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The full utilization of adsorption sites is crucial for adsorption technology. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which are hot spot materials in environmental remediation, are not satisfied in many cases for their high specific surface area and relatively low adsorption capacity. In this work, a series of zirconium-iron bimetallic MOFs (ZrxFe(1-x)-MOF-808) was prepared. The optimal material (Zr0.8Fe0.2-MOF-808) possesses a superb adsorption capacity of 524 and 310 mg g–1 for antimonate and antimonite, respectively. The carboxyl and hydroxyl groups were identified as the main adsorption sites by FTIR and XPS. The role of Fe in the adsorption process of Zr0.8Fe0.2-MOF-808 were further explored by DFT simulations, four binding manners were discovered and consistent with the adsorption capacity data. Subsequently, the application potential tests proved that the Zr0.8Fe0.2-MOF-808 shows good anti-interference ability, wide pH adaptability, and recyclability. Overall, this high-performance bimetallic MOF has been analyzed from the macrocosm to microcosmic, which provides a certain support for the development of MOFs modification.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to be involved in the development and progression of various human malignancies. However, the role of lncRNA CASC2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains mostly unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential roles and underlying mechanisms of CASC2 in HCC progression. We found that CASC2 expressions were downregulated in HCC tissue samples and cell lines. The clinical assays revealed that lower levels of CASC2 were associated with the TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, and a poorer prognosis specific to HCC patients. Overexpression of CASC2 inhibited the proliferating, migratory, and invasion capacity of HCC cells. Bioinformatics analysis and the luciferase reporter assay revealed that CASC2 worked as a molecular sponge for miR-155. And CASC2 could upregulate SOCS1 expression by inhibiting miR-155 expression in HCC cells. Furthermore, SOCS1 inhibition partially inverses the suppression effect of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion regulated by CASC2 in Huh7 and HepG2 cells. Taken together, our findings identified CASC2 as a tumor suppressor to inhibit HCC development by regulating the miR-155/SOCS1 axis, and CASC2 might be a potential therapeutic target of HCC for future clinical treatment.

To promote the development of supercapacitors and their applications in modern electronics, it is crucial to explore novel supercapacitor electrode materials. As a representative member of the rising 2D MXenes, Ti3C2Tx MXene has shown tremendous potential for supercapacitor electrodes owing to its unique physicochemical properties. Here, the most recent advances in Ti3C2Tx-based supercapacitor electrodes are comprehensively reviewed, with an emphasis on the vital role that Ti3C2Tx MXene plays in the remarkable electrochemical performance and related mechanisms. The fabrication methods, electrode structures, working mechanisms, electrochemical performance and related influencing factors, mechanical properties and applications, as well as the associated advantages/disadvantages of Ti3C2Tx-based supercapacitor electrodes are thoroughly and exhaustively summarized and discussed. Based on the recent progress, the existing challenges along with the corresponding possible solutions, and the future prospects of Ti3C2Tx-based materials for supercapacitors are also outlined and discussed.

Using silk fibroin as the base material, the drug-loaded microspheres are prepared by an emulsification method. In order to determine the drug-loading and drug-release performance parameters of the microspheres, the central composite design method is used to design and investigate the effects of the parameters of the microsphere preparation process, such as the oil-water ratio, stirring temperature, and stirring rate, on the microsphere particle size, drug-loading rate, and drug release rate. The "overall desirability" is taken as a comprehensive evaluation index, and the response surface method (RSM) and genetic algorithm-backpropagation (GA-BP) neural network GA-BP model are used to predict and evaluate the parameters of the drug-loaded microsphere preparation process. The root-mean-square error values obtained from the RSM and BP-GA model experiments are 0.000325 and 0.00022, respectively. The results show that the BP-GA model has better prediction accuracy and optimization ability than the RSM. The optimal microsphere preparation process conditions were determined to be as follows: a water-oil ratio of 10:1, at a temperature of 45°C with stirring at a speed of 400 rpm, the particle size of the microspheres is 1.392 μm, the drug-loading rate is 3.218%, and the drug release rate is 51.991%. The results of this study indicate that this approach is an effective method for the optimization of the parameters of the drug-loaded microsphere preparation process.

Herein, an octanuclear complex [Mn8(μ4-O)4(phpy)8(MeOH)4]·MeOH·H2O based on 5-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-pyrazole (HphpyH) has been successfully synthesized and characterized. The compound can self-assemb...

