Low Excitation Research Articles

Modulation of lower limb muscle corticospinal excitability during various types of motor imagery

Motor imagery (MI) is used for rehabilitation and sports training. Previous studies focusing on the upper limb have investigated the effects of MI on corticospinal excitability in the muscles involved in the imagined movement (i.e., the agonist muscles). The present study focused on several lower-limb movements and investigated the influences of MI on corticospinal excitability in the lower limb muscles. Twelve healthy individuals (ten male and two female individuals) participated in this study. Motor-evoked potentials (MEP) from the rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF), tibialis anterior (TA), and soleus (SOL) muscles were elicited through transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to the primary motor cortex during MI of knee extension, knee flexion, ankle dorsiflexion, and ankle plantarflexion and at rest. The results showed that the RF MEPs were significantly increased during MI in knee extension, ankle dorsiflexion, and ankle plantarflexion but not in knee flexion, compared with those at rest. The TA MEPs were significantly increased during MI in knee extension and foot dorsiflexion, while MEPs were not significantly different during MI in knee flexion and foot dorsiflexion than those at rest. For the BF and SOL muscles, there was no significant MEP modulation in either MI. These results demonstrated that corticospinal excitability of the RF and TA muscles was facilitated during MI of movements in which they are active and during MI of lower-limb movements in which they are not involved. On the contrary, corticospinal excitability of the BF and SOL muscles was not facilitated by MI of lower-limb movements. These results suggest that facilitation of corticospinal excitability depends on the muscle and the type of lower-limb MI.

Integrated Aerodynamic and Mechanical Design of a Large-Scale Axial Turbine Operating With A Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Mixture

Abstract In this paper, the design of a large-scale axial turbine operating with supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) blended with sulfur dioxide (SO2) is presented considering aerodynamic and mechanical design aspects as well as the integration of the whole turbine assembly. The turbine shaft power is 130 MW, designed for a 100 MWe concentrated-solar power plant with turbine inlet conditions of 239.1 bar and 700 °C, total-to-static pressure ratio of 2.94, and mass-flow rate of 822 kg/s. The aerodynamic flow path, obtained in a previous study, is first summarized before the aerodynamic performance of the turbine is evaluated using both steady-state and unsteady three-dimensional numerical models. Whole-annulus unsteady simulations are performed for the last turbine stage and the exhaust section to assess the unsteady loads on the rotor due to downstream pressure field distortion and to assess the aerodynamic losses within the diffuser and exhaust section. The potential low engine order excitation at the last rotor stage natural frequency modes due to downstream pressure distortion is assessed. The design of the turbine assembly is constrained by current manufacturing capabilities and the properties of the proposed working fluid. High-level flow-path design parameters, such as pitch diameter and number of stages, are established considering a trade-off between weight and footprint, turbine efficiency, and rotordynamics. Rotordynamic stability is assessed considering the high fluid density and related cross coupling effects. Finally, shaft end sizing, cooling system design, and the integration of dry gas seals are discussed.

A Rotating Accretion Disk around MWC 297, a Young B1.5Ve Star

High-resolution spectra with iSHELL on IRTF in the K and M bands of the young, heavily accreting B1.5Ve star MWC 297 show numerous double-peaked CO lines. These CO lines originate in an inclined gaseous disk in Keplerian rotation. MWC 297 is the only early B star known to show a Keplerian disk in CO. Analysis of the spectra shows that 12CO 1–0 is optically thick for the low excitation lines. Even the 13CO 1–0 and 12CO 2–1 have somewhat optically thick lines at low J levels. We find that the CO emission in the disk can be fitted with CO being in a narrow ring at a radius of 12 au, with a temperature of 1500 K and a CO column density of 1.6 × 1018 cm−2. This model underestimates the line strength of high-J lines, indicating that they are excited by fluorescence. The CO overtone lines have a similar temperature. The 13CO lines are much brighter than expected from interstellar isotope ratios. The 13CO lines are wider than the 12CO ones, suggesting different excitation conditions. The same is true for 12CO 2–1. We see strong absorption in 12CO and 13CO 1–0 at low J levels, which is due to two cold foreground clouds. These clouds, one with a temperature of 8.3 K and a column density of 6.7 1017 cm−2 and the other one colder and with lower column density, can fully account for the observed extinction toward MWC 297.

