The Tracometer as an Intoxication Warning Device

1987 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 751-755 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Ian Noy
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Intoxication ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Drunk Driving ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Tracking Task ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Subsequent Test ◽  
Pursuit Tracking ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Male Subjects

An experiment was conducted to investigate the feasibility of developing an in-vehicle skill-based drunk driver detection and deterrence system. The experiment compared two well-developed psychomotor test devices, the Tracometer and the Critical Tracking Task (CTT), for their ability to detect alcohol intoxication. The Tracometer employed a pursuit tracking task whereas the CTT employed a compensatory tracking task. Twenty male subjects, aged 19 − 30 were trained on the Tracometer and the CTT over a three day period. On two subsequent test days, they were treated with either placebo or alcoholic beverages designed to bring their peak Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) to 1.2% (1200 mg/L). On each day, the subjects were tested once before treatment and six times after treatment at hourly intervals as their BAC levels declined. The results indicate that the Tracometer was more sensitive than the CTT to the the effects of alcohol over a wide range of BAC levels. At a BAC level of .08%, performance on the Tracometer deteriorated by 16% whereas performance on the CTT deteriorated by only 7%. Using optimized pass/fail protocols, the Tracometer failed 60% of subjects with BAC in the range .08–1.0%, whereas the CTT failed 34%. At BAC levels above 1.0%, the Tracometer failed about 85% whereas the CTT failed 40%. These results clearly illustrate the potential of the Tracometer as a test of alcohol intoxication. Although the impetus behind the study was the development of drunk-driving countermeasures, the technology can be easily extended to include other applications.

scholarly journals Vive la Difference! The Effects of Natural and Conventional Wines on Blood Alcohol Concentrations: A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Controlled Study

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 986
Author(s):  
Federico Francesco Ferrero ◽  
Maurizio Fadda ◽  
Luca De Carli ◽  
Marco Barbetta ◽  
Rajandrea Sethi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Metabolic Effects ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Blood Alcohol ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Extract Content ◽  
Kinetics Of ◽  
Male Subjects

Different alcoholic beverages can have different effects on blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and neurotoxicity, even when equalized for alcohol content by volume. Anecdotal evidence suggested that natural wine is metabolized differently from conventional wines. This triple-blind study compared the BAC of 55 healthy male subjects after consuming the equivalent of 2 units of alcohol of a natural or conventional wine over 3 min in two separate sessions, one week apart. BAC was measured using a professional breathalyzer every 20 min after consumption for 2 h. The BAC curves in response to the two wines diverged significantly at twenty minutes (interval T20) and forty minutes (interval T40), and also at their maximum concentrations (peaks), with the natural wine inducing a lower BAC than the conventional wine [T20 = 0.40 versus 0.46 (p < 0.0002); T40 = 0.49 versus 0.53 (p < 0.0015); peak = 0.52 versus 0.56 (p < 0.0002)]. These differences are likely related to the development of different amino acids and antioxidants in the two wines during their production. This may in turn affect the kinetics of alcohol absorption and metabolism. Other contributing factors could include pesticide residues, differences in dry extract content, and the use of indigenous or selected yeasts. The study shows that with the same quantity and conditions of intake, natural wine has lower pharmacokinetic and metabolic effects than conventional wine, which can be assumed due to the different agronomic and oenological practices with which they are produced. It can therefore be hypothesized that the consumption of natural wine may have a different impact on human health from that of conventional wine.

Effect of Practice Schedule on Two-Hand Pursuit Tracking Performance

1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 483-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Stamper ◽  
Richard R. Levine ◽  
Paul R. Best
Keyword(s):  
Practice Schedule ◽  
Subsequent Test ◽  
Training Schedule ◽  
Eye Fatigue ◽  
Pursuit Tracking ◽  
Stable Performance ◽  
Tracking Device ◽  
Subjective Estimates ◽  
Practice Time ◽  
Male Subjects

40 male subjects, ages 18 to 40 yr., practiced tracking a moving target by manipulating a viscous-damped tracking device using two band grips. Eight subjects were assigned to each of five training groups. Four shortened training schedules that were considered as representing massed, distributed, or a combination of massed and distributed trials were compared with a four-day training schedule which had been previously used. Total practice time was the same for all groups. The subjects tracked a target which was moving in a fixed arc at a constant angular velocity of 5 mrad/sec. Horizontal standard deviation ( SD) errors were recorded. Analysis showed significant differences in performance among the groups on a subsequent test day; however, one of the massed/distributed schedules visually showed less variability. Comparison of subjective estimates of “Mental Fatigue” and “Eye Fatigue” among the groups were almost the same. The results are discussed in terms of the schedules most likely to produce stable performance by operators.

4. Are a Blood Alcohol Concentration of 256mg/dl and Minimal Signs of Impairment Reliable Indications of Alcohol Dependence?

