@article{SinghMetzlerSandev2020, author = {Singh, Rishu Kumar and Metzler, Ralf and Sandev, Trifce}, title = {Resetting dynamics in a confining potential}, series = {Journal of physics : A, Mathematical and theoretical}, volume = {53}, journal = {Journal of physics : A, Mathematical and theoretical}, number = {50}, publisher = {IOP Publ. Ltd.}, address = {Bristol}, issn = {1751-8113}, doi = {10.1088/1751-8121/abc83a}, pages = {28}, year = {2020}, abstract = {We study Brownian motion in a confining potential under a constant-rate resetting to a reset position x(0). The relaxation of this system to the steady-state exhibits a dynamic phase transition, and is achieved in a light cone region which grows linearly with time. When an absorbing boundary is introduced, effecting a symmetry breaking of the system, we find that resetting aids the barrier escape only when the particle starts on the same side as the barrier with respect to the origin. We find that the optimal resetting rate exhibits a continuous phase transition with critical exponent of unity. Exact expressions are derived for the mean escape time, the second moment, and the coefficient of variation (CV).}, language = {en} } @article{WeberBahrsAlirezaeizanjanietal.2019, author = {Weber, Ariane and Bahrs, Marco and Alirezaeizanjani, Zahra and Zhang, Xingyu and Beta, Carsten and Zaburdaev, Vasily}, title = {Rectification of Bacterial Diffusion in Microfluidic Labyrinths}, series = {Frontiers in Physics}, volume = {7}, journal = {Frontiers in Physics}, publisher = {Frontiers Media}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {2296-424X}, doi = {10.3389/fphy.2019.00148}, pages = {11}, year = {2019}, abstract = {In nature as well as in the context of infection and medical applications, bacteria often have to move in highly complex environments such as soil or tissues. Previous studies have shown that bacteria strongly interact with their surroundings and are often guided by confinements. Here, we investigate theoretically how the dispersal of swimming bacteria can be augmented by microfluidic environments and validate our theoretical predictions experimentally. We consider a system of bacteria performing the prototypical run-and-tumble motion inside a labyrinth with square lattice geometry. Narrow channels between the square obstacles limit the possibility of bacteria to reorient during tumbling events to an area where channels cross. Thus, by varying the geometry of the lattice it might be possible to control the dispersal of cells. We present a theoretical model quantifying diffusive spreading of a run-and-tumble random walker in a square lattice. Numerical simulations validate our theoretical predictions for the dependence of the diffusion coefficient on the lattice geometry. We show that bacteria moving in square labyrinths exhibit enhanced dispersal as compared to unconfined cells. Importantly, confinement significantly extends the duration of the phase with strongly non-Gaussian diffusion, when the geometry of channels is imprinted in the density profiles of spreading cells. Finally, in good agreement with our theoretical findings, we observe the predicted behaviors in experiments with E. coli bacteria swimming in a square lattice labyrinth created in amicrofluidic device. Altogether, our comprehensive understanding of bacterial dispersal in a simple two-dimensional labyrinth makes the first step toward the analysis of more complex geometries relevant for real world applications.}, language = {en} } @article{ŚlęzakBurneckiMetzler2019, author = {Ślęzak, Jakub and Burnecki, Krzysztof and Metzler, Ralf}, title = {Random coefficient autoregressive processes describe Brownian yet non-Gaussian diffusion in heterogeneous systems}, series = {New Journal of Physics}, volume = {21}, journal = {New Journal of Physics}, publisher = {Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft ; IOP, Institute of Physics}, address = {Bad Honnef und London}, issn = {1367-2630}, doi = {10.1088/1367-2630/ab3366}, pages = {18}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Many studies on biological and soft matter systems report the joint presence of a linear mean-squared displacement and a non-Gaussian probability density exhibiting, for instance, exponential or stretched-Gaussian tails. This phenomenon is ascribed to the heterogeneity of the medium and is captured by random parameter models such as 'superstatistics' or 'diffusing diffusivity'. Independently, scientists working in the area of time series analysis and statistics have studied a class of discrete-time processes with similar properties, namely, random coefficient autoregressive models. In this work we try to reconcile these two approaches and thus provide a bridge between physical stochastic processes and autoregressive models.Westart from the basic Langevin equation of motion with time-varying damping or diffusion coefficients and establish the link to random coefficient autoregressive processes. By exploring that link we gain access to efficient statistical methods which can help to identify data exhibiting Brownian yet non-Gaussian diffusion.}, language = {en} } @article{CaiToetzkeKaestneretal.2022, author = {Cai, Gaochao and T{\"o}tzke, Christian and Kaestner, Anders and Ahmed, Mutez Ali}, title = {Quantification of root water uptake and redistribution using neutron imaging: a review and future directions}, series = {The plant journal}, volume = {111}, journal = {The plant journal}, number = {2}, publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell}, address = {Oxford [u.a.]}, issn = {0960-7412}, doi = {10.1111/tpj.15839}, pages = {348 -- 359}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Quantifying root water uptake is essential to understanding plant water use and responses to different environmental conditions. However, non-destructive measurement of water transport and related hydraulics in the soil-root system remains a challenge. Neutron imaging, with its high sensitivity to hydrogen, has become an unparalleled tool to visualize and quantify root water uptake in vivo. In combination with isotopes (e.g., deuterated water) and a diffusion-convection model, root water uptake and hydraulic redistribution in root and soil can be quantified. Here, we review recent advances in utilizing neutron imaging to visualize and quantify root water uptake, hydraulic redistribution in roots and soil, and root hydraulic properties of different plant species. Under uniform soil moisture distributions, neutron radiographic studies have shown that water uptake was not uniform along the root and depended on both root type and age. For both tap (e.g., lupine [Lupinus albus L.]) and fibrous (e.g., maize [Zea mays L.]) root systems, water was mainly taken up through lateral roots. In mature maize, the location of water uptake shifted from seminal roots and their laterals to crown/nodal roots and their laterals. Under non-uniform soil moisture distributions, part of the water taken up during the daytime maintained the growth of crown/nodal roots in the upper, drier soil layers. Ultra-fast neutron tomography provides new insights into 3D water movement in soil and roots. We discuss the limitations of using neutron imaging and propose future directions to utilize neutron imaging to advance our understanding of root water uptake and soil-root interactions.}, language = {en} } @article{HennigKuehn2021, author = {Hennig, Theresa and K{\"u}hn, Michael}, title = {Potential uranium migration within the geochemical gradient of the opalinus clay system at the Mont Terri}, series = {Minerals}, volume = {11}, journal = {Minerals}, number = {10}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2075-163X}, doi = {10.3390/min11101087}, pages = {22}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Transport properties of potential host rocks for nuclear waste disposal are typically determined in laboratory or in-situ experiments under geochemically controlled and constant conditions. Such a homogeneous assumption is no longer applicable on the host rock scale as can be seen from the pore water profiles of the potential host rock Opalinus Clay at Mont Terri (Switzerland). The embedding aquifers are the hydro-geological boundaries, that established gradients in the 210 m thick low permeable section through diffusive exchange over millions of years. Present-day pore water profiles were confirmed by a data-driven as well as by a conceptual scenario. Based on the modelled profiles, the influence of the geochemical gradient on uranium migration was quantified by comparing the distances after one million years with results of common homogeneous models. Considering the heterogeneous system, uranium migrated up to 24 m farther through the formation depending on the source term position within the gradient and on the partial pressure of carbon dioxide pCO2 of the system. Migration lengths were almost equal for single- and multicomponent diffusion. Differences can predominantly be attributed to changes in the sorption capacity, whereby pCO2 governs how strong uranium migration is affected by the geochemical gradient. Thus, the governing parameters for uranium migration in the Opalinus Clay can be ordered in descending priority: pCO2, geochemical gradients, mineralogical heterogeneity.