Silver nanowires (AgNWs) have received much attention and application in transparent electrodes, wearable electronic devices, and sensors. The hope is for these nanowires to eventually replace the most commonly used transparent electrode material—indium tin oxide (ITO). However, electrospinning used for the preparation of AgNWs on a large scale is limited by its low productivity and high electric field, while the alcohol-thermal method is limited to mixing by-product silver nanoparticles in silver nanowires. We demonstrate a novel and simple centrifugal spinning approach in order to successfully fabricate ultra-long silver microfibers based on AgNO3 and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP). The centrifugal-spun precursor fiber and silver fiber can be prepared to as thin as 390 and 310 nm, respectively. Annealed fibers show typical nanostructures with grains down to a minimum size of 51 nm. Combinations of different parameters, including concentrations of PVP, needle size, and annealing temperature are also investigated, in order to optimize the spinning process of ultra-long silver microfibers. The feasibility of preparing silver microfibers by centrifugal spinning is preliminarily verified, examining prospects for mass production. Furthermore, numerous strategies related to assisting the creation of silver nanofibers using centrifugal spinning are presented as possibilities in future development.

MXenes have shown great potential for supercapacitor electrodes due to their unique characteristics, but simultaneously achieving high capacitance, rate capability, and cyclic stability along with good mechanical flexibility is exceptionally challenging. Here, highly enhanced capacitance, rate capability, and cyclic stability, as well as good mechanical flexibility for T

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) utilizes the photogeneration of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with high cytotoxicity to kill cancer cells, holding great promise for cancer treatment. Fractionated delivery of singlet oxygen (1O2) is a wise approach to relieving hypoxia, thus enhancing the therapeutic efficacy. In this article, an anthracene-functionalized semiconducting compound (DPPA) has been designed and synthesized. With irradiation, the compound is able to undergo efficient intersystem crossing (ISC) and non-radioactive decay for photodynamic/photothermal synergistic therapy. In addition, the anthracene module is able to capture and release 1O2 reversibly with or without irradiation. DPPA nanoparticles (NPs) obtained by nanoprecipitation with DSPE-PEG exhibit considerable high phototoxicity on human kidney cancer cells (A498), and the half maximum inhibitory concentration (IC50) is 15.8 μg/ml. Furthermore, an in vivo study demonstrates that complete tumor suppression was observed when the mice were administered DPPA NPs with the help of laser, compared with the control and dark groups. The H&E analysis of the normal tissues (the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidney) indicates that such NPs cause no side effects, indicating the biosafety of DPPA NPs. The results provide a strategy to design a heavy-atom–free photosensitizer for photothermal and fractionated PDT against kidney tumors.

Improving the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation ability is of tremendous significance in designing photosensitizers (PSs). In this paper, a heavy atom free 4,4′-bis(1,2,2-triphenylvinyl)-1,1′-biphenyl (denoted as BTPE) with aggregation induced emission (AIE) was designed and synthesized by a Suzuki coupling reaction. Then nanoprecipitation with 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-ethanolamine-N-[methoxy(polyethyleneglycol)]-2000 (DSPE-PEG-2000) was used to prepare the NPs. Singlet oxygen sensor green (SOSG) used under irradiation suggests better 1O2 generation ability of BTPE than monomer TPE. In vitro MTT assay on human cervical carcinoma cancer cells (HeLa) demonstrates that BTPE NPs with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 8.4 μg mL−1 are superior to TPE NPs (17.2 μg mL−1), indicating the higher phototoxicity of BTPE NPs. Furthermore, an in vivo study suggests that BTPE NPs are capable of inhibiting tumor proliferation with irradiation but the normal organs, including heart, lungs, liver, spleen and kidneys, suffer from no side effects. Our results indicate that BTPE is able to improve the phototherapy efficacy and simultaneously retains the low toxicity and good biocompatibility, compared with TPE.

Objective We aimed to investigate the symptoms of inpatients with bipolar disorder (BD) in different types of families, and to explore the correlations between family coherence, family adaptability, and family functioning among inpatients with BD. Methods Inpatients with BD in Hebei, China (n = 61; mean age = 33.85±10.54; 39 males) participated in this study. Participants’ symptoms were evaluated using the Bech–Rafaelsen Mania Scale (BRMS) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) at weeks 1, 4, and 8 after their admission to the hospital. Participants’ family type was assessed using the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale II–Chinese Version. Family functioning was assessed using Family Assessment Device. Results Participants were classified into three family types: balanced (n = 13), mid-range (n = 28), and extreme (n = 20). BRMS scores improved over time in patients from all three family types. Improvement was slightly better with the balanced than the extreme family type. HDRS scores showed an improving trend over time, although this was not significant. Family coherence, adaptability, and functioning were mutually correlated. Conclusion The family system and family functioning are important factors that clinicians should keep in mind when treating people with BD.

