bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of Physical Activity, Muscle Mass, Strength, and Function to Quality of Life in Older Adults
Authors: Taani Murad , Cho Chi , Ellis Julie 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Physical inactivity and loss of muscle mass, strength, and function are associated with negative outcomes including disability and a decline in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among older adults. Older adults living in continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) are at greater risk for declining physical activity and muscle outcomes compared to community-dwelling older adults. Few researchers studying the association of muscle and physical activity have examined the distinction between physical and mental HRQoL. Understanding the differential association of physical and mental HRQoL to physical activity and muscle outcomes can inform the development of useful interventions. The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between physical activity, muscle mass, strength, function and physical and mental HRQoL. Using a descriptive, correlational design, 105 older adults living in CCRCs were recruited. Light physical activity (LPA), moderate physical activity (MPA), sedentary behavior, and steps per day were assessed using ActiGraph GT3X. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM) was assessed with bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy, handgrip strength with JAMAR Smart Hand Dynamometer, muscle function with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) test, and physical and mental HRQoL with the SF-36 questionnaire. The mean age of participants was 83 (SD=7.4). Using multiple regression models adjusted for sex and age, steps per day and SPPB score explained 38.4 % of the variance in physical HRQoL. Handgrip strength explained 8 % of the variance in mental HRQoL. These findings suggest that QoL improvement programs should include components to improve physical activity, muscle strength and function.
Post-Acute Rehabilitation in Persons With Dementia: Does It Make a Difference?
Authors: Flanagan Jane , Boltz Marie , Ji Ming 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Persons with dementia are about two times more likely to be hospitalized than their peers who are cognitively healthy. These individuals are frequently discharged to skilled nursing facilities or nursing home settings, to receive short-term, post-acute, rehabilitative care. The rehabilitative care, Physical Therapy (PT) and Occupational Therapy (OT), provided in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) aims to restore the person to their pre-hospitalization functional status and assist the person to return home. This study used MDS assessment data of 6396 people, age 65 years and older with dementia, admitted to SNFs in 2013 from acute care hospitals in Massachusetts to assess the effects of OT and PT on the change in physical function of nursing home residents admitted to the nursing home after hospitalization. Multiple linear regression analyses. The sample was mostly female (64.1%), non-Hispanic (98.86%), and white (93.71%), with a mean age of 85.3 (SD=6.85). After controlling for age, gender, race and comorbidities, and delirium, rehabilitation interventions (OT, PT or OT+PT) did not have any significant effect on changes in physical function among residents with dementia (p for OT = 0.14; p for PT=0.59; p for OT+PT:= 0.32). Additionally, non-white residents had poorer function at three months (β =1.86, 95% CI:-3.57- -0.16). The results indicate for persons with dementia admitted to SNFs, OT, PT or OT+PT did not lead to a significant improvement physical function. More innovative and effective interventions should be developed to improve physical function in persons with dementia post-hospitalization.
Dual Effects of Hearing Loss and Dementia on Functional Limitations in Older Adults
Authors: McKee Michael , Zhou Yunshu , Ehrlich Joshua , Mahmoudi Elham , Deal Jennifer , Reed Nicholas 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Age-related hearing loss (HL) is both common and associated with elevated risk for cognitive decline and poorer health. To care for an aging population, it is critical to understand the effect of coexisting HL and dementia on functional activities. The effect of co-existing dementia and self-reported HL on daily functioning were assessed. A cross-sectional analysis was performed using nationally-representative data from the 2015 National Health and Aging Trends Study consisting of U.S. adults 65+. The sample included 1,829 adults with HL (22.8%) and 5,338 adults without HL. Multivariable Poisson regression was used to model the independent effects and interaction of self-reported HL and dementia status on three validated functional activity scales (self-care, mobility, and household). All analyses adjusted for sociodemographic and medical factors. HL participants were more likely to be white, older, male, less educated (p &lt;0.01). 8.4% had possible dementia and 6.5% had probable dementia. Respondents with HL or possible or probable dementia had significantly lower mobility, self-care, and household activity scores (p&lt;.001 for all comparisons) compared to their peers. A small yet significant interaction was present in all models, suggesting that HL respondents with co-occurring dementia had lower mobility, self-care, and household activity scores than predicted by the independent effects of dementia and self-reported HL (p&lt;.001 for all comparisons). Older adults with co-occurring dementia and HL are at increased risk for poor functioning and should be screened by healthcare providers. Future work should consider the impact of intervention in this vulnerable/at-risk population.