Photon Pair Source based on PPLN‐Waveguides for Entangled Two‐Photon Absorption

AbstractFluorescence excitation by absorption of entangled photon pairs offers benefits compared to classical imaging techniques, such as the attainment of higher signal levels at low excitation power while simultaneously mitigating phototoxicity. However, current entangled photon pair sources are unreliable for fluorescence detection. In order to address this limitation, there is a need for ultra‐bright entangled photon pair sources. Among the potential solutions, sources utilizing nonlinear waveguides emerge as promising candidates to facilitate fluorescence excitation through entangled photons. In this paper, a source consisting of a periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide is developed and its key characteristics are analyzed. To demonstrate its suitability as key component for imaging experiments, the entangled two‐photon absorption behavior of Cadmium Selenide Zinc Sulfide quantum dot solutions is experimentally investigated.

High-Efficiency and Low-Energy-Loss Organic Solar Cells Enabled by Tuning the End Group Modification of the Terthiophene-Based Acceptor Molecules to Enhance Photovoltaic Properties.

In the current study, six nonfullerene small acceptor molecules were designed by end-group modification of terminal acceptors. Density functional theory calculations of all designed molecules were performed, and optoelectronic properties were computed by employing different functionals. Every constructed molecule has a significant bathochromic shift in the maximum absorption value (λmax) except AM6. AM1-AM4 molecules represented a narrow band gap (Eg) and low excitation energy values. The AM1-AM4 and AM6 molecules have higher electron mobility. Comparing AM2 to the reference molecule reveals that AM2 has higher hole mobilities. Compared to the reference molecule, all compounds have excellent light harvesting efficiency values compared to AM1 and AM2. The natural transition orbital investigation showed that AM5 and AM6 had significant electronic transitions. The open-circuit voltage (Voc) values of the computed molecules were calculated by combining the designed acceptor molecules with PTB7-Th. In light of the findings, it is concluded that the designed molecules can be further developed for organic solar cells (OSCs) with superior photovoltaic abilities.

Monotone Signal Localization Using Magnetoresistive Sensor Array for Low-Field Magnetic Particle Imaging

Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) demands high sensitivity to be operable under low excitation fields as alternative countermeasure for specific absorption rate and magnetostimulation effects. Owing to capability of magnetoresistive (MR) sensors to unidirectionally detect sub-pT signal, we built a prototype of brain MPI scanner by using MR sensor array. The arrays were 13×13 and 5×13 matrices with 15mm sensor pitch and installed orthogonally relative to a 0.2m drive coil. To preliminarily evaluate 10 kHz-signal localization, we used a current loop embedded with 20-turn coils. We then carefully measured pT field at 234 sensor coordinates for 1mA ac current fed to the loop. The resulting field contour was numerically interpolated to identify the actual loop orientation. We found that the loop three-dimensionally rotated along xyz axes with (1.0°, –1.5°, 2.0°) angles from the expected position. To further estimate spatial resolution of the array, we measured magnetic fields from two adjacent point sources of small coils. The corresponding signal separation appeared dependent on the perpendicular distance to the nearest sensor. This fine signal localization of MR sensor array highlights its potential for tracing magnetic nanoparticles in low-field MPI system.

Solar photospheric spectrum microvariability

Context. Extreme precision radial-velocity spectrometers enable extreme precision in stellar spectroscopy. Searches for low-mass exoplanets around solar-type stars are limited by various types of physical variability in stellar spectra, such as the short-term jittering of apparent radial velocities on levels of ∼2 m s−1. Aims. To understand the physical origins of radial-velocity jittering, the solar spectrum is assembled, as far as possible, from basic principles. Solar surface convection is modeled with time-dependent 3D hydrodynamics, followed by the computation of high-resolution spectra during numerous instances of the simulation sequence. The behavior of different classes of photospheric spectral lines is monitored throughout the simulations to identify commonalities or differences between different classes of lines: weak or strong, neutral or ionized, high or low excitation, atomic or molecular. Methods. Synthetic spectra were examined. With a wavelength sampling λ/Δλ ∼ 1 000 000, the changing shapes and wavelength shifts of unblended and representative Fe I and Fe II lines were followed during the simulation sequences. The radial-velocity jittering over the small simulation area typically amounts to ±150 m s−1, scaling to ∼2 m s−1 for the full solar disk. Flickering within the G-band region and in photometric indices of the Strömgren uvby system were also measured, and synthetic G-band spectra from magnetic regions are discussed. Results. Most photospheric lines vary in phase, but with different amplitudes among different classes of lines. Amplitudes of radial-velocity excursions are greater for stronger and for ionized lines, decreasing at longer wavelengths. Matching precisely measured radial velocities to such characteristic patterns should enable us to remove a significant component of the stellar noise originating in granulation. Conclusions. The granulation-induced amplitudes in full-disk sunlight amount to ∼2 m s−1; the differences between various line groups are an order of magnitude less. To mitigate this jittering, a matched filter must recognize dissimilar lineshifts among classes of diverse spectral lines with a precision of ∼10 cm s−1 for each line group. To verify the modeling toward the filter, predictions of center-to-limb dependences of jittering amplitudes for different classes of lines are presented, testable with spatially resolving solar telescopes connected to existing radial-velocity instruments.

