bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biological Heterogeneity
Authors: Rogina Blanka 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Studies of aging in invertebrates, mammalian animal models and humans have demonstrated increasing heterogeneity with aging in terms of varied facets of biological aging. In addition to growing heterogeneity, aging is also associated with qualitative and quantitative changes involving DNA methylation captured in epigenetic clocks of aging which seek to predict chronological and biological aging. Increased heterogeneity with aging is also evident in terms of posttranslational histone modification, gene expression, somatic clonal expansion, and increased degree of tissue mosaicism. Senescent cells accumulating with aging demonstrate significant heterogeneity. For example, while most studies targeting senescent cells have focused on cells expressing p16 (CDKN2A), not all p16-positive cells are senescent and not all senescent cells express p16. Further studies are needed to better define heterogeneity involving other hallmarks of aging and to also explore associations between heterogeneity involving these biological measures with clinical manifestations or outcomes.
Clinical Considerations
Authors: Kuchel George 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Varied physiological functions demonstrate increased heterogeneity with aging. Variability in force exertion and motor performance is higher in old age, with increased step-to-step gait variability indicating greater risk of falls and cognitive decline. Even in healthy older adults, renal function may show no change, slight decline, or marked decline. In contrast, heart rate variability declines with age, with decreased complexity and a higher risk of cardiac events. The risk of death, disease and disability varies among individuals with increasing heterogeneity with aging. As a result, frailty has been conceptualized as both as a phenotype and an accumulation deficit index, offering strong predictive validity when seeking to understand the heterogeneity of aging from the perspective of risk of mortality and physiologic dysregulation across different systems. Physical resilience defined as ability to maintain or restore function following exposure to stressors also demonstrates increased heterogeneity with aging.
Adding Heart Disease Outcomes to REGARDS: The REGARDS Myocardial Infarction Ancillary Study
Authors: Durant Raegan , Levitan Emily , Muntner Paul , Brown Todd , Safford Monika M 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
The REGARDS-MI ancillary study provided new outcomes of heart disease events and adjudicated cause of death. A primary focus has been disparities in and risk factors for coronary artery disease. We demonstrated that compared to White men, Black men have a higher risk of fatal coronary heart disease (CHD) but a lower risk of non-fatal CHD. Ongoing work is investigating potential reasons for this. We have investigated the role of CHD in aging including the relationship between heart failure and cognitive function and the association of MI with functional status. The REGARDS-MI study has served as a platform for mentoring trainees and early stage investigators, many from underrepresented groups, and provided data to a large number of investigators to purse research in CHD. To date, REGARDS-MI has contributed to nearly 200 publications and spawned additional ancillary studies. This presentation will highlight some of these publications and other research in progress.
Transparency, Documentation, and Open Science
Authors: Isaacowitz Derek 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Some GSA journals are especially interested in promoting transparency and open science practices, reflecting how some subdisciplines in aging are moving toward open science practices faster than others. In this talk, I will consider the transparency and open science practices that seem most relevant to aging researchers, such as preregistration, open data, open materials and code, sample size justification and analytic tools for considering null effects. I will also discuss potential challenges to implementing these practices as well as reasons why it is important to do so despite these challenges. The focus will be on pragmatic suggestions for researchers planning and conducting studies now that they hope to publish later.
Daily Alcohol and Cigarette Use Among Sexual Minority Adults: Moderating Role of Daily Stress and Daily Well-Being
Authors: Surachman Agus , Wardecker Britney , Exten Cara , Matsick Jes , Almeida David 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
The goal of this study was two-fold: 1) to investigate whether gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) adults, compared to heterosexual adults, used alcohol and cigarettes daily to a greater extent, and 2) to test the moderating role of daily stress and well-being on the association between GLB status and alcohol and cigarette use. We analyzed data from 3,421 adults (GLB = 98; age range = 20-83 years) who completed an 8-day daily diary protocol as part of the Midlife in the U.S. Study (MIDUS). Compared to heterosexual adults, GLB participants reported greater daily alcohol and cigarette use. However, among GLB individuals, more negative affect was associated with less daily alcohol use and people who reported more stressor days and physical symptoms across the week consumed less alcohol. We will discuss how daily affect, stress, and substance use may function differently among GLB people in middle and older adulthood.
