arXiv subjects

Xavier Durang

Publications and source records attributed to Xavier Durang.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Fickian yet non-Gaussian diffusion in an annealed heterogeneous environment

Fickian yet non-Gaussian diffusion is a ubiquitous phenomenon observed in various biological and soft matter systems. This anomalous dynamics is typically attributed to heterogeneous environments inducing spatiotemporal variations in the diffusivity of tracer particles. While previous studies have predominantly focused on systems exhibiting either spatial or temporal heterogeneity, this work bridges the gap by introducing a model based on an annealed extreme landscape to simultaneously account for both types of heterogeneities. Through a combination of computational analyses and analytical derivations, we investigate how the interplay of spatial and temporal heterogeneities in the energy landscape gives rise to Fickian yet non-Gaussian diffusion. Furthermore, we demonstrate that in the presence of temporal environmental fluctuations, the heterogeneous diffusion inevitably converges to classical Brownian motion via a homogenization process. We derive an analytical expression for the homogenization time as a function of key parameters governing the system's spatiotemporal heterogeneities. Additionally, we quantify particle-to-particle diffusion heterogeneity and examine the ergodic properties of this model, providing deeper insights into the dynamics of complex, heterogeneous systems.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2024

Generalized Langevin equation for a tagged monomer in a Gaussian semiflexible polymer

In this study, we present a comprehensive analysis of the motion of a tagged monomer within a Gaussian semiflexible polymer model. We carefully derived the generalized Langevin Equation (GLE) that governs the motion of a tagged central monomer. This derivation involves integrating out all the other degrees of freedom within the polymer chain, thereby yielding an effective description of the viscoelastic motion of the tagged monomer. A critical component of our analysis is the memory kernel that appears in the GLE. By examining this kernel, we characterized the impact of bending rigidity on the non-Markovian diffusion dynamics of the tagged monomer. Furthermore, we calculated the mean-squared displacement of the tagged monomer using the derived GLE. Our results not only show remarkable agreement with previously known results in certain limiting cases but also provide dynamic features over the entire timescale.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2022

Accessing power-law statistics under experimental constraints

Over the last decades, impressive progresses have been made in many experimental domains, e.g. microscopic techniques such as single-particle tracking, leading to plethoric amounts of data. In a large variety of systems, from natural to socio-economic, the analysis of these experimental data conducted us to conclude about the omnipresence of power-laws. For example, in living systems, we are used to observing anomalous diffusion, e.g. in the motion of proteins within the cell. However, estimating the power-law exponents is challenging. Both technical constraints and experimental limitations affect the statistics of observed data. Here, we investigate in detail the influence of two essential constraints in the experiment, namely, the temporal-spatial resolution and the time-window of the experiment. We study how the observed distribution of an observable is modified by them and analytically derive the expression of the power-law distribution for the observed distribution through the scope of the experiment. We also apply our results on data from an experimental study of the transport of mRNA-protein complexes along dendrites.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2020

A mini-review of the diffusion dynamics of DNA-binding proteins: Experiments and models

In the course of various biological processes, specific DNA-binding proteins must find a particular target sequence/protein or a damaged site on the DNA efficiently. DNA-binding proteins perform this task based on diffusion. Yet, investigations over recent decades have found that the diffusion dynamics of DNA-binding proteins are generally complicated and, further, protein-specific. In this review, we collect the experimental and theoretical studies that quantify the diffusion dynamics of DNA-binding proteins and review them from the viewpoint of diffusion processes.

physics.bio-ph↗

arXiv2020

Anomalous diffusion for active Brownian particles cross-linked to a networked polymer: Langevin dynamics simulation and theory

Quantitatively understanding of the dynamics of an active Brownian particle (ABP) interacting with a viscoelastic polymer environment is a scientific challenge. It is intimately related to several interdisciplinary topics such as the microrheology of active colloids in a polymer matrix and the athermal dynamics of the in vivo chromosome or cytoskeletal networks. Based on Langevin dynamics simulation and analytic theory, here we explore such a viscoelastic active system in depth using a star polymer of functionality $f$ with the center cross-linker particle being ABP. We observe that the ABP cross-linker, despite its self-propelled movement, attains an active subdiffusion with the scaling $\langleΔ\mathbf{R}^2(t)\rangle\sim t^α$ with $α\leq 1/2$, through the viscoelastic feedback from the polymer. Counter-intuitively, the apparent anomaly exponent $α$ becomes smaller as the ABP is driven by a larger propulsion velocity, but is independent of the functionality $f$ or the boundary conditions of the polymer. We set forth an exact theory, and show that the motion of the active cross-linker is a gaussian non-Markovian process characterized by two distinct power-law displacement correlations. At a moderate P{é}clet number, it seemingly behaves as fractional Brownian motion with a Hurst exponent $H=α/2$, whereas, at a high P{é}clet number, the self-propelled noise in the polymer environment leads to a logarithmic growth of the mean squared displacement ($\sim \ln t$) and a velocity autocorrelation decaying as $-t^{-2}$. We demonstrate that the anomalous diffusion of the active cross-linker is precisely described by a fractional Langevin equation with two distinct random noises.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2019

