Cluster phases of membrane proteins

A physical scenario accounting for the existence of size-limited submicrometric domains in cell membranes is proposed. It is based on the numerical investigation of the counterpart, in lipidic membranes where proteins are diffusing, of the recently discovered cluster phases in colloidal suspensions. I demonstrate that the interactions between proteins, namely short-range attraction and longer-range repulsion, make possible the existence of stable small clusters. The consequences are explored in terms of membrane organization and diffusion properties. The connection with lipid rafts is discussed and the apparent protein diffusion coefficient as a function of their concentration is analyzed.Comment: 5 pages - enhanced versio

Thermodynamics of nano-cluster phases: a unifying theory

We propose a unifying, analytical theory accounting for the self-organization of colloidal systems in nano- or micro-cluster phases. We predict the distribution of cluter sizes with respect to interaction parameters and colloid concentration. In particular, we anticipate a proportionality regime where the mean cluster size grows proportionally to the concentration, as observed in several experiments. We emphasize the interest of a predictive theory in soft matter, nano-technologies and biophysics.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figur

Network Transitivity and Matrix Models

This paper is a step towards a systematic theory of the transitivity (clustering) phenomenon in random networks. A static framework is used, with adjacency matrix playing the role of the dynamical variable. Hence, our model is a matrix model, where matrices are random, but their elements take values 0 and 1 only. Confusion present in some papers where earlier attempts to incorporate transitivity in a similar framework have been made is hopefully dissipated. Inspired by more conventional matrix models, new analytic techniques to develop a static model with non-trivial clustering are introduced. Computer simulations complete the analytic discussion.Comment: 11 pages, 7 eps figures, 2-column revtex format, print bug correcte

On the microscopic dynamics of DCC formation

The dynamics of the pion field after a quench is studied in the framework of the linear sigma model. Our aim is to determine to what extent the amplified pion field resembles the DCC picture originally proposed in the early '90s. We present the result of a computer experiment where, among other things, we study in detail the correlation between isospin orientations of the distinct modes of the field. We show that this correlation is absent. In a sense, the distinct modes behave as distinct DCCs. The implications of this observation are discussed.Comment: 19 pages, Latex2e, 7 figures in EPS, uses (included) boldgreek.sty and standard epsf package

Statistical ensemble of scale-free random graphs

A thorough discussion of the statistical ensemble of scale-free connected random tree graphs is presented. Methods borrowed from field theory are used to define the ensemble and to study analytically its properties. The ensemble is characterized by two global parameters, the fractal and the spectral dimensions, which are explicitly calculated. It is discussed in detail how the geometry of the graphs varies when the weights of the nodes are modified. The stability of the scale-free regime is also considered: when it breaks down, either a scale is spontaneously generated or else, a "singular" node appears and the graphs become crumpled. A new computer algorithm to generate these random graphs is proposed. Possible generalizations are also discussed. In particular, more general ensembles are defined along the same lines and the computer algorithm is extended to arbitrary (degenerate) scale-free random graphs.Comment: 10 pages, 6 eps figures, 2-column revtex format, minor correction

A Remark on the Renormalization Group Equation for the Penner Model

It is possible to extract values for critical couplings and gamma_string in matrix models by deriving a renormalization group equation for the variation of the of the free energy as the size N of the matrices in the theory is varied. In this paper we derive a ``renormalization group equation'' for the Penner model by direct differentiation of the partition function and show that it reproduces the correct values of the critical coupling and gamma_string and is consistent with the logarithmic corrections present for g=0,1.Comment: LaTeX, 5 pages, LPTHE-Orsay-94-5

Local charge compensation from colour preconfinement as a key to the dynamics of hadronization

If, as is commonly accepted, the colour-singlet, `preconfined', perturbative clusters are the primary units of hadronization, then the electric charge is necessarily compensated locally at the scale of the typical cluster mass. As a result, the minijet electric charge is suppressed at scales that are greater than the cluster mass. We hence argue, and demonstrate by means of Monte Carlo simulations using HERWIG, that the scale at which charge compensation is violated is close to the mass of the clusters involved in hadronization, and its measurement would provide a clue to resolving the nature of the dynamics. We repeat the calculation using PYTHIA and find that the numbers produced by the two generators are similar. The cluster mass distribution is sensitive to soft emission that is considered unresolved in the parton shower phase. We discuss how the description of the splitting of large clusters in terms of unresolved emission modifies the algorithm of HERWIG, and relate the findings to the yet unknown underlying nonperturbative mechanism. In particular, we propose a form of $\alpha_S$ that follows from a power-enhanced beta function, and discuss how this $\alpha_S$ that governs unresolved emission may be related to power corrections. Our findings are in agreement with experimental data.Comment: 37 pages, 20 figure

Formation of dense partonic matter in relativistic nucleus-nucleus collisions at RHIC: Experimental evaluation by the PHENIX collaboration

Extensive experimental data from high-energy nucleus-nucleus collisions were recorded using the PHENIX detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). The comprehensive set of measurements from the first three years of RHIC operation includes charged particle multiplicities, transverse energy, yield ratios and spectra of identified hadrons in a wide range of transverse momenta (p_T), elliptic flow, two-particle correlations, non-statistical fluctuations, and suppression of particle production at high p_T. The results are examined with an emphasis on implications for the formation of a new state of dense matter. We find that the state of matter created at RHIC cannot be described in terms of ordinary color neutral hadrons.Comment: 510 authors, 127 pages text, 56 figures, 1 tables, LaTeX. Submitted to Nuclear Physics A as a regular article; v3 has minor changes in response to referee comments. Plain text data tables for the points plotted in figures for this and previous PHENIX publications are (or will be) publicly available at http://www.phenix.bnl.gov/papers.htm

Discrete approaches to quantum gravity in four dimensions

The construction of a consistent theory of quantum gravity is a problem in theoretical physics that has so far defied all attempts at resolution. One ansatz to try to obtain a non-trivial quantum theory proceeds via a discretization of space-time and the Einstein action. I review here three major areas of research: gauge-theoretic approaches, both in a path-integral and a Hamiltonian formulation, quantum Regge calculus, and the method of dynamical triangulations, confining attention to work that is strictly four-dimensional, strictly discrete, and strictly quantum in nature.Comment: 33 pages, invited contribution to Living Reviews in Relativity; the author welcomes any comments and suggestion