Three-dimensional flat bands in pyrochlore metal CaNi2.

Electronic flat-band materials host quantum states characterized by a quenched kinetic energy. These flat bands are often conducive to enhanced electron correlation effects and emergent quantum phases of matter1. Long studied in theoretical models2-4, these systems have received renewed interest after their experimental realization in van der Waals heterostructures5,6 and quasi-two-dimensional (2D) crystalline materials7,8. An outstanding experimental question is if such flat bands can be realized in three-dimensional (3D) networks, potentially enabling new materials platforms9,10 and phenomena11-13. Here we investigate the C15 Laves phase metal CaNi2, which contains a nickel pyrochlore lattice predicted at a model network level to host a doubly-degenerate, topological flat band arising from 3D destructive interference of electronic hopping14,15. Using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we observe a band with vanishing dispersion across the full 3D Brillouin zone that we identify with the pyrochlore flat band as well as two additional flat bands that we show arise from multi-orbital interference of Ni d-electrons. Furthermore, we demonstrate chemical tuning of the flat-band manifold to the Fermi level that coincides with enhanced electronic correlations and the appearance of superconductivity. Extending the notion of intrinsic band flatness from 2D to 3D, this provides a potential pathway to correlated behaviour predicted for higher-dimensional flat-band systems ranging from tunable topological15 to fractionalized phases16.

Ultrathin metasurface on a 100†nm-thick dielectric membrane absorbs infrared rays.

Flat optics based on metasurfaces produce unprecedented two-dimensional planar optical elements that cannot be developed with naturally occurring materials. However, it remains to be shown whether metasurfaces on ultrathin dielectric membranes can be adopted in a broad range of optical elements as flat optics. Here we demonstrate that a fabricated ultrathin metasurface composed of double-sided metal structures on a 100 nm-thick SiNx membrane absorbs infrared rays with a high absorptance of 97.1% at 50.1 THz. This ultrathin metasurface and its fabrication method would be a welcome contribution to a wide range of trailblazing applications, including ultrathin absorbers for imaging and light detection and ranging (LIDAR), directivity control of thermal radiation, and polarization control of vacuum ultraviolet light.

Prebiotic effect of poly-D-3-hydroxybutyrate prevents dyslipidemia in obese mice.

Obesity is a global health problem caused by genetic, environmental, and psychological factors and is associated with various health disorders. As such, there is a growing focus on the prevention of obesity and related diseases. The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in these diseases and has become a therapeutic target. Prebiotics, such as poly-d-3-hydroxybutyric acid (PHB), have gained attention for their potential to alter the gut microbiota, promote beneficial bacterial growth, and alleviate obesity. In this study, we examined the prebiotic effects of PHB in obese mice. We found that, in C57BL/6N mice, PHB reduced blood lipid levels. Analysis of the intestinal microflora also revealed an increase in short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria. When PHB was administered to obese mice, subcutaneous fat and dyslipidemia were reduced, and the number of beneficial bacteria in the intestinal microflora increased. Furthermore, fatty degradation and oxidative stress were suppressed in the liver. PHB regulates gut bacterial changes related to obesity and effectively inhibits dyslipidemia, suggesting that it could be a prebiotic agent for curing various obesity-related diseases. In summary, PHB increases the beneficial gut microbiota, leading to an alleviation of obesity-associated dyslipidemia.

The novel sustained 3-hydroxybutyrate donor poly-D-3-hydroxybutyric acid prevents inflammatory bowel disease through upregulation of regulatory T-cells.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic persistent intestinal disorder, with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease being the most common. However, the physio-pathological development of IBD is still unknown. Therefore, research on the etiology and treatment of IBD has been conducted using a variety of approaches. Short-chain fatty acids such as 3-hydroxybutyrate (3-HB) are known to have various physiological activities. In particular, the production of 3-HB by the intestinal microflora is associated with the suppression of various inflammatory diseases. In this study, we investigated whether poly-D-3-hydroxybutyric acid (PHB), a polyester of 3-HB, is degraded by intestinal microbiota and works as a slow-release agent of 3-HB. Further, we examined whether PHB suppresses the pathogenesis of IBD models. As long as a PHB diet increased 3-HB concentrations in the feces and blood, PHB suppressed weight loss and histological inflammation in a dextran sulfate sodium-induced IBD model. Furthermore, PHB increased the accumulation of regulatory T cells in the rectum without affecting T cells in the spleen. These results indicate that PHB has potential applications in treating diseases related to the intestinal microbiota as a sustained 3-HB donor. We show for the first time that biodegradable polyester exhibits intestinal bacteria-mediated bioactivity toward IBD. The use of bioplastics, which are essential materials for sustainable social development, represents a novel approach to diseases related to dysbiosis, including IBD.

