Investigating the Characteristics of a Double Circular Ring Resonators Slow Light Device Based on the Plasmonics-Induced Transparency Coupled with Metal-Dielectric-Metal Waveguide System

We have numerically investigated an analog of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in a metal-dielectric-metal (MDM) waveguide bend. The geometry consists of two asymmetrical stubs extending parallel to an arm of a straight MDM waveguide bend. Finite-difference time-domain simulations show that a transparent window is located at 1550 nm, which is the phenomenon of plasmonic-induced transparency (PIT). Signal wavelength is assumed to be 820 nm. The velocity of the plasmonic mode can be largely slowed down while propagating along the MDM bends. Multiple-peak plasmon-induced transparency can be realized by cascading multiple cavities with different lengths and suitable cavity-cavity separations. Large group index up to 73 can be obtained at the PIT window. Our proposed configuration may thus be applied to storing and stopping light in plasmonic waveguide bends. In addition, the relationship between the transmission characteristics and the geometric parameters including the radius of the nano-ring, the coupling distance, and the deviation length between the stub and the nano-ring is studied in a step further. The velocity of the plasmonic mode can be largely slowed down while propagating along the MDM bends. For indirect coupling, formation of transparency window is determined by resonance detuning, but, evolution of transparency is mainly attributed to the change of the coupling distance. Theoretical results may provide a guideline for control of light in highly integrated optical circuits. The characteristics of our plasmonic system indicate a significant potential application in integrated optical circuits such as optical storage, ultrafast plasmonic switch, highly performance filter, and slow light devices.     

Analytical and Numerical Models of a Highly Sensitive MDM Plasmonic Nano-structure in Near-infrared Range

Plasmonics - Plasmon-induced transparency (PIT) is a spotlight technique for environmental monitoring. In this regard, a highly sensitive and tunable multilayer sensor including...     

Pichia pastoris: A highly successful expression system for optimal synthesis of heterologous proteins

One of the most important branches of genetic engineering is the expression of recombinant proteins using biological expression systems. Nowadays, different expression systems are used for the production of recombinant proteins including bacteria, yeasts, molds, mammals, plants, and insects. Yeast expression systems such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) and Pichia pastoris (P. pastoris) are more popular. P. pastoris expression system is one of the most popular and standard tools for the production of recombinant protein in molecular biology. Overall, the benefits of protein production by P. pastoris system include appropriate folding (in the endoplasmic reticulum) and secretion (by Kex2 as signal peptidase) of recombinant proteins to the external environment of the cell. Moreover, in the P. pastoris expression system due to its limited production of endogenous secretory proteins, the purification of recombinant protein is easy. It is also considered a unique host for the expression of subunit vaccines which could significantly affect the growing market of medical biotechnology. Although P. pastoris expression systems are impressive and easy to use with well-defined process protocols, some degree of process optimization is required to achieve maximum production of the target proteins. Methanol and sorbitol concentration, Mut forms, temperature and incubation time have to be adjusted to obtain optimal conditions, which might vary among different strains and externally expressed protein. Eventually, optimal conditions for the production of a recombinant protein in P. pastoris expression system differ according to the target protein.     

A Point in the Heart: Concepts of Emotional Distress Among Albanian-Speaking Immigrants in Switzerland

Cultural variability regarding concepts of distress for common mental disorders (CMD) has been reported extensively in cultural clinical psychology across the globe. However, little is known about illness narratives in social communities from Southeast Europe. The purpose of this paper is to identify cultural concepts of distress (CCDs) among Albanian-speaking immigrants in Switzerland and to integrate the findings into literature from other parts of the world. Twenty semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted using the Barts Explanatory Model Inventory (BEMI). A set of concepts was described through content analysis and semantic network analysis. The results show complex expressions of distress, which are mainly associated with post-migration living difficulties. Social problems and life-changing events mark the onset of the most common symptoms. Self-management and social support were described as the most important coping behaviors. Participants expressed trust in physical health care but little belief in psychotherapy. There is indication that mental illnesses are stigmatized in this population. It is therefore important to use non-stigmatizing terms in health communication. Moreover, individuals from this community consider suffering to be part of life, and they assume that this suffering must be endured with patience. It is vital to address these beliefs in psychological interventions.

     

Multi-layer MoS2-Based Plasmonic Gold Nanowires at Near-Perfect Absorption for Energy Harvesting

One of the biggest challenges in relation to the modernistic vision of smart city technology is to provide confident autonomous energy, notably in terms of power storage. If you want to change an existing lifestyle, you cannot ignore the basic concepts collected from basic physics. The subject of Metamaterials stands for an important research area that can be explored and used to come up with unparalleled ideas about the properties and functions that are completely absent from natural materials. In contrast to other bold technologies, combining a simple layered surface with appropriate material selection makes it possible to pattern and manufacture new types of solar cells that work in a wide frequency range. In this article, we propose a simple method to boost the coupling interaction between metallic gold nanowires with multiple MoS₂ layers. The innovation of this work is that the thickness layer changes have great stability in the influence of the absorption performance and electric field distribution in the visible light and near-infrared spectra. Therefore, this new design can be seen as very important in many fields from sensing to solar cell applications.

     

Identification of individual adult female Javan lutungs (Trachypithecus auratus sondaicus) by using patterns of dark pigmentation in the pubic area

In a series of field surveys of wild Javan lutungs (Trachypithecus auratus sondaicus) conducted at Pangandaran Nature Reserve in West Java, Indonesia, from 2011 to 2012, we tried to use a method of individual identification by using individual-specific patterns of dark pigmentation in the pubic area. During the 2011 dry season, we used a digital SLR camera with a 400-mm telephoto lens to photograph the pubic area of each individual of a habituated group. These photographs were the basis for identifying 14 different adult females. During the rainy season of 2011 and the dry season of 2012, we checked the presence/absence of each of the identified individuals and found that these patterns were stable, at least during our study period. We found that two adult females and one adult female disappeared from the subject group between the first and second and between the second and third surveys, respectively, and that one adult female gave birth between the first and second surveys, but the infant had disappeared from the group between the second and third surveys. We could not confirm the validity of the method for juvenile females because of the dense white hair in their pubic areas and the fact that few individuals had clear patterns. Furthermore, we could not use this method for males because of the lack of pigmentation in the pubic area. As patterns of pigmentation in the pubic area are known to be present in other Trachypithecus species, our method can be useful for identification of individual adult females of these species, on which few individual-based behavioral studies have been conducted. Collecting individual-based behavioral data would enable us to track the presence of individuals in groups or movements between groups; determine the effects of social rank and age on within-group competition and copulation; and examine population data.