}, language = {en} } @article{AbdallaAharonianBenkhalietal.2019, author = {Abdalla, Hassan E. and Aharonian, Felix A. and Benkhali, F. Ait and Ang{\"u}ner, Ekrem Oǧuzhan and Arakawa, M. and Arcaro, C. and Armand, C. and Arrieta, M. and Backes, M. and Barnard, M. and Becherini, Y. and Tjus, J. Becker and Berge, D. and Bernloehr, K. and Blackwell, R. and Bottcher, M. and Boisson, C. and Bolmont, J. and Bonnefoy, S. and Bordas, Pol and Bregeon, J. and Brun, F. and Brun, P. and Bryan, M. and Buechele, M. and Bulik, T. and Bylund, T. and Capasso, M. and Caroff, S. and Carosi, A. and Casanova, Sabrina and Cerruti, M. and Chakraborty, N. and Chand, T. and Chandra, S. and Chaves, R. C. G. and Chen, A. and Colafrancesco, S. and Condon, B. and Davids, I. D. and Deil, C. and Devin, J. and deWilt, P. and Dirson, L. and Djannati-Atai, A. and Dmytriiev, A. and Donath, A. and Doroshenko, V and Dyks, J. and Egberts, Kathrin and Emery, G. and Ernenwein, J-P and Eschbach, S. and Fegan, S. and Fiasson, A. and Fontaine, G. and Funk, S. and Fuessling, M. and Gabici, S. and Gallant, Y. A. and Gate, F. and Giavitto, G. and Glawion, D. and Glicenstein, J. F. and Gottschall, D. and Grondin, M-H and Hahn, J. and Haupt, M. and Heinzelmann, G. and Henri, G. and Hermann, G. and Hinton, James Anthony and Hofmann, W. and Hoischen, Clemens and Holch, Tim Lukas and Holler, M. and Horns, D. and Huber, D. and Iwasaki, H. and Jacholkowska, A. and Jamrozy, M. and Jankowsky, D. and Jankowsky, F. and Jouvin, L. and Jung-Richardt, I and Kastendieck, M. A. and Katarzynski, K. and Katsuragawa, M. and Katz, U. and Kerszberg, D. and Khangulyan, D. and Khelifi, B. and King, J. and Klepser, S. and Kluzniak, W. and Komin, Nu and Kosack, K. and Kraus, M. and Lamanna, G. and Lau, J. and Lefaucheur, J. and Lemiere, A. and Lemoine-Goumard, M. and Lenain, J-P and Leser, Eva and Lohse, T. and Lopez-Coto, R. and Lypova, I and Malyshev, D. and Marandon, V and Marcowith, Alexandre and Mariaud, C. and Marti-Devesa, G. and Marx, R. and Maurin, G. and Meintjes, P. J. and Mitchell, A. M. W. and Moderski, R. and Mohamed, M. and Mohrmann, L. and Moore, C. and Moulin, Emmanuel and Murach, T. and Nakashima, S. and de Naurois, M. and Ndiyavala, H. and Niederwanger, F. and Niemiec, J. and Oakes, L. and Odaka, H. and Ohm, S. and Ostrowski, M. and Oya, I and Panter, M. and Parsons, R. D. and Perennes, C. and Petrucci, P-O and Peyaud, B. and Piel, Q. and Pita, S. and Poireau, V and Noel, A. Priyana and Prokhorov, D. A. and Prokoph, H. and Puehlhofer, G. and Punch, M. and Quirrenbach, A. and Raab, S. and Rauth, R. and Reimer, A. and Reimer, O. and Renaud, M. and Rieger, F. and Rinchiuso, L. and Romoli, C. and Rowell, G. and Rudak, B. and Ruiz-Velasco, E. and Sahakian, V and Saito, S. and Sanchez, David M. and Santangelo, Andrea and Sasaki, M. and Schlickeiser, R. and Schussler, F. and Schulz, A. and Schutte, H. and Schwanke, U. and Schwemmer, S. and Seglar-Arroyo, M. and Senniappan, M. and Seyffert, A. S. and Shafi, N. and Shilon, I and Shiningayamwe, K. and Simoni, R. and Sinha, A. and Sol, H. and Specovius, A. and Spir-Jacob, M. and Stawarz, L. and Steenkamp, R. and Stegmann, Christian and Steppa, Constantin Beverly and Takahashi, T. and Tavernet, J-P and Tavernier, T. and Taylor, A. M. and Terrier, R. and Tibaldo, L. and Tiziani, D. and Tluczykont, M. and Trichard, C. and Tsirou, M. and Tsuji, N. and Tuffs, R. and Uchiyama, Y. and van der Walt, D. J. and van Eldik, C. and van Rensburg, C. and van Soelen, B. and Vasileiadis, G. and Veh, J. and Venter, C. and Vincent, P. and Vink, J. and Voisin, F. and Voelk, H. J. and Vuillaume, T. and Wadiasingh, Z. and Wagner, S. J. and Wagner, R. M. and White, R. and Wierzcholska, A. and Yang, R. and Yoneda, H. and Zaborov, D. and Zacharias, M. and Zanin, R. and Zdziarski, A. A. and Zech, Alraune and Zefi, F. and Ziegler, A. and Zorn, J. and Zywucka, N.}, title = {Particle transport within the pulsar wind nebula HESS J1825-137}, series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, volume = {621}, journal = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, organization = {HESS Collaboration}, issn = {1432-0746}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201834335}, pages = {18}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Context. We present a detailed view of the pulsar wind nebula (PWN) HESS J1825-137. We aim to constrain the mechanisms dominating the particle transport within the nebula, accounting for its anomalously large size and spectral characteristics. Aims. The nebula was studied using a deep exposure from over 12 years of H.E.S.S. I operation, together with data from H.E.S.S. II that improve the low-energy sensitivity. Enhanced energy-dependent morphological and spatially resolved spectral analyses probe the very high energy (VHE, E > 0.1 TeV) gamma-ray properties of the nebula. Methods. The nebula emission is revealed to extend out to 1.5 degrees from the pulsar, similar to 1.5 times farther than previously seen, making HESS J1825-137, with an intrinsic diameter of similar to 100 pc, potentially the largest gamma-ray PWN currently known. Characterising the strongly energy-dependent morphology of the nebula enables us to constrain the particle transport mechanisms. A dependence of the nebula extent with energy of R proportional to E alpha with alpha = -0.29 +/- 0.04(stat) +/- 0.05(sys) disfavours a pure diffusion scenario for particle transport within the nebula. The total gamma-ray flux of the nebula above 1 TeV is found to be (1.12 +/- 0.03(stat) +/- 0.25(sys)) +/- 10(-11) cm(-2) s(-1), corresponding to similar to 64\% of the flux of the Crab nebula. Results. HESS J1825-137 is a PWN with clearly energy-dependent morphology at VHE gamma-ray energies. This source is used as a laboratory to investigate particle transport within intermediate-age PWNe. Based on deep observations of this highly spatially extended PWN, we produce a spectral map of the region that provides insights into the spectral variation within the nebula.}, language = {en} } @article{LiMeiXuetal.2020, author = {Li, Yongge and Mei, Ruoxing and Xu, Yong and Kurths, J{\"u}rgen and Duan, Jinqiao and Metzler, Ralf}, title = {Particle dynamics and transport enhancement in a confined channel with position-dependent diffusivity}, series = {New Journal of Physics}, volume = {22}, journal = {New Journal of Physics}, publisher = {Dt. Physikalische Ges.}, address = {Bad Honnef}, issn = {1367-2630}, doi = {10.1088/1367-2630/ab81b9}, pages = {27}, year = {2020}, abstract = {This work focuses on the dynamics of particles in a confined geometry with position-dependent diffusivity, where the confinement is modelled by a periodic channel consisting of unit cells connected by narrow passage ways. We consider three functional forms for the diffusivity, corresponding to the scenarios of a constant (D ₀), as well as a low (D ₘ) and a high (D d) mobility diffusion in cell centre of the longitudinally symmetric cells. Due to the interaction among the diffusivity, channel shape and external force, the system exhibits complex and interesting phenomena. By calculating the probability density function, mean velocity and mean first exit time with the It{\^o} calculus form, we find that in the absence of external forces the diffusivity D d will redistribute particles near the channel wall, while the diffusivity D ₘ will trap them near the cell centre. The superposition of external forces will break their static distributions. Besides, our results demonstrate that for the diffusivity D d, a high dependence on the x coordinate (parallel with the central channel line) will improve the mean velocity of the particles. In contrast, for the diffusivity D ₘ, a weak dependence on the x coordinate will dramatically accelerate the moving speed. In addition, it shows that a large external force can weaken the influences of different diffusivities; inversely, for a small external force, the types of diffusivity affect significantly the particle dynamics. In practice, one can apply these results to achieve a prominent enhancement of the particle transport in two- or three-dimensional channels by modulating the local tracer diffusivity via an engineered gel of varying porosity or by adding a cold tube to cool down the diffusivity along the central line, which may be a relevant effect in engineering applications. Effects of different stochastic calculi in the evaluation of the underlying multiplicative stochastic equation for different physical scenarios are discussed.