On propose un modèle visant à rendre compte des dynamiques d'influence dans les tâches d'aptitudes. Ce modèle est une extension de celui déjà proposé par Butera, Gardair, Maggi et Mugny (1998). Ce dernier avançait quatre dynamiques d'influences selon le haut ou bas degré de compétence de la cible d'influence d'une part et de la source de l'autre. Il était proposé qu'une source compétente n'obtenait le plus souvent aucune influence sur des cibles d'égale compétence et seulement de l'influence manifeste sur des cibles incompétentes. Une source incompétente quant à elle n'était censée obtenir de l'influence qu'à un niveau profond face à des cibles d'égale incompétence, et aucune sur des cibles de compétence supérieure. La présente extension tient compte d'un paramètre supplémentaire, la présence ou l'absence de menace pour l'identité de la cible introduite par le contexte de comparaison sociale. Il est argué que les sources compétentes introduisent le plus souvent une menace, tandis que ce n'est pas le cas des sources incompétentes. Le modèle considère les modifications des dynamiques du modèle précédent qu'on peut attendre lorsque le contexte d'influence évacue cette menace lors de confrontations avec une source compétentes et l'introduit lors de confrontations avec une source incompétente. Un premier étayage expérimental de ces dynamiques est proposé

The aims were twofold: to examine the gambling habits of emerging adult males in the French-speaking regions of Switzerland and to what extent these habits predict problem gambling within this population. We also evaluated problem gambling rates and provided data concerning variables such as gambling location, level of information about problem gambling and awareness of treatment centers. 606 Swiss male conscripts, aged 18-22 years, completed a self-report questionnaire. This was administered during their army recruitment day in 2012. Problem gambling was assessed through the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) (Ferris and Wynne 2001). 78.5% of the respondents were lifetime gamblers, 56.1% were past-year gamblers. Four out of ten past-year gamblers played in private spaces and in back rooms. The PGSI indicated that 10.8% of past-year gamblers presented with moderate gambling problems, whilst 1.4% appeared to be problem gamblers. The majority of respondents had never received information about problem gambling. Moreover, they were unaware of the existence of treatment centers for problem gambling in their region. PGSI scores were significantly predicted by the variety of games played. Problem gambling rates among young men appear to be higher than those of the general Swiss population. This confirms that emerging adult males are a particularly vulnerable population with regards to gambling addiction. The implications of this are considered for youth gambling-prevention programs.

No abstract

A seroepidemiological study was conducted in 1994 on a representative sample of the population of Florence in order to verify the immunity coverage against diphtheria. Subjects were divided according to sex and age class. Sera from each selected class were at least 1.5/1000 of the residing population. Diphtheria antitoxin was titrated using a quantitative ELISA test. The results show an overall adjusted prevalence of diphtheria immunity (> or = 0.01 IU/ml) equal to 63.7%. Subjects of younger age classes have good protection levels (85.5% immune under 30 years), while only half individuals aged > or = 50 years have antibody titres > or = 0.01 IU/ml. Full protection (antibody titre > or = 0.1 IU/ml) was detected only in a very small proportion of those aged > or = 40 years. Our data show (1) how a recrudescence of diphtheria could theoretically take place in older subjects living in Italy, and (2) stress the importance of periodical re-vaccination of adults.

Coverage against hepatitis B is excellent in cohorts subject to mandatory immunization. If efforts to vaccinate are maintained at these levels, elimination of hepatitis B virus transmission could occur within few decades in Italy.