Greater Attendance Research Articles

Increased Pre-Lecture Reading and Greater Attendance at a Community College Gateway Science Course

Increased Pre-Lecture Reading and Greater Attendance at a Community College Gateway Science Course

Welcome to the first issue of the College’s Asia Pacific Journal of Health Management for 2024.

The College is going from strength to strength with membership increasing notably over the past few months and great attendance at College free webcast events as well as growing participation in other ACHSM professional development opportunities. In March a very successful one day Conference was held in Auckland, New Zealand with many from Australia and nearby countries amongst the more than 250 who attended this event. Through attending that conference, we now have 58 new College members in New Zealand who can take advantage of the benefits of College membership like this Journal, free webcasts, local networking events and access to bespoke professional development for health leaders. Our Fellowship Program for 2024 has commenced with 46 Associate Fellows applying themselves to our most prestigious capstone program. Further we have over 30 current enrolments to undertake Certification with those College members committing to maintaining their profession through the expectations of this credential. We also launched a Managing Digital Health micro credential that aligns fully with the digital health competencies in the ACHSM Master Health Service Management Competency Framework. We are in the process of distributing digital badges to all membership levels and Certified Health Managers and Executives for use on media such as LinkedIn, CVs and email signatures. These badges provide and outline of what it means to be a Fellow, Certified Health Manager or Executive of ACHSM. In this issue, as is the purpose of the Journal, there are learned articles on the importance of continuing to self-reflect on our leadership behaviours and workplace relationships. I take this opportunity of thanking Prof Mark Avery our Editor for his great work in maintaining a high quality of publication and ensuring relevancy to leaders in all sectors. I commend these to you and continue to wish you success in your ongoing leadership journey.

Evaluation of a Life Functioning Goal Attainment Psychosocial Treatment Program for Adults with Psychotic Disorders

Purpose: To determine if the use of an integrated goal attainment cognitive behavioral social skill training program can impact serious mental illness related treatment and life functioning avolition. Methods: The attendance and goal attainment progress of thirty-eight serious mental ill diagnosed adults admitted to psychiatric clinic’s integrated goal attainment cognitive behavioral social skills group training program were studied. Demographic (age, gender, race, education), clinical (psychiatric diagnosis, trauma history), and life experience (work, income, housing, relational status, friendship support, incarceration and drug arrest histories) variables were compared to identify possible program attendance and goal attainment level associations and differences. Results: Participants attended a mean of 8 program days of the 6 to 8-week program with younger and unmarried attending significantly more days than older and married participants. Greater attendance and participation rates were positively correlated with higher levels of assessed goal attainment. Conclusions: Individuals with serious mental illness conditions are likely to voluntarily attend and participate in psychosocial intervention programs focused on major area life functioning goal attainment. Higher levels of attendance and participation were associated with higher levels of short-term goal attainment. Functioning focused psychosocial interventions may be effective in reducing serious mental illness related avolition.

Community-Based Intervention for Sexual and Gender Minority Youth in Central Texas

This study evaluated the psychosocial outcomes of sexual and gender minorities (SGM) youth attending a community social support group in Central Texas from October 2019 to October 2020. SGM youth are at an increased risk of experiencing depression and social challenges due to hetero and cis-normative social norms. This study examined the efficacy of a group intervention for addressing the challenges of 128 SGM youth who participated in this study. Data collection included levels of social support and depression. Analysis between three groups, newcomers ( n = 67), <6 months attendance ( n = 30), and >6 months attendance ( n = 29), found significant differences among Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale 10 total scores, peer support, significant other support, and overall support with greater support seen in participants with greater attendance. We provide recommendations for community-based organizations to better serve SGM youth per our findings.

