Open Square Research Articles

Study on Mechanical Properties of Steel-Strengthened Bamboo Beams with Webbing Opening

Bamboo beams are often reinforced with built-in steel sections to enhance their strength and load-bearing capacity. In this paper, we studied the effect of different parameters, including the location of the hole, the hole size, and the thicknesses of the steel and bamboo, on the mechanical properties of reinforced beams. The damage patterns, deformation characteristics, and force-transfer mechanisms, as well as the mechanical properties of reinforced beams with different hole shapes, underwent non-linear finite element analysis. The damage sustained by the reinforced bamboo beam differed from that of the traditional bamboo beam; two diagonal points formed a plastic hinge, mainly during the process of shear damage to the hole. It was determined that the hole size and the thickness of the bamboo have the greatest influence on the mechanical properties of the reinforced beam. The damage characteristics of the composited beams with different holes are similar; the bearing capacity of reinforced beams with open square holes is reduced by 10%–25%compared with circular holes.

Inhomogeneous stripe phase and tunable Majorana zero modes in Rashba s-wave superconducting systems in the presence of in-plane Zeeman field

Based on the extended Bogoliubov–de Gennes theory, the inhomogeneous stripe order and Majorana bound states are demonstrated in s-wave superconducting systems with Rashba spin–orbit interaction when the in-plane Zeeman field is applied. For a fully open square sample, topological phase transitions can be driven by the Zeeman field, and the stripe phase with spatially oscillating order parameter shows up across a critical field strength. The topological channels arise in this phase, which can be utilized to create and manipulate Majorana zero modes. Interestingly, (quasi-)one-dimensional channels with diminished pairing amplitude can be formed in narrow arms of a square loop, accompanied by the reconstruction of energy spectra of the condensate and the realization of robust Majorana zero-energy states at the ends of channels. The associated evolution of topological phases and the location of Majorana zero modes are highly sensitive to the field direction. Moreover, the effects of the rectangular aspect-ratio and the off-centered hole as well as the surface defects on Majorana end modes are explored in Rashba asymmetric loops. In comparison, the field-dependent evolution processes of low-energy levels behave more complicated because the emergence of confined topological channels can be effectively tuned by the length and width of loop arms as well as the size and position of an introduced small indentation at the outer edge. Rich patterns of Majorana corner-like states are generated for such asymmetric systems. Our theoretical predictions may shed new light on the tunability of Majorana zero modes and provide useful guidance for future experiments and applications.

Mixed convective heat transfer in an open cavity with fins

AbstractThis work numerically explores the mixed convective heat transfer in an open square enclosure containing conducting fins fixed to the heated vertical wall. This kind of work with fins has enormous potential due to its applications in research, engineering, and current industries. Therefore, the current work is highly significant to understand the impact of mixed convection. The external flow enters from the hole in the bottom wall and leaves from the hole in the upper wall. The left vertical wall of the enclosure is heated isothermally, and the fins are attached to the heated walls at a uniform height. Both the upper and lower walls are adiabatic, whereas the right sidewall is at a lower temperature. The non‐dimensional transport equations are resolved by using the finite element method. The study is accomplished for the wide control variables range, such as Reynolds number (50 ≤ Re ≤ 200), Richardson's number (0.1 ≤ Ri ≤ 10), the length of the fins (Lf = 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6), the size of the outlet opening (Wout = 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3), and the gaps in between the outlet hole and left heated wall (S = 0, 0.45, and 0.9). The results show that the thermal performance of the open enclosure is meaningfully affected by the control parameters. The maximum and minimum heat transfer happens when the position of the outlet opening is at the left (S = 0) and right (S = 0.9), respectively. The heat transfer improves by raising the Ri and Re, whereas increasing the fin's length and distance between the outlet opening and left wall reduces heat transfer significantly. The rises 13% with a decrease in the fin's length from 0.6 to 0.2 at Re = 200, S = 0 due to the improvement of the convection on the heated wall. Also, increases by 15% when Ri increases from 1 to 9.

