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Problematic and risky behaviors such as drunk driving, drug taking, and binge drinking are often undertaken in social situations where a bystander could intervene. To date, research has examined neither social marketing's effect on interveners nor the mechanisms by which that might work. On the basis of reader response theory, we introduce a new concept, comedic reproducibility, defined as the perception that one can reuse stimuli to elicit mirth in others, and we study its role in humorous social advertising for intervening intentions. Our research reports two studies. In Study 1, we explore the route by which affiliative humor style affects intention to intervene via a mediation effect of intervening anxiety. We also examine the interactive influence of comedic reproducibility of the ad and audience affiliative humor style on intervening anxiety. In Study 2, we examine the direct effects of comedic reproducibility on intention to intervene. Results demonstrate that social advertising messages perceived as comedically reproducible provide audiences with a tool they can use in conjunction with their affiliative humor style to stop their friends from behaving dangerously. The findings can be used by social marketers to create and pretest the effectiveness of comedically reproducible campaigns that target intervening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• RDT drug testing was perceived as less procedurally just than RBT alcohol testing. • Drug drivers perceived RDT to be less procedurally just than non-drug drivers. • Intentions to drug drive were associated with lower perceptions of RDT's legitimacy. • Changes to current policing practices and/or to drug driving laws may be required. Introduction: There is a need for improved drug driving enforcement to promote greater driver compliance with drug driving laws. In Australia, Roadside Drug Testing (RDT) suffers from operational challenges that undermine its effectiveness in reducing drug driving. Objective : To identify potential improvements to RDT, this study investigated the extent to which drivers perceive RDT to be procedurally just and that the policing of drug driving and the associated laws are legitimate. These perceptions were then compared with those applying to Random Breath Testing (RBT) and examined in relation to their respective influence on intentions to drug and drink drive in the future. Method : A sample of 1,483 licensed drivers from three Australian states completed an online survey. Results: Those participants who reported engaging in drug driving perceived RDT to be less procedurally just than non-drug drivers. Similarly, drug drivers perceived the police and associated drug driving laws to be less legitimate than non-drug drivers. Furthermore, drug drivers who had been tested at an RDT operation in the past perceived RDT to be less procedurally just and considered drug driving policing and laws to be less legitimate, compared with the corresponding perceptions of drink drivers who had been tested at an RBT operation. A regression analysis indicated that stronger intentions to drug drive in the future were associated with lower perceptions of police legitimacy and the legitimacy of drug driving laws, but not with the elements of procedural justice. However, follow-up analyses indicated that the influence of procedural justice on intentions was mediated by the two legitimacy variables, thus weakening its direct impact on intentions. Practical applications: The results highlight the need for road safety authorities to enhance the perceived legitimacy of drug driving enforcement and associated laws. Changes to current police practices and/or drug-driving laws may also be needed to enhance the effectiveness of RDT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcohol consumption is a significant risk factor for several types of injuries and trauma recidivism and remains an important public health concern worldwide. We aimed to describe the implementation of mandatory alcohol screening and the AUDIT tool among trauma patients admitted to a level 1 trauma center in a country with a partial ban on alcohol consumption. This was a retrospective analysis of trauma patients (>12 years old) who required hospital admission and underwent blood alcohol concentration (BAC) screening between 2014 and 2019. This was achieved via an enzymatic method using alcohol dehydrogenase for ethanol detection in the plasma and serum samples. Trauma patients with a BAC <2.2 mmol/L were referred to as "negative", and BAC >2.2 mmol/L was referred to as "BAC positive". A comparative analysis was performed between the two BAC groups. Alcohol Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral for Treatment [ASBIRT] program, and AUDIT were applied. A total of 7326 BAC screening tests were performed on 7284 patients during the study period. With slight variation over the years, the compliance rate was 77% (70.4%–85.3%), and the test positivity rate was 10% (8.6%–12.5%). There were 42 repeated admissions, of which seven patients were BAC positive at every admission. Young age and non-Arab patients were more likely to test positive, and the main mechanism of injury (MOI) was road traffic-related trauma (p < 0.05). Assault and self-inflicted injuries were significantly higher in BAC-positive patients than in BAC-negative patients (18% vs. 4% and 2.7% vs. 1.3%, respectively; p = 0.001). The injury severity score (ISS) and mortality rate were comparable between the study groups. Patients with a positive BAC were significantly more likely to undergo pan-CT scan in the emergency department, intubation, and exploratory laparotomy than those with a negative BAC. In patients who sustained injuries due to assault, all-terrain vehicles, or motorcycle crashes, there was a significant association between the positivity of BAC tests and the patient's ISS. Despite improvements in BAC screening in trauma admissions over the years, almost 20% of cases were missed. Although the mortality rates were comparable, alcohol consumption burdens resources in terms of excess imaging, intubation, open abdominal surgery, and possible disability. Further studies are needed to understand the key obstacles and challenges to achieving optimum compliance for screening in trauma settings. • Alcohol consumption is a significant risk factor for several types of injury and trauma recidivism. • In Qatar, there is a partial ban on alcohol use and a zero-tolerance policy for driving under the influence of alcohol. • There is a newly implemented mandatory alcohol screening protocol and auditing in the national trauma center since 10 years. • The compliance rate for BAC screening and psychiatry referral in trauma patients has improved over the study period. • Although mortality was comparable, alcohol consumption poses a burden on the hospital resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Angle Health Law Review is the property of Angle Publishing Co., Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

