Scale-free networks in complex systems

In the past few years, several studies have explored the topology of interactions in different complex systems. Areas of investigation span from biology to engineering, physics and the social sciences. Although having different microscopic dynamics, the results demonstrate that most systems under consideration tend to self-organize into structures that share common features. In particular, the networks of interaction are characterized by a power law distribution, $P(k)\sim k^{-\alpha}$, in the number of connections per node, $k$, over several orders of magnitude. Networks that fulfill this propriety of scale-invariance are referred to as ``scale-free''. In the present work we explore the implication of scale-free topologies in the antiferromagnetic (AF) Ising model and in a stochastic model of opinion formation. In the first case we show that the implicit disorder and frustration lead to a spin-glass phase transition not observed for the AF Ising model on standard lattices. We further illustrate that the opinion formation model produces a coherent, turbulent-like dynamics for a certain range of parameters. The influence, of random or targeted exclusion of nodes is studied.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures. Proceeding to "SPIE International Symposium Microelectronics, MEMS, and Nanotechnology", 11-15 December 2005, Brisbane, Australi

Numerical solution of flow fields surrounding Saturn type vehicles

Numerical solution of flow fields surrounding Saturn type vehicle

First observation of Bs0 → D*s2+Xμ-ν decays

Using data collected with the LHCb detector in proton–proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV, the semileptonic decays B0s→D+sXμ−ν and B0s→D0K+Xμ−ν are detected. Two structures are observed in the D0K+ mass spectrum at masses consistent with the known Ds1(2536)+ and D∗s22573)+ mesons. The measured branching fractions relative to the total B0s semileptonic rate are B(B0s→D∗+s2Xμ−ν)/B(B0s→Xμ−ν) = (3.3±1.0±0.4)%, and B(B0s→D+s1Xμ−ν)/B(B0s→Xμ−ν) = (5.4±1.2±0.5)%, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. This is the first observation of the D∗+s2 state in B0s decays; we also measure its mass and width

Ha-ras restriction fragment length polymorphisms in colorectal cancer.

The possibility of an association between restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) at the Ha-ras gene locus and susceptibility to develop colorectal cancer has been investigated. Leucocyte DNA from 46 carcinoma patients and 49 controls was analysed by Southern blotting to determine the size distribution of restriction fragments containing the variable tandem repeat 3' to the Ha-ras gene. Four predominant allelic fragments were found in both groups (in AvaII digests having sizes of 1.55, 2.0, 2.65 and 3.15 kilobases [kb]), together with a variety of 'rare' alleles (with individual frequencies less than 5%). The overall prevalence of rare alleles was not significantly different between cancer and control groups. The distribution of the common alleles, however, differed significantly. The combined frequency of the two larger alleles (a3 and a4) was approximately twice as high in the cancer group (34%) as in controls (18%) (P less than 0.025), which was reflected in a highly significant increase in the proportion of individuals carrying an a3 or a4 allele

A study of CP violation in B±→DK±B±→DK± and B±→Dπ±B±→Dπ± decays with D→KS0K±π∓ final states

A first study of CP violation in the decay modes B± → [K0S K ±π∓]Dh± and B± → [K0S K ∓π±]Dh±, where h labels a K or π meson and D labels a D0 or D0 meson, is performed. The analysis uses the LHCb data set collected in pp collisions, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3 fb−1. The analysis is sensitive to the CP-violating CKM phase γ through seven observables: one charge asymmetry in each of the four modes and three ratios of the charge-integrated yields. The results are consistent with measurements of γ using other decay modes

Measurement of the Bc +meson lifetime using Bc +→J/ψμ+νμX decays

The lifetime of the B+ c meson is measured using semileptonic decays having a J/ψ meson and a muon in the final state. The data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2 fb-1, are collected by the LHCb detector in pp collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 8 TeV. The measured lifetime is τ = 509 ± 8 ± 12 fs, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic