Cooperation and its evolution in growing systems with cultural reproduction

We explore the evolution of cooperation in the framework of the evolutionary game theory using the prisoner’s dilemma as metaphor of the problem. We present a minimal model taking into account the growing process of the systems and individuals with imitation capacity. We consider the topological structure and the evolution of strategies decoupled instead of a coevolutionary dynamic. We show conditions to build up a cooperative system with real topological structures for any natural selection intensity. When the system starts to grow, cooperation is unstable but becomes stable as soon as the system reaches a small core of cooperators whose size increases when the intensity of natural selection decreases. Thus, we reduce the evolution of cooperative systems with cultural reproduction to justify a small initial cooperative structure that we call cooperative seed. Otherwise, given that the system grows principally as cooperator whose cooperators inhabit the most linked parts of the system, the benefit-cost ratio required for cooperation evolve is drastically reduced compared to the found in static networks. In this way, we show that in systems whose individuals have imitation capacity the growing process is essential for the evolution of cooperation.     

Evolutionary games on scale-free networks with a preferential selection mechanism

Considering the heterogeneity of individuals’ influence in the real world, we introduce a preferential selection mechanism to evolutionary games (the Prisoner’s Dilemma Game and the Snowdrift Game) on scale-free networks and focus on the cooperative behavior of the system. In every step, each agent chooses an individual from all its neighbors with a probability proportional to k^α indicating the influence of the neighbor, where k is the degree. Simulation results show that the cooperation level has a non-trivial dependence on α. To understand the effect of preferential selection mechanism on the evolution of the system, we investigate the time series of the cooperator frequency in detail. It is found that the cooperator frequency is greatly influenced by the initial strategy of hub nodes when α>0. This observation is confirmed by investigating the system behavior when some hub nodes’ strategies are fixed.     

Multiphonon thermal-field ionization of deep centers in semiconductors

The problem of thermal-field ionization of deep impurity centers in semiconductors is studied. It is shown that \(W_{ion} = W_0 e^{\alpha F^2 }\) , where F is the electric field strength. Also, the lifetime for multiphonon nonradiative capture is calculated as a function of F. It is shown that the relative change in lifetime is $$\frac{{\Delta \tau }}{{\tau ^0 }} = \frac{{\tau ---\tau _0 }}{{\tau _0 }} \approx - \alpha F^2 .$$      

How to mine energy from a black hole

We describe a process by which energy literally can be mined from a black hole. We argue that the only limit placed by fundamental considerations on the rate at which energy can be extracted from a black hole by this process isdE/dt ～ 1 in Planck unitsG = c = ? = 1. This is far greater than the ratedE/dt ～ 1/M² at which the black hole spontaneously loses energy by Hawking radiation.     

Quantum ergodicity in small molecules: The continuum fluorescence of nitrogen dioxide

The failure of selection rules on K_a, v, and vibronic symmetry in the visible band systems of NO₂ are interpreted as resulting from the coupling of the excited electronic state with vibrational levels of the ground electronic state which are above the threshold for ergodic motion and therefore retain no quantization of those observables. This failure is shown to lead directly to the anomalous continuum fluorescence of NO₂, and is intimately related to the anomalous lengthening of the radiative lifetime of the excited state (the Douglas effect). It is predicted that most molecules which exhibit anomalous lifetime lengthening will also exhibit anomalous selection rules and, consequently, anomalous continuum emission.     

A comparative analysis of thin-film transistors using aligned and random-network carbon nanotubes

The purpose of this project is to investigate the characterization of carbon nanotube (CNT) thin-film transistors based on two solution-based fabrication methods: dielectrophoretic deposition of aligned CNTs and self-assembly of random-network CNTs. The electrical characteristics of aligned and random-network CNT transistors are studied comparatively. In particular, the selection effect of metallic and semiconducting CNTs in the dielectrophoresis process is evaluated experimentally by comparing the output characteristics of the two transistors. Our results demonstrate that the self-assembly method produces a stronger field effect with a much higher on/off ratio (I _on /I _off ). This phenomenon provides evidence that the metallic CNTs are more responsive to dielectrophoretic forces than their semiconducting counterparts under common deposition conditions. In addition, the nanotube–nanotube cross-junctions in random-network CNT films create additional energy barriers and result in a reduced electric current. Thus, additional consideration must be applied when using different fabrication methods in building CNT-based electronic devices.     

