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Background A balance test provides important information such as the standard to judge an individual’s functional recovery or make the prediction of falls. The development of a tool for a balance test that is inexpensive and widely available is needed, especially in clinical settings. The Wii Balance Board (WBB) is designed to test balance, but there is little software used in balance tests, and there are few studies on reliability and validity. Thus, we developed a balance assessment software using the Nintendo Wii Balance Board, investigated its reliability and validity, and compared it with a laboratory-grade force platform. Methods Twenty healthy adults participated in our study. The participants participated in the test for inter-rater reliability, intra-rater reliability, and concurrent validity. The tests were performed with balance assessment software using the Nintendo Wii balance board and a laboratory-grade force platform. Data such as Center of Pressure (COP) path length and COP velocity were acquired from the assessment systems. The inter-rater reliability, the intra-rater reliability, and concurrent validity were analyzed by an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) value and a standard error of measurement (SEM). Results The inter-rater reliability (ICC: 0.89-0.79, SEM in path length: 7.14-1.90, SEM in velocity: 0.74-0.07), intra-rater reliability (ICC: 0.92-0.70, SEM in path length: 7.59-2.04, SEM in velocity: 0.80-0.07), and concurrent validity (ICC: 0.87-0.73, SEM in path length: 5.94-0.32, SEM in velocity: 0.62-0.08) were high in terms of COP path length and COP velocity. Conclusion The balance assessment software incorporating the Nintendo Wii balance board was used in our study and was found to be a reliable assessment device. In clinical settings, the device can be remarkably inexpensive, portable, and convenient for the balance assessment.

Electrostriction is a property of dielectric materials whereby an applied electric field induces a mechanical deformation proportional to the square of that field. The magnitude of the effect is usually minuscule (<10 –19  m 2  V –2 for simple oxides). However, symmetry-breaking phenomena at the interfaces can offer an efficient strategy for the design of new properties 1 , 2 . Here we report an engineered electrostrictive effect via the epitaxial deposition of alternating layers of Gd 2 O 3 -doped CeO 2 and Er 2 O 3 -stabilized δ-Bi 2 O 3 with atomically controlled interfaces on NdGaO 3 substrates. The value of the electrostriction coefficient achieved is 2.38 × 10 –14  m 2  V –2 , exceeding the best known relaxor ferroelectrics by three orders of magnitude. Our theoretical calculations indicate that this greatly enhanced electrostriction arises from coherent strain imparted by interfacial lattice discontinuity. These artificial heterostructures open a new avenue for the design and manipulation of electrostrictive materials and devices for nano/micro actuation and cutting-edge sensors. A system consisting of alternating thin films of two dielectrics is used to produce greatly enhanced electrostriction derived from coherent strain imparted by interfacial lattice discontinuity.

This study aims to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Leg Strength Analyzer (IB-LS) in assessing isometric knee flexion and extension strength in elderly adults, compare its performance with that of the CSMI dynamometer, and examine its agreement with isokinetic knee strength measurements. A total of 21 elderly participants (mean age: 65.10 ± 4.56 years) were recruited. Participants underwent knee flexion and extension strength assessments using both the IB-LS and CSMI devices, with isokinetic strength at 60°/s measured in a follow-up session at least one day later. The IB-LS demonstrated high test–retest reliability in elderly adults (ICC = 0.856–0.987). The validity analysis comparing IB-LS isometric peak torque with CSMI isometric peak torque showed moderate to high validity (ICC = 0.826–0.946). Furthermore, IB-LS isometric peak torque and CSMI isokinetic 60°/s peak torque demonstrated high agreement (ICC = 0.775–0.881), demonstrating its strong association with isokinetic strength assessments. Bland–Altman analysis revealed that mean differences between IB-LS and CSMI isometric peak torque values ranged from 13.2 to 93.5 Nm, with limits of agreement (LoA) spanning from −55.8 to 192.5 Nm. When comparing IB-LS isometric peak torque with CSMI isokinetic 60°/s peak torque, mean differences ranged from 31.0 to 56.0 Nm, with LoA from −28.5 to 138.9 Nm. The IB-LS is a reliable and valid tool for evaluating isometric knee strength in elderly adults. Its strong agreement with the CSMI dynamometer and close correlation with isokinetic strength measurements indicate that IB-LS can be a feasible alternative for assessing knee strength in clinical and research settings focused on elderly populations.

