An investigation of mass composition of ultra-high energy cosmic rays with energies above 1019 eV via the study of extensive air showers

The electron and muon components of extensive air shower (EAS) with energies above 1019 eV are analyzed via various giant EAS arrays. A varying property of showers is observed for two energy ranges; higher and lower than (3 − 4) x 1019 eV. The age parameter, zenith angle, shower size dependence on muon size and shower size dependence on primary energy show an increment of mass composition (MC) above (3−4)x 1019eV. Comparison of the observed EAS results with the simulations of Capdevielle et al. (2000) and Shinozaki et al. (2005) gives at most 20% photon fraction for primary energies above 1019 eV. The arrival directions of showers above 4x1019 eV indicate an increasing concentration towards the super galactic plane

Mesoscale modelling of polymer aggregate digestion

We use mesoscale simulations to gain insight into the digestion of biopolymers by studying the break-up dynamics of polymer aggregates (boluses) bound by physical cross-links. We investigate aggregate evolution, establishing that the linking bead fraction and the interaction energy are the main parameters controlling stability with respect to diffusion. We show $\textit{via}$ a simplified model that chemical breakdown of the constituent molecules causes aggregates that would otherwise be stable to disperse. We further investigate breakdown of biopolymer aggregates in the presence of fluid flow. Shear flow in the absence of chemical breakdown induces three different regimes depending on the flow Weissenberg number ($Wi$). i) At $Wi \ll 1$, shear flow has a negligible effect on the aggregates. ii) At $Wi \sim 1$, the aggregates behave approximately as solid bodies and move and rotate with the flow. iii) At $Wi \gg 1$, the energy input due to shear overcomes the attractive cross-linking interactions and the boluses are broken up. Finally, we study bolus evolution under the combined action of shear flow and chemical breakdown, demonstrating a synergistic effect between the two at high reaction rates

Active Inter-cellular Forces in Collective Cell Motility

The collective behaviour of confluent cell sheets is strongly influenced both by polar forces, arising through cytoskeletal propulsion and by active inter-cellular forces, which are mediated by interactions across cell-cell junctions. We use a phase-field model to explore the interplay between these two contributions and compare the dynamics of a cell sheet when the polarity of the cells aligns to (i) their main axis of elongation, (ii) their velocity, and (iii) when the polarity direction executes a persistent random walk.In all three cases, we observe a sharp transition from a jammed state (where cell rearrangements are strongly suppressed) to a liquid state (where the cells can move freely relative to each other) when either the polar or the inter-cellular forces are increased. In addition, for case (ii) only, we observe an additional dynamical state, flocking (solid or liquid), where the majority of the cells move in the same direction. The flocking state is seen for strong polar forces, but is destroyed as the strength of the inter-cellular activity is increased.Comment: 15 pages,22 figure

Valid inequalities for the single arc design problem with set-ups

We consider a mixed integer set which generalizes two well-known sets: the single node fixed-charge network set and the single arc design set. Such set arises as a relaxation of feasible sets of general mixed integer problems such as lot-sizing and network design problems. We derive several families of valid inequalities that, in particular, generalize the arc residual capacity inequalities and the flow cover inequalities. For the constant capacitated case we provide an extended compact formulation and give a partial description of the convex hull in the original space which is exact under a certain condition. By lifting some basic inequalities we provide some insight on the difficulty of obtaining such a full polyhedral description for the constant capacitated case. Preliminary computational results are presented

Hydrodynamics of Micro-swimmers in Films

One of the principal mechanisms by which surfaces and interfaces affect microbial life is by perturbing the hydrodynamic flows generated by swimming. By summing a recursive series of image systems we derive a numerically tractable approximation to the three-dimensional flow fields of a Stokeslet (point force) within a viscous film between a parallel no-slip surface and no-shear interface and, from this Green's function, we compute the flows produced by a force- and torque-free micro-swimmer. We also extend the exact solution of Liron & Mochon (1976) to the film geometry, which demonstrates that the image series gives a satisfactory approximation to the swimmer flow fields if the film is sufficiently thick compared to the swimmer size, and we derive the swimmer flows in the thin-film limit. Concentrating on the thick film case, we find that the dipole moment induces a bias towards swimmer accumulation at the no-slip wall rather than the water-air interface, but that higher-order multipole moments can oppose this. Based on the analytic predictions we propose an experimental method to find the multipole coefficient that induces circular swimming trajectories, allowing one to analytically determine the swimmer's three-dimensional position under a microscope.Comment: 35 pages, 11 figures, 5 table

A theoretical study of two-period relaxations for lot-sizing problems with big-bucket capacities

In this paper, we study two-period subproblems proposed by Akartunali et al. (2015) for lot-sizing problems with big-bucket capacities and nonzero setup times, complementing our previous work investigating the special case of zero setup times. In particular, we study the polyhedral structure of the mixed integer sets related to various two-period relaxations. We derive several families of valid inequalities and investigate their facet-defining conditions. We also discuss the separation problems associated with these valid inequalities

Orientational properties of nematic disclinations

Topological defects play a pivotal role in the physics of liquid crystals and represent one of the most prominent and well studied aspects of mesophases. While in two-dimensional nematics, disclinations are traditionally treated as point-like objects, recent experimental studies on active nematics have suggested that half-strength disclinations might in fact possess a polar structure. In this article, we provide a precise definition of polarity for half-strength nematic disclinations, we introduce a simple and robust method to calculate this quantity from experimental and numerical data and we investigate how the orientational properties of half-strength disclinations affect their relaxational dynamics.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, supplementary movies at http://wwwhome.lorentz.leidenuniv.nl/~giomi/sup_mat/20150720

A Polyhedral Study of Mixed 0-1 Set

We consider a variant of the well-known single node fixed charge network flow set with constant capacities. This set arises from the relaxation of more general mixed integer sets such as lot-sizing problems with multiple suppliers. We provide a complete polyhedral characterization of the convex hull of the given set

Binding self-propelled topological defects in active turbulence

We report on the emergence of stable self-propelled bound defects in monolayers of active nematics, which form virtual full-integer topological defects in the form of vortices and asters. Through numerical simulations and analytical arguments, we identify the phase-space of the bound defect formation in active nematic monolayers. It is shown that an intricate synergy between the nature of active stresses and the flow-aligning behaviour of active particles can stabilise the motion of self-propelled positive half-integer defects into specific bound structures. Our findings uncover new complexities in active nematics with potential for triggering new experiments and theories