral solutes.
- Geomorphic expression of rapid Holocene silicic magma reservoir growth beneath Laguna del Maule, Chile
A warped paleoshoreline records 10,000 years of magma-driven surface deformation above an active rhyolite-producing reservoir.
- Rapid Red Sea Deep Water renewals caused by volcanic eruptions and the North Atlantic Oscillation
Large volcanic eruptions and the North Atlantic Oscillation caused rapid renewals of the Red Sea Deep Water.
- Probing measurement-induced effects in quantum walks via recurrence
The effects of projective measurements on the quantum mechanical evolution of a particle can be simulated with coherent light.
- Passive radiofrequency x-ray dosimeter tag based on flexible radiation-sensitive oxide field-effect transistor
We present a novel microelectronic x-ray dosimeter compatible with flexible plastic substrates and passive RFID detection.
- Network structure of the human musculoskeletal system shapes neural interactions on multiple time scales
Changes in postural task result in a frequency-dependent reconfiguration of the multiplex muscle network.
Reviews
- Materials for lithium-ion battery safety
We summarize the origins of lithium-ion battery safety issues and discuss recent progress in materials design to improve safety.
- Orangutans venture out of the rainforest and into the Anthropocene
Examining how 70,000 years of human interaction shaped orangutans provides insights into conservation in the Anthropocene.
Errata
About The Cover

COVER Modern tactics to visualize data, such as rendering of patient data from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), often rely on 2-D computer displays of 3-D data sets. Current 3-D printing methods have strong limitations when applied to complex or highly diverse data sets, but experts agree that such high-resolution physical representations of scientific data would provide a better way for scientists to understand and interact with many data sets. By extending advances in multimaterial 3-D printing, Bader et al. have created a new method to 3-D print complex scientific data sets as physical objects identical to their on-screen visualizations. This new approach eliminates the traditional need to create an intermediate "boundary" representation of an object—a step that can result in data alteration or information loss and thus, less-than-realistic physical manifestations. The method has potential application in a wide variety of fields including conservation and preservation of cultural artifacts, presurgical planning and education, to name a few. [CREDIT: THE MEDIATED MATTER GROUP]