Using Ramsey theory to measure unavoidable spurious correlations in Big Data

Given a dataset we quantify how many patterns must always exist in the dataset. Formally this is done through the lens of Ramsey theory of graphs, and a quantitative bound known as Goodman's theorem. Combining statistical tools with Ramsey theory of graphs gives a nuanced understanding of how far away a dataset is from random, and what qualifies as a meaningful pattern. This method is applied to a dataset of repeated voters in the 1984 US congress, to quantify how homogeneous a subset of congressional voters is. We also measure how transitive a subset of voters is. Statistical Ramsey theory is also used with global economic trading data to provide evidence that global markets are quite transitive.Comment: 21 page

Validating the Fitbit Charge 4© wearable activity monitor for use in physical activity interventions

OBJECTIVES: Commercially available wearable activity monitors can promote physical activity behaviour. Clinical trials typically quantify physical activity with research grade activity monitors prior to testing interventions utilising commercially available wearable activity monitors aimed at increasing step count. Therefore, it is important to test the agreement of these two types of activity monitors.OBJECTIVES: Observational.METHODS: Thirty adults (20-65 years, n = 19 females) were provided a Fitbit Charge 4©. To determine reliability using an intraclass correlation coefficient, two, one-minute bouts of treadmill walking were performed at a self-selected pace. Subsequently, participants wore both an ActiGraph wGT3X-BT and the Fitbit for seven days. To determine agreement, statistical equivalence and the mean absolute percentage error were calculated and represented graphically with a Bland-Altman plot. Ordinary least products regression was performed to identify fixed or proportional bias.RESULTS: The Fitbit showed 'good' step count reliability on the treadmill (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.75, 95 % CI = 0.53-0.87, p &lt; 0.001). In free-living however, it overestimated step count when compared to the ActiGraph wGT3X-BT (mean absolute percentage error = 26.02 % ± 14.63). Measurements did not fall within the ± 10 % equivalence region and proportional bias was apparent (slope 95 % CI = 1.09-1.35).CONCLUSIONS: The Fitbit Charge 4© is reliable when measuring step count on a treadmill. However, there is an overestimation of daily steps in free-living environments which may falsely indicate compliance with physical activity recommendations.</p

Safety of home-based exercise for people with intermittent claudication:A systematic review

Intermittent claudication (IC) is a classic symptom of peripheral artery disease, with first line treatment being supervised exercise therapy (SET). Despite this, SET is frequently underutilised, and adherence is often poor. An alternative option are home-based exercise programmes (HBEP). Although HBEPs are well tolerated, to the authors’ knowledge, no research has assessed their safety. The aim of this review was to assess the safety of HBEPs in people living with IC. We performed an electronic search of the MEDLINE, CINHAL and Cochrane Library databases. The main parameter of interest was complication rate, calculated as the number of related adverse events per patient-hours. Sub-analysis was undertaken to determine differences in safety for studies that did and did not include pre-exercise cardiac screening, and for studies with exercise at low, moderate and high levels of claudication pain. Our search strategy identified 8693 results, of which 27 studies were included for full review. Studies included 1642 participants completing 147,810 patient-hours of home-based exercise. Four related adverse events were reported, three of which were cardiac in origin, giving an all cause complication rate of one event per 36,953 patient-hours. Three of these events occurred following exercise to high levels of claudication pain, and one occurred with pain-free exercise. All four events occurred in studies without cardiac screening. Based on the low number of related adverse events, HBEPs appear to be a safe method of exercise prescription for people with IC. Our results strengthen the rationale for providing alternative exercise options for this population. PROSPERO registration: CRD4202125458

Home-based Circuit Training and Community Walking for Intermittent Claudication

Background: Supervised exercise training is recommended for people with peripheral artery disease (PAD), yet it remains underutilized. Home-based exercise programs (HBEPs) are a potential alternative. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of conducting a full scale trial of a 12-week HBEP for people living with symptomatic PAD. Methods: In a randomized feasibility trial, patients with intermittent claudication were allocated to either an HBEP or a nonexercise control. The HBEP group was given a Fitbit to use during a 12-week exercise program comprising of personalized step goals and a resistance-based circuit to be undertaken at home twice weekly. The primary outcome was feasibility, assessed via eligibility, recruitment, attrition, tolerability, and adherence. Acceptability was assessed via semistructured interviews. Secondary analysis was undertaken to determine the feasibility of collecting clinical outcome data. Results: 188 people were screened, 133 were eligible (70.7%), 30 were recruited (22.6%) and one withdrew (3.33%). Mean adherence to the daily step goal was 53.5% (range = 29.8–90.5%), and 58.6% of prescribed circuits were completed of which 56.4% were at the desired intensity. Six adverse events were recorded, 3 of which were related to study involvement. No significant differences were observed in exploratory outcomes. Small clinically important differences were seen in walking speed and pain-free treadmill walking distance which should be confirmed or refuted in a larger trial. Conclusions: The HBEP was feasible and well tolerated, with successful recruitment and minimal attrition. The intervention was acceptable, with walking seen as more enjoyable than circuit exercise. The WALKSTRONG program may be suitable for those who will not, or cannot, take part in supervised exercise outside of the home.</p