Quasi-static shock absorber friction at low velocity reciprocating sliding conditions

The characteristics of vehicle shock absorbers have a major significance regarding vehicle dynamics, thus affecting vehicle ride comfort, handling and safety. Although much research focuses particularly on the hydraulic damping properties of this vital suspension component, friction properties are not considered in great detail. However, for driving scenarios of low excitation and velocity of the shock absorber due to moderate roughness of the road, the friction force generated by the shock absorbers and the remaining components is particularly important regarding the transfer of vibration from the road to the passenger. Hence, this study investigates the sensitivity of shock absorber friction to various parameters in the quasi-static domain. The effects of side force, temperature, excitation amplitude and waveform are determined for multiple shock absorbers. The results show no significant influence of the amplitude and waveform used in the conducted tests. Contrarily, the friction force strongly depends on the side force, which represents the variable load perpendicular to the shock absorber’s main axis arising during various driving events for MacPherson suspensions. An increased temperature reduces the side force effect.

Road friction coefficient estimation under low longitudinal, lateral and combined excitation

On the way to autonomous driving more and more advanced driver assistance systems (ADASs) are developed to increase safety and comfort. These functions require additional quantified information about the environment, for example information about the current road condition, which a human driver would perceive intuitively. In this paper, a road condition estimation, described by a road friction coefficient, is developed using a second order divided differences filter in combination with estimates of the time varying parameters, namely the dynamic wheel radius and the tire stiffness. Using real measurement data of commercial vehicles, the estimation algorithm is compared to a static and less complex longitudinal friction coefficient estimator. The comparison shows good results for both estimators with differences at low excitation and during cornering maneuvers.

Nonlinear optical response of facially polarized all cis-1,3,5-trifluorocyclohexane doped with transition metals and calcium

Herein, the Janus type complexes have been designed that have the fame as potential candidates in nonlinear optical (NLO11NLO (Nonlinear optics).) materials due to excess electrons. In present work, novel class of excess electronic compounds termed as transition metalides AE-1-TM22AE (Alkaline Earth), 1 (complexant = C6H9F3), TM (Transition Metal). complexes (AE = Ca, Fe/Co/Ni/Cu/Zn)33Ca (Calcium), Fe (Iron), Co (Cobalt), Ni (Nickel), Cu (Copper), Zn (Zinc). have been designed theoretically using highly polarized all axially cis-1,3,5-trifuorocyclohexane 1 (C6H9F3) as complexant bearing a larger dipole moment of 5.42 D. The electronic, thermodynamic and geometric features of Ca-1-TM were studied using M06-2x|6-31++G(d,p) level of theory. More distinctively, transition metalide nature of the complexes has been verified by NBO44NBO (Natural Bond Orbitals). (Natural Bond Orbital) and HOMOs55HOMOs (Highest occupied molecular orbitals). (Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital) density distribution analysis. The thermodynamic stability of transition metalides is evident from large values of interaction energies (-6.99 to −25.01 kcal/mol). The designed complexes showed low excitation energies (2.09–4.01 eV) and high first hyperpolarizabilities (βo) up to 2.16 × 105 (au). Moreover, hyper rayleigh scattering (βHRS) was computed for evaluation of NLO response of complexes. Dipolar and octupolar nature of Ca-1-TM complexes have also been confirmed by the depolarization ratio (DR66DR (Depolarization Ratio).). The higher values of hyperpolarizabilities provided evidences for the existence of excess electrons around transition metals. Two-level model approach was used for rationalization of hyperpolarizabilities. The results illustrated that the generation of these complexes is a novel entry in the metalide that can be recognized as preferable way for designing NLO materials.

