bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
HARNESSING VOICE-ASSISTED TECHNOLOGY AND IN-HOME SENSORS TO MANAGE OLDER ADULT HEALTH: A USER PREFERENCE STUDY
Authors: Robinson Erin L , Park Geunhye , Shalini Shradha , Levins Trevor , Lane Kari R , Skubic Marjorie , Markway Brianna 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
In recent years voice-assisted technologies, such as the Amazon Echo Show and Google Home, have been harnessed to help older adults manage their health. However, little is known about the use of such technologies in combination with in-home sensor systems to help older adults age in place. Therefore, this research explored user preferences of older adults and a designated family member/friend in using voice-assisted technologies to retrieve in-home sensor-generated health information, such as fall risk and other early indicators of health changes. Seventeen dyad interviews were conducted with known pairs of older adults (Mean age=75; 56% female) and a family member/friend (Mean age=64; 89% female). Participants were given a description of the technology and its capabilities, and then were instructed to interact with each device using a prepared scenario. Participants asked each device health-related questions to elicit pre-programmed information for the respective scenarios and provided user experience feedback for each device. At the end of the interview, participants completed a speech recognition test for each device and a technology acceptance survey. Overall acceptance of the technology was high, and participants believed that using voice-assisted technologies to retrieve sensor-generated health information would be beneficial in managing their health or providing care to a family member/friend. However, advantages and disadvantages exist with each device and the Google Home generally performed better on the speech recognition test for each dyad pair. These findings provide valuable insight about older adults’ preferences (as well as family members’/friends) in using voice-assisted technologies to manage their health.
EXAMINING THE ROLE OF ADVERSITY AND POSITIVE LIFE EVENTS IN THE RELATION BETWEEN GRATITUDE AND WELL-BEING
Authors: Staben Omar E , Infurna Frank , Grimm Kevin , Luthar Suniya 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Character strengths are emerging as a key outcome of interest in midlife and old age. One key avenue that has been largely unexplored is what the key antecedents are and the moderating role of adversity and positive life events experiences. The limited current research on the topic has examined the direct relations among character strengths and well-being, whereas less is known regarding the role of negative and positive experiences, which may provide a better understanding of what contributes to character strengths. This study explores whether major life adversities (i.e. personal, family, work related) and positive life events (i.e. job promotion, engagement, vacations) experiences are associated with character strengths— namely gratitude, and well-being. We use data from a sample of participants in midlife (n=362, ages 50-65) who completed monthly online surveys for a period of two years. Multilevel models showed that greater adversity was associated with poorer well-being, whereas positive life events were predictive of higher overall well-being. Individuals’ experience of fewer positive life events was associated with stronger increases in well-being when individuals expressed more gratitude. Conversely, adversity was associated with increasing well-being when individuals expressed more gratitude. Collectively, our findings provide evidence for the role of adversity and positive life experiences to the extent that character strengths have the potential to shape the course of development in adulthood. Our discussion focuses on the potential links that underlie our findings and how they can inform interventions aimed at mitigating the consequences of adversity.
UNDERSTANDING ACCEPTANCE OF HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGY BY OLDER ADULTS: IMPLICATIONS FOR ADOPTION
Authors: Harris Maurita T , Rogers Wendy A 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Healthcare Technology (HCT) can support older adults as it is not uncommon for them to be managing one or more chronic diseases at a time. Thus, understanding older adults’ willingness to use HCTs can guide introduction of new technologies to help with their health management. The purpose of the research is to understand what influential factors emerged when older adults considered using new HCTs and how well current models of technology acceptance represented these factors. Twenty-three older adults (age 65-84) with hypertension completed a semi-structured interview to gain insight into these factors. During the interview, participants were first presented with a scenario to imagine and one of three HCTs (blood pressure monitor, electronic pillbox, and multifunctional healthcare robot) to consider. The qualitative coding identified: (a) facilitators: perceived advantages, easy to use, familiar, useful, and advice acceptance from a healthcare provider; (b) barriers: good for others, not good for me, disadvantages, and unfamiliar; and (c) transition factors that can lead to acceptance: with advice acceptance from a healthcare provider. These findings provide recommendations which can inform dissemination of new HCTs. Recommendations include: highlight the facilitators when introducing new HCT, understand the barriers and transition factors to give support where needed, and include the care network (i.e., people knowledgeable about the HTC and health conditions) to recommend the technology.