Mapping the spectrum of 3D communities in human chromosome conformation capture data

Several experiments show that the three dimensional (3D) organization of chromosomes affects genetic processes such as transcription and gene regulation. To better understand this connection, researchers developed the Hi-C method that is able to detect the pairwise physical contacts of all chromosomal loci. The Hi-C data show that chromosomes are composed of 3D compartments that range over a variety of scales. However, it is challenging to systematically detect these cross-scale structures. Most studies have therefore designed methods for specific scales to study foremost topologically associated domains (TADs) and A/B compartments. To go beyond this limitation, we tailor a network community detection method that finds communities in compact fractal globule polymer systems. Our method allows us to continuously scan through all scales with a single resolution parameter. We found: (i) polymer segments belonging to the same 3D community do not have to be in consecutive order along the polymer chain. In other words, several TADs may belong to the same 3D community. (ii) CTCF proteins---a loop-stabilizing protein that is ascribed a big role in TAD formation---are well correlated with community borders only at one level of organization. (iii) TADs and A/B compartments are traditionally treated as two weakly related 3D structures and detected with different algorithms. With our method, we detect both by simply adjusting the resolution parameter. We therefore argue that they represent two specific levels of a continuous spectrum 3D communities, rather than seeing them as different structural entities.

q-bio.GN↗

arXiv2018

Cross-over between diffusion-limited and reaction-limited regimes in the coagulation-diffusion process

The change from the diffusion-limited to the reaction-limited cooperative behaviour in reaction-diffusion systems is analysed by comparing the universal long-time behaviour of the coagulation-diffusion process on a chain and on the Bethe lattice. On a chain, this model is exactly solvable through the empty-interval method. This method can be extended to the Bethe lattice, in the ben-Avraham-Glasser approximation. On the Bethe lattice, the analysis of the Laplace-transformed time-dependent particle-density is analogous to the study of the stationary state, if a stochastic reset to a configuration of uncorrelated particles is added. In this stationary state logarithmic corrections to scaling are found, as expected for systems at the upper critical dimension. Analogous results hold true for the time-integrated particle-density. The crossover scaling functions and the associated effective exponents between the chain and the Bethe lattice are derived.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2017

Exactly solvable models of growing interfaces and lattice gases: the Arcetri models, ageing and logarithmic sub-ageing

Motivated by an analogy with the spherical model of a ferromagnet, the three Arcetri models are defined. They present new universality classes, either for the growth of interfaces, or else for lattice gases. They are distinct from the common Edwards-Wilkinson and Kardar-Parisi-Zhang universality classes. Their non-equilibrium evolution can be studied from the exact computation of their two-time correlators and responses. The first model, in both interpretations, has a critical point in any dimension and shows simple ageing at and below criticality. The exact universal exponents are found. The second and third model are solved at zero temperature, in one dimension, where both show logarithmic sub-ageing, of which several distinct types are identified. Physically, the second model describes a lattice gas and the third model interface growth. A clear physical picture on the subsequent time- and length-scales of the sub-ageing process emerges.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2017

Emergence of Nonwhite Noise in Langevin Dynamics with Magnetic Lorentz Force

We investigate the low mass limit of Langevin dynamics for a charged Brownian particle driven by the magnetic Lorentz force. In the low mass limit, velocity variables relaxing quickly are coarse-grained out to yield effective dynamics for position variables. Without Lorentz force, the low mass limit is equivalent to the high friction limit. Both cases share the same Langevin equation that is obtained by setting the mass to zero in the original Langevin equation. The equivalence breaks down in the presence of the Lorentz force. The low mass limit turns out to be singular. The system in the low mass limit is different from the system with zero mass. The low mass limit is also different from the large friction limit. We derive the effective equations of motion in the low mass limit. The resulting stochastic differential equation involves a nonwhite noise whose correlation matrix has antisymmetric components. We demonstrate the importance of the nonwhite noise by investigating the heat dissipation by the Brownian particle.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2015

Spherical model of growing interfaces

Building on an analogy between the ageing behaviour of magnetic systems and growing interfaces, the Arcetri model, a new exactly solvable model for growing interfaces is introduced, which shares many properties with the kinetic spherical model. The long-time behaviour of the interface width and of the two-time correlators and responses is analysed. For all dimensions $d\ne 2$, universal characteristics distinguish the Arcetri model from the Edwards-Wilkinson model, although for $d>2$ all stationary and non-equilibrium exponents are the same. For $d=1$ dimensions, the Arcetri model is equivalent to the $p=2$ spherical spin glass. For $2<d<4$ dimensions, its relaxation properties are related to the ones of a particle-reaction model, namely a bosonic variant of the diffusive pair-contact process. The global persistence exponent is also derived.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2015