Designing Technology for Aging and Disability
Authors: Cotten Shelia 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Technology has massive potential to improve the lives of older adults in terms of their health, wellbeing, quality of life, and independence. However, benefits will not be realized unless these technologies are designed considering the needs, abilities, and attitudes of the diverse population of older adults. This is especially true when we consider older adults experiencing physical, sensory, or cognitive impairments that influence their ability to adopt and use technology-based solutions. This symposium highlights a variety of approaches to using technology to support older adults living with disability, and important design considerations. The first talk will highlight the important role technology can play in helping persons with cognitive and /or physical impairment in the workplace. The next talk outlines a framework and methodology designed to provide older adults with hearing or visual impairments the capability to use and adapt digital health tools. This is followed by a discussion of a research agenda to use technology to help older adults experiencing disability as a result of cognitive impairment participate in their community. Then, there will be a discussion of how digital health technologies, when considering their unique needs and abilities, can support older adults with cognitive impairment and dementia. The final talk focuses on the intersection of technology, cognitive impairment, and leisure, and explores engagement with digital games by older adults with and without dementia. Common themes that emerge and future directions will be highlighted.
Building Digital Health Tools for Older Adults With Disabilities
Authors: Abujarad Fuad , Swierenga Sarah , Edwards Chelsea 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Adults with disabilities are more likely to be excluded from digital health research compared to those without. In this symposium, we will describe how user experience (UX) research can be used to successfully develop digital health tools that are both usable and acceptable by older adults with physical disabilities. Our framework and methodology are designed to provide older adults, age 60+ with hearing or visual impairments, the capability to use and adapt digital health tools (including tools that run on mobile devices like smart phones and tablets). Our approach includes one-on-one sessions to evaluate the ease of use and usefulness of digital health for older adults, including 6 blind, 6 deaf, 6 low vision, 6 hard of hearing. This approach allows us to increase the scope of the research participants and, eventually, end users to include adults with disabilities that we may not normally include in research study design.
Mentoring Across Academia and Communities: A Holistic Approach Involving Needs of the Mentee
Authors: Kopera-Frye Karen 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
What is mentoring? Mentoring is defined as a professional relationship in which an experienced person assists another in developing specific skills and knowledge enhancing the mentee’s professional and personal growth. Mentoring benefits include: Knowledge transfer, creating a mentoring culture, and challenging the mentee to move beyond their comfort zone. Carmel and Paul (2015) describe self-selected mentoring as a process in which a mentee identifies a potential mentor based on similarities in interests and need. Findings indicated mentees experienced opportunities in career advancement, expanded thinking, scholarly confidence, facilitation of a collaborative culture, and understanding the importance of goal setting. Mentoring as a health promotion or intervention strategy has become widespread in communities. Two mentoring approaches will be discussed: a traditional format with students and faculty in academia, another utilizing an intergenerational approach with Latinx and Native American families. Recommendations will be discussed in terms of underlying core similarities across the venues.
Kent and Kleemeier Award Lecture and Presentations
Authors: Dobbs Debra 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
The Donald P. Kent Award lecture will feature an address by the 2019 Kent Award recipient, Terry Fulmer, PhD, of The John A. Hartford Foundation. The Kent Award is given annually to a member of The Gerontological Society of America who best exemplifies the highest standards of professional leadership in gerontology through teaching, service, and interpretation of gerontology to the larger society. The Robert W. Kleemeier Award lecture will feature an address by the 2019 Kleemeier Award recipient, Steven Zarit of Pennsylvania State University. The Kleemeier Award is given annually to a member of The Gerontological Society of America in recognition for outstanding research in the field of gerontology
Creating Age-Friendly Health Systems: Age Matters
Authors: Fulmer Terry 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Since 2015, The John A. Hartford Foundation has been funding strategies to create Age-Friendly Health Systems (AFHS). Led by the Institute of Healthcare Improvement, in partnership with the American Hospital Association and the Catholic Health Association, the AFHS movement is rapidly growing, with participation in all 50 states from over 450 sites, including the full continuum of care settings. Partnerships with private and public entities are accelerating the work. As one example, the Health Resources and Services Administration has embedded AFHS principles into the Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program. This Kent Lecture will focus on the genesis and trajectory of the AFHS social movement and discuss how the effort will lead to an age-friendly ecosystem that transcends boundaries and cultures and leads to a common framework for the way we approach care, caregiving and communities for optimizing the lives and wellbeing of all older adults.
