Combined piezoelectricity, valley splitting and Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction in Janus GdXY (X, Y = Cl, Br, I) magnetic semiconductors.

Janus materials, as a family of multifunctional materials with broken mirror symmetry, have played a great role in piezoelectric, valley-related, and Rashba spin-orbit coupling (SOC) applications. Using first-principles calculations, it is predicted that monolayer 2H-GdXY (X, Y = Cl, Br, I) will combine giant piezoelectricity, intrinsic valley splitting and a strong Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI), resulting from the intrinsic electric polarization, spontaneous spin polarization and strong spin-orbit coupling. Opposite Berry curvatures and unequal Hall conductivities at the K- and K'-valleys of monolayer GdXY are promising for storing information through the anomalous valley Hall effect (AVHE). Through construction of the spin Hamiltonian and micromagnetic model, we obtained the primary magnetic parameters of monolayer GdXY as a function of the biaxial strain. Due to the dimensionless parameter κ having strong tunability, monolayer GdClBr is promising to host isolated skyrmions. The present results are expected to enable the application of Janus materials in piezoelectricity, spin- and valley-tronics and the formation of chiral magnetic structures.

Self-management challenges and support needs among patients with primary glaucoma: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Self-management plays an important role in the disease management of glaucoma patients. The effectiveness of the program can be improved by assessing the patient's perspective and needs to tailor self-management support. Most studies have focused on assessing one of these self-management behaviours, such as medication adherence, and there is a lack of systematic assessment of the support needs and challenges of self-management for patients with glaucoma. Therefore, in this study, we conducted an in-depth investigation into the self-management challenges and support needs of patients with primary glaucoma, providing a basis for nursing staff to implement self-management support. METHOD: The phenomenological method and semistructured interviews were used in this study. A total of 20 patients with primary glaucoma were recruited between June and December 2022. Colaizzi's analysis method was used to analyse the interview data. RESULTS: Challenges for patients include becoming an expert in glaucoma, managing negative emotions, adapting to daily life changes and resuming social activities. To address these challenges, four themes of patient self-management support needs were identified: (1) health information support, (2) social support, (3) psychological support, and (4) daily living support. CONCLUSION: Patients with primary glaucoma experience varying degrees of challenge in dealing with medical, emotional, and social aspects. Comprehending the support needs of patients, healthcare professionals should deliver targeted, personalized and comprehensive self-management interventions to enhance their capacity of patients to perform self-management and improve their quality of life.

Solar Hydrocarbons: Single-Step, Atmospheric-Pressure Synthesis of C2 -C4 Alkanes and Alkenes from CO2.

Cobalt ferrite (CoFe2 O4 ) spinel has been found to produce C2 -C4 hydrocarbons in a single-step, ambient-pressure, photocatalytic hydrogenation of CO2 with a rate of 1.1 mmol g-1 h-1 , selectivity of 29.8 % and conversion yield of 12.9 %. On stream the CoFe2 O4 reconstructs to a CoFe-CoFe2 O4 alloy-spinel nanocomposite which facilitates the light-assisted transformation of CO2 to CO and hydrogenation of the CO to C2 -C4 hydrocarbons. Promising results obtained from a laboratory demonstrator bode well for the development of a solar hydrocarbon pilot refinery.

Vision-related quality of life in patients with glaucoma: the role of illness perceptions.

PURPOSE: To explore the predictive effects of illness perceptions on vision-related quality of life (VRQoL) in Chinese glaucoma patients. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 97 patients with glaucoma completed the brief illness perception questionnaire (BIPQ), the glaucoma quality of life-15 (GQL-15) questionnaire, and a questionnaire regarding sociodemographic and clinical information. A correlation analysis and hierarchical linear regression analysis were performed. RESULTS: The BIPQ total score was positively correlated with the total score of the GQL-15 questionnaire and the scores of its four dimensions. Chronic comorbidities, the type of glaucoma, the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), the mean defect (MD) of visual field in the better eye, and identity in the BIPQ were critical predictors of VRQoL. Illness perceptions independently accounted for 7.8% of the variance in the VRQoL of glaucoma patients. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with stronger illness perceptions and those who perceive themselves as having more glaucoma symptoms are likely to experience worse VRQoL. Illness perceptions in glaucoma patients deserve clinical attention, and further studies are needed to examine whether cognitive interventions targeting illness perceptions can improve VRQoL.

