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R. Toral

Publications and source records attributed to R. Toral.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Analytical and numerical study of the non-linear noisy voter model on complex networks

We study the noisy voter model using a specific non-linear dependence of the rates that takes into account collective interaction between individuals. The resulting model is solved exactly under the all-to-all coupling configuration and approximately in some random networks environments. In the all-to-all setup we find that the non-linear interactions induce "bona fide" phase transitions that, contrary to the linear version of the model, survive in the thermodynamic limit. The main effect of the complex network is to shift the transition lines and modify the finite-size dependence, a modification that can be captured with the introduction of an effective system size that decreases with the degree heterogeneity of the network. While a non-trivial finite-size dependence of the moments of the probability distribution is derived from our treatment, mean-field exponents are nevertheless obtained in the thermodynamic limit. These theoretical predictions are well confirmed by numerical simulations of the stochastic process.

physics.soc-ph

Stochastic pair approximation treatment of the noisy voter model

We present a full stochastic description of the pair approximation scheme to study binary-state dynamics on heterogeneous networks. Within this general approach, we obtain a set of equations for the dynamical correlations, fluctuations and finite-size effects, as well as for the temporal evolution of all relevant variables. We test this scheme for a prototypical model of opinion dynamics known as the noisy voter model that has a finite-size critical point. Using a closure approach based on a system size expansion around a stochastic dynamical attractor we obtain very accurate results, as compared with numerical simulations, for stationary and time dependent quantities whether below, within or above the critical region. We also show that finite-size effects in complex networks cannot be captured, as often suggested, by merely replacing the actual system size $N$ by an effective network dependent size $N_{\rm eff}$

physics.soc-ph

Modulated class A laser: Stochastic resonance in a limit-cycle potential system

We exploit the knowledge of the nonequilibrium potential in a model for the modulated class A laser. We analyse both, the deterministic and the stochastic dynamics of such a system in terms of the Lyapunov potential. Furthermore, we analyse the stochastic response of such a system and explain it again using the potential in a wide range of parameters and for small values of the noise. Such a response is quantified by means of the amplification factor, founding stochastic resonance within specific parameter's ranges.

cond-mat.stat-mech

Stochastic thermodynamics for Ising chain and symmetric exclusion process

We verify the finite time fluctuation theorem for a linear Ising chain at its ends in contact with heat reservoirs. Analytic results are derived for a chain consisting of only two spins. The system can be mapped onto a model for particle transport, namely the symmetric exclusion process, in contact with thermal and particle reservoirs. We modify the symmetric exclusion process to represent a thermal engine and reproduce universal features of the efficiency at maximum power.

cond-mat.stat-mech

Stochastic thermodynamics for kinetic equations

Stochastic thermodynamics is formulated for variables that are odd under time reversal. The invariance under spatial rotation of the collision rates due to the isotropy of the heat bath is shown to be a crucial ingredient. An alternative detailed fluctuation theorem is derived, expressed solely in terms of forward statistics. It is illustrated for a linear kinetic equation with kangaroo rates.

cond-mat.stat-mech

Phase Transition in a Model of Y-Shaped Molecules

In recent years the statistical mechanics of non-spherical molecules, such as polypeptide chains and protein molecules, has garnered considerable attention as their phase behavior has important scientific and health implications. One example is provided by immunoglobulin, which has a "Y"-shape. In this work, we determine the phase diagram of Y-shaped molecules on a hexagonal lattice through Monte Carlo Grand Canonical ensemble simulation, using histogram reweighting, multicanonical sampling, and finite-size scaling. We show that (as expected) this model is a member of the Ising universality class. For low temperatures, we implemented multicanonical sampling to induce faster phase transitions in the simulation. By studying several system sizes, we use finite-size scaling to determine the two phase coexistence curve, including the bulk critical temperature, critical chemical potential, and critical density.

cond-mat.stat-mech

Anticipated synchronization and the predict-prevent control method in the FitzHugh-Nagumo model system

We study the synchronization region of two unidirectionally coupled, in a master-slave configuration, FitzHugh-Nagumo systems under the influence of external forcing terms. We observe that anticipated synchronization is robust to the different types of forcings. We then use the predict-prevent control method to suppress unwanted pulses in the master system by using the information of the slave output. We find that this method is more efficient than the direct control method based on the master. Finally, we observe that a perfect matching between the parameters of the master and the slave is not necessary for the control to be efficient. Moreover, this parameter mismatch can, in some cases, improve the control.

nlin.PS

Evolution of surname distribution under gender-equality measurements

We consider a model for the evolution of the surnames distribution under a gender-equality measurement presently discussed in the Spanish parliament (the children take the surname of the father or the mother according to alphabetical order). We quantify how this would bias the alphabetical distribution of surnames, and analyze its effect on the present distribution of the surnames in Spain.

