On the study of jamming percolation

We investigate kinetically constrained models of glassy transitions, and determine which model characteristics are crucial in allowing a rigorous proof that such models have discontinuous transitions with faster than power law diverging length and time scales. The models we investigate have constraints similar to that of the knights model, introduced by Toninelli, Biroli, and Fisher (TBF), but differing neighbor relations. We find that such knights-like models, otherwise known as models of jamming percolation, need a ``No Parallel Crossing'' rule for the TBF proof of a glassy transition to be valid. Furthermore, most knight-like models fail a ``No Perpendicular Crossing'' requirement, and thus need modification to be made rigorous. We also show how the ``No Parallel Crossing'' requirement can be used to evaluate the provable glassiness of other correlated percolation models, by looking at models with more stable directions than the knights model. Finally, we show that the TBF proof does not generalize in any straightforward fashion for three-dimensional versions of the knights-like models.Comment: 13 pages, 18 figures; Spiral model does satisfy property

Jamming at Zero Temperature and Zero Applied Stress: the Epitome of Disorder

We have studied how 2- and 3- dimensional systems made up of particles interacting with finite range, repulsive potentials jam (i.e., develop a yield stress in a disordered state) at zero temperature and applied stress. For each configuration, there is a unique jamming threshold, $\phi_c$, at which particles can no longer avoid each other and the bulk and shear moduli simultaneously become non-zero. The distribution of $\phi_c$ values becomes narrower as the system size increases, so that essentially all configurations jam at the same $\phi$ in the thermodynamic limit. This packing fraction corresponds to the previously measured value for random close-packing. In fact, our results provide a well-defined meaning for "random close-packing" in terms of the fraction of all phase space with inherent structures that jam. The jamming threshold, Point J, occurring at zero temperature and applied stress and at the random close-packing density, has properties reminiscent of an ordinary critical point. As Point J is approached from higher packing fractions, power-law scaling is found for many quantities. Moreover, near Point J, certain quantities no longer self-average, suggesting the existence of a length scale that diverges at J. However, Point J also differs from an ordinary critical point: the scaling exponents do not depend on dimension but do depend on the interparticle potential. Finally, as Point J is approached from high packing fractions, the density of vibrational states develops a large excess of low-frequency modes. All of these results suggest that Point J may control behavior in its vicinity-perhaps even at the glass transition.Comment: 21 pages, 20 figure

Wetting films on chemically heterogeneous substrates

Based on a microscopic density functional theory we investigate the morphology of thin liquidlike wetting films adsorbed on substrates endowed with well-defined chemical heterogeneities. As paradigmatic cases we focus on a single chemical step and on a single stripe. In view of applications in microfluidics the accuracy of guiding liquids by chemical microchannels is discussed. Finally we give a general prescription of how to investigate theoretically the wetting properties of substrates with arbitrary chemical structures.Comment: 56 pages, RevTeX, 20 Figure

A scoping review establishes need for consensus guidance on reporting health equity in observational studies.

To evaluate the support from the available guidance on reporting of health equity in research for our candidate items and to identify additional items for the Strengthening Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology-Equity extension. We conducted a scoping review by searching Embase, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane Methodology Register, LILACS, and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information up to January 2022. We also searched reference lists and gray literature for additional resources. We included guidance and assessments (hereafter termed "resources") related to conduct and/or reporting for any type of health research with or about people experiencing health inequity. We included 34 resources, which supported one or more candidate items or contributed to new items about health equity reporting in observational research. Each candidate item was supported by a median of six (range: 1-15) resources. In addition, 12 resources suggested 13 new items, such as "report the background of investigators". Existing resources for reporting health equity in observational studies aligned with our interim checklist of candidate items. We also identified additional items that will be considered in the development of a consensus-based and evidence-based guideline for reporting health equity in observational studies

Risk profiles and one-year outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation in India: Insights from the GARFIELD-AF Registry.

