@article{ZykovBordyugovLentzetal.2010, author = {Zykov, Vladimir and Bordyugov, Grigory and Lentz, Hartmut and Engel, Harald}, title = {Hysteresis phenomenon in the dynamics of spiral waves rotating around a hole}, issn = {0167-2789}, doi = {10.1016/j.physd.2009.07.018}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Hysteresis in the pinning-depinning transitions of spiral waves rotating around a hole in a circular shaped two- dimensional excitable medium is studied both by use of the continuation software AUTO and by direct numerical integration of the reaction-diffusion equations for the FitzHugh-Nagumo model. In order to clarify the role of different factors in this phenomenon, a kinematical description is applied. It is found that the hysteresis phenomenon computed for the reaction-diffusion model can be reproduced qualitatively only when a nonlinear eikonal equation (i.e. velocity- curvature relationship) is assumed. However, to obtain quantitative agreement, the dispersion relation has to be taken into account.}, language = {en} } @article{ZunkovicProsen2010, author = {Zunkovic, Bojan and Prosen, Tomaz}, title = {Explicit solution of the Lindblad equation for nearly isotropic boundary driven XY spin 1/2 chain}, issn = {1742-5468}, doi = {10.1088/1742-5468/2010/08/P08016}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Explicit solution for the two-point correlation function in a non-equilibrium steady state of a nearly isotropic boundary driven open XY spin 1/2 chain in the Lindblad formulation is provided. A non-equilibrium quantum phase transition from exponentially decaying correlations to long range order is discussed analytically. In the regime of long range order a new phenomenon of correlation resonances is reported, where the correlation response of the system is unusually high for certain discrete values of the external bulk parameter, e.g. the magnetic field.}, language = {en} } @article{ZhuStoyanovKofodetal.2010, author = {Zhu, Jian and Stoyanov, Hristiyan and Kofod, Guggi and Suo, Zhigang}, title = {Large deformation and electromechanical instability of a dielectric elastomer tube actuator}, issn = {0021-8979}, doi = {10.1063/1.3490186}, year = {2010}, abstract = {This paper theoretically analyzes a dielectric elastomer tube actuator (DETA). Subject to a voltage difference between the inner and outer surfaces, the actuator reduces in thickness and expands in length, so that the same voltage will induce an even higher electric field. This positive feedback may cause the actuator to thin down drastically, resulting in electrical breakdown. We obtain an analytical solution of the actuator undergoing finite deformation when the elastomer obeys the neo-Hookean model. The critical strain of actuation is calculated in terms of various parameters of design. We also discuss the effect of the strain-stiffening on electromechanical behavior of DETAs by using the model of freely joined links. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3490186]}, language = {en} } @article{ZakharovaVadivasovaAnishchenkoetal.2010, author = {Zakharova, Anna and Vadivasova, Tatjana and Anishchenko, Vadim S. and Koseska, Aneta and Kurths, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Stochastic bifurcations and coherencelike resonance in a self-sustained bistable noisy oscillator}, issn = {1539-3755}, doi = {10.1103/Physreve.81.011106}, year = {2010}, abstract = {We investigate the influence of additive Gaussian white noise on two different bistable self-sustained oscillators: Duffing-Van der Pol oscillator with hard excitation and a model of a synthetic genetic oscillator. In the deterministic case, both oscillators are characterized with a coexistence of a stable limit cycle and a stable equilibrium state. We find that under the influence of noise, their dynamics can be well characterized through the concept of stochastic bifurcation, consisting in a qualitative change of the stationary amplitude distribution. For the Duffing-Van der Pol oscillator analytical results, obtained for a quasiharmonic approach, are compared with the result of direct computer simulations. In particular, we show that the dynamics is different for isochronous and anisochronous systems. Moreover, we find that the increase of noise intensity in the isochronous regime leads to a narrowing of the spectral line. This effect is similar to coherence resonance. However, in the case of anisochronous systems, this effect breaks down and a new phenomenon, anisochronous-based stochastic bifurcation occurs.}, language = {en} } @article{WuZhouChenetal.2010, author = {Wu, Ye and Zhou, Changsong and Chen, Maoyin and Xiao, Jinghua and Kurths, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Human comment dynamics in on-line social systems}, issn = {0378-4371}, doi = {10.1016/j.physa.2010.08.049}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Human comment is studied using data from 'tianya' which is one of the most popular on-line social systems in China. We found that the time interval between two consecutive comments on the same topic, called inter-event time, follows a power-law distribution. This result shows that there is no characteristic decay time on a topic. It allows for very long periods without comments that separate bursts of intensive comments. Furthermore, the frequency of a different ID commenting on a topic also follows a power-law distribution. It indicates that there are some "hubs" in the topic who lead the direction of the public opinion. Based on the personal comments habit, a model is introduced to explain these phenomena. The numerical simulations of the model fit well with the empirical results. Our findings are helpful for discovering regular patterns of human behavior in on-line society and the evolution of the public opinion on the virtual as well as real society.