AbstractUsing results from the 2017 Nevada Youth Risk Behavior Survey, this research aims to understand factors associated with driving under the influence of alcohol (DUIA), marijuana (DUIM), and both alcohol and marijuana (DUIB) among students who reported they drove and used alcohol and/or marijuana recently. DUIM was the most prevalent behavior (16.4%), followed by DUIB (9.3%) and DUIA (4.9%). Weighted multinomial logistic regression analysis showed more risk and protective factors were associated with DUIB than DUIM and DUIA. To decrease motor vehicle crashes among adolescents, interventions should address modifiable factors for driving under the influence of both alcohol and marijuana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Methods Results Discussion and Conclusions On 1 January 2020, Vietnam introduced a new law with harsher fines and penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol. Reports of empty beer restaurants following this implementation suggested the new law has the potential to reduce population‐level alcohol consumption. This pilot study aims to quantify short‐term changes in alcohol consumption levels after the implementation of the new law and assess whether it could lead to a reduction in total alcohol consumption in the population.Wastewater samples were collected from two sites along a sewage canal in Hanoi during two periods: Period 1 (15 December 2018 to 14 January 2019) and Period 2 (15 December 2019 to 14 January 2020). Ethyl sulfate, a specific metabolite of alcohol, was quantified to monitor the trend of alcohol consumption. Both interrupted time series and controlled interrupted time series approaches were utilised, with Period 1 and Period 2 serving as the control and intervention periods, respectively.Our analysis indicated that the implementation of the new law did not result in an immediate and significant reduction in alcohol consumption at the population level. Meanwhile, there was no significant difference in alcohol consumption between weekdays and weekends both before and after the implementation of the new law.Long‐term monitoring is needed to assess the impact of stricter DUI policy on alcohol consumption in the urban areas of Vietnam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Methods Results Significance Among motor vehicle crashes (MVCs), little is known about whether the characteristics and collision features involving drivers with epilepsy differ from those involving drivers without any history of epilepsy. We assessed MVC features and the effect of epilepsy diagnosis on the risk of severe crash‐related injuries among drivers.A total of 33 174 MVC events among people with epilepsy (PWE) and 663 480 MVC events of age‐ and sex‐matched non‐PWE (1:20) were selected. Crash‐related features that involved drivers with and without epilepsy were compared, including driver eligibility, medical history of comorbidities and medications, road and environmental conditions, and accident causes. Cox and logistic regression analyses were used to examine the risks of fatality and severe injury among drivers with and without epilepsy.PWE involved in MVCs were more likely to have lower socioeconomic status, comorbidities, scooter drivers without a qualified driver's license, driving under the influence of alcohol, and be involved in single‐vehicle accidents than non‐PWE. Drivers with epilepsy also had a higher risk of fatality within 30 days of MVC, with an adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of 1.37 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20–1.57) and a higher risk of hospital admission within 3 days after MVC (aHR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.29–1.38) compared to that of non‐PWE.The characteristics of MVCs of drivers with epilepsy were distinct from those of non‐affected drivers. And higher fatality and injury rates were observed among drivers with epilepsy, which should be considered in further policymaking regarding safe driving of PWE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims Design, setting and participants Measurements Findings Conclusions Research examining how alcohol consumption changed across different socio‐demographic groups during the pandemic has largely relied upon convenience samples recruited after the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to measure whether the pandemic shifted alcohol consumption in different gender, age and income groups in Australia.This was a longitudinal study using four waves (2017–20) of the annual Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey to compare pre‐pandemic consumption (2017–19) with consumption in 2020. A total of 11 636 participants in Australia aged 15 years and older took part.Participants were asked annually about their alcohol consumption, demographics and income.There was a statistically significant increase in alcohol consumption during the first year of the pandemic [incident rate ratio (IRR) = 1.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1, 1.1], largely driven by changes in drinking frequency. We found a significant difference in consumption change from pre‐COVID‐19 to during COVID‐19 for participants aged under 55 years compared with those aged over 55 years. In addition, participants aged 15–34 reported less alcohol consumption during the pandemic than those aged 35 years and older. No significant differences were identified across gender and income groups.Alcohol consumption in Australia increased during the first year of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Survey participants aged 55 years and over seemed to be the least impacted by the public health measures introduced during the pandemic, such as the closure of licensed premises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents here a novel electrical sensor for detecting alcohol concentration in the exhale of an individual. We highlight fabrication of the sensor followed by subsequent assemblage into a handheld unit. The prototype yields a remarkable sensitivity along with a linear range of ~ 250–800 ppm. Additionally, we demonstrate the implementation of it in the helmet of a biker—which is further validated by in situ results related to monitoring exhale activity of few subjects. Through proper tuning with the ignition control system, the prototype can act as a protective gear for drunken drivers. Once the concentration of alcohol is sensed above a permissible level, the ignition system can be momentarily stopped; thereby averting plausible accidents. We believe that this sensor can be upgraded to more advanced protocol via a little tweaking with Internet of Things. