Browse Articles

Dynamic correlation of environmental regulation, technological innovation, and corporate carbon emissions: empirical evidence from China listed companies

Abstract P1118: Association Between Moderate Physical Activity and Perceived Risk for Heart Disease

Purpose: Women are underrepresented in cardiovascular health research and our understanding about the association between women’s research participation and healthy behaviors is limited. This study aimed to determine the association between women’s engagement in moderate physical activity (MPA) and perceived risk for heart disease (HD). We hypothesized that women who engage in MPA will have a lower perceived risk for HD. Methods: Data was leveraged from the Barriers and Motivators to Research survey from the Millennial Women’s Heart Study funded by the American Heart Association Research Goes Red for Women. In a self-reported survey, women were asked “I am able to engage in 30 minutes of MPA (Y/N)” and “I feel that I am personally at risk for HD”. Perceived risk responses were measured on a Likert scale: “strongly agree,” “somewhat agree,” “neutral,” “somewhat disagree,” and “strongly disagree.” The Mantel-Haenszel Chi-square test was used to assess the association between categorical variables, and ANOVA was applied to compare continuous variables. Results: Among the 192 women in this analysis, the study population included 37.5% Black women, 79.7% employed, and 63.5% who engage in MPA, with a mean age of 44 (±11) years. A larger proportion of women reported feeling at risk for HD than not. Black women were more likely than White women to report feeling at risk for HD (41.8% vs 31.9%), and employed women were more likely to report perceived risk for HD compared to unemployed women (78.1% vs 21.9%). However, there was no statistically significant difference in perceived risk for HD between women who engage in MPA and those who do not (p = 0.18). Conclusion: Our findings align with previous research on the relationship between physical activity and HD risk perception, but no significant association was observed between MPA and perceived risk for HD in this sample. However, proportionately, a greater number of women who reported engagement in MPA noted less perceived risk for HD. Future studies should explore additional factors influencing women's perception of HD risk and include larger epidemiological cohorts to better detect potential differences in risk perception between women who engage in MPA and those who do not.

Abstract P2069: Racial Differences in the Impact of Elevated Systolic Blood Pressure on Incident Cognitive Impairment (ICI) Risk: The REGARDS Study

Introduction: The number of adults living with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) is projected to double by 2050. Black Americans have one of the highest rates of hypertension of any racial/ethnic group in the world, which is a known risk factor for cognitive impairment. Hypothesis: Elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) is a more potent risk factor for Incident Cognitive Impairment (ICI) in self-identified Black than White adults. Methods: REGARDS is a bi-racial cohort study initiated in 2003. 30,239 Black and White participants were enrolled from the contiguous US with oversampling in the “Stroke Belt”, a group of southeastern states known for higher rates of stroke. The present study included 14,938 REGARDS participants without cognitive impairment or stroke at baseline. ICI was evaluated during follow-up using both an Enhanced Cognitive Battery (ECB) consisting of four modified instruments adapted from the MoCA and CERAD, and a Six Item Screener (SIS) consisting of 3 temporal orientation questions and 3 delayed recall items. Participants were considered impaired if they scored ≥1.5 SD below their expected score for their age/sex group for at least 3 of the four ECB tests, or scored <4 once and <5 twice on the SIS. SBP was assessed at baseline and modeled as a per 10 mmHg increase. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess associations between ICI and increases in SBP. Model 1 adjusted for age, sex, region, and antihypertensive medication use. Model 2 included Model 1 plus diabetes, history of cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, BMI, smoking status, alcohol use, income, and education. We tested for a race-by-SBP interaction term (p interaction <0.10) and presented race-stratified results based on the a priori hypothesis. Results: There were 1263 ICI cases over an average follow-up time of 12.0 years (778 in White and 485 in Black participants). In Model 1, the hazard ratio (HR) for ICI per 10 mmHg higher SBP was 1.09 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03, 1.22). There was no significant difference in the association of SBP between Black and White adults (race-by-SBP interaction p-value= 0.21). The HR for ICI per 10 mmHg higher SBP was 1.12 (95% CI: 1.06,1.30) for Black adults and 1.07 (95% CI: 1.04, 1.19) for White adults (Model 1). Results were similar in Model 2. Conclusions: Higher SBP was associated with an increased risk of ICI. This association did not differ by race.

