Predicting criticality and dynamic range in complex networks: effects of topology

The collective dynamics of a network of coupled excitable systems in response to an external stimulus depends on the topology of the connections in the network. Here we develop a general theoretical approach to study the effects of network topology on dynamic range, which quantifies the range of stimulus intensities resulting in distinguishable network responses. We find that the largest eigenvalue of the weighted network adjacency matrix governs the network dynamic range. Specifically, a largest eigenvalue equal to one corresponds to a critical regime with maximum dynamic range. We gain deeper insight on the effects of network topology using a nonlinear analysis in terms of additional spectral properties of the adjacency matrix. We find that homogeneous networks can reach a higher dynamic range than those with heterogeneous topology. Our analysis, confirmed by numerical simulations, generalizes previous studies in terms of the largest eigenvalue of the adjacency matrix.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Effects of network topology, transmission delays, and refractoriness on the response of coupled excitable systems to a stochastic stimulus

We study the effects of network topology on the response of networks of coupled discrete excitable systems to an external stochastic stimulus. We extend recent results that characterize the response in terms of spectral properties of the adjacency matrix by allowing distributions in the transmission delays and in the number of refractory states, and by developing a nonperturbative approximation to the steady state network response. We confirm our theoretical results with numerical simulations. We find that the steady state response amplitude is inversely proportional to the duration of refractoriness, which reduces the maximum attainable dynamic range. We also find that transmission delays alter the time required to reach steady state. Importantly, neither delays nor refractoriness impact the general prediction that criticality and maximum dynamic range occur when the largest eigenvalue of the adjacency matrix is unity

Ultrafast control of Rabi oscillations in a polariton condensate

We report the experimental observation and control of space and time-resolved light-matter Rabi oscillations in a microcavity. Our setup precision and the system coherence are so high that coherent control can be implemented with amplification or switching off of the oscillations and even erasing of the polariton density by optical pulses. The data is reproduced by a fundamental quantum optical model with excellent accuracy, providing new insights on the key components that rule the polariton dynamics.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, supplementary 7 pages, 4 figures. Supplementary videos: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B0QCllnLqdyBNjlMLTdjZlNhbTQ&usp=sharin

Influencia de las bacterias psicrótrofas en la actividad proteolítica de la leche

La refrigeración de la leche reduce el ritmo de multiplicación y actividad de los microorganismos, pero ha generado nuevos problemas relacionados con el crecimiento y la actividad de los microorganismos psicrótrofos, que son aquellos que crecen a temperaturas inferiores a 7 °C, independientemente de su temperatura óptima. Estos microorganismos producen enzimas termoestables que degradan algunos componentes de la leche deteriorando su calidad y la de sus derivados, y disminuyendo los rendimientos queseros. Con el fin de evaluar la actividad proteolítica de las bacterias psicrótrofas sobre las caseínas y su relación con la temperatura y tiempo de almacenamiento de la leche, se inocularon diferentes lotes de leche con este tipo de bacterias, hasta obtener recuentos de 104 y 105 unidades formadoras de colonia por mililitro (ufc/ml); como control se utilizó leche que no recibió inoculación con recuento de psicrótrofos de 103 ufc/ml. Después de almacenar la lechea4y7°Cdurante tres y seis días, se evaluó la actividad proteolítica sobre las caseínas. Al almacenar leche durante tres días a 4 y 7 °C, no se presentó actividad proteolítica cuando el recuento inicial de psicrótrofos era del orden de 103 ufc/ml, mientras que cuando dicho recuento fue superior a 104 ufc/ml se observó actividad proteolítica, siendo más intensa a 7 °C que a 4 °C. Con almacenamiento de seis días, solamente la leche conservada a 4 °C con recuento inicial de 103 ufc/ml no presentó actividad proteolítica, los demás tratamientos mostraron gran actividad proteolítica sobre la fracción de caseínas aumentando dicha actividad a medida que aumenta el grado de contaminación

Source-Term and building-Wake Consequence Modeling for the Godiva IV Reactor at Los Alamos National Laboratory

The objectives of this work were to evaluate the consequences of a postulated accident to onsite security personnel stationed near the facility during operations of the Godiva IV critical assembly and to identify controls needed to protect these personnel in case of an extreme criticality excursion equivalent to the design-basis accident (DBA). This paper presents the methodology and results of the source-term calculations, building ventilation rates, air concentrations, and consequence calculations that were performed using a multidisciplinary approach with several phenomenology models. Identification of controls needed to mitigate the consequences to near-field receptors is discussed

Comparing the reliability of networks by spectral analysis

We provide a method for the ranking of the reliability of two networks with the same connectance. Our method is based on the Cheeger constant linking the topological property of a network with its spectrum. We first analyze a set of twisted rings with the same connectance and degree distribution, and obtain the ranking of their reliability using their eigenvalue gaps. The results are generalized to general networks using the method of rewiring. The success of our ranking method is verified numerically for the IEEE57, the Erd\H{o}s-R\'enyi, and the Small-World networks.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figure

Mating Ewes on Condensed Tannin-Containing Forages Increases Ewe Reproductive Rate and Reduces Lamb Mortality

Action of condensed tannin (CT) reduces forage protein degradation in the rumen and increases the absorption of amino acids from the small intestine (Barry & McNabb 1999). This paper reports the effects of grazing ewes on two CT-containing forages during mating upon ewe reproductive rate and lamb mortality

Non anomalous U(1)_H gauge model of flavor

A non anomalous horizontal $U(1)_H$ gauge symmetry can be responsible for the fermion mass hierarchies of the minimal supersymmetric standard model. Imposing the consistency conditions for the absence of gauge anomalies yields the following results: i) unification of leptons and down-type quarks Yukawa couplings is allowed at most for two generations. ii) The $\mu$ term is necessarily somewhat below the supersymmetry breaking scale. iii) The determinant of the quark mass matrix vanishes, and there is no strong $CP$ problem. iv) The superpotential has accidental $B$ and $L$ symmetries. The prediction $m_{\rm up}=0$ allows for an unambiguous test of the model at low energy.Comment: 5 pages, RevTex. Title changed, minor modifications. Final version to appear in Phys. Rev.

An evaluation of management strategies for Atlantic tuna stocks

International agreements for the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) convention area imply that Atlantic tuna stocks should be managed by strategies based on maximum sustainable yield (MSY); however, there is concern whether this will actually ensure sustainability with sufficiently high probability consistent with the principals of the precautionary approach. Therefore, the performance of MSY management strategies based on current assessment procedures was evaluated using a computer simulation framework. The framework includes the data collection, assessment, prediction, and management processes, as well as the implementation of management regulations. It therefore provides an integrated way to evaluate the relative importance of and the interactions between each component of the system with regard to the overall success of the management strategy. The study elucidates guidelines about assessment and management that are general enough to be applied to all tunas in the Atlantic Ocean. It does so by comparing different hypotheses about management and assessment for three stocks (North Atlantic albacore, Atlantic bigeye and East Atlantic skipjack), which are representative of the variety encountered (i.e. from data rich to poor and tropical to temperate waters) in ICCAT stocks. Management performance was especially sensitive to the carrying capacity of the stock. The type of proxy used for MSY was more important to the success of the procedure than the frequency of assessment or the number of indices used in the assessment. Whilst the procedure was successful at achieving the management objectives for albacore, it was only partially successful for bigeye and was too conservative for skipjack.No disponibl