Health Insurance Coverage and Postpartum Outcomes in the US

Approximately half of postpartum individuals in the US do not receive any routine postpartum health care. Currently, federal Medicaid coverage for pregnant individuals lapses after the last day of the month in which the 60th postpartum day occurs, which limits longer-term postpartum care. To assess whether health insurance coverage extension or improvements in access to health care are associated with postpartum health care utilization and maternal outcomes within 1 year post partum. Medline, Embase, CENTRAL, CINAHL, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for US-based studies from inception to November 16, 2022. The reference lists of relevant systematic reviews were scanned for potentially eligible studies. Risk of bias was assessed using questions from the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and the Risk of Bias in Nonrandomized Studies of Interventions tool. Strength of evidence (SoE) was assessed using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Methods Guide. A total of 25 973 citations were screened and 28 mostly moderate-risk-of-bias nonrandomized studies were included (3 423 781 participants) that addressed insurance type (4 studies), policy changes that made insurance more comprehensive (13 studies), policy changes that made insurance less comprehensive (2 studies), and Medicaid expansion (9 studies). Findings with moderate SoE suggested that more comprehensive association was likely associated with greater attendance at postpartum visits. Findings with low SoE indicated a possible association between more comprehensive insurance and fewer preventable readmissions and emergency department visits. The findings of this systematic review suggest that evidence evaluating insurance coverage and postpartum visit attendance and unplanned care utilization is, at best, of moderate SoE. Future research should evaluate clinical outcomes associated with more comprehensive insurance coverage.

Attendance at Supervised Exercise Sessions and Walking Outcomes in Peripheral Artery Disease: Results From 2 Randomized Clinical Trials.

Background Supervised exercise therapy (SET) is the first-line therapy for walking impairment in peripheral artery disease (PAD). This study evaluated the association between attendance at SET and improved walking performance, compared with a control group, in PAD. Methods and Results Data from 2 randomized clinical trials of SET for PAD were combined. In each trial, participants were randomized to 3 times weekly supervised treadmill exercise or an attention control group for 6 months (maximum, 77 exercise sessions). Participants randomized to SET were categorized into tertiles, according to the proportion of exercise sessions they attended. Results adjusted for age, sex, race, baseline walking performance, comorbidities, and other potential confounders. A total of 272 participants with PAD (mean age, 67.9±9.3 years; 44% women; 61% Black race) were included. For participants randomized to SET, tertiles of attendance rates at exercise sessions were as follows: 11% to 68% (N=45), 69% to <85% (N=46), and ≥85% (N=46). Compared with control, mean improvement in 6-minute walk was significantly greater in each SET tertile: mean (95% CI) for tertile 1, 27.9 m (1.3-54.4 m; P=0.04), tertile 2, 38.2 m (12.2-64.2 m; P=0.001), and tertile 3, 56.9 m (29.9-83.8 m; P<0.0001). Among participants randomized to SET, greater SET attendance was associated with greater improvement in 6-minute walk distance (overall P for trend=0.025). Compared with control, improvement in maximal treadmill walking time was greater in each SET attendance tertile: tertile 1 (3.3 minutes [95% CI, 1.7-4.8 minutes]; P<0.0001), tertile 2 (3.8 minutes [95% CI, 2.3-5.3 minutes]; P<0.0001), and tertile 3 (5.4 minutes [95% CI, 3.9-7.0 minutes]; P:<0.0001). Among participants randomized to SET, greater attendance at SET was not significantly associated with greater improvement in maximal treadmill walking time (overall P for trend=0.064). Conclusions Among people with PAD randomized to SET, better attendance at exercise sessions was associated with significantly greater 6-minute walk improvement. Among all participants with PAD, even relatively low SET attendance was associated with significantly greater improvement in walking performance, compared with a control group who did not exercise. Registration URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01408901. URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00106327.

Group vs traditional prenatal care for improving racial equity in preterm birth and low birthweight: the Centering and Racial Disparities randomized clinical trial study

