📰 "sft-wick: A formalism and package for Feynman-diagram expansion and evaluation in stochastic field theories"
https://arxiv.org/abs/2606.19480 #Cond-Mat.Stat-Mech
#Physics.Comp-Ph
#Astro-Ph.Co
#Dynamics #Matrix #Gr-Qc
sft-wick: A formalism and package for Feynman-diagram expansion and evaluation in stochastic field theories
When stochastic field dynamics are cast into a path-integral formulation, perturbation theory becomes systematic but the resulting expansion quickly grows combinatorially large. The setting targeted here includes multi-component, multi-dimensional fields with matrix propagators, tensor-valued couplings, and non-Gaussian driving noise specified by arbitrary $n$-point cumulants. Wick pairings grow factorially, and component indices must be routed through the tensor-valued vertices. The useful output is not a raw contraction list, but a diagram table: one entry per topology, with multiplicities, coupling sums, signs, and causal constraints resolved. We present sft-wick, an open-source Python package that constructs these diagram tables and computes their integrals numerically. Given an action and an observable, it enumerates topologically distinct Feynman diagrams, derives their algebraic coefficients, and evaluates the resulting diagram integrals from user-supplied response and cumulant functions. The core algorithm enumerates spatial topologies before routing component indices, avoiding contraction-by-contraction Wick expansion. Response-field constraints, including vanishing response-response contractions, the ito prescription, and the absence of causal response loops, are enforced during enumeration. Predictions are validated against direct Langevin simulation, agreeing to within the simulation's statistical noise.
📰 "Epithelia Realize Nematopolar Topological Defect Structures"
https://arxiv.org/abs/2606.19844 #Physics.Bio-Ph
#Cond-Mat.Soft
#Force #Cell
Epithelia Realize Nematopolar Topological Defect Structures
We introduce a shape-based polar order parameter that captures the structural asymmetry of cells within epithelial monolayers. By combining bright-field imaging and traction force microscopy, we demonstrate that shape polarity serves as a unifying biomechanical metric, integrating the physical information encoded by nematic directors, principal stresses, and cellular motion. Furthermore, we show that the tissue organizes into a mixed polar-nematic phase, characterized by the coexistence of integer ($\pm 1$) and half-integer ($\pm 1/2$) defects. Through mechanical perturbations, we demonstrate that both substrate stiffness and cell-cell adhesion modulate the density of these excitations and the length of domain walls binding like-signed positive half-integer defects. Using a minimal continuum model of polar-nematic active matter, we establish that this mixed phase is fundamentally driven by the interplay of active stresses and polar-nematic elasticity. These findings provide a direct experimental evidence that epithelial monolayers behave as nematopolar matter, in which coupled polar and nematic elastic interactions jointly shape the active state
📰 "Learning Dynamics of Chain-of-Thought State Tracking in a Solvable Transformer Model"
https://arxiv.org/abs/2606.18164 #Physics.Data-An
#Cond-Mat.Dis-Nn
#Dynamics #Matrix
Learning Dynamics of Chain-of-Thought State Tracking in a Solvable Transformer Model
Chain-of-thought generation can turn a multi-step computation into a sequence of locally checkable state updates, but the training dynamics by which transformers acquire such updates remain poorly understood. We study this question in a solvable setting: a simplified one-block transformer trained by supervised next-token prediction on state sequences generated by composing permutations. The architecture separates fixed-lag action retrieval, learned by RoPE attention, from a specialized MLP logic module that applies the retrieved permutation to the current state. Using a statistical-physics mean-field description, we derive dynamics for three order parameters measuring attention retrieval, teacher-matrix alignment, and off-target logic overlap. These equations quantitatively match simulations for the order parameters and, combined with a logit-distribution approximation, qualitatively predict the sharp transition in final rollout accuracy. The analysis reveals staged learning: the logic module first learns a mixed heuristic; attention then locks onto the relevant action, enabling efficient MLP alignment. Together, these results provide a controlled mechanistic account of how attention-based retrieval and MLP-based logic co-develop during chain-of-thought state tracking.
📰 "Defect Localization by Stress Anisotropy in Active Nematic Turbulence"
https://arxiv.org/abs/2606.17595 #Physics.Flu-Dyn
#Cond-Mat.Soft
#Dynamics #Cell
Defect Localization by Stress Anisotropy in Active Nematic Turbulence
Collective stress generation in cellular monolayers is a key phenomenological process governing coordinated migration and emergent multicellular dynamics. We employ a generic active nematics model to investigate stress generation and its associated properties. By analyzing the maximal principal stress and its correlation with the nematic director across different activity strengths, we find that the principal stress aligns perpendicular (parallel) to the nematic director for extensile (contractile) activity. In the turbulent regime, we identify a distinct isoline derived from anisotropic stress components along which all $\pm 1/2$ defects (both nematic and stress) are localized. This feature is robust and remains unchanged with variations in both the magnitude and nature (extensile or contractile) of activity. Our findings provide a new route to probe the mechanical and rheological properties of confluent cell layers, where stress measurements are more accessible than detailed cell shape or size characterization.
