7,860 research outputs found
Temperature scaling, glassiness and stationarity in the Bak-Sneppen model
We show that the emergence of criticality in the locally-defined Bak-Sneppen
model corresponds to separation over a hierarchy of timescales. Near to the
critical point the model obeys scaling relations, with exponents which we
derive numerically for a one-dimensional system. We further describe how the
model can be related to the glass model of Bouchaud [{\em J. Phys. I France
{\bf 2}, 1705 (1992)}], and we use this insight to comment on the usual
assumption of stationarity in the Bak-Sneppen model. Finally, we propose a
general definition of self-organised criticality which is in partial agreement
with other recent definitions.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures; differences to previous work clarified. To appear
in EPJ
The Anisotropic Bak-Sneppen model
The Bak-Sneppen model is shown to fall into a different universality class with the introduction of a preferred direction, mirroring the situation in spin systems. This is first demonstrated by numerical simulations and subsequently confirmed by analysis of the multitrait version of the model, which admits exact solutions in the extremes of zero and maximal anisotropy. For intermediate anisotropies, we show that the spatiotemporal evolution of the avalanche has a power law `tail' which passes through the system for any non-zero anisotropy but remains fixed for the isotropic case, thus explaining the crossover in behaviour. Finally, we identify the maximally anisotropic model which is more tractable and yet more generally applicable than the isotropic system
Rheological instability in a simple shear thickening model
We study the strain response to steady imposed stress in a spatially
homogeneous, scalar model for shear thickening, in which the local rate of
yielding \Gamma(l) of mesoscopic `elastic elements' is not monotonic in the
local strain l. Despite this, the macroscopic, steady-state flow curve (stress
vs. strain rate) is monotonic. However, for a broad class of \Gamma(l), the
response to steady stress is not in fact steady flow, but spontaneous
oscillation. We discuss this finding in relation to other theoretical and
experimental flow instabilities. Within the parameter ranges we studied, the
model does not exhibit rheo-chaos.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figs. Minor corrections made. To appear in Euro. Phys.
Let
Robust propagation direction of stresses in a minimal granular packing
By employing the adaptive network simulation method, we demonstrate that the
ensemble-averaged stress caused by a local force for packings of frictionless
rigid beads is concentrated along rays whose slope is consistent with unity:
forces propagate along lines at 45 degrees to the horizontal or vertical. This
slope is shown to be independent of polydispersity or the degree to which the
system is sheared. Further confirmation of this result comes from fitting the
components of the stress tensor to the null stress constitutive equation. The
magnitude of the response is also shown to fall off with the -1/2 power of
distance. We argue that our findings are a natural consequence of a system that
preserves its volume under small perturbations.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures. Some extra clarification and minor improvements.
To appear in EPJ-
Geology of the Venus equatorial region from Pioneer Venus radar imaging
The surface characteristics and morphology of the equatorial region of Venus were first described by Masursky et al. who showed this part of the planet to be characterized by two topographic provinces, rolling plains and highlands, and more recently by Schaber who described and interpreted tectonic zones in the highlands. Using Pioneer Venus (PV) radar image data (15 deg S to 45 deg N), Senske and Head examined the distribution, characteristics, and deposits of individual volcanic features in the equatorial region, and in addition classified major equatorial physiographic and tectonic units on the basis of morphology, topographic signature, and radar properties derived from the PV data. Included in this classification are: plains (undivided), inter-highland tectonic zones, tectonically segmented linear highlands, upland rises, tectonic junctions, dark halo plains, and upland plateaus. In addition to the physiographic units, features interpreted as coronae and volcanic mountains have also been mapped. The latter four of the physiographic units along with features interpreted to be coronae
Deformation of crosslinked semiflexible polymer networks
Networks of filamentous proteins play a crucial role in cell mechanics. These
cytoskeletal networks, together with various crosslinking and other associated
proteins largely determine the (visco)elastic response of cells. In this letter
we study a model system of crosslinked, stiff filaments in order to explore the
connection between the microstructure under strain and the macroscopic response
of cytoskeletal networks. We find two distinct regimes as a function primarily
of crosslink density and filament rigidity: one characterized by affine
deformation and one by non-affine deformation. We characterize the crossover
between these two.Comment: Typos fixed and some technical details clarified. To appear in Phys.
