Total Number Of Minutes Research Articles

A Comparative Analysis of the Effect of Orbital Geometry and Signal Frequency on the Ionospheric Scintillations over a Low Latitude Indian Station: First Results from the 25th Solar Cycle

The equatorial post-sunset ionospheric irregularities induce rapid fluctuations in the phase and amplitude of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals which may lead to the loss of lock and can potentially degrade the position accuracy. This study presents a new analysis of L-band scintillation from a low latitude station at Guntur (Geographic 16.44°N, 80.62°E, dip 22.18°), India, for the period of 18 months from August 2021 to January 2023. The observations are categorized either in the medium Earth-orbiting (MEO) or geosynchronous orbiting (GSO) satellites (GSO is considered as a set of the geostationary and inclined geosynchronous satellites) for L1, L2, and L5 signals. The results show a higher occurrence of moderate (0.5 < S4 ≤ 0.8) and strong (S4 > 0.8) scintillations on different signals from the MEO compared to the GSO satellites. Statistically, the average of peak S4 values provides a higher confidence in the severity of scintillations on a given night, which is found to be in-line with the scintillation occurrences. The percentage occurrence of scintillation-affected satellites is found to be higher on L1 compared to other signals, wherein a contrasting higher percentage of affected satellites over GSO than MEO is observed. While a clear demarcation between the L2/L5 signals and L1 is found over the MEO, in the case of GSO, the CCDF over L5 is found to match mostly with the L1 signal. This could possibly originate from the space diversity gain effect known to impact the closely spaced geostationary satellite links. Another major difference of higher slopes and less scatter of S4 values corresponding to L1 versus L2/L5 from the GSO satellite is found compared to mostly non-linear highly scattered relations from the MEO. The distribution of the percentage of scintillation-affected satellites on L1 shows a close match between MEO and GSO in a total number of minutes up to ~60%. However, such a number of minutes corresponding to higher than 60% is found to be larger for GSO. Thus, the results indicate the possibility of homogeneous spatial patterns in a scintillation distribution over a low latitude site, which could originate from the closely spaced GSO links and highlight the role of the number of available satellites with the geometry of the links, being the deciding factors. This helps the ionospheric community to develop inter-GNSS (MEO and GSO) operability models for achieving highly accurate positioning solutions during adverse ionospheric weather conditions.

Mechanisms of Smartphone Apps for Cigarette Smoking Cessation: Results of a Serial Mediation Model From the iCanQuit Randomized Trial.

BackgroundEngagement with digital interventions is a well-known predictor of treatment outcomes, but this knowledge has had limited actionable value. Instead, learning why engagement with digital interventions impact treatment outcomes can lead to targeted improvements in their efficacy.ObjectiveThis study aimed to test a serial mediation model of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) smartphone intervention for smoking cessation.MethodsIn this randomized controlled trial, participants (N=2415) from 50 US states were assigned to the ACT-based smartphone intervention (iCanQuit) or comparison smartphone intervention (QuitGuide). Their engagement with the apps (primary measure: number of logins) was measured during the first 3 months, ACT processes were measured at baseline and 3 months (acceptance of internal cues to smoke, valued living), and smoking cessation was measured at 12 months with 87% follow-up retention.ResultsThere was a significant serial mediation effect of iCanQuit on smoking cessation through multiple indicators of intervention engagement (ie, total number of logins, total number of minutes used, and total number of unique days of use) and in turn through increases in mean acceptance of internal cues to smoke from baseline to 3 months. Analyses of the acceptance subscales showed that the mediation was through acceptance of physical sensations and emotions, but not acceptance of thoughts. There was no evidence that the effect of the iCanQuit intervention was mediated through changes in valued living.ConclusionsIn this first study of serial mediators underlying the efficacy of smartphone apps for smoking cessation, our results suggest the effect of the iCanQuit ACT-based smartphone app on smoking cessation was mediated through multiple indicators of engagement and in turn through increases in the acceptance of physical sensations and emotions that cue smoking.Trial RegistrationClinical Trials.gov NCT02724462; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02724462