Estimation of groundwater storage loss using surface–subsurface hydrologic modeling in an irrigated agricultural region

Abstract In the Mississippi alluvial plain (MAP) area, the demand for groundwater resources from the alluvial aquifer for agricultural irrigation has led to significant reductions in groundwater-level elevation over time. In this study, we use the hydrologic model SWAT + to quantify long-term changes in groundwater storage within the MAP in United States, wherein groundwater is used extensively for irrigation. We apply a linear quantile regression method to perform trend analysis for wet, dry, and average conditions for the 1982–2020 period. The SWAT + model uses the gwflow module to simulate groundwater storage and groundwater-surface water interactions in a physically based spatially distributed manner, with groundwater pumping linked to field-based irrigation demand. Results indicate significant trends in storage and groundwater fluxes. In wet conditions, significant decline trends are noted in groundwater head (–18.0 mm/yr.) and groundwater evapotranspiration (–0.7 mm/yr.). Under dry conditions, trends are in groundwater head (–28.0 mm/yr.), recharge (–5.5 mm/yr.), and groundwater discharge (–5.5 mm/yr.). For average conditions, decreases include groundwater head (–20.6 mm/yr.), recharge (–6 mm/yr.), and groundwater discharge (–9.3 mm/yr.). This underscores the significance of local management solutions.

Abstract P1132: The long-term risk of knee and hip joint replacements attributable to overweight and obesity in the community: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

Background: The number of joint replacements due to osteoarthritis has grown recently, likely reflecting the obesity epidemic, demanding substantial medical expenditure (over $20 billion for knee and hip replacements). However, data on joint-specific replacements attributable to overweight/obesity and their lifetime risk are limited. Methods: In 15,287 ARIC study participants (age 45-64 years) at visit 1 (1987-89), we assessed the association of body mass index (BMI) at mid-life with knee/hip joint replacements due to osteoarthritis based on discharge diagnosis using multivariable Cox models. We calculated a population-attributable fraction for BMI ≥25 kg/m 2 . We also estimated the residual lifetime risk from age 50 through 95 years, accounting for the competing risk of death. Results: Over a median follow-up of 25.4 years, 1,874 participants (12%) underwent osteoarthritis-related knee or hip replacements (1,380 and 699 cases, respectively). In adjusted Cox models, participants with obesity (BMI ≥30.0 kg/m 2 ) and overweight (25.0-29.9 kg/m 2 ) had a 4- and 2-fold higher risk of joint replacements compared to participants with normal weight (<25.0 kg/m 2 ). The association was stronger for knee vs. hip replacements (hazard ratios 4.58 [95% CI 3.85, 5.44] vs. 2.40 [1.87, 3.07] for BMI 30+ kg/m 2 compared to <25 kg/m 2 ). 47% of knee/hip replacements were attributed to overweight and obesity. The residual risk of osteoarthritis-related joint replacements after age of 50 was highest in White women (17%), followed by Black women (12%), White men (11%), and Black men (4%). The residual lifetime risk within the same race and sex varied by ~2-fold according to obesity status (e.g., White women with obesity vs. normal weight: 25% vs. 12%) ( Figure ). Conclusions: Obesity and overweight are attributed to half of knee and hip replacements, and one in five to ten Whites and Blacks with obesity/overweight require joint replacements after age 50. Our findings emphasize the importance of weight management, such as increased physical activity.