Estimating the Risk of Poverty Transitions at Old Age in the United States: A Survival Analysis Focused on the Hispanic Population
Authors: Iriarte Antonia Diaz-Valdes , Ramos Fidel Bennett 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Many Americans work well past the Social Security full retirement age. Moreover, the high labor participation rate of aged workers does not translate into better living conditions and decreased poverty at old age. According to the OECD’s relative poverty threshold, the poverty rate at old age is 23.1% (14 points higher than the absolute measure), showing important increases as age progresses. In the context of financial pressure faced by SS, understanding the factors that could help people ensure themselves against poverty is crucial at old age, especially for groups such as Hispanics. Hispanics tend to rely mostly on SS, and tend to retire earlier than non-Hispanics due to limited working opportunities. Using data drawn from the Health and Retirement Study (2008-2016), cox survival models, were conducted to estimate the risk of transitioning into poverty during retirement on determinants of long-term accumulation of disadvantages over the life course (i.e.: wealth accumulation, medical care access, unemployment history). Results suggest that being foreign born and Hispanic are strongly associated with an increase on the probability of experiencing poverty at old age, conditional on health, education and employment status. Furthermore, delaying claims of SS by one year reduces the probability of falling into poverty by 3%, supporting that socioeconomic conditions faced by older adults, especially, the interactions between such factors and ethnicity are key in explaining poverty at old age. This would help policy makers to implement policies could be targeting those factors earlier on, beneficiating the individuals and society as a whole
New Perspectives on Predicting and Modifying Cognition in Older Adulthood
Authors: Bielak Allison 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
The underlying theme of my research is to advance our understanding of cognitive aging through early detection of cognitive decline and the promotion of positive lifestyle factors. I will present my past and recent work that uses new perspectives to predict and modify cognition with older age, specifically focusing on intraindividual variability in cognitive speed, and lifestyle activity engagement. This includes examining the utility of variability in cognitive speed, usually a predictor of decline, instead as a predictor of cognitive plasticity following activity interventions. Further, the association between activity engagement and later cognitive ability and dementia risk is more complex than first appears. I will present research that looks at critical issues about the activity-cognition relation from a different perspective, including unique frameworks investigating the ideal way to measure activity, and the duration of how long past activity can potentially impact cognition. Finally, I will discuss my future research directions.
Rehabilitation of Aging Persons: The Past, The Present & The Promise
Authors: Ottenbacher Kenneth 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
The 2020 Excellence in Rehabilitation of Aging Persons Award presentation will address my efforts over the past 35 years related to research methods, functional status, mobility, and self-care. Studies conducted in the past 25 years on disability and recovery in older adults with an emphasis on minority health will be presented. Research examining rehabilitation outcomes related to health care reform including the Improving Medicare Post-Acute Care Transformation (IMPACT) Act, and using Medicare files, will be described. The role of Data Science and Discovery, as defined by the NIH and related to rehabilitation in older adults, will also be presented.
Clinical Correlation of Cerebrospinal Fluid Total tau Levels and MMSE Score in a memory clinic
Authors: Tangal Neil , Tangal Neeraj , Nair Anil , Nair Malini 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Tau protein levels in cerebrospinal fluid are a biomarker of Alzheimer’s disease. We correlated MMSE severity to CSF tau levels in a large memory clinic sample. We retrospectively analyzed data from patients attending a memory clinic in the south shore of Boston from 2010 to 2020, and had a lumbar puncture to obtain CSF Tau levels. We compiled cognitive screen data from MMSE scores. Univariate analyses used Spearman correlation as data were non-normal. A multivariate model was created including covariates of age, sex, and race. 965 patients attended the memory clinic from 2010 to 2020. 711 had available MMSE scores. 129 subjects had lumbar punctures and available CSF tau levels. Univariate analyses showed that cognition as measured by MMSE total was not correlated to total tau levels in the CSF (rho=-0.07, p&gt;0.05), but caucasian race was inversely associated with CSF tau levels (rho= -0.217, p&lt;0.05). In a multivariate model, tau levels in the CSF were not associated with MMSE, race, gender, or age. In a large memory clinic sample, CSF tau levels did not correlate to MMSE scores, age, race or gender.
Assessing sleep quality in older adults: A comparison of three measurement approaches
Authors: Berkley Amy , Carter Patricia 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Discrepancies between subjective and objective sleep measures have been reported for some time; however, it is critical to consider the implications of inaccurate or incomplete sleep assessment for frail older adults who are struggling to maintain independence. To compare sleep assessment methods, we collected objective sleep measurements (via wrist actigraphy), subjective measures via self-report sleep surveys (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; Insomnia Severity Index, Sleep Hygiene Index), and qualitative data through semi-structured audio-recorded interviews, from 8 older adults who self-reported sleep problems while living in a retirement community in southwestern US. Participants’ objective sleep (Total Sleep Time, Sleep Onset Latency, Wake After Sleep Onset, and Sleep Efficiency) and qualitative narratives were congruent, but self-report measures failed to capture several unique sleep problems identified in the sample. Disordered sleep in older adults has been linked to increased incidence of falls, depression and anxiety, cognitive impairment, institutionalization, and mortality, but traditional sleep assessment instruments, designed for the general adult population, fail to capture many of the experiences and causes that are unique to older adults. functioning. A sleep assessment tool designed to measure older people’s sleep experiences could provide more accurate and sensitive data.
