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Background and Aims: Upper limb recovery after stroke tends to be slower and incomplete. Participation in motor rehabilitation and exercise adherence are crucial to improve motor recovery. However, post‐stroke depression (PSD) could impede active participation in exercises. Therefore, this study investigates the association between depression and exercise adherence among community‐dwelling stroke survivors. Methods: This cross‐sectional study was conducted among 215 stroke survivors undergoing motor rehabilitation between February 2021 and January 2023. Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 (PHQ‐9) and Stroke‐Specific Measure of Adherence to Home‐based Exercises (SS‐MAHE) were measured to assess depression symptoms and exercise adherence, respectively. Fugl‐Meyer Assessment‐Upper Extremity (FMA‐UE) was administered to identify the influence of impairment on these factors. Chi‐square and multinomial and binary logistic regression analyses were applied to determine the relationships between these measurements. Results: Using the Chi‐square test, the PHQ‐9 was significantly associated with SS‐MAHE (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that patients with moderate depression had lower odds of exercise adherence (OR:0.69, 95%CI:0.56, 0.85, p < 0.01) compared to those with no depression. Type of exercises such as movement‐based (OR:2.00, 95%CI:1.80, 2.24, p < 0.001) and task‐based exercises (OR:1.80, 95%CI:1.53, 2.13, p < 0.001), had higher adherence odds compared to those not exercising. Severe impairment (FMA‐UE) was significantly associated with lower exercise adherence (OR:0.71, 95%CI:0.54, 0.94, p < 0.05) and an increased risk of minimal depression (RR:11.09, 95%CI:1.17, 105.04, p < 0.05) compared to mild impairment. Conclusions: PSD significantly impacts exercise adherence, with moderate depression notably reducing adherence rates. Incorporating mental health support into stroke rehabilitation could improve exercise adherence and potentially enhance upper limb motor recovery outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Vijayendra. Chinta, Pramod. Krishnan, Uday. Murgod, Manjunath. Mahadevappa, Ajit. Roy, Murali. Srinivasan, Veena. Vedartham Background: In-hospital strokes are a small but sizeable proportion of all strokes. Identification of in-hospital [...]

Twisted 2D bilayers of van der Waals materials, a new class of quantum materials, offer pioneering advances in the field of nanoelectronics and photonics. As these layered materials can have various preferential stacking configurations with varying electronic behavior, it is important to have a characterization technique that can unambiguously probe the stacking order and interlayer interactions in 2D materials and twisted 2D homobilayers. In this work, we show that by using Raman spectroscopy, we can probe variations in the interlayer coupling of bilayer WSe 2 stacked at different twist angles. The interlayer interactions are weakest at a twist angle of 30 ° , and the twisted bilayer system is almost equivalent to two decoupled monolayers of WSe 2. Also we demonstrate Raman mapping as a quick imaging tool with capabilities of clear distinction between 2H and 3R polytypes of bilayer WSe 2 and can be used to study various kirigami structures and bilayer nucleation centers commonly observed during chemical vapor deposition-based growth of WSe 2. This work proves to be beneficial in the characterization of twisted bilayers of 2D materials and offer key insights into the optoelectronic properties of 2D materials and heterostructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitrimers, an emerging class of polymer materials, are thermosets with dynamic covalent cross-linkers, allowing for topology rearrangement at elevated temperatures. However, vitrimers have several drawbacks, such as slow response times and often lack photothermal catalytic activity. Herein, we demonstrate that embedding functional nanofillers, i.e., hierarchically assembled plasmonic gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on graphene nanoplatelets (GNPIs) into a vitrimer matrix, induces an ultrafast photothermal healing response. Unlike previous research that mainly focused on bulk materials, our exploration of vitrimer nanocomposite films uncovers unique advantages, such as optical transparency in the visible wavelength, flexibility, and ultrafast localized healing upon exposure to a 532 nm wavelength laser. These remarkable properties of vitrimer nanocomposite films were demonstrated with three various filler compositions and concentrations, where AuNPs/GNPls serve as a powerful filler. Photothermally activated self-healing of these hybrid materials is demonstrated by taking advantage of the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of AuNPs and the broad absorbance wavelength and high thermal conductivity of GNPls. Furthermore, profilometry is utilized to quantify the volume percent recovery of healing, providing quantitative evidence of increased healing with a higher filler concentration and laser dosage. This localized, ultrafast healing is pivotal for future coating applications, where bulk heating could lead to undesirable deformations. Our comprehensive understanding of the role of filler composition, filler concentration, and laser dosage in the self-healing properties of films opens up a wide array of potential applications for these light-responsive functional materials. The potential applications of these materials span from self-healing coatings to flexible electronics, inspiring a new era of innovative solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-noble nanomaterial-based quasicrystals (QC) are attractive structures due to their potential surface plasmon resonance (SPR) properties and ability to be easily exfoliated into two-dimensional (2D) sheets. Interaction with and sensing of organic molecules are applications where such 2D materials are a viable option due to their large surface area to volume ratio, providing abundant active sites for molecular interactions. In this work, a titanium-based multicomponent alloy (Ti45Zr38Ni17) was exfoliated into a 2D quasicrystal (2D-Ti QC) from its bulk form via liquid-phase exfoliation. Structural and optical experimental techniques were used to characterize the 2D-Ti QC. Its plasmonic nature was verified and demonstrated via the absorbance spectrum, light localization images, and far-field diffraction patterns. Dopamine sensing was demonstrated using the absorbance spectra of optically active 2D-Ti QC. The linear range of detection was obtained as ∼13–91 nM (200–1400 ppb). Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of Ti QC were conducted to investigate its structural stability. The interaction between 2D-Ti QC and dopamine was investigated by using DFT simulations. In this way, the potential of 2D-Ti QC to be used as an organic molecule sensor has been experimentally and theoretically demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of cancer research is to identify characteristics of cancer cells that allow them to be selectively eliminated without harming the host. One such characteristic is autophagy dependence. Cancer cells survive, proliferate, and metastasize under conditions where normal cells do not. Thus, the requirement in cancer cells for more energy and macromolecular biosynthesis can evolve into a dependence on autophagy for recycling cellular components. Recent studies have revealed that autophagy, as well as different forms of cellular trafficking, is regulated by five phosphoinositides associated with eukaryotic cellular membranes and that the enzymes that synthesize them are prime targets for cancer therapy. For example, PIKFYVE inhibitors rapidly disrupt lysosome homeostasis and suppress proliferation in all cells. However, these inhibitors selectively terminate PIKFYVE-dependent cancer cells and cancer stem cells with not having adverse effect on normal cells. Here, we describe the biochemical distinctions between PIKFYVE-sensitive and -insensitive cells, categorize PIKFYVE inhibitors into four groups that differ in chemical structure, target specificity and efficacy on cancer cells and normal cells, identify the mechanisms by which they selectively terminate autophagy-dependent cancer cells, note their paradoxical effects in cancer immunotherapy, and describe their therapeutic applications against cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neck pain is one of the most burdensome chronic musculoskeletal problems globally. Impaired proprioception is associated with chronic nonspecific neck pain as the structures of the cervical spine are crucial for proprioception and balance. There is a paucity of literature examining objective measures of balance and postural sway in patients with nonspecific neck pain. Methods: This study was observational consisting 126 individuals (63 cases and 63 controls) who were recruited using convenience sampling. The demographics of the samples were collected and the postural and balance impairment was assessed using Biodex Balance SD. Mean, Median, and SD were obtained and the inferential analysis was done using the Whitney U Test and the level of significance was accepted at p < 0.05. Results: The subjects with neck pain showed had a lower static stability index, static sway index, static stability index—forward backward and static sway index lateral scores than the normal counterparts. There are significant differences in the overall static stability index (p < 0.001). There was a significant difference in static sway index (p = 0.003) and static stability index lateral (p = 0.004). There was no significant difference for static sway index forward and backward (p = 0.550) and lateral sway index (p = 0.711). Conclusion: Subjects with neck pain had a lower static stability index, static sway index, static stability index—forward backward, and static sway index lateral scores than the normal counterparts and there was a significant difference between the static sway and static stability index in forward and backward directions as well as in lateral direction. These findings may help to assess the specific balance parameters and address the underlying causes of balance issues in patients with neck pain and also provide a comprehensive care to the patients. Clinical Trial Registration: The trial was registered with CTRI India with registration number: CTRI/2022/07/044222. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Pramod. Krishnan, Gosala. Sarma, Uday. Murgod, Murali. Srinivas, Ajit. Roy Objective: To characterize the first patient of Perry syndrome reported from India. Methods: A 62-year-old gentleman presented with acute [...]

Sustainable energy solutions require high-performance and widely available materials, which could be easily engineered/scaled up to the required dimensions. Natural silicates, being environmentally stable and abundantly accessible, emerge as promising candidates for the development of energy devices. Here, we demonstrate the synthesis of two-dimensional (2D), non-layered tourmaline silicates (T-silicates) through an easily scalable liquid-phase exfoliation method. The 2D T-silicate is used to design fabric-based energy harvesting devices and cellulose-based 3D-printed structures for flexible electronics. The 2D T-silicate energy harvesting device, which is made of fabric, generates a voltage of approximately 10 V when it is tapped with a force of approximately 8.8 N at room temperature. At slightly higher temperatures, specifically at 50 °C, a small force of only 0.98 N can produce around 9.2 V. The 3D printed device with mesh design also produced ∼3 V (peak to peak) upon tapping with a finger. The theoretically estimated piezoelectric coefficient was 4.3 × 10−10 C m−2, and the flexoelectric coefficient was 0.3 nC m−2. The study shows that ultrathin T-silicates can be used not only in fabrics but also in 3D printing for energy harvesting applications. This innovative work opens up new possibilities for sustainable energy solutions by combining advanced materials with state-of-the-art fabrication techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]