📰 "Mean First Passage Time for Persistent Random Walks in Annular Search Domains"
https://arxiv.org/abs/2606.13890 #Cond-Mat.Stat-Mech
#CellMigration #Q-Bio.Cb
#Cell
Mean First Passage Time for Persistent Random Walks in Annular Search Domains
We study the mean first-passage time of a random walker to a small absorbing target at the center of a two-dimensional annulus with a specularly reflecting outer boundary. The problem is motivated by natural killer cell migration toward a target cancer cell, where the goal is to quantify how long it takes immune cells to reach the target and how search efficiency depends on directional persistence and chemotactic bias. Cell motion is modeled as a velocity-jump process. We first consider a correlated random walk with a von Mises turning kernel, with a concentration parameter controlling directional persistence. We then extend the model to a biased correlated random walk using a phase-shifted turning kernel that represents preferential motion, for example following a concentration gradient. Our analysis combines closed-form benchmarks for simple and biased random walks, Fourier-mode reductions of the transport equations for the correlated and biased correlated models, and a fast-turning perturbation expansion that gives an analytical correction to the diffusion-limit mean first-passage time for the random walker. Our analytical results are supported by numerical methods that include a semi-Lagrangian solver in radial and angular coordinates, a stationary discretisation designed to handle biased transport, and an event-driven Monte Carlo simulator for cross-validation. Together, our results provide a framework relating persistent and biased immune-cell motion to target-search times in confined two-dimensional domains.
📰 "Pinned Boundaries Delay Contraction and Shape Stress Relaxation in Active Gels"
https://arxiv.org/abs/2606.11850 #Physics.Bio-Ph
#Cond-Mat.Soft
#Actomyosin
Pinned Boundaries Delay Contraction and Shape Stress Relaxation in Active Gels
Cells dynamically generate, transmit, and dissipate stress. Central to these processes is the actomyosin cortex, an active contractile material that drives cellular mechanical behavior. While prior studies have focused on freely contracting actomyosin systems, the role of mechanical constraints such as adhesion to boundaries remains less explored. To address this, we employ reconstituted actomyosin gels to investigate cellular contractility. We study contraction dynamics under pinned boundary conditions, where the gel is adhered transversely to two opposing surfaces, mimicking supracellular actomyosin networks in tissues and embryos. We find that pinned contraction leads to stress buildup, delaying contraction, producing intermittent dynamics, and generating spatially nonuniform strain fields. Stress is relieved through several pathways, including active-stress-driven symmetric constriction and defect-driven processes such as boundary detachment and internal rupture. We develop a hydrodynamic model incorporating elastic, viscous, and active stress contributions that distinguishes between stress-accumulation and stress-release phases and links variations in active stress to the observed intermittent dynamics. The model predicts distinct energy relaxation rates before and after detachment events, providing insight into stress dissipation. We compare experiments with numerical simulations, which reproduce the observed behavior and reveal how internal energy is generated and dissipated during stress buildup and relaxation. Together, our results demonstrate how boundary conditions and spatial heterogeneity govern the mechanical behavior of contractile active gels. These findings provide insight into stress regulation in cellular and tissue-scale systems and may inform the design of adaptive soft materials and bioinspired robotic systems.
📰 "Nonlinear Mechanics and Predictable Bifurcation of Multi-Cell Kresling Origami Chains"
https://arxiv.org/abs/2606.11823 #Cond-Mat.Mtrl-Sci
#Physics.Class-Ph
#Cond-Mat.Soft
#Kinematics #Mechanics #Cell
Nonlinear Mechanics and Predictable Bifurcation of Multi-Cell Kresling Origami Chains
Meta-structures that display axial-twist coupling can be achieved through the emerging kinematics in Kresling origami patterns. A central challenge in these structures is understanding their nonlinear mechanical behaviour, specifically their equilibrium branches and bifurcation diagrams. This involves identifying relationships between desired responses and the geometric variables that define the design space, including the Kresling polygon count, initial twist angle, height, radius, and crease lengths. As the number of constituent units increases in an n-layer chain, we track complex equilibrium branches extending into the post-critical regime under successive instabilities, including branch-point bifurcations and limit-point instabilities. This work begins by establishing the relationship between the geometric design variables and the response curves of the assembled chain by modelling the crease lines as axial-load-carrying elements. Subsequently, equilibrium branches and instabilities are systematically investigated via continuation and bifurcation analysis, beginning with the single-layer system and progressively extending to two- and three-layer configurations. Finally, a generalisation strategy is proposed to extend these findings to an n-layer Kresling chain. This strategy enables the predictive construction of equilibrium paths and the inverse design of multi-layer meta-structures, using prescribed critical points to control post-critical behaviour. It provides a foundation for the inverse design and optimisation of architected mechanical metamaterials with programmable responses.
