A Multiscale Approach to Geomagnetic Storm Morphology Analysis Based on DMA Activity Measures

The article is focused on the approach based on the discrete mathematical analysis conception and continues a series of studies related to the application of the previously developed methodology to geophysical data analysis. The main idea of the study is the modification of earlier conceptions regarding the interpreter’s logic that allows introducing a multiscale approach and performing the time series analysis using the activity measure plots, implying the vertical scale. This approach was used to study the morphology of several intense geomagnetic storms at the final stages of the 23rd and 24th solar activity cycles. Geomagnetic observatory data and interplanetary magnetic field parameters as well as the solar wind flux speed and proton density were analyzed for each of the studied storms using the activity measures. The developed methods, applied to geomagnetic storm morphological analysis, displayed good results in revealing the decreases and increases in various durations and intensities during storms, detecting low-amplitude disturbances, and storm sudden commencement recognition. The results provide an opportunity to analyze any physical data using a unified scale and, in particular, to implement this approach to geomagnetic activity studies.

Characterization of the genetic relationship between the domains of sleep and circadian-related behaviors with substance use phenotypes

Sleep problems and substance use frequently cooccur. While substance use can often manifest as specific sleep deficits, genetic pleiotropy could also explain part of the relationship between sleep and substance use. Here we assess the genetic overlap between substance use behaviors and both sleep and circadian-related activity measures by deriving genetic clusters between these domains and testing processes of causality vs. horizontal pleiotropy using the largest publicly available genome-wide summary statistics of substance use behaviors (N= 79,729 - 632,802) and sleep/activity phenotypes/endophenotypes to date (N=85,502 - 449,734). We found 31 genetic correlations between substance use and sleep/activity measures after Bonferroni correction. Two specific genetic clusters explained our patterns of overlap. Genes associated with tobacco use severity (age of first regular tobacco use and smoking cessation) share overlap with elements of sleep health (sleep duration, sleep efficiency, and chronotype). Substance consumption (drinks per day and cigarettes per day) and problematic substance use behaviors (cannabis use disorder, opioid use disorder, and problematic alcohol use) clustered strongly with problematic measures of sleep (insomnia, self-reported short sleep duration, increased number of sleep episodes, increased sleep duration variability, diurnal inactivity) as well as measures of circadian-related activity (L5, M10, and sleep midpoint). Latent causal variable analyses determined that horizontal pleiotropy (rather than causality) underlies a majority of the associations between substance use and sleep/circadian related measures, except one plausible genetically causal relationship for opioid use disorder on self-reported long sleep duration. Results indeed show significant genetic overlap between substance use and sleep/circadian-related activity measures.

Emerging Biotechnology Markers of Cognitive Impairment

The early detection of cognitive impairment is among the National Institute on Aging’s (NIA) current research priorities. Sensor-based technologies have exploded in recent years allowing remote, continuous measurement of older adults’ free-living activity. This highly granular data has stimulated exciting new research exploring how change in health can be detected remotely using novel “biotechnology” markers. Yet, this area of research is in its infancy as it relates to predicting cognitive function. This symposium will provide an overview of the sensor-cognition research landscape and will feature 5 new studies exploring the relationship between biotechnology markers and cognitive function, each with unique sensors, cognitive measures and samples. The first three presentations will report associations between accelerometry-based activity measures (chest or wrist devices) and cognitive function (assessed by diagnosis, a neurocognitive assessment, or microstructural changes on DTI) in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study on Aging, a large, NIA-funded epidemiologic dataset. The fourth presentation will report the significance of free-living hip accelerometry activity measures beyond clinically-available information in a random forest prediction model of 1-year change in Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores among urban, predominantly African-American older adults without moderate-severe dementia residing in the community. The final presentation will report associations between room-to-room transitions as detected by in-home, infrared motion sensors and mild cognitive impairment using data from a community-dwelling sample of older adults residing alone. This symposium will provide a substantial expansion of current knowledge in this research space and will be relevant to clinicians or researchers with an interest in sensor technology or dementia.

Accuracy of Non-Exercise Estimated Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Japanese Adults

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is an independent predictor of morbidity and mortality. In Japan, annual physical exams are mandatory in workplace settings, and most healthcare settings have electronic medical records (EMRs). However, in both settings, CRF is not usually determined, thereby limiting the potential for epidemiological investigations using EMR data. PURPOSE: To estimate CRF (mL/kg/min) using variables commonly recorded in EMRs. METHODS: Participants were 5293 Japanese adults (11.7% women) who completed an annual physical exam at a large gas company in Tokyo, Japan, in 2004. The mean age was 48.3 ± 8.0 years. Estimated CRF (eCRF) was based on age, measured body mass index, resting heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and smoking. Measured CRF was determined by a submaximal cycle ergometer graded exercise test. RESULTS: Regression models were used for males and females to calculate Pearson’s correlation and regression coefficients. Cross-classification of measured CRF and eCRF was conducted using the lowest quintile, quartile, and tertile as the unfit categories. R’s for eCRF were 0.61 (MD 4.41) for men and 0.64 (MD 4.22) for women. The overall accuracy level was reasonable and consistent across models, yet the unfit lower tertile model provided the best overall model when considering the positive predictive value and sensitivity. CONCLUSION: eCRF may provide a useful method for conducting investigations using data derived from EMRs or datasets devoid of CRF or physical activity measures.