EXTERNAL HOME DISREPAIR ASSOCIATED WITH OBJECTIVE SLEEP DISTURBANCES IN LOW-INCOME OLDER ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES

Sleep disturbances are linked to poor health, loss of independence and mortality in older adults. Rates of poor sleep are higher among socioeconomically disadvantaged older adults. Understanding how environmental factors may affect sleep in this population could lead to interventions to improve sleep-related health outcomes. We determined cross-sectional associations of home and neighborhood conditions with sleep parameters, measured by wrist actigraphy, in 136 low-income, predominantly African-American older adults with disabilities. Primary predictors were third-party-rated objective indicators of disrepair or disorder based on: 1) inside-home conditions (e.g., evidence of pests, tripping hazards, clutter); 2) outside-home conditions (e.g., broken windows, crumbling foundation); and 3) neighborhood conditions (e.g., litter, graffiti, vacant buildings). Outcomes were actigraphic total sleep time (TST; total number of minutes in bed spent asleep), wake time after sleep onset (WASO; total number of minutes spent awake after initially falling asleep), and sleep efficiency (SE; % of time in bed spent asleep). Presence of one or more outside-home conditions indicating disrepair or disorder was associated with 36.3-minutes shorter TST, 18.1-minutes more WASO, and 4.7% lower SE (all p <0.05). Conditions inside the home and of the neighborhood were not associated with sleep. These preliminary findings suggest that among low-income older adults with disabilities, external-home disrepair is associated with objectively measured WASO, TST, and SE. External-home disrepair may affect sleep through physical, psychosocial and behavioral pathways. Further research should examine longitudinal associations between external-home conditions and objectively measured sleep in socioeconomically disadvantaged older adults.

Effects of Eight Weeks of Self-Determined Training on Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Recreationally Trained Females

Maintaining or increasing cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) throughout a training season can be challenging for recreationally trained endurance athletes. Even if athletes intend to increase training during a training season, variables such as the total number of minutes they train per week (min·wk-1) and/or the min·wk-1 of moderate to high intensity training (MHIT) they participate in may affect these athletes’ ability to maintain or increase CRF. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was twofold: 1) to examine changes in CRF over 8 weeks of self-determined training in recreational female endurance athletes who indicated they planned to increase training min·wk-1; and 2) to examine changes in minutes of total training and MHIT per week from self-reported exercise logs from weeks 1 and 8. METHODS: Fourteen recreationally trained female endurance athletes (cyclists (n=4) and runners (n=10)), all of whom had a baseline VO2max ≥ 80th percentile for their age, completed incremental running or cycling trials to exhaustion to determine VO2max, and provided 7 d exercise training logs at weeks 1 and 8. Runners completed incremental trials on a motorized treadmill, cyclists completed trials on an electronically braked cycle ergometer, and expired gases were measured with a metabolic system during all trials. To record training, athletes were instructed on the use of the Borg RPE scale (15-grade scale) to estimate exercise intensity (I), and were asked to record exercise min and I independently for all phases of exercise sessions. MHIT was considered to be any exercise I > an RPE of 13 (Somewhat Hard to Maximal Exertion on the Borg scale). RESULTS: There was no significant change in mean VO2max values in weeks 1 vs. 8 (p=0.062, 46.50 ± 3.68 vs. 45.87 ± 4.21 mL·kg-1·min-1). There was also no significant change in mean total training minutes (p=0.32, 601.8 ± 221.4 vs. 551.9 ± 194.2 min·wk-1) or mean total MHIT minutes (p=0.38, 272.5 ±193.3 vs. 334.5 ± 218.1 min·wk-1) in weeks 1 vs. 8. CONCLUSIONS: On average, CRF was maintained during the 8 weeks of self-determined recreational training. In addition, we found that average total training min and MHIT min did not change for this group in weeks 1 vs. 8, even though these recreational endurance athletes intended to increase their training during this 8-week period.

Patient engagement with a smartphone mobile app for adherence to oral chemotherapy.