Self-Perceptions of Aging, Cognitive Function, and Physical Activity
Authors: Connelly Caitlin 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Stereotype embodiment theory suggests that internalized aging stereotypes will influence subsequent physical and cognitive health for older adults. This is proposed to occur through behavioral, physiological, and psychological pathways. Guided by stereotype embodiment theory, this study examined the how self-perceptions of aging are associated with cognitive function and the mediating role of physical activity as a behavioral pathway. The sample consists of 7,990 community-dwelling older adults age 65 from the Health and Retirement Study. Cross-sectional data analyses were conducted using bivariate and multivariate linear regression. Positive self-perceptions of aging were significantly associated with better cognitive function. Physical activity partially mediated the association between self-perceptions of aging and cognitive function. Findings suggest that self-perceptions of aging are important for cognitive function and physical activity may help to explain this relationship. Self-perceptions of aging may serve a possible intervention point to increase physical activity engagement and improve cognitive function.
Seeing the past through rose-colored glasses? Age differences in recounting a difficult memory
Authors: Jones Arya , Wilson Stephanie , Shrout M Rosie , Kiecolt-Glaser Janice 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
According to socioemotional aging theories, people better regulate their emotions in older age by reframing stressors and focusing on the positive aspects of difficult experiences. However, empirical results have been mixed. To address this gap, we examined age differences in the language use and cardiovascular reactivity of 188 adults (mean age=56, range=40-86) who relived an upsetting memory from their past. Consistent with theory, results revealed that older adults used significantly fewer negative emotion words and, among the negative emotions, marginally fewer words of anger, to describe their upsetting memory. Notably, however, there were no age differences in the expression of positive emotion or sadness. Controlling for education and cognitive function, greater expression of anger was associated with heightened systolic blood pressure (SBP) reactivity among older adults, not middle-aged individuals. Despite their expression of less negative emotion, older adults’ heart rate variability (HRV) dipped lower during disclosure than did middle-aged adults’. However, among those who used more positive emotion, sadness, and/or cognitive processing words, older adults no longer showed lower HRV than middle-aged participants. Overall, these results provide some evidence of positivity bias among older adults even when asked to recount a distressing personal memory, although this trend was not consistent for the expression of sadness or positive emotion. Further, cardiovascular responses appear more clearly tied to older adults’ level of engagement and emotional focus compared to their middle-aged counterparts’.
Development and validation of two composite aging measures using clinical biomarkers in the Chinese population
Authors: Liu Zuyun 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Quantifying aging is crucial for addressing aging and related issues. This study aimed to: 1) develop two composite aging measures in the Chinese population using two recent advanced algorithms (the Klemera and Doubal method and Mahalanobis distance); and 2) validate the two measures by examining their associations with mortality and disease counts. Based on data from the China Nutrition and Health Survey 2009 wave (N=8,119, aged 20-79 years, 53.5% women), a nationwide prospective cohort study of the Chinese population, we developed Klemera and Doubal method-biological age (KDM-BA) and physiological dysregulation (PD, derived from Mahalanobis distance) using 12 routine clinical biomarkers. For the validation analysis, we used Cox proportional hazard regression models (for mortality) and linear, Poisson, and logistic regression models (for disease counts) to examine the associations. We replicated the validation analysis in the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS, N=9,304, aged 45-99 years, 53.4% women). We found that both aging measures were predictive of mortality after accounting for age and gender (KDM-BA, per one-year, HR=1.14, 95%CI=1.08, 1.19; PD, per one-SD, HR=1.50, 95%CI=1.33, 1.69). With few exceptions, these mortality predictions were robust across stratifications by age, gender, education, and health behaviors. The two aging measures were associated with disease counts both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. These results were generally replicable in CHARLS although four biomarkers were not available. In summary, we successfully developed and validated two composite aging measures‒‒KDM-BA and PD, which have great potentials for applications in early identifications and preventions of aging and aging related diseases in China.