Beyond pre-loading: understanding the associations between pre-, side- and back-loading drinking behavior and risky drinking

This study examined the interaction between pre-, side- and back-loading drinking behaviors and their relationship to risky drinking, modeling to account for demographic characteristics. The study was based on an online non-probability panel survey of Victorian adults (18. +) who purchased packaged liquor for off premises consumption in the previous 12. months. Initially, 2545 participants entered the study, with 536 screened out, leaving a sample of 2008 respondents. While pre-loading was the most commonly reported loading behavior, back-loading and side-loading were reported almost as frequently. We found a clear association between loading and risky drinking behavior. Respondents who reported engaging in all loading behaviors were more likely to report regular very risky drinking. Age and sex were significant factors influencing the relationship between loading types and risky drinking behavior; income, marital status, and the interaction between sex and age were not significant factors. We show a broad range of loading behaviors associated with increased levels of risky drinking. Future research should seek to investigate these loading behaviors among a general population sample

A national examination of random breath testing and alcohol-related traffic crash rates (2000–2012)

Random Breath Testing (RBT) is a practice where police stop motor vehicle drivers chosen by chance to measure the amount of alcohol in their system. RBT is a central and important law enforcement initiative in reducing alcohol-related road traffic accidents.\ua0Australia is deemed to have the most successful RBT program internationally, measured in terms of alcohol-related traffic crash (ARTC) reductions. This is attributed to the high intensity of the RBT programs and the associated perception by drivers of being charged for drink-driving. However within Australia, RBT programs are not implemented uniformly and their effectiveness varies considerably between the states and territories.\ua0This research examines the relationship between RBT and ARTC rates for each Australian jurisdiction

Circadian variation of the acute and delayed response to alcohol: investigation of performance, physiological, and biochemical variations

The overall aim of this thesis was to examine a range of measures with respect to alcohol administration time, in the same subjects using a controlled experimental design over an extended period of time. Evaluation and comparison of different systems simultaneously was undertaken in order to examine the chronokinetics and chronesthesy of alcohol. The aim of Study 1 was to ascertain whether a low or high dose of alcohol could be detected as interacting with time of day (1300 hr and 1800 hr) on performance of a dual task and subjective sleepiness. It was found that when a high dose of alcohol was ingested at 1300 hr, time off target on pursuit rotor under single and dual task conditions was higher than when alcohol was ingested at 1800 hr. There was no time of day variations in the BAC results. Study 2 aimed to further investigate the time of day effect found in Study 1. The aim of this study was to investigate time of day (1300 hr and 1800 hr) effects on biochemical (melatonin and cortisol) and physiological variables (temperature and heart rate) for no alcohol and alcohol conditions across the blood alcohol curve (0 - 5 hr post alcohol ingestion). Additionally, the pharmacokinetics of alcohol were explored for time of day variations. Results from Study 2 showed performance on a dual task and ratings of subjective states was not dependent on alcohol administration time. In contrast, core body temperature, heart rate and melatonin changes after alcohol ingestion appeared to be dependent on the time alcohol was ingested. Alcohol absorption rate was also found to be dependent on the time of day alcohol was ingested. Study 3, the second phase of study 2, aimed to investigate the delayed effects (5 hr - 14 hr post ingestion) of alcohol ingestion at two times of the day on core body temperature and subjective states. It was found that alcohol had statistically significant effects on the core body temperature and ratings of the subjective state of gregariousness 14 hr post alcohol ingestion. Of greatest consequence was the finding that regardless of when alcohol was ingested (1300 hr or 1800 hr), core body temperature was increased in comparison to a no alcohol condition from 2330 hr to 0830 hr (sleep phase)

Circadian variation of the acute and delayed response to alcohol: investigation of performance, physiological, and biochemical variations

