2,301 research outputs found
Symmetry in Critical Random Boolean Network Dynamics
Using Boolean networks as prototypical examples, the role of symmetry in the
dynamics of heterogeneous complex systems is explored. We show that symmetry of
the dynamics, especially in critical states, is a controlling feature that can
be used both to greatly simplify analysis and to characterize different types
of dynamics. Symmetry in Boolean networks is found by determining the frequency
at which the various Boolean output functions occur. There are classes of
functions that consist of Boolean functions that behave similarly. These
classes are orbits of the controlling symmetry group. We find that the symmetry
that controls the critical random Boolean networks is expressed through the
frequency by which output functions are utilized by nodes that remain active on
dynamical attractors. This symmetry preserves canalization, a form of network
robustness. We compare it to a different symmetry known to control the dynamics
of an evolutionary process that allows Boolean networks to organize into a
critical state. Our results demonstrate the usefulness and power of using the
symmetry of the behavior of the nodes to characterize complex network dynamics,
and introduce a novel approach to the analysis of heterogeneous complex
systems
Recent results in Euclidean dynamical triangulations
We study a formulation of lattice gravity defined via Euclidean dynamical
triangulations (EDT). After fine-tuning a non-trivial local measure term we
find evidence that four-dimensional, semi-classical geometries are recovered at
long distance scales in the continuum limit. Furthermore, we find that the
spectral dimension at short distance scales is consistent with 3/2, a value
that is also observed in the causal dynamical triangulation (CDT) approach to
quantum gravity.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures. Proceedings for the 3rd conference of the Polish
society on relativit
Lattice Quantum Gravity and Asymptotic Safety
We study the nonperturbative formulation of quantum gravity defined via
Euclidean dynamical triangulations (EDT) in an attempt to make contact with
Weinberg's asymptotic safety scenario. We find that a fine-tuning is necessary
in order to recover semiclassical behavior. Such a fine-tuning is generally
associated with the breaking of a target symmetry by the lattice regulator; in
this case we argue that the target symmetry is the general coordinate
invariance of the theory. After introducing and fine-tuning a nontrivial local
measure term, we find no barrier to taking a continuum limit, and we find
evidence that four-dimensional, semiclassical geometries are recovered at long
distance scales in the continuum limit. We also find that the spectral
dimension at short distance scales is consistent with 3/2, a value that could
resolve the tension between asymptotic safety and the holographic entropy
scaling of black holes. We argue that the number of relevant couplings in the
continuum theory is one, once symmetry breaking by the lattice regulator is
accounted for. Such a theory is maximally predictive, with no adjustable
parameters. The cosmological constant in Planck units is the only relevant
parameter, which serves to set the lattice scale. The cosmological constant in
Planck units is of order 1 in the ultraviolet and undergoes renormalization
group running to small values in the infrared. If these findings hold up under
further scrutiny, the lattice may provide a nonperturbative definition of a
renormalizable quantum field theory of general relativity with no adjustable
parameters and a cosmological constant that is naturally small in the infrared.Comment: 69 pages, 25 figures. Revised discussion of target symmetry
throughout paper. Numerical results unchanged and main conclusions largely
unchanged. Added references and corrected typos. Conforms with version
published in Phys. Rev.
Phase Diagram for a 2-D Two-Temperature Diffusive XY Model
Using Monte Carlo simulations, we determine the phase diagram of a diffusive
two-temperature XY model. When the two temperatures are equal the system
becomes the equilibrium XY model with the continuous Kosterlitz-Thouless (KT)
vortex-antivortex unbinding phase transition. When the two temperatures are
unequal the system is driven by an energy flow through the system from the
higher temperature heat-bath to the lower temperature one and reaches a
far-from-equilibrium steady state. We show that the nonequilibrium phase
diagram contains three phases: A homogenous disordered phase and two phases
with long range, spin-wave order. Two critical lines, representing continuous
phase transitions from a homogenous disordered phase to two phases of long
range order, meet at the equilibrium the KT point. The shape of the
nonequilibrium critical lines as they approach the KT point is described by a
crossover exponent of phi = 2.52 \pm 0.05. Finally, we suggest that the
transition between the two phases with long-range order is first-order, making
the KT-point where all three phases meet a bicritical point.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure
All scale-free networks are sparse
We study the realizability of scale free-networks with a given degree
sequence, showing that the fraction of realizable sequences undergoes two
first-order transitions at the values 0 and 2 of the power-law exponent. We
substantiate this finding by analytical reasoning and by a numerical method,
proposed here, based on extreme value arguments, which can be applied to any
given degree distribution. Our results reveal a fundamental reason why large
scale-free networks without constraints on minimum and maximum degree must be
sparse.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure
Information processing and signal integration in bacterial quorum sensing
