Percolation thresholds, critical exponents, and scaling functions on planar random lattices and their duals

A minimal vertex model explains how the amnioserosa avoids fluidization during Drosophila dorsal closure

Dorsal closure is a process that occurs during embryogenesis of Drosophila melanogaster. During dorsal closure, the amnioserosa (AS), a one-cell thick epithelial tissue that fills the dorsal opening, shrinks as the lateral epidermis sheets converge and eventually merge. During this process, both shape index and aspect ratio of amnioserosa cells increase markedly. The standard 2-dimensional vertex model, which successfully describes tissue sheet mechanics in multiple contexts, would in this case predict that the tissue should fluidize via cell neighbor changes. Surprisingly, however, the amnioserosa remains an elastic solid with no such events. We here present a minimal extension to the vertex model that explains how the amnioserosa can achieve this unexpected behavior. We show that continuous shrinkage of the preferred cell perimeter and cell perimeter polydispersity lead to the retention of the solid state of the amnioserosa. Our model accurately captures measured cell shape and orientation changes and predicts nonmonotonic junction tension that we confirm with laser ablation experiments.

Minimal vertex model explains how the amnioserosa avoids fluidization during Drosophila dorsal closure

Dorsal closure is a process that occurs during embryogenesis of Drosophila melanogaster . During dorsal closure, the amnioserosa (AS), a one-cell thick epithelial tissue that fills the dorsal opening, shrinks as the lateral epidermis sheets converge and eventually merge. During this process, both shape index and aspect ratio of amnioserosa cells increase markedly. The standard 2-dimensional vertex model, which successfully describes tissue sheet mechanics in multiple contexts, would in this case predict that the tissue should fluidize via cell neighbor changes. Surprisingly, however, the amnioserosa remains an elastic solid with no such events. We here present a minimal extension to the vertex model that explains how the amnioserosa can achieve this unexpected behavior. We show that continuous shrinkage of the preferred cell perimeter and cell perimeter polydispersity lead to the retention of the solid state of the amnioserosa. Our model accurately captures measured cell shape and orientation changes and predicts non-monotonic junction tension that we confirm with laser ablation experiments.

Significance Statement

During embryogenesis, cells in tissues can undergo significant shape changes. Many epithelial tissues fluidize, i.e. cells exchange neighbors, when the average cell shape index increases above a threshold value, consistent with the standard vertex model. During dorsal closure in Drosophila melanogaster , however, the amnioserosa tissue remains solid even as the average cell shape index increases well above threshold. We introduce perimeter polydispersity and allow the preferred cell perimeters, usually held fixed in vertex models, to decrease linearly with time as seen experimentally. With these extensions to the standard vertex model, we capture experimental observations quantitatively. Our results demonstrate that vertex models can describe the behavior of the amnioserosa in dorsal closure by allowing normally fixed parameters to vary with time.

Mechanical Heterogeneity in Tissues Promotes Rigidity and Controls Cellular Invasion

We study the influence of cell-level mechanical heterogeneity in epithelial tissues using a vertex-based model. Heterogeneity is introduced into the cell shape index (p_{0}) that tunes the stiffness at a single-cell level. The addition of heterogeneity can always enhance the mechanical rigidity of the epithelial layer by increasing its shear modulus, hence making it more rigid. There is an excellent scaling collapse of our data as a function of a single scaling variable f_{r}, which accounts for the overall fraction of rigid cells. We identify a universal threshold f_{r}^{*} that demarcates fluid versus solid tissues. Furthermore, this rigidity onset is far below the contact percolation threshold of rigid cells. These results give rise to a separation of rigidity and contact percolation processes that leads to distinct types of solid states. We also investigate the influence of heterogeneity on tumor invasion dynamics. There is an overall impedance of invasion as the tissue becomes more rigid. Invasion can also occur in an intermediate heterogeneous solid state that is characterized by significant spatial-temporal intermittency.