Abstract P1163: Reproductive Risk Factors and Burden of Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome among Young Women

Objective Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) syndrome describes the intersection between cardiovascular disease (CVD), kidney disease, and metabolic disorders. Little is known about reproductive risk factors, known to be associated with long-term CVD, and CKM syndrome. Our objective was to quantify the associations of reproductive risk factors with CKM syndrome prevalence and severity. Methods: We conducted a weighted cross-sectional analysis of non-pregnant women from ages 20-49 years in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013 to 2020). We calculated the prevalence of CKM syndrome stage overall and by the following self-reported reproductive risk factors: early menstruation, infertility, large for gestational age neonate, parity > 5, and history of gestational diabetes. We used logistic regression to estimate age-adjusted associations between the reproductive risk factors and CKM syndrome stages > 2 vs. stages 1 or 0. Results: Reproductive risk factors were common with 40% (95% CI: 37%, 42%) of women reporting the presence of at least one factor. Overall, 55% (95% CI: 53%, 57%) of reproductive-aged women were in stage > 2, and women with a history of adverse reproductive risk factors were more likely to be in higher CKM stages (Figure 1A). The presence of each reproductive risk factor was associated with a higher prevalence of CKM stage > 2 vs. stage 1 or 0, with the strongest associations observed for parity > 5 and history of gestational diabetes (Figure 1B). Conclusion: Reproductive risk factors were strongly associated with prevalent CKM syndrome among young women. Incorporating reproductive risk factors into clinical prediction equations may ultimately improve risk stratification for CVD among young women.

The efficacy of online extensive reading among university students and the relationship between affective variables and english reading comprehension

Abstract Online extensive reading has been shown to improve English reading comprehension and related motivational factors. However, few studies have examined the structural relationship between affective variables and reading comprehension in this platform. Thus, this study designed an online extensive reading program to examine this relationship and the affective behavior of a sample of university students. Clustered random sampling was used to select two experimental groups (N = 120, N = 130) and a control group (N = 100), who were requested to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language reading comprehension pre-and post-tests and complete online surveys about self-beliefs, reading motivation, and English reading behavior. Based on the findings, the experimental groups significantly outperformed the control group in reading comprehension. Meanwhile, reading self-efficacy predicted intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, but self-concept only predicted extrinsic drive. Although there was no correlation between extrinsic or intrinsic motivation and English reading comprehension, only the latter mediated self-efficacy with English reading behavior. Surprisingly, reading behavior did not mediate intrinsic motivation and reading comprehension. The findings imply that internal motivation and reading behavior cannot guarantee students’ reading comprehension achievement.

Abstract 017: Investigating 24-hour Activity Profiles and Incident CVD and CVD Mortality in Older Women

Background: Activities throughout the 24-hour day, including sleep, physical activity, and sedentary time, are independently linked with cardiovascular health. However, these behaviors are dynamic and interrelated, and few studies have collectively examined their relations with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Our objective was to examine associations between waist-worn accelerometer-measured 24-hour activity and incident CVD and CVD mortality in a multiethnic cohort of older women. Methods: Women (n=3,897; mean age: 78.5 years, 33% African American, 17% Hispanic/Latino) enrolled in the Women’s Health Initiative OPACH (Objective Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health) study wore an Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometer for 7 days in 2012-2014 and were followed through February 2024 for physician-adjudicated incident CVD (non-fatal or fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal or fatal stroke, or death attributable to any CVD) and CVD mortality. Estimates of sleep duration, wake after sleep onset (WASO), light physical activity, moderate to vigorous physical activity, and sedentary time were scaled to 24-hours and treated as proportions of the 24-hour day. Mixture model-based clustering identified clusters of 24-hour activity behaviors. Bayesian information criterion was used to select the optimal cluster number (1–9). Women with prevalent CVD were excluded from analyses (n=348). We used Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) relating 24-hour activity profile clusters with CVD and CVD mortality. Models were adjusted for demographics, multimorbidity, and CVD risk factors. Results: Over a median follow-up of 9.8 years, 774 incident CVD cases occurred, including 515 CVD deaths. Clustering analyses identified five 24-hour activity profiles ( Figure 1A ). In models adjusted for demographics, 24-hour activity profiles characterized by longer sleep, less physical activity, and greater sedentary time were associated with increased risk of CVD (Profile 2: HR: 2.02; 95% CI: 1.27, 3.21) and CVD mortality ( Figure 1B ). After adjustment for multimorbidity and CVD risk factors, the HR (95% CI) was 1.59 (1.00, 2.54) for CVD and 2.30 (1.28, 4.15) for CVD mortality. Conclusions: In older women, 24-hour activity profiles that include poor sleep, low physical activity, and high sedentary time increase risk of CVD and CVD mortality. Results from novel 24-hour analyses may highlight new lifestyle strategies for CVD prevention.

