Interface Transmission Research Articles

An overview of the challenges and methods for defining the wildlife-disease interface in the context of disease spread modelling, including concepts of infectious diseases epidemiology

ABSTRACT The wildlife-domestic interface is a key concept helping us to understand how diseases affect both wild and domestic animal populations, yet how to define and measure it remains a challenge. One tool which can contribute to our understanding of the wildlife-domestic interface is disease spread modelling. This can provide insight into how diseases spread within and between populations, and guide decision-making for disease control, response and surveillance programs. Specifically, quantitative estimation of contact rates permits such disease spread models to be developed and used confidently. Here we present a case study of the potential spread of rabies (an exotic disease in Australia) within the wild dog-domestic dog (Canis familiaris) ecosystem of northern Australia to illustrate the concept of the wildlife-domestic interface and disease transmission. We summarise a decade of research conducted to understand one such interface, the wild-domestic dog interface at one site in northern Australia, for the purposes of exploring the impact of one specific disease, rabies. Over a period of 10 years, free-roaming domestic dogs and wild dogs in the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) of Cape York, Queensland were studied. Key findings included identification of a small but important group of domestic dogs which regularly roam in bushland areas; peri-urban wild dog activity, particularly in the dry season, likely driven by the availability of food sources; and the potential for interaction between hunting dogs and wild dogs in remote areas, particularly during the wet season. These observations can be used to inform disease spread models and identify strategies to mitigate the risks of disease transmission. However, the collection and incorporation of data into such models needs more consideration regarding what information is usable (such as contact rates) and the best ways to collect it. The scarcity of such models incorporating the wildlife-domestic interface suggests that integrated epidemiological-ecological studies are needed to fill this gap.

Symmetry-controlled SrRuO3/SrTiO3/SrRuO3 magnetic tunnel junctions: spin polarization and its relevance to tunneling magnetoresistance

Magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs), that consist of two ferromagnetic electrodes separated by an insulating barrier layer, have non-trivial fundamental properties associated with spin-dependent tunneling. Especially interesting are fully crystalline MTJs where spin-dependent tunneling is controlled by the symmetry group of wave vector. In this work, using first-principles quantum-transport calculations, we explore spin-dependent tunneling in fully crystalline SrRuO3/SrTiO3/SrRuO3(001) MTJs and predict tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) of nearly 3000%. We demonstrate that this giant TMR effect is driven by symmetry matching (mismatching) of the incoming and outcoming Bloch states in the SrRuO3(001) electrodes and evanescent states in the SrTiO3(001) barrier. We argue that under the conditions of symmetry-controlled transport, spin polarization, whatever definition is used, is not a relevant measure of spin-dependent tunneling. In the presence of diffuse scattering, however, e.g. due to localized states in the band gap of the tunnel barrier, symmetry matching is no longer valid and TMR in SrRuO3/SrTiO3/SrRuO3(001) MTJs is strongly reduced. Under these conditions, the spin polarization of the interface transmission function becomes a valid measure of TMR. These results provide an important insight into understanding and optimizing TMR in all-oxide MTJs.

Modification of GaAs(001)-β2(2x4) surface by Pd-decoration: A DFT study

Photoelectric modification mechanisms of Pd-decoration on GaAs(001)-β2(2 × 4) surface were examined through first-principles calculations based on density functional theory (DFT). Among all purposed Pd-decorated GaAs(001)-β2(2 × 4) models, seven demonstrated have good stability. Due to the adsorption of Pd atoms, band gap and work function of GaAs(001)-β2(2 × 4) surface decreased and further enhanced the photoemission capability of the structure. The evidence showed that the reduced transmission resistance and transmission loss of Pd-decorated GaAs(001)-β2(2 × 4) structure were due to the formation of the localized internal polarization field resulted from charge transfer between Pd and GaAs. When electron come across the Pd/GaAs interface, the internal electric field could accelerate electron passing though in just one dimension, which could reduce the interface recombination and enhance interface electron transmission capability. Additionally, Pd-decoration led to a red-shift in the absorption edge and enhanced light adsorption capability in the range of 0.7 to 1.7 eV. The optoelectronic modification effect could be utilized to address the interface transmission losses in multi-junction solar cells, and further optimize the solar cell performance.

