State Concentration Exponent as a Measure of Quickness in Kauffman-type Networks

We study the dynamics of randomly connected networks composed of binary Boolean elements and those composed of binary majority vote elements. We elucidate their differences in both sparsely and densely connected cases. The quickness of large network dynamics is usually quantified by the length of transient paths, an analytically intractable measure. For discrete-time dynamics of networks of binary elements, we address this dilemma with an alternative unified framework by using a concept termed state concentration, defined as the exponent of the average number of t-step ancestors in state transition graphs. The state transition graph is defined by nodes corresponding to network states and directed links corresponding to transitions. Using this exponent, we interrogate the dynamics of random Boolean and majority vote networks. We find that extremely sparse Boolean networks and majority vote networks with arbitrary density achieve quickness, owing in part to long-tailed in-degree distributions. As a corollary, only relatively dense majority vote networks can achieve both quickness and robustness.Comment: 6 figure

Statistical physics of independent component analysis

Statistical physics is used to investigate independent component analysis with polynomial contrast functions. While the replica method fails, an adapted cavity approach yields valid results. The learning curves, obtained in a suitable thermodynamic limit, display a first order phase transition from poor to perfect generalization.Comment: 7 pages, 1 figure, to appear in Europhys. Lett

Les bassins quaternaires du Sahel central de la Tunisie : genèse et évolution des sebkhas en contexte décrochant compressif et distensif

Les études géologiques et les profils sismiques du Sahel central de la Tunisie suggèrent que la genèse et l'évolution des lagunes côtières et des sebkhas de cette région ont été contrôlés par une tectonique décrochante compressive post-villafranchienne, suivie de mouvements distensifs décrochants d'âge tyrrhénie

Nonlinear force-free and potential field models of active-region and global coronal fields during the Whole Heliospheric Interval

Between 2008/3/24 and 2008/4/2, the three active regions NOAA active regions 10987, 10988 and 10989 were observed daily by the Synoptic Optical Long-term Investigations of the Sun (SOLIS) Vector Spectro-Magnetograph (VSM) while they traversed the solar disk. We use these measurements and the nonlinear force-free magnetic field code XTRAPOL to reconstruct the coronal magnetic field for each active region and compare model field lines with images from the Solar Terrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO) and Hinode X-ray Telescope (XRT) telescopes. Synoptic maps made from continuous, round-the-clock Global Oscillations Network Group (GONG) magnetograms provide information on the global photospheric field and potential-field source-surface models based on these maps describe the global coronal field during the Whole Heliospheric Interval (WHI) and its neighboring rotations. Features of the modeled global field, such as the coronal holes and streamer belt locations, are discussed in comparison with extreme ultra-violet and coronagraph observations from STEREO. The global field is found to be far from a minimum, dipolar state. From the nonlinear models we compute physical quantities for the active regions such as the photospheric magnetic and electric current fluxes, the free magnetic energy and the relative helicity for each region each day where observations permit. The interconnectivity of the three regions is addressed in the context of the potential-field source-surface model. Using local and global quantities derived from the models, we briefly discuss the different observed activity levels of the regions.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Solar Physics Whole Heliospheric Interval (WHI) topical issue. We had difficulty squeezing this paper into arXiv's 15 Mb limit. The full paper is available here ftp://gong2.nso.edu/dsds_user/petrie/PetrieCanouAmari.pd

Field Theoretical Analysis of On-line Learning of Probability Distributions

On-line learning of probability distributions is analyzed from the field theoretical point of view. We can obtain an optimal on-line learning algorithm, since renormalization group enables us to control the number of degrees of freedom of a system according to the number of examples. We do not learn parameters of a model, but probability distributions themselves. Therefore, the algorithm requires no a priori knowledge of a model.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, RevTe

Information measures based on Tsallis' entropy and geometric considerations for thermodynamic systems

An analysis of the thermodynamic behavior of quantum systems can be performed from a geometrical perspective investigating the structure of the state space. We have developed such an analysis for nonextensive thermostatistical frameworks, making use of the q-divergence derived from Tsallis' entropy. Generalized expressions for operator variance and covariance are considered, in terms of which the fundamental tensor is given.Comment: contribution to 3rd NEXT-SigmaPhi International Conference (August 2005, Kolymbari, Greece

Storage and recall of weak coherent optical pulses with an efficiency of 25%

We demonstrate experimentally a quantum memory scheme for the storage of weak coherent light pulses in an inhomogeneously broadened optical transition in a Pr^{3+}: YSO crystal at 2.1 K. Precise optical pumping using a frequency stable (about 1kHz linewidth) laser is employed to create a highly controllable Atomic Frequency Comb (AFC) structure. We report single photon storage and retrieval efficiencies of 25%, based on coherent photon echo type re-emission in the forward direction. The coherence property of the quantum memory is proved through interference between a super Gaussian pulse and the emitted echo. Backward retrieval of the photon echo emission has potential for increasing storage and recall efficiency.Comment: 5,

A survey on fiber nonlinearity compensation for 400 Gbps and beyond optical communication systems

Optical communication systems represent the backbone of modern communication networks. Since their deployment, different fiber technologies have been used to deal with optical fiber impairments such as dispersion-shifted fibers and dispersion-compensation fibers. In recent years, thanks to the introduction of coherent detection based systems, fiber impairments can be mitigated using digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms. Coherent systems are used in the current 100 Gbps wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) standard technology. They allow the increase of spectral efficiency by using multi-level modulation formats, and are combined with DSP techniques to combat the linear fiber distortions. In addition to linear impairments, the next generation 400 Gbps/1 Tbps WDM systems are also more affected by the fiber nonlinearity due to the Kerr effect. At high input power, the fiber nonlinear effects become more important and their compensation is required to improve the transmission performance. Several approaches have been proposed to deal with the fiber nonlinearity. In this paper, after a brief description of the Kerr-induced nonlinear effects, a survey on the fiber nonlinearity compensation (NLC) techniques is provided. We focus on the well-known NLC techniques and discuss their performance, as well as their implementation and complexity. An extension of the inter-subcarrier nonlinear interference canceler approach is also proposed. A performance evaluation of the well-known NLC techniques and the proposed approach is provided in the context of Nyquist and super-Nyquist superchannel systems.Comment: Accepted in the IEEE Communications Surveys and Tutorial