📰 "Pinned Boundaries Delay Contraction and Shape Stress Relaxation in Active Gels"
https://arxiv.org/abs/2606.11850 #Physics.Bio-Ph
#Cond-Mat.Soft
#Mechanical #ActomyosinPinned Boundaries Delay Contraction and Shape Stress Relaxation in Active Gels
Cells dynamically generate, transmit, and dissipate stress. Central to these processes is the actomyosin cortex, an active contractile material that drives cellular mechanical behavior. While prior studies have focused on freely contracting actomyosin systems, the role of mechanical constraints such as adhesion to boundaries remains less explored. To address this, we employ reconstituted actomyosin gels to investigate cellular contractility. We study contraction dynamics under pinned boundary conditions, where the gel is adhered transversely to two opposing surfaces, mimicking supracellular actomyosin networks in tissues and embryos. We find that pinned contraction leads to stress buildup, delaying contraction, producing intermittent dynamics, and generating spatially nonuniform strain fields. Stress is relieved through several pathways, including active-stress-driven symmetric constriction and defect-driven processes such as boundary detachment and internal rupture. We develop a hydrodynamic model incorporating elastic, viscous, and active stress contributions that distinguishes between stress-accumulation and stress-release phases and links variations in active stress to the observed intermittent dynamics. The model predicts distinct energy relaxation rates before and after detachment events, providing insight into stress dissipation. We compare experiments with numerical simulations, which reproduce the observed behavior and reveal how internal energy is generated and dissipated during stress buildup and relaxation. Together, our results demonstrate how boundary conditions and spatial heterogeneity govern the mechanical behavior of contractile active gels. These findings provide insight into stress regulation in cellular and tissue-scale systems and may inform the design of adaptive soft materials and bioinspired robotic systems.
📰 "When and how particles are removed by drops"
https://arxiv.org/abs/2606.12062 #Cond-Mat.Mtrl-Sci
#Physics.Flu-Dyn
#Cond-Mat.Soft
#Adhesion #Forces
When and how particles are removed by drops
Particulate contaminants decrease the power output of solar panels, the transparency of windows, and are detrimental to microelectronics, where even a single particle can induce a short circuit. Despite significant research on particle adhesion and self-cleaning, it remains unclear when and how a drop can remove a particle from a surface, thus efficiently cleaning the surface. Here, by combining lattice Boltzmann simulations and confocal microscopy experiments, we show that at least six different scenarios arise from the complex interplay between capillary and friction forces when a drop collides with a particle. Notably, the capillary force plays a dual role in particle removal: while its tangential component always drives removal, its normal component can also hinder it. By introducing a dimensionless capillary capture parameter, we can predict particle removal across a wide range of particle and surface properties. These results provide quantitative design principles for easy-to-clean surfaces that minimize water and chemical usage.
📰 "Moving backward to go faster: Diatom-inspired sliding reveals efficient modes of locomotion"
https://arxiv.org/abs/2606.10513 #Physics.Flu-Dyn
#Physics.Bio-Ph
#Cond-Mat.Soft
#Pressure #Cell
Moving backward to go faster: Diatom-inspired sliding reveals efficient modes of locomotion
Across biological scales, from sperm cells to whales, locomotion commonly relies on undulatory gaits, in which traveling deformation waves interact with the surrounding fluid to generate thrust opposite to the direction of wave propagation. In viscous environments, microorganism locomotion is classically understood in terms of undulatory bending of slender filaments such as flagella, with optimal propulsion achieved when the deformation wavelength is comparable to the swimmer length. Inspired by diatom colonies, we identify a fundamentally different swimming mechanism based on sliding between neighboring elements within a chain. We show that sliding between stacked elongated cells generates internal shear that drives propulsion opposite to classical undulatory swimming, while achieving higher speeds and greater energetic efficiency. Remarkably, optimal performance occurs at wavelengths much larger than the chain length and at cell aspect ratios consistent with those observed in natural diatom colonies, suggesting that hydrodynamic efficiency may constitute an evolutionary selective pressure in diatom chains. Together, these results identify sliding as a previously overlooked mode of locomotion in multicellular assemblies and suggest new design principles for efficient bio-inspired microswimmers and swarm robotic systems.
Rxiv mechanobio
Rxiv cytoskeleton