Transport parameters for PFOA and PFOS migration through GCL's and composite liners used in landfills

The effect of applied stress (20, 60, and 150 kPa) on the diffusion of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) through a geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) is examined. The diffusion coefficients deduced from GCL diffusion tests for PFOA and PFOS decrease linearly with decreasing final bulk GCL void ratio (increasing applied stresses). The different components of the same GCL are also tested for PFOA and PFOS sorption. No statistically significant sorption of PFOA is observed for any of the components of the GCL. However, some sorption of PFOS onto the cover and carrier geotextiles of the GCL is observed with in an average distribution coefficient, Kd ∼2.22 ml/g for the GCL. Permeants containing different PFAS compounds are tested to assess their impact on the Geomembrane (GMB) - GCL interface transmissivity in composite liners. Results show PFAS concentrations up to 20 ppm had negligible impact on the GMB-GCL interface transmissivity. Lastly, the GCL specimens extracted from the diffusion tests are tested for hydraulic conductivity. No impact of PFAS is seen on the hydraulic conductivity of GCLs subjected to high applied loads, but a small increase is seen on the GCLs subjected to relatively low applied stresses.

Surface-subsurface filtration transport with seawater intrusion: multidomain mixed variational evolution problems

Surface-subsurface filtration transport with seawater intrusion phenomena are formulated and variationally analyzed, as coupled multimedia mixed pairs of free boundary interface problems. Physically, multidomain subsurface mixed velocity-pressure fractional Darcian flow models coupled with surface evolution Stokesian mixed flows are considered. Specifically, two-phase air-fresh water above the sea level and fresh water-seawater characterizations are considered. Internal boundary synchronizing transmission conditions of multidomain nonoverlapping decompositions are modeled in terms of variational Lagrangian dual subpotential maximal monotone inclusions. Similarly, filtration transport coupling interface transmission constraints are implemented by mass flux-velocity-pressure Lagrange dual multipliers as solutions of subpotential subdifferential equations.

High‐Performance UV Photodetector via Energy Band Engineering and LSPR‐Enhanced Pyro‐Phototronic Effect in Au Decorated 2D‐PbI2/1D‐ZnO Heterojunction

AbstractUltraviolet (UV) photodetectors have attracted extensive attention in various applications, including aerospace, optical communication, and fire warning. However, the intrinsic coupling of high responsivity and fast response as well as imperfect interface transmission impede the further improvement of UV photodetector. Here, a high‐performance Au‐decorated PbI2/ZnO pn junction UV photodetector with a one‐dimensional (1D) and two‐dimensional (2D) interspersed structure is presented. The pyro‐phototronic effect and energy band engineering effect from the localized pn junction generated by the layered p‐type PbI2 nanosheets along the c‐axis of ZnO are coupled to modulate the separation and transport of photogenerated carriers. Furthermore, the localized surface plasmon resonance of Au nanoparticles produces transient thermal power to raise temperature fast to enhance pyroelectric current. The self‐powered Au@PbI2/ZnO photodetector displays a high responsivity of 0.21 A W−1, excellent detectivity of 7.9 × 1012 Jones, and fast response/recovery time of 25/31 ms, under the illumination of 325 nm light with the power density of 0.08 µW cm−2. This work offers an effective strategy for designing high‐performance next‐generation optoelectronic devices.

Cerium-assembled tungsten oxide composite fibers: Adhesive-free electrodes for high performance asymmetric supercapacitors

In this study, in-situ cerium-assembled tungsten oxide carbon nanofibers were successfully prepared via simple electrospinning and calcination technology and were used as flexible electrodes without conductive agent and adhesive. It was confirmed that the introduction of Ce has better maintained the continuous morphology of one-dimensional fibers to provide a continuous uninterrupted reaction position by the SEM TEM and XPS results. The addition of cerium improved the wettability of the material, which was propitious to the penetration of the electrolyte, made the electrolyte more fully contact with the active site, and enhanced the interface transmission effectiveness by the liquid contact angle test. Otherwise, the XRD and XPS results exhibited that the addition of cerium has caused the lattice expansion of the tungsten oxide, which generated the self-adjustable strain relaxation ability of electrode material in the process of continuous constant voltage charge and discharge. It proved that the introduction of cerium has promoted electron transfer, which improved the electrochemical performance of electrode material. In this paper, compared with WO3-CNFs without Ce, the Ce/WO3-CNFs have wide lattice spacing and hydrophilicity, fully contact with the electrolyte in the electrochemical reaction, and provide high electron transfer ability. The Ce/WO3-CNFs shows the maximum specific capacitance (407 F g−1) and excellent cycling stability (10,000 cycles at 5 A g−1 with a retention rate of 80 %). Otherwise, the flexible asymmetric supercapacitor device was prepared using the Ce/WO3-CNFs as cathode, and the CNFs as the anode, which exhibited the maximum energy density was 35.75 Wh kg−1 and a power density was 362.54 W kg−1 at 0.5A g−1. The results show that rare earth doping is an effective way and that the Ce/WO3-CNFs are promising electrode materials for supercapacitors.

