Local Effects Research Articles

Hybridization has localized effect on genetic variation in closely related pine species

BackgroundHybridization is a known phenomenon in nature but its genetic impact on populations of parental species remains less understood. We investigated the evolutionary consequences of the interspecific gene flow in several contact zones of closely related pine species. Using a set of genetic markers from both nuclear and organellar genomes, we analyzed four hybrid zones (384 individuals) and a large panel of reference allopatric populations of parental taxa (2104 individuals from 96 stands).ResultsWe observed reduced genetic diversity in maternally transmitted mitochondrial genomes of pure pine species and hybrids from contact zones compared to reference allopatric populations. The distribution of mtDNA haplotypes followed geographic rather than species boundaries. Additionally, no new haplotypes emerged in the contact zones, instead these zones contained the most common local variants. However, species diverged significantly at nuclear genomes and populations in contact zones exhibited similar or higher genetic diversity compared to the reference stands. There were no signs of admixture in any allopatric population, while clear admixture was evident in the contact zones, indicating that hybridization has a geographically localized effect on the genetic variation of the analyzed pine species.ConclusionsOur results suggest that hybrid zones act as sinks rather than melting pots of genetic diversity. Hybridization influences sympatric populations but is confined to contact zones. The spectrum of parental species ancestry in hybrids reflects the old evolutionary history of the sympatric populations. These findings also imply that introgression may play a crucial role in the adaptation of hybrids to specific environments.

Ag–Pt Alloy Nanoparticles Modified Zn‐Based Nanosheets for Highly Selective CO2 Photoreduction to CH4

AbstractMulti‐electron involved photoreduction of CO2 to hydrocarbon fuels is a long‐standing challenge, particularly in manipulating the selectivity of the target products. Here, a novel Ag–Pt bimetallic alloy on Zn‐based supports by photo‐deposition is designed for photocatalytic CO2 reduction to CH4 without any additives. This photocatalyst exhibits ≈ 98.9% selectivity for CH4. Experimental and theoretical calculations demonstrated that the excellent performance of the photocatalyst can be attributed to the localized surface plasmon resonance effect of metals, as well as the synergistic effects of the bimetallic sites. These factors are found to be beneficial not only for capturing solar radiation and facilitating electron migration but also for promoting the adsorption and activation of CO2 and the protonation of *CO. As a result, the photocatalyst achieved high selectivity and activity of photoreduction of CO2 to CH4. This work provides insights into the design of photocatalysts with highly selective target products for CO2 reduction.

Nanoarchitectonics of Copper Sulfide Nanoplating for Improvement of Computed Tomography Efficacy of Bismuth Oxide Constructs towards Drugless Theranostics

Abstract Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has emerged as one of the dreadful metastatic tumors in women due to complexity, specificity, and high recurrence, resulting in poor therapeutic outcomes and requiring real-time monitoring for improved theranostics. Despite the success as efficient radiosensitizers and computed tomography (CT)-based contrast agents, bismuth (Bi)-based composites suffer from poor colloidal stability, dose-dependent toxicity, and pharmacokinetic shortcomings, leading to poor therapeutic monitoring. In addition, several small molecule-based therapeutics, including nanoparticle-based delivery systems, suffer from several limitations of poor therapeutic delivery and acquired multidrug resistance by cancer cells, depriving the therapeutic needs. To overcome this aspect, this study demonstrates the fabrication of drug-like/drugless nanoarchitectures based on copper sulfide-nanoplated bismuth oxide (Bi2O3@CuS, shortly BC) composites for improved theranostic efficacy against TNBC. These systematically characterized BC nanocomposites exhibited pH-/near-infrared (NIR, 808 nm) light-responsive degradability towards dual modal therapies. Due to the band transition of Cu species, the designed BC composites displayed exceptional photothermal (PTT) conversion efficiency towards localized PTT effects. In addition to pH-/NIR-responsiveness, the internally overexpressed glutathione (GSH)-responsiveness facilitated the release of Cu2+ species for chemodynamic therapy (CDT) effects. To this end, the Bi3+ species in the core could be fully hydrated in the acidic tumor microenvironment (TME), resulting in GSH depletion and reducing CDT-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) clearance, thereby ablating tumors. The acid-responsive degradability of CuS resulted in the intratumoral enrichment of BC, demonstrating remarkable CT imaging efficacy in vivo. Together, these pH-/NIR-/GSH-responsive biodegradable BC composites could realize the integrated PTT/CDT/CT theranostics against breast carcinoma.