Abstract P1008: A blood biomarker of accelerated aging associates with cardiometabolic biomarkers in response to weight-loss dietary interventions

Introduction: Weight-loss diets have shown protective effects on biological aging and cardiometabolic health. A novel epigenetic aging measure, DunedinPACE, is associated with cardiometabolic disorders. Studies examining the associations between DunedinPACE and cardiometabolic biomarkers in response to weight-loss dietary intervention are lacking. Hypothesis: Weight-loss dietary interventions may attenuate the associations between DunedinPACE and cardiometabolic biomarkers. Methods: We included 148 participants with obesity, who participated in a 12-month randomized weight-loss dietary intervention trial, the Study of Macronutrients and Heart Disease Risk (MACRO) trial. DunedinPACE was calculated by llumina EPIC array DNA methylation data from blood, reflecting biological aging at pre-intervention baseline, and pro-intervention 3- and 12-month follow-up. Generalized linear regression models and mixed effect models were used to assess the association between DunedinPACE and cardiometabolic biomarkers. A two-tailed P value of <0.004 (0.05/12) was considered statistically significant after Bonferroni correction. Results: Prior to dietary intervention, every 10% higher DunedinPACE was significantly associated with worse levels of insulin (β: 0.202; standard error [SE]: 0.043; P<0.001), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (β: 0.170; SE: 0.037; P<0.001), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (β: -0.059; SE: 0.019; P=0.003), adiponectin (β: -0.153; SE: 0.047; P=0.001), and C-reactive protein (β: 0.172; SE: 0.055; P=0.002), adjusting for age, sex, race, and body mass index ( Table ). In response to weight-loss dietary interventions, most associations between DunedinPACE and cardiometabolic biomarkers were attenuated to insignificant levels (P>0.004), except for C-reactive protein (β: 0.205; SE: 0.045; P<0.001) and Ghrelin (β: -0.076; SE: 0.020; P<0.001). Conclusions: Our findings indicate that DunedinPACE was associated with worse cardiometabolic biomarkers in obese people, while weight-loss dietary interventions might have beneficial effects in attenuating the associations.

Multiparasitism enables a specialist endoparasitoid to complete parasitism in an unsuitable host caterpillar

Abstract Parasitoid wasps serve as natural enemies of numerous insect species; therefore, knowledge of host-parasitoid interactions is fundamental for understanding ecosystems. Each endoparasitoid wasp taxon exhibits a specific host range. Female parasitoids, however, occasionally oviposit into non-host species. Since the survival probability of eggs in non-host species is virtually zero, these behaviors have long been considered maladaptive. However, in the present study, we found that eggs of a specialist parasitoid, Cotesia kariyai (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), oviposited in unsuitable host caterpillars, Mythimna loreyi (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), successfully complete larval development in the non-host when these caterpillars are simultaneously oviposited by another naturally sympatric parasitoid wasp, Meteorus pulchricornis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), for which My. loreyi is the usual host. This observation suggests that the seemingly maladaptive behavior of ovipositing in unsuitable host insects can be adaptive, allowing them to maintain reproductive potential in environments where their ordinary hosts are absent. We propose a new term, “pirate parasitism”, for this type of obligatory multiparasitism. Understanding detailed mechanisms of this phenomenon may provide deeper insights into parasitoid-host dynamics and evolution of host use strategies by parasitoids.