}, language = {en} } @article{ChenPohlBottcheretal.2016, author = {Chen, Xuhui and Pohl, Martin and Bottcher, Markus and Gao, Shan}, title = {Particle diffusion and localized acceleration in inhomogeneous AGN jets - II. Stochastic variation}, series = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, volume = {458}, journal = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0035-8711}, doi = {10.1093/mnras/stw528}, pages = {3260 -- 3271}, year = {2016}, abstract = {We study the stochastic variation of blazar emission under a 2D spatially resolved leptonic jet model we previously developed. Random events of particle acceleration and injection in small zones within the emission region are assumed to be responsible for flux variations. In addition to producing spectral energy distributions that describe the observed flux of Mrk 421, we further analyse the timing properties of the simulated light curves, such as the power spectral density (PSD) at different bands, flux-flux correlations, aswell as the cross-correlation function between X-rays and TeV gamma-rays. We find spectral breaks in the PSD at a time-scale comparable to the dominant characteristic time-scale in the system, which is usually the predefined decay time-scale of an acceleration event. Cooling imposes a delay, and so PSDs taken at lower energy bands in each emission component (synchrotron or inverse Compton) generally break at longer time-scales. The flux-flux correlation between X-rays and TeV gamma-rays can be either quadratic or linear, depending on whether or not there are large variation of the injection into the particle acceleration process. When the relationship is quadratic, the TeV flares lag the X-ray flares, and the optical and GeV flares are large enough to be comparable to the ones in X-ray. When the relationship is linear, the lags are insignificant, and the optical and GeV flares are small.}, language = {en} } @article{ChenPohlBoettcher2015, author = {Chen, Xuhui and Pohl, Martin and B{\"o}ttcher, Markus}, title = {Particle diffusion and localized acceleration in inhomogeneous AGN jets - I. Steady-state spectra}, series = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, volume = {447}, journal = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, number = {1}, publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0035-8711}, doi = {10.1093/mnras/stu2438}, pages = {530 -- 544}, year = {2015}, abstract = {We study the acceleration, transport, and emission of particles in relativistic jets. Localized stochastic particle acceleration, spatial diffusion, and synchrotron as well as synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) emission are considered in a leptonic model. To account for inhomogeneity, we use a 2D axisymmetric cylindrical geometry for both relativistic electrons and magnetic field. In this first phase of our work, we focus on steady-state spectra that develop from a time-dependent model. We demonstrate that small isolated acceleration region in a much larger emission volume are sufficient to accelerate particles to high energy. Diffusive escape from these small regions provides a natural explanation for the spectral form of the jet emission. The location of the acceleration regions within the jet is found to affect the cooling break of the spectrum in this diffusive model. Diffusion-caused energy-dependent inhomogeneity in the jets predicts that the SSC spectrum is harder than the synchrotron spectrum. There can also be a spectral hardening towards the high-energy section of the synchrotron spectrum, if particle escape is relatively slow. These two spectral hardening effects indicate that the jet inhomogeneity might be a natural explanation for the unexpected hard. gamma-ray spectra observed in some blazars.}, language = {en} } @article{ChechkinLenzKlages2012, author = {Chechkin, Aleksei V. and Lenz, F. and Klages, Rainer}, title = {Normal and anomalous fluctuation relations for gaussian stochastic dynamics}, series = {Journal of statistical mechanics: theory and experiment}, journal = {Journal of statistical mechanics: theory and experiment}, number = {4}, publisher = {IOP Publ. Ltd.}, address = {Bristol}, issn = {1742-5468}, doi = {10.1088/1742-5468/2012/11/L11001}, pages = {12}, year = {2012}, abstract = {We study transient work fluctuation relations (FRs) for Gaussian stochastic systems generating anomalous diffusion. For this purpose we use a Langevin approach by employing two different types of additive noise: (i) internal noise where the fluctuation dissipation relation of the second kind (FDR II) holds, and (ii) external noise without FDR II. For internal noise we demonstrate that the existence of FDR II implies the existence of the fluctuation dissipation relation of the first kind (FDR I), which in turn leads to conventional (normal) forms of transient work FRs. For systems driven by external noise we obtain violations of normal FRs, which we call anomalous FRs. We derive them in the long-time limit and demonstrate the existence of logarithmic factors in FRs for intermediate times. We also outline possible experimental verifications.}, language = {en} } @article{DunsingPetrichChiantia2021, author = {Dunsing, Valentin and Petrich, Annett and Chiantia, Salvatore}, title = {Multicolor fluorescence fluctuation spectroscopy in living cells via spectral detection}, series = {eLife}, volume = {10}, journal = {eLife}, publisher = {eLife Sciences Publications}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {2050-084X}, doi = {10.7554/eLife.69687}, pages = {33}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Signaling pathways in biological systems rely on specific interactions between multiple biomolecules. Fluorescence fluctuation spectroscopy provides a powerful toolbox to quantify such interactions directly in living cells. Cross-correlation analysis of spectrally separated fluctuations provides information about intermolecular interactions but is usually limited to two fluorophore species. Here, we present scanning fluorescence spectral correlation spectroscopy (SFSCS), a versatile approach that can be implemented on commercial confocal microscopes, allowing the investigation of interactions between multiple protein species at the plasma membrane. We demonstrate that SFSCS enables cross-talk-free cross-correlation, diffusion, and oligomerization analysis of up to four protein species labeled with strongly overlapping fluorophores. As an example, we investigate the interactions of influenza A virus (IAV) matrix protein 2 with two cellular host factors simultaneously. We furthermore apply raster spectral image correlation spectroscopy for the simultaneous analysis of up to four species and determine the stoichiometry of ternary IAV polymerase complexes in the cell nucleus.