Semi-classical Monte Carlo study of the impact of tensile strain on the performance limits of monolayer MoS2 n-channel MOSFETs

The effects of tensile strain and contact transmissivity on the performance limits of monolayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanoscale n-channel MOSFETs are studied using a semi-classical Monte Carlo method. Density functional theory calculations were performed to parametrize the electronic band structure of MoS2 subject to tensile and shear strain. Tensile strain decreases the bandgap, increases the inter-valley band-edge energy separation between the light-mass K-valleys and heavier-mass Q-valleys, and decreases the K-valley effective mass in a way that depends on the direction and the amount of the applied strain. Biaxial tensile strain and uniaxial tensile strain along the x- or y-directions are found to have the largest effect. In bulk materials, low-field phonon-limited electron mobility is enhanced, peak and saturation drift velocities are increased, and high-field negative differential resistance becomes more pronounced. Both 200 and 15 nm gate length MoS2 MOSFETs with end-contacts with ideal (unity) and more realistic (significantly sub-unity) contact interface transmissivity were simulated. These MoS2 devices exhibited substantial sensitivity to strain with ideal contact transmissivity, and more so for the 15 nm quasi-ballistic device scale than 200 nm long-channel devices. However, the results showed much less strain sensitivity for devices with more realistic contact transmissivities, which may be good or bad depending on whether strain-insensitive or strain-sensitive performance is desired for a particular application and may be possible to modify with improved contact geometries.

Stability for an Interface Transmission Problem of Wave-Plate Equations with Dynamical Boundary Controls

Stability for an Interface Transmission Problem of Wave-Plate Equations with Dynamical Boundary Controls

An endogenous intelligent architecture for wireless communication networks

AbstractThe challenges posed by the future wireless communication network, which will be a huge system with more complex structures, diverse functions, and massive communication ends, will be addressed by intelligent wireless communication technologies. These technologies are playing an increasingly important role in network architecture, computing architecture, resource allocation algorithm design, etc., thanks to the rapid development of artificial intelligence technologies, particularly the deep learning technologies, and their extensive application in various domains. In this paper, an endogenous intelligent architecture is developed to effectively clarify and understand in-depth the relationship among the factors by constructing wireless knowledge graph for the air interface transmission, the core network, as well as the network environment, and so on. Furthermore, the knowledge graph simultaneously reveals the structure and operation mechanism of the whole wireless communication networks. Cause tracing, intelligent optimization, and performance evaluation are sequentially implemented based on the knowledge graph, thus forming a complete closed-loop for endogenous intelligent wireless communication networks.

Regularity of viscosity solutions to fully nonlinear elliptic transmission problems

We develop the regularity theory of viscosity solutions to transmission problems for fully nonlinear second order uniformly elliptic equations. Our results give a complete theory of existence, uniqueness, comparison principle, and regularity of solutions to flat interface transmission problems; and the C0,α, C1,α and C2,α regularity of viscosity solutions up to the transmission surface for the case of curved interfaces.

Type-II Weyl points and one-way interface transmission in a three-dimensional gyromagnetic photonic crystal

Type-II Weyl points and one-way interface transmission in a three-dimensional gyromagnetic photonic crystal

Nonlocal topological states in elastic wave metamaterials with active feedback control

Topological elastic wave metamaterials provide a new mechanism to tune wave energy and provide engineering applications which are difficult to realize by traditional structures. This work reports topological characteristics of nonlocal elastic wave metamaterials with active feedback control. The effects of nonlocal connection on band structures and dynamic behaviors of rectilinear lattices are studied. Then, the honeycomb lattice with nonlocal interactions is investigated, which realizes interface transmission and hybrid order topological states. The introduction of active feedback control systems can change the Young’s modulus of nonlocal metamaterials, which flexibly tune the topological characteristic of elastic waves. According to finite element simulation and experiment, the interface transmission and hybrid order can be generated by active feedback control, which agrees with theoretical predictions.