Protein S-nitrosylation is involved in valproic acid-promoted neuronal differentiation of adipose tissue-derived stem cells.

Neuronal differentiation of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) is greatly promoted by valproic acid (VPA) with cAMP elevating agents thorough NO signaling pathways, but its mechanism is not fully understood. In the present study, we investigate the involvement of protein S-nitrosylation in the VPA-promoted neuronal differentiation of ASCs. The whole amount of S-nitrosylated protein was increased by the treatment with VPA alone for three days in ASCs. An inhibitor of thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), auranofin, further increased the amount of S-nitrosylated protein and enhances the VPA-promoted neuronal differentiation in ASCs. On the contrary, another inhibitor of TrxR, dinitrochlorobenzene, inhibited the VPA-promoted neuronal differentiation in ASCs even with cAMP elevating agents, which was accompanied by unexpectedly decreased S-nitrosylated protein. It was considered from these results that increased protein S-nitrosylation is involved in VPA-promoted neuronal differentiation of ASCs. By the proteomic analysis of S-nitrosylated protein in VPA-treated ASCs, no identified proteins could be specifically related to VPA-promoted neuronal differentiation. The identified proteins, however, included those involved in the metabolism of substances regulating neuronal differentiation, such as aspartate and glutamate.

Massive Dirac fermions in a ferromagnetic kagome metal.

The kagome lattice is a two-dimensional network of corner-sharing triangles that is known to host exotic quantum magnetic states. Theoretical work has predicted that kagome lattices may also host Dirac electronic states that could lead to topological and Chern insulating phases, but these states have so far not been detected in experiments. Here we study the d-electron kagome metal Fe3Sn2, which is designed to support bulk massive Dirac fermions in the presence of ferromagnetic order. We observe a temperature-independent intrinsic anomalous Hall conductivity that persists above room temperature, which is suggestive of prominent Berry curvature from the time-reversal-symmetry-breaking electronic bands of the kagome plane. Using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we observe a pair of quasi-two-dimensional Dirac cones near the Fermi level with a mass gap of 30 millielectronvolts, which correspond to massive Dirac fermions that generate Berry-curvature-induced Hall conductivity. We show that this behaviour is a consequence of the underlying symmetry properties of the bilayer kagome lattice in the ferromagnetic state and the atomic spin-orbit coupling. This work provides evidence for a ferromagnetic kagome metal and an example of emergent topological electronic properties in a correlated electron system. Our results provide insight into the recent discoveries of exotic electronic behaviour in kagome-lattice antiferromagnets and may enable lattice-model realizations of fractional topological quantum states.

Effect of exogenous oestrogen treatment frequency on induction of artificial lactation in pseudopregnant sows.

In this study, we examined whether the frequency of exogenous oestrogen treatment affects the induction of artificial lactation and milk production. Furthermore, we analysed changes in milk components obtained from artificially lactating sows. Pseudopregnant induced by treatment with 30 mg of estradiol dipropionate (EDP) on Day 10 (Day 0 = the last day of estrus) were divided into three groups: those administered 5 mg of EDP once on Day 39 (n = 5), twice on Days 32 and 39 (n = 5) and three times on Days 25, 32 and 39 (n = 6). All animals were treated with prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) on Day 46 for induced lactation. Artificial lactation was induced in 66.7%-80.0% of sows, and the EDP treatment frequency before PGF2α administration had no significant effect on either the induction rate of artificial lactation or the milk yield during the experimental period. The milk composition (levels of crude protein, crude fat, crude ash, lactose and immunoglobulin) did not differ among the groups. In conclusion, the number of EDP treatments prior to PGF2α administration had no effect on either the efficiency of artificial lactation induction or milk production.