}, language = {en} } @article{SpallanzaniKogaCichyetal.2022, author = {Spallanzani, Roberta and Koga, Kenneth T. and Cichy, Sarah B. and Wiedenbeck, Michael and Schmidt, Burkhard C. and Oelze, Marcus and Wilke, Max}, title = {Lithium and boron diffusivity and isotopic fractionation in hydrated rhyolitic melts}, series = {Contributions to mineralogy and petrology}, volume = {177}, journal = {Contributions to mineralogy and petrology}, number = {8}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {New York}, issn = {0010-7999}, doi = {10.1007/s00410-022-01937-2}, pages = {17}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Lithium and boron are trace components of magmas, released during exsolution of a gas phase during volcanic activity. In this study, we determine the diffusivity and isotopic fractionation of Li and B in hydrous silicate melts. Two glasses were synthesized with the same rhyolitic composition (4.2 wt\% water), having different Li and B contents; these were studied in diffusion-couple experiments that were performed using an internally heated pressure vessel, operated at 300 MPa in the temperature range 700-1250 degrees C for durations from 0 s to 24 h. From this we determined activation energies for Li and B diffusion of 57 +/- 4 kJ/mol and 152 +/- 15 kJ/mol with pre-exponential factors of 1.53 x 10(-7) m(2)/s and 3.80 x 10(-8) m(2)/s, respectively. Lithium isotopic fractionation during diffusion gave beta values between 0.15 and 0.20, whereas B showed no clear isotopic fractionation. Our Li diffusivities and isotopic fractionation results differ somewhat from earlier published values, but overall confirm that Li diffusivity increases with water content. Our results on B diffusion show that similarly to Li, B mobility increases in the presence of water. By applying the Eyring relation, we confirm that B diffusivity is limited by viscous flow in silicate melts. Our results on Li and B diffusion present a new tool for understanding degassing-related processes, offering a potential geospeedometer to measure volcanic ascent rates.}, language = {en} } @article{ThapaWyłomańskaSikoraetal.2021, author = {Thapa, Samudrajit and Wyłomańska, Agnieszka and Sikora, Grzegorz and Wagner, Caroline E. and Krapf, Diego and Kantz, Holger and Chechkin, Aleksei V. and Metzler, Ralf}, title = {Leveraging large-deviation statistics to decipher the stochastic properties of measured trajectories}, series = {New Journal of Physics}, volume = {23}, journal = {New Journal of Physics}, publisher = {Dt. Physikalische Ges. ; IOP}, address = {Bad Honnef ; London}, issn = {1367-2630}, doi = {10.1088/1367-2630/abd50e}, pages = {22}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Extensive time-series encoding the position of particles such as viruses, vesicles, or individualproteins are routinely garnered insingle-particle tracking experiments or supercomputing studies.They contain vital clues on how viruses spread or drugs may be delivered in biological cells.Similar time-series are being recorded of stock values in financial markets and of climate data.Such time-series are most typically evaluated in terms of time-averaged mean-squareddisplacements (TAMSDs), which remain random variables for finite measurement times. Theirstatistical properties are different for differentphysical stochastic processes, thus allowing us toextract valuable information on the stochastic process itself. To exploit the full potential of thestatistical information encoded in measured time-series we here propose an easy-to-implementand computationally inexpensive new methodology, based on deviations of the TAMSD from itsensemble average counterpart. Specifically, we use the upper bound of these deviations forBrownian motion (BM) to check the applicability of this approach to simulated and real data sets.By comparing the probability of deviations fordifferent data sets, we demonstrate how thetheoretical bound for BM reveals additional information about observed stochastic processes. Weapply the large-deviation method to data sets of tracer beads tracked in aqueous solution, tracerbeads measured in mucin hydrogels, and of geographic surface temperature anomalies. Ouranalysis shows how the large-deviation properties can be efficiently used as a simple yet effectiveroutine test to reject the BM hypothesis and unveil relevant information on statistical propertiessuch as ergodicity breaking and short-time correlations.}, language = {en} } @article{SeissAlbersSremčevićetal.2019, author = {Seiß, Martin and Albers, Nicole and Sremčević, Miodrag and Schmidt, J{\"u}rgen and Salo, Heikki and Seiler, Michael and Hoffmann, Holger and Spahn, Frank}, title = {Hydrodynamic Simulations of Moonlet-induced Propellers in Saturn's Rings}, series = {The astronomical journal}, volume = {157}, journal = {The astronomical journal}, number = {1}, publisher = {IOP Publishing Ltd.}, address = {Bristol}, issn = {0004-6256}, doi = {10.3847/1538-3881/aaed44}, pages = {11}, year = {2019}, abstract = {One of the biggest successes of the Cassini mission is the detection of small moons (moonlets) embedded in Saturns rings that cause S-shaped density structures in their close vicinity, called propellers. Here, we present isothermal hydrodynamic simulations of moonlet-induced propellers in Saturn's A ring that denote a further development of the original model. We find excellent agreement between these new hydrodynamic and corresponding N-body simulations. Furthermore, the hydrodynamic simulations confirm the predicted scaling laws and the analytical solution for the density in the propeller gaps. Finally, this mean field approach allows us to simulate the pattern of the giant propeller Bl{\´e}riot, which is too large to be modeled by direct N-body simulations. Our results are compared to two stellar occultation observations by the Cassini Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrometer (UVIS), which intersect the propeller Bl{\´e}riot. Best fits to the UVIS optical depth profiles are achieved for a Hill radius of 590 m, which implies a moonlet diameter of about 860 m. Furthermore, the model favors a kinematic shear viscosity of the surrounding ring material of ν0 = 340 cm2 s-1, a dispersion velocity in the range of 0.3 cm s-1 < c0 < 1.5 cm s-1, and a fairly high bulk viscosity 7 < ξ0/ν0 < 17. These large transport values might be overestimated by our isothermal ring model and should be reviewed by an extended model including thermal fluctuations.}, language = {en} } @article{ProkopovicDuschlVolodkin2015, author = {Prokopovic, Vladimir Z. and Duschl, Claus and Volodkin, Dmitry}, title = {Hyaluronic Acid/Poly-l-Lysine Multilayers as Reservoirs for Storage and Release of Small Charged Molecules}, series = {Macromolecular bioscience}, volume = {15}, journal = {Macromolecular bioscience}, number = {10}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1616-5187}, doi = {10.1002/mabi.201500093}, pages = {1357 -- 1363}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Polyelectrolyte multilayer films are nowadays very attractive for bioapplications due to their tunable properties and ability to control cellular response. Here we demonstrate that multilayers made of hyaluronic acid and poly-l-lysine act as high-capacity reservoirs for small charged molecules. Strong accumulation within the film is explained by electrostatically driven binding to free charges of polyelectrolytes. Binding and release mechanisms are discussed based on charge balance and polymer dynamics in the film. Our results show that transport of molecules through the film-solution interface limits the release rate. The multilayers might serve as an effective platform for drug delivery and tissue engineering due to high potential for drug loading and controlled release.}, language = {en} } @article{PalyulinMetzler2012, author = {Palyulin, Vladimir V. and Metzler, Ralf}, title = {How a finite potential barrier decreases the mean first-passage time}, series = {Journal of statistical mechanics: theory and experiment}, journal = {Journal of statistical mechanics: theory and experiment}, number = {1}, publisher = {IOP Publ. Ltd.}, address = {Bristol}, issn = {1742-5468}, doi = {10.1088/1742-5468/2012/03/L03001}, pages = {10}, year = {2012}, abstract = {We consider the mean first-passage time of a random walker moving in a potential landscape on a finite interval, the starting and end points being at different potentials. From analytical calculations and Monte Carlo simulations we demonstrate that the mean first-passage time for a piecewise linear curve between these two points is minimized by the introduction of a potential barrier. Due to thermal fluctuations, this barrier may be crossed. It turns out that the corresponding expense for this activation is less severe than the gain from an increased slope towards the end point. In particular, the resulting mean first-passage time is shorter than for a linear potential drop between the two points.