Joseph M. Caswell

Simulated sudden increase in geomagnetic activity and its effect on heart rate variability: Experimental verification of correlation studies

Previous research investigating the potential influence of geomagnetic factors on human cardiovascular state has tended to converge upon similar inferences although the results remain relatively controversial. Furthermore, previous findings have remained essentially correlational without accompanying experimental verification. An exception to this was noted for human brain activity in a previous study employing experimental simulation of sudden geomagnetic impulses in order to assess correlational results that had demonstrated a relationship between geomagnetic perturbations and neuroelectrical parameters. The present study employed the same equipment in a similar procedure in order to validate previous findings of a geomagnetic-cardiovascular dynamic with electrocardiography and heart rate variability measures. Results indicated that potential magnetic field effects on frequency components of heart rate variability tended to overlap with previous correlational studies where low frequency power and the ratio between low and high frequency components of heart rate variability appeared affected. In the present study, a significant increase in these particular parameters was noted during geomagnetic simulation compared to baseline recordings.

Annual incidence of mortality related to hypertensive disease in Canada and associations with heliophysical parameters

Increasing research into heliobiology and related fields has revealed a myriad of potential relationships between space weather factors and terrestrial biology. Additionally, many studies have indicated cyclicity in incidence of various diseases along with many aspects of cardiovascular function. The current study examined annual mortality associated with hypertensive diseases in Canada from 1979 to 2009 for periodicities and linear relationships with a range of heliophysical parameters. Analyses indicated a number of significant lagged correlations between space weather and hypertensive mortality, with solar wind plasma beta identified as the likely source of these relationships. Similar periodicities were observed for geomagnetic activity and hypertensive mortality. A significant rhythm was revealed for hypertensive mortality centered on a 9.6-year cycle length, while geomagnetic activity was fit with a 10.1-year cycle. Cross-correlograms of mortality with space weather demonstrated a 10.67-year periodicity coinciding with the average 10.6-year solar cycle length for the time period examined. Further quantification and potential implications are discussed.

Prevalence of reported high blood pressure in Canada: investigation of demographic and spatial trends

AimTo investigate recent demographic and spatial trends of self-reported high blood pressure in Canada, including influence of age, gender, and household income, as well as the identification of global spatial autocorrelations and local spatial clustering within gender/income groups.Subject and methodsData were acquired from the Canadian Community Health Survey 2014 annual component and analyzed using both categorical response variables and age-standardized prevalence estimates. Inferential statistical procedures were assessed along with exploratory spatial statistics at the health region scale.ResultsAll demographic variables contributed to reports of high blood pressure. Significant differences between genders and income quintiles were observed with a linear decrease in high blood pressure with increased household income for females, whereas income gradation was nonlinear for males. Local spatial clustering of high rates was observed, particularly in the eastern provinces. Income dependence on spatial parameters was found to vary by gender.ConclusionBoth spatial and non-spatial analyses outline specific cross-sections of the Canadian population that may be at high risk for developing additional cardiovascular health issues related to hypertension. Spatial results demonstrate specific health regions that may be in greater need of public health efforts toward promoting cardiovascular fitness that are tailored to particular regional and cross-sectional requirements.

Congruence of Coherence Peaks of Daily Geomagnetic Activity and Total Earthquakes with Mintaka's (Orion's Belt) 5.7 Day Periodicity: Potential Implications for Astrobiology

A single strong frequency-dependence was revealed by cross-spectral analysis between daily geomagnetic activity and total numbers of daily earthquakes between 2009 through 2013 that exhibited a 5.7 day cycle. We examined the potential for association with Mintakas double star orbital periodicity of 5.73 days. Calculations of gravitational force and equivalent energies between the earth and Mintaka as well as the variations with orbital periodicity indicated reliable radiant flux densities upon the terrestrial surface in the order of 10 -11 W·m -2 . This is within the same order of magnitude as background photon emissions whose increase occurs conspicuously before major earthquakes and are related to geomagnetic activity. This magnitude of power has recently been measured from preparations of brain tissue and from human cerebrums while subjects sat in hyper-dark settings and engaged in imagination. The power density also matches the gravitational energy within a human brain mass from empirical measurements of the variation in G. The convergence of quantitative solutions suggests that shared periodicities from some very distant stellar objects may affect terrestrial processes assuming the power densities are congruent.

Simple Binary Prediction of Daily Storm-Level Geomagnetic Activity with Solar Winds and Potential Relevance for Cerebral Function

A number of previous studies have examined various statistical methods for the prediction of geomagnetic activity, particularly based on predictor input of solar wind variables. However, investigation of the potential for a simple binary prediction system based on either “quiet” or stormlevel activity of the planetary magnetic field has been severely lacking. The goals of the current analyses were to identify potential space weather models for the accurate prediction of geomagnetic storm events. Furthermore, while the deleterious or negative effects of increases in geomagnetic activity on a range of terrestrial systems have been focused on in the past, theoretical perspectives on the potential benefits of significantly increased geomagnetic perturbations are considered.