Photothermal imaging is useful for detecting individual nanoparticles and obtaining the absorption spectra. This study presents a wide‐field photothermal reflectance spectroscopy technique achieved by incorporating a pump beam, a probe beam, and a charge‐coupled device (CCD) camera into a commercial microscopic setup. The presented design does not require precise alignment between the pump and the probe beams and enables the observation of numerous individual nanoparticles during image acquisition. Despite the use of a simple imaging processing method, i.e., a four‐bucket method using a CCD camera, sufficient sensitivity for the spectral imaging of a single gold nanorod (20 nm diameter and 84 nm length) is demonstrated. Numerous individual nanoparticles within a wide field of view (240 μm × 180 μm) are detected in an image captures at an imaging measurement speed of 0.02 mm ² min ⁻¹ . Furthermore, the proposed photothermal reflectance spectroscopy technique can detect the variation in the absorption peak of the measured spectra depending on the aspect ratio of individual nanoparticles within a spectral resolution of 1 nm.

Background/Objectives: Spasticity is a common and disabling sequela of stroke that limits voluntary movement and functional recovery. Vibration therapy (VT) has been proposed as a non-invasive neuromodulatory intervention, but the existing studies report inconsistent outcomes due to methodological heterogeneity. This study aimed to evaluate the overall effectiveness of VT in reducing post-stroke spasticity and to identify optimal stimulation parameters via meta-analytic and meta-regression approaches. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Standardized effect sizes (Hedges’ g) were calculated based on the within-group pre–post changes and compared across the groups. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses explored seven potential moderators, including the vibration frequency, amplitude, and time since stroke onset. Results: Thirteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving whole-body or focal vibration interventions in stroke populations were included. Vibration therapy significantly reduced spasticity, yielding a moderate overall effect size (Hedges’ g = −0.50; 95% CI: −0.65 to −0.34; p < 0.001). The greatest treatment effects were observed when VT was applied during the late subacute to early chronic phase (6–12 months post-stroke), with low-frequency (<20 Hz) and low-amplitude (≤0.5 mm) stimulation. The frequency, amplitude, and stroke onset emerged as significant moderators (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Vibration therapy is an effective and clinically meaningful intervention for post-stroke spasticity, particularly when delivered with low-intensity parameters during the optimal recovery window. These findings support the development of individualized VT protocols and provide evidence to guide future rehabilitation strategies.

Although photobiomodulation (PBM) has been investigated as a non-invasive treatment for reducing depressive symptoms, its effectiveness and optimal treatment settings remain unknown. This meta-analysis assessed the overall impact of PBM on depressive symptoms and analyzed significant moderators affecting treatment outcomes. We systematically reviewed 18 PBM intervention trials including individuals with major depressive disorder or clinically significant depressive symptoms. Effect sizes (Hedges' g) were pooled, and moderator analyses were conducted using meta-regression and subgroup comparisons. Publication bias was assessed with funnel plots and the trim-and-fill method. PBM showed a moderate overall effect in reducing depressive symptoms (Hedges' g = -0.47, 95 % CI: -0.73 to -0.22). Importantly, systemic PBM (sPBM) demonstrated significantly larger effects than those of transcranial PBM (tPBM), underscoring their distinct mechanistic and methodological profiles. Laser-based PBM was more effective than LED-based PBM, and longer treatment duration was associated with greater therapeutic benefits, whereas irradiance and treatment frequency were not significant moderators. PBM appears to be a promising treatment option for depressive symptoms. The clear difference between sPBM and tPBM highlights the need for modality-specific optimization and further large-scale trials to establish standardized therapeutic protocols.

Background/Objectives: Light therapy has emerged as a promising non-pharmacological treatment for depressive symptoms. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effectiveness of light therapy specifically for depressive symptoms in elderly populations, with a focus on how different light intensities and spectra influence treatment outcomes. Methods: A systematic search targeting studies on light therapy for depressive symptoms in older adults was performed across multiple databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, PsycINFO, and EMBASE, covering studies from database inception until July 2024. A total of 565 records were identified, with 461 studies remaining after removing duplicates. Following the screening of titles and abstracts, 54 studies underwent full-text review, resulting in the inclusion of 22 studies with a total of 1290 participants (687 in the intervention group and 603 in the control group). Results: The overall effect size for light therapy on depressive symptoms was moderate (Hedges’ g = 0.525, p < 0.001). Higher light intensities (10,000 lux and above) demonstrated significantly greater effectiveness compared to lower intensities. White light had the most substantial effect, while bluish light showed moderate efficacy. Significant heterogeneity was observed across studies (I² = 80.459%), indicating variability in treatment outcomes based on study design, intensity, and light spectrum. Conclusions: This meta-analysis confirms that light therapy is an effective treatment for reducing depressive symptoms in older adults, particularly at higher intensities and with specific light spectra such as white light. Given the heterogeneity in results, future research should focus on optimizing treatment parameters to enhance clinical outcomes within this population.

This study presents a straightforward, efficient dual-mode thermoreflectance microscopy (TRM) system for analyzing the stationary and dynamic thermal properties of microelectronic devices. The proposed TRM system employs a standard visible microscope and implements two distinct imaging process schemes to obtain thermal images at different time scales. For TRM imaging of an ohmic microdevice, the optimal probing wavelength is predetermined from the thermoreflectance spectrum, acquired using a white light-emitting diode source and tunable bandpass filters to enhance thermal sensitivity. Thermoreflectance images are obtained in both stationary and transient modes using a four-bucket method and a pulsed boxcar averaging method, respectively. This thermography approach demonstrates highly sensitive, time-integrated stationary thermal imaging and time-gated transient thermal imaging with a temporal resolution of 200 ns. The system shows significant potential as an analytical tool with a sub-micron spatiotemporal resolution for evaluating heat generation and self-heating behavior in microelectronic devices.

Whole-body vibration exercise (WBV) is a low-intensity intervention for improving cognitive function, particularly among individuals who are older or have physical limitations. However, quantitative evidence regarding its effectiveness is limited. This meta-analysis aimed to quantify the effects of WBV on cognitive function and explore major moderating variables and differences across cognitive domains. Sixteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included, yielding 37 effect sizes (Hedges' g) related to cognitive outcomes. Effect sizes were estimated for overall cognitive function and four subdomains: global cognition, executive function, attention, and memory. A meta-regression analysis was conducted to assess the influence of potential moderators, including vibration frequency, intensity, posture, and intervention duration. WBV had a small but statistically significant positive effect on overall cognitive function (Hedges' g = 0.375, 95% CI = [0.263, 0.486], p < .001). Effect sizes were greatest for global cognition (g = 0.55), followed by executive function (g = 0.41), attention (g = 0.28), and memory (g = 0.28). Meta-regression analysis revealed that most of the moderating variables were not significant. The total intervention dose was the only significant moderator (p = .041). This meta-analysis revealed that WBV is associated with meaningful improvements in cognitive function and that the benefits may be greater among populations with cognitive impairment. WBV may be clinically applicable as a low-intensity, accessible cognitive intervention for older adults and individuals with physical limitations. Future research should investigate the relationships between cognitive domain-specific responses and physiological indicators and develop tailored intervention strategies based on age and cognitive status. Registration: PROSPERO CRD420251067063.