}, language = {en} } @article{GrebenkovMetzlerOshanin2020, author = {Grebenkov, Denis S. and Metzler, Ralf and Oshanin, Gleb}, title = {From single-particle stochastic kinetics to macroscopic reaction rates}, series = {New Journal of Physics}, volume = {22}, journal = {New Journal of Physics}, publisher = {Dt. Physikalische Ges.}, address = {Bad Honnef}, issn = {1367-2630}, doi = {10.1088/1367-2630/abb1de}, pages = {28}, year = {2020}, abstract = {We consider the first-passage problem for N identical independent particles that are initially released uniformly in a finite domain Ω and then diffuse toward a reactive area Γ, which can be part of the outer boundary of Ω or a reaction centre in the interior of Ω. For both cases of perfect and partial reactions, we obtain the explicit formulas for the first two moments of the fastest first-passage time (fFPT), i.e., the time when the first out of the N particles reacts with Γ. Moreover, we investigate the full probability density of the fFPT. We discuss a significant role of the initial condition in the scaling of the average fFPT with the particle number N, namely, a much stronger dependence (1/N and 1/N² for partially and perfectly reactive targets, respectively), in contrast to the well known inverse-logarithmic behaviour found when all particles are released from the same fixed point. We combine analytic solutions with scaling arguments and stochastic simulations to rationalise our results, which open new perspectives for studying the relevance of multiple searchers in various situations of molecular reactions, in particular, in living cells.}, language = {en} } @article{GraetzSeissSpahn2018, author = {Gr{\"a}tz, Fabio M. and Seiss, Martin and Spahn, Frank}, title = {Formation of moon-induced gaps in dense planetary rings}, series = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics}, volume = {862}, journal = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics}, number = {2}, publisher = {IOP Publ. Ltd.}, address = {Bristol}, issn = {0004-637X}, doi = {10.3847/1538-4357/aace00}, pages = {9}, year = {2018}, abstract = {We develop an axisymmetric diffusion model to describe radial density profiles in the vicinity of tiny moons embedded in planetary rings. Our diffusion model accounts for the gravitational scattering of the ring particles by an embedded moon and for the viscous diffusion of the ring matter back into the gap. With test particle simulations, we show that the scattering of the ring particles passing the moon is larger for small impact parameters than estimated by Goldreich \& Tremaine and Namouni. This is significant for modeling the Keeler gap. We apply our model to the gaps of the moons Pan and Daphnis embedded in the outer A ring of Saturn with the aim to estimate the shear viscosity of the ring in the vicinity of the Encke and Keeler gap. In addition, we analyze whether tiny icy moons whose dimensions lie below Cassini's resolution capabilities would be able to explain the gap structure of the C ring and the Cassini division.}, language = {en} } @article{SposiniChechkinMetzler2018, author = {Sposini, Vittoria and Chechkin, Aleksei V. and Metzler, Ralf}, title = {First passage statistics for diffusing diffusivity}, series = {Journal of physics : A, Mathematical and theoretical}, volume = {52}, journal = {Journal of physics : A, Mathematical and theoretical}, number = {4}, publisher = {IOP Publ. Ltd.}, address = {Bristol}, issn = {1751-8113}, doi = {10.1088/1751-8121/aaf6ff}, pages = {11}, year = {2018}, abstract = {A rapidly increasing number of systems is identified in which the stochastic motion of tracer particles follows the Brownian law < r(2)(t)> similar or equal to Dt yet the distribution of particle displacements is strongly non-Gaussian. A central approach to describe this effect is the diffusing diffusivity (DD) model in which the diffusion coefficient itself is a stochastic quantity, mimicking heterogeneities of the environment encountered by the tracer particle on its path. We here quantify in terms of analytical and numerical approaches the first passage behaviour of the DD model. We observe significant modifications compared to Brownian-Gaussian diffusion, in particular that the DD model may have a faster first passage dynamics. Moreover we find a universal crossover point of the survival probability independent of the initial condition.}, language = {en} } @article{MutothyaXuLietal.2021, author = {Mutothya, Nicholas Mwilu and Xu, Yong and Li, Yongge and Metzler, Ralf and Mutua, Nicholas Muthama}, title = {First passage dynamics of stochastic motion in heterogeneous media driven by correlated white Gaussian and coloured non-Gaussian noises}, series = {Journal of physics. Complexity}, volume = {2}, journal = {Journal of physics. Complexity}, publisher = {IOP Publishing}, address = {Bristol}, issn = {2632-072X}, doi = {10.1088/2632-072X/ac35b5}, pages = {24}, year = {2021}, abstract = {We study the first passage dynamics for a diffusing particle experiencing a spatially varying diffusion coefficient while driven by correlated additive Gaussian white noise and multiplicative coloured non-Gaussian noise. We consider three functional forms for position dependence of the diffusion coefficient: power-law, exponential, and logarithmic. The coloured non-Gaussian noise is distributed according to Tsallis' q-distribution. Tracks of the non-Markovian systems are numerically simulated by using the fourth-order Runge-Kutta algorithm and the first passage times (FPTs) are recorded. The FPT density is determined along with the mean FPT (MFPT). Effects of the noise intensity and self-correlation of the multiplicative noise, the intensity of the additive noise, the cross-correlation strength, and the non-extensivity parameter on the MFPT are discussed.}, language = {en} } @article{ShinCherstvyKimetal.2015, author = {Shin, Jaeoh and Cherstvy, Andrey G. and Kim, Won Kyu and Metzler, Ralf}, title = {Facilitation of polymer looping and giant polymer diffusivity in crowded solutions of active particles}, series = {New journal of physics : the open-access journal for physics}, volume = {17}, journal = {New journal of physics : the open-access journal for physics}, publisher = {IOP Publ. Ltd.}, address = {Bristol}, issn = {1367-2630}, doi = {10.1088/1367-2630/17/11/113008}, pages = {12}, year = {2015}, abstract = {We study the dynamics of polymer chains in a bath of self-propelled particles (SPP) by extensive Langevin dynamics simulations in a two-dimensional model system. Specifically, we analyse the polymer looping properties versus the SPP activity and investigate how the presence of the active particles alters the chain conformational statistics. We find that SPPs tend to extend flexible polymer chains, while they rather compactify stiffer semiflexible polymers, in agreement with previous results. Here we show that higher activities of SPPs yield a higher effective temperature of the bath and thus facilitate the looping kinetics of a passive polymer chain. We explicitly compute the looping probability and looping time in a wide range of the model parameters. We also analyse the motion of a monomeric tracer particle and the polymer's centre of mass in the presence of the active particles in terms of the time averaged mean squared displacement, revealing a giant diffusivity enhancement for the polymer chain via SPP pooling. Our results are applicable to rationalising the dimensions and looping kinetics of biopolymers at constantly fluctuating and often actively driven conditions inside biological cells or in suspensions of active colloidal particles or bacteria cells.}, language = {en} } @article{GrebenkovSposiniMetzleretal.2020, author = {Grebenkov, Denis S. and Sposini, Vittoria and Metzler, Ralf and Oshanin, Gleb and Seno, Flavio}, title = {Exact distributions of the maximum and range of random diffusivity processes}, series = {New Journal of Physics}, volume = {23}, journal = {New Journal of Physics}, publisher = {Dt. Physikalische Ges.