Geometric partition functions of cellular systems: Explicit calculation of the entropy in two and three dimensions

A method is proposed for the characterisation of the entropy of cellular structures, based on the compactivity concept for granular packings. Hamiltonian-like volume functions are constructed both in two and in three dimensions, enabling the identification of a phase space and making it possible to take account of geometrical correlations systematically. Case studies are presented for which explicit calculations of the mean vertex density and porosity fluctuations are given as functions of compactivity. The formalism applies equally well to two- and three-dimensional granular assemblies.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figures, to appear in The European Physical Journal E - Soft Matte

The perimeter of large planar Voronoi cells: a double-stranded random walk

Let $p\_n$ be the probability for a planar Poisson-Voronoi cell to have exactly $n$ sides. We construct the asymptotic expansion of $\log p\_n$ up to terms that vanish as $n\to\infty$. We show that {\it two independent biased random walks} executed by the polar angle determine the trajectory of the cell perimeter. We find the limit distribution of (i) the angle between two successive vertex vectors, and (ii) the one between two successive perimeter segments. We obtain the probability law for the perimeter's long wavelength deviations from circularity. We prove Lewis' law and show that it has coefficient 1/4.Comment: Slightly extended version; journal reference adde

From one cell to the whole froth: a dynamical map

We investigate two and three-dimensional shell-structured-inflatable froths, which can be constructed by a recursion procedure adding successive layers of cells around a germ cell. We prove that any froth can be reduced into a system of concentric shells. There is only a restricted set of local configurations for which the recursive inflation transformation is not applicable. These configurations are inclusions between successive layers and can be treated as vertices and edges decorations of a shell-structure-inflatable skeleton. The recursion procedure is described by a logistic map, which provides a natural classification into Euclidean, hyperbolic and elliptic froths. Froths tiling manifolds with different curvature can be classified simply by distinguishing between those with a bounded or unbounded number of elements per shell, without any a-priori knowledge on their curvature. A new result, associated with maximal orientational entropy, is obtained on topological properties of natural cellular systems. The topological characteristics of all experimentally known tetrahedrally close-packed structures are retrieved.Comment: 20 Pages Tex, 11 Postscript figures, 1 Postscript tabl

The self-assessment INTERMED predicts healthcare and social costs of orthopaedic trauma patients with persistent impairments.

To use the self-assessment INTERMED questionnaire to determine the relationship between biopsychosocial complexity and healthcare and social costs of patients after orthopaedic trauma. Secondary prospective analysis based on the validation study cohort of the self-assessment INTERMED questionnaire. Inpatients orthopaedic rehabilitation with vocational aspects. In total, 136 patients with chronic pain and impairments were included in this study: mean (SD) age, 42.6 (10.7) years; 116 men, with moderate pain intensity (51/100); suffering from upper (n = 55), lower-limb (n = 51) or spine (n = 30) pain after orthopaedic trauma; with minor or moderate injury severity (severe injury for 25). Biopsychosocial complexity, assessed with the self-assessment INTERMED questionnaire, and other confounding variables collected prospectively during rehabilitation. Outcome measures (healthcare costs, loss of wage costs and time for fitness-to-work) were collected through insurance files after case settlements. Linear multiple regression models adjusted for age, gender, pain, trauma severity, education and employment contract were performed to measure the influence of biopsychosocial complexity on the three outcome variables. High-cost patients were older (+3.6 years) and more anxious (9.0 vs 7.3 points at HADS-A), came later to rehabilitation (+105 days), and showed higher biopsychosocial complexity (+3.2 points). After adjustment, biopsychosocial complexity was significantly associated with healthcare (ß = 0.02; P = 0.003; exp <sup>ß</sup> = 1.02) and social costs (ß = 0.03; P = 0.006, exp <sup>ß</sup> = 1.03) and duration before fitness-to-work (ß = 0.04; P < 0.001, exp <sup>ß</sup> = 1.04). Biopsychosocial complexity assessed with the self-assessment INTERMED questionnaire is associated with higher healthcare and social costs

On Random Bubble Lattices

We study random bubble lattices which can be produced by processes such as first order phase transitions, and derive characteristics that are important for understanding the percolation of distinct varieties of bubbles. The results are relevant to the formation of topological defects as they show that infinite domain walls and strings will be produced during appropriate first order transitions, and that the most suitable regular lattice to study defect formation in three dimensions is a face centered cubic lattice. Another application of our work is to the distribution of voids in the large-scale structure of the universe. We argue that the present universe is more akin to a system undergoing a first-order phase transition than to one that is crystallizing, as is implicit in the Voronoi foam description. Based on the picture of a bubbly universe, we predict a mean coordination number for the voids of 13.4. The mean coordination number may also be used as a tool to distinguish between different scenarios for structure formation.Comment: several modifications including new abstract, comparison with froth models, asymptotics of coordination number distribution, further discussion of biased defects, and relevance to large-scale structur

The Suprafroth (Superconducting Froth)

The structure and dynamics of froths have been subjects of intense interest due to the desire to understand the behaviour of complex systems where topological intricacy prohibits exact evaluation of the ground state. The dynamics of a traditional froth involves drainage and drying in the cell boundaries, thus it is irreversible. We report a new member to the froths family: suprafroth, in which the cell boundaries are superconducting and the cell interior is normal phase. Despite very different microscopic origin, topological analysis of the structure of the suprafroth shows that statistical von Neumann and Lewis laws apply. Furthermore, for the first time in the analysis of froths there is a global measurable property, the magnetic moment, which can be directly related to the suprafroth structure. We propose that this suprafroth is a new, model system for the analysis of the complex physics of two-dimensional froths

Statistical Mechanics of Two-dimensional Foams

The methods of statistical mechanics are applied to two-dimensional foams under macroscopic agitation. A new variable -- the total cell curvature -- is introduced, which plays the role of energy in conventional statistical thermodynamics. The probability distribution of the number of sides for a cell of given area is derived. This expression allows to correlate the distribution of sides ("topological disorder") to the distribution of sizes ("geometrical disorder") in a foam. The model predictions agree well with available experimental data

Trend-based analysis of a population model of the AKAP scaffold protein

We formalise a continuous-time Markov chain with multi-dimensional discrete state space model of the AKAP scaffold protein as a crosstalk mediator between two biochemical signalling pathways. The analysis by temporal properties of the AKAP model requires reasoning about whether the counts of individuals of the same type (species) are increasing or decreasing. For this purpose we propose the concept of stochastic trends based on formulating the probabilities of transitions that increase (resp. decrease) the counts of individuals of the same type, and express these probabilities as formulae such that the state space of the model is not altered. We define a number of stochastic trend formulae (e.g. weakly increasing, strictly increasing, weakly decreasing, etc.) and use them to extend the set of state formulae of Continuous Stochastic Logic. We show how stochastic trends can be implemented in a guarded-command style specification language for transition systems. We illustrate the application of stochastic trends with numerous small examples and then we analyse the AKAP model in order to characterise and show causality and pulsating behaviours in this biochemical system

Computer investigation of the energy landscape of amorphous silica

The multidimensional topography of the collective potential energy function of a so-called strong glass former (silica) is analyzed by means of classical molecular dynamics calculations. Features qualitatively similar to those of fragile glasses are recovered at high temperatures : in particular an intrinsic characteristic temperature $T_c\simeq 3500$K is evidenced above which the system starts to investigate non-harmonic potential energy basins. It is shown that the anharmonicities are essentially characterized by a roughness appearing in the potential energy valleys explored by the system for temperatures above $T_c$.Comment: 5 pages; accepted for publication in PR