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is no intervention that quickly reduces a person's blood alcohol content (BAC). "Sober up before you drive" may prevent road traffic injury (RTI) caused by alcohol consumption. The aim of this study was to analyze the risk of RTI on an hourly basis (1–6 h) after the last drink and the determinants of this risk. This was a case-crossover study of alcohol consumption among 430 patients who suffered an RTI and arrived at an emergency department in a large hospital in Mexico City from January to April 2022. Of the 430 patients studied, 46 reported drinking within 1 h before the RTI, for a risk ratio (RR) of 7.7 (95% CI [5.6, 10.4]). This RR decreased to 2.2 (95% CI [1.3, 3.7]) for the 12 patients drinking in the second hour before the RTI and was null for those drinking earlier (p ≤ 0.001 for the trend). The induction time was 3 h among those with higher BAC and intoxication levels. The RR for an RTI decreases 71% from the first to second hour from the last drink and 32% from the second to third hour. This decrease was similar among those intoxicated and those with increased BACs. In multiple regression models, higher levels of intoxication and higher BACs remained associated with higher RRs. People should avoid driving after drinking. Waiting to drive, walking, or riding after drinking reduces the risk of an RTI, especially for people with higher BAC and intoxication levels. • The risk of TRI was higher 1 h after the last drink and decreased thereafter. • Risk was similar for drivers, pedestrians, and passengers. • The induction time was 1–2 h, extended for those with high BAC or intoxication. • Elevated risk depended on BAC at hospital entry and feeling intoxicated at injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We use a sample of 78,160 cases involving adults who pleaded guilty to drunk driving in a New South Wales (NSW) court between 2014 and 2019 to assess the contribution of neighbourhood disadvantage to charge dismissal. Data are analysed using a multilevel random effects model with controls for magistrate identity and legal factors that must be considered by the magistrate when deciding whether to dismiss a PCA charge against an offender. Findings indicate that magistrates with a higher dismissal rate are more lenient towards individuals from advantaged or highly advantaged socio-economic neighbourhoods. Magistrates with a lower dismissal rate, are less lenient toward those from advantaged or highly advantaged socio-economic neighbourhoods. Neighbourhood disadvantage has a statistically significant effect on judicial willingness to dismiss a charge of drink driving and record no conviction. The effect is small but affects many people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Camera‐based Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS) have the potential to exploit eye tracking correlates of alcohol intoxication to detect drunk driving. This study investigates how glance, blink, saccade, and fixation metrics are affected by alcohol, and whether possible effects remain stable across three different camera setups, as well as when the driver is out‐of‐the‐loop during level 4 automated driving (Wizard‐of‐Oz setup). Thirty‐five participants drove on a test track first sober and then with increasing intoxication levels reaching a breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) of 1‰. Linear Mixed‐Effects Regression analyses showed that with increasing intoxication levels, eye blinks became longer and slower, glances and fixations became fewer and longer, and more attention was directed to the road area, at the expense of more peripheral areas. Fixation and blink metrics were more robust to changes in automation mode, whereas glance‐based metrics were highly context dependent. Not all effects of alcohol intoxication could be measured with all eye tracking setups, where one‐camera systems showed lower data availability and higher noise levels compared to a five‐camera system. This means that lab findings based on higher quality eye tracking data might not be directly applied to production settings because of hardware limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drunk driving poses a significant threat to road safety, necessitating effective detection methods to enhance preventive measures and ensure the well-being of road users. Recognizing the critical importance of identifying drunk driving incidents for public safety, this paper introduces an effective semi-supervised anomaly detection strategy. The proposed strategy integrates three key elements: Independent Component Analysis (ICA), Kantorovitch distance (KD), and double Exponentially Weighted Moving Average (DEWMA). ICA is used to handle non-gaussian and multivariate data, while KD is used to measure the dissimilarity between normal and abnormal events based on ICA features. The DEWMA is applied to KD charting statistics to detect changes in data and uses a nonparametric threshold to improve sensitivity. The primary advantage of this approach is its ability to perform anomaly detection without requiring labeled data. The study also used XGBoost for the later calculation of the SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) values to identify the most important variables for detecting drunk driving behavior. The approach was evaluated using publicly available data from gas and temperature sensors, as well as digital cameras. The results showed that the proposed approach achieved an F1-score of 98% in detecting the driver's drunk status, outperforming conventional PCA-based and ICA-based methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: The number of convictions related to crimes against road safety continues to increase, with more than half being caused by driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs. In Spain, offenders for crimes against road safety have been widely sentenced to community service orders. Additionally, the penitentiary institution has implemented two intervention programmes, TASEVAL (awareness and re-education) and PROSEVAL (re-education and psychotherapeutic). A field study was designed to estimate the effectiveness of the TASEVAL and PROSEVAL intervention programmes in the reduction of the recidivism rate and drug and alcohol use. Method: A total of 57,532 offenders for crimes against road safety (37,556 sentenced to a community service order of up to 60 days' duration and 19,976 to a community service order of up to 60 days' duration and the TASEVAL intervention programme) were followed up in relation to recidivism. And a total of 5,765 (5,117 sentenced to a community service order of over 60 days' duration and 648 to a community service order of over 60 days' duration and the PROSEVAL intervention programme) were also followed up in relation to recidivism. 