Abstract 013: Exploring Facilitators and Barriers for Personalized Dietary Incentives among Online Shoppers at Cardiovascular Risk and Key Informants to Inform an Automated Shopping Platform

The Smart Cart trial found that a personalized healthy food incentive platform (grocery incentives, education, &recipes) improved grocery purchase quality, especially among adults at cardiovascular risk. To maximize reach, it will be essential to automate the platform (Smart Cart 2.0) and to integrate stakeholder feedback before testing. This convergent, parallel mixed methods study identified facilitators and barriers to healthy eating and app acceptability and sustainability for online grocery shopping among adults at cardiovascular risk. Shoppers (age 18+, grocery shop online,&with obesity/hypertension, n=19) and key informants (health professionals, n=11) in the northeast were recruited. Shoppers completed a 20-min survey in Qualtrics and 45-min in-depth interview. Key informants completed 30-min in-depth interviews. Surveys queried sociodemographics, diet habits, and app acceptability; interview guides were developed with validated implementation science frameworks. Mock-up app images were sent before conducting Zoom-recorded interviews and participants shared experiences for themselves or their clients. Descriptive statistics were calculated with Stata; interviews were transcribed and dual-coded for thematic analysis with Atlas.ti. Shoppers were female (89%), White (63%), had a mean age of 38y; 32% were nutrition insecure. Primary barriers to healthy eating were money and time (26%), and most (55%) said health was their primary driver when shopping. There was high acceptability (>60%) for 4/5 app elements, and most wanted healthy recipes (90%). Four themes emerged from interviews:1) buying and consuming healthy foods consistently is hard- barriers related to food cost, meal planning, and tech and cultural literacy were common; 2) a one-stop shop for healthy meal planning would help -the benefits of personalized healthy recipes and ability to shop those recipes were often noted; 3) the app addresses shoppers’ short-term needs and the app’s functionality was a facilitator, and 4) some changes to the app would promote long-term sustainability. Key informants found ways the app could integrate within existing programs and how health outcome data would support app sustainability; both groups suggested new features like gamification. Smart Cart 2.0 addressed many barriers to healthy eating and app use, and participants were optimistic that it would support their diet goals. Feedback will be integrated into the app and tested in a mock shopping trial.

Abstract MP20: Evaluating Discrimination of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Prediction Models Among Diverse Socioeconomic Groups: the All of Us Cohort

Background: The American Heart Association Predicting Risk of cardiovascular disease EVENTs (AHA PREVENT) were introduced as an updated method to guide cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prediction. These equations included new CVD outcomes (e.g., heart failure) and performed well among diverse race groups. Given that many development and validation studies often include individuals of higher socioeconomic backgrounds, the generalizability of PREVENT provides further opportunities to evaluate its predictive ability in other diverse socioeconomic groups. Objective: To evaluate the generalizability of PREVENT on an ongoing diverse U.S. cohort by income and educational attainment. Methods: We analyzed PREVENT-eligible participants from the All of Us (AoU) Study, an ongoing longitudinal cohort study of individuals living in the U.S. (n = 4,924). We calculated the PREVENT risk scores for 5-years of follow-up for total CVD and atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD). We then examined the discriminatory ability of PREVENT for 5 years of follow up using Harrell’s C-Statistic for the full sample and by race, educational attainment, and annual income categories. Results: PREVENT Total CVD (C-statistic = 0.765), ASCVD (C-statistic = 0.736), and Heart Failure (C-statistic = 0.811) performed adequately in the examined AoU cohort (Table). For income, Total CVD performance was best among people who made $50k-100k (C-statistic = 0.874) and worse among people who made < $50k (C-statistic = 0.706). However, people who made > $100k had the largest uncertainty in equation performance (C-statistic = 0.713, 95% CI: 0.231-0.909). For education, total CVD performance was best among people with a college degree or higher (C-statistic = 0.821) and worse among people with a high school diploma or lower (C-statistic = 0.709). Conclusion: The AHA PREVENT equations showed continued robustness when applied to a diverse, ongoing national cohort and when stratified by educational attainment and annual income. While we show that PREVENT has good generalizability, the inconsistency for certain income and educational attainment groups highlights the need to recruit more socioeconomically diverse populations for cohort studies.

