71 research outputs found
Lack of consensus in social systems
We propose an exactly solvable model for the dynamics of voters in a
two-party system. The opinion formation process is modeled on a random network
of agents. The dynamical nature of interpersonal relations is also reflected in
the model, as the connections in the network evolve with the dynamics of the
voters. In the infinite time limit, an exact solution predicts the emergence of
consensus, for arbitrary initial conditions. However, before consensus is
reached, two different metastable states can persist for exponentially long
times. One state reflects a perfect balancing of opinions, the other reflects a
completely static situation. An estimate of the associated lifetimes suggests
that lack of consensus is typical for large systems.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. Let
On alternative approaches to Lorentz violation in loop quantum gravity inspired models
Recent claims point out that possible violations of Lorentz symmetry
appearing in some semiclassical models of extended matter dynamics motivated by
loop quantum gravity can be removed by a different choice of canonically
conjugated variables. In this note we show that such alternative is
inconsistent with the choice of variables in the underlying quantum theory
together with the semiclassical approximation, as long as the correspondence
principle is maintained. A consistent choice will violate standard Lorentz
invariance. Thus, to preserve a relativity principle in this framework, the
linear realization of Lorentz symmetry should be extended or superseded.Comment: 4 pages, revtex4, no figures, references adde
Reactive dynamics of inertial particles in nonhyperbolic chaotic flows
Anomalous kinetics of infective (e.g., autocatalytic) reactions in open,
nonhyperbolic chaotic flows are important for many applications in biological,
chemical, and environmental sciences. We present a scaling theory for the
singular enhancement of the production caused by the universal, underlying
fractal patterns. The key dynamical invariant quantities are the effective
fractal dimension and effective escape rate, which are primarily determined by
the hyperbolic components of the underlying dynamical invariant sets. The
theory is general as it includes all previously studied hyperbolic reactive
dynamics as a special case. We introduce a class of dissipative embedding maps
for numerical verification.Comment: Revtex, 5 pages, 2 gif figure
Quantum Gravitational Corrections to the Real Klein-Gordon Field in the Presence of a Minimal Length
The (D+1)-dimensional -two-parameter Lorentz-covariant
deformed algebra introduced by Quesne and Tkachuk [C. Quesne and V. M. Tkachuk,
J. Phys. A: Math. Gen. \textbf {39}, 10909 (2006).], leads to a nonzero minimal
uncertainty in position (minimal length). The Klein-Gordon equation in a
(3+1)-dimensional space-time described by Quesne-Tkachuk Lorentz-covariant
deformed algebra is studied in the case where up to first order
over deformation parameter . It is shown that the modified Klein-Gordon
equation which contains fourth-order derivative of the wave function describes
two massive particles with different masses. We have shown that physically
acceptable mass states can only exist for which
leads to an isotropic minimal length in the interval . Finally, we have shown that the above estimation of
minimal length is in good agreement with the results obtained in previous
investigations.Comment: 10 pages, no figur
Coevolution of Glauber-like Ising dynamics on typical networks
We consider coevolution of site status and link structures from two different
initial networks: a one dimensional Ising chain and a scale free network. The
dynamics is governed by a preassigned stability parameter , and a rewiring
factor , that determines whether the Ising spin at the chosen site flips
or whether the node gets rewired to another node in the system. This dynamics
has also been studied with Ising spins distributed randomly among nodes which
lie on a network with preferential attachment. We have observed the steady
state average stability and magnetisation for both kinds of systems to have an
idea about the effect of initial network topology. Although the average
stability shows almost similar behaviour, the magnetisation depends on the
initial condition we start from. Apart from the local dynamics, the global
effect on the dynamics has also been studied. These parameters show interesting
variations for different values of and , which helps in determining
the steady-state condition for a given substrate.Comment: 8 pages, 10 figure
Implications of Minimal Length Scale on the Statistical Mechanics of Ideal Gas
Several alternative approaches to quantum gravity problem suggest the
modification of the {\it fundamental volume } of the accessible
phase space for representative points. This modified fundamental volume has a
novel momentum dependence. In this paper, we study the effects of this
modification on the thermodynamics of an ideal gas within the microcanonical
ensemble and using the generalized uncertainty principle(GUP). Although the
induced modifications are important only in quantum gravity era, possible
experimental manifestation of these effects may provides strong support for
underlying quantum gravity proposal.Comment: 14 Pages, No Figures, Title Changed, Revised Versio
The Naming Game in Social Networks: Community Formation and Consensus Engineering
We study the dynamics of the Naming Game [Baronchelli et al., (2006) J. Stat.