Flexible temperature sensors can be attached to the surface of human skin or curved surfaces directly for continuous and stable data measurements, and have attracted extensive attention in myriad areas. Carbon nanomaterials possess great potential for temperature sensing, and flexible temperature sensors based on carbon nanomaterials have demonstrated unique advantages such as high sensitivity, fast response, good mechanical adaptability, low-cost fabrication processes, high cycling stability and reliability. In this review, the working mechanisms, device structures, material compositions, fabrication technologies, temperature sensing properties, the crucial roles of carbon nanomaterials, specific advantages and existing limitations of different types of flexible temperature sensors based on carbon nanomaterials are comprehensively elaborated and discussed. Based on recent advances, conclusions are made and challenges as well as future perspectives are systematically outlined and discussed.

The design of assembly line layout is one of the most important influential factors for the company's performance. The inappropriate arrangement of the order of workstations in the assembly line could cause the excessive movement of the material. In order to increase productivity and reduce production cost, a multi-objective optimization model with minimum the transfer distance of semi-finished products and the total area of assembly line was established in this paper. The Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II was applied to obtain the results of this model. The coding method, genetic operation and fitness function for three different kinds of sewing assembly line layouts (multi-line, U-shape two-line and U-shape three-line) were studied, while the workstations were organized in three ways: the order of processes, the type of machines, and the components of garment. The efficiency of the model was verified by the practice of sewing assembly lines for men's shirt. The layout schemes are compared with other algorithms. The results illustrated that NSGA-II algorithm is an effective tool to solve the sewing assembly line layout problem. The transfer distances of semi-finished products in the multi-line and U-shape (three-line) layouts arranged by garment components workstation layout were short. The multi-line layout arranged by the type of machines workstation layout occupied the smallest area. The model is suitable for solving the layout problem of the garment sewing workshop in practice, shortening the production cycle, and reducing the production cost. A variety of assembly line layout schemes are provided for apparel manufacturers in this paper. Apparel manufacturers can select the appropriate assembly line layout based on the actual conditions of the workshop and product.

Monitoring cardiovascular activities plays a critical role in predicting and preventing cardiovascular diseases. Flexible and biosafe sensors that can provide complementary information about cardiovascular activity beyond the traditional electrocardiogram (ECG) are in great demand. Here, a novel eco-friendly in-situ gap-generation method by vaporizing soaked distilled water is developed to fabricate a no-spacer triboelectric nanogenerator (NSTENG). This NSTENG reveals more uniform stress/strain distributions and undergoes larger displacement compared with the traditional TENG with spacer under the same pressure; and it obliterates the obstruction on detection of subtle movements near spacer. The unique fabrication method also guarantees biological safety and avoids air contamination in vivo. The established wireless mobile system based on the NSTENG can precisely detect the full pulse waveforms and display them on the phone screen in real time. By mounting onto the rat’s heart, it can monitor normal heart motion and the measured heart rate has an accuracy of up to 99.73%. Moreover, the NSTENG can monitor abnormal heart motion and detect subtle heart movements that fail to be captured by the ECG. This work provides a new strategy that promotes the innovation of biosafe and new-structure TENGs, and offers new insights into developing wearable and implantable sensors.

The resource utilization of biological solid waste is crucial for practical environmental remediation. By comprehensively utilizing LiBr treatment and dopamine chemistry, herein the cow dung waste was successfully converted into the composite biomass material for efficient heavy metal ions removal. A selective etching mechanism of cellulose was discovered in the LiBr treatment process, achieving the large-scale preparation of coralline-like porous biomass material with hundred times increased specific surface. Benefiting from the co-deposition of polyethyleneimine and Fe3O4, the fabricated material showed significantly higher adsorption capacity (183.82 and 231.48 mg·g−1 for Cu2+ and Cd2+) than that of raw cow dung (0.95 and 1.25 mg·g−1 for Cu2+ and Cd2+). Furthermore, this composite biomass adsorbent also exhibited rapid adsorption equilibrium, magnetic separation capability, monolayer chemisorption feature and feasible recycling use. Collectively, this work contributes to both the resource utilization of husbandry solid waste and the development of advanced biomass adsorbent.

