The role of parental alcohol consumption on driving under the influence of alcohol: Results from a longitudinal,nationally representative sample

PurposeMany studies have examined the role of peer and parental alcohol use on drinking behaviors among adolescents. Few studies, however, have examined parental influences on driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol. The current study uses data from a longitudinal study to examine the role of parental alcohol use during adolescence on the risk for DUI among young adult men and women.MethodsData were derived from 9559 adolescents and young adults who participated in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) Waves I and III. Survey logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between multilevel risk and protective factors and self-reported DUI. Analyses were stratified by gender and frequency of parental alcohol consumption to understand the role of parental alcohol use on risk for DUI among their youth.ResultsRisk and protective factors for DUI were very similar among men and women. Parental alcohol use significantly predicted DUI among women (OR = 1.39, p < 0.01) and men (OR = 1.33, p < 0.05). When parents did not report alcohol use, peer alcohol use significantly increased risk for DUI for both women (OR = 1.26, p < 0.05) and men (OR = 1.31, p < 0.001). When parents reported alcohol use, however, peer alcohol use was not a significant independent predictor.ConclusionsFindings suggest remarkable similarities in risk and protective factors for DUI across gender groups. For men and women, parental alcohol consumption was a risk factor for DUI. Peers’ alcohol use predicted DUI only when parents did not use alcohol.     

Corporate diversification,vertical integration,and internal capital markets: A cross-country study

Abstract and Key Results

The Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST) and measures of cognitive functioning

ObjectiveThe Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST) are utilised widely to assess fitness to drive when law enforcement suspects a driver's ability to drive is impaired, whether by drugs or alcohol. The SFST ostensibly achieve this through assessment of the level of drivers’ cognitive and psychomotor impairment, although no studies have explicitly assessed the relatedness of cognitive ability and performance on the SFST. The current study aimed to assess the relationship between the three components of the SFST with a well validated computerised cognitive battery.MethodA sub-set of 61 placebo condition participants comprised the sample, with 33 females and 28 males (mean age 25.45 years). Correlations between the individual SFST subscales ‘Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus’ (HGN), the ‘One Leg Stand’ (OLS) and the ‘Walk and Turn’ test (WAT) and Cognitive Drug Research (CDR) sub-scales of ‘Quality of Working Memory’, ‘Power of Attention’ and ‘Continuity of Attention’ were analysed using point-biserial correlation.ResultsSixty participants were included for analyses. A weak–moderate positive (five subscales) and a moderate–strong negative (two subscales) association was noted between seven of the nine individual CDR subscales and the SFST subscale of the WAT test (all p < 0.05). Individually, a moderate positive association was noted between the sub-scale ‘Nystagmus lack of smooth pursuit’ and ‘digit vigilance reaction time’ and ‘choice reaction time; reaction time’ (both p < 0.05) and ‘Nystagmus head move and/or jerk’ and ‘simple reaction time’ (p < 0.001). When assessed as a partially composite factor, a comparable association was also noted between the composite score of the SFST subscale ‘Nystagmus head move and/or jerk’ and both (a) simple and (b) digit vigilance reaction time (both p < 0.05). No association was noted between any of the individual cognitive variables and the SFST subscale ‘OLS’, or between composite cognitive scores ‘Quality of Working Memory’, ‘Power of Attention’ and ‘Continuity of Attention’ and total SFST scores.DiscussionVariation in some aspects of cognitive performance was found to be moderately and positively correlated with some individual aspects of the SFST; particularly among tasks which assess reaction time. Impairment of these cognitive processes can also contribute to the completion of complex tasks such as driving or the SFST. Complex behavioural tasks such as driving are often severely impaired due to intoxication, and thus in a practical sense, the SFST can still be considered a useful screening tool to identify drug or alcohol impaired drivers.     

