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Javier Buceta

Publications and source records attributed to Javier Buceta.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Comprehensive study of pattern formation in relaxational systems.

We present a comprehensive study of pattern formation in single-field relaxational systems with field-dependent coefficients. A modulated mean-field theory leads to a form amenable to analysis via the geometric architecture developed in our earlier work for systems that exhibit phase transitions between global steady states [Phys. Rev. E 69, 011102 (2004)]. We demonstrate that the phase diagrams for these systems are entirely determined by a few geometric properties of the field-dependent relaxational coefficient and the local potential. Numerical simulations support the theoretical predictions.

Journal Article↗

Generation of dynamic structures in nonequilibrium reactive bilayers.

We present a nonequlibrium approach for the study of a flexible bilayer whose two components induce distinct curvatures. In turn, the two components are interconverted by an externally promoted reaction. Phase separation of the two species in the surface results in the growth of domains characterized by different local composition and curvature modulations. This domain growth is limited by the effective mixing due to the interconversion reaction, leading to a finite characteristic domain size. In addition to these effects, first introduced in our earlier work [Phys. Rev. E 71, 051906 (2005)], the important new feature is the assumption that the reactive process actively affects the local curvature of the bilayer. Specifically, we suggest that a force energetically activated by external sources causes a modification of the shape of the membrane at the reaction site. Our results show the appearance of a rich and robust dynamical phenomenology that includes the generation of traveling and/or oscillatory patterns. Linear stability analysis, amplitude equations, and numerical simulations of the model kinetic equations confirm the occurrence of these spatiotemporal behaviors in nonequilibrium reactive bilayers.

Computer Simulation↗

Nodal cilia dynamics and the specification of the left/right axis in early vertebrate embryo development.

Nodal cilia dynamics is a key factor for left/right axis determination in mouse embryos through the induction of a leftward fluid flow. So far it has not been clearly established how such dynamics is able to induce the asymmetric leftward flow within the node. Herein we propose that an asymmetric two-phase nonplanar beating cilia dynamics that involves the bending of the ciliar axoneme is responsible for the leftward fluid flow. We support our proposal with a host of hydrodynamic arguments, in silico experiments and in vivo video microscopy data in wild-type embryos and inv mutants. Our phenomenological modeling approach underscores how the asymmetry and speed of the flow depends on different relevant parameters. In addition, we discuss how the combination of internal and external mechanisms might cause the two-phase beating cilia dynamics.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Nonequilibrium patterns and shape fluctuations in reactive membranes.

A simple kinetic model of a two-component deformable and reactive bilayer is presented. The two differently shaped components are interconverted by a nonequilibrium reaction, and a phenomenological coupling between local composition and curvature is proposed. When the two components are not miscible, linear stability analysis predicts, and numerical simulations show, the formation of stationary nonequilibrium composition/curvature patterns whose typical size is determined by the reactive process. For miscible components, a linearization of the dynamic equations is performed in order to evaluate the correlation function for shape fluctuations from which the behavior of these systems in micropipet aspiration experiments can be predicted.

Computer Simulation↗