Unveiling non-monochromatic modes and nonlinearity in Piet Hein quantum semiconductor waveguides

We investigate the propagation characteristics of transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) modes in a semiconductor quantum plasma-filled coaxial waveguide with a Piet Hein cross-section. The unique geometry of the Piet Hein cross-section offers intriguing possibilities for tailoring modal properties and exploiting novel nonlinear phenomena. Using analytical and numerical methods, we unveil the non-monochromatic behaviour of TE and TM modes, characterized by distinct peaks and troughs in their field components. The Ez\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$E_{z}$$\\end{document} component of the TM mode exhibits a suppressed field within the central core and higher concentration in the cladding region, potentially minimizing energy loss within the waveguide. The Eρ\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$E_{\\rho }$$\\end{document} component exhibits pronounced oscillations near the waveguide boundaries, suggesting constructive and destructive interference patterns. The Eξ\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$E_{\\xi }$$\\end{document} component displays a non-monotonic behaviour with multiple pits and bumps, highlighting the interplay between the TE mode, the Piet Hein geometry, and the semiconductor quantum plasma properties. The Bρ\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$B_{\\rho }$$\\end{document} component of the TM mode exhibits a non-monochromatic behaviour with multiple maxima and minima, attributed to the complex interactions between propagating waves with different phase shifts. The Bξ\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$B_{\\xi }$$\\end{document} component exhibits a non-uniform distribution with distinct pits and bumps, with a resurgence towards the waveguide edges potentially due to higher-order mode contributions and local field enhancement effects. Our findings pave the way for the development of novel photonic devices with enhanced functionalities based on Piet Hein semiconductor quantum plasma waveguides.

Wireless Powered Surface Acoustic Wave Platform for Achieving Integrated Functions of Fogging/Icing Protection and Monitoring.

In this study, we introduced an integrated approach using piezoelectric thin film-based surface acoustic wave (SAW) and wireless power transfer (WPT) technologies, designed for both passive monitoring and active defogging/icing functions. We systematically investigated the resonant frequency shifts of ZnO/glass SAW devices, establishing their correlations with variations in humidity and temperature under cold conditions. Acoustic waves generated through the ZnO/glass SAW device were used for defogging and deicing functions with effects of RF powers and acousto-heating thoroughly evaluated. More significantly, the WPT system was successfully applied for achieving defogging and deicing functions, with its performance comparable to that of conventional wired SAW systems. Our findings demonstrated that the WPT SAW system significantly minimizes localized acousto-heating effects, although the time taken for both defogging and deicing was slightly longer than the wired system. This work represents a significant advancement in developing multifunctional, optically compatible, and wireless-integrated solutions for SAW based ice protection.

Histological Determination of Cinnamon and Olive Oil Extract on Traumatic Oral Ulcer in Laboratory Rabbit

Background: The mucosa of oral cavity is the mucous membrane which covers the tissues of the mouth cavity. In order to repair damage from a local aggressor, many cell strains and their byproducts work together throughout the vital physiological process of wound healing. This process culminates in tissue repair and starts relatively early in the inflammatory phase. . The supplements of cinnamon and olive oil can dramatically raise blood levels of antioxidants while lowering those of inflammatory indicators like C-reactive protein. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the local histological effect of topical application of cinnamon and olive oil extract on the rabbit oral mucosa Patients and Methods: 20 adult male rabbits that weight about 700-900 Kg and age about (6-8) months where used in this experimental study. Ulcer induction: Prior to the creation of the ulcers, rats were fixed on their backs and all animals were anaesthetized and induction the ulcer with round filter papers 5.5 mm in diameter were soaked in 15 ml of 50% acetic acid. In order to create round ulcer, an acid-soaked filter paper was pressed onto the right buccal mucosa for 60 seconds. Then divided the groups according to the healing time with 10 rabbits as a control group left healed normally and 10 rabbits as an experimental group that daily used mixture of cinnamon extract and olive oil ready extract topically applied on the traumatic ulcer. The animals were sacrificed along three- and seven-days healing periods and then prepared H&E stain for analyzed the results. Results: In comparison to the control group, the histological results of oral ulcers that were created and treated with a daily application of a herbal mixture consisting of cinnamon extract and olive oil extract showed greater epithelization, reduced inflammation, and increased angiogenesis, all of which sped up the healing process. Furthermore, there was a noteworthy distinction in the formation of extracellular matrix and collagen fiber synthesis between the experimental and control groups. Conclusion: Topical treatment using ready herbal extracts of olive oil and cinnamon was more successful in facilitating the recovery of traumatic ulcers.