243 Background: Patients prescribed oral chemotherapy receive minimal supervision and support for adherence. We developed a smartphone mobile app consisting of medication reminders, symptom reporting, clinician communication, and educational resources for improving adherence and symptom management. In this study, we sought to identify potential correlates of app usage. Methods: From 12/2014 to 08/2016, 181 patients with diverse malignancies prescribed oral chemotherapy enrolled in a randomized trial to test the efficacy of a smartphone mobile app to improve adherence and symptoms. Medication adherence was monitored using electronic pill caps (MEMScaps). At baseline and 12 weeks, participants completed a measure of treatment satisfaction (FACIT-TS). We gathered clinical and treatment data from the electronic health record. Through the app we collected data on engagement: total number of minutes, days of usage, and number of completed symptom reports. We calculated Pearson correlations to identify associations between app engagement, using a latent variable for overall engagement, with adherence, treatment satisfaction and healthcare utilization. Results: 91 patients were randomly assigned to receive the mobile app. Over the 12-week study period, participants used the mobile app for a mean of 59 minutes (SD = 68) and 21.75 discrete days (SD = 21.24 days), completing 15.92 symptom reports (SD = 14.15) on average. Higher app engagement was associated with having a lower proportion of missed doses (r = -.248, p = .035) over the study period. Patients who became less satisfied with their communication with physicians (r = -.278, p = .019) and nurses (r = -.238, p = .047) used the app more. Higher app engagement was associated with fewer emergency department visits resulting in hospitalizations (r = -.252, p = .029). Conclusions: Among patients prescribed oral chemotherapy, higher usage of a mobile app targeting adherence was related to fewer missed doses and ED visits leading to hospitalization. Fostering patient engagement with the app may also serve to buffer difficulties in patient-clinician communication about care. Clinical trial information: NCT02157519.

Population-referenced Percentiles For Waist-worn Accelerometer-derived Total Activity Counts In U.S. Youth

The total activity volume performed is an overall measure that takes into account the frequency, intensity, and duration of activities performed. The importance of considering total activity volume is shown by recent studies indicating that light physical activity (LPA) and intermittent moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) have health benefits. Accelerometer-derived total activity counts (TAC) per day from a waist-worn accelerometer can serve as a proxy for an individual’s total activity volume. PURPOSE: To develop age- and gender-specific percentiles for daily TAC, minutes of MVPA, and minutes of LPA in U.S. youth ages 6 - 19 y. METHODS: Data from the 2003 - 2006 NHANES waist-worn accelerometer component were used in this analysis. The sample was composed of youth aged 6 - 19 years with at least 4 d of ≥ 10 hours of accelerometer wear time (N = 3698). Minutes of MVPA were calculated using an age specific intensity-threshold criteria of ≥ 4 metabolic equivalents (METs) for youth 6 - 17 y and ≥ 3 METs (equivalent to 2020 counts/min) for youth 18 - 19 y. LPA was defined as the total number of minutes between 100 counts and the MVPA threshold. TAC/d, MVPA, and LPA were averaged across all valid days. RESULTS: For males in the 50th percentile, the median activity level was 441,431 TAC/d, with 53 min/d of MVPA and 368 min/d of LPA. The median level of activity for females was 234,322 TAC/d, with 32 min/d of MVPA and 355 min/d of LPA. CONCLUSIONS: Population referenced TAC/d percentiles for U.S. youth ages 6-19 y provide a novel means of characterizing the total activity volume performed by children and adolescents.

Does the amount of time medical students spend in the operating room during the general surgery core clerkship affect their career decision?

BackgroundThe amount of time medical students (MS) spend in the operating room (OR) during their general surgery core clerkship has not been previously studied as a predictor for choosing a career in surgery. We hypothesize that MS choosing a career in surgery spend more time in the OR. MethodsOperative records for surgery cases at our institution from 2009 to 2013 were linked to the schedules of MS from classes of 2010 to 2014. Total number of minutes, cases, and average number of minutes in the OR were calculated and compared with the match lists. Univariate analysis was conducted to assess for associations (P < .05). ResultsA total of 117 students and 1,524 procedures were included. Twenty-two MS chose a surgical career (19%). An average of 2,018.5 minutes per rotation was spent in the OR (81.2 min/d), but neither the amount of time nor the number of cases was associated with choosing a career in surgery. ConclusionsQuality of the educational experience trumps quantity regarding what most influences MS career decision.