physics.soc-ph

Diffusing opinions in bounded confidence processes

We study the effects of diffusing opinions on the Deffuant et al. model for continuous opinion dynamics. Individuals are given the opportunity to change their opinion, with a given probability, to a randomly selected opinion inside an interval centered around the present opinion. We show that diffusion induces an order-disorder transition. In the disordered state the opinion distribution tends to be uniform, while for the ordered state a set of well defined opinion clusters are formed, although with some opinion spread inside them. If the diffusion jumps are not large, clusters coalesce, so that weak diffusion favors opinion consensus. A master equation for the process described above is presented. We find that the master equation and the Monte-Carlo simulations do not always agree due to finite-size induced fluctuations. Using a linear stability analysis we can derive approximate conditions for the transition between opinion clusters and the disordered state. The linear stability analysis is compared with Monte Carlo simulations. Novel interesting phenomena are analyzed.

physics.soc-ph

The constructive role of diversity on the global response of coupled neuron systems

We study the effect that the heterogeneity present among the elements of an ensemble of coupled excitable neurons have on the collective response of the system to an external signal. We have considered two different interaction scenarios, one in which the neurons are diffusively coupled and another in which the neurons interact via pulse-like signals. We found that the type of interaction between the neurons has a crucial role in determining the response of the system to the external modulation. We develop a mean-field theory based on an order parameter expansion that quantitatively reproduces the numerical results in the case of diffusive coupling.

physics.bio-ph

Resonance induced by repulsive interactions in a model of globally-coupled bistable systems

We show the existence of a competition-induced resonance effect for a generic globally coupled bistable system. In particular, we demonstrate that the response of the macroscopic variable to an external signal is optimal for a particular proportion of repulsive links. Furthermore, we show that a resonance also occurs for other system parameters, like the coupling strength and the number of elements. We relate this resonance to the appearance of a multistable region, and we predict the location of the resonance peaks, by a simple spectral analysis of the Laplacian matrix.

cond-mat.stat-mech

Optimized multicanonical simulations: a new proposal based on classical fluctuation theory

We propose a new recursive procedure to estimate the microcanonical density of states in multicanonical Monte Carlo simulations which relies only on measurements of moments of the energy distribution, avoiding entirely the need for energy histograms. This method yields directly a piecewise analytical approximation to the microcanonical inverse temperature, $β(E)$, and allows improved control over the statistics and efficiency of the simulations. We demonstrate its utility in connection with recently proposed schemes for improving the efficiency of multicanonical sampling, either with adjustment of the asymptotic energy distribution or with the replacement of single spin flip dynamics with collective updates.

cond-mat.stat-mech

Reversals of chance in paradoxical games

We present two collective games with new paradoxical features when they are combined. Besides reproducing the so--called Parrondo effect, where a winning game is obtained from the alternation of two fair games, a new effect appears, i.e., there exists a current inversion when varying the mixing probability between the games. We present a detailed study by means of a discrete--time Markov chain analysis, obtaining analytical expressions for the stationary probabilities for a finite number of players. We also provide some qualitatively insight into this new current inversion effect.

math.PR

Coherent regimes of mutually coupled Chua's circuits

We study the dynamical regimes that emerge from the strongly coupling between two Chua's circuits with parameters mismatch. For the region around the perfect synchronous state we show how to combine parameter diversity and coupling in order to robustly and precisely target a desired regime. This target process allows us to obtain regimes that may lie outside parameter ranges accessible for any isolated circuit. The results are obtained by following a recently developed theoretical technique, the order parameter expansion, and are verified both by numerical simulations and on electronic circuits. The theoretical results indicate that the same predictable change in the collective dynamics can be obtained for large populations of strongly coupled circuits with parameter mismatches.

cond-mat.stat-mech

Noise-induced inhibitory suppression of malfunction neural oscillators

Motivated by the aim to find new medical strategies to suppress undesirable neural synchronization we study the control of oscillations in a system of inhibitory coupled noisy oscillators. Using dynamical properties of inhibition, we find regimes when the malfunction oscillations can be suppressed but the information signal of a certain frequency can be transmitted through the system. The mechanism of this phenomenon is a resonant interplay of noise and the transmission signal provided by certain value of inhibitory coupling. Analyzing a system of three or four oscillators representing neural clusters, we show that this suppression can be effectively controlled by coupling and noise amplitudes.

cond-mat.dis-nn

Global firing induced by noise or diversity in excitable media

We develop a theory for the emergence of global firings in non-identical excitable systems subject to noise. Three different dynamical regimes arise: sub-threshold motion, where all elements remain confined near the fixed point; coherent pulsations, where a macroscopic fraction fire simultaneously; and incoherent pulsations, where units fire in a disordered fashion. We also show that the mechanism for global firing is generic: it arises from degradation of entrainment originated either by noise or by diversity.

cond-mat.stat-mech

Distribution of winners in truel games

In this work we present a detailed analysis using the Markov chain theory of some versions of the truel game in which three players try to eliminate each other in a series of one-to-one competitions, using the rules of the game. Besides reproducing some known expressions for the winning probability of each player, including the equilibrium points, we give expressions for the actual distribution of winners in a truel competition.

cond-mat.stat-mech