Temporal representation learning enhanced dynamic adversarial graph convolutional network for traffic flow prediction

Abstract MP72: Trajectories of Body Mass Index from Midlife to Late Life Preceding Incident Dementia: The Health and Retirement Study

Introduction: Midlife high body mass index (BMI) is a known risk factor for dementia, while late-life BMI shows inconsistent associations. Understanding BMI trajectories leading to dementia may aid in identifying risk and inform preventive interventions. However, BMI patterns in general U.S. populations remain underexplored. We aimed to estimate BMI trajectories from midlife to late life preceding dementia onset in a nationally representative U.S. sample. Hypothesis: Individuals who develop dementia have higher BMI levels decades before the onset of dementia, but experience lower BMI as they approach dementia onset, compared to those who do not develop dementia. Methods: A total of 12,368 individuals across midlife and late life (mean age: 71.9 years, 49% women) from the Health and Retirement Study were included in the analysis. BMI was calculated using self-reported weight and height. Incident dementia was defined using the established Langa-Weir Classification of Cognitive Function. BMI trajectories were examined prior to "Year 0," defined as the year of dementia onset for individuals with dementia, or the last wave before death, loss to follow-up, or the end of the study (2020). Linear mixed-effects models were used to estimate BMI over the up to 28 years preceding Year 0 (-28 to 0 years), with dementia as an indicator. The models were adjusted for age at Year 0, sex, education, birth cohort (Health and Retirement Study, born 1931-1941; War Baby, born 1942-1947; Early Baby Boomers, born 1948-1953) time, time squared, and interactions between time and time squared with age, sex, education, and dementia. Random effects were specified for intercept and slope. Results: Individuals with dementia (n = 1,817) had significantly higher BMI around a decade before the onset of dementia compared to those without dementia. However, starting 8 years before dementia onset, individuals with dementia had significantly lower BMI than those without dementia (Figure 1). Conclusions: A steep BMI decline near dementia onset may be an important early predictor of dementia.

Abstract 048: Effects of Replacing Solid Fats and Added Sugars with Avocado in Adults with Elevated Cardiometabolic Risk: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Limited high-quality evidence exists from randomized controlled trials on the impact of an avocado-containing diet on cardiometabolic risk factors. Objective: The purpose of this randomized, double-blind, outpatient, controlled feeding, crossover study (NCT04990817) in adults with increased cardiometabolic risk was to assess the effects of replacing energy from solid fats and added sugars with energy from one avocado on blood lipids and other indicators of cardiometabolic health. Methods: For two 3-week periods separated by a 2-week washout, 42 healthy adults with elevated triglycerides (TG, 135-499 mg/dL) consumed a typical American diet that included either one avocado (~180 g/day, ~300 kcal/day) or approximately 300 kcal/day from saturated fats and added sugars. The same study products (muffins, granola bites, dressing, salsa, marinade, pesto) delivered the avocado or control ingredients, and green food dye was added to the control study products to facilitate the double-blinding of the conditions. Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C, the primary outcome), other blood lipids, fasting and postprandial glucose, insulin and blood pressure were measured at baseline and at the end of each diet condition. Linear mixed models were used to generate estimates for the percent change in outcomes. Results: Of the 42 participants, 37 completed the avocado condition and 39 completed the control condition. An intention-to-treat analysis showed significantly greater percent changes from baseline during the avocado vs. control conditions for non-HDL-C: -4.6%, 95% CI -9.0, -0.1%, P=0.047; TG: -17.4%, 95% CI -25.0, -9.0%, P<0.001; and total cholesterol:HDL-C ratio: -6.6%, -95% CI -12.0, -0.8%, P=0.028. Total cholesterol change from baseline during the avocado vs. control condition was: -3.1%, 95% CI -6.3, 0.1%, P=0.060. Other blood lipids, fasting and postprandial glucose, insulin and blood pressure did not significantly differ (P>0.1). Conclusions: Replacing solid fats and added sugars in the typical American diet with avocado improves the lipoprotein lipid profile in adults with elevated triglycerides.