Mental health and self-management in glaucoma patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study in China.

PURPOSE: To investigate mental health and self-management in glaucoma patients during the COVID-19 pandemic in China and to describe the correlation between anxiety, depression, glaucoma, and self-management. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included glaucoma patients who enrolled in the case management platform and completed an online survey. The survey included the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and Glaucoma Self-Management Questionnaire (GSMQ). RESULTS: Among 109 glaucoma patients enrolled in this study, the proportions of patients suffering from depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic were 26.6% and 20.2%, respectively. A statistical association was found between depression and self-management behaviour in these glaucoma patients (r = -0.247, P = 0.010). The self-management scores in patients less than 35 years were lower than those in patients aged 35-60 years (P = 0.046). The scores of body function promotion in men were lower than those in women (P = 0.048). Patients with primary school education and below had lower scores in the medical management of disease than those with either middle school education (P = 0.032) or community college education or higher (P = 0.022). CONCLUSION: A high proportion of anxiety and depression was found in glaucoma patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Better self-management behaviour was associated with stronger mental health regulation. It is important to help glaucoma patients improve their self-management behaviours, especially for young men with low educational levels.

The "Visible" Muscles on Ultrasound Imaging Make Botulinum Toxin Injection More Precise: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Botulinum toxin (BoNT) injection is the most commonly performed procedure in cosmetic surgery. However, blind injection is unable to take individual anatomical variations into consideration, which is the main contributing factor to complications. Ultrasound (US) imaging was introduced to reduce complications and improve effects. This article will review uses of US in aesthetic BoNT injection. METHOD: A systematic electronic search was performed using the PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of science. Search terms were set to focus on aesthetic BoNT injection. Two independent reviewers subsequently reviewed the resultant articles based on strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Selected manuscripts were analysed and grouped by procedure categories. Clinical cases were all performed by one plastic surgeon in our department. RESULTS: The search finally retained 24 articles. Five procedural categories were identified, including masseter (n = 16), frontalis (n = 2), glabella complex (n = 2), trapezius (n=1), and gastrocnemius (n = 3). US imaging is practical and instructive for pre-operative assessments as in needle-type selection, injection point localization and depth setting, as well as post-operative follow-ups regarding injection feedback (for instance, the extent of muscle volume decreases). What's more, ultrasound-guided injection makes needle trajectory visualized so as for the needle to reach the target muscle in avoidance of potential damage to neurovascular bundle, gland or adjacent muscle. CONCLUSION: Muscles, such as masseter, frontalis, glabella complex, trapezius and gastrocnemius, and their adjacent structures can be well visualized using US, and as such, US can be a useful tool for a variety of pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative procedures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Hereditary intrinsic factor deficiency in China caused by a novel mutation in the intrinsic factor gene-a case report.

BACKGROUND: Hereditary intrinsic factor deficiency is a rare disease characterized by cobalamin deficiency with the lack of gastric intrinsic factor because of gastric intrinsic factor (GIF) mutations. Patients usually present with cobalamin deficiency without gastroscopy abnormality and intrinsic factor antibodies. CASE PRESENTATION: A Chinese patient presented with recurrent severe anemia since age 2 with low cobalamin level and a mild elevation of indirect bilirubin. The hemoglobin level normalized each time after intramuscular vitamin B12 injection. Gene test verified a c.776delA frame shift mutation in exon 6 combined with c.585C > A nonsense early termination mutation in exon 5 of GIF which result in the dysfunction of gastric intrinsic factor protein. The hereditary intrinsic factor deficiency in literature was further reviewed and the ancestry of different mutation sites were discussed. CONCLUSIONS: A novel compound heterozygous mutation of GIF in a Chinese patient of hereditary intrinsic factor deficiency was reported. It was the first identified mutation of GIF in East-Asia and may indicate a new ancestry.