Development of an Educational Intervention and Patient-Family Facing Materials for Deprescribing in Home Hospice
Authors: Tjia Jennifer , Clayton Mardie , Duodu Vennesa , Puerto Geraldine , Rappaport Lynley , DeSanto-Madeya Susan 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Deprescribing is emerging as a clinical intervention to optimize quality of life, improve patient safety, and reduce burden for older adults with serious illness and their caregivers. Few resources are available to educate and engage clinicians, older adults and their families in discussions about deprescribing. This presentation describes the development of educational intervention materials, including clinician, patient and family-facing materials, about medication management and deprescribing for seriously ill older adults in home hospice. An environmental scan of the existing deprescribing resources was conducted; a state-of-the-art educational program for hospice deprescribing was located and used as the basis for an innovative clinician-facing educational intervention. A stakeholder panel of 2 hospice administrators, 3 nurses, 2 physicians, 2 pharmacists, and 2 former family caregivers, drawn from 2 geographically diverse hospice agencies, reviewed the content of the educational program and made recommendations for additional content. Iterative rounds of development and feedback resulted in: (1) a 3-part, 1 hour, clinician educational program with CE credits for nurses that presents a standardized deprescribing approach that aligns medication prescribing with the goals of patients and caregivers, and (2) a patient/family caregiver medication management notebook for intervention group participants (addressing management of common symptoms, medications in hospice, and deprescribing) and an adapted version for attention control participants. A professional designer created thematic coherence for all materials that were well received by stakeholder panelists and hospice staff. Ultimately, educational materials will support efforts to standardize deprescribing approaches that aim to optimize end-of-life care outcomes for patients and family caregivers.
Effects of a Multidisciplinary Intervention on Daily-Living Gait Among Older Adults With Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Hausdorff Jeffrey , Cohen Moriya , Ganz Natalie , Green Yitchak , Badichi Inbal , Curevich Tanya 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Multidisciplinary interventions can improve gait and balance in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, it is not yet known if these interventions also positively impact the quality of daily-living walking. We, therefore, examined the effects of a multidisciplinary, intensive out-patient rehabilitation program (MIOR) as delivered by the rehabilitation center of EZRA–LEMARPE organization on gait and balance as measured in the clinic and on every-day walking, as measured during 1-week of continuous measurement. 46 PD patients (age: 70.05±7.71; gender: 31.3% women; disease duration: 8.85±6.27 yrs) were evaluated before and after participating in 8-weeks of physical, occupational, and hydro-therapy, boxing, and dance (3 days/week; 5 hrs/day). After the intervention, clinical measures of balance (MiniBest Test of Balance delta: 1.82±3.30 points, p=0.001), mobility (TUG delta: -1.78±6.15sec; p=0.001), and usual-walking speed (delta 19±16cm/s; p&lt;0.001) improved. Daily-living step counts and daily-living gait quality did not change (p&gt;0.5). In exploratory analyses, subjects were categorized as responders (Rs) and non-responders (NRs) based on changes in their daily-living walking gait speed. Rs increased their daily-living gait speed (delta: 10±14cm/s; p&lt;0.001); NRs did not. Rs (n=21) also improved their daily-living gait quality measures (e.g. stride regularity, step length, stride time variability). At baseline, disease severity (MDS-UPDRSIII) was lower (p=0.02) in Rs (25.33±11.47), compared to the NRs (34.38±14.27). These results demonstrate that improvements in the clinic do not necessarily transfer to improvements in daily-living gait. Further, in select patients, MIOR can ameliorate daily-living walking quality, potentially reducing the risk of falls and other adverse outcomes associated with impaired mobility.
Accuracy of Nurses’ Fall Prevention Interventions in Patients With Cognitive Impairment and Behavioral Symptoms
Authors: Gray-Miceli Deanna , Kris Alison 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Over 50 percent of older residents in nursing homes (NHs) fall each year. Many falls occur among NH patients with cognitive impairment and behavioral symptoms. Although NH nurses caring for patients who fall intervene to prevent fall recurrence, we know little about nurse’s perceptions of the most effective interventions for management of falls related to behavioral symptoms. The purpose of this qualitative study is to describe and analyze nurse’s perceptions of fall prevention interventions believed to be due to behavioral symptoms. This secondary analysis of existing qualitative data was conducted from a multi-site parent study in three NHs in the northeastern U.S. designed to test nurse’s knowledge of falls prevention and interventions. Forty-seven registered or licensed practical nurses, English speaking who were full or part time employees were recruited to participate. Most were female (n=46; 98.7%) with a median age of 49.5 years and ten years experience. A grounded theory approach was used to explore qualitative data (Glaser & Strauss, 1967) about nurse’s primary and secondary interventions. Qualitative data were collected in the form of responses to open ended questions from 47 nurses. The correctness of nurse interventions were independently evaluated, then validated among two independent experts. Cohen’s κ was used to determine if there was agreement between the experts’ judgement on correctness of the nurses’ intervention. Results indicated a high level agreement between expert evaluations (κ =.727-.760, p&lt;.001). Emergent themes in the nurse interventions included: seeking outside help, confronting behavior, completing additional assessments, and patient reassurance.
