Search

We present a rigorous result on ultra-slow diffusion by solving a Fokker-Planck equation, which describes anomalous transport in a three dimensional (3D) comb. This 3D cylindrical comb consists of a cylinder of discs threaten on a backbone. It is shown that the ultra-slow contaminant spreading along the backbone is described by the mean squared displacement (MSD) of the order of $\ln (t)$. This phenomenon takes place only for normal two dimensional diffusion inside the infinite secondary branches (discs). When the secondary branches have finite boundaries, the ultra-slow motion is a transient process and the asymptotic behavior is normal diffusion. In another example, when anomalous diffusion takes place in the secondary branches, a destruction of ultra-slow (logarithmic) diffusion takes place as well. As the result, one observes "enhanced" subdiffusion with the MSD $\sim t^{1-\alpha}\ln t$, where $0<\alpha<1$.

We present a simple paradigm for detection of an immobile target by a space-time coupled random walker with a finite lifetime. The motion of the walker is characterized by linear displacements at a fixed speed and exponentially distributed duration, interrupted by random changes in the direction of motion and resumption of motion in the new direction with the same speed. We call these walkers "mortal creepers". A mortal creeper may die at any time during its motion according to an exponential decay law characterized by a finite mean death rate $\omega_m$. While still alive, the creeper has a finite mean frequency $\omega$ of change of the direction of motion. In particular, we consider the efficiency of the target search process, characterized by the probability that the creeper will eventually detect the target. Analytic results confirmed by numerical results show that there is an $\omega_m$-dependent optimal frequency $\omega=\omega_{opt}$ that maximizes the probability of eventual target detection. We work primarily in one-dimensional ($d=1$) domains and examine the role of initial conditions and of finite domain sizes. Numerical results in $d=2$ domains confirm the existence of an optimal frequency of change of direction, thereby suggesting that the observed effects are robust to changes in dimensionality. In the $d=1$ case, explicit expressions for the probability of target detection in the long time limit are given. In the case of an infinite domain, we compute the detection probability for arbitrary times and study its early- and late-time behavior. We further consider the survival probability of the target in the presence of many independent creepers beginning their motion at the same location and at the same time. We also consider a version of the standard "target problem" in which many creepers start at random locations at the same time., Comment: 18 pages, 7 figures. The title has been changed with respect to the one in the previous version

This chapter is a contribution in the "Handbook of Applications of Chaos Theory" ed. by Prof. Christos H Skiadas. The chapter is organized as follows. First we study the statistical properties of combs and explain how to reduce the effect of teeth on the movement along the backbone as a waiting time distribution between consecutive jumps. Second, we justify an employment of a comb-like structure as a paradigm for further exploration of a spiny dendrite. In particular, we show how a comb-like structure can sustain the phenomenon of the anomalous diffusion, reaction-diffusion and L\'evy walks. Finally, we illustrate how the same models can be also useful to deal with the mechanism of ta translocation wave / translocation waves of CaMKII and its propagation failure. We also present a brief introduction to the fractional integro-differentiation in appendix at the end of the chapter.

The Advanced GAmma Tracking Array (AGATA) is a European project to develop and operate the next generation gamma-ray spectrometer. AGATA is based on the technique of gamma-ray energy tracking in electrically segmented high-purity germanium crystals. This technique requires the accurate determination of the energy, time and position of every interaction as a gamma ray deposits its energy within the detector volume. Reconstruction of the full interaction path results in a detector with very high efficiency and excellent spectral response. The realization of gamma-ray tracking and AGATA is a result of many technical advances. These include the development of encapsulated highly-segmented germanium detectors assembled in a triple cluster detector cryostat, an electronics system with fast digital sampling and a data acquisition system to process the data at a high rate. The full characterization of the crystals was measured and compared with detector-response simulations. This enabled pulse-shape analysis algorithms, to extract energy, time and position, to be employed. In addition, tracking algorithms for event reconstruction were developed. The first phase of AGATA is now complete and operational in its first physics campaign. In the future AGATA will be moved between laboratories in Europe and operated in a series of campaigns to take advantage of the different beams and facilities available to maximize its science output. The paper reviews all the achievements made in the AGATA project including all the necessary infrastructure to operate and support the spectrometer., Comment: This version contains a correction of a typing error in the caption of Fig. 2. The DOI to the article published in Nucl. Instr. Meth A was also added

We study the minimal speed of propagating fronts of convection reaction diffusion equations of the form $u_t + \mu \phi(u) u_x = u_{xx} +f(u)$ for positive reaction terms with $f'(0 >0$. The function $\phi(u)$ is continuous and vanishes at $u=0$. A variational principle for the minimal speed of the waves is constructed from which upper and lower bounds are obtained. This permits the a priori assesment of the effect of the convective term on the minimal speed of the traveling fronts. If the convective term is not strong enough, it produces no effect on the minimal speed of the fronts. We show that if $f''(u)/\sqrt{f'(0)} + \mu \phi'(u) < 0$, then the minimal speed is given by the linear value $2 \sqrt{f'(0)}$, and the convective term has no effect on the minimal speed. The results are illustrated by applying them to the exactly solvable case $u_t + \mu u u_x = u_{xx} + u (1 -u)$. Results are also given for the density dependent diffusion case $u_t + \mu \phi(u) u_x = (D(u)u_x)_x +f(u)$., Comment: revised, new results added

A recently proposed nonlinear transport equation is used to model bulk viscous cosmologies that may be far from equilibrium, as happens during viscous fluid inflation or during reheating. The asymptotic stability of the de Sitter and Friedmann solutions is investigated. The former is stable for bulk viscosity index $q<1$ and the latter for $q>1$. New solutions are obtained in the weakly nonlinear regime for $q=1$. These solutions are singular and some of them represent a late-time inflationary era., Comment: 16 pages Latex (IOP style); to appear Class. Quantum Grav