Genesis of temperature-driven red-shift of charge transfer band edge for Sm3+-doped vanadate self-activated phosphor

The temperature-driven redshift of the charge transfer band (CTB) exhibits promising potential for optical temperature sensing as well as for the design of anti-thermal quenching phosphors. Therefore, it is essential to investigate the displacement mechanism in detail. In this contribution, we created LiCa2.95MV3O12:5%Sm3+ (M = Mg/Zn) phosphors with considerably red-shifted CTB edges upon temperature stimulation and outstanding anti-thermal quenching behavior. To investigate this unusual behavior, gaussian fitting was performed on the excitation spectra and emission spectra at different temperatures to investigate the redshift mechanism. By averaging the peak energy of the lowest excitation and emission peaks, the zero phonon line (Ezp) indicating the electronic energy level location of the charge transfer state (CTS) shows a downward trend is obtained. As well as the energy reduction of the 1A2(1T1)-1B1(1T2) and 1E(1T1)-1B1(1T2) absorption bands in the [VO4]3− group is observed. Therefore, the drop in the CTS electronic energy level is the dominant factor in the temperature-driven CTB redshift. Based on the redshift phenomenon and anti-thermal quenching phenomenon of CTB, the phosphor exhibited exceptional optical temperature measurement performance in all three thermometry modes of excitation intensity ratio (EIR), International Committee on Illumination (CIE) color coordinates, and fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR), demonstrating its broad application prospects in the field of optical temperature sensing as well as guiding the design of anti-thermal quenching phosphors.

Association of personality facets and cognition in the Lifelines population-based cohort study

BackgroundPersonality traits have been associated with cognitive functioning and risk of cognitive decline. Fewer studies have investigated how personality facets are associated with cognition in large cohorts with a prospective design. MethodsThe association between eight personality facets and cognition (speed measures reflecting psychomotor speed and visual attention; hit rate measures reflecting visual learning and working memory) was analyzed in middle-aged adults from the Lifelines cohort (N = 79911; age 43 ± 11 years). ResultsHigh hostility, high vulnerability, low excitement seeking, and low competence were associated with worse cognitive performance on all tasks. Impulsivity-related facets had weak and differential associations, with self-discipline negatively associated with accuracy and deliberation negatively associated with speed. These associations remained largely unchanged when accounting for lifestyle factors (smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity). The associations with cognition were stronger in older people for impulsiveness, deliberation, and hostility, while stronger in younger people for excitement seeking, self-discipline, and vulnerability. ConclusionIn a large population-based sample with a broad age range, the associations of personality facets with cognitive functioning had small effect sizes, were independent of lifestyle factors, and varied with age and among facets within the same personality domain. These findings highlight the importance of developmental stages and facet-level research in personality-cognition associations.

Giant Light‐Harvesting in Dye‐Loaded Nanoparticles Enhanced by Blank Hydrophobic Salts

AbstractLight‐harvesting is a fundamental process in nature, which inspires researchers to develop artificial systems for photocatalysis, photovoltaics, and biosensing. A previously introduced light‐harvesting nanoantenna, based on polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with rhodamine dyes and bulky hydrophobic counterions, provides a record‐breaking antenna effect ≈1000. However, the high dye cooperativity of its thousands of encapsulated dyes causes energy losses by traces of self‐quenched dye aggregates. Here, it is found that these imperfections can be suppressed by blank hydrophobic salts (BHS) formed by the same bulky counterion (fluorinated tetraphenylborate) with an optically inactive cation, analogs of ionic liquids. The presence of BHS increases twofold the fluorescence quantum yields and fluorescence lifetimes of NPs and suppresses their fluorescence blinking. This study assumes that BHS provides an excess of bulky counterions that excludes traces of dye aggregates. As a result, an efficient Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) is achieved from 40 000 dye donors to a single acceptor within a 70 nm particle, leading to the antenna effect of 4800, which is by far the highest value reported to date. Using this nanoantenna, a single‐molecule detection of the FRET acceptor is realized at low excitation power using an RGB camera of a smartphone.

Ag Nanocluster Production through DC Magnetron Sputtering and Inert Gas Condensation: A Study of Structural, Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy, and Optical Properties.

Silver nanoclusters are valuable for a variety of applications. A combination of direct current (DC) magnetron sputtering and inert gas condensation methods, employed within an ultra-high vacuum (UHV) system, was used to generate Ag nanoclusters with an average size of 4 nm. Various analytical techniques, including Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM), UV-visible absorption, and Photoluminescence, were employed to characterize the produced Ag nanoclusters. AFM topographic imaging revealed spherical nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 3 to 6 nm, corroborating data from a quadrupole mass filter (QMF). The XRD analysis verified the simple cubic structure of the Ag nanoclusters. The surface potential was assessed using KPFM, from which the work function was calculated with a reference highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). The UV-visible absorption spectra displayed peaks within the 350-750 nm wavelength range, with a strong absorption feature at 475 nm. Additionally, lower excitation wavelengths resulted in a sharp peak emission at 370 nm, which became weaker and broader when higher excitation wavelengths were used.