29 attendees on the TASEVAL intervention programme and 32 attendees on the PROSEVAL intervention programme were assessed pre- and post-intervention in unhealthy alcohol use and problematic drug use. Results: The results showed a significant association between the participation in the TASEVAL and PROSEVAL intervention programmes and non-recidivism. Succinctly, compared to community service orders, participation in these programmes increases the non-recidivist rate for the TASEVAL and PROSEVAL intervention programmes by 14.6% and 58.4% respectively. Regarding substance and alcohol use, the TASEVAL programme showed a significant reduction in alcohol and drug use after the implementation of the programme. However, the PROSEVAL programme did not reveal a significant effect on alcohol and drug use (no therapeutic effect). Conclusions: The present study supports the effectiveness of specific intervention programmes for road traffic offenders in the reduction of recidivism. Additionally, these intervention programmes (though not all of them) may have a mitigating effect on the alcohol and drug use mediators of recidivism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to estimate the driving times of drivers who prefer electric scooter vehicles. In general, e-scooters reduce the loss of time caused by traffic jams thanks to their smaller size and maneuverability, therefore, these vehicles provide rapid progress in urban journeys. E-scooters also offer an advantage in finding a parking space and easy parking thanks to their more compact structure. In this study, ML algorithms were used to predict the driving times of drivers who prefer e-scooter vehicles. The AB model performed well with a low Mean Square Error (MSE) value (0.005). The Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and Mean Absolute Error (MAE) values were also relatively low (0.069 and 0.039, respectively), indicating that the model's predictions were close to the actual values. Also, the high R-squared-Coefficient of Determination (R²) value (0.947) suggested that this model explained the data quite well, and its predictions approached the actual values with high accuracy. On the other hand, the GB algorithm performed poorly compared to different algorithms, with its high margin of error and low accuracy rate. These results provide an advantage in time management by estimating the travel time a driver will make with the e-scooter. As a result, e-scooters offer drivers the opportunity to save time and manage their daily mobility more effectively, driving these vehicles attractive for transportation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Methamphetamine is frequently co-consumed with alcohol, yet combined effects on visually guided behaviours have not been experimentally assessed. This study examined whether methamphetamine and alcohol-induced changes in gaze behaviour can be accurately detected and indexed during a simulated driving task to establish characteristic patterns relevant to traffic safety. Methods: In a randomised, placebo-controlled, cross-over study design, the effects of acute oral methamphetamine (0.42 mg/kg) were assessed with and without low doses of alcohol (target 0.04% blood alcohol content) on gaze behaviour during driving. Twenty healthy adults (mean age 29.5 years (SD ± 4.9), 40% female) completed four, 1-h simulated drives with simultaneous eye monitoring using the SensoMotoric Instruments cap-mounted eye tracker over a 4-week experimental paradigm. Gaze entropy measures were used to quantify visual scanning efficiency, expressed as gaze transition entropy and stationary gaze entropy. Fixations, recorded as duration (milliseconds, ms) and rate (count) per minute, were examined in 10-min bins over the duration of the drive. Driving performance was assessed by the standard deviation of lateral position, standard deviation of speed and steering variability. Results: Methamphetamine increased the rate and duration of fixations and produced a less dispersed but more disorganised pattern of gaze during highway driving while preserving performance. Alcohol alone impaired both oculomotor control and driving performance, even when consumed at levels well below the legal limit stipulated in many international jurisdictions. Conclusions: Methamphetamine-affected drivers display inefficient exploration in a limited visual range during driving. Eye-tracking metrics thus show potential for indexing intoxication due to psychoactive substance usage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines criminal behavior over the welfare payment cycle. Using unique individual‐level administrative data on welfare recipients, we exploit exogenous variation in payment dates over time and across Dutch municipalities. The results suggest that financially motivated crime increases by 12% over the payment cycle, indicating serious financial constraints toward the end of the month. Non‐financially motivated offenses, particularly sex and violent offenses and driving under the influence offenses (DUIs), peak directly after benefits receipt and decrease over the payment cycle, suggesting an underlying spike in consumption conducive to crime. Public order offenses and DUIs also increase with weekend disbursement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Many individuals did not change their drinking and driving behaviours during the pandemic. • Individuals reacted differently to COVID and the restrictions put in place early in the pandemic. • Individual factors such as stress influenced drinking and driving behaviours during COVID. • Work, family, and government decisions were reported to influence behaviours during the pandemic. • Factors beyond COVID health concerns influenced individuals' drinking and driving behaviours. COVID-19 influenced life in a multitude of ways beyond immediate health impacts. This included driving behaviours. People drove less often during the early months of the pandemic, yet crash rates increased. There were reports of increased alcohol consumption during this same time which was considered to impact on driving behaviours such as drink driving. This study explores the thoughts and opinions of Queensland, Australian drivers (n = 798) concerning driving behaviours, alcohol consumption, and drink driving behaviours during the early phases of the pandemic (April – August 2020). Participants responded to qualitative questions in online questionnaires over three phases that prompted thoughts in these domains. Bronfenbrenner's bioecological model was found to explain participants' comments with the six layers seeming to impact driving, alcohol consumption, and drink driving behaviours. That is, these behaviours were influenced at an individual level (e.g., coping mechanisms), the microsystem level (e.g., reduced opportunities for socialisation), the mesosystem (e.g., work demands impacting family), the exosystem (e.g., large scale random breath testing was suspended and road police deployed to border control), the macrosystem (e.g., Australian drinking culture), and the chronosystem (the pandemic). Understanding the perspectives of individuals during a sudden shift in life caused by COVID-19 