}, address = {Bad Honnef}, issn = {1367-2630}, doi = {10.1088/1367-2630/abd313}, pages = {23}, year = {2020}, abstract = {We study the extremal properties of a stochastic process xt defined by the Langevin equation ẋₜ =√2Dₜ ξₜ, in which ξt is a Gaussian white noise with zero mean and Dₜ is a stochastic'diffusivity', defined as a functional of independent Brownian motion Bₜ.We focus on threechoices for the random diffusivity Dₜ: cut-off Brownian motion, Dₜt ∼ Θ(Bₜ), where Θ(x) is the Heaviside step function; geometric Brownian motion, Dₜ ∼ exp(-Bₜ); and a superdiffusive process based on squared Brownian motion, Dₜ ∼ B²ₜ. For these cases we derive exact expressions for the probability density functions of the maximal positive displacement and of the range of the process xₜ on the time interval ₜ ∈ (0, T).We discuss the asymptotic behaviours of the associated probability density functions, compare these against the behaviour of the corresponding properties of standard Brownian motion with constant diffusivity (Dₜ = D0) and also analyse the typical behaviour of the probability density functions which is observed for a majority of realisations of the stochastic diffusivity process.}, language = {en} } @article{CherstvyMetzler2015, author = {Cherstvy, Andrey G. and Metzler, Ralf}, title = {Ergodicity breaking, ageing, and confinement in generalized diffusion processes with position and time dependent diffusivity}, series = {Journal of statistical mechanics: theory and experiment}, journal = {Journal of statistical mechanics: theory and experiment}, publisher = {IOP Publ. Ltd.}, address = {Bristol}, issn = {1742-5468}, doi = {10.1088/1742-5468/2015/05/P05010}, pages = {20}, year = {2015}, abstract = {We study generalized anomalous diffusion processes whose diffusion coefficient D(x, t) similar to D-0x(alpha)t(beta) depends on both the position x of the test particle and the process time t. This process thus combines the features of scaled Brownian motion and heterogeneous diffusion parent processes. We compute the ensemble and time averaged mean squared displacements of this generalized diffusion process. The scaling exponent of the ensemble averaged mean squared displacement is shown to be the product of the critical exponents of the parent processes, and describes both subdiffusive and superdiffusive systems. We quantify the amplitude fluctuations of the time averaged mean squared displacement as function of the length of the time series and the lag time. In particular, we observe a weak ergodicity breaking of this generalized diffusion process: even in the long time limit the ensemble and time averaged mean squared displacements are strictly disparate. When we start to observe this process some time after its initiation we observe distinct features of ageing. We derive a universal ageing factor for the time averaged mean squared displacement containing all information on the ageing time and the measurement time. External confinement is shown to alter the magnitudes and statistics of the ensemble and time averaged mean squared displacements.}, language = {en} } @article{ShoaeeSannaSforazzini2021, author = {Shoaee, Safa and Sanna, Anna Laura and Sforazzini, Giuseppe}, title = {Elucidating charge generation in green-solvent processed organic solar cells}, series = {Molecules : a journal of synthetic chemistry and natural product chemistry / Molecular Diversity Preservation International}, volume = {26}, journal = {Molecules : a journal of synthetic chemistry and natural product chemistry / Molecular Diversity Preservation International}, number = {24}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {1420-3049}, doi = {10.3390/molecules26247439}, pages = {13}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Organic solar cells have the potential to become the cheapest form of electricity. Rapid increase in the power conversion efficiency of organic solar cells (OSCs) has been achieved with the development of non-fullerene small-molecule acceptors. Next generation photovoltaics based upon environmentally benign "green solvent" processing of organic semiconductors promise a step-change in the adaptability and versatility of solar technologies and promote sustainable development. However, high-performing OSCs are still processed by halogenated (non-environmentally friendly) solvents, so hindering their large-scale manufacture. In this perspective, we discuss the recent progress in developing highly efficient OSCs processed from eco-compatible solvents, and highlight research challenges that should be addressed for the future development of high power conversion efficiencies devices.}, language = {en} } @article{GrebenkovMetzlerOshanin2021, author = {Grebenkov, Denis S. and Metzler, Ralf and Oshanin, Gleb}, title = {Distribution of first-reaction times with target regions on boundaries of shell-like domains}, series = {New Journal of Physics (NJP)}, volume = {2021}, journal = {New Journal of Physics (NJP)}, edition = {23}, publisher = {IOP Publishing}, address = {London}, issn = {1367-2630}, doi = {10.1088/1367-2630/ac4282}, pages = {1 -- 23}, year = {2021}, abstract = {We study the probability density function (PDF) of the first-reaction times between a diffusive ligand and a membrane-bound, immobile imperfect target region in a restricted 'onion-shell' geometry bounded by two nested membranes of arbitrary shapes. For such a setting, encountered in diverse molecular signal transduction pathways or in the narrow escape problem with additional steric constraints, we derive an exact spectral form of the PDF, as well as present its approximate form calculated by help of the so-called self-consistent approximation. For a particular case when the nested domains are concentric spheres, we get a fully explicit form of the approximated PDF, assess the accuracy of this approximation, and discuss various facets of the obtained distributions. Our results can be straightforwardly applied to describe the PDF of the terminal reaction event in multi-stage signal transduction processes.}, language = {en} } @article{MagdziarzMetzlerSzczotkaetal.2012, author = {Magdziarz, Marcin and Metzler, Ralf and Szczotka, Wladyslaw and Zebrowski, Piotr}, title = {Correlated continuous-time random walks-scaling limits and Langevin picture}, series = {Journal of statistical mechanics: theory and experiment}, journal = {Journal of statistical mechanics: theory and experiment}, publisher = {IOP Publ. Ltd.}, address = {Bristol}, issn = {1742-5468}, doi = {10.1088/1742-5468/2012/04/P04010}, pages = {18}, year = {2012}, abstract = {In this paper we analyze correlated continuous-time random walks introduced recently by Tejedor and Metzler (2010 J. Phys. A: Math. Theor. 43 082002). We obtain the Langevin equations associated with this process and the corresponding scaling limits of their solutions. We prove that the limit processes are self-similar and display anomalous dynamics. Moreover, we extend the model to include external forces. Our results are confirmed by Monte Carlo simulations.}, language = {en} } @article{DalBiancoWischkeZhouetal.2017, author = {Dal Bianco, Andrea and Wischke, Christian and Zhou, Shuo and Lendlein, Andreas}, title = {Controlling surface properties and permeability of polyglycerol network films}, series = {Polymers for advanced technologies}, volume = {28}, journal = {Polymers for advanced technologies}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {1042-7147}, doi = {10.1002/pat.3917}, pages = {1263 -- 1268}, year = {2017}, abstract = {While branched polyglycerol (PG)-based molecules are well established as hydrophilic particles, the capacity of utilizing PG in bulk materials and opportunities arising by their further surface functionalization have only recently been considered. Here we investigated how the mold used in PG network synthesis may affect surface composition and how the permeability of substances through PG can be controlled by altering network structure, i.e. introducing 20mol\% oligoethylene glycol (OEG) bifunctional spacer molecules. Overall, PG-based bulk network materials were shown to be tailorable, hydrophilic, low swelling and relatively stiff polyether-based materials, with low impact of salt onto material properties. Based on these features, but also on the principal capacity of free hydroxyl groups to be used for functionalization reactions, these materials may be an interesting platform for medical and technical applications, e.g. as diffusion-rate controlling membrane in aqueous environment. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley \& Sons, Ltd.}, language = {en} } @article{GranadoAbadMetzleretal.2020, author = {Granado, Felipe Le Vot and Abad, Enrique and Metzler, Ralf and Yuste, Santos B.}, title = {Continuous time random walk in a velocity field}, series = {New Journal of Physics}, volume = {22}, journal = {New Journal of Physics}, publisher = {Dt. Physikalische Ges.