Random Delays and the Synchronization of Chaotic Maps

We investigate the dynamics of an array of logistic maps coupled with random delay times. We report that for adequate coupling strength the array is able to synchronize, in spite of the random delays. Specifically, we find that the synchronized state is a homogeneous steady-state, where the chaotic dynamics of the individual maps is suppressed. This differs drastically from the synchronization with instantaneous and fixed-delay coupling, as in those cases the dynamics is chaotic. Also in contrast with the instantaneous and fixed-delay cases, the synchronization does not dependent on the connection topology, depends only on the average number of links per node. We find a scaling law that relates the distance to synchronization with the randomness of the delays. We also carry out a statistical linear stability analysis that confirms the numerical results and provides a better understanding of the nontrivial roles of random delayed interactions.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure

Inferring long memory processes in the climate network via ordinal pattern analysis

We use ordinal patterns and symbolic analysis to construct global climate networks and uncover long and short term memory processes. The data analyzed is the monthly averaged surface air temperature (SAT field) and the results suggest that the time variability of the SAT field is determined by patterns of oscillatory behavior that repeat from time to time, with a periodicity related to intraseasonal oscillations and to El Ni\~{n}o on seasonal-to-interannual time scales.Comment: 10 pages, 13 figures Enlarged version, new sections and figures. Accepted in Chao

Student Conceptual Difficulties in Hydrodynamics

We describe a study on the conceptual difficulties faced by college students in understanding hydrodynamics of ideal fluids. This study was based on responses obtained in hundreds of written exams and oral interviews, which were held with first-year Engineering and Science university students. Their responses allowed us to identify a series of misconceptions unreported in the literature so far. The study findings demonstrate that the most important difficulties arise from the students' inability to establish a link between the kinematics and dynamics of moving fluids, and from a lack of understanding regarding how different regions of a system interact.Comment: 12 pages, 10 figures (small corrections