Natto extract inhibits infection caused by the Aujeszky's disease virus in mice.

Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV), also known as Suid alphaherpesvirus 1, which mainly infects swine, causes life-threatening neurological disorders. This disease is a serious global risk factor for economic losses in the swine industry. The development of new anti-ADV drugs is highly anticipated and required. Natto, a traditional Japanese fermented food made from soybeans, is a well-known health food. In our previous study, we confirmed that natto has the potential to inhibit viral infections by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and bovine alphaherpesvirus 1 through their putative serine protease(s). In this study, we found that an agent(s) in natto functionally impaired ADV infection in cell culture assays. In addition, ADV treated with natto extract lost viral infectivity in the mice. We conducted an HPLC gel-filtration analysis of natto extract and molecular weight markers and confirmed that Fraction No. 10 had ADV-inactivating ability. Furthermore, the antiviral activity of Fraction No. 10 was inhibited by the serine protease inhibitor 4-(2-Aminoethyl) benzene sulfonyl fluoride hydrochloride (AEBSF). These results also suggest that Fraction No. 10, adjacent to the 12.5 kDa peak of the marker in natto extract, may inactivate ADV by proteolysis. Our findings provide new avenues of research for the prevention of Aujeszky's disease.

Valproic acid promotes differentiation of adipose tissue-derived stem cells to neuronal cells selectively expressing functional N-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels.

The differentiation of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) to neuronal cells is greatly promoted by valproic acid (VPA), and is synergistically enhanced by the following treatment with neuronal induction medium (NIM) containing cAMP-elevating agents. In the present study, we investigated the synergism between VPA and NIM in neuronal differentiation of ASCs, assessed by the expression of neurofilament medium polypeptide (NeFM), with respect to Ca2+ entry. VPA (2 mM) treatment for 3 days followed by NIM for 2 h synergistically increased the incidence of neuronal cells differentiated from ASCs to an extent more than VPA alone treatment for 6 days, shortening the time required for the differentiation. VPA increased intracellular Ca2+ and the mRNAs of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, Cacna1b (Cav2.2) and Cacna1h (Cav3.2), in ASCs. Inward currents through Ca2+ channels were evoked electrophysiologically at high voltage potential in ASCs treated with VPA. NIM reduced the mRNAs of NeFM and Cacna1b in VPA-promoted neuronal differentiation of ASCs. It was concluded that functional N-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (Cav2.2) are selectively expressed in VPA-promoted neuronal differentiation of ASCs. NIM seems to enhance the mRNA translation of molecules required for the differentiation. Neuronal cells obtained from ASCs by this protocol will be used as a cell source for regenerative therapy of neurological disorders associated with altered Cav2.2 activity.

Hydrogen sulfide potently promotes neuronal differentiation of adipose tissue-derived stem cells involving nitric oxide-mediated signaling cascade with the aid of cAMP-elevating agents.

Neuronal differentiation of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) is potently promoted by valproic acid (VPA) through a gaseous signaling molecule, nitric oxide (NO). Here, we investigated the involvement of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), another gaseous signaling molecule, in neuronal differentiation of ASCs. VPA-promoted neuronal differentiation of ASCs was accompanied by increased intracellular H2S and sulfane sulfur with increased mRNA expression of enzymes synthesizing sulfane sulfur including cystathionine ß-synthase (CBS), of which inhibition reduced the differentiation efficiency. H2S donors, GYY4137 (GYY) or NaHS, potently promoted neuronal differentiation of ASCs when cAMP-elevating agents, dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate and isobutyl methyl-xanthine, were added as neuronal induction medium (NIM). Neuronal differentiation of ASCs promoted by NaHS or GYY was accompanied by Ca2+ entry and increased mRNA expression of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. NaHS or GYY also increased mRNA expression of enzymes of the NO-citrulline cycle including inducible NO synthase (iNOS). It was concluded from these results that H2S potently promoted differentiation of ASCs into neuronal cells expressing functional voltage-gated Ca2+ channels with the aid of cAMP-elevating agents, involving NO-mediated signaling cascade. These effects of H2S were also considered as a partial mechanism for the VPA-promoted neuronal differentiation of ASCs.

