Feasibility and efficacy of a binge drinking prevention intervention for college students delivered via the Internet versus postal mail

In this study, the authors evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of a binge drinking prevention intervention for college students delivered via the Internet versus a parallel print-based intervention delivered via postal mail. A total of 116 college students completed the baseline survey. The authors then randomized the students into the Web or print group and sent them intervention materials. One hundred and six students completed the posttest survey. The intervention consisted of a series of 4 weekly "newsletters" in electronic or print format. The authors collected data using a standardized online 42-item survey. They found that an Internet-based binge drinking prevention intervention for college students was feasible. Results supported the efficacy of this intervention for those students already binge drinking, regardless of delivery mode. The authors found no significant differences on outcome measures when delivered via the Internet or postal mail. Results lend support to the use of the Internet as a viable alternative to more traditional health intervention delivery methods.     

Lessons from Drosophila models of DJ-1 deficiency

Mutations in the DJ-1 gene are associated with rare forms of autosomal recessive early-onset Parkinson's disease (PD). Although the precise physiological function of DJ-1 remains obscure, accumulating evidence suggests that DJ-1 may normally function as a redox-sensitive molecular chaperone that can protect against the deleterious effects of oxidative stress, particularly in mitochondria. Recent studies in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, have shed further light on the biological role of DJ-1. DJ-1-deficient Drosophila models exhibit distinct phenotypes but collectively highlight a prominent neuroprotective role for DJ-1 against oxidative insult. However, Drosophila lacking DJ-1 do not consistently produce a useful PD-like phenotype (that is, they generally fail to exhibit degeneration of neurons that contain the neurotransmitter dopamine), which may reflect putative compensatory neuroprotective mechanisms. DJ-1-deficient fly models further highlight the utility of Drosophila as an important tool for elucidating protein function and for modeling neurodegenerative disease.     

A Compressive Sensing Based Analysis of Anomalies in Generalized Linear Models

In this article, we present a compressive sensing based framework for generalized linear model regression that employs a two-component noise model and convex optimization techniques to simultaneously detect outliers and determine optimally sparse representations of noisy data from arbitrary sets of basis functions. We then extend our model to include model order reduction capabilities that can uncover inherent sparsity in regression coefficients and achieve simple, superior fits. Second, we use the mixed ?₂/?₁ norm to develop another model that can efficiently uncover block-sparsity in regression coefficients. By performing model order reduction over all independent variables and basis functions, our algorithms successfully deemphasize the effect of independent variables that become uncorrelated with dependent variables. This desirable property has various applications in real-time anomaly detection, such as faulty sensor detection and sensor jamming in wireless sensor networks. After developing our framework and inheriting a stable recovery theorem from compressive sensing theory, we present two simulation studies on sparse or block-sparse problems that demonstrate the superior performance of our algorithms with respect to (1) classic outlier-invariant regression techniques like least absolute value and iteratively reweighted least-squares and (2) classic sparse-regularized regression techniques like LASSO.     

Walk-in Together: A pilot study of a walk-in online family therapy intervention

Many Australians are requiring mental health care, including families, leading to long wait times in order to access support. Walk-in therapy reduces barriers to mental health support services by providing support at the time that families seek help. This paper presents a proof-of-concept study investigating the acceptability and short-term effectiveness of an online walk-in family therapy service, Walk-in Together (WIT). Part 1 of the paper describes the experiences of 44 family members from 22 families who presented to a public family therapy clinic for a virtual walk-in family therapy session. The session was conducted by a team of three experienced family therapists. Family members' experiences were sought pre-session, post-session, and at 6 weeks follow-up via survey and interview. Part 2 of the paper explores therapist perceptions (n = 7) of the WIT approach, through thematic analysis of semi-structured interview data. Post-session feedback showed 85% of family members found WIT to be helpful and 50% were optimistic about their future as a family after their WIT session. Six weeks post-session it was revealed that WIT supported planning for families in equipping them to move forward with 88% of family members reporting that they knew what to do after the session. All therapists uniformly experienced the model as offering a timely and beneficial service, suitable for diverse presentations and constellations of families. These preliminary results suggest the significant utility of this WIT intervention as a well-received and helpful service for families, who valued the easy access and rapid therapeutic response afforded by the online, walk-in delivery model. This proof-of-concept paper suggests the potential for further development and growth of WIT, as well as other mental health support services using a walk-in, telehealth model to meet the rising demand for therapeutic support for families in distress.     

Access to international volunteering

Using the 2005 U.S. Current Population Survey, we identify the demographic profile of international volunteers from the United States. According to logistic regression results, those most likely to volunteer internationally are young, white, male, highly educated, foreign‐born individuals without dependent children in the home and not employed full time. These findings are discussed through the lens of access and inclusion, examining the possible influences of individual choice and programmatic structure on this demographic profile. Implications are drawn for future research.     

RESEARCH NOTE: Language with attitude: American slang and Chinese lǐyǔ1

The Mandarin registers known as lǐyǔ (俚语) have commonly been translated as ‘slang,’ though traditionally lǐyǔ has differed from slang in English by virtue of its strong link to regionalism. A newly emergent version of lǐyǔ that is prominent among young Chinese is marked not by regionalism but by its Internet‐enabled global purview. This youth‐culture lǐyǔ, like the student slang described by Eble (1996) , functions as a device to promote group solidarity while also serving as an identity marker for China's millennial generation. Lǐyǔ, like the numerous versions of slang described in English, Portuguese and other languages, is marked by ebullient or non‐deferential affect, an attribute that helps explains the close association between slang and swearwords. Slang and lǐyǔ lexemes, in light of the affect they entail, are the pragmatic opposites of honorifics – terms which index deference within formal, hierarchical structures.