highlights the broader impact of the pandemic on people's behaviours. In addition, this study also provides important insights into the intricacies of driving, drinking and drink driving behaviours. These understandings can inform future research and countermeasures to prevent these risky behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate whether state health insurance parity laws adopted in the 1990s and 2000s for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment reduce traffic fatalities in the United States. Impaired driving is a major contributing factor to US traffic fatalities. State health insurance parity laws compel private insurers to cover SUD treatment more generously—on par with physical health services. We employ 21 years of administrative data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System. We estimate both two-way fixed-effects regressions and an interaction-weighted estimator that is robust to potential bias attributable to heterogenous and dynamic treatment effects with staggered policy adoption. Our findings indicate that state parity law passage reduces overall traffic fatality rates by 2.8 percent, with larger effects for fatalities that involve alcohol. These findings suggest that state regulations requiring private insurers to equitably cover SUD treatment can improve traffic safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyses the two idiomatic expressions 'mettersi nei panni altrui' and 'non stare nella pelle' alongside their variants 'mettersi nei piedi altrui' and 'non stare nei panni'. It does so by observing the usage frequency of each form over centuries, with the twofold aim to ascertain which variant was originally more prevalent to express empathy and excitement, and to determine the period when it fell out of common usage. Whilst 'mettersi nei piedi altrui' is no longer in contemporary Italian usage, supplanted by the form 'mettersi nei panni altrui', the less common variant 'non stare nei panni' -- which appears to be a more recent development compared to the form 'non stare nella pelle' -- seems to persist in current usage. This survey has been conducted by using an assortment of resources, including textual databases such us LIZ, Corpus OVI, Primo Tesoro della lingua italiana del Novecento, and archives from Corriere della Sera, La Stampa, Repubblica, CoLiWEB and so on. The results that emerged from the analysis of these resources have been compared with references to these expressions attested in Italian dictionaries ranging from Crusca I (1612) to Nuovo Devoto-Oli (2023). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oropharyngeal dysphagia, or difficulty initiating swallowing, is a frequent problem in people with Parkinson's disease (PD) and can lead to aspiration pneumonia. The efficacy of pharmacological options is limited. Postural strategies, such as a chin-down manoeuvre when drinking, have had some degree of success but may be difficult for people who have other limitations such as dementia or neck rigidity, to reproduce consistently. Using a user-centred design approach and a multidisciplinary team, we developed and tested an anti-choking mug for people with PD that helps angle the head in the optimum position for drinking. The design reflected anthropometric and ergonomic aspects of user needs with features including regulation of water flow rate and sip volume, an inner slope, a thickened handle and a wide base, which promoted a chin-down posture when used. Prototype testing using digital technology to compare neck flexion angles (the primary outcome), plus clinical outcomes assessed using standard tools (Swallowing Clinical Assessment Score in Parkinson's Disease (SCAS-PD) and Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) Parts II and III), found significant improvements in a range of parameters related to efficient swallowing and safe drinking when using the anti-choking mug versus a sham mug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: COVID-19 have changed our lifestyle and little is known how our lifestyle associated with flourishing during COVID-19. This study examined the association between lifestyle, including sleep time, drinking, and smoking, and flourishing during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. Methods: We used the population-based study, Utsunomiya COVID-19 seROprevalence Neighborhood Association (U-CORONA) survey conducted in November 2021 to examine the association between lifestyle such as sleeping time, drinking and smoking, and flourishing (n = 473). Flourishing was assessed with the flourishing index, a 10-item multidimensional scale with five domains. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed adjusted for sex, age, income, and education. Results: We found that the flourishing index was significantly lower in the group that slept less than 6 h than in the group that slept 6-8 h (coef = -0.49, SE = 0.17, p < 0.01). We also found that drinking once to several times/week showed higher flourishing than those who almost never drink (coef = 0.57, SE = 0.19, p < 0.01). Smoking was not associated with flourishing. Discussion: Sleep duration and drinking habit, but not smoking, may be important for flourishing during the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of benzodiazepines is strongly associated with an increased risk of traffic accidents due to their side effects of sedation and drowsiness, which can significantly impair driving performance. The main aim of our study was to investigate the trend of benzodiazepine use over nine years (2015–2023) in a population of 15,988 subjects who had their license suspended for driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs. Among the 15,988 users accessed to our laboratory, 924 tested positive for at least one benzodiazepine. An increase in the number of positive-testing users was observed in the period 2015–2018, followed by a slight decrease in 2019. Overall, the trend of benzodiazepine use was stable over the next four years (2020–2023), with the highest incidence in 2022. The most common benzodiazepines, and/or metabolites, found in urine samples were α-OH-alprazolam (28.66%; n = 366) and oxazepam (27.25%; n = 348). Several cases of mixed positivity were observed in the study population. The main substances taken with benzodiazepines were cocaine and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Our findings suggest that people taking benzodiazepines should be monitored, as these have a relevant impact on driving ability in addition to significant interindividual differences in the behavioral effects of benzodiazepines on driving performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Driving cohorts such as young drivers, male drivers, passenger cars, and pickups appear to have higher propensities of engaging in speeding driving. • The propensity of speeding is higher when the driver is drinking, distracted, changing