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.

Reordering and synchronization of electrical turbulence in cardiac tissue through global and partial optogenetical illumination.

Electrical turbulence in the heart is considered the culprit of cardiac disease, including the fatal ventricular fibrillation. Optogenetics is an emerging technology that has the capability to produce action potentials of cardiomyocytes to affect the electric wave propagation in cardiac tissue, thereby possessing the potential to control the turbulence, by shining a rotating spiral pattern onto the tissue. In this paper, we present a method to reorder and synchronize electrical turbulence through optogenetics.

Active colloids under geometrical constraints in viscoelastic media.

We study the behavior of active particles (APs) moving in a viscoelastic fluid in the presence of geometrical confinements. Upon approaching a flat wall, we find that APs slow down due to compression of the enclosed viscoelastic fluid. In addition, they receive a viscoelastic torque leading to sudden orientational changes and departure from walls.

[Degradation Characteristics of Antibiotics During Composting of Four Types of Feces].

The widespread use of antibiotics in feed results in a large number of antibiotic residues in feces. Composting technology can degrade these residual antibiotics. A pilot-scale aerobic composting device was used to analyze the antibiotic residues and composting degradation characteristics of four types of feces (maggot manure, chicken manure, pig manure, and cow manure).

Rectification and separation of mixtures of active and passive particles driven by temperature difference.

Transport and separation of binary mixtures of active and passive particles are investigated in the presence of temperature differences. It is found that temperature differences can strongly affect the rectification and separation of the mixtures. For active particles, there exists an optimal temperature difference at which the rectified efficiency is maximal.

Transport of particles driven by the traveling obstacle arrays.

Transport of three types of particles (passive particles, active particles without polar interaction, and active particles with polar interaction) is numerically investigated in the presence of traveling obstacle arrays. The transport behaviors are different for different types of particles. For passive particles, there exists an optimal traveling speed (or the translational diffusion) at which the average velocity of particles takes its maximum value.

Giant negative mobility of inertial particles caused by the periodic potential in steady laminar flows.

Transport of an inertial particle advected by a two-dimensional steady laminar flow is numerically investigated in the presence of a constant force and a periodic potential. Within particular parameter regimes, this system exhibits absolute negative mobility, which means that the particle can travel in a direction opposite to the constant force. It is found that the profile of the periodic potential plays an important role in the nonlinear response regime.

Transport and diffusion of paramagnetic ellipsoidal particles in a rotating magnetic field.

Transport and diffusion of paramagnetic ellipsoidal particles under the action of a rotating magnetic field are numerically investigated in a two-dimensional channel. It is found that paramagnetic ellipsoidal particles in a rotating magnetic field can be rectified in the upper-lower asymmetric channel. The transport and the effective diffusion coefficient are much more different and complicated for active particles, while they have similar behaviors and change a little when applying rotating magnetic fields of different frequencies for passive particles.

Transport of alignment active particles in funnel structures.

We study the transport of alignment active particles in complex confined structures (an array of asymmetric funnels). It is found that due to the existence of the multiple pathways, the alignment interaction can enrich the transport behavior of active particles. In an array of asymmetric funnels, the purely nematic alignment always suppresses the rectification.

[Review on the main microorganisms and their metabolic mechanisms in enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) systems].

Enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) process is applied widely for removing phosphorus from wastewater. Studies on functional microorganisms and their metabolic mechanisms are fundamental to effective regulation for stable operation and performance improvement of EBPR process. Two main types of microorganisms in EBPR systems, polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs) and glycogen accumulating organisms (GAOs) were selected to summarize their metabolic mechanisms such as substrate uptake mechanisms, glycogen degradation pathways, extent of TCA cycle involvement and metabolic similarity between PAOs and GAOs.

[Expression and significance of beta(2)-adrenoreceptor in inflammatory cells of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between beta(2)-adrenoceptor (beta(2)-AR) expression in inflammatory cells and airflow limitation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: According to the severity of COPD, 37 patients with stable COPD were divided into three groups. Samples of peripheral blood and induced sputum were collected from 37 COPD patients, 11 of II grade, 12 of grade III, and 14 of grade IV.

[A comparative study on dual-magnetic circuit beads and scattering nephelometry coagulometers in coagulational evaluation of blood-contact medical devices].

Dual-magnetic circuit beads and scattering nephelometry dual channel semiautomatic coagulometers are used for the coagulational evaluation of the 5 blood contact medical devices which consist of metals and polymers. The partial thromboplastin time(PTT) and prothrombin time(PT) tests are made based on the GB/T 16886.4-2003 standard.

[The efficacy and safety of long term home noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in patients with stable severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

Objective: To evaluate the long term efficacy and safety of long term home noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (HNPPV) in stable hypercapnic patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: Forty patients with stable severe COPD [arterial PaCO2>or=55 mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa)] after hospital discharge were divided into 2 groups: the HNPPV group (n=20) with conventional therapy and HNPPV, and the control group (n=20) with conventional therapy only.