Reflectionless metasurface with high refractive index in the terahertz waveband.

Terahertz flat optics is a design concept for replacing conventional three-dimensional bulky optical components with two-dimensional ultra-thin optical components. However, high refractive index materials suitable for flat optics are frequently subject to high Fresnel reflections due to the cumbersome control of the relative permeability it requires. Here we experimentally demonstrate a reflectionless metasurface with a high refractive index of 5.88 + j1.57, extremely low reflectance of 1.3%, high relative permittivity of 6.73 + j0.85, and the high relative permeability of 5.03 + j2.11 at 2.97 THz. The super-fine ink-jet printer using silver paste ink fabricates the metasurface consisting of 80,036 pairs of cut metal wires on both the front and back of a 5 µm-thick polyimide film. The findings also demonstrate that weak conductors as well as good conductors can be used in the design of reflectionless metasurfaces with a high refractive index in the terahertz waveband. The presented metasurface can offer an accessible platform for terahertz flat optics in 6G (beyond 5G) wireless communications and imaging.

Metalens mounted on a resonant tunneling diode for collimated and directed terahertz waves.

Refraction in materials is a fundamental phenomenon in optics and is a factor in the manipulation of light, such as wavefront shaping and beam control. However, conventional optical lenses incorporated in numerous optical sources are made of naturally occurring materials, and material properties predetermine the lens performance. For the development of terahertz flat optics, we experimentally demonstrate a gradient-refractive-index (GRIN) collimating metalens made of our original reflectionless metasurface with an extremely high refractive index, above 10 at 0.312 THz. The planar collimating metalens converts wide-angle radiation from a resonant tunneling diode (RTD) to a collimated plane wave and enhances the directivity of a single RTD 4.2 times. We also demonstrate directional angle control of terahertz waves by moving the metalens in parallel with the incoming wave. The metalens can be simply integrated with a variety of terahertz continuous-wave (CW) sources for 6G (beyond 5G) wireless communications and imaging in future advanced applications. Flat optics based on high refractive index metasurfaces rather than naturally occurring materials can offer an accessible platform for optical devices with unprecedented functionalities.

Valproic acid up-regulates the whole NO-citrulline cycle for potent iNOS-NO signaling to promote neuronal differentiation of adipose tissue-derived stem cells.

Valproic acid (VPA) remarkably promotes the differentiation of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) to mature neuronal cells through nitric oxide (NO) signaling due to up-regulated inducible NO synthase (iNOS) as early as within 3 days. Here, we investigated mechanisms of VPA-promoted neuronal differentiation of ASCs concerning the NO-citrulline cycle, the metabolic cycle producing NO. Cultured rat ASCs were differentiated to mature neuronal cells rich in dendrites and expressing a neuronal marker by treatments with VPA at 2 mM for 3 days and subsequently with the neuronal induction medium for 2 h. Inhibitor (α-methyl-d, l-aspartic acid, MDLA) of arginosuccinate synthase (ASS), a key enzyme of the NO-citrulline cycle, abolishes intracellular NO increase and VPA-promoted neuronal differentiation in ASCs. l-Arginine, the substrate of iNOS, restores the promotion effect of VPA, being against MDLA. Immunocytochemistry showed that ASS and iNOS were increased in ASCs expressing neurofilament medium polypeptide (NeFM), a neuronal marker, by VPA and NIM synergistically. Real-time RT-PCR analysis showed that mRNAs of Ass and arginosuccinate lyase (Asl) in the NO-citrulline cycle were increased by VPA. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay indicated that Ass and Asl were up-regulated by VPA through the acetylation of their associated histone. From these results, it was considered that VPA up-regulated the whole NO-citrulline cycle, which enabled continuous NO production by iNOS in large amounts for potent iNOS-NO signaling to promote neuronal differentiation of ASCs. This may also indicate a mechanism enabling short-lived NO to function conveniently as a potent signaling molecule that can disappear quickly after its role.

Terahertz focusing metalens of reflectionless meta-atoms with negative refractive indices.