In this paper, a perception-based fabric recommendation system is proposed to help fashion designers to select the most appropriate fabric in the design process, meeting the perception of the target consumer. The proposed methodology is based on the development of an interactive hierarchical structure, decomposing the decision problem into five levels: goal, criteria (consumers' requirements), sub evaluation criteria (fabric properties), rating scale, and alternatives, which ensures the analysis of requirements of consumers and knowledge sharing among designers. The proposed knowledge-based recommendation system includes a collaborative design process, a commonly used sensory evaluation procedure, and a computational model using the Fuzzy AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) and Fuzzy TOPSIS (Technique for Order Performance by Similarity to Ideal Solution) algorithms. The Fuzzy AHP method is used to structure the fabric selection problem and determine the relevant weights of the concerned criteria and corresponding components, while the Fuzzy TOPSIS method is used to evaluate the alternative fabrics based on the criteria obtained from the AHP process and to give the total final ranking of the involved fabric alternatives. Experimental results indicate that, using the proposed interactive hierarchical structure, professional knowledge of the designers can be fully extracted to ensure a high level of consumer satisfaction.

In order to combine the drug with the tissue-engineered bone scaffold and make the drugs on the scaffolds stable to achieve sustained-release stepwise function, a new method for preparing coaxial drug-loaded tissue engineering bone scaffolds using coaxial three-dimensional printing technology is proposed, in which inner layer material can carry drugs and the outer material can adjust the drug sustained-release rate. The coupling mechanism of both shape control and property control in the process of coaxial three-dimensional printing micro-structural unit is presented. Design-Expert software is introduced for experimental design. The influences of extrusion speed, filling speed, and delamination height on the forming quality are analyzed, and a coaxial gradient composite scaffold model with controllable micro-structure is established. The macro-structure, mechanical properties, in vitro degradation rate, and drug release rate of the scaffolds were analyzed. The experimental results show that the proposed forming technology and process parameter optimization can effectively improve the forming quality of the coaxial scaffold. At the same time, this design of the coaxial structure can effectively slow down the degradation rate of the scaffold and enables stable and long-time drug release. Furthermore, the presented method provides a new technical approach for the further implementation of implantable drug delivery systems for the effective treatment of bone tuberculosis.

Plant-derived materials as environmentally friendly biosorbents to remove heavy metals from wastewater have been extensively studied. However, the chemical oxygen demand (COD) increase caused by the plant-derived biosorbent has not been considered previously. In this study, water hyacinth was used as biosorbent to remove Cd(II) from wastewater. About 66% of Cd(II) was removed by the biosorbent with a maximum biosorption capacity (qmax) of 21.6 mg g−1. However, the COD of the filtrate increased from 0 to 292 mg L−1 during this process. Subsequently, endophytes, microalgae and the microalgae-endophyte symbiotic system (MESS) were assessed for the simultaneous Cd(II) and COD removal. Among these three systems, the MESS achieved the best performance. After 3 d of inoculation, the extent of total Cd(II) removal increased to 99.2% while COD decreased to 77 mg L−1. This study provides a new insight into the application of a plant-derived biosorbent in combination with microalgae and endophytes for the effective treatment of heavy metal-bearing wastewater.

Apparel manufacturing is an industry with high energy consumption and carbon emissions. With the development of the low-carbon economy, low-carbon production in the apparel manufacturing industry become more and more imperative. The apparel industry is encountering great challenges in reducing carbon emissions. Garment sewing comprises a large number of processes, machines and operators. However, the existing studies lack quantitative analysis of carbon sources in the sewing process. This study analyzed the carbon emission characteristics in garment sewing production. Evaluation models of carbon emission were established for the sewing process in this research and the factors of fabrics, accessories, sewing machines and operators were included in the models. The results showed that fabrics and accessories were the main sources of carbon emissions in garment sewing production. The second largest carbon emission source was sewing machines, followed by operators. According to the evaluation models, the number of machines, operators and the utilization rate of the machines were related to the balance of the assembly line. A multi-objective optimization model aimed at minimizing the time loss rate and smoothness index of the assembly line was established, and a fast and elitist multi-objective genetic algorithm was used to obtain the solution for carbon emission reduction. The men&rsquo, s shirt assembly lines, based on three types of workstation layouts (the order of processes, the type of machines and the components of the garment), were applied to verify the effectiveness of the model and algorithm. The results indicated that the total carbon emissions of the three assembly lines based on balance optimization were less than that of the normal assembly line. The assembly line of the workstations arranged in the order of processes was the best assembly line since it had the highest efficiency and the lowest carbon emissions.