Assessment of the estimation methods of Tmrt in semi-outdoor spaces in humid sub-tropical climates: An empirical study in Wuhan, China

Studies have been conducted on the mean radiant temperature (Tmrt) estimation methods using globe thermometers for measuring outdoor thermal environments in various climate regions. Yet, given the unique thermal environments of semi-outdoor spaces, these Tmrt estimation methods may not be appropriate for the spaces with shading effects. This study aims to assess the thermometric and radiative methods for Tmrt estimation in semi-outdoor spaces in humid sub-tropical climates, taking data from six-directional radiation measurements as validations. During the typical summer and winter days in Wuhan, China, the measurements were carried out in semi-outdoor spaces facing south and west, with an open square for comparison, including air temperature, humidity, wind velocity, black-globe temperature, and long- and short-wavelength radiation fluxes obtained from four-component net radiometers. It was found the maximum mean deviation of diurnal Tmrt values estimated by the black-globe thermometer method in semi-outdoor spaces was 7.1 °C, which exceeded the threshold required by ISO7726, where the shortwave radiation was regarded as the dominant interference factor. To improve the accuracy and cost-effectiveness of Tmrt estimation, we proposed linear empirical equations to calibrate the Tmrt estimated by black-global thermometer method that the root mean square error (RMSE) of the Tmrt deviations can generally vary from 2.22 to 2.72 °C. Contributing to the thermal comfort research, this study proposed an empirical method for estimating Tmrt in semi-outdoor spaces in humid subtropical climates, which can generate satisfactory results in accordance with ISO7726 standards with cost-effective instrumentation.

Effect of Obstacle Shape on Natural Convection in Partially Open Square Enclosure

The present study reports a real-time experimental analysis of natural convection of air using a noninvasive technique (Mach-Zehnder interferometry). The experiments are conducted in a partially open square cavity with a centrally placed adiabatic obstacle and a heat source positioned at the center of the bottom horizontal wall. The left vertical wall has a partial opening occupying 50% of the wall height. The effect of obstacle shapes (square, circular, and triangular) and Rayleigh number on natural convection is evaluated. The interferograms obtained from the experiments give temperature field in the cavity. Air velocity at the opening is measured using an air velocity transducer. The experimental results are compared with numerical findings obtained using ANSYS Fluent 2020. The fringe density in the cavity enhances with increase in Rayleigh number. The temperature gradient, average Nusselt number, and average exit velocity of the flowing fluid are higher for triangular obstacle, whereas minimum for square obstacle. For Rayleigh numbers in the range of 107 to 108, an average increment in Nusselt number and average exit velocity is up to 15% and 16%, respectively. The maximum temperature in the enclosure is higher for square obstacle, whereas it is lower for triangular obstacle.

Speed Sensor-less Control of Induction Motor based on Super-helical Sliding Mold

Background: With the continuous progress of technology and the development of shield enterprises, higher requirements are put forward for speed estimation and system stability in the sensorless control system of induction motors in shield machines. Method: In order to solve the problems of velocity observation error and sliding mode vibration of the induction motor velocity observation method based on sliding mold observer, an improved superhelical sliding mold observer is proposed by combining the currently known invention patents and the information based on the induction motor control. Result: The open square of the current error value is introduced into the continuous function of the sliding variable of the observer, and two different functions are used in the boundary layer to replace the sign function, which reduces the sliding mode noise and vibration problems, and the stability of the observer is proved by the Lyapunov stability theory. After that, a phase-locked loop alternative model-referenced adaptive algorithm is used as the rotational speed observation link, which solves the problem that the conventional model-referenced adaptive algorithm relies on the current-modeled magnetic chain observer. Conclusion: The improved super-helical sliding mode observer and phase-locked loop control method effectively reduce the system vibration and speed estimation error of the motor under different speeds and loading conditions, and the observed currents are smoother, which improves the stability of the system. Simulation and experimental results under different working conditions show the effectiveness of the proposed method.

And subnormal safe quotients for geometrically regular weighted shifts

Geometrically regular weighted shifts (in short, GRWS) are those with weights α(N,D) given by αn(N,D)=pn+Npn+D, where p>1 and (N,D) is fixed in the open unit square (−1,1)×(−1,1). We study here the zone of pairs (M,P) for which the weight α(N,D)α(M,P) gives rise to a moment infinitely divisible (▪) or a subnormal weighted shift, and deduce immediately the analogous results for product weights α(N,D)α(M,P), instead of quotients. Useful tools introduced for this study are a pair of partial orders on the GRWS.

Highly Sensitive Microwave Sensors Based on Open Complementary Square Split-Ring Resonator for Sensing Liquid Materials.

This paper presents high-sensitivity sensors based on an open complementary square split-ring resonator and a modified open complementary split-ring resonator operating at 4.5 GHz and 3.4 GHz, respectively. The sensors are designed for the detection of multiple liquid materials, including distilled water, methanol, and ethanol. The liquid under test is filled in a glass container loaded using a pipette. Compared to the conventional OCSSRR, the modified OCSSRR with multiple rings exhibits a higher frequency shift of 1200 MHz, 1270 MHz, and 1520 MHz for ethanol, methanol, and distilled water, respectively. The modified sensor also demonstrates a high sensitivity of 308 MHz/RIU for ethanol concentration which is the highest among the existing microwave sensors. The sensors in this manuscript are suitable for multiple liquid-material-sensing applications.