Convenient Au@Ag Double‐Layer Nanoarray Fabricated by Rapid Thermal Annealing and Chemical Replacement Method for Surface‐Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Sensing

Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has a wide range of applications in molecular recognition, environmental pollutant detection, and other fields. However, the intensity and number of “hot spots” in 1D and 2D nanostructures are limited due to the scale‐dependent localized plasmonic effect of nanostructures, making it difficult to increase the detection limit. Herein, a kind of 3D substrate called Au@Ag double‐layer nanoarray (Au@Ag DLA) is prepared using rapid thermal annealing and chemical replacement methods. The energy‐dispersive spectrometer spectra confirm the successful growth of AgNPs on the gold nanoarray (Au SLA) by showing no presence of the copper element, indicating complete replacement of the Cu film deposited on Au SLA by Ag atoms. The detection limit of malachite green in Au@Ag DLA is 10−8 mol L−1, four and three orders of magnitude higher than that of Au SLA and AgNPs, respectively. This stronger SERS effect of Au@Ag DLA arises from the larger number of intense hot spots generated not only on the horizontal surface but also in the vertical direction. This finding provides a method for developing efficient and stable 3D SERS substrate, which can be utilized for the trace detection of water pollutants and pesticide residue.

Wood jam characteristics influence but do not fully explain wood jam morphologic functions

In-stream wood jams alter their surrounding channel morphology, thus setting riverscape morphology and ecosystem function. While wood jams clearly scour pools, retain sediment, and influence bank erosion, there is a lack of observational evidence of how wood jam characteristics themselves control morphologic effects. Here, I analyzed field observations of hundreds of wood jams to test the hypothesis that wood jam characteristics can predict local morphologic effects such as sediment retention, bar forcing, and pool scour. I found mixed support for this hypothesis: While jam characteristics such as porosity, channel blockage ratio, thalweg occupation, and having rootwads and multiple trunks significantly predicted morphologic effect occurrence and magnitude, they only explained a small portion of the variance in those morphologic effects. While wood jam characteristics are relevant in controlling their overall morphologic functions, those functions are both inherently variable and likely affected by numerous other factors, such as reach-scale topography, the sediment transport capacity to supply ratio, and interactions with surrounding wood and vegetation. Wood function restoration may be more effective if it targets reach-scale objectives across dynamic wood jam assemblages, instead of individual jams.

Rapid fabrication of gold microsphere arrays with stable deep-pressing anisotropic conductivity for advanced packaging

Smooth metal microspheres with uniform sizes are ideal for constructing particle-arrayed anisotropic conductive films (ACF), but synthesis is hindered by challenges in controlling anisotropic metal growth. Here, we present a positioned transient-emulsion self-assembly and laser-irradiation strategy to fabricate pure gold microsphere arrays with smooth surfaces and uniform sizes. The fabrication involves assembling gold nanoparticles into uniform colloidosomes within a pre-designed microhole array, followed by rapid transformation into well-defined microspheres through laser heating. The gold nanoparticles melt and merge in a layer-by-layer manner due to the finite skin depth of the laser, leading to a localized photothermal effect. This strategy circumvents anisotropic growth, enables tunable control of microsphere size and positioning, and is compatible with conventional lithography. Importantly, these pure gold microspheres exhibit stable conductivity under deep compression, offering promising applications in soldering micro-sized chips onto integrated circuits.

Highly sensitive multiplexed colorimetric lateral flow immunoassay by plasmon-controlled metal-silica isoform nanocomposites: PINs.