Low-carbon production has become one of the top management objectives for every industry. In garment manufacturing, the material distribution process always generates high carbon emissions. In order to reduce carbon emissions and the number of operators to meet enterprises&rsquo, requirements to control the cost of production and protect the environment, the paths of material distribution were analyzed to find the optimal solution. In this paper, the model of material distribution to obtain minimum carbon emissions and vehicles (operators) was established to optimize the multi-target management in three different production lines (multi-line, U-shape two-line, and U-shape three-line), while the workstations were organized in three ways: in the order of processes, in the type of machines, and in the components of garment. The NSGA-II algorithm (non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II) was applied to obtain the results of this model. The feasibility of the model and algorithm was verified by the practice of men&rsquo, s shirts manufacture. It could be found that material distribution of multi-line layout produced the least carbon emissions when the machines were arranged in the group of type.

LightBee is a novel “hologrammatic” telepresence system featuring a self-levitating light field display. It consists of a drone that flies a projection of a remote user’s head through 3D space. The movements of the drone are controlled by the remote user’s head movements, offering unique support for non-verbal cues, especially physical proxemics. The light field display is created by a retro-reflective sheet that is mounted on the cylindrical quadcopter. 45 smart projectors, one per 1.3 degrees, are mounted in a ring, each projecting a video stream rendered from a unique perspective onto the retroreflector. This creates a light field that naturally provides motion parallax and stereoscopy without requiring any headset nor stereo glasses. LightBee allows multiple local users to experience their own unique and correct perspective of the remote user’s head. The system is currently one-directional: 2 small cameras mounted on the drone allow the remote user to observe the local scene.

Semiconducting polymers have been widely used for phototheranostics due to their strong absorbance in near infrared region, high photostability, excellent photothermal conversion ability. In this paper, a heavy atom free tri-component semiconducting polymer PTVT has been designed and synthesized by a Stille coupling reaction. PTVT has a high singlet oxygen quantum yield (1O2 QY) of 42.2% in DCM remains high 1O2 generation ability for the DSPE-PEG coated PTVT nanoparticles (NPs) obtained by a nanoprecipitation approach. Owing to the PDT and PTT synergistic therapy (photothermal conversion efficiency ~52.6%), PTVT NPs show a low half maximum inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 5.9 μg/mL towards human lung cancer cells (A549) with laser irradiation. And simultaneously the dark toxicity of such NPs is almost negligible even at high concentrations. Furthermore, in vivo study demonstrates that the NPs are able to inhibit tumor proliferation with laser irradiation, compared with the control and dark group, suggesting the low dark toxicity and high phototoxicity of such NPs. The H&E stained pictures of the normal tissues indicate the biosafety of PTVT NPs in that no obvious damage of heart, liver, lung, kidney and spleen was observed. The results provide an approach to designing heavy atom free semiconducting polymers for phototheranostics.

Design and preparation of photosensitizers (PSs) play an important role in photodynamic therapy (PDT). PDT mainly relies on the production of toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) of the PSs. Conventional fluorophores, however, often suffer from aggregation caused quenching (ACQ), which limits the potential of PSs as fluorescent imaging agents. Molecules with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties maintain high fluorescence and dispersity in aqueous solutions, overcoming the ACQ effect. Ruthenium (II)-based AIE compounds are highly biocompatible molecules and can be used for response cell imaging. In the current study, two novel Ru(II)-based AIE compounds with main ligands 1,3-di(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)benzene (Hphbtz) by changing auxiliary ligand 2,2′-bipyridine (bipy) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) have been successfully synthesized and characterized, [Ru(Hphbtz)(bipy)2][PF6] (1) and [Ru(Hphbtz)(phen)2][PF6] (2). The NPs show strong intra-cellular fluorescence and also simultaneously exhibited potent cytotoxic activity. These compounds can self-assemble to form nanoparticles (NPs) by nanoprecipitation. The compounds are found to exhibit a high AIE property with emission maxima at 353 nm and 380 nm, respectively. And the compounds have the low IC50 (half maximal inhibitory concentration) of only 15 μg/mL (1.94 μM) and 13 μg/mL (1.58 μM) on HeLa cells, respectively. Meanwhile, negligible dark toxicity has been also observed for these NPs. The results show that [Ru(Hphbtz)(bipy)2][PF6] (1) and [Ru(Hphbtz)(phen)2][PF6] (2) NPs can inhibit cell proliferation in vitro, and may be potential candidates for photodynamic therapy.