Oral Dysphagia and Its Associations With Nutrition, Physical Functions, and Depression for the Elderly in the Community
Authors: Zhao Yinan , Ning Hongting , Liao Lulu , Hu Hengyu , Chen Huijing , Feng Hui 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Objectives: To explore the occurrence of oral dysphagia problems among elderly in community and to investigate whether the severity of oral dysphagia problems is associated with nutrition, physical functions and mental health. Methods: Trained nurses conducted a rigorous assessment of 679 elderly people living in communities in Zhuzhou. Basic personal information, The Short Form Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNASF), Activities of daily living (ADL), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were used to assess each elderly. Oral dysphagia was assessed by means of a standardized questionnaire including clinically symptoms of oral dysphagia such as coughing and choking. Results: A total of 654 old people was enrolled in this study, including 250 (38.2%) developing the one or more symptoms of oral dysphagia, the most common symptoms were: drinking water choking (30.7%), followed by saliva (9.6%), dysphagia or pain (6.4%),food loss from the corner of the mouth (2.3%), foreign body sensation of the esophagus (1.8%),food residue (1.2%).The severity of oral dysphagia problems was linearly associated with nutrition, physical function, depression, education level and current care status. The higher the burden of oral symptoms, the lower the self-rated health. Conclusions: The occurrence of oral dysphagia symptom was associated in a stepwise fashion with nutrition, physical function, depression, education level and current care status. In the community, the early recognition, diagnosis and treatment of oral dysphagia is an important link of reducing the mortality and improving the rehabilitation outcome. Additionally, the psychological construction in the elderly should be taken seriously by their families and community workers.
Addressing Alzheimer’s Risk in Racially Diverse, Low-Income Older Adults Through Telephone Health Coaching
Authors: Zanjani Faika , Rhodes Annie , Wilkerson Taylor , Inker Jennifer , Richardson Joann 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Preclinical Alzheimer’s disease (AD) behavioral risk reduction needs to be more fully explored at the community-level. Connecting behavior change to AD can reduce individual-level helplessness for the disease. However, behavior change targeting AD prevention factors (e.g., alcohol, depression, physical inactivity, smoking, isolation, medication management) is extremely challenging for multiple reasons, including failures in connecting AD and health behavior risk, and due to individual-level motivational, self-efficacy, and knowledge barriers. Methods: As part of the Virginia Commonwealth University iCubed Health and Wellness in Aging Population Core, 20 diverse older adults (aged 60+) living in Richmond, VA, with incomes below $12,000/year and managing either diabetes/cardiovascular symptoms, were offered weekly telephone-based health coaching for 12-weeks, providing education, motivations, self-efficacy skills, and referral services, for AD behavioral risk factors. A patient preference health coaching behavioral change strategy was implemented, where the person decides which behavioral practices to target. All study subjects completed a behavioral-psychosocial baseline and 3-month follow-up assessment. Findings: The study demonstrated feasibility for implementing health coaching within low-income racially-diverse older adults. The study sample (n=20, mean age 69 years (range: 61-77 years) was 90% African American (n=18), and 55% males (n=11). Improvement in AD knowledge (F=4.19;p=.0565); cognitive functioning (memory (F=4.19;p=.0556); delayed memory (F=2.85;p=.1086); TrailsA (F=5.60;p=.0294)), alcohol-risk (F=3.33;p=.1108) and social isolation (F=4.11;p=.0569) trends were found at 3-month follow-up. Conclusions: The findings from this study exhibit positive trends in reducing AD risk. This study creates the impetus for future large-scale investigations and dissemination of findings to improve the lives of at-risk low-income aging adults.
Life-Space in a National Cohort of U.S. Older Adults: Normative Data for the UAB Life-Space Assessment
Authors: Lo Alexander , Wadley Virginia , Crowe Michael , Brown Cynthia , Kennedy Richard 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
The University of Alabama at Birmingham Life-Space Assessment (LSA) is a self-reported measure for assessing community mobility. Restricted mobility is correlated with a number of adverse health outcomes, including mortality, frailty, cognitive decline, and nursing home admissions. Thus, it is important for providers to understand how the LSA score of a patient compares to the general population. To facilitate such comparisons, we developed demographically adjusted norms for the LSA and its correlation with other functional measures. Norms were based on 15,390 participants age 45 and older in the National Institutes of Health-funded REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study, a national, population-based, longitudinal study investigating the causes of excess stroke mortality among African Americans and individuals living in the Southeastern US stroke belt region. LSA scores declined from a median of 100 in the 45-54 age range to a median of 59.7 in the 85 and older age range, with higher median scores in males. LSA scores showed modest but significant positive correlations with SF-12 Physical Component and Mental Component, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and Six Item Screener cognitive scores, as well as modest but significant negative correlations with AD8 Dementia Screening, Katz Activities of Daily Living, and Timed Walk scores. The LSA is a brief, easily administered measure that offers a valid method of assessing community mobility in the older adult population.