The effects of cognitively demanding dual-task driving condition on elderly people’s driving performance; Real driving monitoring

BackgroundUsing in-vehicle audio technologies such as audio systems and voice messages is regarded as a common secondary task. Such tasks, known as the sources of non-visual distraction, affect the driving performance. Given the elderly drivers’ cognitive limitations, driving can be even more challenging to drivers. The current study examined how listening to economic news, as a cognitively demanding secondary task, affects elderly subjects’ driving performance and whether their comprehension accuracy is associated with these effects.MethodsParticipants of the study (N = 22) drove in a real condition with and without listening to economic news. Measurements included driving performance (speed control, forward crash risk, and lateral lane position) and task performance (comprehension accuracy).ResultsThe mean driving speed, duration of driving in unsafe zones and numbers of overtaking decreased significantly when drivers were engaged in the dual-task condition. Moreover, the cognitive secondary task led to a higher speed variability. Our results demonstrate that there was not a significant relationship between the lane changes and the activity of listening to economic news. However, a meaningful difference was observed between general comprehension and deep comprehension on the one hand and driving performance on the other. Another aspect of our study concerning the drivers’ ages and their comprehension revealed a significant relationship between age above 75 and comprehension level. Drivers aging 75 and older showed a lower level of deep comprehension.ConclusionOur study demonstrates that elderly drivers compensated driving performance with safety margin adoption while they were cognitively engaged. In this condition, however, maintaining speed proved more demanding for drivers aging 75 and older.     

Individuals' perceptions of technology and its relationship with ambition,unemployment, loneliness and insomnia in the Gulf

The aim of this study is multi-faceted: (i) to explore individuals' perspectives of the use of technology and its impacts, (ii) to identify the extent of children's use of technology, (iii) to examine the correlation between technology and ambition, unemployment, loneliness and insomnia. The data were collected from 256 participants in the Arab Gulf states using an online survey. The study found that participants have positive perceptions of technology and its benefits with highlighting some of its negative impacts, and that children use technology and electronic devices excessively, which affects them negatively. The results also showed that there was significant correlation between using technology and individuals' ambition, unemployment, loneliness and insomnia.     

Traumatic brain injury,driver aggression and motor vehicle collisions in Canadian adults

ObjectiveThis study examines the associations between lifetime traumatic brain injury (TBI), driver aggression, and motor vehicle collisions among a population sample of adults who reside in the province of Ontario, Canada.MethodA cross-sectional sample of 3993 Ontario adults, aged 18–97 were surveyed by telephone in 2011 and 2012 as part of Center for Addiction and Mental Health’s ongoing representative survey of adult mental health and substance use in Canada. TBI was defined as trauma to the head that resulted in loss of consciousness for at least five minutes or overnight hospitalization.ResultsAn estimated 91% (95% CI: 90.0, 91.9) of individuals in this sample held a valid Ontario driver’s license at the time of testing. Among those, 16.7% reported a history of lifetime TBI and 83.3% reported no TBI. The prevalence of TBI was higher among men than women. Relative to licensed adults without TBI, adults with a history of TBI had significantly higher odds of engaging in serious driver aggression in the past 12 months, such as making threats to hurt another driver, passenger or their vehicle (AOR = 4.39). These individuals also reported significantly higher odds (AOR = 1.74) of being involved in a motor vehicle collision that resulted in hurting themselves, their passenger(s) or their vehicle.ConclusionThis is the first population-based study to demonstrate a relationship between a history of TBI and higher rates of serious driver aggression and collision involvement. Given the large proportion of adult drivers with a history of TBI, these individuals may account for a disproportion burden of all traffic safety problems. Whether the increased road safety risk of adults with a history of TBI is reflective of neurocognitive deficits or is merely evidence of a cluster of unsafe activities produced by a higher risk lifestyles requires further research attention.     

Injury severity of pedestrians,bicyclists and motorcyclists resulting from crashes with reversing cars

ObjectivePedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists can suffer serious injury in road traffic crashes. To date, no studies examine the injury severity within this vulnerable cohort following collisions with reversing cars.Material and methodsOur institution prospectively maintains a database including medical and technical information regarding traffic accidents in our area, including urban and suburban regions. In a retrospective review of this database, the authors describe the injury severity of pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists following traffic crashes involving reversing cars. Injury severity was described using the abbreviated injury scale (AIS) as well as the maximum abbreviated injury scale (MAIS).ResultsThis study included 234 crashes occurring between 1999 and 2012. The lower extremity was injured most often while also suffering more severe injuries with a median AIS of 1 compared to 0 in all other documented body regions. The upper extremity was injured second most often. AIS ranging from 4 to 6 were infrequent. AIS 3 however, was documented for the legs in 4.3% of patients. MAIS 0, 1, 2, 3, 5 and 9 were found in 1, 164, 46, 14, 1, and 8 patients in the study cohort, respectively. Pedestrians and motorcyclists were seriously injured in 9.1% and 9.6% of cases, respectively. In contrast, no bicyclists suffered serious injuries. As to the zone of impact, most collisions occurred at the rear center of the vehicle (35%) followed by rear left (26%), rear right (20%), side rear (11%), side center (4%) and side front (3%). 204 (87.2%) collisions occurred during the day, 19 (8.1%) at night and 11 (4.7%) at twilight. Speed was similar in crashes involving pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists, being as high as 7.0 ± 3.6, 7.0 ± 4.0 and 7.9 ± 4.2 km/h respectively.ConclusionsThis is the first study that analyzes injury severity among these vulnerable road users following collisions with reversing vehicles. The majority of collisions occur at low impact speed during the day. Most injuries resulting from these collisions are not serious, however pedestrians are at greatest risk of severe injury to any body region. The lower extremities suffer the most serious and frequent injuries within this cohort.     

How much distance do we need? Revisiting the “National cultural distance paradox”

Abstract and Key Results

Factors affecting the ambulance response times of trauma incidents in Singapore

ObjectivesTime to definitive care is important for trauma outcomes, thus many emergency medical services (EMS) systems in the world adopt response times of ambulances as a key performance indicator. The objective of this study is to examine the underlying risk factors that can affect ambulance response times (ART) for trauma incidents, so as to derive interventional measures that can improve the ART.Material and methodsThis was a retrospective study based on two years of trauma data obtained from the national EMS operations centre of Singapore. Trauma patients served by the national EMS provider over the period from 1 January 2011 till 31 December 2012 were included. ART was categorized into “Short” (<4 min), “Intermediate” (4–8 min) and “Long” (>8 min) response times. A modelling framework which leveraged on both multinomial logistic (MNL) regression models and Bayesian networks was proposed for the identification of main and interaction effects.ResultsAmongst the process-related risk factors, weather, traffic and place of incident were found to be significant. The traffic conditions on the roads were found to have the largest effect—the odds ratio (OR) of “Long” ART in heavy traffic condition was 12.98 (95% CI: 10.66–15.79) times higher than that under light traffic conditions. In addition, the ORs of “Long ART” under “Heavy Rain” condition were significantly higher (OR 1.58, 95% CI: 1.26–1.97) than calls responded under “Fine” weather. After accounting for confounders, the ORs of “Long” ART for trauma incidents at “Home” or “Commercial” locations were also significantly higher than that for “Road” incidents.ConclusionTraffic, weather and the place of incident were found to be significant in affecting the ART. The evaluation of factors affecting the ART enables the development of effective interventions for reducing the ART.     

Sintering of a fine-grained BaCeO3 powder obtained from a co-precipitation method

The formation of BaCeO₃ by a co-precipitation method is described herein. The co-precipitation route leads to an orange (BaCe)-precursor powder (1). To improve the sintering behaviour, a small amount of Ge⁴⁺ was incorporated, leading to a (BaCe_0.95/Ge_0.05)-precursor (2). Both precursor powders results in fine-grained preceramic powders (1A, 2A) after calcination. The shrinkage and sintering behaviour of resulting powder compacts were studied in comparison to a coarse-grained mixed-oxide BaCeO₃ powder (3). Compacts of 2A reach a relative density of 90% after sintering at 1350 °C with grain sizes between 0.9 and 3.2 μm. On the other hand ceramics of 1A and 3 have, after sintering at 1500 °C (10 h), relative densities of 85 and 76%, respectively. Ceramic bodies of 1A consisted of phase-pure orthorhombic BaCeO₃, whereas bodies of 2A show reflections of BaCeO₃ and a Ba₂GeO₄ phase. DTA investigations of samples 1A and 2A reveal three phase transitions at 255 °C (1A) and 256 °C (2A) as well as 383 °C (1A) and 380 °C (2A). A very weak one can be obtained in the range 880–910 °C.     