: Falls among older adults are a major public health concern. Although instrumented posturography provides objective balance and fall-risk assessment, its cost and limited portability restrict widespread use. This study aimed to examine the construct and concurrent validity of center of pressure (COP) path length measured using a Wii Balance Board (WBB) in relation to a clinically established posturographic fall-risk construct in community-dwelling older adults and to explore its discriminatory performance across multiple sensory postural conditions. : Sixty adults aged ≥ 65 years participated in this cross-sectional study. COP path length was measured using a WBB under eight postural conditions and compared with the Fall Index derived from a conventional posturography system (Tetrax ). Functional performance was assessed using the Four Square Step Test and the Five Times Sit-to-Stand test. Pearson correlation, receiver operating characteristic (ROC), and exploratory regression analyses were performed. : COP path length showed significant positive correlations with the Tetrax Fall Index across all conditions (r = 0.349-0.561, < 0.01) and with functional performance tests under most postural conditions ( < 0.05), except for the Normal stability, Open eyes (NO) condition. ROC analysis demonstrated acceptable-to-good discriminatory performance for classifying Tetrax Fall Index-based risk status (AUC = 0.783-0.865), with the NO condition showing the highest discriminatory capability (AUC = 0.865). Exploratory regression models based on selected postural conditions explained 12.1-40.7% of the variance in the reference Fall Index. : COP path length measured using a WBB demonstrated construct validity and acceptable discriminatory capacity in relation to a conventional posturographic fall-risk construct in community-dwelling older adults. These findings support the exploratory feasibility of simplified WBB-based balance assessment approaches for community and clinical screening contexts. Further longitudinal studies incorporating prospective fall outcomes are required to establish predictive validity and broader clinical applicability.

Complex oxides exhibit a wide range of fascinating functionalities, such as ferroelectricity, piezoelectricity, and pyroelectricity, which are indispensable for cutting‐edge electronics, energy, and information technologies. The intriguing physical properties of these complex oxides arise from the complex interplay between lattice, orbital, charge, and spin degrees of freedom. Here, it is reviewed how electromechanical properties can be achieved/improved by artificially breaking the symmetry of centrosymmetric oxides via engineering thermodynamic variables such as stress, strain, electric field, and chemical potentials. The mechanisms that have been utilized to break the inherent symmetry of conventional materials that lead to novel functionalities and applications are explored. It is highlighted that access to “hidden phases,” which otherwise are prohibited, could uncover opportunities to host exotic properties, such as piezoelectricity, pyroelectricity, etc. This review not only reports how to engineer intrinsically nonpolar and centrosymmetric oxides for emergent properties, but also has implications for manipulating polar functional materials for better performance. Electromechanical properties can be achieved by breaking the symmetry of the centrosymmetric oxides via engineering thermodynamic variables such as stress/strain, electric field, and chemical potentials. The access to “hidden phases” which are prohibited in the equilibrium phase diagram, could offer opportunities to host exotic properties, such as piezoelectricity, pyroelectricity, etc.

Pigs are important experimental animals for cardiovascular research. Few porcine coronary atherosclerosis models have been developed; however, their induction requires more than six months. We developed a porcine coronary artery atherosclerosis model using nicotine injection with a balloon overdilation. A coronary balloon was placed in the porcine coronary artery and overdilated to induce a mechanical injury. Nicotine was administrated via intramuscular injection every day, and changes in the coronary artery were observed after four weeks. Coronary angiography revealed nicotine injection with a balloon overdilation group showed narrowing of the coronary artery at the injury site. The combination of balloon and nicotine significantly increased the intimal hyperplasia in optical coherence tomography analysis. Proliferated tunica media were noted in the nicotine injection with balloon overdilation groups and lack of collagen was observed in the tunica media at eight weeks. Quantitative analysis showed increased smooth muscle actin alpha (SMA), cluster of differentiation 68 (CD68), and Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) in the nicotine injection with balloon overdilation groups. Immunohistochemistry results showed CD68-positive cells displayed SMA- and KLF4-positive reactivity in the border zone of the intimal hyperplasia. Our results show that nicotine injection with balloon overdilation can induce atherosclerotic lesions within one month, which can serve as an alternative pig animal model for the development of coronary stents.

Recent advances in fabricating scalable two-dimensional or freestanding functional materials have shown promise for their use in modern silicon-based electronics and future technologies. A growing interest is in creating freestanding complex oxide membranes using new methods like epitaxial lift-off and mechanical exfoliation to enhance their quality and integrity. Despite these advances, it remains challenging to consistently produce high-quality freestanding oxide membranes on a large scale for practical use. This perspective paper provides an overview of release-and-transfer techniques for fabricating freestanding single-crystalline complex oxide layers, which are initially grown epitaxially. Specifically, we systematically explore the advantages and disadvantages of water-assisted exfoliation of freestanding oxide layers, which have been widely adopted using a water-soluble sacrificial layer in recent years. Furthermore, we compare this approach with other methods to navigate future directions in oxide layer transfer technology, considering material selections, fabrication processes, and functionalization strategies. Graphical abstract Seeking a water-free epitaxial lift-off process: (1) Growth: An epitaxial film is grown on a sacrificial layer placed on a single-crystal substrate (top left). (2) Release: The film is released from the substrate without using a water-based sacrificial layer (top right). (3) Transfer: The film is transferred onto a new platform (bottom right). (4) Support Removal: A polymer support is removed from the film (bottom left).

