Thickness-stiffness trade-off improves lodging resistance in rice.

Lodging of cereal crops significantly reduces grain yield and quality, making lodging resistance a prime target for breeding programs. However, lodging resistance among different rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars in the field remains largely unknown, as is the relationship between the major properties of culms such as their morphological and mechanical properties. Here, we investigated the morphological and mechanical properties of 12 rice cultivars by considering different internodes within culms. We detected variation in these two traits among cultivars: one set of cultivars had thicker but softer culms (thickness-type), while the other set of cultivars showed stiffer but thinner culms (stiffness-type). We designate this variation as a thickness-stiffness trade-off. We then constructed a mechanical model to dissect the mechanical and/or morphological constraints of rice culms subjected to their own weight (self-weight load). Through modeling, we discovered that ear weight and the morphology of the highest internode were important for reducing deflection, which may be important factors to achieve higher lodging resistance. The mechanical theory devised in this study could be used to predict the deflection of rice culms and may open new avenues for novel mechanics-based breeding techniques.

Inductive Determination of Rate-Reaction Equation Parameters for Dislocation Structure Formation Using Artificial Neural Network.

The reaction-diffusion equation approach, which solves differential equations of the development of density distributions of mobile and immobile dislocations under mutual interactions, is a method widely used to model the dislocation structure formation. A challenge in the approach is the difficulty in the determination of appropriate parameters in the governing equations because deductive (bottom-up) determination for such a phenomenological model is problematic. To circumvent this problem, we propose an inductive approach utilizing the machine-learning method to search a parameter set that produces simulation results consistent with experiments. Using a thin film model, we performed numerical simulations based on the reaction-diffusion equations for various sets of input parameters to obtain dislocation patterns. The resulting patterns are represented by the following two parameters; the number of dislocation walls (p2), and the average width of the walls (p3). Then, we constructed an artificial neural network (ANN) model to map between the input parameters and the output dislocation patterns. The constructed ANN model was found to be able to predict dislocation patterns; i.e., average errors in p2 and p3 for test data having 10% deviation from the training data were within 7% of the average magnitude of p2 and p3. The proposed scheme enables us to find appropriate constitutive laws that lead to reasonable simulation results, once realistic observations of the phenomenon in question are provided. This approach provides a new scheme to bridge models for different length scales in the hierarchical multiscale simulation framework.

Diameter-Change-Induced Transition in Buckling Modes of Defective Zigzag Carbon Nanotubes.

In general, the insertion of Stone-Wales (SW) defects into single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) reduces the buckling resistance of SWNTs under axial compression. The magnitude of reduction is more noticeable in zigzag-type SWNTs than armchair- or chiral-type SWNTs; however, the relation between the magnitude of reduction and aspect ratio of the zigzag SWNTs remains unclear. This study conducted molecular dynamics (MD) simulation to unveil the buckling performance of zigzag SWNTs exhibiting SW defects with various tube diameter. The dependencies of energetically favorable buckling modes and the SW-defect induced reduction in the critical buckling point on the tube diameter were investigated in a systematic manner. In particular, an approximate expression for the critical buckling force as a function of the tube diameter was formulated based on the MD simulation data.

Nonsingular Stress Distribution of Edge Dislocations near Zero-Traction Boundary.

Among many types of defects present in crystalline materials, dislocations are the most influential in determining the deformation process and various physical properties of the materials. However, the mathematical description of the elastic field generated around dislocations is challenging because of various theoretical difficulties, such as physically irrelevant singularities near the dislocation-core and nontrivial modulation in the spatial distribution near the material interface. As a theoretical solution to this problem, in the present study, we develop an explicit formulation for the nonsingular stress field generated by an edge dislocation near the zero-traction surface of an elastic medium. The obtained stress field is free from nonphysical divergence near the dislocation-core, as compared to classical solutions. Because of the nonsingular property, our results allow the accurate estimation of the effect of the zero-traction surface on the near-surface stress distribution, as well as its dependence on the orientation of the Burgers vector. Finally, the degree of surface-induced modulation in the stress field is evaluated using the concept of the L2-norm for function spaces and the comparison with the stress field in an infinitely large system without any surface.

Synchrony in triadic jumping performance under the constraints of virtual reality.

The use of an immersive virtual reality system as a work space for sports and physical education can help maintain physical communication from separate places. In this study, we verified the possibility of constructing a movement synchrony system by reproducing the mathematical ordered pattern of "triadic jumping" in a virtual space. Three jumpers were asked to move together in a space that was cramped and insufficient for them to pass each other. Within this restricted space, the ordered pattern of the jumpers' synchrony systematically transited to another state depending on the geometrical configuration of the work space. Although the temporal rigidity of the synchrony was partially lost, the ordered pattern of the "triadic jumping" synchrony that emerged in the virtual space was qualitatively equivalent to that emerging in real space. We believe the idea of expanding the work space for physical education to a virtual one could turn into reality if the sensory feedback of the collision successfully improves the spatial-temporal rigidity of the joint action ordered pattern.