Bacteria communicate using secreted chemical signaling molecules called
autoinducers in a process known as quorum sensing. The quorum-sensing network
of the marine bacterium {\it Vibrio harveyi} employs three autoinducers, each
known to encode distinct ecological information. Yet how cells integrate and
interpret the information contained within the three autoinducer signals
remains a mystery. Here, we develop a new framework for analyzing signal
integration based on Information Theory and use it to analyze quorum sensing in
{\it V. harveyi}. We quantify how much the cells can learn about individual
autoinducers and explain the experimentally observed input-output relation of
the {\it V. harveyi} quorum-sensing circuit. Our results suggest that the need
to limit interference between input signals places strong constraints on the
architecture of bacterial signal-integration networks, and that bacteria likely
have evolved active strategies for minimizing this interference. Here we
analyze two such strategies: manipulation of autoinducer production and
feedback on receptor number ratios.Comment: Supporting information is in appendi
Eigenvalue Separation in Some Random Matrix Models
The eigenvalue density for members of the Gaussian orthogonal and unitary
ensembles follows the Wigner semi-circle law. If the Gaussian entries are all
shifted by a constant amount c/Sqrt(2N), where N is the size of the matrix, in
the large N limit a single eigenvalue will separate from the support of the
Wigner semi-circle provided c > 1. In this study, using an asymptotic analysis
of the secular equation for the eigenvalue condition, we compare this effect to
analogous effects occurring in general variance Wishart matrices and matrices
from the shifted mean chiral ensemble. We undertake an analogous comparative
study of eigenvalue separation properties when the size of the matrices are
fixed and c goes to infinity, and higher rank analogues of this setting. This
is done using exact expressions for eigenvalue probability densities in terms
of generalized hypergeometric functions, and using the interpretation of the
latter as a Green function in the Dyson Brownian motion model. For the shifted
mean Gaussian unitary ensemble and its analogues an alternative approach is to
use exact expressions for the correlation functions in terms of classical
orthogonal polynomials and associated multiple generalizations. By using these
exact expressions to compute and plot the eigenvalue density, illustrations of
the various eigenvalue separation effects are obtained.Comment: 25 pages, 9 figures include
Competition in Social Networks: Emergence of a Scale-free Leadership Structure and Collective Efficiency
Using the minority game as a model for competition dynamics, we investigate
the effects of inter-agent communications on the global evolution of the
dynamics of a society characterized by competition for limited resources. The
agents communicate across a social network with small-world character that
forms the static substrate of a second network, the influence network, which is
dynamically coupled to the evolution of the game. The influence network is a
directed network, defined by the inter-agent communication links on the
substrate along which communicated information is acted upon. We show that the
influence network spontaneously develops hubs with a broad distribution of
in-degrees, defining a robust leadership structure that is scale-free.
Furthermore, in realistic parameter ranges, facilitated by information exchange
on the network, agents can generate a high degree of cooperation making the
collective almost maximally efficient.Comment: 4 pages, 2 postscript figures include
Rescue nasopharyngeal tube for preterm infants non-responsive to initial ventilation after birth
BACKGROUND
Physiological changes during the insertion of a rescue nasopharyngeal tube (NPT) after birth are unclear.
METHODS
Observational study of very preterm infants in the delivery room. Data were extracted at predefined timepoints starting with first facemask placement after birth until 5 min after insertion of NPT. End-expiratory lung impedance (EELI), heart rate (HR) and SpO/FiO-ratio were analysed over time. Changes during the same time span of NIPPV via facemask and NIPPV via NPT were compared.
RESULTS
Overall, 1154 inflations in 15 infants were analysed. After NPT insertion, EELI increased significantly [0.33 AU/kg (0.19-0.57), p < 0.001]. Compared with the mask period, changes in EELI were not significantly larger during the NPT period [median difference (IQR) = 0.14 AU/kg (-0.14-0.53); p = 0.12]. Insertion of the NPT was associated with significant improvement in HR [52 (33-96); p = 0.001] and SpO/FiO-ratio [161 (69-169); p < 0.001] not observed during the mask period.
CONCLUSIONS
In very preterm infants non-responsive to initial facemask ventilation after birth, insertion of an NPT resulted in a considerable increase in EELI. This additional gain in lung volume was associated with an immediate improvement in clinical parameters. The use of a NPT may prevent intubation in selected non-responsive infants.
IMPACT
After birth, a nasopharyngeal tube may be considered as a rescue airway in newborn infants non-responsive to initial positive pressure ventilation via facemask. Although it is widely used among clinicians, its effect on lung volumes and physiological parameters remains unclear. Insertion of a rescue NPT resulted in a considerable increase in lung volume but this was not significantly larger than during facemask ventilation. However, insertion of a rescue NPT was associated with a significant and clinically important improvement in heart rate and oxygenation. This study highlights the importance of individual strategies in preterm resuscitation and introduces the NPT as a valid option
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