Boosting the photosensitization type I process will enhance the phototherapy efficacy because the superoxide radicals (O2− ) generated during type I process are more toxic than the singlet oxygen (1O2) in type II process. Herein, [Ru(Hdtza)(phen)2][PF6] (1) and [Ru(pytz)(phen)2][PF6] (2) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) based on two nitrogen-rich tetrazole ligands, di(2H-tetrazol-5-yl) amine (H2dtza) and 5-(2-pyridyl)tetrazole (Hpytz) have been developed for photodynamic therapy (PDT) against lung cancer, respectively. Nanoprecipitation was used to prepare the nanoparticles (NPs) of both compounds. [Ru(Hdtza)(phen)2][PF6] NPs mainly undergo an electron transfer process to generate O2− while [Ru(pytz)(phen)2][PF6] the direct energy transfer to produce 1O2, which is responsible for the higher phototoxicity of [Ru(Hdtza)(phen)2][PF6] NPs (IC50 ~ 4.8 μg/mL) than that of [Ru(pytz)(phen)2][PF6] NPs (IC50 ~ 13.6 μg/mL) on human lung cancer cells (A549). Furthermore, in vivo study indicates that the tumor proliferation of nude mice can be effectively inhibited with the help of laser when the mice were injected with [Ru(pytz)(phen)2][PF6] NPs. This work may provide a simple strategy to design type I photosensitizers for enhanced photodynamic therapy.

For telepresence to support the richness of multiparty conversations, it is important to convey motion parallax and stereoscopy without head-worn apparatus. TeleHuman2 is a "hologrammatic" telepresence system that conveys fullbody 3D video of interlocutors using a human-sized cylindrical light field display. For rendering, the system uses an array of projectors mounted above the heads of participants in a ring around a retroreflective cylinder. Unique angular renditions are calculated from streaming depth video captured at the remote location. Projected images are retro-reflected into the eyes of local participants, at 1.3° intervals providing angular renditions simultaneously for left and right eyes of all onlookers, which conveys motion parallax and stereoscopy without head-worn apparatus or head tracking. Our technical evaluation of the angular accuracy of the system demonstrates that the error in judging the angle of a remote arrow object represented in TeleHuman2 is within 1 degree, and not significantly different from similar judgments of a collocated arrow object.

The ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology (UIST) is the premier forum for innovations in human-computer interfaces. This year, we curated more than 40 demonstrations, aimed to allow conference attendees to look, touch, and witness new and inspiring technologies live. Here, we selected four projects that showcase the very best in the community. Chris Harrison and Nicolai Marquardt, UIST 2015 Demo Committee Chairs

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI). Using a 3 T magnetic resonance scanner, DWI of the lumbar spine was assessed in 109 patients, with a total of 545 lumbar discs analyzed. Apparent diffusion coefficient values were recorded for each disc, and all discs were visually graded by two independent observers using Pfirrmann’s grading system. Apparent diffusion coefficient values of disc were tested by correlation with qualitative clinical grading of degeneration severity, patient age, and sex. Correlations were investigated using Pearson’s and Spearman’s rank correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. Intervertebral disc degeneration was negatively correlated with ADC values of all levels (Spearman’s correlation coefficient ranged from −0.381 to −0.604, p

We present HoloFlex, a 3D flexible smartphone featuring a light-field display consisting of a high-resolution P-OLED display and an array of 16,640 microlenses. HoloFlex allows mobile users to interact with 3D images featuring natural visual cues such as motion parallax and stereoscopy without glasses or head tracking. Its flexibility allows the use of bend input for interacting with 3D objects along the z axis. Images are rendered into 12-pixel wide circular blocks-pinhole views of the 3D scene-which enable ~80 unique viewports at an effective resolution of 160 × 104. The microlens array distributes each pixel from the display in a direction that preserves the angular information of light rays in the 3D scene. We present a preliminary study evaluating the effect of bend input vs. a vertical touch screen slider on 3D docking performance. Results indicate that bend input significantly improves movement time in this task. We also present 3D applications including a 3D editor, a 3D Angry Birds game and a 3D teleconferencing system that utilize bend input.

