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arXiv · 1002.4520

Entropy production and coarse-graining in Markov processes

A. Puglisi·S. Pigolotti·L. Rondoni·A. Vulpiani
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Abstract

We study the large time fluctuations of entropy production in Markov processes. In particular, we consider the effect of a coarse-graining procedure which decimates {\em fast states} with respect to a given time threshold. Our results provide strong evidence that entropy production is not directly affected by this decimation, provided that it does not entirely remove loops carrying a net probability current. After the study of some examples of random walks on simple graphs, we apply our analysis to a network model for the kinesin cycle, which is an important biomolecular motor. A tentative general theory of these facts, based on Schnakenberg's network theory, is proposed.

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A. Puglisi, S. Pigolotti, L. Rondoni, A. Vulpiani. 2010-02-24. Entropy production and coarse-graining in Markov processes. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-5468/2010/05/p05015

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