The United States has persistently high rates of preterm birth and low birthweight and is characterized by significant racial disparities in these rates. Innovative group prenatal care models, such as CenteringPregnancy, have been proposed as a potential approach to improve the rates of preterm birth and low birthweight and to reduce disparities in these pregnancy outcomes. This study aimed to test whether participation in group prenatal care would reduce the rates of preterm birth and low birthweight compared with individual prenatal care and whether group prenatal care would reduce the racial disparity in these rates between Black and White patients. This was a randomized controlled trial among medically low-risk pregnant patients at a single study site. Eligible patients were stratified by self-identified race and ethnicity and randomly allocated 1:1 between group and individual prenatal care. The primary outcomes were preterm birth at <37 weeks of gestation and low birthweight of <2500 g. The primary analysis was performed according to the intent-to-treat principle. The secondary analyses were performed according to the as-treated principle using modified intent-to-treat and per-compliance approaches. The analysis of effect modification by race and ethnicity was planned. A total of 2350 participants were enrolled, with 1176 assigned to group prenatal care and 1174 assigned to individual prenatal care. The study population included 952 Black (40.5%), 502 Hispanic (21.4%), 863 White (36.8%), and 31 "other races or ethnicity" (1.3%) participants. Group prenatal care did not reduce the rate of preterm birth (10.4% vs 8.7%; odds ratio, 1.22; 95% confidence interval, 0.92-1.63; P=.17) or low birthweight (9.6% vs 8.9%; odds ratio, 1.08; 95% confidence interval, 0.80-1.45; P=.62) compared with individual prenatal care. In subgroup analysis, greater attendance in prenatal care was associated with lower rates of preterm birth and low birthweight. This effect was most noticeable for the rates of low birthweight for Black participants in group care: intent to treat (51/409 [12.5%]), modified intent to treat (36/313 [11.5%]), and per compliance (20/240 [8.3%]). Although the rates of low birthweight were significantly higher for Black participants than White participants seen in individual care (adjusted odds ratio, 2.00; 95% confidence interval, 1.14-3.50), the difference was not significant for Black participants in group care compared with their White counterparts (adjusted odds ratio, 1.58; 95% confidence interval, 0.74-3.34). There was no difference in the overall rates of preterm birth or low birthweight between group and individual prenatal care. With increased participation in group prenatal care, lower rates of preterm birth and low birthweight for Black participants were observed. The role of group care models in reducing racial disparities in these birth outcomes requires further study.

A Sense of Connection: Examining Social Identity and Adherence to a School-Based Exercise Club

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between social identity and adherence in the context of a school-based, 8-week structured group exercise program. Methods: Secondary students (N = 116; Mage = 15.52 years) from 10 newly formed school-based exercise clubs reported social identity perceptions specific to their exercise group, which were used to predict attendance and intentions to return to the club in the future. Results: Controlling for sex and grade level, the results of hierarchical regression analysis revealed that exercise group social identity was significantly positively related to program attendance (ΔR2 = .09, p &lt; .01). A positive relationship was also found between exercise group social identity and intentions to return to the exercise club in the future, while also controlling for sex, grade level, and program attendance (ΔR2 = .05, p &lt; .05). Discussion/Conclusion: The findings suggest that stronger exercise group social identity in the form of ingroup ties is associated with greater attendance and intention to return to the school-based exercise club among secondary school students.

Assessing the reliability of phone surveys to measure reproductive, maternal and child health knowledge among pregnant women in rural India: a feasibility study

ObjectivesEfforts to understand the factors influencing the uptake of reproductive, maternal, newborn, child health and nutrition (RMNCH&N) services in high disease burden low-resource settings have often focused on face-to-face surveys...

Abstract 10561: Attending Cardiac Rehabilitation Reduces Incidence of Dementia but Not Mild Cognitive Impairment in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Introduction: Coronary artery disease (CAD) has been associated with cognitive decline. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a class 1A recommendation for patients with CAD as it reduces future cardiac events and mortality. However, the impact of CR on incidence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia has not been extensively studied. We investigated the association of CAD on incidence of MCI and dementia; and whether CR attendance reduces incidence of MCI and dementia in patients with CAD Methods: The Mayo Clinic Study of Aging (MCSA), a prospective, population-based cohort was probed for this study. At baseline and every 15-months thereafter, subjects were evaluated for MCI and dementia using a standardized protocol. Data on CR participation were collected via record linkage to the Rochester Epidemiology Project. To evaluate association with incident MCI or dementia, cox proportional hazard models were used and adjusted for age, sex, and clinical predictors of cognitive decline. Participants with MCI at baseline were excluded for MCI analysis and adjusted for in dementia analysis. Results: We included 5960 MCSA participants (female: 50%; age: 70±13). Of those, 1934 participants (32%) had CAD and 702 (12%) had MCI at baseline. Mean follow-up was 3.9±3.7yrs, with 760 incident cases of MCI (13%) and 290 cases of dementia (5%). CAD was a significant predictor of MCI and dementia, although after adjustment for other clinical predictors, CAD was only associated with MCI incidence ( Table 1, Figure ). Incidence of dementia was reduced in CAD patients who had a greater attendance at CR when adjusted for other predictors of cognitive decline ( Table 2 ). Attendance at CR did not reduce incidence of MCI ( Table 2 ). Conclusions: CAD was a significant predictor of MCI and dementia. In patients with CAD, a higher attendance of CR was associated with reduced incidence of dementia but not MCI. Specific CR programming and outcome targets may be needed to prevent MCI in patients with CAD.