Statistical estimates and physics of close binary systems (CBS) of neutron stars

After some statistical considerations about the number of CBSs with one neutron star in our galaxy, we study the possible kinds of emission of CBSs with two neutron stars. Section 2 contains considerations on the dimension of such a system at the moment of its formation. From the comparison of different kinds of power emitted we deduce that the orbital gravitational emissionP _go dominates. The dynamical evolution of the orbital elementsa ande is determined byP _go and by tidal friction, which produce opposite effects. The quantitative comparison betweenP _goandP _tf (work made per unit time by tidal torque) says thatP _go>P _tf. Therefore we conclude that it isa<0 ande<0; that is the evolution of the systems is towards the collapse.     

Linearity of expectation functionals

LetB be the set of bounded observables on a quantum logic. A mapJ: B →R is called an expectation functional ifJ is normalized, positive, continuous, and compatibly linear. Two questions are considered. IsJ linear, and isJ an expectation relative to some state? It is shown that the answers are affirmative for hidden variable logics and most Hilbert space logics. An example is given which shows thatJ can be nonlinear on an arbitrary quantum logic.     

Search for superdense nuclei of Rb and Cs among the products of 8 GeV proton interactions with Ta

Experimental searches for β-active superdense nuclei of Rb and Cs among the products of 8 GeV proton interactions with Ta are described. The method of selective off-line mass-separation with scanning of the β-activity distribution on the collector was used. According to π-condensation theory, the long-lived anomalous nuclei are expected to be more neutron-deficient than the usual ones. Moreover, their mass numbers may be significantly nonintegral measured on the normal mass scale, because of unusual binding energy. These predictions guided the present search. No anomalous nuclei were found. The upper limit for Rb nuclei in the range 69 ? A ? 78 is 10^?5 with respect to the yield for ⁸¹Rb; for Cs in the range 112 ? A ? 122 the limit is (5–10) × 10^?6 of the yield for ¹²⁷Cs. These estimations are based on the assumption that the half-life of superdense nuclei equals 5 h.     

Evolution of cooperation in well-mixed N-person snowdrift games

We study the time evolution of cooperation in a recently proposed N-person evolutionary snowdrift game, by focusing on the details of the evolutionary dynamics. It is found that the analytic solution for the equilibrium fraction of cooperators as given previously by the replicator dynamics stems from a balance between the terms: the cost to contribute to a common task and the risk in refusing to participate in a common task. Analytic expressions for these two terms are given, and their magnitudes are studied over the whole range of parameter space. Away from equilibrium, it is the imbalance between these terms that drives the system to equilibrium. A continuous time first-order differential equation for the degree of cooperation is derived, for arbitrary interacting group size N and cost-to-benefit ratio. Analytic solutions to the time evolution of cooperation for the cases of N=2 and N=3 are obtained, with results in good agreement with those obtained by numerical simulations. For arbitrary N, numerical solutions to the equation give the time evolution of cooperation, with the long time limit giving the equilibrium fraction of cooperators.     

Age-based model for weighted network with general assortative mixing

In this paper, we propose an evolutionary model for weighted networks by introducing an age-based mutual selection mechanism. Our model generates power-law distributions of degree, weight, and strength, which are confirmed by analytical predictions and are consistent with real observations. The investigation of the relationship between clustering and the connectivity of nodes suggests hierarchical organization in the weighted networks. Furthermore, both assortative and disassortative properties can be naturally obtained by tuning a parameter α, which controls the strength of age-based preferential attachments. Since the age information of nodes is easier to acquire than the degree and strength of nodes, and almost all empirically observed structural and weighted properties can be reproduced by the simple evolutionary regulation, our model may reveal some underlying mechanisms that are key for the evolution of weighted complex networks.     