Analytic formulation of elastic field around edge dislocation adjacent to slanted free surface.

Explicit and tractable formulation of the internal stress field around edge dislocations is indispensable for considering the mechanics of fine crystalline solids, because the motion of edge dislocations in a slanted direction with respect to the free surface often plays a vital role in the plastic deformation of the solids under loading. In this study, we formulated an analytical solution for the stress distribution that occurs around edge dislocations embedded in a semi-infinite elastic medium. This formulation is based on the image force method and the Airy stress function method; it describes the variation in the stress distribution with changes in the slanted angle between the traction-free flat surface of the medium and the Burgers vector of the edge dislocation. Furthermore, our analytical solution shows that the attractive force acting on the edge dislocation due to the presence of the free surface is always perpendicular to the surface, regardless of the relative angle of the Burgers vector with the surface.

Universal fluctuation of polygonal crack geometry in solidified lava.

Outcrops of columnar joints made of solidified lava flows are often covered by semiordered polygonal cracks. The polygon diameters are fairly uniform at each outcrop, but their shapes largely vary in the number of sides and internal angles. Herein, we unveil that the statistical variation in the polygon shape follows an extreme value distribution class: the Gumbel distribution. The Gumbel law was found to hold for different columnar joints, regardless of the locality, lithologic composition, and typical diameter. A common distribution for columnar joints implies a universal class that may integrate the polygonal crack networks observed on the surface of various fractured brittle materials.

A mathematical model explores the contributions of bending and stretching forces to shoot gravitropism in Arabidopsis.

Plant shoot gravitropism is a complex phenomenon resulting from gravity sensing, curvature sensing (proprioception), the ability to uphold self-weight and growth. Although recent data analysis and modelling have revealed the detailed morphology of shoot bending, the relative contribution of bending force (derived from the gravi-proprioceptive response) and stretching force (derived from shoot axial growth) behind gravitropism remains poorly understood. To address this gap, we combined morphological data with a theoretical model to analyze shoot bending in wild-type and lazy1-like 1 mutant Arabidopsis thaliana. Using data from actual bending events, we searched for model parameters that minimized discrepancies between the data and mathematical model. The resulting model suggests that both the bending force and the stretching force differ significantly between the wild type and mutant. We discuss the implications of the mechanical forces associated with differential cell growth and present a plausible mechanical explanation of shoot gravitropism.

Social forces for team coordination in ball possession game.

Team coordination is a basic human behavioral trait observed in many real-life communities. To promote teamwork, it is important to cultivate social skills that elicit team coordination. In the present work, we consider which social skills are indispensable for individuals performing a ball possession game in soccer. We develop a simple social force model that describes the synchronized motion of offensive players. Comparing the simulation results with experimental observations, we uncovered that the cooperative social force, a measure of perception skill, has the most important role in reproducing the harmonized collective motion of experienced players in the task. We further developed an experimental tool that facilitates real players' perceptions of interpersonal distance, revealing that the tool improves novice players' motions as if the cooperative social force were imposed.

Morphometric analysis of polygonal cracking patterns in desiccated starch slurries.

We investigate the geometry of two-dimensional polygonal cracking that forms on the air-exposed surface of dried starch slurries. Two different kinds of starches, made from potato and corn, exhibited distinguished crack evolution, and there were contrasting effects of slurry thickness on the probability distribution of the polygonal cell area. The experimental findings are believed to result from the difference in the shape and size of starch grains, which strongly influence the capillary transport of water and tensile stress field that drives the polygonal cracking.

Bamboo-inspired optimal design for functionally graded hollow cylinders.

The optimal distribution of the reinforcing fibers for stiffening hollow cylindrical composites is explored using the linear elasticity theory. The spatial distribution of the vascular bundles in wild bamboo, a nature-designed functionally graded material, is the basis for the design. Our results suggest that wild bamboos maximize their flexural rigidity by optimally regulating the radial gradation of their vascular bundle distribution. This fact provides us with a plant-mimetic design principle that enables the realization of high-stiffness and lightweight cylindrical composites.

Effects of Agent-Environment Symmetry on the Coordination Dynamics of Triadic Jumping.

We investigated whether the patterns of coordination that emerged during a three-participant (triadic) jumping task were defined by the symmetries of the (multi) agent-environment task space. Triads were instructed to jump around different geometrical arrangements of hoops. The symmetry of the hoop geometry was manipulated to create two symmetrical and two asymmetrical participant-hoop configurations. Video and motion tracking recordings were employed to determine the frequencies of coordination misses (collisions or failed jumps) and during 20 successful jump sequences, the jump direction chosen (clockwise vs. counterclockwise) and the patterning of between participant temporal movement lags within and across jump events. The results revealed that the (a)symmetry of the joint action workspace significantly influenced the (a)symmetry of the jump direction dynamics and, more importantly, the (a)symmetry of the between participant coordination lags. The symmetrical participant-hoop configurations resulted in smaller overall movement lags and a more spontaneous, interchangeable leader/follower relationship between participants, whereas the asymmetrical participant-hoop configurations resulted in slightly larger overall movements lags and a more explicit, persistent asymmetry in the leader/follower relationship of participants. The degree to which the patterns of behavioral coordination that emerged were consistent with the theory of symmetry groups and spontaneous and explicit symmetry-breaking are discussed.