The purpose of this study was to apply deep and slow breathing to the elderly, who can be classified as potential dementia patients, to confirm changes in the cognitive functions of learning and memory. Forty-five elderly subjects were randomly and evenly divided into a rest group (RG), a before group (BG), and an after group (AG). Measurements of their cognitive abilities were obtained before testing (PT), 30 min after learning (STT), and 24 h after learning (LTT). After PT measurements were obtained from all three groups, the RG and AG conducted new cognitive skills learning, while the BG performed deep and slow breathing (DSB) for 30 min before learning new cognitive skills. After all the three groups underwent 30 min of learning, the STT was performed. Subsequently, the AG performed DSB for 30 min. Finally, 24 h after learning, the LTT was conducted for all three groups. Changes were compared and analyzed by measuring the retention of new cognitive skills and attention, working memory, and spatial perception of cognitive functions. A two-way repeated measure analysis of variance measured the effect of the application of DSB in the three groups. These results demonstrated a significant interaction of time and time*group in all measurements of retention and attention, working memory, and spatial perception. This study confirms the benefit of DSB as part of a dementia prevention training protocol.

The aim of this study was to fabricate a novel polymer-free everolimus-eluting stent with nanostructure using a femtosecond laser (FSL). The stent were coated with everolimus (EVL) using FSL and electrospinning processes. The surface was rendered hydrophobic, which negatively affected both platelet adhesion (82.1%) and smooth muscle cell response. Animal study was performed using a porcine coronary restenosis model. The study groups were divided into 1) bare metal stent (BMS), 2) poly(L-lactide) (PLA)-based EVL drug eluting stent (DES), 3) commercial EVL-eluting DES, and 4) FSL-EVL-DES. After four weeks of stent implantation, various analyses were performed. Quantitative analysis showed that the amount of in-stent restenosis was higher in the BMS group (BMS; 27.8 ± 2.68%, PLA-based DES; 12.2 ± 0.57%, commercial DES; 9.8 ± 0.28%, and FSL-DES; 9.3 ± 0.25%, n  = 10, p  < 0.05). Specifically, the inflammation score was reduced in the FSL-DES group (1.9 ± 0.39, n  = 10, p  < 0.05). The increment in re-endothelialization in the FSL-DES group was confirmed by immunofluorescence analysis. Taken together, the novel polymer-free EVL-eluting stent fabricated using FSL can be an innovative DES with reduced risk of ISR, thrombosis, and inflammation.

Controlling material functionalities via external stimuli is a cornerstone of modern science and technology. One effective strategy involves tuning mechanical strain, which can be induced through lattice mismatch, electric fields, or applied mechanical force. Recent advances in fabricating freestanding single‐crystalline complex oxide membranes have opened new opportunities for integrating these materials onto previously incompatible platforms such as metals and flexible polymers for next‐generation device applications. A key step in strain engineering is understanding and controlling the integration of such materials with flexible substrates. In this study, the integration and adhesion of freestanding single‐crystalline La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO(001)) membranes onto metallic surfaces (Au, Pt, and TiN) coated on flexible polymer substrates is demonstrated. It is found that the choice of metal underlayer significantly influences the ability to strain the membrane. Using TiN‐coated polymer support, a uniform strain of ≈1% in LSMO membranes, along with strong adhesion between the membrane and substrate, is achieved. Theoretical calculations reveal that strong Ti─O bonding and compact in‐plane lattice matching at the LSMO(001)/TiN(111) interface lower the interface formation energy compared to noble metals. These findings offer valuable insights for selecting suitable platforms to apply external mechanical stress to freestanding oxide membranes, facilitating their integration into flexible electronic systems. Integrating freestanding complex oxides on flexible platforms holds great promise for next‐generation electronics. The successful integration and adhesion of freestanding single‐crystalline La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 membranes onto metal‐coated polymer substrates (Au, Pt, TiN) is demonstrated. Strong interfacial adhesion of the oxide membrane with TiN allows for ≈1% uniform strain, offering crucial insights for selecting suitable platforms to apply mechanical stress and advance flexible oxide device integration.