IMPROVING THE MEASUREMENT OF EXERCISE SELF-EFFICACY TO INFORM INNOVATIVE REHABILITATION TREATMENTS
Authors: Bamonti Patricia , Harris Rebekah , Moye Jennifer , Doherty Kelly , Bean Jonathan 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Exercise self-efficacy (ESE) is a consistent determinant of exercise behavior but barriers to ESE remain unexplored in medically-complex older adults. This study explored 1) concordance between Physical Therapist’s (PT’s) and patients’ rating of their confidence to exercise; and 2) Whether patient demographic and clinical variables (e.g., depression) were related to confidence ratings. Data were collected as part of a clinical demonstration project, “Live Long Walk Strong,” a PT intervention to prevent mobility decline. Patients (N=35) had a mean age of 78.26 +/- 11.12, were 86% male, 80% White, and manifested an average of 5.63+/-1.96) chronic conditions. They had an average of 3.46+/-5.00, falls in the previous year and a mean M=4.97 (SD=2.96), Geriatric Depression Scale score of 4.97+/-2.96. Patients and PT’s rated exercise confidence (1= not at all to 5 = extremely). Participants’ and PT’s confidence ratings of the patient were highest for exercise in the clinic, followed by at home, and continuing after PT, and were moderately correlated (r = .41-.52, p &lt; .001). PT confidence was associated with younger age (r =.48, p &lt; .001) and lower depression (r = -.35, p = &lt; .05), whereas these variables were not significantly associated with patient confidence. In qualitative analysis patients cite barriers to exercise: (1) physical health such as pain, fatigue, balance/previous falls, weakness; (2) memory and cognition; (3) time; (4) past experiences with PT; (5) poor social support; (6) low self-efficacy. In sum, older adults and PT’s generally agree in their confidence ratings, but barriers to ESE differ.
EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS: DOES GENDER MATTER?
Authors: Beaulieu Celeste , Stokes Jeffrey E 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Previous research has suggested that informal socializing can be beneficial for mental health, whereas prior findings concerning solitary activities and mental health have been equivocal. Activity theory posits that involvement in activities – particularly social activities – can improve adults’ self-concept and self-esteem, leading to improved well-being. Solitary activities may perform the same function, though without any social reinforcement. However, social engagement and mental health may both vary by gender. Thus, we examined associations of informal socializing and solitary activities with depressive symptoms among 13,387 respondents of the 2012/2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study, and further assessed potential gender differences. Results revealed that both informal socializing and solitary activities were significantly associated with lower depressive symptoms when analyzed separately. However, when both types of activities were modeled simultaneously, only informal socializing remained significant. Further, stratified analyses revealed that informal socializing was a significant predictor of depressive symptoms among women but not men, although these coefficients were not significantly different from each other. Overall, findings suggest that both informal socializing and solitary activities may be beneficial for mental health, yet results were clearly stronger for informal socializing. Socializing may benefit mental health not only by bolstering one’s self-concept, but also by linking adults with social ties and support networks that are instrumental for well-being in mid- and later life. Moreover, gender differences in effects were minimal and largely non-significant, indicating that activity involvement can bolster mental health for men and women alike.
PREDICTORS OF MEDICAL, SOCIAL SERVICE, AND MENTAL HEALTH USE AMONG PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA AND THEIR CAREGIVERS
Authors: Shrestha Srijana , Amspoker Amber , Evans Tracy L , Stanely Melinda , Freshour Jessica , Richey Sheila , Kunik Mark E 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
People with Alzheimer’s disease use more medical services (Eaker et al., 2002) and are admitted to inpatient facilities at higher rates (Zhu et al., 2015) than normal controls. In addition, social services provide support for caregivers and are associated with positive outcomes for care-recipients and their caregivers (Neville, Beattle, Fielding, & MacAndrew, 2014). Despite high level of need, utilization of mental health services and social agencies for caregiver support remains low (Goodarzi, Mele, Roberts & Holroyd-Leduc, 2017; Weber, Pirraglia & Kunik, 2011). Following the Andersen and Newman model (1973), we examined whether predisposing factors (i.e., age of the caregiver and type of PWD-caregiver relationship), needs (i.e., memory impairment, disruptive behaviors, depression, anxiety, pain, functional impairment, caregiver burden, total number of prescribed medications), and enabling factors (i.e., PWD and caregiver income, quality of the PWD-caregiver relationship) differentially predicted the presence of medical, social, and mental health service use. A total of 228 dyads (PWD and the caregiver) were included. We examined each PWD and caregiver characteristic individually (univariate models) and then as a unique predictor of each of the three service use outcomes (multivariate models). A greater number of medications uniquely predicted higher medical service use, greater pain severity and PWD income were uniquely associated with higher social service use, and a greater number of medications and increased memory impairment predicted more mental health service use. These results show that distinct factors predict use of different types of service use among PWD and their caregivers.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE EXPERIENCE OF SIGNIFICANT HISTORICAL EVENTS AND COGNITIVE FUNCTION AMONG OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Bergren Stephanie M , Dong Gabriella 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Research has found relationships between experiencing stressful events and lower cognitive function in late life. However, there is little research about the cumulative experiences of significant historical events and cognitive function. Historical events may be unique compared to other life events due to their potential distal relationship to the individual. This study aims to examine the relationship between experiencing significant historical events and cognitive function among Chinese older adults. Data were drawn from the PINE Study, a cohort study of 3,126 US Chinese older adults collected from 2017-2019. Participants were asked if they experienced the Japanese invasion, famine, Great Leap Forward, Vietnam War, Cultural Revolution, and the Tian’anmen Square Protests. A composite score of 0-6 was calculated to count the number experienced. Cognitive function was measured through global cognition, episodic memory, working memory, processing speed, and Chinese MMSE. Linear and quantile regression were performed. Among the participants, 1908 (61.04%) were female with mean age of 75.33 (SD=8.22) years. The average number of historical events experienced was 2.36 (SD=1.44). After adjusting for covariates, every one additional historical event experience was associated with better global cognition (b=0.26, SE=0.009, p&lt;.01), episodic memory (b = 0.045, SE=0.012, p&lt;.001), and processing speed (b=0.383, SE=0.135, p&lt;.01). Number of historical events was not significantly associated with working memory or C-MMSE. The positive relationship between historical events and some cognitive domains suggests a potential resilience effect after experiencing historical events. Future research should examine whether participants found events stressful and whether there are differential relationships to cognitive function.