Lateral flow assay (LFA) systems use metal nanoparticles for rapid and convenient target detection and are extensively studied for the diagnostics of various diseases. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are often used as probes in LFAs, displaying a single red color. However, there is a high demand for colorimetric LFAs to detect multiple biomarkers, requiring the use of multicolored NPs. Here, we present a highly sensitive multiplexed colorimetric lateral flow immunoassay by multicolored Plasmon-controlled metal-silica Isoform Nanocomposites (PINs). We utilized the localized surface plasmon resonance effect to create multi-colored PINs by precisely adjusting the distance between the NPs on the surface of PINs through the controlled addition of reduced gold and silver precursors. Through simulations, we also confirmed that the distance between nanoparticles on the surface of PINs significantly affects the color and colorimetric signal intensity of the PINs. We achieved multicolored PINs that exhibit stronger colorimetric signals, offering a new solution for LFA detection with high sensitivity and a 33 times reduced limit of detection (LOD) while maintaining consistent size deviations within 5%. We expect that our PINs-based colorimetric LFA will facilitate the sensitive and simultaneous detection of multiple biomarkers in point-of-care testing.

Scale-tailored localization and its observation in non-Hermitian electrical circuits

Anderson localization and non-Hermitian skin effect are two paradigmatic wave localization phenomena, resulting from wave interference and the intrinsic non-Hermitian point gap, respectively. In this study, we unveil a novel localization phenomenon associated with long-range asymmetric coupling, termed scale-tailored localization, where the number of induced localized modes and their localization lengths scale exclusively with the coupling range. We show that the long-range coupling fundamentally reshapes the energy spectra and eigenstates by creating multiple connected paths on the lattice. Furthermore, we present experimental observations of scale-tailored localization in non-Hermitian electrical circuits utilizing adjustable voltage followers and switches. The circuit admittance spectra possess separate point-shaped and loop-shaped components in the complex energy plane, corresponding respectively to skin modes and scale-tailored localized states. Our findings not only expand and deepen the understanding of peculiar effects induced by non-Hermiticity but also offer a feasible experimental platform for exploring and controlling wave localizations.

Cooling Effectiveness of the Sustainable Cooling Solution for Cattle: Case Study in Poland

Recently, the dairy sector has been ever more affected by global warming. This study aimed to test a novel conductive cooling system for cattle that was successfully implemented and evaluated under summer thermally challenging weather conditions in Poland. The system consists mainly of the chiller, tank, and chilled water-driven mattress, designed to prioritize animal well-being. The experimental evaluation was carried out on three Friesian dry cows, housed on different types of bedding—commercial water mattress, straw, and cooling water mattress—and supplied with water at 10 °C (day) and 16 °C (night). The cooling water mattress’ surface temperature was twice as low as that of the commercial water mattress. The animal’s thermal comfort was assessed with physiological and behavioral reactions. The cooling effect on animals’ bodies was demonstrated with a lower reticulorumen temperature of the cooled cow (p < 0.05) than the reference ones. The local effect of cooling was proved with an 8 °C-lower skin temperature after the cow’s resting period. The presented study opens a new research direction toward dairy cattle’s welfare, sustainability, and the food–energy–water nexus, based on potential energy and water savings.

A study of optical properties and electron energy loss spectra of ZnS by linear response theory

The linear response theory has been applied to study the optical properties and electron energy loss spectra of ZnS. The ground state is built using the Full-Potential Linearized Augmented Plane Wave method. Thereafter, the electronic properties such as band structure and density of states are calculated. Calculations of electron energy loss spectra and optical properties are performed on the top of these ground state electronic properties. The calculations are performed using three exchange–correlation kernels namely, adiabatic local density approximation, long range contribution, and the bootstrap. The random phase approximation is also considered. An approach proposed by us to find the material dependent parameter α is used in long range contribution kernel to capture more accurate optical properties. Three values of α viz 0.78, 1.09, and 1.22 are considered. It is observed that the α = 0.78 gives very good results. This proposed scheme is found to work very well for ZnS also. The effect of local field and electron–hole interaction on the spectra is examined. For example after incorporating local field effect the high frequency dielectric constant ε∞ [i.e. ε1E→0eV ], reduces by 9.19, 12.26, 13.51 and 11.02% for random phase approximation, adiabatic local density approximation, long range contribution and bootstrap kernel respectively. In EELS plasmon peak positions are found using the three kernels and random phase approximation. A good accord with experimental results is noted after incorporating local field effects. It is observed that local field effect causes redshift of prominent peak (i.e. plasmon peak) in electron energy loss spectra by 0.61 eV.