Gene spectrum analysis of thalassemia for people residing in northern China.

BACKGROUND: Southern China provinces have high incidence of thalassemia, however, sporadic cases can be found in northern China as well. METHODS: People resided in north China who were suspected to have thalassemia were detected mutations by gap-polymerase chain reaction (Gap-PCR) and reverse dot blot (RDB) analyses. Those with positive findings from 2012 to 2017 were further analyzed for basic clinical data and ancestral information either by medical records or by telephone follow-up or both. RESULTS: Most people enrolled in our study had no or mild symptoms. For those with positive gene findings, people originated from the north had higher percentage of ß-thalassemia gene mutations compared with those originated from the south (72.8% vs. 62.4%, χ2 = 9.92, P = 0.001). Analysis of the individual gene distribution of people from south and north areas did not show significant difference either in α- thalassemia (P = 0.221) or ß-thalassemia (P = 0.979). No significant difference was found in the frequency of α mutation in people living in different altitudes. However, for ß-thalassemia, the frequency of the 6 most common mutations was significantly different in people living in different provinces with altitude below 500 m, 500-1000 m, and above 1000 m (χ2 test, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Most of people in north China with thalassemia mutation gene were thalassemia carriers. People originated from the north had higher frequency of ß mutation than those originated from the south, but the north people had similar individual gene mutation profile compared with south people both for α and ß mutations. People lived in different altitudes had different spectrum of ß mutations.

Correction to: prediction of thrombosis risk in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.

The authors determined an error in the affiliation section; it was captured as Department of Hematology, Peking Union Hospital, CAMS & PUMC, Beijing 100,730, China. The correct affiliation should be Department of Hematology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China.

Prediction of thrombosis risk in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is an acquired hemolytic disease with thrombosis as a major complication. The mechanism of thrombosis and related risk factors in PNH patients are still not well characterized. We retrospectively enrolled 99 patients with newly diagnosed PNH at our institute from 2011 to 2016. According to binary logistic regression model analysis, we first identified four baseline clinical risk factors which may be associated with incidence of thrombosis in the PNH cohort, including PNH clone sizes (fluorescent aerolysin of neutrophil) ≤ 80 (OR 1.056, 95%CI 1.016-1.097, P = 0.005), hemoglobin ≤ 75 g/L (OR 4.202, 95%CI 0.984-17.954, P = 0.053), platelet > 100 × 109/L (OR 6.547, 95%CI 1.490-28.767, P = 0.013) and rs495828 = G (OR 5.243, 95%CI 1.314-20.916, P = 0.019). These independent risk factors were combined together to develop a risk model to evaluate thrombosis risk (AUC = 0.756, 95%CI 0.607-0.905, P < 0.001). Our risk model revealed a higher cumulative incidence of thrombosis and an earlier thrombosis events in PNH patients with high risk (risk score ≥ 23) compared with those with low risk (risk score < 23, P < 0.001 and P = 0.043, respectively). Although with some limitations, we set up a prediction model for thrombosis risk in patients with PNH for the first time, but it needed to be verified in a prospective study with larger patients and longer follow-up time in the future.

Electronic and magnetic properties of phosphorene tuned by Cl and metallic atom co-doping.

Using first-principles calculations based on density functional theory, we studied the electronic and magnetic properties of phosphorene co-doped with Cl and a metal atom (including Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni). It is found that Cl atom doping makes it much easier for metallic atoms to dope into phosphorene. Phosphorene co-doped with Cl and V, Cr, Mn, or Fe is magnetic, which is determined by the number of valence electrons. Taking V-Cl and Co-Cl co-doped phosphorene as an example, analyses are carried out on the reasonable selection of the doping sites, which distinctly affect the stability, band gap and magnetic moment. The stability is closely relevant to the electronegativity of impurity atoms. With the biaxial strain ranging from -4% to 4%, the magnetic moment of V-Cl co-doped phosphorene and the band gap of Co-Cl co-doped phosphorene are greatly tunable between 1.757-0.951 µB and 0.687-0.496 eV, which come from the electron transfer from V to the surrounding P atoms and the weakened bond between Co and Cl, respectively. These investigations provide a reference for regulating the electronic structure and magnetic properties of diluted magnetic semiconductors and promote the applications of phosphorene in spintronics and nanodevices.