}, language = {en} } @article{WuZhouXiaoetal.2010, author = {Wu, Ye Wu and Zhou, Changsong and Xiao, Jinghua and Kurths, J{\"u}rgen and Schellnhuber, Hans Joachim}, title = {Evidence for a bimodal distribution in human communication}, issn = {0027-8424}, doi = {10.1073/pnas.1013140107}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Interacting human activities underlie the patterns of many social, technological, and economic phenomena. Here we present clear empirical evidence from Short Message correspondence that observed human actions are the result of the interplay of three basic ingredients: Poisson initiation of tasks and decision making for task execution in individual humans as well as interaction among individuals. This interplay leads to new types of interevent time distribution, neither completely Poisson nor power-law, but a bimodal combination of them. We show that the events can be separated into independent bursts which are generated by frequent mutual interactions in short times following random initiations of communications in longer times by the individuals. We introduce a minimal model of two interacting priority queues incorporating the three basic ingredients which fits well the distributions using the parameters extracted from the empirical data. The model can also embrace a range of realistic social interacting systems such as e-mail and letter communications when taking the time scale of processing into account. Our findings provide insight into various human activities both at the individual and network level. Our analysis and modeling of bimodal activity in human communication from the viewpoint of the interplay between processes of different time scales is likely to shed light on bimodal phenomena in other complex systems, such as interevent times in earthquakes, rainfall, forest fire, and economic systems, etc.}, language = {en} } @article{WinterWinterFernandesGuimaraesetal.2010, author = {Winter, Silvia Maria Giuliatti and Winter, Othon Cabo and Fernandes Guimar{\~a}es, Ana Helena and Silva, Maria Rita}, title = {Exploring S-type orbits in the Pluto-Charon binary system}, issn = {0035-8711}, doi = {10.1111/j.1365-2966.2010.16302.x}, year = {2010}, abstract = {This work generates, through a sample of numerical simulations of the restricted three-body problem, diagrams of semimajor axis and eccentricity which defines stable and unstable zones for particles in S-type orbits around Pluto and Charon. Since we consider initial conditions with 0 <= e <= 0.99, we found several new stable regions. We also identified the nature of each one of these newly found stable regions. They are all associated to families of periodic orbits derived from the planar circular restricted three-body problem. We have shown that a possible eccentricity of the Pluto-Charon system slightly reduces, but does not destroy, any of the stable regions.}, language = {en} } @article{WangFruebingWirgesetal.2010, author = {Wang, Feipeng and Fr{\"u}bing, Peter and Wirges, Werner and Gerhard, Reimund and Wegener, Michael}, title = {Enhanced Polarization in Melt-quenched and Stretched Poly(vinylidene Fluoride-Hexafluoropropylene) Films}, issn = {1070-9878}, doi = {10.1109/TDEI.2010.5539679}, year = {2010}, abstract = {beta-phase poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (P(VDF-HFP)) copolymer films were prepared by uniaxially stretching solution-cast or melt-quenched samples. Different preparation routes lead to different amounts of the crystalline alpha and beta phases in the films, as detected by means of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry. The beta phase is significantly enhanced in melt-quenched and stretched films in comparison to solution-cast and stretched films. This is particularly true for copolymer samples with higher HFP content. The beta- phase enhancement is also observed in ferroelectric-hysteresis experiments where a rather high polarization of 58 mC/ m(2) was found on melt-quenched and stretched samples after poling at electric fields of 140 MV/m. After poling at 160 MV/m, one of these samples exhibited a piezoelectric d(33) coefficient as high as 21 pC/N. An electric-field-induced partial transition from the alpha to the beta phase was also observed on the melt-quenched and stretched samples. This effect leads to a further increase in the applications-relevant dipole polarization. Uniaxially stretched ferroelectric- polymer films are highly anisotropic. Dielectric resonance spectroscopy reveals a strong increase of the transverse piezoelectric d(32) coefficient and a strong decrease of the transverse elastic modulus c(32) upon heating from 20 to 50 degrees C.}, language = {en} } @article{VotrubaFeldmeierKrtickaetal.2010, author = {Votruba, Viktor and Feldmeier, Achim and Krticka, Jiri and Kub{\´a}t, Jiř{\´i}}, title = {Multicomponent stellar wind from hot subdwarfs stars}, issn = {0004-640X}, doi = {10.1007/s10509-010-0402-2}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Stellar wind from hot subdwarf stars is mainly accelerated by the interaction of ultraviolet photospheric radiation with metals, mainly oxygen. Absorbing ions share momentum through Coulombic collisions with the remaining passive part of the plasma (namely protons). We found that in the case of the winds from hot subdwarfs, interactions could be so small that they stop the momentum transfer between the passive bulk of plasma and absorbing ions. As a result wind decouples at a certain point.}, language = {en} } @article{VladkovaKoynovaTeuchneretal.2010, author = {Vladkova, Radka and Koynova, Rumiana and Teuchner, Klaus and Tenchov, Boris}, title = {Bilayer structural destabilization by low amounts of chlorophyll a}, issn = {0005-2736}, doi = {10.1016/j.bbamem.2010.05.008}, year = {2010}, abstract = {The present study shows that small admixtures of one chlorophyll a (Chla) molecule per several hundred lipid molecules have strong destabilizing effect on lipid bilayers. This effect is clearly displayed in the properties of the L-alpha-H-II transformations and results from a Chla preference for the H-II relative to the L-alpha phase. Chla disfavors the lamellar liquid crystalline phase L-alpha and induces its replacement with inverted hexagonal phase H-II, as is consistently demonstrated by DSC and X-ray diffraction measurements on phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) dispersions. Chla lowers the L-alpha-H-II transition temperature (42 degrees C) of the fully hydrated dipalmitoleoyl PE (DPoPE) by similar to 8 degrees C and similar to 17 degrees C at Chla/DPoPE molar ratios of 1:500 and 1:100, respectively. Similar Chla effect was recorded also for dielaidoyl PE dispersions. The lowering of the transition temperature and the accompanying significant loss of transition cooperativity reflect the Chla repartitioning and preference for the H-II phase. The reduction of the H-II phase lattice constant in the presence of Chla is an indication that Chla favors v phase formation by decreasing the radius of spontaneous monolayer curvature, and not by filling up the interstitial spaces between the H-II phase cylinders. The observed Chla preference for H-II phase and the substantial bilayer destabilization in the vicinity of a bilayer-to-nonbilayer phase transformation caused by low Chla concentrations can be of interest as a potential regulatory or membrane-damaging factor.}, language = {en} }