Terahertz continuous-wave (CW) sources oscillating around the 1.0 THz band at room temperature have rapidly been developed to bridge the terahertz gap. However, reflectionless metasurfaces suitable for integration with terahertz CW sources as optical components have yet to be developed in the terahertz gap. Here, we propose a terahertz-focusing metalens consisting of reflectionless meta-atoms with a discrete distribution of negative refractive indices from ${-}{1.1}$ to ${-}{2.8}$. The proposed 2D gradient-refractive-index metalens converts an incident terahertz Gaussian beam to a line focus. We also experimentally demonstrate a metasurface of reflectionless meta-atoms with a negative refractive index of ${-}{2.8}$ adopted in the periphery of the metalens. The reflectionless metasurface in the terahertz gap would be a welcome contribution to the rapid growth of terahertz industrial applications with terahertz CW sources. Further, the design approach based on reflectionless meta-atoms with negative refractive indices could be applied to various 2D planar optical components with attractive functionalities such as collimating, arbitrary wavefront shaping, and light vortices.

Reflectionless zero refractive index metasurface in the terahertz waveband.

Zero refractive index materials behave electromagnetically as single points despite the finite dimensions because a propagating electromagnetic wave passes with an infinite phase velocity. However, the composition of naturally occurring materials cannot produce a zero refractive index material because any effect of both of the dielectric and magnetic properties would have to vanish (be near zero). In this report, we demonstrate a zero refractive index metasurface with a refractive index of 0.16 + j0.09, the reflectance of 0.7%, and transmittance of 97.3% at 0.505 THz. The measured relative permittivity and relative permeability are 0.18 - j0.10 and 0.004 + j0.16 at 0.505 THz, respectively. Both the relative permittivity and relative permeability simultaneously approach zero at the same frequency, and the dielectric and magnetic properties appear to be absent (vanish) in the artificial material. The zero refractive index metasurface can offer a material platform for terahertz applications with unprecedented functionalities for 6G (beyond 5G) wireless communications, imaging, and security.

Terahertz metasurface ultra-thin collimator for power enhancement.

Manipulation of electromagnetic waves from radio to visible wavelengths could lead to technology to investigate unexplored wavebands. However, flexible control of terahertz waves is difficult, because few naturally occurring, appropriate materials and sophisticated optical components exist. We propose a 2.28-µm (0.02λ) ultra-thin terahertz metasurface collimator with a high directivity of 4.6 times (6.6 dB) consisting of 339 pairs of meta-atoms compared with a single terahertz continuous-wave source. The metasurface exhibits an extremely high refractive index of 15.0 and a low reflectance of 15.5% at 3.0 THz, and with Fresnel reflections for naturally occurring dielectric materials with high refractive indices avoided. This metasurface collimator should facilitate ground-breaking applications such as arbitrary phase converters, solid immersion lenses, and cloaking.

Artificial lactation by exogenous hormone treatment in non-pregnant sows.

This study aimed to determine if lactation can be induced by exogenous hormonal treatment in non-pregnant sows. In experiment 1, pseudopregnant animals were divided into four groups and given: 1) 5 mg of estradiol dipropionate (EDP) 5 days before (n = 4), 2) 5 mg of EDP 10 days before (n = 3), 3) 10 mg of EDP 5 days before (n = 3) or 4) 10 mg of EDP 10 days (n = 3) before PGF2α treatment. Artificial lactation was induced in seven pseudopregnant sows (53.8%) by exogenous hormonal treatment. There was no significant effect of either an increased EDP dosage or interval from the EDP treatment to PGF2α treatment on the induction rate of artificial lactation. In experiment 2, milk samples were collected from artificial lactating and natural lactating sows (n = 6). IgG and IgA levels in the milk collected from both groups were significantly associated with time during the experimental period. Milk IgG levels 24 h after PGF2α treatment in artificial lactating sows were higher than those in the colostrum of lactating sows. In experiment 3, hormonal profiles in pseudopregnant sows with (n = 3) or without (n = 3) EDP treatment were determined. There was a significant difference in estradiol-17ß levels on days 8, 7 and 5 before PGF2α treatment between groups. Progesterone and prolactin concentrations did not differ between groups. The present study revealed for the first time that lactation could be induced by exogenous hormonal treatment in non-pregnant sows and that the milk collected from these sows contained high immunoglobulin levels.