The overall aim of this thesis was to examine a range of measures with respect to alcohol administration time, in the same subjects using a controlled experimental design over an extended period of time. Evaluation and comparison of different systems simultaneously was undertaken in order to examine the chronokinetics and chronesthesy of alcohol. The aim of Study 1 was to ascertain whether a low or high dose of alcohol could be detected as interacting with time of day (1300 hr and 1800 hr) on performance of a dual task and subjective sleepiness. It was found that when a high dose of alcohol was ingested at 1300 hr, time off target on pursuit rotor under single and dual task conditions was higher than when alcohol was ingested at 1800 hr. There was no time of day variations in the BAC results. Study 2 aimed to further investigate the time of day effect found in Study 1. The aim of this study was to investigate time of day (1300 hr and 1800 hr) effects on biochemical (melatonin and cortisol) and physiological variables (temperature and heart rate) for no alcohol and alcohol conditions across the blood alcohol curve (0 - 5 hr post alcohol ingestion). Additionally, the pharmacokinetics of alcohol were explored for time of day variations. Results from Study 2 showed performance on a dual task and ratings of subjective states was not dependent on alcohol administration time. In contrast, core body temperature, heart rate and melatonin changes after alcohol ingestion appeared to be dependent on the time alcohol was ingested. Alcohol absorption rate was also found to be dependent on the time of day alcohol was ingested. Study 3, the second phase of study 2, aimed to investigate the delayed effects (5 hr - 14 hr post ingestion) of alcohol ingestion at two times of the day on core body temperature and subjective states. It was found that alcohol had statistically significant effects on the core body temperature and ratings of the subjective state of gregariousness 14 hr post alcohol ingestion. Of greatest consequence was the finding that regardless of when alcohol was ingested (1300 hr or 1800 hr), core body temperature was increased in comparison to a no alcohol condition from 2330 hr to 0830 hr (sleep phase)

Queensland alcohol-related assaults (2004–2014): Prepared for Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education

This commissioned research explores alcohol-related assualts across Queensland 2004-2014. It draws on Queensland Police Administrative data and covers common and serious assaults, as well as domestic violence and assualts on police, where alcohol was involved. This research has value for policy makers and lobbyists

Syringe disposal bins: the outcomes of a free trial for city traders in an inner-city municipality Australia

Community responses toward discarded syringes have the potential to threaten the sustainability of harm reduction interventions. Many retailers in the central business district of Melbourne, Australia, have expressed concern about drug use and the associated discarded syringes. The Melbourne City Council has responded to these concerns through a variety of strategies. One such strategy was a 6-month free trial of syringe bins for businesses (2003–2004). The MCC commissioned an external evaluation of the trial. Eighteen business representatives and six key informants undertook semistructured interviews to monitor issues arising throughout the trial. Syringe disposal bins are a useful option for facilitating appropriate syringe disposal; 11 of the 13 businesses that participated in the trial continued with the maintenance of the syringe disposal bins beyond the free trial period

Seismic hazard map of North and Central America and the Caribbean

Minimization of the loss of life, property damage, and social and economic disruption due to earthquakes depends on reliable estimates of seismic hazard. National, state, and local governments, decision makers, engineers, planners, emergency response organizations, builders, universities, and the general public require seismic hazard estimates for land use planning, improved building design and construction (including adoption of building construction codes), emergency response preparedness plans, economic forecasts, housing and employment decisions, and many more types of risk mitigation. The seismic hazard map of North and Central America and the Caribbean is the concatenation of various national and regional maps, involving a suite of approaches. The combined maps and documentation provide a useful regional seismic hazard framework and serve as a resource for any national or regional agency for further detailed studies applicable to their needs. This seismic hazard map depicts Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) with a 10% chance of exceedance in 50 years. PGA, a short-period ground motion parameter that is proportional to force, is the most commonly mapped ground motion parameter because current building codes that include seismic provisions specify the horizontal force a building should be able to withstand during an earthquake. This seismic hazard map of North and Central America and the Caribbean depicts the likely level of short-period ground motion from earthquakes in a fifty-year window. Short-period ground motions effect short-period structures (e.g., one-to-two story buildings). The highest seismic hazard values in the region generally occur in areas that have been, or are likely to be, the sites of the largest plate boundary earthquakes