A virtual tumor board platform: A way to enhance decision-making for complex malignancies.

316 Background: Multidisciplinary tumor boards (TBs) are crucial for optimal decision making and management of patients diagnosed with complex malignancies. The social distancing conditions imposed by COVID-19 presented an opportunity to assess the value of conducting virtual TBs compared to traditional in-person TBs. Methods: A retrospective analysis of multi-specialty attendance data from a NCI designated cancer center’s Gastrointestinal TB participants from September 2019 to October 2020 was performed. An online survey, containing 21 questions, assessing the virtual TB experience was sent to participants of all TBs across multiple specialties. Interrupted time series analysis was performed to evaluate the transition from in-person to virtual TBs. Results: The overall mean attendance for Gastrointestinal TB was 30 participants; this value increased from 23 to 34 attendees after instituting virtual TBs (p &lt; 0.001). Increased attendance was observed among all participant categories: attending physicians (11 to 15 attendees, p &lt; 0.001), fellows and residents (8 to 11, p &lt; 0.001), supporting staff (3 to 6, p &lt; 0.001). There was no significant difference in the mean number of cases discussed between TB formats. The majority of the 141 survey respondents were attending physicians with &gt; 20-year experience. Of all respondents, most supported a permanent virtual or hybrid TB format, 72.5% found this format to be more time efficient and just as productive, 85.8% found it easier to attend, and 56.7% believe it does not lead to greater distractions; most would not support a “cameras on” policy (65.2%). The majority (89.9%) also stated that confidence in the decision-making process was not affected by virtual interactions. Conclusions: A virtual platform for multi-specialty TBs allows for greater attendance without sacrificing the decision-making process. This survey supports continuing this virtual format, which may subsequently improve care and facilitate access to multidisciplinary discussions for patients.

The MOVE Frankston study: 24-Month follow-up of a randomized controlled trial of incentives and support to increase leisure center usage and physical activity

Recreational physical activity (PA) facilities have the potential to deliver health benefits for surrounding communities, however little is known about the impact of marketing strategies to encourage their use. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of two low intensity interventions aimed at promoting usage of a new multipurpose recreation facility. A community-based randomized controlled trial with a 24-month follow up period was conducted with 1320 inactive adult residents of the City of Frankston, Victoria, Australia. Participants were randomized to a control, intervention 1 (information and attendance incentive) or intervention 2 (information, attendance incentives, personalized support) group. Primary outcomes were recreation facility attendance, purchase of facility membership and PA participation. Eight hundred and fifty-four (65%) participants completed 24-months follow up. Provision of incentives with personalized support was associated with greater attendance at the facility, as well as higher rates of membership. Those receiving incentives without additional support reported increases in stage of readiness to attend the facility. The interventions did not contribute to higher levels of PA, however those who became regular users of the facility were more likely to improve PA and meet the target of ≥150 min per week. Increased frequency and duration of promotion led to more regular attendance at the recreation facility, while those who attended regularly showed significant increases in PA. Incorporating recreation facilities within broader PA strategies, by engaging community members in a way that promotes more regular use of recreation facilities, will contribute to improvements in PA at a population level.