lanes, negotiating a curve, driving in lighted condition, and on curved roads. • The random parameter logit model with heterogeneity in means has better performance as opposed to that without heterogeneity in means. Introduction: Speeding behavior is a major threat to road traffic safety, which can increase crash risks and result in severe injury outcomes. Although several studies have been conducted to analyze speeding crashes and relevant influential factors, the heterogeneity of variables has not been fully explored. Based on the traffic crash data extracted from the Crash Report Sampling System, the study aims to identify the factors that influence speeding driving with the consideration of variable heterogeneity. Method: Quasi-induced exposure technique is adopted to identify the disparities in the propensities of speeding for various driving cohorts. The random parameter logit model with heterogeneity in means is employed to examine the factors impacting speeding behavior. Results: Results indicate that: (a) driving cohorts such as young drivers, male drivers, passenger cars, and pickups appear to have higher propensities of engaging in speeding driving; (b) the propensity of speeding is higher when the driver is drinking, distracted, changing lanes, negotiating a curve, driving in lighted condition, and on curved roads; and (c) the random parameter logit model with heterogeneity in means has better performance as opposed to that without heterogeneity in means. Conclusions: Speeding behavior can be influenced by various factors in terms of driver-vehicle characteristics, physical condition, driving actions, and environmental conditions. Practical Applications: The findings could serve to develop effective countermeasures to reduce speeding behavior and improve traffic safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Alcohol impairs perception, cognition, and action in manual driving, increasing accident risk. • Higher blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) result in more significant negative effects on driving. • More experienced drivers and drivers with more frequent alcohol consumption may be less impacted by the alcohol. • Limited studies on automated vehicles show similar impairments due to alcohol as in manual driving. • Methodological biases in reviewed studies may impact generalizability of findings. • Recommendations include in-car systems and assistive driving tech to improve road safety. Introduction : Almost a third of car accidents involve driving after alcohol consumption. Autonomous vehicles (AVs) may offer accident-prevention benefits, but at current automation levels, drivers must still perform manual driving tasks when automated systems fail. Therefore, understanding how alcohol affects driving in both manual and automated contexts offers insight into the role of future vehicle design in mediating crash risks for alcohol-impaired driving. Method: This study conducted a systematic review on alcohol effects on manual and automated (takeover) driving performance. Fifty-three articles from eight databases were analyzed, with findings structured based on the information processing model, which can be extended to the AV takeover model. Results: The literature indicates that different Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) levels affect driving skills essential for traffic safety at various information processing stages, such as delayed reacting time, impaired cognitive abilities, and hindered execution of driving tasks. Additionally, the driver's driving experience, drinking habits, and external driving environment play important roles in influencing driving performance. Conclusions : Future work is needed to examine the effects of alcohol on driving performance, particularly in AVs and takeover situations, and to develop driver monitoring systems. Practical applications: Findings from this review can inform future experiments, AV technology design, and the development of driver state monitoring systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

College students are a primary population for risky alcohol use behaviors, with one of every eleven students grappling with severe alcohol-related issues. The objective of this scoping review was to synthesize the existing literature to identify factors influencing the prevalence of drinking and driving (DAD) behaviors among college students. A scoping review was conducted using Medline (PubMed), ERIC, The American Journal on Addictions, and the NCHA databases. Criteria for article selection included being published in English and focused on DAD behaviors among college students. Articles excluded from the review were systematic reviews and discussion pieces without empirical findings related to college DAD. Of the included studies (n = 23), most identified a range of factors as being influential in college students' DAD behavior including a family history of alcohol misuse, the use of other substances such as marijuana, age of initial alcohol consumption, place of residence, propensity for sensation seeking, affiliation with sorority/fraternity groups, and the perception of associated risks. Effective strategies may include education on the risks of combined alcohol and substance use, screening and brief interventions tailored to at-risk students, and the implementation of campus policies that promote responsible alcohol consumption and deter DAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drunkenness is one of the main causes of car accidents in the world today. In every car accident case in the world, a driver who consumed excessive amounts of alcohol has been investigated. So here we have created a smart wine experience using arduino which turns off the engine and combines with gsm or gps for location transfer. The system provides automatic detection of breath alcohol and we also show that the engine is used as a tool. We also use the GSM module to send SMS to interested parties when alcohol is detected and the engine stops. There are wide range of MQ series gas sensors where as we use MQ3 gas sensor with arduino uno for this project along with GSM for messaging. If the driver is feeling well, i.e., the alcohol level is below the allowable limit, the car will usually indicate by turning the engine, but in the case of a drunk driver, the alcohol level will be higher than normal. Allowed level detected by the detector Breathalyzer and Arduino control can stop the engine to not get drunk and also send notification to the authorities or family members to help. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Road traffic accidents are of major concern and could be reduced by better education. This paper describes the development of a virtual reality (VR) app that mimics the effects of alcohol on a driver. It was developed using Unity (version 2019.3.14), smartphone and Google Cardboard™. The user experiences a car following a predetermined route that is lined with trees and objects (traffic lights, road signs and other cars) which they need to spot and react to. By using graphical filters and time delays the driver has a feeling of being under the influence of alcohol. Twenty volunteers (18–60 years old; mean age ± sd 25.5 ± 11.6) participated in its evaluation. Data were collected on concentration times, reaction speed and observation of objects in both the alcohol simulated (impaired) and non-simulated (unimpaired) runs. Data were analysed using paired t-test. The result showed that people spent longer concentrating on objects in the impaired vs unimpaired run (10.72 ± 5.07 vs 5.30 ± 4.22 s n:20; p < 0.0001). The average reaction speed to objects in the unimpaired run was lower than in the impaired run (1.44 ± 0.66 vs 2.66 ± 0.28 s n:20; p < 0.001). Seventeen out of twenty subjects spotted all the required objects in the unimpaired whereas only seven out of twenty spotted all the objects in the impaired run (p < 0.001). The authors have shown that an inexpensive VR app can be used to demonstrate to users the effect that alcohol can have on concentration, reaction speeds and observational skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study was to examine characteristics concerning frequent users of emergency medical services (EMS) transport by comparing patients who used EMS transport frequently for one year and those who used EMS transport for more than two years consecutively. Methods: A retrospective review for frequent use of EMS transport was conducted. The patients from the fire stations that transported more than 70% of all EMS transport to the study hospital emergency department (ED) were included. The study subjects were divided into consecutive group (frequent EMS transport for ≥ two years consecutively) and non-consecutive group (frequent EMS transport for only one year). Characteristics of patients who were frequent users of EMS transport and those of all cases with EMS transport were examined. Results: Of the total 205 patients and 1204 cases of frequent EMS transport, 85 (42%) patients and 755 (63%) cases were in the consecutive group. Patients in the consecutive group were more likely to have risky alcohol use, unemployed state, and medical aid type of payment for ED treatment than those in the non-consecutive group. More patients had previous experience of EMS transport to the study hospital ED in the consecutive group and the number of cases with alcohol ingestion was higher in the consecutive group. Elapsed time from EMS call to ED arrival was longer for the consecutive group. Conclusion: Risky alcohol use, unemployed state, and previous experience of EMS transport were associated with consecutive and frequent use of EMS transport in frequent users of EMS transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sport is considered an exceptional activity for promoting healthy lifestyles, but the relationship between sport and alcohol consumption is inconclusive. Research on personal values may shed light on this issue and thus make it possible to find effective ways to prevent alcohol misuse in adolescents. The main objectives of this study were to explore the relationships between personal values and alcohol consumption amongst adolescent athletes and to validate the Portrait Values Questionnaire-21 (PVQ-21) in this population. A total of 914 athletes (aged 11–19; 55.4% female) participated in this study. Confirmatory multidimensional scaling analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were performed. Logistic regression models were fitted to assess the predictive power of personal values on alcohol use. Openness to change values positively predicted high-frequency alcohol use and high-frequency heavy episodic drinking, whereas the opposite occured with athletes who held conservation values. Furthermore, the probability of presenting heavy episodic drinking was negatively associated with conservation values. Finally, the PVQ-21 presented adequate psychometric properties to assess personal values among adolescent athletes. It is crucial to consider the personal values of adolescent athletes when promoting healthy lifestyles through sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bullying, traditional or cyber, among adolescents, is a public health concern. In this study, we explored frequencies and correlates of different forms of bullying among Connecticut high-school students. Youth Risk Behavior Survey data from 2019 from Connecticut adolescents (N = 1814) were used. χ2 tests and survey-weighted logistic regressions examined relationships between bullying subgroups (in-school traditional bullying (ISTB) only, cyberbullying only, and both) and mental concerns, risk behaviors, academic performance, physical health, and receipt of social support, with the logistic regressions adjusted for demographics. The past-12-month frequency of having experienced only cyberbullying was 5.6%, only ISTB was 9.1%, and both forms was 8.7%. Between-group differences were observed by bullying status in terms of sex and race/ethnicity. In adjusted models, bullying status was associated with suicide attempts, suicidal ideation, self-harm, depression/dysphoria, mental health, use of alcohol, marijuana, injection drugs, tobacco, and e-vapor, gambling, driving under influence of alcohol, high-risk sexual behavior, physical fights, weapon-carrying, injuries/threats at school, feeling unsafe at school, dating violence, obesity, poor general health, insecure housing, less perceived family support, and poor academic performance. People experiencing both types of bullying were typically more likely to report adverse measures. High-school students commonly report bullying. The findings that both forms (traditional and cyber) were more robustly linked to negative experiences highlight the need for examining further relationships between types and patterns of bullying and mental health and functioning. Better understanding may help improve preventive anti-bullying interventions. • Bullying (cyber, in school traditional, and both) was associated with poor health. • Rates of in-school traditional bullying-only were highest, followed by both forms. • Experiencing both forms of bullying was associated with more severe correlates. • The patterns of correlates differed among those with both or either form of bullying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzes how emerging adults negotiate their relation to alcohol in the context of declining youth drinking and how this relationship changes over time. The sample consists of longitudinal qualitative interview data (N = 28) with 9 boys and 19 girls aged 15 to 21. The participants were recruited through schools, social media and non-governmental organizations from mainly the Stockholm region and smaller towns in central Sweden to reach a heterogeneous sample in terms of sociodemographic factors and drinking practices. We