Needles in Haystacks and Diamonds in the Rough: Using Probability and Nonprobability Methods to Survey Low-incidence Populations

While probability samples are generally the preferred approach in survey research, nonprobability samples continue to be of interest and are used for multiple purposes. We discuss the use of a convenience sample in one study and social media recruitment in another when probability-based samples fell short of reaching target sample sizes for low-incidence populations. Both studies collected rich survey data, particularly regarding household finances, enabling comparisons between respondents in the two types of samples. Analysis shows that while demographic characteristics were not consistent across the two types of samples, the source of the data—the probability sample or the nonprobability sample—was not significant in predicting the primary research variables of interest. We conclude that combining cases from the two types of samples may be appropriate for analyses in these studies. We suggest that nonprobability samples may be particularly appropriate for low-incidence populations; we also suggest that similar techniques may be useful for other researchers as they investigate the utility of nonprobability samples

Secrets in Psychotherapy: A Longitudinal Study of Client Concealment and Disclosure

This study investigated how secrets unfold over the course of therapy in a naturalistic setting, including identifying longitudinal patterns and investigating relationships with other session-level variables. Participants were 39 client and graduate student therapist dyads in open-ended therapy at a community psychotherapy clinic. Data on concealment, disclosure, working alliance, real relationship, and session evaluation were collected after each session. Data were analyzed using Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM). Results demonstrated that disclosure and concealment of secrets are relatively infrequent occurrences, with disclosure occurring more often than concealment. Over time, clients became less likely to disclose a secret and less likely to conceal a significant secret. Clients rated the working alliance as lower for sessions where secrets were disclosed, but this relationship was less pronounced when the disclosed secret was viewed as significant. Clients rated session quality as higher for sessions in which they both concealed and disclosed secrets, as well as for sessions in which a preoccupying secret was shared. Clients tended to feel neutral or positive about their disclosures and believe that the disclosure had no change on how they were viewed by their therapist. Implications for practice and research are discussed

Points saillants du rapport préliminaire sur le statut des étudiantes graduées en histoire au Canada

Dans le cadre du congrès des Sociétés savantes tenu à Victoria en Colombie- Britannique, on nous a demandé de participer en tant que groupe de femmes étudiantes à une séance de discussion portant sur la place de la femme dans la profession d’historien

Public Health Emergency Preparedness Terminology: Using an Interactive Game to Introduce Complex Words and Definitions

Objectives. An educational reinforcement exercise, using a bingo game, introduced students to challenging public health emergency preparedness terminology in order to pilot test the use of a game as an efficient method of learning a new vocabulary and definitions. Knowledge of the language of emergency preparedness and a fast and fun way to stay current could contribute to better coordination among public health personnel and their community partners. Methods. A bingo game, developed using Macromedia Flash and XML files, and delivered within the Blackboard™ Course Management System was tested with first year medical students in a library orientation, and graduate public health students in an introductory class (Groups 1 and 2 respectively). Pre- and post-tests were embedded in the game so that participants received their results at the conclusion of each to reinforce learning. Results. Both groups showed a statistically significant improvement in their knowledge of terms. Conclusions. The results suggested that the web-based educational reinforcement in bingo game format was an effective method for learning difficult terminology. Anecdotal data from verbal feedback after each group showed favorable reactions to the learning approach. The flexibility and customizability of the bingo activity makes replication in other academic and public health applications possible

The effectiveness of support groups: a literature review

Purpose: Support groups are a common feature of the mental health support engaged by carers and consumers. The purpose of this paper is to update and consolidate the knowledge and the evidence for the effectiveness of mental health support groups. Design/methodology/approach: This paper is based on a systematic literature review of relevant databases around support groups for mental health. Support groups are defined as meetings of people with similar experiences, such as those defined as carers of a person living with a mental illness or a person living with a mental illness. These meetings aim to provide support and companionship to one another. Findings: The results show that there is a consistent pattern of evidence, over a long period of time, which confirms the effectiveness of mental health support groups for carers and people living with mental illness. There is strong, scientifically rigorous evidence which shows the effectiveness of professionally facilitated, family-led support groups, psychoeducation carers support groups, and professionally facilitated, program-based support groups for people living with mental illness. Research limitations/implications: This research implies the use of support groups is an important adjunct to the support of carers and people with mental illness, including severe mental illness. Originality/value: This research brings together a range of studies indicating the usefulness of support groups as an adjunct to mental health therapy

Radiation Dose-Volume Effects in the Esophagus

Publications relating esophageal radiation toxicity to clinical variables and to quantitative dose and dose–volume measures derived from three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy for non–small-cell lung cancer are reviewed. A variety of clinical and dosimetric parameters have been associated with acute and late toxicity. Suggestions for future studies are presented

SAHA Decreases HDAC 2 and 4 Levels In Vivo and Improves Molecular Phenotypes in the R6/2 Mouse Model of Huntington's Disease

Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive neurological disorder for which there are no disease-modifying treatments. Transcriptional dysregulation is a major molecular feature of HD, which significantly contributes to disease progression. Therefore, the development of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors as therapeutics for HD has been energetically pursued. Suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) – a class I HDAC as well an HDAC6 inhibitor, improved motor impairment in the R6/2 mouse model of HD. Recently it has been found that SAHA can also promote the degradation of HDAC4 and possibly other class IIa HDACs at the protein level in various cancer cell lines. To elucidate whether SAHA is a potent modifier of HDAC protein levels in vivo, we performed two independent mouse trials. Both WT and R6/2 mice were chronically treated with SAHA and vehicle. We found that prolonged SAHA treatment causes the degradation of HDAC4 in cortex and brain stem, but not hippocampus, without affecting its transcript levels in vivo. Similarly, SAHA also decreased HDAC2 levels without modifying the expression of its mRNA. Consistent with our previous data, SAHA treatment diminishes Hdac7 transcript levels in both wild type and R6/2 brains and unexpectedly was found to decrease Hdac11 in R6/2 but not wild type. We investigated the effects of SAHA administration on well-characterised molecular readouts of disease progression. We found that SAHA reduces SDS-insoluble aggregate load in the cortex and brain stem but not in the hippocampus of the R6/2 brains, and that this was accompanied by restoration of Bdnf cortical transcript levels

Radiation Dose–Volume Effects of the Urinary Bladder

An in-depth overview of the normal-tissue radiation tolerance of the urinary bladder is presented. The most informative studies consider whole-organ irradiation. The data on partial-organ/nonuniform irradiation are suspect because the bladder motion is not accounted for, and many studies lack long enough follow-up data. Future studies are needed