Raman spectroscopy and AC conductivity of polyaniline montmorillonite (PANI–MMT) nanocomposites

A series of polyaniline/montmorillonite clay (PANI–MMT) nanocomposites were synthesised by in situ polymerisation of aniline in acidic medium in the presence of varying amounts (from 1 to 30 wt%) of MMT and a substoichiometric amount of ammonium persulfate (APS). For a preferred molar ratio of monomer to oxidant of 2:1, the aniline was polymerised and largely incorporated into the MMT. The PANI–MMT nanocomposites were characterised and compared by wide-angle powder X-ray diffraction and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Raman spectroscopy was used to investigate the interaction between clay layers and the intercalated polymer chains. Room temperature AC conductivity was measured in the frequency range 30 Hz to 1 MHz. Pure PANI and all the composites exhibited a low frequency region of frequency independent AC conductivity followed by a high frequency dispersive region where the AC conductivity obeyed a fractional power law of frequency dependence. The fractional exponent n for all the nanocomposites is significantly high as compared to that of pure PANI; n = 0.9 for all the composites whereas for pure PANI n = 0.2. In pristine PANI the onset of the dispersive region ω _c is at a much higher frequency (at 300 kHz) as compared to the nanocomposites in which ω _c is about 10 kHz.     

Internationalization of retail banks: A micro-level study of the multinationality-performance relationship

Abstract and Key Results

Stilbene-based liquid crystalline and photocrosslinkable polynaphthylphosphate esters

A series of liquid crystalline and photocrosslinkable polymers were synthesized from 4,4′-bis(m-hydroxyalkyloxy)stilbene (m = 2, 4, 6, 8, 10) with naphthylphosphorodichloridate. The synthesized polymers were characterized by spectroscopic techniques. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the polymers were stable between 283 and 341 °C, then underwent two-stage decomposition, and char yield increased with decreasing spacer length. DSC and HOPM analysis disclosed that the polymers III–V (m = 6, 8, 10) exhibited LC phases wherein flexible methylene spacer separates mesogenic alignment and reduces overall rigidity of polymers, while polymers I and II are unable to show LC phase. The photolysis was studied by UV–visible and fluorescence spectroscopy. The rate of photocrosslinking increases with increase in methylene chain. The fluorescence property decreased with successive UV irradiation in the polymers.     

Structural investigation of bismuth borate glass ceramics containing gadolinium ions by X-ray diffraction and FTIR spectroscopy

X-ray diffraction and FTIR spectroscopy measurements have been employed to investigate the xGd₂O₃ · (100 − x)[2Bi₂O₃ · B₂O₃] glass ceramics system, with 0  ≤ x ≤ 20 mol%. Heat treatment of glass samples at 625 °C for 24 h led to the formation of two crystalline phases. One crystalline phase is for the sample without gadolinium ions which belongs to the cubic system and another one is for the sample containing 20 mol% Gd₂O₃ which is orthorhombic with two unit cell parameters very close to each other. Between x = 0 mol% and x = 20 mol% there is a mixture of these crystalline phases. FTIR spectroscopy data suggest that the gadolinium ions play the network modifier role in the studied glasses. These data show that the glass structure consists of the BiO₃, BiO₆, BO₃, and BO₄ structural units, and the conversion among these units mainly depends on the Gd₂O₃ content.     

Synthesis and photovoltaic properties of conjugated copolymers bearing planar acenaphtho[1,2-b]quinoxaline moiety with deep HOMO level

A series of alternating copolymers (PC-AQx, PT-DTAQx, PC-DTAQx, PF-DTAQx, and PBDT-DTAQx) bearing novel planar acenaphtho[1,2-b]quinoxaline (AQx) or 8,11-di(thiophen- 2-yl)acenaphtho[1,2-b]quinoxaline (DTAQx)-acceptor cores have been synthesized via Suzuki or Stille coupling reactions. UV–vis absorption and GIXRD characterization results indicated that the presence of planar DTAQx unit is favorable for the promotion of well-ordered interchain packing in the solid state, and the incorporation of planar electron-donating benzo[1,2-b: 4,5-b′]-dithiophene (BDT) moiety would be propitious to the molecular self-organization. Electrochemical measurement results suggested that four copolymers possess deep HOMO energy level of −5.5 ~ −5.6 eV. The polymer solar cell with structure of ITO/PEDOT:PSS(30 nm)/polymer:PCBM (60 nm)/Bphen(10 nm)/Ag(100 nm) exhibited the highest V _oc of 0.84 V with PF-DTAQx as p-type polymer, while the best power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 0.9 % was obtained using a blend of PBDT-DTAQx and PCBM (1:4) as active layer.     