Review Paper on E-Smart Watch for Early Detection of Covid-19

Smart watches have the potential to support health in everyday living by: enabling self-monitoring of personal activity; obtaining feedback based on activity measures; allowing for in-situ surveys to identify patterns of behavior; and supporting bi-directional communication with health care providers and family members. However, smart watches are an emerging technology and research with these devices is at a nascent stage. Seventy-three studies were returned in the search. Seventeen studies published were included. Included studies were published from 2014 to 2016, with the exception of one published in 2011. Most studies employed the use of consumer-grade smart watches (14/17, 82%). Patient-related studies focused on activity monitoring, heart rate monitoring, speech therapy adherence, diabetes self-management, and detection of seizures, tremors, scratching, eating, and medication-taking behaviors. Most patient-related studies enrolled participants with few exclusion criteria to validate smart watch function (10/17, 58%). Smart watch technical function, acceptability, and effectiveness in supporting health must be validated in larger field studies that enroll actual participants living with the conditions these devices target.

Ocrelizumab treatment for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis after a suboptimal response to previous disease-modifying therapy: A nonrandomized controlled trial

Background: Many patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience suboptimal disease control despite the use of disease-modifying therapy (DMT). Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of ocrelizumab (OCR) in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and suboptimal response to prior DMTs. Methods: Patients with RRMS and suboptimal responses (one clinically reported relapse and/or lesion activity) after ⩾ 6 months on another DMT were enrolled. OCR 600 mg was given intravenously every 24 weeks. The primary outcome was no evidence of disease activity (NEDA), defined as the absence of protocol-defined relapse, confirmed disability progression (CDP), T1 Gd-enhancing lesions, and new/enlarging T2 lesions. Results: The intention-to-treat (ITT) population included 608 patients; NEDA was analyzed in a modified ITT (mITT) population ( n = 576 (94.7%)). Over 96 weeks, 48.1% of mITT patients achieved NEDA, and most were free from protocol-defined relapse (89.6%), CDP (89.6%), and T1 Gd-enhancing lesions (95.5%); 59.5% had no new/enlarging T2 lesions. Safety observations were consistent with findings in the pivotal trials. Conclusion: Consistent efficacy of OCR on clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) disease activity measures and progression was shown in patients with RRMS and a suboptimal response to prior DMTs; no new safety signals were observed.

Surveillance of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Among Youth and Adults in the United States: History and Opportunities

Background: Surveillance is a core function of public health, and approaches to national surveillance of physical activity and sedentary behavior have evolved over the past 2 decades. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of surveillance of physical activity and sedentary behavior in the United States over the past 2 decades, along with related challenges and emerging opportunities. Methods: The authors reviewed key national surveillance systems for the assessment of physical activity and sedentary behavior among youth and adults in the United States between 2000 and 2019. Results: Over the past 20 years, 8 surveillance systems have assessed physical activity, and 5 of those have assessed sedentary behavior. Three of the 8 originated in nonpublic health agencies. Most systems have assessed physical activity and sedentary behavior via surveys. However, survey questions varied over time within and also across systems, resulting in a wide array of available data. Conclusion: The evolving nature of physical activity surveillance in the United States has resulted in both broad challenges (eg, balancing content with survey space; providing data at the national, state, and local level; adapting traditional physical activity measures and survey designs; and addressing variation across surveillance systems) and related opportunities.

A Cross-Sectional Study of the Relationship of Timed Up & Go Test with Physical Characteristics and Physical Activity in Healthy Japanese: The Toon Health Study

This study evaluated the Timed Up & Go test (TUG) among healthy Japanese individuals without walking problems to clarify the relationship of TUG performance with physical characteristics and physical activity according to sex and age groups. In total, 797 men and women (30–84 years old) in Toon City, Ehime Prefecture, were assessed from 2016 to 2017. The survey data for physical characteristics, TUG performance, and physical activity measures were used. After adjusting for age according to TUG time and categorization into sex and age groups (30–64 and 65–84 years), the relationship of TUG performance with physical characteristics and physical activities was confirmed using multiple regression analysis. In men, TUG performance was associated with work and household chores in the 30–64-year age group, whereas it was only associated with skeletal muscle mass among those older than 65 years. In women, TUG performance was associated with height and amount of exercise, regardless of age. In conclusion, TUG performance may be maintained by increasing the amount of physical activity for men through work and housework, and increasing the amount of exercise for women, which may prevent the need for long-term care in the future.

Preparing Future Officers for Performing Assigned Tasks through Special Physical Training

The use of the newest pedagogical technologies (techniques) with the accentuated influence of the modern technical means of training during practical classes with the SPT and other forms of physical training with the cadets of the National Academy of National Guard of Ukraine during their professional development ensures that they acquire the necessary level of readiness to perform assigned tasks and is the priority of the scientific research. The article aims to formulate a model for forming future officers' readiness to perform assigned tasks using special physical training in higher military educational institutions and to analyze the results of the pedagogical experiment on its implementation. While conducting the pedagogical experiment, the modern technical means of training and functional complexes were used, which increases the level of special physical readiness among the representatives of the experimental group. Also, pedagogical conditions for forming future officers’ readiness to perform assigned tasks using special physical training at the Command faculty of the National Academy of the National Guard of Ukraine were experimentally verified. To improve the “shock” technique of HHC (the technique of applying physical activity measures) and the explosive force, we used the hardware-software system of the martial arts technique “Katsumoto” impact registration (HSS “Katsumoto”), video monitoring of technical handicap operations, Human Reactions Complex (AECS – LAB). Experimental work was implemented in two groups: the control group (CG, n=62) and the experimental group (EG, n=61). It is experimentally confirmed that the high qualification level of special physical readiness ensures the high-quality performance of assigned tasks.