Trapping of deformable active particles by a periodic background potential.

The dynamic behaviors, specifically trapping and sorting, of active particles interacting with periodic substrates have garnered significant attention. This study investigates numerically the trapping of soft, deformable particles on a periodic potential substrate, which can be experimentally verified through optical tweezers. The research demonstrates that multiple factors, including the relative size of traps, self-propelled velocity, shape parameters, ratio of particles to traps, and translational diffusion, can influence the trapping effect. Within certain parameter boundaries, it is shown that all particles can be consistently trapped. The research reveals that stable trapping typically occurs at median values of the relative trap size. An increase in the self-propelled velocity, the shape parameter, and the translational diffusion coefficient tends to facilitate the escapement of the particles from the traps. It is noteworthy that particles with larger shape parameters can escape even when the restoring force exceeds the self-propelled force. In addition, as the ratio of particles to traps grows, the fraction of trapped particles steadily reduces. Notably, rigid particles are consistently divided and trapped by traps closely approximating an integer multiple of the particles' area, up until the ratio reaches the aforesaid integer value. These findings can potentially enhance the understanding of the interactive effects between active deformable particles and periodic substrates. Moreover, this work suggests a different experimental approach to sort active particles based on rigidity disparities.

Collective self-optimization of binary mixed heterogeneous populations.

To maximize the survival chances of society members, collective self-organization must balance individual interests with promoting the collective welfare. Although situations where group members have equal optimal values are clear, how varying optimal values impacts group dynamics remains unclear. To address this gap, we conducted a self-optimization study of a binary system incorporating communication-enabled active particles with distinct optimal values. We demonstrate that similar particles will spontaneously aggregate and separate from each other to maximize their individual benefits during the process of self-optimization. Our research shows that both types of particles can produce the optimal field values at low density. However, only one type of particle can achieve the optimal field values at medium density. At high densities, neither type of particle is effective in reaching the optimal field values. Interestingly, we observed that during the self-optimization process, the mixture demixed spontaneously under certain circumstances of mixed particles. Particles with higher optimal values developed into larger clusters, while particles with lower optimal values migrated outside of these clusters, resulting in the separation of the mixture. To achieve this separation, suitable noise intensity, particle density, and the significant difference in optimal values were necessary. Our results provide a more profound comprehension of the self-optimization of synthetic or biological agents' communication and provide valuable insight into separating binary species and mixtures.

Solid-liquid transition induced by rigidity disparity in a binary mixture of cell tissues.

The two-dimensional melting of a binary mixture of cell tissues is numerically investigated in the presence of rigidity disparity. We present the full melting phase diagrams of the system by using the Voronoi-based cellular model. It is found that the enhancement of rigidity disparity can induce a solid-liquid transition at both zero temperature and finite temperature. (i) In the case of zero temperature, the system undergoes a continuous solid-hexatic transition followed by a continuous hexatic-liquid transition for zero rigidity disparity, but a discontinuous hexatic-liquid transition for finite rigidity disparity. Remarkably, the solid-hexatic transitions always arise when the soft cells reach the rigidity transition point of monodisperse systems. (ii) In the case of finite temperature, the melting occurs via a continuous solid-hexatic transition followed by a discontinuous hexatic-liquid transition. Our study may contribute to the understanding of solid-liquid transitions in binary mixture systems with rigidity disparity.

Endobronchial aspergilloma-a comprehensive literature review with focus on diagnosis and treatment modalities.

Endobronchial aspergilloma (EBA) is a rare manifestation of pulmonary infection with Aspergillus spp. Comprised of hyphae, mucus, and cellular debris, the massive fungus overgrowth can lead to obstructive pneumonitis in large airways, manifesting as cough, dyspnea, hemoptysis, or weight loss. The aim of this paper is to review the literature on endobronchial aspergilloma to further elucidate this disease entity and to classify it as a non-invasive form of pulmonary aspergillosis. A descriptive analysis was performed on articles on PubMed database that contained the key word "endobronchial aspergilloma." A total of 28 cases were obtained. Four articles were excluded as they were not available in the English format. Although EBA is extremely rare, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of endobronchial masses in immunocompromised patients. There is a potential for the disease entity to progress to tracheobronchitis and fulminant respiratory failure. As such, early detection with bronchoscopy, biopsy, and culture is required to confirm pulmonary aspergillosis. Current treatment regimens remain to be optimized, though piecemeal resection of the mycetoma with bronchoscopic techniques with the addition of systemic antifungals and their combinations has been reported as efficacious.

Rectification of chiral active particles driven by transversal temperature difference.

Rectification of chiral active particles driven by transversal temperature difference is investigated in a two-dimensional periodic channel. Chiral active particles can be rectified by transversal temperature difference. Transport behaviors are qualitatively different for different wall boundary conditions. For the sliding boundary condition, the direction of transport completely depends on the chirality of particles. The average velocity is a peaked function of angular velocity or temperature difference. The average velocity increases linearly with the self-propulsion speed, while it decreases monotonically with the increase in the packing fraction. For randomized boundary condition, the transport behaviors become complex. When self-propulsion speed is small, in contrast with the sliding boundary condition, particles move in the opposite direction. However, for large self-propulsion speed, current reversals can occur by continuously changing the system parameters (angular velocity, temperature difference, packing fraction, and width of the channel).

[WU Xiao-ren: an outstanding physician of acupuncture and moxibustion].

WU Xiao-ren devoted his whole life into acupuncture practice and education. During his 50 years clinical practice, teaching and researching, he focused on standardization and application of acupuncture manipulations. Through the integration of western and Chinese medicine as well as technique innovation, he developed new therapies for hypertension, stroke and various pain syndromes with the combination of acupuncture and materia medica and various acupoint prescription. He was against parochial prejudice by advocating absorption of others successful experiences and integration of different schools. Moreover, being conscientious and meticulous, WU Xiao-ren was always strict with his followers. He set up examples for his students with both precept and practice, and made great contribution to the inheritance of both acupuncture theory and practice.

[Autobiography of modern acupuncturist Yu Shu-zhuang].

Professor YU Shu-zhuang is a distinguished acupuncturist in China. He has practiced the TCM acupuncture-moxibustion clinical, educational and scientific research for 60 years in his life. In clinic, he summarized the experiences "five-ming first"; in treatment, he insisted "dredging" and "regulating", protecting the function of spleen and stomach, and needles should be less but specific. In the meanwhile, he made a deep study on the function and clinical effects of specific acupoints, and used the research results of propagated sensation along channel to guide clinical treatment, forming his special academic points. Professor YU has educated a great number of acupuncture-moxibustion talents in China and foreign countries, making great contribution to the popularization of acupuncture-moxibustion in the worldwide.

Factors contributing to de qi in acupuncture randomized clinical trials.

De qi is a core concept of acupuncture and is necessary to produce therapeutic effect. In 2010, de qi has been received as a term in the official extension of the CONSORT Statement. However, there are few articles that discuss which factors have influences on obtaining de qi in clinical trials. This paper aims to explore these factors and give advice on trial design in order to optimize de qi in acupuncture RCTs.