}, address = {Bad Honnef}, issn = {1367-2630}, doi = {10.1088/1367-2630/ab9ae2}, pages = {27}, year = {2020}, abstract = {We consider the emerging dynamics of a separable continuous time random walk (CTRW) in the case when the random walker is biased by a velocity field in a uniformly growing domain. Concrete examples for such domains include growing biological cells or lipid vesicles, biofilms and tissues, but also macroscopic systems such as expanding aquifers during rainy periods, or the expanding Universe. The CTRW in this study can be subdiffusive, normal diffusive or superdiffusive, including the particular case of a L{\´e}vy flight. We first consider the case when the velocity field is absent. In the subdiffusive case, we reveal an interesting time dependence of the kurtosis of the particle probability density function. In particular, for a suitable parameter choice, we find that the propagator, which is fat tailed at short times, may cross over to a Gaussian-like propagator. We subsequently incorporate the effect of the velocity field and derive a bi-fractional diffusion-advection equation encoding the time evolution of the particle distribution. We apply this equation to study the mixing kinetics of two diffusing pulses, whose peaks move towards each other under the action of velocity fields acting in opposite directions. This deterministic motion of the peaks, together with the diffusive spreading of each pulse, tends to increase particle mixing, thereby counteracting the peak separation induced by the domain growth. As a result of this competition, different regimes of mixing arise. In the case of L{\´e}vy flights, apart from the non-mixing regime, one has two different mixing regimes in the long-time limit, depending on the exact parameter choice: in one of these regimes, mixing is mainly driven by diffusive spreading, while in the other mixing is controlled by the velocity fields acting on each pulse. Possible implications for encounter-controlled reactions in real systems are discussed.}, language = {en} } @article{ŚlęzakMetzlerMagdziarz2019, author = {Ślęzak, Jakub and Metzler, Ralf and Magdziarz, Marcin}, title = {Codifference can detect ergodicity breaking and non-Gaussianity}, series = {New Journal of Physics}, volume = {21}, journal = {New Journal of Physics}, publisher = {Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft}, address = {Bad Honnef}, issn = {1367-2630}, doi = {10.1088/1367-2630/ab13f3}, pages = {25}, year = {2019}, abstract = {We show that the codifference is a useful tool in studying the ergodicity breaking and non-Gaussianity properties of stochastic time series. While the codifference is a measure of dependence that was previously studied mainly in the context of stable processes, we here extend its range of applicability to random-parameter and diffusing-diffusivity models which are important in contemporary physics, biology and financial engineering. We prove that the codifference detects forms of dependence and ergodicity breaking which are not visible from analysing the covariance and correlation functions. We also discuss a related measure of dispersion, which is a nonlinear analogue of the mean squared displacement.}, language = {en} } @article{VilkAghionNathanetal.2022, author = {Vilk, Ohad and Aghion, Erez and Nathan, Ran and Toledo, Sivan and Metzler, Ralf and Assaf, Michael}, title = {Classification of anomalous diffusion in animal movement data using power spectral analysis}, series = {Journal of physics : A, Mathematical and theoretical}, volume = {55}, journal = {Journal of physics : A, Mathematical and theoretical}, number = {33}, publisher = {IOP Publishing}, address = {Bristol}, issn = {1751-8113}, doi = {10.1088/1751-8121/ac7e8f}, pages = {16}, year = {2022}, abstract = {The field of movement ecology has seen a rapid increase in high-resolution data in recent years, leading to the development of numerous statistical and numerical methods to analyse relocation trajectories. Data are often collected at the level of the individual and for long periods that may encompass a range of behaviours. Here, we use the power spectral density (PSD) to characterise the random movement patterns of a black-winged kite (Elanus caeruleus) and a white stork (Ciconia ciconia). The tracks are first segmented and clustered into different behaviours (movement modes), and for each mode we measure the PSD and the ageing properties of the process. For the foraging kite we find 1/f noise, previously reported in ecological systems mainly in the context of population dynamics, but not for movement data. We further suggest plausible models for each of the behavioural modes by comparing both the measured PSD exponents and the distribution of the single-trajectory PSD to known theoretical results and simulations.}, language = {en} } @article{MutothyaXuLietal.2021, author = {Mutothya, Nicholas Mwilu and Xu, Yong and Li, Yongge and Metzler, Ralf}, title = {Characterising stochastic motion in heterogeneous media driven by coloured non-Gaussian noise}, series = {Journal of physics : A, Mathematical and theoretical}, volume = {54}, journal = {Journal of physics : A, Mathematical and theoretical}, number = {29}, publisher = {IOP Publ. Ltd.}, address = {Bristol}, issn = {1751-8113}, doi = {10.1088/1751-8121/abfba6}, pages = {31}, year = {2021}, abstract = {We study the stochastic motion of a test particle in a heterogeneous medium in terms of a position dependent diffusion coefficient mimicking measured deterministic diffusivity gradients in biological cells or the inherent heterogeneity of geophysical systems. Compared to previous studies we here investigate the effect of the interplay of anomalous diffusion effected by position dependent diffusion coefficients and coloured non-Gaussian noise. The latter is chosen to be distributed according to Tsallis' q-distribution, representing a popular example for a non-extensive statistic. We obtain the ensemble and time averaged mean squared displacements for this generalised process and establish its non-ergodic properties as well as analyse the non-Gaussian nature of the associated displacement distribution. We consider both non-stratified and stratified environments.}, language = {en} } @article{ProkopovicVikulinaSustretal.2016, author = {Prokopovic, Vladimir Z. and Vikulina, Anna S. and Sustr, David and Duschl, Claus and Volodkin, Dmitry}, title = {Biodegradation-Resistant Multilayers Coated with Gold Nanoparticles. Toward a Tailor-made Artificial Extracellular Matrix}, series = {Journal of colloid and interface science}, volume = {8}, journal = {Journal of colloid and interface science}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {1944-8244}, doi = {10.1021/acsami.6b10095}, pages = {24345 -- 24349}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Polymer multicomponent coatings such as multilayers mimic an extracellular, matrix (ECM) that attracts significant attention for the use of the multilayers as functional supports for advanced cell culture and tissue engineering. Herein, biodegradation and molecular transport in hyaluronan/polylysine multilayers coated with gold nanoparticles were described. Nanoparticle coating acts as a semipermeable barrier that governs molecular transport into/from the multilayers, and makes them biodegradation-resistant. Model protein lysozyme (mimics of ECM-soluble signals) diffuses into the multilayers as fast- and, slow-diffusing populations existing in an equilibrium,. Such a. composite system may have high potential to be exploited as degradation-resistant drug-delivery platforms suitable for cell-based applications.}, language = {en} } @article{StojkoskiSandevKocarevetal.2022, author = {Stojkoski, Viktor and Sandev, Trifce and Kocarev, Ljupco and Pal, Arnab}, title = {Autocorrelation functions and ergodicity in diffusion with stochastic resetting}, series = {Journal of physics : A, Mathematical and theoretical}, volume = {55}, journal = {Journal of physics : A, Mathematical and theoretical}, number = {10}, publisher = {IOP Publ. Ltd.