Monte-Carlo simulation study of the two-stage percolation transition in enhanced binary trees

We perform Monte-Carlo simulations to study the Bernoulli ($p$) bond percolation on the enhanced binary tree which belongs to the class of nonamenable graphs with one end. Our numerical results show that the system has two different percolation thresholds $p_{c1}$ and $p_{c2}$. All the points in the intermediate phase $(p_{c1} < p < p_{c2})$ are critical and there exist infinitely many infinite clusters in the intermediate phase. In this phase the corresponding fractal exponent continuously increases with $p$ from zero to unity.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figure

Vortex jamming in superconductors and granular rheology

We demonstrate that a highly frustrated anisotropic Josephson junction array(JJA) on a square lattice exhibits a zero-temperature jamming transition, which shares much in common with those in granular systems. Anisotropy of the Josephson couplings along the horizontal and vertical directions plays roles similar to normal load or density in granular systems. We studied numerically static and dynamic response of the system against shear, i. e. injection of external electric current at zero temperature. Current-voltage curves at various strength of the anisotropy exhibit universal scaling features around the jamming point much as do the flow curves in granular rheology, shear-stress vs shear-rate. It turns out that at zero temperature the jamming transition occurs right at the isotropic coupling and anisotropic JJA behaves as an exotic fragile vortex matter : it behaves as superconductor (vortex glass) into one direction while normal conductor (vortex liquid) into the other direction even at zero temperature. Furthermore we find a variant of the theoretical model for the anisotropic JJA quantitatively reproduces universal master flow-curves of the granular systems. Our results suggest an unexpected common paradigm stretching over seemingly unrelated fields - the rheology of soft materials and superconductivity.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures. To appear in New Journal of Physic

Geometrically Frustrated Crystals: Elastic Theory and Dislocations

Elastic theory of ring-(or cylinder-)shaped crystals is constructed and the generation of edge dislocations due to geometrical frustration caused by the bending is studied. The analogy to superconducting (or superfluid) vortex state is pointed out and the phase diagram of the ring-crystal, which depends on radius and thickness, is discussed.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Local Anisotropy of Fluids using Minkowski Tensors

Statistics of the free volume available to individual particles have previously been studied for simple and complex fluids, granular matter, amorphous solids, and structural glasses. Minkowski tensors provide a set of shape measures that are based on strong mathematical theorems and easily computed for polygonal and polyhedral bodies such as free volume cells (Voronoi cells). They characterize the local structure beyond the two-point correlation function and are suitable to define indices $0\leq \beta_\nu^{a,b}\leq 1$ of local anisotropy. Here, we analyze the statistics of Minkowski tensors for configurations of simple liquid models, including the ideal gas (Poisson point process), the hard disks and hard spheres ensemble, and the Lennard-Jones fluid. We show that Minkowski tensors provide a robust characterization of local anisotropy, which ranges from $\beta_\nu^{a,b}\approx 0.3$ for vapor phases to $\beta_\nu^{a,b}\to 1$ for ordered solids. We find that for fluids, local anisotropy decreases monotonously with increasing free volume and randomness of particle positions. Furthermore, the local anisotropy indices $\beta_\nu^{a,b}$ are sensitive to structural transitions in these simple fluids, as has been previously shown in granular systems for the transition from loose to jammed bead packs

Phase Transition of the Ising model on a Hyperbolic Lattice

The matrix product structure is considered on a regular lattice in the hyperbolic plane. The phase transition of the Ising model is observed on the hyperbolic $(5, 4)$ lattice by means of the corner-transfer-matrix renormalization group (CTMRG) method. Calculated correlation length is always finite even at the transition temperature, where mean-field like behavior is observed. The entanglement entropy is also always finite.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Models of plastic depinning of driven disordered systems

Two classes of models of driven disordered systems that exhibit history-dependent dynamics are discussed. The first class incorporates local inertia in the dynamics via nonmonotonic stress transfer between adjacent degrees of freedom. The second class allows for proliferation of topological defects due to the interplay of strong disorder and drive. In mean field theory both models exhibit a tricritical point as a function of disorder strength. At weak disorder depinning is continuous and the sliding state is unique. At strong disorder depinning is discontinuous and hysteretic.Comment: 3 figures, invited talk at StatPhys 2

Development of a vascular endoscopic system for observing inner wall of large arteries for the use of endovascular intervention

金沢大学理工研究域機械工学系We have been developing an endoscopic system for observing inner wall of large arteries. The purpose of this system is to visualize the inner wall of large arteries, e.g., an aorta, without blocking off the blood stream for the use of an assistive technique for endovascular interventions such as stent-graft placement for aortic aneurysm. The technique newly introduced for this purpose was the use of intermittent high-pressure saline jet synchronized to heart beat (diastolic phase). In the previous paper [1], we reported performance of a prototype system using a commercially available bronchoscope having an outer diameter of 5mm with a biopsy channel. A discharging system for intermittent high-pressure saline jet was also constructed using a high-speed solenoid valve and a pressurizing tank. In this study, we tried to introduce a special hood (we call "Hemo-visor") on the tip of the endoscope in order to more clearly observe the target (inner wall of artery). From in vitro tests using a mock circulation system, it was confirmed that the Hemo-visor was highly effective for keeping saline solution around the endoscope tip against the blood stream, and for improving the quality of the picture obtained. © 2010 IEEE

Possibility of the Solid-Fluid Transition in Moving Periodic Systems

The steady sliding state of periodic structures such as charge density waves and flux line lattices is numerically studied based on two and three dimensional driven random field XY models. We focus on the dynamical phase transition between plastic flow and moving solid phases controlled by the magnitude of the driving force. By analyzing the connectivity of co-moving clusters, we find that they percolate the system within a finite observation time under driving forces larger than a certain critical force. The critical force, however, logarithmically diverges with the observation time, i.e. the moving solid phase exhibits only within a certain finite time, which exponentially grows with the driving force.Comment: 4 pages, 7 figure

Inhibition of Renin-Angiotensin System Reverses Endothelial Dysfunction and Oxidative Stress in Estrogen Deficient Rats

BACKGROUND: Estrogen deficiency increases the cardiovascular risks in postmenopausal women. Inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and associated oxidative stress confers a cardiovascular protection, but the role of RAS in estrogen deficiency-related vascular dysfunction is unclear. The present study investigates whether the up-regulation of RAS and associated oxidative stress contributes to the development of endothelial dysfunction during estrogen deficiency in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Adult female rats were ovariectomized with and without chronic treatment with valsartan and enalapril. Isometric force measurement was performed in isolated aortae. The expression of RAS components was determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting method while ROS accumulation in the vascular wall was evaluated by dihydroethidium fluorescence. Ovariectomy increased the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT(1)R), NAD(P)H oxidase, and nitrotyrosine in the rat aorta. An over-production of angiotensin II and ROS was accompanied by decreased phosphorylation of eNOS at Ser(1177) in OVX rat aortae. These pathophysiological changes were closely coupled with increased oxidative stress and decreased nitric oxide bioavailability, culminating in markedly impaired endothelium-dependent relaxations. Furthermore, endothelial dysfunction and increased oxidative stress in aortae of OVX rats were inhibited or reversed by chronic RAS inhibition with enalapril or valsartan. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The novel findings highlight a significant therapeutic benefit of RAS blockade in the treatment of endothelial dysfunction-related vascular complications in postmenopausal states