The Quasar Feedback Survey: characterizing CO excitation in quasar host galaxies

ABSTRACT We present a comprehensive study of the molecular gas properties of 17 Type 2 quasars at z < 0.2 from the Quasar Feedback Survey (L$_{\rm [O~{\small III}]}$ > 1042.1 $\rm ergs^{-1}$), selected by their high [O iii] luminosities and displaying a large diversity of radio jet properties, but dominated by LIRG-like galaxies. With these data, we are able to investigate the impact of AGN and AGN feedback mechanisms on the global molecular interstellar medium. Using Atacama Pathfinder EXperiment and ALMA ACA observations, we measure the total molecular gas content using the CO(1-0) emission and homogeneously sample the carbon monoxide (CO) spectral line energy distributions, observing CO transitions (Jup = 1, 2, 3, 6, 7). We observe high r21 ratios (r21 = L’CO(2-1)/L’CO(1-0)) with a median r21 = 1.06, similar to local (U)LIRGs (with r21 ∼ 1) and higher than normal star-forming galaxies (with r21 ∼ 0.65). Despite the high r21 values, for the seven targets with the required data, we find low excitation in CO(6-5) & CO(7-6) (r61 and r62 < 0.6 in all but one target), unlike high-redshift quasars in the literature, which are far more luminous and show higher line ratios. The ionized gas traced by [O iii] exhibits systematically higher velocities than the molecular gas traced by CO. We conclude that any effects of quasar feedback (e.g. via outflows and radio jets) do not have a significant instantaneous impact on the global molecular gas content and excitation and we suggest that it only occurs on more localized scales.

Extending the thermodynamic form factor bootstrap program: multiple particle-hole excitations, crossing symmetry, and reparameterization invariance

In this study, we further the thermodynamic bootstrap program which involves a set of recently developed ideas used to determine thermodynamic form factors of local operators in integrable quantum field theories. These form factors are essential building blocks for dynamic correlation functions at finite temperatures or non-equilibrium stationary states. In this work we extend this program in three ways. Firstly, we demonstrate that the conjectured annihilation pole axiom is valid in the low energy particle-hole excitations. Secondly, we introduce a crossing relation, which establishes a connection between form factors with different excitation content. Typically, the crossing relation is a consequence of Lorentz invariance, but due to the finite energy density of the considered states, Lorentz invariance is broken. Nonetheless a crossing relation involving excitations with both particles and holes can established using the finite volume representation of the thermodynamic form factors. Finally, we demonstrate that the thermodynamic form factors satisfy a reparameterization invariance, an invariance which encompasses crossing. Reparameterization invariance exploits the fact that the details of the representation of the thermodynamic state are unimportant. In the course of developing these results, we demonstrate the internal consistency of the thermodynamic form factor bootstrap program in a number of ways. Finally, we provide explicit computations of form factors of conserved charges and densities with crossed excitations and show our results can be used to infer information about thermodynamic form factors in the Lieb-Liniger model.

Detection and characterization of local nonlinearity in a clamped‐clamped beam with state space realization

AbstractThe state space representation of linear and nonlinear systems is widely used in the literature for system characterization, system identification, and model‐based control synthesis. In the case of systems with local nonlinearity, the realization of a state space model where the states are physically interpretable as a requirement has been a challenging task. This requirement becomes more emphasized, especially in the scope of industrial high‐precision systems. Consequently, the class of black‐box system identification approaches becomes less attractive. In the scope of this paper, we are interested in modeling systems with dominant local nonlinearity where employing linear models can only cover a limited range of system dynamics. More specifically, geometric nonlinearities which are present in the joints (bolted) of structural interfaces are analyzed. The main goal is to provide systematical modeling of such systems without using a sparse nonlinear representation. Such a low‐order nonlinear model can improve the simplicity of analyzing the nonlinear system and can be used for structural vibration and noise control. In order not to neglect the sophisticated linear modeling technique, the linear model is proposed to be extended by means of smooth nonlinear terms. The systematic approach contains the modeling of the linear counterpart followed by the localization and characterization steps in the well‐known three‐step paradigm. For the characterization step, this work relies on the acceleration surface method (ASM). The experimental setup under study, as a benchmark, is a set of two beams of different lengths and thicknesses connected by a screw that is excited by a mechanical shaker. The axes are oriented in the transverse direction of the beams, while the boundaries are realized as imperfect clamped‐clamped boundary conditions at two ends in the model. Consequently, by selecting the excitation amplitude, we can control the dominant dynamics at lower excitation amplitudes and invoke the local nonlinearity at higher amplitudes. For higher excitation levels using sine sweep signals, the phase space information of the shaker and accelerometer sensors is used to detect the local nonlinearities along the clamped‐clamped beam. The detected and characterized nonlinearities are incorporated into the linear system as a systematic approach for modeling such a structurally nonlinear system.