Dynamics of washboard road formation driven by a harmonic oscillator.

Granular surfaces subjected to repeated passage often spontaneously develop a corrugated pattern. In this study, we scrutinized the growth dynamics of surface corrugation in a self-rotating sand bed that is traced by the edge of a vertically oscillating arm. We found that both the rotation velocity and the frequency of the oscillator strongly affect the occurrence rate of corrugation as well as the time evolution in the corrugation pattern, due to the intermittent collision between the oscillator and sand bed. We also discovered that the growth dynamics involves two distinct collective modes that describe the translational motion of the corrugation pattern on the sand bed.

Synchronization in flickering of three-coupled candle flames.

When two or more candle flames are fused by approaching them together, the resulting large flame often exhibits flickering, i.e., prolonged high-frequency oscillation in its size and luminance. In the present work, we investigate the collective behaviour of three-coupled candle flame oscillators in a triangular arrangement. The system showed four distinct types of syncronised modes as a consequence of spontaneous symmetry breaking. The modes obtained include the in-phase mode, the partial in-phase mode, the rotation mode, and an anomalous one called the "death" mode that causes a sudden stop of the flame oscillation followed by self-sustained stable combustion. We also clarified the correlation between the inter-flame distance and the frequency with which the modes occur.

Self-adaptive formation of uneven node spacings in wild bamboo.

Bamboo has a distinctive structure wherein a long cavity inside a cylindrical woody section is divided into many chambers by stiff diaphragms. The diaphragms are inserted at nodes and thought to serve as ring stiffeners for bamboo culms against the external load; if this is the case, the separation between adjacent nodes should be configured optimally in order to enhance the mechanical stability of the culms. Here, we reveal the hitherto unknown blueprint of the optimal node spacings used in the growth of wild bamboo. Measurement data analysis together with theoretical formulations suggest that wild bamboos effectively control their node spacings as well as other geometric parameters in accord with the lightweight and high-strength design concept.

Buckling of Carbon Nanotubes: A State of the Art Review.

The nonlinear mechanical response of carbon nanotubes, referred to as their "buckling" behavior, is a major topic in the nanotube research community. Buckling means a deformation process in which a large strain beyond a threshold causes an abrupt change in the strain energy vs. deformation profile. Thus far, much effort has been devoted to analysis of the buckling of nanotubes under various loading conditions: compression, bending, torsion, and their certain combinations. Such extensive studies have been motivated by (i) the structural resilience of nanotubes against buckling, and (ii) the substantial influence of buckling on their physical properties. In this contribution, I review the dramatic progress in nanotube buckling research during the past few years.

Torsion-induced persistent current in a twisted quantum ring.

We describe the effects of geometric torsion on the coherent motion of electrons along a thin twisted quantum ring. The geometric torsion inherent in the quantum ring triggers a quantum phase shift in the electrons' eigenstates, thereby resulting in a torsion-induced persistent current that flows along the twisted quantum ring. The physical conditions required for detecting the current flow are discussed.

Flux-free conductance modulation in a helical Aharonov--Bohm interferometer.

A novel conductance oscillation in a twisted quantum ring composed of a helical atomic configuration is theoretically predicted. The internal torsion of the ring is found to cause a quantum phase shift in the wavefunction that describes the electron's motion along the ring. The resulting conductance oscillation is free from magnetic flux penetrating inside the ring, which is in complete contrast with the case for the ordinary Aharonov-Bohm effect observed in untwisted quantum rings.

Survival of short-range order in the Ising model on negatively curved surfaces.

We examine the ordering behavior of the ferromagnetic Ising lattice model defined on a surface with a constant negative curvature. Small-sized ferromagnetic domains are observed to exist at temperatures far greater than the critical temperature, at which the inner-core region of the lattice undergoes a mean-field phase transition. The survival of short-range order at such high temperatures can be attributed to strong boundary-spin contributions to the ordering mechanism as a result of which boundary effects remain active even within the thermodynamic limit. Our results are consistent with the previous finding of disorder-free Griffiths phase that is stable at temperatures lower than the mean-field critical temperature.

Curvature-induced frustration in the XY model on hyperbolic surfaces.

We study low-temperature properties of the XY spin model on a negatively curved surface. Geometric curvature of the surface gives rise to frustration in local spin configuration, which results in the formation of high-energy spin clusters scattered over the system. Asymptotic behavior of the spin-glass susceptibility suggests a zero-temperature glass transition, which is attributed to multiple optimal configurations of spin clusters due to nonzero surface curvature of the system. It implies that a constant ferromagnetic spin interaction on a regular lattice can exhibit glasslike behavior without possessing any disorder if the lattice is put on top of a negatively curved space such as a hyperbolic surface.