Universality class of explosive percolation in Barabási-Albert networks

In this work, we study explosive percolation (EP) in Barabási-Albert (BA) network, in which nodes are born with degree k = m, for both product rule (PR) and sum rule (SR) of the Achlioptas process. For m = 1 we find that the critical point t_c = 1 which is the maximum possible value of the relative link density t; Hence we cannot have access to the other phase like percolation in one dimension. However, for m > 1 we find that t_c decreases with increasing m and the critical exponents ν, α, β and γ for m > 1 are found to be independent not only of the value of m but also of PR and SR. It implies that they all belong to the same universality class like EP in the Erdös-Rényi network. Besides, the critical exponents obey the Rushbrooke inequality α + 2β + γ ≥ 2 but always close to equality.

    PACS numbers: 61.43.Hv, 64.60.Ht, 68.03.Fg, 82.70.Dd.

Explosive percolation on a scale-free multifractal weighted planar stochastic lattice

In this article, we investigate explosive bond percolation (EBP) with the product rule, formally known as the Achlioptas process, on a scale-free multifractal weighted planar stochastic lattice. One of the key features of the EBP transition is the delay, compared to the corresponding random bond percolation (RBP), in the onset of the spanning cluster. However, when it happens, it happens so dramatically that initially it was believed, although ultimately proved wrong, that explosive percolation (EP) exhibits a first-order transition. In the case of EP, much effort has been devoted to resolving the issue of its order of transition and almost no effort has been devoted to finding the critical point, critical exponents, etc., to classify it into universality classes. This is in sharp contrast to the situation for classical random percolation. We do not even know all the exponents of EP for a regular planar lattice or for an Erdös-Renyi network. We first find the critical point p_{c} numerically and then obtain all the critical exponents, β, γ, and ν, as well as the Fisher exponent τ and the fractal dimension d_{f} of the spanning cluster. We also compare our results for EBP with those for RBP and find that all the exponents of EBP obey the same scaling relations as do those for RBP. Our findings suggest that EBP is not special except for the fact that the exponent β is unusually small compared to that for RBP.

Universality class of site and bond percolation on multifractal scale-free planar stochastic lattice

In this article, we investigate both site and bond percolation on a weighted planar stochastic lattice (WPSL), which is a multifractal and whose dual is a scale-free network. The characteristic property of percolation is that it exhibits threshold phenomena as we find sudden or abrupt jump in spanning probability across p_{c} accompanied by the divergence of some other observable quantities, which is reminiscent of a continuous phase transition. Indeed, percolation is characterized by the critical behavior of percolation strength P(p)∼(p_{c}-p)^{β}, mean cluster size S∼(p_{c}-p)^{-γ}, and the system size L∼(p_{c}-p)^{-ν}, which are known as the equivalent counterpart of the order parameter, susceptibility, and correlation length, respectively. Moreover, the cluster size distribution function n_{s}(p_{c})∼s^{-τ} and the mass-length relation M∼L^{d_{f}} of the spanning cluster also provide useful characterization of the percolation process. We numerically obtain a value for p_{c} and for all the exponents such as β,ν,γ,τ, and d_{f}. We find that, except for p_{c}, all the exponents are exactly the same in both bond and site percolation despite the significant difference in the definition of cluster and other quantities. Our results suggest that the percolation on WPSL belongs to a new universality class, as its exponents do not share the same value as for all the existing planar lattices. Besides, like all other cases, its site and bond type belong to the same universality class.

Interlocking-induced stiffness in stochastically microcracked materials beyond the transport percolation threshold

We study the mechanical behavior of two-dimensional, stochastically microcracked continua in the range of crack densities close to, and above, the transport percolation threshold. We show that these materials retain stiffness up to crack densities much larger than the transport percolation threshold due to topological interlocking of sample subdomains. Even with a linear constitutive law for the continuum, the mechanical behavior becomes nonlinear in the range of crack densities bounded by the transport and stiffness percolation thresholds. The effect is due to the fractal nature of the fragmentation process and is not linked to the roughness of individual cracks.