537-P: Predictors of Engagement in Clinical Care: CoYoT1 to California

Background: Current type 1 diabetes (T1D) care models do not effectively engage racially and ethnically diverse Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) indicating a need for new approaches. Objective: To assess clinical and demographic predictors of care engagement among diverse AYA with T1D. Methods: In an ongoing 15-month randomized controlled 2x2 trial with pragmatic care assignment, 53 AYA ages 16-25 received either quarterly usual T1D care (in-person or via telehealth (TH)), or CoYoT1 Care, which includes bimonthly T1D group sessions via TH and quarterly patient-centered care provider visits (in-person or via TH). Participant engagement was measured by the proportion of clinic visits attended out of all offered to date, per participant, including all currently enrolled. Predictors of engagement included: pre-trial clinic attendance, care group assignment (CoYoT1 or usual care), demographic, and clinical variables. All were entered into a multiple linear regression model, then reduced via stepwise regression. Results: Participation in CoYoT1 Care was associated with a 12% greater attendance rate (p=0.006) relative to usual care. Participants who retained their pre-trial care providers during the study attended clinic visits 7% more frequently than those randomized to a new provider (p=0.06). Participants’ who identified as African American (p=0.001) or Multi-racial (p=0.002) attended clinic visits at least 16% more frequently than participants from other groups; Latinx ethnicity was not associated with more or less frequent attendance. Females attended clinic visits 10% less frequently than non-females (p=0.006). Baseline A1c was also negatively associated with attendance rate, with each percentage increase in A1c associated with a 2% reduction in attendance rate (p=0.01). Conclusion: CoYoT1 Care successfully engaged patients from diverse backgrounds. The model warrants further investigation to identify which intervention components most promote engagement. Disclosure J. J. Flores garcia: None. J. Raymond: None. M. W. Reid: None. E. Pyatak: None. D. Fox: None. J. L. Fogel: None. E. Salcedo-rodriguez: None. D. I. Bisno: None. D. Miller: None. A. Mittal: None. Funding The Donaghue Foundation

The paradox of teaching wellness: Lessons from a national obstetrics and gynaecology resident curriculum

In response to high rates of burnout among trainees, educators in obstetrics and gynaecology introduced a six-session wellness curriculum that improved professional fulfilment and resident burnout in participants with greater attendance. The implementation of the curriculum varied based on local variables and contextual factors. To analyse the reactions of participants and curriculum leaders across the diverse settings of the pilot experience in order to identify the best practices for implementation of a wellness curriculum. Twenty-five US OBGYN residency programmes completed the curriculum in the 2017-2018 academic year. OBGYN residents in all the years of training participated. Faculty members and fellows were workshop facilitators and course leaders. All participants completed post-intervention surveys. A qualitative, descriptive thematic analysis explored free-text responses from residents and workshop facilitators. Among 592 eligible resident participants, 387 (65%) responded to the post-intervention survey. Workshop facilitators submitted 65 surveys (47% response) on curriculum elements, rating the activities as 'good' or 'excellent' in 90.8% of cases. Qualitative analysis of workshop facilitators' and resident comments pointed to three themes, namely disagreement about the purpose of the curriculum, the social value of the curriculum in the residency programme and the need to open a broader discussion and take action to address structural barriers to wellness. Residents and faculty members involved in a wellness curriculum pilot had polarised reactions. While participants found value in learning skills and connecting to colleagues, efforts to promote wellness skills should be accompanied by communication and action to address drivers of burnout.

Cross-Cultural Analysis of Spiritual Bypass: A Comparison Between Spain and Honduras.

Religion and spirituality (R/S) serve as coping mechanisms for circumstances that threaten people’s psychological well-being. However, using R/S inappropriately to deal with difficulties and problems in daily life may include the practice of Spiritual Bypass (SB). SB refers to avoiding addressing emotional problems and trauma, rather than healing and learning from them. On the other hand, coping strategies may be determined by the cultural context. This study aims to describe the presence of SB in individuals who may have experienced stressful situations and to understand the influence of culture on SB by comparing SB in two culturally different groups. The sample consists of a total of 435 people, 262 of Honduran nationality and 173 of Spanish nationality. Both groups are approximately equivalent in age and gender. The degree of SB, stressful events, perception of social support and spiritual well-being are examined, respectively, through the Spiritual Bypass Scale, and specific items and subscales from the Social Readjustment Rating Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Spiritual Wellbeing. The results showed a higher spiritual well-being and use of SB in the Honduran sample as compared to the Spanish sample, but similar social support and stressful events. Furthermore, some of the factors predicting SB were different between the two samples. While age and a greater number of R/S practices were important in both samples, for the Honduran sample the variables that best explained SB were being a Christian, having greater social support, fewer stressful events, and greater attendance at church or temple. For the Spanish sample, however, the variable that best explained SB was studying R/S texts. Therefore, SB must be understood within the culture in which it develops, since in different cultural contexts it appears to relate to differing factors. Thus, SB becomes a possible functional or dysfunctional coping strategy depending on the social context.