Electronic properties and transistors of the NbS2-MoS2-NbS2 NR heterostructure.

Based on density function theory and nonequilibrium Green's functions, we construct a NbS2-MoS2-NbS2 NR inplane heterostructure. The effects of channel length, width, chirality and vacancy of the heterostructure on transport properties are systematically investigated. The electron transport of the armchair-edge heterostructure device shows ballistic transport properties, while the zigzag-edge heterostructure device exhibits resonance tunneling transport properties. Further study indicates NbS2-MoS2-NbS2 field effect transistors (FETs) to be excellent ambipolar transistors. The FETs have high performances with current on/off ratio 4.7 × 105 and subthreshold swing 90 mV/decade with channel length m = 16 and width n = 6.  Increases in the channel length sharply reduce the off-state current and enhance the performance of the devices significantly.

Patient satisfaction and follow-up adherence to glaucoma case management clinic in China.

AIM: To assess glaucoma patient satisfaction and follow-up adherence in case management and identify associated predictors to improve healthcare quality and patient outcomes. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 119 patients completed a Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire-18 and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Clinical data was obtained from the case management system. Follow-up adherence was defined as completing each follow-up within ±30d of the scheduled time set by ophthalmologists during the study period. RESULTS: Average satisfaction scored 78.65±7, with an average of 4.39±0.58 across the seven dimensions. Age negatively correlated with satisfaction (P=0.008), whilst patients with follow-up duration of 2 or more years reported higher satisfaction (P=0.045). Multivariate logistics regression analysis revealed that longer follow-up durations were associated with lower follow-up adherence (OR=0.97, 95%CI, 0.95-1.00, P=0.044). Additionally, patients with suspected glaucoma (OR=2.72, 95%CI, 1.03-7.20, P=0.044) and those with an annual income over 100 000 Chinese yuan demonstrated higher adherence (OR=5.57, 95%CI, 1.00-30.89, P=0.049). CONCLUSION: The case management model proves effective for glaucoma patients, with positive adherence rates. The implementation of this model can be optimized in the future based on the identified factors and extended to glaucoma patients in more hospitals.

Association of spouse's vision impairment with depressive symptoms and cognitive decline in partner: A nationally representative study in China.

BACKGROUND: Although several previous studies have reported on the relationship between vision impairment and caregiver mental health, mixed results were obtained, and only one study reported the association between spousal vision impairment and partner depression. Therefore, our study aimed to examine the association between spousal vision impairment and the partner's depressive symptoms and cognitive decline. METHODS: This cross-sectional study gathered baseline data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) in 2011. A total of 10,956 couples were included in the study. Vision impairment was assessed by respondents' self-reported distance or near vision. Multivariate logistic and linear regression were conducted to evaluate the association between the spouse's vision impairment and the partner's depressive symptoms and cognitive function. RESULTS: The prevalence of partners with depressive symptoms was significantly higher among spouses with vision impairment than among those without (43.3 % vs. 32.5 %; P < 0.001), and cognitive function was significantly lower (spousal vision impairment 14.4 ± 4.5 vs. no spousal vision impairment 15.5 ± 4.6; P < 0.001). After fully adjusting for potential confounders, the partner had greater odds of depressive symptoms for spouses with vision impairment than for those without (odds ratio: 1.525; 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.387 to 1.677). Furthermore, spousal vision impairment was negatively associated with the partner's cognitive function (ß = -0.640; 95 % CI: -0.840 to -0.440). Sensitivity analysis was performed, and consistent results were obtained (all P < 0.05). LIMITATIONS: Visual function was assessed by self-reporting. CONCLUSIONS: A spouse's vision impairment is associated with depressive symptoms and cognitive decline in the partner. The findings imply the importance of considering the partner's mental health when managing their spouse's vision impairment.