An Approach Towards Low Energy Loss by End-capped Modification of A2–D–A1–D–A2-type Molecules for Tuning the Photovoltaic Properties of Organic Solar Cells

In this project, the study is focused on the substitution at determined sites of reference molecule (R) to enhance optoelectronic properties, which might affect the photovoltaic performance of organic solar cells. Herein, seven new molecules (M1 to M7) were designed by the modification of the terminal acceptors. The density functional theory was employed to explore optoelectronic properties. Majority of the molecules own exceptional optical properties than reference molecule, for instance, narrow bandgap, low excitation energy, lower binding energies, better oscillator strength and progressive light harvesting efficiency. The density of state, frontier molecular orbitals and transition density matrix diagrams indicated that the charge density transfer occurs from donor to acceptor. Moreover, charge transfer investigations of designed molecules with PTB7-Th complex were performed by analyzing the concentration of charge transfer over molecular orbitals, i.e., highest occupied to lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals. Thus, these computed molecules may be employed to develop efficient organic solar cell devices with promising photovoltaic prospects in the near future.

Model-inversion control to enforce tunable Duffing-like acoustical response on an Electroacoustic resonator at low excitation levels

The electroacoustic resonator is an efficient electro-active device for noise attenuation in enclosed cavities or acoustic waveguides. It is made of a loudspeaker (the actuator) and one or more microphones (the sensors). So far, the desired acoustic behaviour, expressed in terms of a linear-time-invariant relationship between sound pressure and vibrational motion (the acoustical impedance), has been more efficiently achieved by a model-inversion strategy which is implemented by driving the electrical current in the loudspeaker coil, based upon the measured pressure. The corrector transfer function is defined in the Laplace domain and digitally executed by the classical infinite-impulse-response technique, though a state–space representation could be employed. In this work, we are interested in enforcing a nonlinear behaviour at low sound excitation levels, where the electroacoustic resonator would normally behave as a linear-time-invariant system. Hence, in order to transform its acoustical response from linear to nonlinear, the model-inversion technique must be reformulated in time domain. The state–space representation of the relationship between the input measured pressure and the output electrical current gives the right perspective and the solution to this problem. We provide the conception of this model-inversion control algorithm capable of transforming a linear-time-invariant acoustical response to potentially any causal acoustical response of the electroacoustic resonator. Such control strategy is tested by targeting a Duffing acoustical response with tunable parameters. Both numerical simulations and experimental tests in quasi-open field validate the approach. The results provided in this contribution open the doors for conceiving non-conventional absorbers which can exploit nonlinear phenomena for noise mitigation even at low excitation amplitudes.

Plasmonic inhibition of bacterial adhesion on gold-decorated mesoporous zirconium oxide thin films

Preventing bacterial development on surfaces is essential to avoid problems caused by biofouling. Surfaces decorated with gold nanoparticles have been shown to thermally kill bacteria under high-intensity NIR illumination. In this study, we evaluated the colonization by E. coli of nanostructured surfaces composed of mesoporous zirconia thin films, both with and without gold nanoparticles embedded into the pores. We studied the effect of the nanostructure and of low intensity visible light excitation of the gold nanoparticles on the colonization process. We found that neither the zirconia, nor the presence of pores, or even gold nanoparticles affect bacterial adhesion compared to the bare glass substrate. Therefore, mesoporous zirconia thin films are biologically inert scaffolds that enable the construction of robust surfaces containing functional nanoparticles that can affect bacterial growth. When the gold containing surfaces are irradiated with light, bacterial adhesion shows a remarkable 96 ± 4% reduction. Our studies revealed that these surfaces affect early colonization steps, prior to biofilm formation, preventing bacterial adhesion without affecting its viability. In contrast to related systems where plasmonic excitation induces membrane damage due to strong local heating, the membrane integrity is preserved, showing that these surfaces have a different working principle.