Physical activity, inactivity, and health.

Background:The total activity volume performed is an overall measure that takes into account the frequency, intensity, and duration of activities performed. The importance of considering total activity volume is shown by recent studies indicating that light physical activity (LPA) and intermittent moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) have health benefits. Accelerometer-derived total activity counts (TAC) per day from a waist-worn accelerometer can serve as a proxy for an individual’s total activity volume. The purpose of this study was to develop age- and gender-specific percentiles for daily TAC, minutes of MVPA, and minutes of LPA in U.S. youth ages 6-19 y.Methods:Data from the 2003-2006 NHANES waist-worn accelerometer component were used in this analysis. The sample was composed of youth aged 6-19 years with at least 4 d of ≥10 hr of accelerometer wear time (N = 3698). MVPA was defined using age specific cutpoints as the total number of minutes at ≥4 metabolic equivalents (METs) for youth 6-17 y or minutes with ≥2020 counts for youth 18-19 y. LPA was defined as the total number of minutes between 100 counts and the MVPA threshold. TAC/d, MVPA, and LPA were averaged across all valid days.Results:For males in the 50th percentile, the median activity level was 441,431 TAC/d, with 53 min/d of MVPA and 368 min/d of LPA. The median level of activity for females was 234,322 TAC/d, with 32 min/d of MVPA and 355 min/d of LPA.Conclusion:Population referenced TAC/d percentiles for U.S. youth ages 6-19 y provide a novel means of characterizing the total activity volume performed by children and adolescents.

Population-referenced percentiles for waist-worn accelerometer-derived total activity counts in U.S. youth: 2003 - 2006 NHANES.

BackgroundThe total activity volume performed is an overall measure that takes into account the frequency, intensity, and duration of activities performed. The importance of considering total activity volume is shown by recent studies indicating that light physical activity (LPA) and intermittent moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) have health benefits. Accelerometer-derived total activity counts (TAC) per day from a waist-worn accelerometer can serve as a proxy for an individual's total activity volume. The purpose of this study was to develop age- and gender-specific percentiles for daily TAC, minutes of MVPA, and minutes of LPA in U.S. youth ages 6 – 19 y.MethodsData from the 2003 – 2006 NHANES waist-worn accelerometer component were used in this analysis. The sample was composed of youth aged 6 – 19 years with at least 4 d of ≥ 10 hours of accelerometer wear time (N = 3698). MVPA was defined using age specific cutpoints as the total number of minutes at ≥4 metabolic equivalents (METs) for youth 6 – 17 y or minutes with ≥2020 counts for youth 18 – 19 y. LPA was defined as the total number of minutes between 100 counts and the MVPA threshold. TAC/d, MVPA, and LPA were averaged across all valid days.ResultsFor males in the 50th percentile, the median activity level was 441,431 TAC/d, with 53 min/d of MVPA and 368 min/d of LPA. The median level of activity for females was 234,322 TAC/d, with 32 min/d of MVPA and 355 min/d of LPA.ConclusionPopulation referenced TAC/d percentiles for U.S. youth ages 6-19 y provide a novel means of characterizing the total activity volume performed by children and adolescents.

Patient Active Time During Therapy Sessions in Postacute Rehabilitation: Development and Validation of a New Measure