High-frequency nonlinear response of thin superconducting films with a mixed <Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">s</Emphasis> symmetry of the order parameter

Third-harmonic generation during reflection of electromagnetic radiation from a thin superconducting film with a mixed d-and s-order parameter is studied theoretically. The dependence of the third harmonic intensity on the temperature and amplitude of an incident wave is calculated in the framework of the Ginzburg-Landau theory for superconductors with a two-component order parameter, and its behavior in the vicinity of transitions between phases with different symmetries is analyzed. It is shown, in particular, that the third harmonic intensity in the vicinity of the temperature corresponding to the d ? d + s phase transition substantially increases and is a nonanalytic function of the amplitude of the incident wave, while no singularity in the nonlinear response is observed for the d ? d + is transition. The linear reflection coefficient is found to be virtually insensitive to these phase transitions.     

Interaction-line descriptions of fields

The property producing a field has a qualitative and a quantitative aspect. The former may appear as1, 2, 3,..., n possibilities in the source particles. Interaction lines representing the field must reflect these possibilities. Thus, one expects there to be1, 2, 3,..., n respective kinds of lines joining particles. The different lines interact with each other as well as with the particles at their ends. For gravitational fields,n is1; for electromagnetic fields,n is2; for chromodynamic fieldsn is3. Rest mass can be created by itself out of energy. But a positive-negative pair is the minimum possibility with electric charges, and a color-anticolor pair with quarks. A triplet of quarks or antiquarks, together with the appropriate neutrino, could also arise out of energy.     

A simple theory of spin-wave relaxation in ferromagnetic metals

The anisotropic exchange interaction between localized spins and conduction electrons is described by an appropriate spin hamiltonian. This is used to calculate the lifetime of magnons for arbitrary values of Λ_eq, where Λ_e is the electron mean free path and q the magnon wavevector. At Λ_eq ? 1, this lifetime depends on the angle between q and the saturation magnetization. The antisymmetric part of anisotropic exchange (Dzialoshinsky-Moriya interaction) may dominate the relaxation of spin-waves of large q. The complicated band structure of transition metals gives rise to a magnon lifetime independent of Λ_e. The contribution of isotropic exchange is also considered.     

Symmetries of Regge-Regge cuts

Regge-Regge cuts are shown to satisfy strong symmetry constraints in any model which incorporates Finkelstein's cut selection rule, SU(3) symmetry of Regge residues, and exchange degeneracy of trajectories and residues. These imply, amongst other things, the strong suppression of Regge-Regge cuts in pion-nucleon charge exchange, arising from a cancellation between ?-P′ and A₂-ω cuts. Therefore if Finkelstein's selection rule is valid, the πN change amplitudes cannot be understood by adding Regge-Regge cuts to an absorbed ? pole amplitude.     

Electron fluid and quasiparticles in the quantum Hall effect

To explain fractional quantum Hall effect, it is necessary to take into account both the interaction between electrons and their interaction with impurities. We propose a simple model, where the Coulomb repulsion is replaced by a short range potential. For this model we are able to find many-body wave functions of the electron system interacting with impurities and calculate the Hall conductivityσ _xy. A simple physical picture, arising in the framework of this model, provides the understanding of a general reason for both fractional and integral quantum Hall effect. In the model, electrons forming a two-dimensional system, is supposed to occupy the first Landau level. The interaction of electrons is regarded as being small compared with the distance between the Landau levels. The radius of interaction is much less than the magnetic length. The following statements have been proved (Pokrovsky and Talapov 1985a,b; Trugman and Kivelson 1985). For the fillingν=1/m of the first Landau level the ground state is nondegenerate and has the wave functionΩ _w, proposed by Laughlin (1983). Forν, which is slightly less than 1/m the ground state is highly degenerate in the absence of impurities. It can be described as a system of noninteracting quasiholes as proposed by Laughlin (1983). These quasiholes float in the uniform incompressible fluid. Each quasihole has the charge |e|/m. The total number of quasiholes isq=S?mN, whereS is a number of states on the Landau level,N is the number of electrons. The impurities capture quasiholes. If the number of quasiholesq is less than the number of impuritiesN _i, then the ground state becomes nondegenerate. This fact permits us to calculateσ _xy (Pokrovsky and Talapov 1985b). Let there be a small electric fieldE in the system. In the absence of impurities the electron fluid is at rest in the frame of reference, moving with velocityν=cE/H. In this frame of reference the impurities move with the velocity ?v, carrying captured quasiholes. Therefore, the quasihole currents isj _q=(?ν)(| e|/m)q. Hence, in the initial frame of reference the total current isj=Nev+j _q=Sev/m. This means thatσ _xy=(1/m)e ²/2π?).     