Development of a novel animal model of lumbar vertebral endplate lesion by intervertebral disk injection of monosodium iodoacetate in rats

PurposeVertebral endplate lesions (EPLs) caused by severe disk degeneration are associated with low back pain. However, its pathophysiology remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to develop a vertebral EPL rat model mimicking severe intervertebral disk (IVD) degeneration by injecting monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) into the IVDs and evaluating it by assessing pain-related behavior, micro-computed tomography (CT) findings, and histological changes.MethodsMIA was injected into the L4-5 and L5-6 IVDs of Sprague–Dawley rats. Their behavior was examined by measuring the total distance traveled and the total number of rearing in an open square arena. Bone alterations and volume around the vertebral endplate were assessed using micro-CT. Safranin-O staining, immunohistochemistry, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining were performed for histological assessment.ResultsThe total distance and number of rearing times in the open field were significantly reduced in a time-dependent manner. Micro-CT revealed intervertebral osteophytes and irregularities in the endplates at 12 weeks. The bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV) around the endplates significantly increased from 6 weeks onward. Safranin-O staining revealed severe degeneration of IVDs and endplate disorders in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Calcitonin gene-related peptide-positive nerve fibers significantly increased from 6 weeks onward. However, the number of osteoclasts decreased over time.ConclusionOur rat EPL model showed progressive morphological vertebral endplate changes in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, similar to the degenerative changes in human IVDs. This model can be used as an animal model of severe IVD degeneration to better understand the pathophysiology of EPL.

A low-frequency ultrathin metamaterial absorber using magnetic material

In this paper, an ultra-thin metamaterial absorber (UMA) in the S-band is designed. The overall structure adopts a three-layer design. The top layer is a magnetic material, and the middle layer of the UMA is composed of a centrally symmetrical open square ring (four edges are opened) and a circular pattern placed at the center, which is etched on the FR4 dielectric substrate by printed circuit board technology. The absorptivity of the absorber is more than 90% in 1.73–4.04 GHz under normal incidence, and the fractional bandwidth is 80.1%. The total thickness of the absorber is about 3.4 mm, corresponding to 0.02 λL at the lowest operating frequency. Moreover, it also has good polarization insensitivity and wide-angle incident characteristics. The absorption mechanism of the UMA is analyzed from the aspects of power loss density and surface current. Finally, a sample was fabricated and measured. The measured results are in good agreement with the simulation results, which verifies the effectiveness of the design method.

Particle transport in turbulent square duct flows with a free surface

Direct numerical simulation combined with a one-way coupled Lagrangian particle tracking technique is employed to investigate dilute particle-laden turbulent flows in open square ducts with a free surface. The focus is on examining the influence of the mean cross-stream secondary flow on particle transport near the wall, free surface, and across the duct cross section. Based on the duct half-width and mean friction velocity, a shear Reynolds number of Reτ = 300 is considered, with the corresponding particle Stokes numbers ranging from St+ = 0.31 to 260. The results reveal that particle concentration near the sidewalls is lower than that near the bottom wall, and the minimum particle concentration is observed at the free surface. Along the bottom wall centerline orientated upward, particle concentration gradually decreases. An exception to this is in the vicinity of the free surface where a slight increase is observed for the heavier particles (St+ ≥ 25), and the amplitude of this increase gradually declines as the Stokes number increases. In the streamwise direction near the free surface, heavier particles tend to preferentially concentrate in regions where the instantaneous transverse secondary flow velocity is negative. As the Stokes number increases, the position of the maximum streamwise velocity for heavier particles is closer to the free surface, and the rotation centers of inner and outer secondary particle motions gradually disappear. The streamwise root mean square velocity for the lightest St+ = 0.31 particles is higher than that for particles with higher inertia in the middle region of the free surface.

Numerical Study the Effect of Cylinder Location on the Mixed Convection in an Open Square Cavity

Mixed convection heat transfer of air in a horizontal channel with an open square cavity is studied numerically. At the center of the cavity, it is an insulated rotating circular cylinder for enhancing the efficiency of heat transmission, the location of the inner cylinder is changed vertically along the centerline of the cavity. Heat is applied to the bottom wall of the cavity at a constant temperature, and the other walls are adiabatic. The flow is steady-state, laminar, and incompressible. Using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and the commercial software program FLUENT 2019 R1, the equations of continuity, momentum, and energy are numerically solved. The angular velocity of the cylinder range is (0.5 ≤ ω ≤ 4) rad/sec in a counterclockwise direction, the Richardson number range (Ri = 0.1,1, 10), Reynolds number is 100 and the cylinder location is (C = 70,50,30) mm. The airflow Prandtl number is taken as (Pr = 0.7). The effect of various positions of the rotating cylinder has been examined through the visualization of streamline and isotherm contour, as well as the distribution of the average Nusselt number of the heated surface. The results indicate that the flow field and temperature distributions inside the cavity are strongly dependent on the rotating circular cylinder and the position of the inner cylinder.

