15,966 research outputs found
Current reversal and exclusion processes with history-dependent random walks
A class of exclusion processes in which particles perform history-dependent
random walks is introduced, stimulated by dynamic phenomena in some biological
and artificial systems. The particles locally interact with the underlying
substrate by breaking and reforming lattice bonds. We determine the
steady-state current on a ring, and find current-reversal as a function of
particle density. This phenomenon is attributed to the non-local interaction
between the walkers through their trails, which originates from strong
correlations between the dynamics of the particles and the lattice. We
rationalize our findings within an effective description in terms of
quasi-particles which we call front barriers. Our analytical results are
complemented by stochastic simulations.Comment: 5 pages, 6 figure
Stiff Polymers, Foams and Fiber Networks
We study the elasticity of fibrous materials composed of generalized stiff
polymers. It is shown that in contrast to cellular foam-like structures affine
strain fields are generically unstable. Instead, a subtle interplay between the
architecture of the network and the elastic properties of its building blocks
leads to intriguing mechanical properties with intermediate asymptotic scaling
regimes. We present exhaustive numerical studies based on a finite element
method complemented by scaling arguments.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure
Elasticity of Stiff Polymer Networks
We study the elasticity of a two-dimensional random network of rigid rods
(``Mikado model''). The essential features incorporated into the model are the
anisotropic elasticity of the rods and the random geometry of the network. We
show that there are three distinct scaling regimes, characterized by two
distinct length scales on the elastic backbone. In addition to a critical
rigidiy percolation region and a homogeneously elastic regime we find a novel
intermediate scaling regime, where elasticity is dominated by bending
deformations.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Validity of the Law of Mass Action in Three-Dimensional Coagulation Processes
Diffusion-limited reactions are studied in detail on the classical coalescing process. We demonstrate how, with the aid of a recent renormalization group approach, fluctuations can be integrated systematically. We thereby obtain an exact relation between the microscopic physics (lattice structure and particle shape and size) and the macroscopic decay rate in the law of mass action. Moreover, we find a strong violation of the law of mass action. The corresponding term in the kinetic equations originates in longwavelength fluctuations and is a universal function of the macroscopic decay rate
Physical limitations to the spatial resolution of solid-state detectors
In this paper we explore the effect of -ray emission, fluctuations in
th e signal deposition on the detection of charged particles in silicon-based
detec tors. We show that these two effects ultimately limit the resolution that
can be achieved by interpolation of the signal in finely segmented
position-sensitive solid-state devices.Comment: 5 page
Filamin cross-linked semiflexible networks: Fragility under strain
The semiflexible F-actin network of the cytoskeleton is cross-linked by a
variety of proteins including filamin, which contain Ig-domains that unfold
under applied tension. We examine a simple semiflexible network model
cross-linked by such unfolding linkers that captures the main mechanical
features of F-actin networks cross-linked by filamin proteins and show that
under sufficiently high strain the network spontaneously self-organizes so that
an appreciable fraction of the filamin cross-linkers are at the threshold of
domain unfolding. We propose an explanation of this organization based on a
mean-field model and suggest a qualitative experimental signature of this type
of network reorganization under applied strain that may be observable in
intracellular microrheology experiments of Crocker et al.Comment: 4 Pages, 3 figures, Revtex4, submitted to PR
The use of happiness research for public policy
Research on happiness tends to follow a "benevolent dictator" approach where politicians pursue people's happiness. This paper takes an antithetic approach based on the insights of public choice theory. First, we inquire how the results of happiness research may be used to improve the choice of institutions. Second, we show that the policy approach matters for the choice of research questions and the kind of knowledge happiness research aims to provide. Third, we emphasize that there is no shortcut to an optimal policy maximizing some happiness indicator or social welfare function since governments have an incentive to manipulate this indicator
Scaling and universality in coupled driven diffusive models
Inspired by the physics of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) a simplified coupled
Burgers-like model in one dimension (1d), a generalization of the Burgers model
to coupled degrees of freedom, is proposed to describe 1dMHD. In addition to
MHD, this model serves as a 1d reduced model for driven binary fluid mixtures.
Here we have performed a comprehensive study of the universal properties of the
generalized d-dimensional version of the reduced model. We employ both
analytical and numerical approaches. In particular, we determine the scaling
exponents and the amplitude-ratios of the relevant two-point time-dependent
correlation functions in the model. We demonstrate that these quantities vary
continuously with the amplitude of the noise cross-correlation. Further our
numerical studies corroborate the continuous dependence of long wavelength and
long time-scale physics of the model on the amplitude of the noise
cross-correlations, as found in our analytical studies. We construct and
simulate lattice-gas models of coupled degrees of freedom in 1d, belonging to
the universality class of our coupled Burgers-like model, which display similar
behavior. We use a variety of numerical (Monte-Carlo and Pseudospectral
methods) and analytical (Dynamic Renormalization Group, Self-Consistent
Mode-Coupling Theory and Functional Renormalization Group) approaches for our
work. The results from our different approaches complement one another.
Possible realizations of our results in various nonequilibrium models are
discussed.Comment: To appear in JSTAT (2009); 52 pages in JSTAT format. Some figure
files have been replace
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