}, address = {Bristol}, issn = {1751-8113}, doi = {10.1088/1751-8121/ac4ce9}, pages = {22}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Diffusion with stochastic resetting is a paradigm of resetting processes. Standard renewal or master equation approach are typically used to study steady state and other transport properties such as average, mean squared displacement etc. What remains less explored is the two time point correlation functions whose evaluation is often daunting since it requires the implementation of the exact time dependent probability density functions of the resetting processes which are unknown for most of the problems. We adopt a different approach that allows us to write a stochastic solution for a single trajectory undergoing resetting. Moments and the autocorrelation functions between any two times along the trajectory can then be computed directly using the laws of total expectation. Estimation of autocorrelation functions turns out to be pivotal for investigating the ergodic properties of various observables for this canonical model. In particular, we investigate two observables (i) sample mean which is widely used in economics and (ii) time-averaged-mean-squared-displacement (TAMSD) which is of acute interest in physics. We find that both diffusion and drift-diffusion processes with resetting are ergodic at the mean level unlike their reset-free counterparts. In contrast, resetting renders ergodicity breaking in the TAMSD while both the stochastic processes are ergodic when resetting is absent. We quantify these behaviors with detailed analytical study and corroborate with extensive numerical simulations. Our results can be verified in experimental set-ups that can track single particle trajectories and thus have strong implications in understanding the physics of resetting.}, language = {en} } @article{DoerriesChechkinMetzler2022, author = {Doerries, Timo J. and Chechkin, Aleksei V. and Metzler, Ralf}, title = {Apparent anomalous diffusion and non-Gaussian distributions in a simple mobile-immobile transport model with Poissonian switching}, series = {Interface : journal of the Royal Society}, volume = {19}, journal = {Interface : journal of the Royal Society}, number = {192}, publisher = {Royal Society}, address = {London}, issn = {1742-5689}, doi = {10.1098/rsif.2022.0233}, pages = {14}, year = {2022}, abstract = {We analyse mobile-immobile transport of particles that switch between the mobile and immobile phases with finite rates. Despite this seemingly simple assumption of Poissonian switching, we unveil a rich transport dynamics including significant transient anomalous diffusion and non-Gaussian displacement distributions. Our discussion is based on experimental parameters for tau proteins in neuronal cells, but the results obtained here are expected to be of relevance for a broad class of processes in complex systems. Specifically, we obtain that, when the mean binding time is significantly longer than the mean mobile time, transient anomalous diffusion is observed at short and intermediate time scales, with a strong dependence on the fraction of initially mobile and immobile particles. We unveil a Laplace distribution of particle displacements at relevant intermediate time scales. For any initial fraction of mobile particles, the respective mean squared displacement (MSD) displays a plateau. Moreover, we demonstrate a short-time cubic time dependence of the MSD for immobile tracers when initially all particles are immobile.}, language = {en} } @article{GuggenbergerChechkinMetzler2022, author = {Guggenberger, Tobias and Chechkin, Aleksei and Metzler, Ralf}, title = {Absence of stationary states and non-Boltzmann distributions of fractional Brownian motion in shallow external potentials}, series = {New journal of physics : the open-access journal for physics}, volume = {24}, journal = {New journal of physics : the open-access journal for physics}, number = {7}, publisher = {Dt. Physikalische Ges.}, address = {[Bad Honnef]}, issn = {1367-2630}, doi = {10.1088/1367-2630/ac7b3c}, pages = {18}, year = {2022}, abstract = {We study the diffusive motion of a particle in a subharmonic potential of the form U(x) = |x|( c ) (0 < c < 2) driven by long-range correlated, stationary fractional Gaussian noise xi ( alpha )(t) with 0 < alpha <= 2. In the absence of the potential the particle exhibits free fractional Brownian motion with anomalous diffusion exponent alpha. While for an harmonic external potential the dynamics converges to a Gaussian stationary state, from extensive numerical analysis we here demonstrate that stationary states for shallower than harmonic potentials exist only as long as the relation c > 2(1 - 1/alpha) holds. We analyse the motion in terms of the mean squared displacement and (when it exists) the stationary probability density function. Moreover we discuss analogies of non-stationarity of Levy flights in shallow external potentials.}, language = {en} } @article{SchwarzlGodecOshaninetal.2016, author = {Schwarzl, Maria and Godec, Aljaz and Oshanin, Gleb and Metzler, Ralf}, title = {A single predator charging a herd of prey: effects of self volume and predator-prey decision-making}, series = {Journal of physics : A, Mathematical and theoretical}, volume = {49}, journal = {Journal of physics : A, Mathematical and theoretical}, publisher = {IOP Publ. Ltd.}, address = {Bristol}, issn = {1751-8113}, doi = {10.1088/1751-8113/49/22/225601}, pages = {19}, year = {2016}, abstract = {We study the degree of success of a single predator hunting a herd of prey on a two-dimensional square lattice landscape. We explicitly consider the self volume of the prey restraining their dynamics on the lattice. The movement of both predator and prey is chosen to include an intelligent, decision making step based on their respective sighting ranges, the radius in which they can detect the other species (prey cannot recognise each other besides the self volume interaction): after spotting each other the motion of prey and predator turns from a nearest neighbour random walk into directed escape or chase, respectively. We consider a large range of prey densities and sighting ranges and compute the mean first passage time for a predator to catch a prey as well as characterise the effective dynamics of the hunted prey. We find that the prey's sighting range dominates their life expectancy and the predator profits more from a bad eyesight of the prey than from his own good eye sight. We characterise the dynamics in terms of the mean distance between the predator and the nearest prey. It turns out that effectively the dynamics of this distance coordinate can be captured in terms of a simple Ornstein-Uhlenbeck picture. Reducing the many-body problem to a simple two-body problem by imagining predator and nearest prey to be connected by an effective Hookean bond, all features of the model such as prey density and sighting ranges merge into the effective binding constant.}, language = {en} } @article{GrebenkovMetzlerOshanin2021, author = {Grebenkov, Denis S. and Metzler, Ralf and Oshanin, Gleb}, title = {A molecular relay race: sequential first-passage events to the terminal reaction centre in a cascade of diffusion controlled processes}, series = {New Journal of Physics (NJP)}, volume = {23}, journal = {New Journal of Physics (NJP)}, publisher = {IOP - Institute of Physics Publishing}, address = {Bristol}, issn = {1367-2630}, doi = {10.1088/1367-2630/ac1e42}, pages = {18}, year = {2021}, abstract = {We consider a sequential cascade of molecular first-reaction events towards a terminal reaction centre in which each reaction step is controlled by diffusive motion of the particles. The model studied here represents a typical reaction setting encountered in diverse molecular biology systems, in which, e.g. a signal transduction proceeds via a series of consecutive 'messengers': the first messenger has to find its respective immobile target site triggering a launch of the second messenger, the second messenger seeks its own target site and provokes a launch of the third messenger and so on, resembling a relay race in human competitions. For such a molecular relay race taking place in infinite one-, two- and three-dimensional systems, we find exact expressions for the probability density function of the time instant of the terminal reaction event, conditioned on preceding successful reaction events on an ordered array of target sites. The obtained expressions pertain to the most general conditions: number of intermediate stages and the corresponding diffusion coefficients, the sizes of the target sites, the distances between them, as well as their reactivities are arbitrary.}, language = {en} }