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We investigate narrowband transmission filters based on subwavelength-grating reflectors at normal incidence. Computational results show that the filtering is realized through symmetry-protected mode coupling. The guided mode resonances introduced by the slab layer allow flexible control of the filter frequencies. The quality factor of the filters could exceed 106. Dielectric gratings can be used over the entire range of electromagnetic waves, owing to their scale-invariant operations. Owing to the high refraction index and low index dispersion of semiconductors in the infrared range, these filters can be applied over a broad range from near infrared to terahertz frequencies.

Soybean is the most important genetically modified (GM) oilseed worldwide. Regulations relating to the approval of biotech soybean varieties and product labeling demand accurate and reliable detection techniques to screen for GM soya. High-quality extracted DNA is essential for DNA-based monitoring methods. Thus, four widely used protocols (SDS, CTAB, DP305, and DNeasy Plant Mini Kit) were compared in the present study to explore the most efficient DNA extraction method for raw soya matrix. The SDS-based method showed the highest applicability. Then crucial factors influencing DNA yield and purity, such as SDS lysis buffer component concentrations and organic compounds used to isolate DNA, were further investigated to improve the DNA obtained from raw soybean seeds, which accounts for the innovation of this work. As a result, lysis buffer (2% SDS (w/v), 150 mM NaCl, 50 mM Tris/HCl, 50 mM EDTA, pH 8.0) and organic reagents including chloroform/isoamyl alcohol (24:1, v/v) (C: I), isopropanol, and ethanol corresponding to the extraction and first and second precipitation procedures, respectively, were used in the optimized SDS method. The optimized method was verified by extracting approximately 2020–2444 ng DNA/mg soybean with A260/280 ratios of 1.862–1.954 from five biotech and non-biotech soybean varieties. Only 0.5 mg of soya was required to obtain enough DNA for PCR amplification using the optimized SDS-based method. These results indicate that the screening protocol in the present study achieves the highest suitability and efficiency for DNA isolation from raw soya seed flour.

Laminated Ti-Al composite sheets with different layer thickness ratios have been fabricated through hot pressing followed by multi-pass hot rolling at 500˚C. The laminated sheets show strong bonding with an intermetallic interfacial layer of nanoscale thickness between the layers of Ti and Al. The mechanical properties of the composites with different volume fraction of Al from 67% to 10% showed a good combination of strength and ductility. A constraint strain in the hot-rolled laminated structure between the 'hard' and 'soft' phases introduces an elastic-plastic deformation stage, more pronounced as the volume fraction of Al decreases. The thin intermetallic interfacial layer may also contribute to the strength of the composites. This effect increases with increasing volume fraction of the interface layer which thereby can contribute to the flow stress.

A high performance liquid crystal terahertz phase shifter based on transparent polymer electrodes.

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