An effective optical chemosensor film for selective detection of mercury ions

we develop and design a novel chemosensor film for detecting Hg(II) ions. The determination process investigates within a concentration range between 0 and 0.10 µM. The optical chemosensor film is depending on 3,4-Dimethylthieno[2,3-b]thiophene-2,5-Dihydrazide (DTD). The fluorescent molecule emits a significant fluorescence emission at 430 nm under 310 nm. Moreover, the chelation process of the Hg(II) ions with DTD introduces a 2:1 (metal:ligand) complex which is escorted by the quenching of the maximum emission peak centered at 430 nm of DTD and the appearance of a second fluorescence peak at 475 nm. The ratiometric fluorescence influence is a characteristic proof for the complexation reaction between the DTD probe and Hg(II) and this could be easily noticed. The designed chemosensor was proposed depending on the significant fluorescence mechanism, (intramolecular charge transfer (ICT)). Density functional theory (DFT) and the time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) theoretical calculations were achieved to investigate Hg(II) complexation structures and their electronic characteristics in solution, the calculations support that the quenching of the fluorescence in this compound is the result of ICT. This chemosensor displays ultimate sensitivity and selectivity based on their significant fluorescence characteristics, distinctive Stocks shift ~120 nm, detection aptitudes within a substantial low detection limit for Hg(II) LOD 2.4 nM which is applied in a physiological pH medium (pH = 7.4); with a relative standard deviation RSDr (1%, n = 3). Furthermore, the DTD exhibits great binding attendance towards Hg(II) and the binding constant was calculated to be 1.02 × 106 M−1. Impressively, we introduce a significant optical sensor based on the DTD molecule.

Laboratory and field insights into the dynamics and behavior of Argentine ants, Linepithema humile, feeding from hydrogels.

Hydrogels that have absorbed a liquid containing a toxicant are a novel form of bait-delivery for ant control. Here, we study the abilities of Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) workers to imbibe liquid from hydrogels. We quantified feeding behavior with: (i) hydrogels containing different sucrose concentrations (20, 30, 40 and 50% w/w); (ii) hydrogels versus liquid droplets; and (iii) hydrogel age (air exposure time). We also performed a field assay to assess visits by L. humile and other ant species to hydrogels. Ingested volume and feeding time decreased with increasing sucrose concentrations, but the number and duration of pauses were similar. Feeding from hydrogels was slower than from a liquid droplet and ants imbibed less liquid and fed for shorter times from hydrogels. Feeding time increased with hydrogel age, whereas ingested volume decreased and approached zero after 120 min under laboratory conditions. In the field, ants attended the hydrogels during the full 120-min study period. When L. humile workers found a hydrogel, they monopolized it to the exclusion of other ant species. L. humile occupied and dominated hydrogels predominantly in shaded locations. Hydrogels with sucrose concentrations no greater than 30% appear best for liquid uptake by L. humile. Hydrogels not in direct sunlight will have greater attendance by L. humile and, therefore, less attendance by non-target ant species. Shady and humid places may prolong the longevity of hydrogels, which would imply higher intakes. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Entrenched Inequalities? Class, Gender and Ethnic Differences in Educational and Occupational Attainment in England.

