Introduction: Special issue on genetic research of alcohol use disorder in diverse racial/ethnic populations

This special issue of The American Journal on Addictions is an extension of a workshop held at the Research Society on Alcoholism (2015) highlighting several important issues related to studies of the genetic bases of alcohol use disorder among racially/ethnically diverse populations. While not exhaustive in their coverage, the papers in this special issue focus on three important topics: (1) the importance of considering the social and environmental context in genetic analyses; (2) social and cultural considerations for engaging diverse communities in genetic research; and (3) methodologies related to phenotype development for use with racially/ethnically diverse populations. A brief overview of each paper included in these three sections is presented. The issue concludes with additional considerations for genetic research with racially/ethnically diverse population groups along with a commentary. (Am J Addict 2017;26:422–423

Reducing the Effects of Unequal Number of Games on Rankings

Ranking is an important mathematical process in a variety of contexts such as information retrieval, sports and business. Sports ranking methods can be applied both in and beyond the context of athletics. In both settings, once the concept of a game has been defined, teams (or individuals) accumulate wins, losses, and ties, which are then factored into the ranking computation. Many settings involve an unequal number of games between competitors. This paper demonstrates how to adapt two sports rankings methods, the Colley and Massey ranking methods, to settings where an unequal number of games are played between the teams. In such settings, the standard derivations of the methods can produce nonsensical rankings. This paper introduces the idea of including a super-user into the rankings and considers the effect of this fictitious player on the ratings. We apply such techniques to rank batters and pitchers in Major League baseball, professional tennis players, and participants in a free online social game. The ideas introduced in this paper can further the scope that such methods are applied and the depth of insight they offer

Ethnicity and Gender Comparisons of Health Consequences in Adults with Alcohol Dependence

The moderating effects of ethnicity and gender on factors associated with physical health consequences in adults with alcohol dependence was examined using data from the 2001–2002 U.S. National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). Black and White respondents with a lifetime diagnosis of DSM-IV alcohol dependence were selected for the study (n = 3,852). A multiple-group structural equation model tested ethnicity, gender, and intervening variables as predictors of physical health status in alcohol dependent men and women. Study findings offer implications for clinical practice with alcohol dependent individuals by identifying likely target groups and problems for intervention

Development and vulnerability factors in adolescent alcohol use

This article provides an overview of the characteristics of adolescent alcohol use, normative and subgroup variations in drinking behavior, and important factors associated with an increased risk for developing alcohol problems in later adolescence and young adulthood. A parental/family history of alcoholism, temperament traits, conduct problems, cognitive functioning, alcohol expectancies, and peer and other social relations are identified as influencing an adolescent’s susceptibility for initiating a variety of alcohol use behaviors. The Deviance Prone Model, proposed by Sher (1991), is presented as an important tool for testing possible relationships among the various risk factors and their sequencing that leads to early adolescent alcohol and drug initiation and use. It is also possible to extend the model to allow for an examination of the complex interplay of risk factors that leads to the development of alcohol use problems in late adolescence and young adults

Strengthening Family Practices for Latino Families

The study examined the effectiveness of a culturally-adapted Strengthening Families Program (SFP) for Latinos to reduce risks for alcohol and drug use in children. Latino families, predominantly Puerto Rican, with a 9–12 year old child and a parent(s) with a substance abuse problem participated in the study. Pre- and post-tests were conducted with each family. Parental stress, parent-child dysfunctional relations, and child behavior problems were reduced in the families receiving the intervention; family hardiness and family attachment were improved. Findings contribute to the validation of the SFP with Latinos, and can be used to inform social work practice with Puerto Rican families

Alcohol problems in young adults transitioning from adolescence to adulthood: The association with race and gender

Race and gender may be important considerations for recognizing alcohol related problems in Black and White young adults. This study examined the prevalence and age of onset of individual alcohol problems and alcohol problem severity across race and gender subgroups from a longitudinal study of a community sample of adolescents followed into young adulthood (N = 166; 23–29 yrs. old who were drinkers). All alcohol problems examined first occurred when subjects were in their late teens and early 20s. Drinking in hazardous situations, blackouts, and tolerance were the most common reported alcohol problems. In race and gender comparisons, more males than females experienced alcohol problems. Blacks generally had a later age of onset of alcohol problems. Multivariate regressions showed greater alcohol problem severity in males compared to females, but no significant differences between Blacks and Whites. Education, family environment and earlier alcohol use behaviors and expectancies were reliable predictors of alcohol problem severity in young adulthood. White males were at particular risk for experiencing more severe alcohol problems. Findings may inform the design of more targeted interventions for alcohol problems in different populations

Advanced Design and Fabrication of Microwave Components Based on Shape Optimization and 3D Ceramic Stereolithography Process

International audienceThe design of advanced components for space and terrestrial telecommunication systems requires both sophisticated design methodologies and manufacturing technologies for improving current component characteristics. In particular, optimizing the shape and the size of a component is a problem of primary importance for microwave engineers. Moreover, for designing RF and microwave components or antennas, the use of ceramic materials is preferable in order to satisfy both electrical and dimensional constraints. The main objective of this chapter is to demonstrate that it is possible to jointly improve the design and fabrication procedures of ceramic based advanced RF components. In this context, a ceramic 3D stereolithography based rapid prototyping technique is applied for fabricating 3D ceramic structures. As presented next, theoretical and experimental approaches are complementary and innovative components with excellent electrical performances have been designed, manufactured and characterized. Then the contribution demonstrates how an original CAD design approach based on shape optimization methods can be applied for improving electrical performance and integration of microwave and millimeter-wave devices

Catalytic Membrane Reactor: Multilayer membranes elaboration

International audienceMethane conversion to syngas is very attractive for hydrogen or clean fuel production and provides an alternative to oil products. An efficient architecture for the membrane reactor is constituted of a porous support, a thin dense membrane and a catalyst layer. This work is focused on the elaboration process of such asymmetric membranes by co-sintering of at least the porous support and the dense membrane and specially the choice of well adapted materials. La0.8Sr0.2Fe0.7Ga0.3O3-δ perovskite material has been chosen as the dense membrane because it exhibits a good compromise between oxygen flux and stability. The choice of the material for the porous support is mainly oriented by the sintering behaviour of the membrane, the thermal expansion behaviour of both layers to avoid cracks formation under working conditions and the chemical inertness of both materials. Several formulations fulfilling these three requirements were synthesized by liquid phase reaction and tape-cast. A pore forming agent was added in the support tapecasting slurry in order to create a controlled porosity. Then, the porous support has been characterized in term of gas permeability and thermal expansion under working conditions. Keywords: Ceramic membrane, co-sintering, perovskite, syngas, mixed conducting materials

Oxygen permeation and dimensional stability under pO2 gradient of (La,Sr)(Fe, Ga)O3-delta perovskite membranes

International audienceNatural gas conversion into syngas, is very attractive for hydrogen or cleanfuel production and provides a new alternative to oil products ......

Successful Auxiliary Liver Transplant Followed by Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in X-Linked Lymphoproliferative Disease Type 1

We described a five-year-old boy who presented with acute liver failure of indeterminate aetiology, requiring urgent liver transplant. Post-operative course was complicated by pancytopaenia, hypogammaglobulinaemia and cerebral lesions, histologically confirmed as EBV-driven post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease. Genetic testing showed XLP1 mutation, prompting matched-unrelated haematopoietic stem cell transplant to cure his primary immunodeficiency