Effects of smoking on local and systemic oxidative stress markers in individuals with periodontitis

Aim: This study aimed to assess the effects of smoking on systemic and local oxidative stress markers in patients with periodontitis. Methods: A total of 72 patients with periodontitis [38 smokers (S +P+), 34 non-smokers (S-P+)] and 54 periodontally healthy individuals [28 smokers (S+P-), 26 non-smokers (S-P-, control)] were included. After clinical measurements and samplings, the cotinine level, total antioxidant capacity (TAOC), total oxidative status (TOS), and malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the serum and saliva were determined, and the oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for multiple and pairwise comparisons. Correlations were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Smoking and periodontitis decreased the serum and salivary TAOCs and increased the TOS, MDA level, and OSI. The smokers with periodontitis had the lowest TAOC and the highest TOS, MDA level, and OSI, while the controls had the highest TAOC and the lowest TOS, MDA level, and OSI. The systemic and local effects of smoking seemed more pronounced than those of periodontitis in the oxidative stress study, but no significant difference was identified between the smoking (S+P-) and periodontitis (S-P+) groups. The clinical parameters and oxidative stress markers showed both substantial positive and negative relationships in all groups (p<0.01). Conclusions: It can be concluded that smoking and periodontitis (S+P+) are associated with a decrease in serum and salivary TAOCs and an increase in TOS, MDA levels, and OSI. Smoking has a similar effect as periodontitis on local and systemic oxidative stress, and oxidative stress caused by smoking may be a significant factor in the pathophysiology of periodontitis.

Charged Impurity Scattering and Electron-Electron Interactions in Large-Area Hydrogen Intercalated Bilayer Graphene.

Intercalation is a promising technique to modify the structural and electronic properties of 2D materials on the wafer scale for future electronic device applications. Yet, few reports to date demonstrate 2D intercalation as a viable technique on this scale. Spurred by recent demonstrations of mm-scale sensors, we use hydrogen intercalated quasi-freestanding bilayer graphene (hQBG) grown on 6H-SiC(0001), to understand the electronic properties of a large-area (16 mm2) device. To do this, we first analyze Shubnikov-de Haas (SdH) oscillations and weak localization, permitting determination of the Fermi level, cyclotron effective mass, and quantum scattering time. Our transport results indicate that at low temperature, scattering in hQBG is dominated by charged impurities and electron-electron interactions. Using low- temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (STS), we investigate the source of the charged impurities on the nm-scale via observation of Friedel oscillations. Comparison to theory suggests that the Friedel oscillations we observe are caused by hydrogen vacancies underneath the hQBG. Furthermore, STS measurements demonstrate that hydrogen vacancies in the hQBG have an extremely localized effect on the local density of states, such that the Fermi level of the hQBG is only affected directly above the location of the defect. Hence, we find that the calculated Fermi level from SdH oscillations on the millimeter scale agrees with the value measured locally on the nanometer scale with STS measurements.

Regional Sensorimotor Effects of Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation: Preliminary Results From an Experimental Study.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of different spinal manipulation (SM) techniques and target segments on a specific dermatome and myotome, when compared with a remote spinal cord segment that served as a control location. Twenty-nine healthy volunteers were randomized to receive instrumental (Activator IV, Activator Methods International Ltd) or manual SM at the C6, C1, and T4 vertebral segments in 3 independent sessions. Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) and muscle strength were examined at the C6 (test) and L4 (control) dermatomes and myotomes, at baseline and after intervention. Linear mixed-effects models were used to analyze changes over time and interindividual variability. Pressure pain thresholds significantly increased at both proximal and distal C6 dermatome locations (P < .05), irrespective of the technique and segment of application (P > .2). No significant changes were observed at the L4 dermatome. Muscle strength remained unchanged throughout the study. Multilevel modeling revealed significant associations between increased PPTs along the C6 dermatome (P < .001), whereas the combination of technique and target segment predicted PPT increases at the proximal C6 dermatome. These findings support regional, rather than segmental mechanisms underlying the sensory effects of SM. Specifically, significant increases in PPTs along the C6 dermatome suggest localized effects on pain sensitivity, which may depend on the target spinal region. Further investigation is needed to better understand these regional changes of SM and their potential clinical implications.