Overdamped limit and inverse friction expansion for the Brownian motion in an inhomogeneous medium

We revisit the problem of the overdamped (large friction) limit of the Brownian dynamics in an inhomogeneous medium characterized by a position-dependent friction coefficient and a multiplicative noise (local temperature) in one space dimension. Starting from the Kramers equation and analyzing it through the expansion in terms of eigenfunctions of a quantum harmonic oscillator, we derive analytically the corresponding Fokker-Planck equation in the overdamped limit. The result is fully consistent with the previous finding by Sancho, San Miguel, and Dürr \cite{Sanc82}. Our method allows us to generalize the Brinkman's hierarchy, and thus it would be straightforward to obtain higher-order corrections in a systematic inverse friction expansion without any assumption. Our results are confirmed by numerical simulations for simple examples.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2013

Statistical mechanics of the coagulation-diffusion process with a stochastic reset

The effects of a stochastic reset, to its initial configuration, is studied in the exactly solvable one-dimensional coagulation-diffusion process. A finite resetting rate leads to a modified non-equilibrium stationary state. If in addition the input of particles at a fixed given rate is admitted, a competition between the resetting and the input rates leads to a non-trivial behaviour of the particle-density in the stationary state. From the exact inter-particle probability distribution, a simple physical picture emerges: the reset mainly changes the behaviour at larger distance scales, while at smaller length scales, the non-trivial correlation of the model without a reset dominates.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2013

Faster is More Different: Mean-Field Dynamics of Innovation Diffusion

Based on a recent model of paradigm shifts by Bornholdt et al., we studied mean-field opinion dynamics in an infinite population where an infinite number of ideas compete simultaneously with their values publicly known. We found that a highly innovative society is not characterized by heavy concentration in highly valued ideas: Rather, ideas are more broadly distributed in a more innovative society with faster progress, provided that the rate of adoption is constant, which suggests a positive correlation between innovation and technological disparity. Furthermore, the distribution is generally skewed in such a way that the fraction of innovators is substantially smaller than has been believed in conventional innovation-diffusion theory based on normality. Thus, the typical adoption pattern is predicted to be asymmetric with slow saturation in the ideal situation, which is compared with empirical data sets.

physics.soc-ph↗

arXiv2010

Exact two-time correlation and response functions in the one-dimensional coagulation-diffusion process by the empty-interval-particle method

The one-dimensional coagulation-diffusion process describes the strongly fluctuating dynamics of particles, freely hopping between the nearest-neighbour sites of a chain such that one of them disappears with probability 1 if two particles meet. The exact two-time correlation and response function in the one-dimensional coagulation-diffusion process are derived from the empty-interval-particle method. The main quantity is the conditional probability of finding an empty interval of n consecutive sites, if at distance d a site is occupied by a particle. Closed equations of motion are derived such that the probabilities needed for the calculation of correlators and responses, respectively, are distinguished by different initial and boundary conditions. In this way, the dynamical scaling of these two-time observables is analysed in the longtime ageing regime. A new generalised fluctuation-dissipation ratio with an universal and finite limit is proposed.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2010

Exact correlations in the one-dimensional coagulation-diffusion process by the empty-interval method

The long-time dynamics of reaction-diffusion processes in low dimensions is dominated by fluctuation effects. The one-dimensional coagulation-diffusion process describes the kinetics of particles which freely hop between the sites of a chain and where upon encounter of two particles, one of them disappears with probability one. The empty-interval method has, since a long time, been a convenient tool for the exact calculation of time-dependent particle densities in this model. We generalise the empty-interval method by considering the probability distributions of two simultaneous empty intervals at a given distance. While the equations of motion of these probabilities reduce for the coagulation-diffusion process to a simple diffusion equation in the continuum limit, consistency with the single-interval distribution introduces several non-trivial boundary conditions which are solved for the first time for arbitrary initial configurations. In this way, exact space-time-dependent correlation functions can be directly obtained and their dynamic scaling behaviour is analysed for large classes of initial conditions.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2009

Ageing in bosonic particle-reaction models with long-range transport

Ageing in systems without detailed balance is studied in bosonic contact and pair-contact processes with Levy diffusion. In the ageing regime, the dynamical scaling of the two-time correlation function and two-time response function is found and analysed. Exact results for non-equilibrium exponents and scaling functions are derived. The behaviour of the fluctuation-dissipation ratio is analysed. A passage time from the quasi-stationary regime to the ageing regime is defined, in qualitative agreement with kinetic spherical models and p-spin spherical glasses.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