A continuous sinusoidal wave traveling along a horizontal string reflects from a boundary consisting of a light ring that slides vertically on a fixed rod. In the absence of friction, complete destructive interference occurs at specific locations along the string, creating standing-wave nodes where the net displacement is zero at all times. If mechanical friction between the ring and the rod dissipates a portion of the wave's mechanical energy during reflection, which of the following statements best describes the resulting wave pattern on the string?