Coherence between Solar Activity and Circadian Rythm

1
Coherence between Solar Activity and Circadian
Rythm
2
Setting the Stage

• Russian Study in 2003
• Soviet Union released hospital records of
  myocardial infractions, there was an unusual
  number of peaks that coincided with solar
  storms.
• Recent work in chronobiology looking for
  coherence
• Dr. Halberg, the known as one of the fathers of
  chronomics and circadian rhythm studies

3
Introduction

• Circadian Rhythm Cycles in blood pressure,
  temperature, hormones
• 24 hour clock
• Space Weather
• Solar Wind
• Solar Flares, Coronal Mass Ejections (CME's)

4
Circadian Rhythm

• Organisms have evolved to co-ordinate their
  activities with the day-night cycle caused by
  caused by the Earth's rotation
• "Circadian" rhythms ('circa'-about, 'dies'-a day)
  are the result of the best-characterised of these
  biological clocks, which times events that occur
  once per day.
• regulates many aspects of metabolism, physiology
  and behaviour, in humans and other organisms

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Solar Flares and CME's

• Solar flares occurs when magnetic energy builtup
  in the sun is released
• All particles are heated and accelerated
• Coronal mass ejections are huge bubbles of gas
  threaded with magnetic field lines that are
  ejected from the Sun over the course of several
  hours
• Often associated with solar flares but can be
  also be separate

6
Solar Wind

• The solar wind streams off of the Sun in all
  directions at speeds of about 400 km/s (about 1
  million miles per hour).
• The source of the solar wind is the Sun's hot
  corona. The temperature of the corona is so high
  that the Sun's gravity cannot hold on to it.

7
Instrumentation Aspect

• Measurement/ Data Collection
• Data Conditioning
• Information Extraction
• Information Interpretation
• Knowledge/Presentation

8
Measurement/Data Collection

• Data collection by Dr. Halberg, every ½ hour when
  possible during September 2005
• Other data collection/data measurement will be on
  solar activity measured data by satellites
• Original plot below

9
Data Conditioning

• Measuring device for blood pressure automatically
  detects readings of error
• Satellite data also has flag for bad data
• Statistically estimating coherence by ?(f)
• Account for 24 hour circadian rhythm by averaging
  daily blood pressure, graph below

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Information Extraction

• Comparing the following graphs we see an amazing
  comparison even in the 30 day period. The
  likeness should also be shown statistically by
  calculating the coherence.

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Information Knowledge/Presentation

• We have shown that there is a closer coherence
  between changes in the earth's aurora and blood
  pressure/circadian rhythm.
• subject could get more attention, possibility of
  grants and further research in both astrophysics
  and biomedical fields
• franzhalberg.com, coming soon for a place of
  collaberation for all the Halberg Chronobiology
  Lab studies furthering chronomics research

12
Ethics

• Respect for Autonomy My action does not impinge
  on any individual's personal autonomy as Dr.
  Halberg is the only subject
• Nonmaleficence Depending on where the future of
  this research is directed, could possibly be used
  a strategic means for attacks in a war etc..
• Beneficence Many people may benefit from my
  research. Although I believe the general
  population will benefit in the end, I believe the
  medical industry will benefit directly.
• Justice Is my proposed action equitable? From
  what I have seen this research affects everyone
  equally across the board. Would help individuals
  with myocardial infractions

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Conclusion

• Where do we go from here?
• Spectral analysis, time varying domain
• more subjects in studies needed, different
  analysis, spectral as shown in this graph
• NASA's STEREO project
• Capture a 3D view of solar flares, CME's and
  other solar activity