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This paper suggests a novel lateral load-resisting solution for RC (high-rise reinforced concrete) frames using superelastic SMA wires as friction dampers. The suggested SMA-friction damper has some advantages, such as an easy-to-configure and affordable application, in addition to being able to control the frictional energy dissipation components mechanism in line with the design procedure based on the suggested effectiveness thanks to its self-centering SMA wires. With the least amount of SMA use, it may produce hysteretic behavior and an intense tendency for self-centering. The research used two distinct design modes--common and with the recommended damper--to construct two tall, 18- and 22-story RC frames. Ten far-field earthquakes were studied using OpenSees software in a nonlinear time history fashion. Eighteen and twenty-two-story reinforced concrete frame high-rises were designed in two distinct ways: normally and with the recommended damper. Aside from the major advancement in ductility, the lateral strength and stiffness gave an exceptional capacity for self-centering, resulting in a substantial decrease in most drift and persistent distortions in the structure. The study's findings showed that the suggested damper may improve the RC frame's structural performance while using the fewest bracing spans and money. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ductile end diaphragms have been suggested as an appropriate device in the past to improve the seismic response of steel girder bridges. This paper investigates the efficiency of the seismic design strategy that utilized a slab-connected steel plate as a ductile diaphragm in the superstructure. Protecting the main girder from typically reported damage and mitigating the transferred lateral load to the non-ductile substructures are the main objectives of this study. The results show that a slab-connected thin steel plate with low yielding stress (LYS) can mitigate the force demand on the non-ductile substructures and act as a structural fuse. It can also reduce the transverse displacement of the superstructure and, consequently, prevent the end of the main girder from buckling and/or yielding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unique potential of fullerene C60 for various biological applications has ignited significant interest. However, its inherent non-polarity poses a critical challenge for its effective integration within biological systems. This study delves into the intricate physicochemical characteristics of the innovative [C60 + NO] complex using density functional theory and time-dependent density functional theory. The computational analyses encompass molecular charge, surface electrostatic potential, and dipole moment evaluations. Impressively, the dipole moment of the [C60 + NO] complex significantly increases to 12.92 D. Meticulous surface analysis reveals a subtle interplay between molecular structures, indicating weak interactions. The analysis of the absorption spectrum unveils a noteworthy red-shift of 200 nm subsequent to complex formation. To elucidate the electron transfer mechanisms, we explore photo-induced electron transfer through CAM-B3LYP. This exploration elucidates intricate pathways governing electron transfer, with complementary insights gleaned from Marcus theory's outputs, especially the Gibbs free energy of electron transfer. Changes in the physicochemical properties of approaching C60 and NO molecules reveal interesting results compared to separate molecules. These findings resonate profoundly in the context of potential biological and pharmaceutical utilization. With implications for the biomedical area, the outcomes linked to the [C60 + NO] complex kindle optimism for pioneering biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stilling basins with sudden expansions are one of the energy dissipation structures. In the hydraulic jump, pressure fluctuations cause significant damages in stilling basins by cavity formation, erosion, and vibration. Roughness can also lead to changes of the behavior of stream lines and vortices. Despite the large number of works on the topic, the role of roughness in spatial hydraulic jumps is not yet fully understood. Present research aimed to study the influence of rough bed on pressure fluctuations of S-jump in abrupt expanding stilling basin. Experiments were conducted in a 0.8 m width and 12 m length flume. Channel expansions ratios were 0.33, 0.5, 0.67, and 1 within the range of Froude numbers, 2 to 9.5. The results showed that roughness decreases intensity of pressure fluctuations in an abrupt expansion stilling basin. Additionally, in sudden expanding sections, the energy loss increases, and the intensity of pressure fluctuations decrease due to the formation of lateral vortices. The reduction rate of maximum pressure fluctuation was 27%, 46%, and 58% for expansion ratio of 0.67, 0.5, and 0.33, respectively. The results revealed the clear dependence of these variables on the Froude number and the distance to the hydraulic jump toe. The maximum values of extreme pressure fluctuations occur in the range 0.609 < X < 3.385, where X is dimensionless distance from the toe of the hydraulic jump, which makes it highly advisable to reinforce the bed of stilling basins in this range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because herbal nanoparticles have antimicrobial properties, researchers have tried to synthesize them to aid in increasing the shelf time of food and food products. In this regard, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) synthesized by plants are particularly important. In this study, fresh and clean leaves of Satureja hortensis were selected for the synthesis of AuNPs. We also evaluated the efficacy of these nanoparticles to increase the shelf life of and remove Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes from minced camel's meat. The nanoparticles were analyzed by UV–visible spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier‐transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction tests. The FT‐IR spectroscopy results demonstrated that the antioxidant compounds in the plant were the sources of reducing power, reducing gold ions to AuNPs. FE‐SEM and TEM images revealed the size of the nanoparticles to be 22.26 nm. The 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl test revealed similar antioxidant potentials for S. hortensis, AuNPs, and butylated hydroxytoluene. S. hortensis and AuNPs had high cell viability dose‐dependently against the human umbilical vein endothelial cell line. At the beginning of the food industry part of this experiment, all samples of control, S. hortensis, and AuNPs were preserved at 4°C for 20 days. During these 20 days, the sensory, chemical, and microbiological parameters were assessed for all samples. AuNPs significantly inhibited the growth of E. coli and L. monocytogenes. In addition, AuNPs significantly increased the protein carbonyl content, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, pH, peroxide value, total volatile base nitrogen, and sensory attributes (color, odor, and overall acceptability). The best results were seen in AuNPs (1%). These findings reveal that the inclusion of S. hortensis extract improves the solubility of AuNPs, which led to a notable enhancement in their preservative and antibacterial effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]