Data Cubes in Hand: A Design Space of Tangible Cubes for Visualizing 3D Spatio-Temporal Data in Mixed Reality

Tangible interfaces in mixed reality (MR) environments allow for intuitive data interactions. Tangible cubes, with their rich interaction affordances, high maneuverability, and stable structure, are particularly well-suited for exploring multi-dimensional data types. However, the design potential of these cubes is underexplored. This study introduces a design space for tangible cubes in MR, focusing on interaction space, visualization space, sizes, and multiplicity. Using spatio-temporal data, we explored the interaction affordances of these cubes in a workshop (N=24). We identified unique interactions like rotating, tapping, and stacking, which are linked to augmented reality (AR) visualization commands. Integrating user-identified interactions, we created a design space for tangible-cube interactions and visualization. A prototype visualizing global health spending with small cubes was developed and evaluated, supporting both individual and combined cube manipulation. This research enhances our grasp of tangible interaction in MR, offering insights for future design and application in diverse data contexts

Research on household emergency supplies storage from the theory of planned behavior and intention-behavior gap in the context of COVID-19

IntroductionIn the context of COVID-19 epidemic, household-level emergency supplies are becoming a critical link in the national emergency response mechanism for public health emergencies. The main goal of this study is to analyze the forming process of household emergency supplies storage intention and behavior based on the theory of planned behavior.MethodsA total of 486 valid questionnaires were obtained from China and analyzed using structural equation modeling.ResultsThe study found that subjective norms and perceived behavioral control had a positive impact on residents’ intention to store emergency supplies, while attitudes did not play a significant role. Community institutional trust and community network play significant moderating roles in the transformation from intentions to behaviors.DiscussionThis study explored the influencing factors of residents’ household emergency supplies storage, and introduced community institutional trust and community network as moderating variables to analyze the process of transformation of residents’ household emergency supplies storage intentions to behaviors from the perspective of community situation, and initially constructed a two-stage integration model including intention formation and behavior transformation. By analyzing the forming process of household emergency supplies behavior, this paper revealed the effective paths for the formation of household emergency supplies storage intention, and put forward policy suggestions from the government and community levels

The total accommodation capability curve for a distribution network considering N-1 criterion

The total accommodation capability curve (TAC curve) can completely describe the DG accommodation capability of a distribution network. The urban distribution network generally adopts the security constraints under N-1 criterion, but the formulation of the TAC curve in the existing studies only considers the network constraints under normal operation conditions considering N-0 criterion. To fill this gap, this paper develops a TAC curve model considering security constraints under N-1 criterion in distribution networks. The model is based on alternating current (AC) power flow because the problem of voltage override after DG integration cannot be ignored. Then, the solution and plotting method of the TAC curve are proposed. The method is based on the DC power flow model combined with voltage calibration correction, which is easy to solve and accurate. Finally, test systems are used to verify the proposed model and method. The rules between the N-1 TAC curve and the N-0 TAC curve and the main factors affecting the TAC curve are analyzed. The application of the TAC curve to planning is also provided

Experimental demonstration of reconstructing quantum states with generative models

Quantum state tomography, a process that reconstructs a quantum state from measurements on an ensemble of identically prepared copies, plays a crucial role in benchmarking quantum devices. However, brute-force approaches to quantum state tomography would become impractical for large systems, as the required resources scale exponentially with the system size. Here, we explore a machine learning approach and report an experimental demonstration of reconstructing quantum states based on neural network generative models with an array of programmable superconducting transmon qubits. In particular, we experimentally prepare the Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger states and random states up to five qubits and demonstrate that the machine learning approach can efficiently reconstruct these states with the number of required experimental samples scaling linearly with system size. Our results experimentally showcase the intriguing potential for exploiting machine learning techniques in validating and characterizing complex quantum devices, offering a valuable guide for the future development of quantum technologies

The Concentration and Persistence of Medical Expenses among Middle-Aged and Elderly Adults: Findings from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey

Abstract Background Medical expenses, especially among middle-aged and elderly people, have increased in China over recent decades. While the concentration and persistence of medical expenses have attracted great attention, few studies have focused on Chinese residents or vulnerable groups. This study sought to identify characteristics associated with the concentration of medical expenses and estimate their persistence among Chinese middle-aged and elderly adults. Methods Data was obtained from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, a nationally representative household survey of middle-aged and elderly adults that was conducted by the National School of Development at Peking University in 2013, 2015, and 2018. Concentration was measured using the cumulative percentages of ranked annual medical expenses and descriptive statistics were used to define the characteristics of individuals with high medical expenses. The persistence of medical expenses and associated factors were estimated using transfer rate calculations and Heckman selection modeling. Results Total medical expenses were concentrated among a few middle-aged and elderly adults and the concentration increased over time. Compared with middle-aged and elderly adults in the lower 90% medical expense group, those in the top 10% high medical expense group were more likely to be older, live in urban areas, be less wealthy, have chronic diseases, and attend higher-ranking medical institutions. High medical expenses demonstrated strong persistence. Lagged medical expenses had a persistent positive effect on the incidence and volume of current medical expenses and the effect of a one-period lag was strongest. Individuals with chronic diseases during the lagged period had a higher likelihood of experiencing persistent medical expenses. Factors such as age ≥75 years, income, health insurance, comorbidities, and receiving a higher number of medical services were significant positive contributors to higher medical expenses. Conclusion Policy efforts should focus on preventive management and optimizing the allocation of health resources to reduce high medical expenses and inequitable access to health services among middle-aged and elderly individuals in China. The government should establish a more efficient care system and adjust social health insurance policies to alleviate the long-term financial healthcare burden.</jats:p