Self-assembly of coordination polymers constructed from CuCN and unidentate pyridine bases

The self-assembly of K₃[Cu(CN)₄] and unidentate pyridine bases (L): pyridine (py), 3-methyl pyridine (3-mpy), and 2,4,6-trimethyl pyridine (tmpy) in the presence of Me₃SnCl affords new coordination polymers (CPs) CuCN·0.5(py)] (1), [CuCN·0.5(3-mpy)] (2), and [CuCN·0.5(tmpy)] (3). The syntheses are achieved in H₂O/acetonitrile media at room temperature. The structure of the CP 3 was characterized by X-ray single crystal analysis. It is crystallized as orthorhombic in the space group Pnma, a = 9.1065 (3) ?, b = 8.6669 (3) ?, and c = 12.1998 (5) ? and Z = 8. The CPs 1, 2 were investigated by IR, mass, Uv–visible, and ¹H-NMR spectra, as well as TGA. The CPs 1–3 are 2D-polymers consisting of 1D-(CuCN) _n chain structure while the ligands alternate on both sides of the chain with associated copper atom coordination number of three. Hydrogen bonds play an essential role for developing 2D-network structure. These CPs exhibit strong fluorescent emissions in the solid state.     

Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) examination characteristics of cannabis impairment

BackgroundThe Drug Evaluation and Classification Program (DECP) is commonly utilized in driving under the influence (DUI) cases to help determine category(ies) of impairing drug(s) present in drivers. Cannabis, one of the categories, is associated with approximately doubled crash risk. Our objective was to determine the most reliable DECP metrics for identifying cannabis-driving impairment.MethodsWe evaluated 302 toxicologically-confirmed (blood Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol [THC] ≥1 μg/L) cannabis-only DECP cases, wherein examiners successfully identified cannabis, compared to normative data (302 non-impaired individuals). Physiological measures, pupil size/light reaction, and performance on psychophysical tests (one leg stand [OLS], walk and turn [WAT], finger to nose [FTN], Modified Romberg Balance [MRB]) were included.ResultsCases significantly differed from controls (p < 0.05) in pulse (increased), systolic blood pressure (elevated), and pupil size (dilated). Blood collection time after arrest significantly decreased THC concentrations; no significant differences were detected between cases with blood THC <5 μg/L versus ≥5 μg/L. The FTN best predicted cannabis impairment (sensitivity, specificity, positive/negative predictive value, and efficiency ≥87.1%) utilizing ≥3 misses as the deciding criterion; MRB eyelid tremors produced ≥86.1% for all diagnostic characteristics. Other strong indicators included OLS sway, ≥2 WAT clues, and pupil rebound dilation. Requiring ≥2/4 of: ≥3 FTN misses, MRB eyelid tremors, ≥2 OLS clues, and/or ≥2 WAT clues produced the best results (all characteristics ≥96.7%).ConclusionsBlood specimens should be collected as early as possible. The frequently-debated 5 μg/L blood THC per se cutoff showed limited relevance. Combined observations on psychophysical and eye exams produced the best cannabis-impairment indicators.     

Metal availability in heavy metal-contaminated open burning and open detonation soil: Assessment using soil enzymes, earthworms, and chemical extractions

The effects of heavy metal contamination on soil enzyme activity and earthworm health (bioaccumulation and condition) were studied in contaminated soils collected from an formerly open burning and open detonation (OBOD) site. Soil extraction methods were also evaluated using CaCl₂ and DTPA solutions as surrogate measures of metal bioavailability and ecotoxicity. Total heavy metal content of the soils ranged from 0.45 to 9.68 mg Cd kg⁻¹, 8.96 to 5103 mg Cu kg⁻¹, 40.21 to 328 mg Pb kg⁻¹, and 56.61 to 10,890 mg Zn kg⁻¹. Elevated metal concentrations are assumed to be primarily responsible for the reduction in enzyme activities and earthworm health indices. We found significant negative relationships between CaCl₂- and DTPA-extractable metal content (Cd, Cu, and Zn) and soil enzyme activity (P < 0.01). Therefore, it could be concluded that soil enzyme activity and metal bioaccumulation by earthworms can be used as an ecological indicator of metal availability. Furthermore, CaCl₂ and DTPA extraction methods are proved as promising, precise, and inexpensive surrogate measures of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn bioavailability from heavy metal-contaminated soils.