Construction of Co-doped Sn3O4/g-C3N4 heterojunction with enhanced interface transmission capatibility for improving hydrogen production

In order to alleviate the increasingly serious energy problems, the researches and developments of photocatalysts with efficient solar energy utilization, low price and cost, and long-term stability are the critical problem to expand the application technology of photocatalysis. In this work, Co doped Sn3O4 and g-C3N4 were constructed into an S-scheme Co–Sn3O4/g-C3N4 heterojunction photocatalytic system by simple and feasible solvothermal method for photocatalytic H2 evolution. And different loading amounts of Co–Sn3O4/CN-X were obtained by mean of changing the dosage of Co–Sn3O4. The synthesized photocatalysts represented exceptional H2 evolution performance under visible light irradiation (λ>420 nm), among which Co–Sn3O4/g-C3N4-3 showed the best performance, and the H2 yield reached 1793.88 μmol h−1 g−1. This value was significantly higher than that of single catalysts Sn3O4 (294.82 μmol h−1 g−1) and g-C3N4 (1111.28 μmol h−1 g−1). Moreover, the H2 yield of reused Co–Sn3O4/g-C3N4-3 sample kept above 1737.67 μmol h−1 g−1 during cyclic test. XPS, UV–vis DRS and a series of photoelectrochemical analysis ascertained the establishment of internal electric field and bending of the energy band between the interface of Co–Sn3O4 and g-C3N4, which provided the possibility for Co–Sn3O4 and CN to construct Co–Sn3O4/g-C3N4 S-scheme heterostructure. What's more, the mechanism of producing H2 on the surface of Co–Sn3O4/g-C3N4 by oxidizing H2O was proposed. This work demonstrated the application prospect of reasonably designing g-C3N4 based photocatalysts with exceptional stability, sterling functionality and prominent efficiency for H2 evolution, and provided availed guidance for the research and development of g-C3N4 based photocatalysts.

Infection of the maternal-fetal interface and vertical transmission following low-dose inoculation of pregnant rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) with an African-lineage Zika virus.

Congenital Zika virus (ZIKV) infection can result in birth defects, including malformations in the fetal brain and visual system. There are two distinct genetic lineages of ZIKV: African and Asian. Asian-lineage ZIKVs have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in humans; however, recent evidence from experimental models suggests that African-lineage viruses can also be vertically transmitted and cause fetal harm. To evaluate the pathway of vertical transmission of African-lineage ZIKV, we inoculated nine pregnant rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) subcutaneously with 44 plaque-forming units of a ZIKV strain from Senegal, (ZIKV-DAK). Dams were inoculated either at gestational day 30 or 45. Following maternal inoculation, pregnancies were surgically terminated seven or 14 days later and fetal and maternal-fetal interface tissues were collected and evaluated. Infection in the dams was evaluated via plasma viremia and neutralizing antibody titers pre- and post- ZIKV inoculation. All dams became productively infected and developed strong neutralizing antibody responses. ZIKV RNA was detected in maternal-fetal interface tissues (placenta, decidua, and fetal membranes) by RT-qPCR and in situ hybridization. In situ hybridization detected ZIKV predominantly in the decidua and revealed that the fetal membranes may play a role in ZIKV vertical transmission. Infectious ZIKV was detected in the amniotic fluid of three pregnancies and one fetus had ZIKV RNA detected in multiple tissues. No significant pathology was observed in any fetus; and ZIKV did not have a substantial effect on the placenta. This study demonstrates that a very low dose of African-lineage ZIKV can be vertically transmitted to the macaque fetus during pregnancy. The low inoculating dose used in this study suggests a low minimal infectious dose for rhesus macaques. Vertical transmission with a low dose in macaques further supports the high epidemic potential of African ZIKV strains.

Designing novel 0D/1D/2D NiO@La(OH)3/g-C3N4 heterojunction for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production

Structure design of heterojunction photocatalysts is highly desirable for making full use abilities of each component and junction. Herein, we designed a one-pot in-situ top-down and bottom-up combination strategy to construct novel 0D/1D ordered NiO@La(OH)3 heterostructure derived from NiO@LaNiO3 using high-temperature hydrothermal treatment. The 0D/1D NiO@La(OH)3 heterostructure had better charge transport capability than its single component and the corresponding mechanical mixture. Furthermore, NiO@La(OH)3 and g-C3N4 self-assembled into 0D/1D/2D NiO@La(OH)3/g-C3N4 ternary hierarchical heterostructure photocatalyst by electrostatic interaction. The synergistic effect of 0D/1D/2D architecture and ternary heterojunction boost the internal separation and interface transmission of its photocarriers. Therefore, the obtained 0D/1D/2D NiO@La(OH)3/g-C3N4 ternary photocatalyst exhibited significantly enhanced photocatalytic H2 evolution activity, comparable to related g-C3N4-based photocatalysts. This work enriches our insight into designing novel hierarchical heterostructure catalysts.