Linear energy transfer (LET) distribution outside small radiotherapy field edges produced by 6 MV X-rays

In modern radiotherapy with photons, the absorbed dose outside the radiation field is generally investigated. But it is well known that the biological damage depends not only on the absorbed dose but also on LET. This work investigated the dose-average LET (LΔ,D) outside several small radiotherapy fields to provide information that can help for better evaluating the biological effect in organs at risk close to the tumour volume. The electron fluences produced in liquid water by a 6 MV X-rays Varian iX linac were calculated using the EGSnrc Monte Carlo code. With the electron spectra, LΔ,D calculations were made for eight open small square fields and the reference field at water depths of 0.15 cm, 1.35 cm, 9.85 cm and 19.85 cm and several off-axis distances. The variation of LΔ,D from the centre of the beam to 2 cm outside the field’s edge depends on the field size and water depth. Using radiobiological data reported in the literature for chromosomal aberrations as an endpoint for the induction of dicentrics determined in Human Lymphocytes, we estimated the maximum low-dose relative biological effectiveness, (RBEM) finding an increase of up to 100% from the centre of the beam to 2 cm from the field's edge.

Grid cells in rats deprived of geometric experience during development

The medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) is part of the brain's network for dynamic representation of location. The most abundant class of neurons in this circuit is the grid cell, characterized by its periodic, hexagonally patterned firing fields. While in developing animals some MEC cell types express adult-like firing patterns already on the first exposure to an open spatial environment, only days after eye opening, grid cells mature more slowly, over a 1-to-2-wk period after the animals leave their nest. Whether the later emergence of a periodic grid pattern reflects a need for experience with spatial environments has not been determined. We here show that grid-like firing patterns continue to appear during exploration of open square environments in rats that are raised for the first months of their life in opaque spherical environments, in the absence of stable reference boundaries to guide spatial orientation. While strictly periodic firing fields were initially absent in these animals, clear grid patterns developed after only a few trials of training. In rats that were tested in the same open environment but raised for the first months of life in opaque cubes, with sharp vertical boundaries, grid-like firing was from the beginning indistinguishable from that of nondeprived control animals growing up in large enriched cages. Thus, although a minimum of experience with peripheral geometric boundaries is required for expression of regular grid patterns in a new environment, the effect of restricted spatial experience is overcome with short training, consistent with a preconfigured experience-independent basis for the grid pattern.

Generating methods of some classes of uninorms and associated structures

Uninorms are an important class of fuzzy logic connectives that have, so far, neither generating methods nor algebraic structures. In this work, we attempt to propose some novel generating methods of some well established classes of uninorms (with a fixed but arbitrary neutral element e) and investigate the algebraic structures that these generating methods can impose on those specific classes of uninorms. Towards this, we show that the operations point-wise maximum (∨) and the point-wise minimum (∧) on the set of idempotent uninorms are closed and make it a distributive lattice. Also, we show that the operations ∧ and ∨ on some sub-classes of idempotent uninorms with other classes of uninorms generate uninorms. Since the operations ∨ and ∧ on the set of uninorms are not closed in general, we propose some novel generating methods of uninorms that come from various classes such as representable uninorms, pseudo-continuous uninorms, uninorms continuous in the open unit square, uninorms with underlying continuous Archimedean t-norms and t-conorms and for each class of these uninorms, we investigate the algebraic structure imposed on it by the proposed generating methods with the help of results obtained recently in Vemuri et al. (2022) [51].

Natural Convection in Open Square Enclosure with Different Heat Source Sizes

In this study, a real-time experimental investigation is performed by a nonintrusive technique using a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. Experiments are performed in a partially open square enclosure with an internal heat source located at the center of bottom wall. The enclosure contains two openings at the bottom and top of the left and right vertical walls, respectively. The openings occupy 25% of the wall’s height. The experimental interferograms give temperature distribution in the investigating domain. The effect of heat source size and Rayleigh number on natural convection is evaluated experimentally, and the results are compared with numerical results obtained using ANSYS Fluent 2020. A dense fringe pattern is observed at larger heat source size and Rayleigh number. An air velocity transducer is used to measure inlet velocity and observe that high velocity air enters the cavity from bottom region of opening. Heat transfer and volume flow rate in the enclosure increase with increase in heat source size and Rayleigh number. Within the range of Rayleigh number 107 to 108, an increase in the heat source size by four times leads to an average increment in Nusselt number by about 33%, whereas the increment in volume flow rate is about 1%.