We present HoloFlex, a 3D flexible smartphone featuring a lightfield display with 16,640 microlenses. HoloFlex renders "holographic" images providing motion parallax and stereoscopy to multiple users with a resolution of 160x104 pixels, without glasses. Images are rendered into 12-pixel wide circular blocks, each of which displays a fish-eye view of the 3D scene as observed from a particular viewpoint. The lenses distribute each pixel in a direction that preserves the angular information of light rays. Touch input allows for x,y input, while bend sensors allow users to control the z dimension, by squeezing the display.

Background There have been few longitudinal investigations of allergic rhinitis (AR) in Chinese children. We previously conducted an investigation of the prevalence of AR in 3- to 6-year old children for the year of 2005–2006. The aim of this study was to observe the natural course of AR in children in the previously investigated population during a cohort study for 5 years. Methods A total of 1211 children in the previously investigated population were included in this study. Telephone interviews were conducted three times during the 1st, 3rd, and 5th year from the previous study. 14 Questions including duration, severity of nasal symptoms, asthma, and related problems of allergy were examined. Skin-prick tests (SPTs) were performed again on those children who had done SPTs in the previous study 14 after the last follow-up (i.e., after 5 years). Results Of the 1211 children, 870 (71.8%) completed the 5-year observation period. In the 5th year, the prevalence of positive sal symptoms was 29.4% (256 of the 870 children), including 64/70 (91.4%) of those who were formerly symptom positive and SPT+, 45/104 (43.3%) of those who were formerly symptom positive and SPT−, 40/66 (60.6%) of those who were formerly symptom positive with SPTs not performed (SPTs[x]), and 107/630 (17.0%) of those who were formerly symptom negative. SPT results showed that 96.1% (73/76) of previous SPT+ children remained SPT+; only 3.9% (6/154) became SPT+ in previous SPT− children. Conclusion We concluded that the natural course of AR (symptom positive and SPT+) and non-AR (symptom positive and SPT−) children were quite different.

Galvanic skin response is always regarded as a direct and convenient method of recording the activities of sympathetic nerve, and we therefore researched into people’s emotional reaction when the body has a contact with wool and acrylic fabrics. Our results showed that wool felt more soft and smooth than that of the acrylic fabric, and wool also performed better in the absorption of moisture. The skin resistance of wool fabric was lower than that of acrylic fabric if the respondent sat in a tranquil condition and the variation amplitude of this resistance also changed little for wool fabrics. This meant that wool may have a broader prospect for sporting garments. Sportswear can also affect people’s emotion in two ways. One was that the friction between bodies and garments may have a direct effect on emotional changes. Another influence was that garments may present a balancing action if people sweated excessively or the external temperature changed.

The liquid diffusibility of textile fabrics is often used to assess their internal structures and porosities in relevant experiments. A new method and instrument called Fibrous Liquid Transfer System (FLTS) was devised to evaluate the liquid transfer properties of sporting fabrics, and this noncontact measurement can also be used to monitor the dynamic water absorption and wicking behaviour by the noncontact near-infrared. Five types of sporting fabrics were tested in three different directions including downward, upward as well as lateral infiltration, and the results show that their liquid transfer properties are significantly distinct from each other. This is because different fabrics have different abilities to absorb near-infrared light after we analysed the testing results of each specimen with the FLTS. The variant rates of water absorption and wicking in fabrics are due to their different liquid transfer mechanism. Gravity can also affect the liquid transfer property of fabrics and this is another factor.