Effect of closed and open system freeze–thaw cycles on GMB–GCL interface transmissivity

An experimental study of the effect of closed system and a limited study of open system freeze–thaw cycles on the interface transmissivity at applied stresses between 10 and 150 kPa is described. The effect of closed system freeze–thaw is most apparent after 100 freeze–thaw cycles and permeation at a stress ≤25 kPa. The effect of permeating fluid chemistry is also evident but decreased with increasing stress. One notable effect of permeant is the potential for internal erosion along weaknesses in the bentonite created by freeze–thaw cycles when permeated by distilled or reverse osmosis water. This is not observed when permeated with simulated pore water containing cations. In terms of practical application, closed system freeze–thaw cycles appear to have little effect on interface transmissivity, and to the extent that there is an effect, it is beneficial. In contrast, cryogenic suction arising with open system freeze–thaw cycles is shown to result in the formation of ice lenses both within the geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) and at the GCL geomembrane interface. Although limited, the data suggest that the effect of ice lens formation on interface transmissivity after open system freeze–thaw cycles is largely eliminated at applied stress above 20–25 kPa, although more research is warranted.

Si/Ge interfacial thermal conductance enhancement through Sn nanoparticle embedding.

The improvement of interfacial thermal conductance (ITC) is a crucial aspect of the thermal management of nanodevices. In this paper, the effect of embedding Sn nanoparticles at the Si/Ge interface on ITC was investigated using non-equilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD) simulations. It was found that although Sn has a higher atomic weight than both silicon and germanium, the ITC can be enhanced by 1.95 times when the nanoparticles reach a suitable number and diameter. The phonon transmission functions and density of states clearly indicate that an increased ITC can be attributed to the enhanced inelastic phonon scattering facilitated by Sn nanoparticles. This enhancement opens up novel channels for interfacial phonon transport. However, when the number of nanoparticles surpasses a suitable value, elastic phonons begin to dominate heat transport, leading to a subsequent decrease in the ITC. Sensitivity analysis further underscores that the ITC exhibits greater responsiveness to changes in diameter. In addition, it is also shown that with increasing temperature, a higher frequency phonon excitation occurs, increasing phonon inelastic scattering and interface transmission. These findings offer a novel strategy for enhancing ITC and deepening our comprehension of both elastic and inelastic phonon processes in interfacial phonon transport.

Effect of subgrade on leakage through a defective geomembrane seam below saturated tailings

Experiments are conducted to quantify leakage through saturated tailings (with 30% fines) underlain by a geomembrane with either a 100-mm-length knife cut slit defect or a 110-mm-length defective extrusion seam. Various subgrades, a poorly graded gravel (GP) with or without nonwoven geotextile (450 or 1420 g/m2) above, a well-graded gravel (GW), and a poorly graded sand (SP) are evaluated. Test results show that leakage through the slit defect and defective seam increase with the subgrade coarseness and subgrade unevenness. The inferred upper and lower bounds opening width of a slit based on the measured leakage increase with the overburden pressure and are categorized for each subgrade. Indentations in the overlapped defective extrusion seam area arise from both the entrapped materials inside the overlap and the materials underlying/overlying the geomembrane, incrementally inducing a greater interface transmissivity with the increasing stress. Overlain by tailings at total overburden pressure of 510 kPa and water head of 35m, leakage through the slit defect is 1.1L/day for SP, 2.2L/day for GW, 2.6–3.3L/day for both GP and uneven GW; leakage drops to 0.8L/day with a geotextile layer directly above the GP; leakage through the defective extrusion seam is 0.4L/day for SP and 0.8L/day for GW.

A Multi-Point Contact Model Considering Rough Surface for Linear Ultrasonic Motors: Validation and Simulation.

The performance and wear life of linear ultrasonic motors are directly determined by the stator-mover frictional contact behaviors. A complete contact model is important to clearly understand the stator-mover contact mechanism and accurately estimate the motor performance. In this paper, a multi-point frictional contact model considering the roughness of contact interfaces is presented based on a finite model of the stator and an analytical model of the mover. The static/dynamic contact behaviors and output performance of the motor can be simulated efficiently. A quantitative measuring methodology for the dynamic contact forces between the stator and mover is developed. The effectiveness of the contact model for simulating the stator-mover contact forces is first evaluated by experiment. Based on the developed model, several dynamic characteristics of a linear ultrasonic motor are discussed: (a) the static force transferred between contact interfaces under pre-pressure; (b) the transient forces and energy exchange between contact interfaces; (c) the steady-state output performance of motor under different electric excitation parameters; (d) the effects of micro-topography parameters on the output performance of the motor and the force transmission of the contact interface.