Exploring tubulin-paclitaxel binding modes through extensive molecular dynamics simulations

Abstract P1121: Late-Life Physical Activity and Brain Imaging and Plasma Biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology, Cerebrovascular Disease, and Neurodegeneration: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Neurocognitive (ARIC-NCS) Study

Introduction: Physical activity (PA) has been identified as a protective factor for dementia, but the mechanisms linking PA to brain health are unclear. To elucidate potential pathways linking PA to brain health, we tested the hypothesis that higher levels of late-life PA are associated with a lower burden of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology, cerebrovascular disease, and neurodegeneration measured through brain imaging and plasma biomarkers. Methods: ARIC-NCS participants without dementia in 2011-13 and with measures of PA, 3T brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and stored plasma samples were examined (n=1,771; mean age: 76.5 years; 40.5% male; 27.6% Black). Participants were classified as meeting or not meeting 2018 aerobic PA guidelines based on a standardized interviewer-administered questionnaire. MRI biomarkers included white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume (cm 3 ), total brain volume (TBV) (cm 3 ), and cortical thickness (CT) (mm). Plasma biomarkers of the ratio of amyloid beta 42 to 40 (Aβ42/Aβ40), phosphorylated Tau-181 (p-Tau181), neurofilament light chain (NfL), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were measured using Quanterix Simoa immunoassays. All biomarkers were standardized to measures in 2011-13 to facilitate comparisons. Covariate-adjusted linear regression models estimated cross-sectional associations of PA with MRI or plasma biomarkers. Covariate-adjusted linear mixed effects models quantified associations of PA with the 5-year rate of change in a subset of participants with MRI (n=669) or plasma (n=651) biomarkers at both baseline and follow-up from 2011-19 (median follow-up: 5.4 years). Results: Meeting versus not meeting aerobic PA guidelines was cross-sectionally associated with lower volumes of WMH (β = -0.16, 95% CI: -0.25, -0.07), higher TBV (β = 0.09; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.13), and lower plasma NfL (β = -0.102, 95% CI: -0.184, -0.021) ( Figure ). Late-life PA was not associated with 5-year rates of change in MRI or plasma biomarkers. Conclusions: Late-life PA was cross-sectionally associated with less neurodegeneration and cerebrovascular disease. Associations with 5-year changes in imaging and plasma biomarkers of AD pathology, cerebrovascular disease, or neurodegeneration were not statistically supported. Longitudinal biomarker studies with wearable devices that quantify other daily intensity-based movement metrics (e.g., light PA) and larger sample sizes are needed to further examine mechanisms linking PA to brain health.

Abstract P2007: Factors Associated with Gender Differences in Absolute Cardiovascular Risk Sore among Midlife and Elderly Kenyans