Research in social stratification tends to focus on class differences in educational and occupational attainment, with particular attention to primary and secondary effects in the former, and class reproduction in the latter, domain. Research in ethnic studies tends to focus, however, on ethnic penalty or premium. Many studies have been conducted in each tradition on specific issues but little research is available that examines class, gender and ethnic effects simultaneously or in tandem with contextual effects, let alone on the whole trajectory from compulsory schooling, through further and higher education, to labor market position. Using data from the Longitudinal Study of Young People in England, this paper shows pronounced class differences but remarkable gender progress in each of the educational domains. With regard to ethnicity, people from minority ethnic heritages had lower GCSE scores due to poorer family conditions but achieved higher transition rates to A-Level study, higher university enrollment and, for some groups, greater attendance at elite universities, resulting in an overall higher rate of degree-level attainment than did whites. One might expect members of ethnic minority backgrounds to fare equally well in their earlier careers in the labor market, but only to find them more vulnerable to unemployment, less likely to have earnings, and more disadvantaged in terms of disposable incomes.

Special Issue Guest Editorial: Basic and Applied Physiology Research

In this issue, the Journal brings readers a special issue in Basic Science and Applied Physiology Research with 4 original research reports. This is the beginning of a new section in our journal dedicated to physical therapists performing research in Basic Sciences and Applied Physiology. Producing high-level basic and applied physiological research is an important way to move the physical therapy profession forward.1 Although there are several physical therapists producing high-level research in this area, they often publish findings in Basic Science or Applied Physiology journals that are normally beyond clinical areas. With this special issue and the new section in the journal, the journal is closing the gap of knowledge by bringing high-level basic and applied physiological research to clinicians so that together we can advance the profession to improve the health of society. In this issue, Wooten et al consider carbon dioxide expiration and respiratory buffering as 2 potential important factors for performance fatigability. As hypothesized, both carbon dioxide expiration and respiratory buffering, measured by a cardiopulmonary exercise test, are good predictors of the changes that aerobic exercise training produces in performance fatigability.2,3 In addition, Rogers-Bosh et al bring an interesting feasibility study to introduce High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) in stroke survivors. In this study, the authors used treadmill HIIT, twice weekly in 17 adults with chronic stroke. They found that participants had a great attendance and that an exercise training program of such characteristics is feasible.3 Finally, Gurovich et al5 provide a novel methodology to measure carotid and brachial artery blood flow during exercise in vivo using vascular ultrasound. The methods they describe are important because most studies investigating exercise-induced endothelial sheer stress (ESS) are conducted in vitro or using in vivo models that do not account for the normal pulsatile nature of blood flow. Their findings help add to our understanding of exercise-induced ESS that forms the basis for some of the physiological benefits of exercise on vascular and endothelial function. In addition, this issue features the launch of the official CPTJ video methods library. This online resource will provide brief video descriptions of techniques included in the methods section of accepted publications. This was created to help remove the “black box” of intervention studies and improve translation to clinical practice. More specific to the current issue and section, this library also provides readers with a clearer understanding of research methods that may be novel to them. It may also help readers gain an understanding of how data were produced and collected for a given study. Our hope is that this exposure may encourage readers to consider using techniques and methods featured in these videos for future scientific inquiries. The first 3 videos are on Pulse Wave Analysis, Flow-Mediated Dilation, and Cardiopulmonary Exercise Tests, which are featured in the publications for this issue. Future video resources will be submitted as supplements by authors of accepted publication following the review process described on the forthcoming CPTJ Video Methods Library webpage. The journal is very excited about this new special issue and section, especially because the reception from multiple institutions was very well received. There are several more original research reports in the pipeline to continue offering high-level Basic Sciences and Applied Physiology research to our readers.

Concert Hall, Museum, Cinema, and Theater Attendance: What Difference Do Audience Motivations and Demographics Make?

Given the ubiquity of art in almost all human societies, why is it that participation in the arts is so diverse? To address this question, the present study examined demographic and motivational variables as predictors of arts attendance in a sample of 480 participants, and whether any significant differences appear among attendees at different venues. The ordinal logistic regression identified income, entertainment, and art interest as predictors of arts attendance, with income leading to greater attendance at several art forms. Subsequent analyses also unveiled significant differences in demographic and behavioral characteristics among concert hall attendees, museum visitors, cinema goers, and theater audiences. Taken together, these findings illustrate that audience behavior is selective and incited by conscious awareness of a person’s unique needs. From an applied perspective, adequate knowledge of human functioning will enable arts managers to attract new audiences, without neglecting their responsibility towards art, culture, and education.