On evolutionary spatial heterogeneous games

How cooperation between self-interested individuals evolve is a crucial problem, both in biology and in social sciences, that is far from being well understood. Evolutionary game theory is a useful approach to this issue. The simplest model to take into account the spatial dimension in evolutionary games is in terms of cellular automata with just a one-parameter payoff matrix. Here, the effects of spatial heterogeneities of the environment and/or asymmetries in the interactions among the individuals are analysed through different extensions of this model. Instead of using the same universal payoff matrix, bimatrix games in which each cell at site (i, j) has its own different ‘temptation to defect’ parameter T(i,j) are considered. First, the case in which these individual payoffs are constant in time is studied. Second, an evolving evolutionary spatial game such that T=T(i,j;t), i.e. besides depending on the position evolves (by natural selection), is used to explore the combination of spatial heterogeneity and natural selection of payoff matrices.     

Measurement of $D_s ^+$ meson production in Z decays and of the ${⋏r B}_s ^0$ lifetime

$D_s ^+$ mesons produced in Z⁰ → bb? events were separated from the Z⁰ → cc? component using a lifetime tag. Using a sample of 1.5 million hadronic Z decays collected with the Aleph detector the ${?r B}_s ^0$ and $D_s ^+$ yields have been measured: $$?trix {B(b?ghtarrow {?r B}_s ^0)B({?r B}_s ^0?ghtarrow D_s ^+)=0.088pm 0.020(? stat.)? pm 0.020(? syst.)? B(c?ghtarrow D_s ^+)=0.128pm 0.019(? stat.)_{-0.016} ^{+0.019}(? syst.)}$$ The ${?r B}_s ^0$ lifetime was measured in a ${?r B}_s ^0$ enriched sample reconstructing the decay length from the vertex of the $D_s ^+$ with a hadron from the ${?r B}_s ^0$ decay. The result obtained is: $${?u_B}_s=1.61_{-0.29} ^{+0.30}(? stat.)_{-0.16} ^{+0.18}(? syst.) {? ps.}$$     

Analysis of Simulated Fluorescence Intensities Decays by a New Maximum Entropy Method Algorithm

A new algorithm for the Maximum Entropy Method (MEM) is proposed for recovering the lifetime distribution in time-resolved fluorescence decays. The procedure is based on seeking the distribution that maximizes the Skilling entropy function subjected to the chi-squared constraint χ ²?~?1 through iterative linear approximations, LU decomposition of the Hessian matrix of the lagrangian problem and the Golden Section Search for backtracking. The accuracy of this algorithm has been investigated through comparisons with simulated fluorescence decays both of narrow and broad lifetime distributions. The proposed approach is capable to analyse datasets of up to 4,096 points with a discretization ranging from 100 to 1,000 lifetimes. A good agreement with non linear fitting estimates has been observed when the method has been applied to multi-exponential decays. Remarkable results have been also obtained for the broad lifetime distributions where the position is recovered with high accuracy and the distribution width is estimated within 3 %. These results indicate that the procedure proposed generates MEM lifetime distributions that can be used to quantify the real heterogeneity of lifetimes in a sample.