ABSTRACTBackground and purpose: The accurate measurement of therapy intensity in postacute rehabilitation is important for research to improve outcomes in this setting. We developed and validated a measure of Patient Active Time during physical (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) sessions, as a proxy for therapy intensity. Methods: This measurement validity study was carried out with 26 older adults admitted to a skilled nursing facility (SNF) for postacute rehabilitation with a variety of main underlying diagnoses, including hip fracture, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and others. They were participants in a randomized controlled trial that compared an experimental high-intensity therapy to standard-of-care therapy. Patient Active Time was observed by research raters as the total number of minutes that a patient was actively engaging in therapeutic activities during PT and OT sessions. This was compared to patient movement (actigraphy) quantified during some of the same PT/OT sessions using data from three-dimensional accelerometers worn on the patient's extremities. Results: Activity measures were collected for 136 therapy sessions. Patient Active Time had high interrater reliability in both PT (r = 0.995, p < 0.001) and OT (r = 0.95, p = 0.012). Active time was significantly correlated with actigraphy in both PT (r = 0.73, p < 0.001) and OT (r = 0.60, p < 0.001) and discriminated between a high-intensity experimental condition and standard of care rehabilitation: in PT, 47.0 ± 13.5 min versus 16.7 ± 10.1 min (p < 0.001) and in OT, 46.2 ± 15.2 versus 27.7 ± 6.6 min (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Systematic observation of Patient Active Time provides an objective, reliable, and valid index of physical activity during PT and OT treatment sessions that has utility as a real-world alternative to the measurement of treatment intensity. This measure could be used to differentiate higher from lower therapy treatment intensity and to help determine the optimal level of active therapy time for patients in postacute and other settings.

Abstract P183: Parents Play Significant Role in the Gender Differences Associated with Physical Activity in Elementary Students

BACKGROUND It has been proven that males engage in physical activity more than females starting at a young age. The goal of this study was to investigate gender differences based on parenting behaviors such as the frequency with which parents send their children out to play. METHODS Parents of children participating in a free cardiovascular risk-screening program (CARDIAC Project) completed a behavioral survey. Children (n =472; 43.3% female) who were enrolled in elementary school participated in the study. Parents provided information about children’s physical activity and their own ways in which they provided support of activity at home. Children’s participation in 12 activities was captured by total number of minutes per week. A combined mean activity score was calculated by summing the children’s total time across all of the activities. Parent behavior , specifically the frequency at which parents send their children outside to play was captured using a Likert scale where “1” represented never and “5” represented daily. Child gender and the amount of time allowed outside for play were then entered into a linear regression model to examine their role as potential predictors of child activity. RESULTS A significant gender difference (p&lt;.001) was noted in children’s total activity time with boys (n = 237; 751 minutes/week) exhibiting higher mean activity each week than girls (n = 229; 521 minutes/week). Child gender and the amount of time allowed outside to play significantly predicted children’s activity levels overall. This model explained 28.9% of the variance in children’s activity levels (F = 20.25 (2); p&lt;.001). Specifically, girls had less opportunity (3.75) than boys (4.05) to play outside. CONCLUSION A factor behind the lesser physical activity in female adolescents is significantly related to the decreased opportunity to play outside. Additional parenting practices will be shared if presented. In conclusion, parent behavior plays a significant role in the proven gender differences with childhood physical activity.

Napping, Nighttime Sleep, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Mid-Life Adults

To evaluate the relations between sleep characteristics and cardiovascular risk factors and napping behavior, and to assess whether daytime napping leads to subsequent better or worse sleep. The sample consisted of 224 (African American, Caucasian, and Asian) middle-aged men and women. Sleep measures included nine nights of actigraphy and sleep diaries, sleep questionnaires, and one night of polysomnography to measure sleep disordered breathing. More frequent napping was associated with shorter nighttime sleep duration averaged across the nine nights of actigraphy (especially among African Americans), more daytime sleepiness, more pain and fatigue by diary, and increased body mass index and waist circumference. Shorter nighttime sleep duration was associated with taking a nap during the next day and taking a nap was associated with less efficient sleep the next night. Napping in middle-aged men and women is associated with overall less nighttime sleep in African Americans and lower sleep efficiency as measured by actigraphy, and increased BMI and central adiposity. These findings point to the importance of measuring of napping in understanding associations of sleep with cardiovascular risk.