“It's put a routine and regimen in my life” – Participant experiences with a programme of community walking and home-based circuit training for intermittent claudication

Introduction: The WALKSTRONG trial includes a programme of community walking and home-based circuit training which has been developed for people with intermittent claudication (IC). The aim of the present study was to determine the acceptability of the programme for those who took part, by gleaning their opinions and experiences. Methods: All participants eligible for the WALKSTRONG trial were approached regarding completing a semi-structured interview, selected from three groups: A) programme completers, B) programme withdrawers and C) programme decliners. Interviewers were interested in participants’ views on the programme structure, willingness to participate, and the experiences of those who did take part. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was undertaken. Results: Five of the 14 participants in the intervention group and four of the 20 programme decliners agreed to an interview. The one who withdrew from the exercise programme did not consent to be interviewed. The three themes that emerged from the interviews were: 1) ‘overall positive experiences with the programme, 2) ‘importance of guidance and pain management’, and 3) ‘barriers are both similar to supervised exercise and unique to home-based programmes’. The programme was well received by programme completers, with some aspects preferred over others. Some participants reported improvements in both physical activity behaviour and IC symptoms, and would recommend the programme to others. Conclusion: The home-based circuit programme received several recommendations for further improvement. Along with the feasibility findings, a fully powered, randomised controlled trial of this intervention is warranted. Trial registration: NCT05059899.</p

“It's put a routine and regimen in my life” – Participant experiences with a programme of community walking and home-based circuit training for intermittent claudication

Introduction: The WALKSTRONG trial includes a programme of community walking and home-based circuit training which has been developed for people with intermittent claudication (IC). The aim of the present study was to determine the acceptability of the programme for those who took part, by gleaning their opinions and experiences.Methods: All participants eligible for the WALKSTRONG trial were approached regarding completing a semi-structured interview, selected from three groups: A) programme completers, B) programme withdrawers and C) programme decliners. Interviewers were interested in participants’ views on the programme structure, willingness to participate, and the experiences of those who did take part. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was undertaken.Results: Five of the 14 participants in the intervention group and four of the 20 programme decliners agreed to an interview. The one who withdrew from the exercise programme did not consent to be interviewed. The three themes that emerged from the interviews were: 1) ‘overall positive experiences with the programme, 2) ‘importance of guidance and pain management’, and 3) ‘barriers are both similar to supervised exercise and unique to home-based programmes’. The programme was well received by programme completers, with some aspects preferred over others. Some participants reported improvements in both physical activity behaviour and IC symptoms, and would recommend the programme to others.Conclusion: The home-based circuit programme received several recommendations for further improvement. Along with the feasibility findings, a fully powered, randomised controlled trial of this intervention is warrante

Is It Really Home-Based?:A Commentary on the Necessity for Accurate Definitions across Exercise and Physical Activity Programmes

Background: There is wide discrepancy in how published research defines and reports home-based exercise programmes. Studies consisting of fundamentally different designs have been labelled as home-based, making searching for relevant literature challenging and time consuming. This issue has been further highlighted by an increased demand for these programmes following the COVID-19 pandemic and associated government-imposed lockdowns. Purpose: To examine what specifically constitutes home-based exercise by: 1) developing definitions for a range of terms used when reporting exercise and physical activity programmes and 2) providing examples to contextualise these definitions for use when reporting exercise and physical activity programmes. Methods: A literature search was undertaken to identify previous attempts to define home-based exercise programmes. A working document, including initial definitions and examples were developed, which were then discussed between six experts for further refinement. Results: We generated definitions for universal key terms within three domains (and subdomains) of programme design: location (home-based, community/centre-based, or clinical setting), prescription (structured or unstructured) and delivery (supervised, facilitated, or unsupervised). Examples for possible combinations of design terms were produced. Conclusions: Definitions will provide consistency when using reporting tools and the intention is to discuss the issues presented as part of a Delphi study. This is of paramount importance due to the predicted increase in emerging research regarding home-based exercise

Prospectus, February 10, 1982

LOCAL LEADERS URGE ERA CHANGES; Severe winter causes hassle for Urbana Mayor Markland; Cartoonist tells how men, women, differ; Disney succeeds with \u27Night Crossing\u27; Chanute schedules events; Here\u27s place to eat for hungry; Cavaliers end Cobra streak; Blacker leads women to victory; How do I love thee?: Buy your honey one of these gifts; Ice biggest problem for airport managers; PC happenings...: Ski club selling pizza, Party to honor Susan B. Anthony, Insurance deadline is Feb. 12; Classifieds; Area entertainment...https://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_1982/1029/thumbnail.jp

Prospectus, February 17, 1982

SECRETARY OF STATE TO VISIT PARKLAND; MTD sets new ridership record; News In Brief; StuGo amendment passes; StuGo members elected; Testing for GED offered; Editor hates to put out 4-page paper; Lab causes inconvenience; Lady Cobras roll on, add to winning streak; Drink or drive--but not both; Behind the glitter...: Meet Ice Capades people; PC happenings...: Tax laws discussed, PC hosts math contest, Series deals with mothers; Ice Capades present unique extravaganza; Classifiedshttps://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_1982/1028/thumbnail.jp