Dissecting microenvironment in cystadenomas and hepatic cysts based on single nucleus RNA-sequencing data.

Hepatic cystadenoma is a rare disease, accounting for about 5% of all cystic lesions, with a high tendency of malignant transformation. The preoperative diagnosis of cystadenoma is difficult, and some cystadenomas are easily misdiagnosed as hepatic cysts at first. Hepatic cyst is a relatively common liver disease, most of which are benign, but large hepatic cysts can lead to pressure on the bile duct, resulting in abnormal liver function. To better understand the difference between the microenvironment of cystadenomas and hepatic cysts, we performed single-nuclei RNA-sequencing on cystadenoma and hepatic cysts samples. In addition, we performed spatial transcriptome sequencing of hepatic cysts. Based on nucleus RNA-sequencing data, a total of seven major cell types were identified. Here we described the tumor microenvironment of cystadenomas and hepatic cysts, particularly the transcriptome signatures and regulators of immune cells and stromal cells. By inferring copy number variation, it was found that the malignant degree of hepatic stellate cells in cystadenoma was higher. Pseudotime trajectory analysis demonstrated dynamic transformation of hepatocytes in hepatic cysts and cystadenomas. Cystadenomas had higher immune infiltration than hepatic cysts, and T cells had a more complex regulatory mechanism in cystadenomas than hepatic cysts. Immunohistochemistry confirms a cystadenoma-specific T-cell immunoregulatory mechanism. These results provided a single-cell atlas of cystadenomas and hepatic cyst, revealed a more complex microenvironment in cystadenomas than in hepatic cysts, and provided new perspective for the molecular mechanisms of cystadenomas and hepatic cyst.

A plant cell death-inducing protein from litchi interacts with Peronophythora litchii pectate lyase and enhances plant resistance.

Cell wall degrading enzymes, including pectate lyases (PeLs), released by plant pathogens, break down protective barriers and/or activate host immunity. The direct interactions between PeLs and plant immune-related proteins remain unclear. We identify two PeLs, PlPeL1 and PlPeL1-like, critical for full virulence of Peronophythora litchii on litchi (Litchi chinensis). These proteins enhance plant susceptibility to oomycete pathogens in a PeL enzymatic activity-dependent manner. However, LcPIP1, a plant immune regulator secreted by litchi, binds to PlPeL1/PlPeL1-like, and attenuates PlPeL1/PlPeL1-like induced plant susceptibility to Phytophthora capsici. LcPIP1 also induces cell death and various immune responses in Nicotiana benthamiana. Conserved in plants, LcPIP1 homologs bear a conserved "VDMASG" motif and exhibit immunity-inducing activity. Furthermore, SERK3 interacts with LcPIP1 and is required for LcPIP1-induced cell death. NbPIP1 participates in immune responses triggered by the PAMP protein INF1. In summary, our study reveals the dual roles of PlPeL1/PlPeL1-like in plant-pathogen interactions: enhancing pathogen virulence through PeL enzymatic activity while also being targeted by LcPIP1, thus enhancing plant immunity.

Factors Influencing Participation in Shared Decision-Making Among Patients with Glaucoma in China: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Purpose: To explore the level of participation in shared decision-making by patients with glaucoma and identify influencing factors, to subsequently provide references to promote shared decision-making in ophthalmology, and achieve patient-centered care. Patients and Methods: A questionnaire was completed by 148 patients with glaucoma who had been admitted to a specialized ophthalmic hospital in China, between October 2021 and January 2022. The participants' responses to the nine-item Shared Decision-Making Questionnaire (SDM-Q-9) and a general information survey were analyzed to determine their level of participation in shared decision-making and influencing factors. Multiple linear regression was used to identify factors that influence shared decision-making at the time of clinical practice. Results: The mean score of SDM-Q-9 was 71.73±21.27 (n=140). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that patients with negative attitudes towards participation in decision-making (P=0.023) and those who had rural insurance (P=0.017) had significantly lower SDM-Q-9 scores than those with positive attitudes and those with medical insurance. Patients who were more satisfied with their medical service had higher SDM-Q-9 scores (P<0.05). Conclusion: Patients with glaucoma presented a high level of shared decision-making. Patients' attitudes towards participating in decision-making, the payment method of medical expenses, and the level of satisfaction with medical services are factors that influence their level of participation in shared decision-making.