BACKGROUND: The Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF) is an ongoing prospective noninterventional registry, which is providing important information on the baseline characteristics, treatment patterns, and 1-year outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). This report describes data from Indian patients recruited in this registry. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 52,014 patients with newly diagnosed AF were enrolled globally; of these, 1388 patients were recruited from 26 sites within India (2012-2016). In India, the mean age was 65.8 years at diagnosis of NVAF. Hypertension was the most prevalent risk factor for AF, present in 68.5% of patients from India and in 76.3% of patients globally (P < 0.001). Diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD) were prevalent in 36.2% and 28.1% of patients as compared with global prevalence of 22.2% and 21.6%, respectively (P < 0.001 for both). Antiplatelet therapy was the most common antithrombotic treatment in India. With increasing stroke risk, however, patients were more likely to receive oral anticoagulant therapy [mainly vitamin K antagonist (VKA)], but average international normalized ratio (INR) was lower among Indian patients [median INR value 1.6 (interquartile range {IQR}: 1.3-2.3) versus 2.3 (IQR 1.8-2.8) (P < 0.001)]. Compared with other countries, patients from India had markedly higher rates of all-cause mortality [7.68 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval 6.32-9.35) vs 4.34 (4.16-4.53), P < 0.0001], while rates of stroke/systemic embolism and major bleeding were lower after 1 year of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Compared to previously published registries from India, the GARFIELD-AF registry describes clinical profiles and outcomes in Indian patients with AF of a different etiology. The registry data show that compared to the rest of the world, Indian AF patients are younger in age and have more diabetes and CAD. Patients with a higher stroke risk are more likely to receive anticoagulation therapy with VKA but are underdosed compared with the global average in the GARFIELD-AF. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION-URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01090362

INTEGRATION OF WHITE POTATO INTO THE VEGETABLE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS OF MONTSERRAT

In 1984 an integrated programme to reintroduce white potato into the vegetable production system was initiated in Montserrat by the Ministry of Agriculture. Technology development for the crop which is CARDI's responsibility, has major objectives of increasing productivity through more efficient use of planting material and more adaptable varieties. Multilocational evaluation of eight Dutch varieties has confirmed the standard variety Desiree as the most adaptable of those tested, however, Bartina (pink) and Frisia (brown) out-performed Desiree under ideal growing conditions producing larger, more uniform tubers. Both these varieties seem to have a higher susceptibility to soil-borne diseases but are more tolerant than Desiree to early and late blights. Preliminary trials on tuber production from true potato seed (TPS) were successful and the technique of rapid stem propagation as a means of producing planting material was evaluated. The effect of employing CARDI's Farming Systems Research and Development methodology within this programme is examined. ----- EI Ministerio de Agricultura de Montserrat, en el ano 1984, inici6 un prograrna integrado para reintroducir el cultivo de la papa, en el sistema de produccion de hortalizas. CARDI tiene la responsabilidad de desarrollar la tecnologia para este cultivo, Sus mayores objetivos son: de incrernentar la produccion mediante, el uso mas eficiente del material para el cultivo y, el usa de variedades mas adaptables, La evaluacion de localizacion multiple de ocho variedades de origen holandes, cstablece" a la varieded comun, Desiree, como a la mas adaptable entre las que fueron ensayadas, Sin embargo bajo condiciones ideales de crecimiento las variedades Bartina (rosada) y Frisia (cafe) rindier6n mas que la variedad Desiree y produjeron tuberculos mas grandes y uniformes. Arnbas de estas variedades parecen scr mas susceptibles a enfermedades originadas en ell suelo pero, resisten mejor que Desiree al Phytoph· thora intestens y a la Alternaria solani. Ensayos prelirninares sobre la propagacion, mediante sernillas (TPS), del tuberculo fueron exitosas y la t6cnica de propagacion vegetatlva-rapida de un segmento del tallo para obtener material para el plantio, ful! evaluada. En esta presentacion, se analiza 1'1 efecto que se obtendra al utilizar el sistema de investigacion de Agricultura y rnetodologia del desarrollo de CARDI, con relacidn a este programa

Electric Vehicle Modeling Utilizing DC Motor Equations

This paper discusses modeling an electric utility vehicle powered by a separately wound DC motor. Many modeling techniques use steady state efficiency maps and torque-speed curves to describe the performance of electric motors, which can overlook transient response dynamics, current limits, and thermal limits that may affect the end vehicle performance. This paper discusses using bond-graph techniques to develop a causal model of an electric vehicle powered by a separately wound DC motor and development of the appropriate feedforward and feed-back controllers required for route following. The causal model performance is compared to a PSAT model of the same electric vehicle, which uses motor torque-speed curve and efficiency map.Center for Electromechanic