Valproic acid promotes mature neuronal differentiation of adipose tissue-derived stem cells through iNOS-NO-sGC signaling pathway.

Valproic acid (VPA) remarkably promotes the differentiation of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) to mature neuronal cells, enabling neuronal induction within only three days. Here, we investigated the involvement of NO-signaling in the VPA-promoted neuronal differentiation of ASCs as a possible mechanism. Cultured rat ASCs were differentiated to matured neuronal cells rich in dendrites and expressing ßIII-tubulin protein, a neuronal marker, by treatments with VPA at 2 mM for 3 days and subsequently with the neuronal induction medium (NIM) containing cAMP-elevating agents for 2 h. Increased intracellular NO was detected in neuronal cells differentiated from ASCs treated with VPA by a fluorescence NO-specific probe, diaminofluorescein-FM diacetate. However, a NO donor (NOC18) increased the incidence of neuronal cells only to a lesser extent than VPA, indicating the insufficiency of exogenous NO. RT-PCR analysis of ASCs treated with VPA showed increased mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) with the acetylation of its associated histone H3K9. iNOS inhibitors (1400 W and dexamethasone) or a soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) inhibitor (ODQ) decreased the incidence of neuronal cells differentiated from ASCs treated with VPA. These inhibitors also decreased the mRNA expression of mature neuronal markers, neurofilament medium polypeptide (NeFM) and microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2), as well as ßIII-tubulin (TUBB3), to various extents. It was considered from these results that VPA promoted mature neuronal differentiation of ASCs through the iNOS-NO-sGC signaling pathway. This provided insights into the regulated neuronal differentiation of ASCs in clinical applications.

Negative air pressure treatment accelerates the penetration of permeable cryoprotectants into bovine ovarian tissue in vitrification protocol and improves cell density after vitrification.

Effects of additional physical treatments during vitrification of the bovine ovarian tissue were examined for increasing of permeability of ethylene glycol (EG) and dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO). The concentrations of EG and Me2SO and histological changes in the ovarian tissue were evaluated. In the first equilibration step (7.5% EG and 7.5% Me2SO), all the 10-min physical treatments, i.e., negative (679 hPa) or positive (1347 hPa) air pressure applied with a disposable syringe, and shaking (60 rpm) applied with a laboratory shaker, were comparable to 25-min non-physical treatment (plain) vitrification. When effects of the negative air pressure were examined in the second equilibration step (20% EG and 20% Me2SO), its 10-min treatment was equivalent to 15-min plain vitrification (140-170 mg/g tissue). It was thus indicated that the negative air pressure treatment accelerates the penetration of permeable cryoprotectants into the ovarian tissue slices. Histological examination showed that the cell density and the amount of pan-cadherin in the tunica albuginea of the ovary was reduced by the vitrification, but was improved by the negative air pressure treatment. The amount of pan-cadherin in the tunica albuginea was recommended as a biomarker for evaluation of effectiveness of protocol for cryopreservation of bovine ovarian tissue and considered to be a candidate biomarker for human ovarian tissue cryopreservation.

Terahertz beam focusing through designed oblique metal-slit array.

Manipulation of propagating beams is essential in applications, and the potentially arising phenomena offer attractive optical components. However, the design of optical components using only naturally occurring materials has approached physical limits, and artificial materials such as metamaterials and metasurfaces are a way forward to open the door to sophisticated optical components. This paper shows manipulation of terahertz beams through designed oblique metal-slit arrays where a common metal-slit array does not perform as a lens. The oblique metal-slit array has a refractive index determined as a function of a steep angle. The lens consists of multiple metal plates with a designed oblique angle, and a convex output structure produces a focusing effect. We also suggest that the Brewster phenomenon in the lens can simply enhance the electric field intensity at the focal point. The Brewster condition of the lens is correlated with a jagged edged face on the input side with an appropriate metal-slit spacing and thickness. The phenomenon would be applicable to numerous promising components and applications such as gain-enhancement optical components and perfect impedance-matching polarizers.