Transmission-Reflection-Integrated Multifunctional Passive Metasurface for Entire-Space Electromagnetic Wave Manipulation.

In recent years, many intriguing electromagnetic (EM) phenomena have come into being utilizing metasurfaces (MSs). However, most of them operate in either transmission or reflection mode, leaving the other half of the EM space completely unmodulated. Here, a kind of transmission-reflection-integrated multifunctional passive MS is proposed for entire-space electromagnetic wave manipulation, which can transmit the x-polarized EM wave and reflect the y-polarized EM wave from the upper and lower space, respectively. By introducing an H-shaped chiral grating-like micro-structure and open square patches into the unit, the MS acts not only as an efficient converter of linear-to-left-hand circular (LP-to-LHCP), linear-to-orthogonal (LP-to-XP), and linear-to-right-hand circular (LP-to-RHCP) polarization within the frequency bands of 3.05-3.25, 3.45-3.8, and 6.45-6.85 GHz, respectively, under the x-polarized EM wave, but also as an artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) within the frequency band of 12.6-13.5 GHz under the y-polarized EM wave. Additionally, the LP-to-XP polarization conversion ratio (PCR) is up to -0.52 dB at 3.8 GHz. To discuss the multiple functions of the elements to manipulate EM waves, the MS operating in transmission and reflection modes is designed and simulated. Furthermore, the proposed multifunctional passive MS is fabricated and experimentally measured. Both measured and simulated results confirm the prominent properties of the proposed MS, which validates the design's viability. This design offers an efficient way to achieve multifunctional meta-devices, which may have latent applications in modern integrated systems.

Terahertz metamaterial biosensor based on open square ring

Terahertz metamaterial biosensor based on open square ring

3D-printed dual-band energy harvester for WSNs in green IoT applications

This paper describes the 3D-printed open Double Square Loop (DSL) Frequency Selective Surfaces (FSSs) based Radio Frequency energy harvester specifically designed for the purpose of capturing Wi-Fi ambient RF energy. The proposed dual-band energy harvesting circuit is a suitable applicant for low-power green IoT Wireless Sensor Networks. The inclusion of FSS in the receiver improved the antenna’s gain by 42% and 74% at 2.4 GHz and 5.2 GHz, respectively, and consequently, enhanced the conversion efficiency. Due to FSS-backed dual-band antenna, the proposed configuration gathers a significant amount of RF ambient energy from the surroundings. The collected RF energy is then converted into DC voltage using a three-stage Villard RF rectifier cum multiplier. The Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) of 3D printing is employed to create the designed prototype on a biodegradable Polylactic Acid substrate. RF measurements are taken with horn antenna and signal generator to evaluate the proposed design. At 2.4 GHz, the constructed prototype has a conversion efficiency of 67.90% and a corresponding output voltage of 2.36 V, whereas, at 5.2 GHz, it achieves an efficiency of 34.01% with output voltage of 1.67 V, at 0 dBm input power. The proposed configuration has a good correlation between simulated and measured outcomes.

Melt Electrowriting of Liquid Crystal Elastomer Scaffolds with Programmed Mechanical Response.

Recently, significant advances have been achieved to precisely program the response of liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) through extrusion-based additive manufacturing techniques; however, important challenges remain, especially when well-defined scaffolds based on ultrafine fibers are required. Here the melt electrowriting of reactive liquid crystalline inks, leading, after ultraviolet-light-induced crosslinking, to digitally positioned uniform LCE fibers with diameters ranging from hundreds of nanometers to tens of micrometers is presented, whichishardly accessible with conventional extrusion-based printing techniques. The electrowriting process induces the preferential alignment of the mesogens parallel to the fiber's axis. Such an alignment, defined by the printing path, determines the mechanical response of the crosslinked material upon stimulation. This manufacturing platform allows the preparation of open square lattice scaffolds with ultrafine fibers (afew micrometers in diameter), periods as small as 90µm, and well-defined morphology. Additionally, the combination of accurate fiber stacking (up to 50 layers) and fiber fusion between layers leads to unprecedented microstructures composed of high-aspect-ratio LCE thin walls. The possibility of digitally controlling the printing of fibers allows the preparation complex fiber-based scaffolds with programmed and reversible shape-morphing, thus opening new avenues to prepare miniaturized actuators and smart structures for soft robotics and biomedical applications.