To research advanced glycation end-product receptors (RAGE), NF-kappaB, p21 expressions in C57BL/6j mice cochlea spiral ganglion cells(SGC) ,and then to investigate the presbycusis pathogenesis.To take C57BL/6J mice:2 month 25,and 10 month 25. Histological sections were observed the SGC. RAGE, NF-kappaB, p21 were immunohistochemical in the SGC,with IPP6 to IOD.(1) The count SGCs of 10 month-old was obviously decreased comparing to 2 month-old, the count of 2 month SGC is 39 +/- 5, 10 month group is 20 +/- 6, P0.01; (2) RAGE, NF-kappaB, p21 expressed in spiral ganglion cell,different place with different age,and the means optical density in the 10 month are higher than the 2 month, respectively. The IOD of RAGE expression in 2 month SGC: 0.179 +/- 0.025, 10 month IOD: 0.308 +/- 0.050; The IOD of NF-kappaB expression in 2 month SGC: 0.181 +/- 0.045, 10 month IOD: 0.335 +/- 0.120; The IOD of p21 expression in 2 month SGC: 0.160 +/- 0.023, 10 month IOD: 0.365 +/- 0.031, compare with 2 group, respectively, P0.05, and the difference has statistics sense.RAGE,NF-kappaB, p21 expressions are in SGCs and increases with the aging of SGCs, suppose RAGE, NF-kappaB, p21 may participate in the process of presbycusis pathogenesis.

To investigate the variation on different regions of the forearm when taking the allergen skin prick tests(SPTs).Forty-one patients with hyper-reactive nasal symptoms were included. SPTs were done on the proximal, telecentric, middle region of right forearm and telecentric region of left forearm with house dust mite and histamine. The average diameter of wheal and the reactive grade were calculated and analyzed.The diameters of the wheal on equal position of two forearms were similar (P0.05). The intension of SPTs reaction decreased from proximal to telecentric region of the same forearm (P0.05).The intension of SPTs reaction on different region of forearm are quite different, which should be noticed in clinical practice.

A novel approach for infrared optical activation of neodymium-doped porous silicon (PS:Nd), using microwave radiation, is reported. PS:Nd was prepared using constant-potential electrochemical doping; the effects of microwave heating time, microwave power and the dosage of heat-conducting medium used on the room-temperature photoluminescence (PL) in the infrared region for PS:Nd were investigated. The treated samples emitted intense room-temperature luminescence around 1.06 and 0.90 µm. In addition to thermal activation, the non-thermal interaction of microwave radiation with PS:Nd, mainly resulting in the spread of rare earth and the trapping of oxygen by neodymium ions in the porous layer, is considered to play an important role in the optical activation of neodymium.

To evaluate the efficacy of specific immunotherapy (SIT) with standardized dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extract for allergic rhinitis (AR)accompanied with asthma.One hundred and fifty-five patients (40 AR with asthma, ARasthma) in accordance with the inclusion criteria of SIT, were allocated to receive standardized Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extract (SIT group, n = 89) or medical treatment (control group, n = 66). AR with or without asthma was observed separately. Symptom and medicine scores, quality of life were recorded and analyzed before and after 1 year treatment. Side effects were registered. Subjective evaluation of symptoms was made by the patients.Rhinitis and asthma symptom scores, medicine scores and quality of life were greatly improved in SIT group of ARasthma after 1 year, which were not significant changed in control group except for medicine scores. The subjective evaluation of symptoms was also significantly improved in SIT group. In patients of AR without asthma, the symptom scores, medicine scores and quality of life were both improved. The SIT group improved greater than that of control group.The clinical efficacy of patients with ARasthma was not good with simple medical treatment, while great clinical efficacy could be acquired with SIT.

A modified multi-sensor information fusion method for hydraulic fault diagnosing system is proposed in this paper. Combined with the improved JDL data fusion model and the hierarchical processing idea, it can solve some difficult fault diagnosis problems of hydraulic system. The adaptive weighted least squares estimation method is used to clean the data and extract the feature in data layer. The multi-parallel particle swarm optimisation (PSO)-Hopfield neural network is applied in feature level for local diagnosis. When the time-airspace integrates, there is a direct data communication and feedback between each level based on modified Dempster-Shafer (D-S) evidence theory in decision-making level. The final diagnosis has a direct data communication and feedback between each level, and it can make the information of each level based on data mining as soon as possible. Experimental results show that the method in conflicted evidence has high correct rate and can avoid index explosion and fix the fault exactly.

D-S evidence theory has a strong advantage in dealing with uncertain information. For the problem of the classic combination rule which is a failure in conflict evidence and the decision-making rule which is difficult to choose, a modified D-S combination rule and a new method of decision-making rule are proposed. At the same time, basic probability assignment BPA of the proposition is obtained by PSO-RBF ANN, which avoided the imperfection that the BPA is obtained by experience. In addition, we apply this algorithm to hydraulic fault diagnosis system and the simulating experiment shows that the method is beneficial to final decision-making under the premise that the risk of decision-making is not increasing, and it is more accurate to locate the fault.