MITOCHONDRIAL DNA VARIANT C2639T IS AN APOE4 RESILIENCE FACTOR
Authors: Miller Brendan , Kim Su Jeong , Wan Junxiang , Mehta Hemal H , Yen Kelvin , Cohen Pinchas 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
The APOE4 allele is the greatest genetic risk factor for sporadic Alzheimer’s disease, yet select APOE4 carriers remain cognitively intact and become centenarians due to unclear reasons. In order to identify resilience genes for APOE4 carriers, we (1) sequenced whole mitochondrial DNA in a centenarian cohort, (2) searched for differentially expressed genes in the temporal cortex of APOE4 carriers, and (3) experimentally simulated the effects of a novel mitochondrial DNA variant that confers APOE4 resilience. The mitochondrial DNA variant, C2639T, is highly enriched in centenarians and APOE4 carriers, which changes the third amino acid of the mitochondrial-derived peptide humanin from proline to serine (humanin P3S). In addition, APOE4 carriers differentially expressed 127 genes in the humanin genetic network that map back to mitochondrial function. Therefore, we experimentally characterized the relationship between humanin, centenarian-enriched humanin P3S, and APOE. We found that humanin is a novel APOE binding partner, humanin P3S binds APOE nearly 15 times greater than wild type humanin, and humanin P3S modifies the APOE4 metabolic profile.
ELDER ABUSE AND NEGLECT IN URBAN AND RURAL AREAS IN CHINA: PREVENTION STRATEGIES
Authors: Chen Chen , Yue Liu , Mi Hong 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
With acceleration of the ageing population globally, more and more governments are concerned about the potential increase in elder abuse and neglect (EA/N). Recently the National Office for Ageing and the provincial offices for ageing conducted a survey of 224,352 Chinese over the age of 60 years using household interviews to assess economy, health, service, social participation, culture, rights protection, livable environment, etc. Author’s analysis of this data shows that 54% of the elderly people interviewed experienced physical and mental abuse or intimidation, and 6.95% of them felt that their legal rights were violated. Data also supports that the occurrence of EA/N was significantly correlated to self-care ability, economic status, and urban and rural regions of the elders. The researcher will discuss the practice and policy implications for the prevention of EA/N.
A MUSIC AND MINDFULNESS INTERVENTION FOR PERSONS WITH DEMENTIA AND THEIR CAREGIVERS
Authors: Risal Punam G , Dobbs Debra J , Lee Soomi , Bugos Jennifer , Ahamed Sheikh I , Monaco William , Patterson William , Meng Hongdao 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
The number of older adults with Alzheimer’s Dementia is projected to increase by 28.6% in Florida by 2025. Cost-effective non-pharmacological interventions targeting both persons with dementia (PWD) and their family caregivers (FCs) are urgently needed. This small pilot study tested the feasibility of a music and mindfulness intervention in an assisted living community (ALC) in Tampa, FL. Methods: We used a mixed-methods single group pre-post study design. To date, a total of 5 PWD and 3 FCs were enrolled, and all completed the 4-week intervention (12 sessions for PWD and 4 sessions for FCs). Outcome measures include behavioral symptoms and sleep quality for PWD, and mindfulness, sleep quality and perceived stress for FCs. Outcome data were collected via survey questionnaires and focus group interviews (FCs and staff). Results: Preliminary analysis showed that the intervention is well-received by PWD, FCs, and ALC staff. PWD participants experienced a reduction in behavioral symptoms post-intervention (Cohen’s d=0.33). FC participants reported increased mindfulness and reduced stress. In focus group interviews, both FCs and staff corroborated the positive findings in residents’ mood and behaviors. Barriers to large scale implementation include intervention time commitment (ALC staff) and scheduling difficulties due to work (FCs). Both FCs and ALC staff recommended the continuation of the intervention and making it available to all memory care residents. Based on the initial results, additional testing of the intervention is currently in progress (10 PWD) and updated results will be reported. Implications for conducting community-based non-pharmacological interventions will be discussed.