Facilitators and Barriers to Using Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) as First-Line Treatment for Glaucoma: Physician and Patient Views Gathered during an Exploratory Descriptive Qualitative Study.

PURPOSE: To explore the perception of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) among physicians and patients and the acceptance of using SLT as first-line treatment for glaucoma. METHODS: Exploratory descriptive qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with glaucoma specialists and patients in two eye hospital of Zhejiang and Guangdong Provinces, China. Data were analyzed using the thematic analysis framework approach. RESULTS: 11 glaucoma specialists and 12 glaucoma patients were interviewed. Four themes were identified in the data: Physicians' preferences for treatment types, patient views on treatment types, decision-making during the physician-patient encounter and feasibility of SLT as a first-line therapy. Advantages of SLT include safety and repeatability with limited side effects. However, concerns about the durability of the effect of the treatment were often mentioned by both physicians and patients. Some factors such as practice preference, personal motivation and patient characteristics may influence treatment choice. Most patients lack knowledge about SLT and hold high expectations of their treatments. Physicians report insufficient evidence supporting the use of SLT as first line therapy. Physicians report the need for locally relevant, evidence-based guidelines regarding the use of SLT in the treatment of glaucoma. CONCLUSIONS: SLT was suggested as the first-line treatment of glaucoma due to its reliable efficacy and potential advantage. Results from our study offer important insight into barriers of increasing the uptake of SLT, which also provides some guidance for the use of SLT in the future.

Response assignment influences visual recognition.

This study investigated whether two different neural systems influenced performance in an immediate visual recognition, i.e. visual same/different task. An observer had to respond rapidly whether a test consonant had just appeared in the study string by pressing one of two response keys, labeled same and different. When the same response was assigned to the response key on the right, there was no effect of study-string position on target response time (RT), indicating that the test item was not compared with the study string. When the different response was assigned to the response key on the right, same RT was an increasing function of the left-to-right position of a target in the study string and different RT was slower than same RT, indicating that during test the study string was compared with the test item. Functional magnetic resonance imaging confirmed that the caudate and left hippocampus were more active when the different response was assigned to the right key but the right hippocampus was more active when the same response was assigned to the right key. Therefore, two different computational processes are performed by two different brain systems depending on whether the same or different response is assigned to the right response key.

Carbon Nanotube Network Topology-Enhanced Iontronic Capacitive Pressure Sensor with High Linearity and Ultrahigh Sensitivity.

Flexible capacitive pressure sensors with high sensitivity over a wide pressure range are highly anticipated in the fields of tactile perception and physiological signal monitoring. However, despite the introduction of microstructures on the electrolyte layer, the deformability is still limited due to the size limitation of the microstructures, making it difficult to significantly improve the sensitivity of iontronic capacitive pressure sensors (ICPSs). Here, we propose an innovative strategy of combining carbon nanotubes (CNTs) topological networks and ionic hydrogel micropyramid array microstructures that can significantly enhance the sensitivity of flexible ICPSs for ultrasensitive pressure detection. Compared with other previously reported ICPSs, the sensor developed in this work exhibits an unprecedented sensitivity (Smin > 1050 kPa-1) and a high linear response (R2 > 0.99) in a wide pressure range (0.03-28 kPa) enabled by CNT percolation networks inside the microstructred electrolyte layer. This ultrasensitive and flexible ICPS also can effectively detect pressure from a variety of sources, including sound waves, lightweight objects, and tiny physiological signals, such as pulse rate and heartbeat. This work provides a general strategy to achieve an ICPS with both broader pressure-response range and higher sensitivity, which provides a stable and efficient way for a low-cost, scalable sensor for sensitive tactile sensing in human-computer interaction applications.