Thrombin generation assay in COVID-19 patients shows a hypocoagulable pattern

Patients with COVID-19 often exhibit coagulopathy, which can significantly impact prognosis. Therefore, investigating coagulation in this context is clinically relevant. The thrombin generation assay (TGA) provides comprehensive data on individual clotting patterns. In our study, we utilized a calibrated automated thrombogram to globally assess coagulation in COVID-19 patients. The study included 67 COVID-19 patients (40 hospitalized in the medical ward and 27 in intensive care units) and 45 blood donors for comparison. Our analysis revealed significant differences in TGA parameters (lag time, time-to-peak, thrombin peak, and endogenous thrombin potential) between patients and blood donors, suggesting a hypocoagulable state in the former. Specifically, COVID-19 patients exhibited prolonged lag time and time-to-peak values, as well as lower thrombin peak and endogenous thrombin potential compared to blood donors (Mann-Whitney test: p&lt;0.05); notably, no significant differences in thrombin generation were observed based on the clinical setting. These findings suggest a reduced capacity for thrombin generation, indicating a consumptive coagulopathy in COVID-19 patients and that in this context, thrombosis is primarily attributable to localized effects in the lungs, platelet activation, and/or prothrombotic endothelial dysfunction. The thrombin generation assay is instrumental in defining coagulation patterns in COVID-19 and may also be applicable to other infectious diseases.

Effect of spatially varying earthquake ground motions on seismic response of a railway viaduct considering multiple site configurations

Currently, it is admitted that extended structures are subjected to spatially varying earthquake ground motions. It has been recognized that the causes of this variability are time delay at each support of the structure, coherency loss effect caused by the propagation of seismic waves and local site effect. The spatial variation of local characteristics of the soil profile defines the site effect, which affects the amplitude and the frequency content of seismic ground motion. The main objective of this work is to provide comparative results and evaluate the variation of the dynamic response of a bridge adopting varying characteristics of soil foundation. Based on the density spectral method, an efficient simulation method of spatially varying earthquake ground motions is developed. The simulation of spatially variable seismic ground motions is performed for different locations on the ground surface with varying site conditions. According to of soil classification described in seismic codes, four different soil configurations were considered for generating sixty-four displacement time series. Several dynamics analyses of a bridge to three cases of spatially variable seismic ground motions, besides the uniform case, are made. The results of this study indicate that depending on soil configurations beneath each support, the seismic response may vary significantly.

Construction of Ag-modified ZnO/g-C3N4 heterostructure for enhanced photocatalysis performance.

ZnO/g-C3N4 heterojunction modified with Ag nanoparticles (ZnO/CN/Ag) was synthesized by depositing ZnO nanorods/Ag nanoparticles onto g-C3N4 nanosheets. Under xenon lamp irradiation, 99% of Rhodamine B (RhB) was degraded by ZnO/CN/Ag-5% composite within 30min, which was much higher than the degradation efficiency of ZnO and ZnO/CN. The synergistic effect of g-C3N4 and ZnO, along with the localized surface plasmon resonance effect of Ag NPs, contributes to the improvement of photocatalytic performance. Ag nanoparticle provides another charge transfer path from g-C3N4 to ZnO, which speeds up the separation of electron-hole pairs. Meanwhile, the catalyst had good stability and recyclability. Finite-difference time-domain method and the density functional theory were used to obtain the charge transfer process. The photodegradation process has been studied in depth.

Localized surface plasmon resonance induced nonlinear absorption and optical limiting activity of gold decorated graphene/MoS2 hybrid

The synergistic supremacy of a hybrid nanocomposite made of reduced graphene oxide (rGO), molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and gold nanoparticles (Au) for Q-switching and optical limiting applications is investigated. Hydrothermally synthesized Au-rGO-MoS2 hybrid with varying concentrations of Au (2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 wt%) was subjected to interact with Q-switched Nd:YAG nanosecond green laser pulses. The intensity dependent nonlinear absorption studies revealed a switch over in the nonlinear behaviour from saturable absorption (SA) to reverse saturable absorption (RSA) behaviour. SA occurs due to ground state bleaching at comparatively lower laser irradiances serving the need for Q-switching and optical communications. The RSA trait at higher laser irradiance is attributed to sequential two-photon absorption which serves as the platform for optical limiting behaviour prompting laser safety and effective photothermal therapy applications. The strong mid-visible and UV absorption promotes the availability of multiple energy bands for energy transitions of excited state absorption (ESA). Enhanced local fields due to localized surface plasmon resonance effect, structural defects, hierarchical morphology, increased absorption cross-section and plasmon induced energy transfer promotes robust ESA process. These tunable nonlinear optical properties make Au-rGO-MoS2 hybrid promising futuristic candidates for applications in nonlinear photonic devices, ultrafast optical switches and all-optical signal processing systems.