Analysis of the Substantial Growth of Water Bodies during the Urbanization Process Using Landsat Imagery—A Case Study of the Lixiahe Region, China

In the process of urbanization, water bodies bear considerable anthropogenic pressure, resulting in a reduction of their surface area in most instances. Nevertheless, in contrast to many other regions, the Lixiahe region in Jiangsu Province, located in China’s eastern plain, has experienced a continuous expansion of water bodies over the past few decades amid rapid urbanization. Using Landsat images spanning from 1975 to 2023, this study analyzed changes in water resources and the growth of impervious surfaces during urbanization. The findings revealed that the area of impervious surfaces in the region increased from 227.1 km2 in 1975 to 1883.1 km2 in 2023. Natural wetland suffered significant losses, declining from 507.2 km2 in 1975 to near disappearance by the year 2000, with no significant recovery observed thereafter. Simultaneously, the water area expanded from 459.3 km2 in 1975 to 2373.1 km2 in 2023, primarily propelled by the significant contribution of aquaculture ponds, accounting for 2175.0 km2 or 91.7% of the total water area. Driver analysis revealed that these changes were found to be influenced by factors such as population, economy, demand, and policies. However, alongside the economic development brought by urbanization, negative impacts such as lake shrinkage, eutrophication, and increased flood risks have emerged. The Lixiahe region, as a relatively underdeveloped part of Jiangsu Province, faces the challenge of striking a balance between economic growth and environmental conservation

Identifying Characteristics Associated with the Concentration and Persistence of Medical Expenses among Middle-Aged and Elderly Adults: Findings from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey

Medical expenses, especially among middle-aged and elderly people, have increased in China over recent decades. However, few studies have analyzed the concentration or persistence of medical expenses among Chinese residents or vulnerable groups with longitudinal survey data. Based on the data of CHARLS (China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study), this study sought to identify characteristics associated with the concentration and persistence of medical expenses among Chinese middle-aged and elderly adults and to help alleviate medical spending and the operational risk of social medical insurance. Concentration was measured using the cumulative percentages of ranked annual medical expenses and descriptive statistics were used to define the characteristics of individuals with high medical expenses. The persistence of medical expenses and associated factors were estimated using transfer rate calculations and Heckman selection modeling. The results show that total medical expenses were concentrated among a few adults and the concentration increased over time. People in the high medical expense group were more likely to be older, live in urban areas, be less wealthy, have chronic diseases, and attend higher-ranking medical institutions. Lagged medical expenses had a persistent positive effect on current medical expenses and the effect of a one-period lag was strongest. Individuals with chronic diseases during the lagged period had a higher likelihood of experiencing persistent medical expenses. Policy efforts should focus on preventive management, more efficient care systems, improvement of serious illness insurance level, and strengthening the persistent protection effect of social medical insurance to reduce the high medical financial risk and long-term financial healthcare burden in China

Human Contribution to the Variation of Runoff under Climatic Background over the Laohahe Basin, Northeast China

The Laohahe basin is one of the typical semi-arid regions in Northeast China. Quantitatively estimating the contributions of human intervention and climatic variability on runoff changes in this region will help enhance the understanding of local hydrological mechanisms and provide an effective reference for water resources planning and management in other semi-arid regions of the world. The non-parametric Mann–Kendall test was used to analyze the temporal trends of annual precipitation, potential evapotranspiration (PET), and runoff in the whole Laohahe basin and its three sub-basins from 1964 to 2015. The annual runoff showed a decreasing trend in each sub-basin. The change-points of annual runoff detected by Pettitt’s test and residual analysis based on double mass curves (RA-DMC) are 1979 and 1998, and the baseline period and change period of each basin are 1964–1979 and 1980–2015. The RA-DMC method and the VIC model were used to quantitatively evaluate the contributions of human intervention and climatic variability to runoff change, which vary in time and space over the past 52 years. The contributions of human intervention to runoff reduction during 1980–2015 was more than 80%. On a multi-decadal temporal scale, human intervention had a stronger impact on runoff during 1980–1989, 2000–2009, and 2010–2015. The influence of human intervention on runoff reduction is gradually increasing in the 21st century. Besides, human intervention has a greater impact in dry years than in wet years. The increase of cropland area leads to a significant increase in irrigation area, which further leads to an increase in the demand for agricultural water, which is also the main reason for the sharp reduction of runoff in the Laohahe basin.</jats:p