Percolation on a multifractal scale-free planar stochastic lattice and its universality class

We investigate site percolation on a weighted planar stochastic lattice (WPSL), which is a multifractal and whose dual is a scale-free network. Percolation is typically characterized by a threshold value p(c) at which a transition occurs and by a set of critical exponents β, γ, ν which describe the critical behavior of the percolation probability P(p), mean cluster size S(p), and the correlation length ξ. Besides, the exponent τ characterizes the cluster size distribution function n(s)(p(c)) and the fractal dimension d(f) characterizes the spanning cluster. We numerically obtain the value of p(c) and of all the exponents. These results suggest that the percolation on WPSL belong to a separate universality class than on all other planar lattices.

Dimer covering and percolation frustration

Covering a graph or a lattice with nonoverlapping dimers is a problem that has received considerable interest in areas, such as discrete mathematics, statistical physics, chemistry, and materials science. Yet, the problem of percolation on dimer-covered lattices has received little attention. In particular, percolation on lattices that are fully covered by nonoverlapping dimers has not evidently been considered. Here, we propose a procedure for generating random dimer coverings of a given lattice. We then compute the bond percolation threshold on random and ordered coverings of the square and the triangular lattices on the remaining bonds connecting the dimers. We obtain p_{c}=0.367713(2) and p_{c}=0.235340(1) for random coverings of the square and the triangular lattices, respectively. We observe that the percolation frustration induced as a result of dimer covering is larger in the low-coordination-number square lattice. There is also no relationship between the existence of long-range order in a covering of the square lattice and its percolation threshold. In particular, an ordered covering of the square lattice, denoted by shifted covering in this paper, has an unusually low percolation threshold and is topologically identical to the triangular lattice. This is in contrast to the other ordered dimer coverings considered in this paper, which have higher percolation thresholds than the random covering. In the case of the triangular lattice, the percolation thresholds of the ordered and random coverings are very close, suggesting the lack of sensitivity of the percolation threshold to microscopic details of the covering in highly coordinated networks.

Percolation analysis in electrical conductivity of Madin-Darby canine kidney and Caco-2 cells by permeation-enhancing agents

The control of permeability through the paracellular route has been paid great attention to for enhanced bioavailability of macromolecular and hydrophilic drugs. The paracellular permeability is controlled by tight junctions (TJ), and claudins are the major constituents of TJ. Despite numerous studies on TJ modulation, the dynamics is not well understood, although it could be crucial for clinical applications. Here, we studied the time (t) course of electrical conductivity (Σ) in a monolayer of Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) and Caco-2 cells upon treatment with modulators, the C-terminus fragments of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (C-CPE) and sodium caprate (C10). For C-CPE treatment, Σ remains approximately constant, then starts increasing at t=tc (percolation threshold). For C10, on the other hand, Σ increases to 1.6-2.0 fold of the initial value, stays constant, and then starts increasing again for both MDCK and Caco-2 cells at t=tc. We find that this behavior can be explained within a framework of percolation, where Σ shows a logarithmic dependence on t-tc with the power of μ; μ denotes the critical exponent. We obtain μ=1.1-1.2 regardless of cell type or modulator. Notably, μ depends only on the dimensionality (d) of the system, and these values correspond to those for d=2. Percolation is thus the operative mechanism for the increase in Σ through TJ modulation. The findings provide fundamental knowledge, not only on controlled drug delivery, but also on bio-nanotechnologies including the fabrication of biological devices.