Background: About 80% of the global burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is in developing countries that are also struggling with a high burden of communicable diseases. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), CVD is projected to be the leading cause of mortality by 2030. Yet, only a few studies have employed evidence-based CVD screening strategies, and little is known about the distribution and key drivers of cardiovascular risk in the region. In this study, we computed the absolute CVD risk score and examined the associated demographic and lifestyle risk factors in a sample of rural community-dwelling midlife and elderly Kenyans. Methods: CVD risk factors including smoking status, alcohol use and medical history were self-reported through structured questionnaires. Physical activity objectively measured using Omron pedometers. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were measured using CDC-BRFSS protocols. The non-lab-based Framingham algorithm was used to compute the absolute CVD risk scores. Chi-square and t-test were used to evaluate gender-specific differences (categorical and continuous variables respectively. Results: The sample (N=102; 57.8% female; mean age 59.8±7.3 yrs) was predominantly highly active (9,737±6,357 steps/day), with a 47% prevalence of hypertension (no gender differences). Compared to men, women were younger (57.1 vs. 63.7 yrs; p<.001) with higher BMI (29.2 vs 24.8 kg/m 2 ) and prevalence of central obesity (84.8 vs 18.6%). However, they had lower SBP (129.3 vs 138.3 mmHg; p=0.032) and did not smoke (0.0 vs 11.6%; p=.012). Overall, 34.3% of the sample was at high risk of CVD (risk score ≥20%), but women had a lower CVD risk profile compared to men (CVD risk score of 9.7 vs 28.1%; p<.001). Conclusions: Blood pressure control and smoking could partially explain gender differences in CVD risk burden. The data also suggests that individuals with obesity may have their CVD risk mitigated by an active lifestyle and optimal blood pressure control.

Diffractive lenses for neutron techniques

Abstract Many neutron techniques can greatly benefit from enhanced neutron lenses for focusing and imaging. In this work, we revisit the potential of diffractive optics for neutron beams, building on advanced high-resolution nano-lithography techniques developed for the fabrication of X-ray diffractive optics used at synchrotron facilities. We demonstrate state-of-the-art fabrication of nickel and silicon Fresnel zone plates and we report proof-of-concept experiments for full-field neutron microscopy and small angle neutron scattering. The advancement of neutron diffractive optics will open new opportunities for neutron techniques, improving both the efficiency and resolution of existing instruments.

Abstract P3139: Healthcare Services Utilization Is Associated With Depression Among College Students

Increasing mental health and well-being concerns among college students should be addressed by appropriate healthcare services utilization (HSU). This study examines the relationship between HSU and depression among undergraduate students at a large southeastern university. We hypothesized that students with increasing depression scores, poor or fair health status, and female gender would have higher HSU. Students in this cross-sectional study completed a self-reported health survey including depression via Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), HSU, and other characteristics. Logistic regression was used to independently examine the association between outcomes including healthcare and mental HSU, within the past 3 and 12 months, with and without hospitalization. Predictor variables included depression, overall health, and sociodemographic characteristics. Of the 505 students, the mean depression score was 5.2, indicating mild depression, 378 (74.8%) identified as female, 281 (55.8%) reported a “good” health status. Healthcare services were utilized by 78 (16.6%) in the past 3 months and 26 (5.5%) reported hospitalization in the past 12 months. Mental healthcare services were used by 51 (13.7%) in the past 3 months and 15 (3.2%) reported being hospitalized for mental health in the past 12 months. In covariate-adjusted models, the odds of HSU in the past 3 months increased by 17% per unit increase in depression [OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.23]. The odds of hospitalization in the past 12 months increased by 8% per unit increase in depression [OR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.16], and decreased by 74% for those with “good” health compared to “poor or fair” health [OR: 0.26, 95% CI: 0.09, 0.69]. The odds of mental HSU in the past 3 months increased by 16% per unit increase in depression [OR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.23], and the odds for females were 3.47 times the odds of males [OR: 3.47, 95% CI: 1.30, 12.1]. The odds of mental hospitalization in the past 12 months increased by 12% per unit increase in depression [OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.21]. In conclusion, depression was the most prominent predictor of HSU across all outcomes. Students who reported “good” overall health were less likely to be hospitalized in the past 12 months and females were more likely than males to use mental healthcare services in the past 3 months. Comprehensive healthcare assessments are needed to aid in early identification and treatment of health conditions to promote better overall health.