Does the Home-Visit Communicating Service by Postal Workers Improve the Mental Health of Older Persons Living Alone?
Authors: Inagaki Hiroki , Awata Shuichi 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
In Japan, the number of older households living alone or married couples is increasing as society ages. For such households, Japan Post offers “Mimamori Home-visit service” a fee-based service where postal workers visit once a month to check their living and health conditions. We examined whether the use of this service improves the mental health of users. There were 10,592 service users as February 2019. The survey targeted 524 people (356 women) who started using the system in January or February (wave1) and continued using until August 2019 (wave2). The mean age was 79.5 years. Visiting postal workers conducted tablet-based interviews to assess social support networks (LSNS-6) and mental health (WHO-5). Information on gender, age, and family form (living alone or not) was provided by Japan Post. The WHO-5 average score was 16.4 for wave1 and 16.3 for wave2. Changes in mental health (WHO-5 scores) at 2 time points were compared by ANCOVA using family form (living alone or not) and social isolation (12 points or less/13 or more for LSNS-6) as explanatory variables and gender and age as covariates. The results showed a significant interaction between the 3 factors of time, family form, and social isolation. WHO-5 scores increased (14.2 to 15.3) in the group that lived alone and had 12 or less of LSNS-6. In the other group, the score was no change or lowered. It has been shown that mental health improves with the use of monitoring services in elderly people living alone and in social isolation.
Temperature distribution in a permafrost-affected rock ridge from conductivity and induced polarization tomography
Authors: Duvillard P-A , Magnin F , Revil A , Legay A , Ravanel L , Abdulsamad F , Coperey A 
Published: December 2020

SUMMARY
Knowledge of the thermal state of steep alpine rock faces is crucial to assess potential geohazards associated with the degradation of permafrost. Temperature measurements at the rock surface or in boreholes are however expensive, invasive, and provide spatially limited information. Electrical conductivity and induced polarization tomography can detect permafrost. We test here a recently developed petrophysical model based on the use of an exponential freezing curve applied to both electrical conductivity and normalized chargeability to infer the distribution of temperature below the freezing temperature. We then apply this approach to obtain the temperature distribution from electrical conductivity and normalized chargeability field data obtained across a profile extending from the SE to NW faces of the lower Cosmiques ridge (Mont Blanc massif, Western European Alps, 3613 m a.s.l., France). The geophysical data sets were acquired both in 2016 and 2019. The results indicate that only the NW face of the rock ridge is frozen. To evaluate our results, we model the bedrock temperature across this rock ridge using CryoGRID2, a 1-D MATLAB diffusive transient thermal model and surface temperature time-series. The modelled temperature profile confirms the presence of permafrost in a way that is consistent with that obtained from the geophysical data. Our study offers a promising low-cost approach to monitor temperature distribution in Alpine rock walls and ridges in response to climate change.
The future is now: marine aquaculture in the anthropocene
Authors: Pernet Fabrice , Browman Howard I 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Aquaculture now produces more seafood than wild capture fisheries and this production is expected to at least double by 2050. Representing almost half of global production, marine aquaculture will contribute to sustainably feeding the growing humanity. However, climate change will undoubtedly challenge the future growth of marine aquaculture. Temperature and sea-level rise, shifts in precipitation, freshening from glacier melt, changing ocean productivity, and circulation patterns, increasing occurrence of extreme climatic events, eutrophication, and ocean acidification are all stressors that will influence marine aquaculture. The objective of this themed article set was to bring together contributions on the broad theme of the potential impacts, adaptation, and mitigation strategies of marine aquaculture to climate change. Here we present 14 papers covering a diverse set of approaches including experimentation, modelling, meta-analysis and review, and disciplines like biology, ecology, economics, and engineering. These articles focus on the impacts of climate change-related stressors on the aquaculture potential itself and on the resulting ecological interactions (e.g. parasitism and predation), on phenotypic plasticity and adaptation potential of species, and on measures to mitigate the effects of climate change on aquaculture and vice versa. Considering this, adaptation of the aquaculture sector relies on anticipating the biogeographical changes in the distribution of species, determining their potential for adaptation and selective breeding for resistance or tolerance to climate-induced stressors, and fostering ecosystem resilience by means of conservation, restoration, or remediation. By will or by force, aquaculture will contribute to the low carbon economy of tomorrow. Aquaculture must move towards a new paradigm where the carbon footprint and the analysis of the life cycle of products are at least as important as economic profitability.