Mech.: Theory Exp. P06014] in empirical social networks. This stylized
agent-based model captures essential features of agreement dynamics in a
network of autonomous agents, corresponding to the development of shared
classification schemes in a network of artificial agents or opinion spreading
and social dynamics in social networks. Our study focuses on the impact that
communities in the underlying social graphs have on the outcome of the
agreement process. We find that networks with strong community structure hinder
the system from reaching global agreement; the evolution of the Naming Game in
these networks maintains clusters of coexisting opinions indefinitely. Further,
we investigate agent-based network strategies to facilitate convergence to
global consensus.Comment: The original publication is available at
http://www.springerlink.com/content/70370l311m1u0ng3
Opinion dynamics: models, extensions and external effects
Recently, social phenomena have received a lot of attention not only from
social scientists, but also from physicists, mathematicians and computer
scientists, in the emerging interdisciplinary field of complex system science.
Opinion dynamics is one of the processes studied, since opinions are the
drivers of human behaviour, and play a crucial role in many global challenges
that our complex world and societies are facing: global financial crises,
global pandemics, growth of cities, urbanisation and migration patterns, and
last but not least important, climate change and environmental sustainability
and protection. Opinion formation is a complex process affected by the
interplay of different elements, including the individual predisposition, the
influence of positive and negative peer interaction (social networks playing a
crucial role in this respect), the information each individual is exposed to,
and many others. Several models inspired from those in use in physics have been
developed to encompass many of these elements, and to allow for the
identification of the mechanisms involved in the opinion formation process and
the understanding of their role, with the practical aim of simulating opinion
formation and spreading under various conditions. These modelling schemes range
from binary simple models such as the voter model, to multi-dimensional
continuous approaches. Here, we provide a review of recent methods, focusing on
models employing both peer interaction and external information, and
emphasising the role that less studied mechanisms, such as disagreement, has in
driving the opinion dynamics. [...]Comment: 42 pages, 6 figure
Deformed phase space in a two dimensional minisuperspace model
We study the effects of noncommutativity and deformed Heisenberg algebra on
the evolution of a two dimensional minisuperspace cosmological model in
classical and quantum regimes. The phase space variables turn out to correspond
to the scale factor of a flat FRW model with a positive cosmological constant
and a dilatonic field with which the action of the model is augmented. The
exact classical and quantum solutions in commutative and noncommutative cases
are presented. We also obtain some approximate analytical solutions for the
corresponding classical and quantum cosmology in the presence of the deformed
Heisenberg relations between the phase space variables, in the limit where the
minisuperspace variables are small. These results are compared with the
standard commutative and noncommutative cases and similarities and differences
of these solutions are discussed.Comment: 20 pages, 7 figures + 4 contourplots, to appear in CQ
Particle tracking for polydisperse sedimenting droplets in phase separation
When a binary fluid demixes under a slow temperature ramp, nucleation,
coarsening and sedimentation of droplets lead to an oscillatory evolution of
the phase separating system. The advection of the sedimenting droplets is found
to be chaotic. The flow is driven by density differences between the two
phases. Here, we show how image processing can be combined with particle
tracking to resolve droplet size and velocity simultaneously. Droplets are used
as tracer particles, and the sedimentation velocity is determined. Taking these
effects into account, droplets with radii in the range of 4 -- 40 micrometers
are detected and tracked. Based on this data we resolve the oscillations in the
droplet size distribution which are coupled to the convective flow.Comment: 13 pages; 16 figures including 3 photographs and 3 false-color plot
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