AGING DIMINISHES THE DIRECT ASSOCIATION BETWEEN BRAIN ACTIVATION AND POSTURAL CONTROL DURING THE N-BACK TASK
Authors: Jor'dan Azizah J , Iloputaife Ikechukwu , Manor Brad 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Aging diminishes the control of standing posture, which relies upon the capacity to activate brain regions involved in cognitive-motor function. Our prior work shows that impaired cerebral blood flow (CBF) regulation within the middle cerebral artery (MCA) in response to the N-Back executive function task is linked to worse walking performance in older adults. However, the effects of aging on the relationship between CBF regulation and postural control during the N-Back task is unknown. Sixteen young (27 years) and 15 older participants (76 years) stood upright and completed the N-Back (i.e., control [Identify X, IdX] and an experimental condition [2-Back]) presented on a screen while CBF and postural sway were simultaneously recorded. CBF was recorded using transcranial Doppler. Sway was recorded using a lumbar motion sensor. Elliptical area, root mean square (RMS), distance, velocity, and acceleration were computed. There were no group differences in sway outcomes (p&gt;0.37). Young participants had higher CBF during the IdX and 2-Back compared to older participants (p&lt;0.001). Within the young, and not within older participants, those with lower CBF during performance of the 2-Back exhibited greater elliptical area (β=-0.67, p=0.03) and RMS (β=-0.68, p=0.03), faster acceleration (β=-0.78, p=0.02), and longer distance (β=-0.64, p=0.04). There were no associations between CBF and sway outcomes in either group during the IdX. These results suggest that dual-task sway performance is directly linked to CBF in younger adults, and furthermore, this link is diminished in older adults. These results underpin the need for cognitive-motor interventions in older adults.
UP-REGULATION OF LONG NON-CODING RNA MORBID ATTENUATES SENESCENCE
Authors: Kuai Zheng , Chen Meiting , yu yang , Yang Fan , Zhang chunxiang 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Aging is the inevitable, irreversible decline in function on the cellular and organ level leading to increased incidence of the most frequent diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease, that occurs over time. whereas the molecular mechanisms of senescence remain largely unknown. Here we identified that a novel long noncoding RNA, Morrbid was significantly decreased in different organs of aged mice, such as heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney and brain. Interestingly, the telomeres length of Morrbid KO mice were significantly shorted than the WT mice at the same age. We also found that Morrbid was steeply decreased in a natural mouse cardiac myocyte senescence model. The senescence of mouse cardiac myocytes was effectively attenuated by Morrbid over-expression shown by the decreased β-galactosidase staining, increased telomere activity, decreased production of ROS and decreased cell apoptosis, but was enhanced by Morrbid knockdown. The results suggest that Morrbid is a critical regulator in senescence and could be used as a novel diagnostic biomarker for it, and a new therapeutic target for diverse diseases.
SPOUSAL DRIVING CESSATION AND VOLUNTEERING: MODERATING ROLE OF CAREGIVING AND DEPRESSION
Authors: Curl Angela L , Proulx Christine M , Cooney Teresa M 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Driving cessation is a normative transition in later adulthood, yet previous research shows that having a spouse who ceases to drive, even when you are still able to, negatively impacts one’s own engagement (i.e., formal and informal volunteering). Little is known about the conditions under which volunteer engagement might vary after a spouse stops driving. We used longitudinal data from 10 waves (1998–2016) of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) to examine whether depressive symptoms and caregiving demands moderate the association between a spouse’s driving cessation and one’s own formal and informal volunteering. Respondents were included if, at baseline, both spouses participated in HRS, both were age 65+, and both were still driving. Respondents were dropped at the time of their own driving cessation, to focus specifically on the impact of spousal driving cessation. Multilevel model results for 1,370 husbands and 1,368 wives show that moderation occurred only for wives who were still driving. After controlling for sociodemographic factors, physical health, and cognitive ability, husbands’ driving cessation negatively impacted formal volunteering but only for wives who were primary ADL and IADL caregivers for their spouses. Further, husbands’ driving cessation negatively impacted informal volunteering for wives who reported relatively high levels of depressive symptoms. Results suggest the importance of contextual factors like caregiving engagement/needs and psychological wellbeing, especially for wives, when examining the role of spousal driving cessation in partners’ volunteer engagement, and highlight the need for additional research on the relationship between spousal driving cessation and volunteering for husbands.