Rev. Let
Atla Regio, Venus: Geology and origin of a major equatorial volcanic rise
Regional volcanic rises form a major part of the highlands in the equatorial region of Venus. These broad domical uplands, 1000 to 3000 km across, contain centers of volcanism forming large edifices and are associated with extension and rifting. Two classes of rises are observed: (1) those that are dominated by tectonism, acting as major centers for converging rifts such as Beta Regio and Alta Regio, and are termed tectonic junctions; and (2) those forming uplands characterized primarily by large-scale volcanism forming edifices. Western Eistla Regio and Bell Regio, where zones of extension and rifting are less developed. Within this second class of features the edifices are typically found at the end of a single rift, or are associated with a linear belt of deformation. We examine the geologic characteristics of the tectonic junction at Alta Regio, concentrating on documenting the styles of volcanism and assessing mechanisms for the formation of regional topography
Volume-controlled buckling of thin elastic shells: Application to crusts formed on evaporating partially-wetted droplets
Motivated by the buckling of glassy crusts formed on evaporating droplets of
polymer and colloid solutions, we numerically model the deformation and
buckling of spherical elastic caps controlled by varying the volume between the
shell and the substrate. This volume constraint mimics the incompressibility of
the unevaporated solvent. Discontinuous buckling is found to occur for
sufficiently thin and/or large contact angle shells, and robustly takes the
form of a single circular region near the boundary that `snaps' to an inverted
shape, in contrast to externally pressurised shells. Scaling theory for shallow
shells is shown to well approximate the critical buckling volume, the
subsequent enlargement of the inverted region and the contact line force.Comment: 7 pages in J. Phys. Cond. Mat. spec; 4 figs (2 low-quality to reach
LANL's over-restrictive size limits; ask for high-detailed versions if
required
Non-local fluctuation correlations in active gels
Many active materials and biological systems are driven far from equilibrium
by embedded agents that spontaneously generate forces and distort the
surrounding material. Probing and characterizing these athermal fluctuations is
essential for understanding the properties and behaviors of such systems. Here
we present a mathematical procedure to estimate the local action of
force-generating agents from the observed fluctuating displacement fields. The
active agents are modeled as oriented force dipoles or isotropic compression
foci, and the matrix on which they act is assumed to be either a compressible
elastic continuum or a coupled network-solvent system. Correlations at a single
point and between points separated by an arbitrary distance are obtained,
giving a total of three independent fluctuation modes that can be tested with
microrheology experiments. Since oriented dipoles and isotropic compression
foci give different contributions to these fluctuation modes, ratiometric
analysis allows us characterize the force generators. We also predict and
experimentally find a high-frequency ballistic regime, arising from individual
force generating events in the form of the slow build-up of stress followed by
rapid but finite decay. Finally, we provide a quantitative statistical model to
estimate the mean filament tension from these athermal fluctuations, which
leads to stiffening of active networks.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures; some clarifications and ammended figure
notation
Energy Distribution in disordered elastic Networks
Disordered networks are found in many natural and artificial materials, from gels or cytoskeletal structures to metallic foams or bones. Here, the energy distribution in this type of networks is modeled, taking into account the orientation of the struts. A correlation between the orientation and the energy per unit volume is found and described as a function of the connectivity in the network and the relative bending stiffness of the struts. If one or both parameters have relatively large values, the struts aligned in the loading direction present the highest values of energy. On the contrary, if these have relatively small values, the highest values of energy can be reached in the struts oriented transversally. This result allows explaining in a simple way remodeling processes in biological materials, for example, the remodeling of trabecular bone and the reorganization in the cytoskeleton. Additionally, the correlation between the orientation, the affinity, and the bending-stretching ratio in the network is discussed
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