Percolation thresholds on planar Euclidean relative-neighborhood graphs

In the present article, statistical properties regarding the topology and standard percolation on relative neighborhood graphs (RNGs) for planar sets of points, considering the Euclidean metric, are put under scrutiny. RNGs belong to the family of "proximity graphs"; i.e., their edgeset encodes proximity information regarding the close neighbors for the terminal nodes of a given edge. Therefore they are, e.g., discussed in the context of the construction of backbones for wireless ad hoc networks that guarantee connectedness of all underlying nodes. Here, by means of numerical simulations, we determine the asymptotic degree and diameter of RNGs and we estimate their bond and site percolation thresholds, which were previously conjectured to be nontrivial. We compare the results to regular 2D graphs for which the degree is close to that of the RNG. Finally, we deduce the common percolation critical exponents from the RNG data to verify that the associated universality class is that of standard 2D percolation.

Prospects for nanowire-doped polycrystalline graphene films for ultratransparent, highly conductive electrodes

Traditional transparent conducting materials such as ITO are expensive, brittle, and inflexible. Although alternatives like networks of carbon nanotubes, polycrystalline graphene, and metallic nanowires have been proposed, the transparency-conductivity trade-off of these materials makes them inappropriate for broad range of applications. In this paper, we show that the conductivity of polycrystalline graphene is limited by high resistance grain boundaries. We demonstrate that a composite based on polycrystalline graphene and a subpercolating network of metallic nanowires offers a simple and effective route to reduced resistance while maintaining high transmittance. This new approach of "percolation-doping by nanowires" has the potential to beat the transparency-conductivity constraints of existing materials and may be suitable for broad applications in photovoltaics, flexible electronics, and displays.

Percolation thresholds on two-dimensional Voronoi networks and Delaunay triangulations

The site percolation threshold for the random Voronoi network is determined numerically, with the result pc=0.714 10+/-0.000,02 , using Monte Carlo simulation on periodic systems of up to 40,000 sites. The result is very close to the recent theoretical estimate pc approximately 0.7151 of Neher For the bond threshold on the Voronoi network, we find pc=0.666, 931+/-0.000,005 implying that, for its dual, the Delaunay triangulation pc=0.333 069+/-0.000 005 . These results rule out the conjecture by Hsu and Huang that the bond thresholds are 2/3 and 1/3, respectively, but support the conjecture of Wierman that, for fully triangulated lattices other than the regular triangular lattice, the bond threshold is less than 2 sin pi/18 approximately 0.3473 .

Lateral diffusion and percolation in membranes

An algorithm based on Voronoi tessellation and percolation theory is presented to study the diffusion of model membrane components (solutes) in the plasma membrane. The membrane is modeled as a two-dimensional space with integral membrane proteins as static obstacles. The Voronoi diagram consists of vertices, which are equidistant from three matrix obstacles, joined by edges. An edge between two vertices is said to be connected if solute particles can pass directly between the two regions. The percolation threshold, pc, determined using this passage criterion is pc approximately equal to 0.53. This is smaller than if the connectivity of edges were assigned randomly, in which case the percolation threshold pr=2/3, where p is the fraction of connected edges. Molecular dynamics simulations show that diffusion is determined by percolation of clusters of edges.

Universal scaling functions for bond percolation on planar-random and square lattices with multiple percolating clusters

Percolation models with multiple percolating clusters have attracted much attention in recent years. Here we use Monte Carlo simulations to study bond percolation on L1xL2 planar random lattices, duals of random lattices, and square lattices with free and periodic boundary conditions, in vertical and horizontal directions, respectively, and with various aspect ratios L(1)/L(2). We calculate the probability for the appearance of n percolating clusters, W(n); the percolating probabilities P; the average fraction of lattice bonds (sites) in the percolating clusters, <c(b)>(n) (<c(s)>(n)), and the probability distribution function for the fraction c of lattice bonds (sites), in percolating clusters of subgraphs with n percolating clusters, f(n)(c(b)) [f(n)(c(s))]. Using a small number of nonuniversal metric factors, we find that W(n), P, <c(b)>(n) (<c(s)>(n)), and f(n)(c(b)) [f(n)(c(s))] for random lattices, duals of random lattices, and square lattices have the same universal finite-size scaling functions. We also find that nonuniversal metric factors are independent of boundary conditions and aspect ratios.