Wireless Data Traffic Estimation Using a State-Space Model

A new forecasting technique called the extended structural model (ESM) is presented. This technique is derived from the basic structural model (BSM) by the introduction of extra parameters that were assumed to be 1 in the BSM. The ESM is constructed from the training sequence using standard Kalman filter recursions, and then, the extra parameters are estimated to minimize the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of the validation sequence. The model is evaluated by the prediction of the total number of minutes of wireless airtime per month on the Bell Canada network. The ESM shows an improvement in the MAPE of the test sequence over the BSM, seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA), and generalized random walk models on the series considered in this paper. The improved prediction can significantly reduce the cost for wireless service providers who need to accurately predict future wireless spectrum requirements.

Factors Related to the Intensity of Occupational Therapy Utilization in a Geriatric Chronic Care Setting

There is very little known about the intensity of occupational therapy service provision in relation to client characteristics of a geriatric chronic care population. A model was utilized to study demographic and clinical factors associated with the intensity of occupational therapy utilization. A retrospective correlational design was carried out using secondary analysis of occupational therapy workload data merged with selected variables from the Minimum Data Set (MDS) at Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care, Toronto, Ontario and included a sample of 168 clients receiving occupational therapy. The outcome measure used was the total number of minutes of occupational therapy service provided. Having a pressure relieving device for the chair and being active more than one third of waking hours were significantly associated with the intensity of occupational therapy utilization. The clients received a greater amount of time in indirect therapy compared with the amount of time which they received in direct care. The method used to examine occupational therapy service utilization developed in this research facilitates the understanding of occupational therapy resource use based on client characteristics.

Structure as a Determinant of Treatment Dose

Abstract This study examined the role of total session exposure on during-treatment outcomes in a sample of 298 methadone maintained clients. The total number of minutes actually spent in counseling sessions during a 6-month period was used to create a measure of client exposure to treatment. Clients were divided into three groups: low (< 270 minutes), medium (270-399 minutes), and high (400+ minutes). Results supported the hypothesis that clients in the low exposure group did not develop as much rapport or “bond” as well with their counselors as clients in the higher treatment exposure groups. Several factors predicted which clients spent more time in counseling sessions, namely: being female, heavy alcohol use, a history of childhood problems, higher metha-done dosage, and structured counseling sessions. Among these, the most significant predictor of clients being in the high treatment exposure group was participation in structured counseling sessions. This finding supports the use of structured treatme...

An Anesthesia Information Management System (AIMS) as a Tool for Controlling Resource Management of Operating Rooms

In our department, we have been using an Anesthesia Information Management System (AIMS) for five years. In this study, we tested to what extent data extracted from the AIMS could be suitable for the supervision and time-management of operating rooms. From 1995 to 1999, all relevant data from 103,264 anesthetic procedures were routinely recorded online with the automatic anesthesia record keeping system NarkoData. The program is designed to record patient related time data, such as the beginning of anesthesia or surgical procedure, on a graphical anesthesia record sheet. The total number of minutes of surgery and anesthesia for each surgical subspecialty per hour/day and day of the year was calculated for each of the more than 40 ORs, amounting to a total of 112 workstations. It was possible to analyze the usage and the utilization of ORs at the hospital for each day of the year since 1997. In addition, annual and monthly evaluations are made available. It is possible to scrutinize data of OR usage from different points of view: queries on the usage of an individual OR, the usage of ORs on certain days or the usage of ORs by a certain surgical subspecialty may be formulated. These data has been used repeatedly in our hospital for decision making in OR management and planning. In assessing the results of our study, it should be considered that the system used is not a specialized OR management tool. Despite these restrictions, the system contains data which can be used for an exact and relevant presentation of OR utilization.

The Core Dry-Season Diet of Yellow Baboons (Papio hamadryas cynocephalus)in Ruaha National Park, Tanza nia

Core dry-season foods consumed by free-ranging, adult male yellow baboons (Papio hamadryas cynocephalus) in Ruaha National Park, Tanzania are described. For each food I provide (1) the total number of grams consumed, (2) the total number of minutes used and (3) the estimated grams obtained per minute of handling. I hypothesize purposeful encounter for predictable foods that either use a relatively large proportion of feeding time or provide a relatively high number of grams per minute handling.