interviewed the participants in-depth three times between 2017 and 2019. Thematic coding of the whole data with NVivo helped us select four cases for more detailed analysis, as they represented the typical trajectories and showed the variation in the material. We used the master narrative framework and Bamberg's narrative positioning analysis to examine the data. The analysis demonstrates what kinds of narrative alignments in identity development encourage heavy drinking, moderate alcohol consumption, and fuel abstinence. The results suggest that the decline in youth drinking is produced by a co-effect of multiple master narratives that intersect and guide the identity development away from heavy drinking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug use and road traffic injuries (RTIs) are significant public health concerns globally, with the majority of RTIs occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs is a major factor in RTIs, as psychoactive drugs can impair mental functioning and vehicular control. While alcohol-related traffic deaths have declined, drug-impaired driving is increasing. In India, RTIs are on the rise, and there is a need for more research on drug use and driving under the influence. The lack of research evidence in India contributes to a lack of comprehensive laws and policies for prevention and treatment of drug-related RTIs. It is recommended that research focus on various aspects of drug-impaired driving, and trauma centers should be equipped with testing and treatment services. [Extracted from the article]

Lithium metal battery has great development potential because of its lowest electrochemical potential and highest theoretical capacity. However, the uneven deposition of Li+ flux in the process of deposition and stripping induces the vigorous growth of lithium dendrites, which results in severely battery performance degradation and serious safety hazards. Here, the tetragonal BaTiO3 polarized by high voltage corona was used to build an artificial protective layer with uniform positive polarization direction, which enables uniform Li+ flux. In contrast to traditional strategies of using protective layer, which can guide the uniform deposition of lithium metal. The ferroelectric protective layer can accurately anchor the Li+ and achieve bottom deposition of lithium due to the automatic adjustment of the electric field. Simultaneously, the huge volume changes caused by Li+ migration change of the lithium metal anode during charging and discharging is functioned to excite the piezoelectric effect of the protective layer, and achieve seamless dynamic tuning of lithium deposition/stripping. This dynamic effect can accurately anchor and capture Li+. Finally, the layer‐modified Li anode enables reversible Li plating/stripping over 1500 h at 1 mA cm−2 and 50 °C in symmetric cells. In addition, the assembled Li‐S full cell exhibits over 300 cycles with N/P ≈ 1.35. This work provides a new perspective on the uniform Li+ flux at the Li‐anode interface of the artificial protective layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to assess sociodemographic and behavioral risk factors associated with driving after marijuana use (DAMU) among West Virginia college students. Participants were recruited from West Virginia University between September and November 2022. The study sample was restricted to students who were ≥18 years of age; reported recently driving; possessed a current, valid driver's license from any US state; and were enrolled for at least one credit hour in the Fall 2022 semester. Among respondents (N = 772), 28.9% reported DAMU. Students who had a GPA of B (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06–4.42), smoked or ingested marijuana in the past year (AOR: 26.51, 95% CI: 10.27–68.39), drove after drinking (AOR: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.18–4.79), and used both marijuana and alcohol concurrently and then drove (AOR: 10.39, 95% CI: 2.32–46.54) associated with DAMU. Individuals who felt the behavior was somewhat dangerous or not dangerous or thought their peers approved of DAMU showed significant associations with DAMU. As DAMU was prevalent, future interventions that raise awareness of the danger and potential consequences of DAMU may be needed to reduce this risky behavior on college campuses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first aim of the study was to identify sex differences in the use of psychoactive substances among subjects with a previous driving under the influence (DUI) episode. The secondary objective was to propose specific strategies for medico-legal improvements. This was a retrospective observational study that took place between June 1, 2019, and August 31, 2023. It was conducted on DUI subjects examined for reinstatement of their driver's license using an integrated medico-legal and toxicological approach. Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and illicit psychoactive substances were determined from hair samples. We performed descriptive statistical analyses for the entire sample as well as separately by sex. Additionally, we conducted binary logistic regression analyses separately for males and females to identify protective/risk factors associated with previous road accidents and judgments of unfitness to drive due to excessive alcohol consumption (EtG ≥ 30 pg/mg). The study included 2,221 subjects, comprising 1,970 men and 251 women. Men exhibited a higher prevalence of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit psychoactive substance use. Women were more frequently co-users of alcohol and psychoactive substances and involved in road accidents at the time of DUI. Among the men, being married or having a partner was found to be a protective factor concerning past traffic accidents. For both sexes, a DUI episode with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) exceeding 1.5 g/L or the co-ingestion of alcohol and drugs was identified as a risk factor for road accident involvement. For men, smoking more than 20 cigarettes per day and, for women, having a DUI episode with a BAC over 1.5 g/L were the main factors indicating unfitness to drive, as determined through high hair EtG levels (> 30 pg/mg). Women with a previous history of road accidents were less likely to have EtG levels of 30 pg/mg or more. The study confirmed sex differences in subjects with a previous DUI episode. A BAC exceeding 1.5 g/L or the simultaneous use of alcohol and drugs at the time of DUI necessitate careful assessment of both men and women seeking driver's license reinstatement. In women, a BAC exceeding 1.5 g/L is considered a risk factor for a subsequent judgment of unfitness to drive. The medico-legal assessment should also involve a thorough investigation of smoking habits in men, as these habits could be related to an increased risk of excessive alcohol consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]