1994 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 265-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
A W Jones
Keyword(s):  
Expert Witness ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Drunk Driving ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Driving Under The Influence ◽  
Blood Alcohol ◽  
Lower Court ◽  
Dna Profile ◽  
Court Of Appeals ◽  
Driving Scenario

This article describes a drink-driving scenario where a woman was apprehended for driving under the influence (DUI) with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 256mg/dl1 The correctness of this result was vigorously challenged by a medical expert witness for the defence, who was actually a specialist in alcohol diseases. Despite reanalysis to confirm the BAC as well as a DNA profile to prove the identity of the blood specimen, the woman was acquitted of the charge of drunk driving by the lower court. However, she was subsequently found guilty in the High Court of Appeals with a unanimous decision and sentenced to four weeks imprisonment. This case report illustrates some of the problems surrounding the use of expert medical evidence by the defence to challenge the validity of the prosecution evidence based solely on a suspect's BAC. In situations such as these, an expert witness should be called by the prosecution to clarify and, if necessary, rebut medical and/or scientific opinions that might mislead the court and influence the outcome of the trial.

scholarly journals The co-occurrence of mental disorders among Dutch adolescents admitted for acute alcohol intoxication

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Loes de Veld ◽  
Joris J. van Hoof ◽  
Inge M. Wolberink ◽  
Nicolaas van der Lely
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Alcohol Intoxication ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Acute Alcohol Intoxication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract Adolescents with substance use disorders are often diagnosed with co-occurring mental disorders. However, it is unknown if adolescent hospital admission for acute alcohol intoxication is also associated with co-occurring mental disorders. Therefore, the primary aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of co-occurring mental disorders among Dutch adolescents admitted for acute alcohol intoxication. Secondly, this study aims to explore the cross-sectional relationship between the co-occurrence of mental disorders and patient characteristics, such as sex, age and blood alcohol concentration at admittance. Data were retrospectively collected from 726 adolescents admitted for acute alcohol intoxication. Overall, 245 (34%) of the 726 adolescents treated for acute alcohol intoxication were diagnosed with a co-occurring mental health disorder, such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (13%) or autism spectrum disorder (2.1%). Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in particular seems to be more prevalent in the study population than in the general Dutch adolescent population. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that among adolescents admitted for acute alcohol intoxication, the prevalence of co-occurring mental disorders is a common and a relevant issue for treatment and prevention strategies. What is Known:• Alcohol consumption among adolescents has been associated with negative psychosocial effect.• Among adolescents admitted for acute alcohol intoxication, risk factors for psychological dysfunction appear to be inadequately assessed, documented and followed up. What is New:• The current study reports on the prevalence of co-occurring mental disorders among a substantial sample of adolescents admitted for acute alcohol intoxication.• Understanding the prevalence of co-occurring mental disorders is clinically relevant for the outpatient follow-up of adolescents admitted for acute alcohol intoxication.

scholarly journals Sex Differences in the Presence and Severity of Alcohol Hangover Symptoms

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 867 ◽  
Author(s):  
van Lawick van Pabst ◽  
Devenney ◽  
Verster
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Alcohol Intoxication ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Blood Alcohol ◽  
Small Magnitude ◽  
Severity Scores ◽  
Alcohol Hangover ◽  
Peak Blood ◽  
Drinking Occasion

Studies have demonstrated significant sex differences in alcohol intoxication effects. In contrast, the majority of studies on the alcohol hangover phase did not investigate sex differences. Therefore, the current study examined possible sex differences in the presence and severity of alcohol hangover symptoms. Data from n = 2446 Dutch students (male = 50.7%, female = 49.3%) were analyzed. They reported the presence and severity of 22 hangover symptoms experienced after their past month heaviest drinking occasion. Subjects were categorized according to their estimated peak blood alcohol concentration (eBAC) and presence and severity of the hangover symptoms were compared between men and women. In the lowest eBAC group (0% ≤ eBAC < 0.08%), no significant sex differences were found. In the subsequent eBAC group (0.08% ≤ eBAC < 0.11%), severity of nausea was significantly higher in women than in men. In the third eBAC group (0.11% ≤ eBAC < 0.2%), women reported higher severity scores on nausea, tiredness, weakness, and dizziness than men. Men reported the presence of confusion significantly more often than women, and women reported the presence of shivering significantly more often than men. In the fourth eBAC group (0.2% ≤ eBAC < 0.3%), women reported higher severity scores on nausea and tiredness than men. In the highest eBAC group (0.3% ≤ eBAC < 0.4%), no significant sex differences were found. In conclusion, across the eBAC groups, severity scores of nausea and tiredness were higher in women than in men. However, albeit statistically significant, the observed sex differences in presence and severity of hangover symptoms were of small magnitude, and therefore, have little clinical relevance.

scholarly journals The Effect of Alcohol Intoxication on Mortality of Blunt Head Injury

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsing-Lin Lin ◽  
Tsung-Ying Lin ◽  
Kwan-Ming Soo ◽  
Chao-Wen Chen ◽  
Liang-Chi Kuo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Head Injury ◽  
Traffic Accident ◽  
Alcohol Intoxication ◽  
Head Injuries ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Brain Computed Tomography ◽  
Adjusted Logistic Regression

Alcohol is found to have neuroprotection in recent studies in head injuries. We investigated the association of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) with mortality of patients with blunt head injury after traffic accident. All patients sustaining blunt head injury caused by traffic accident brought to our emergency department who had obtained a brain computed tomography scans and BAC were analyzed. Patients with unknown mechanisms, transfers from outside hospitals, and incomplete data were excluded. Logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of mortality. During the study period, 3,628 patients with brain computed tomography (CT) were included. Of these, BAC was measured in 556 patients. Patients with the lowest BAC (less than 8 mg/dl) had lower mortality; intoxicated patients with BAC between 8 and less than 100 mg/dl were associated with significantly higher mortality than those patients in other intoxicated groups. Adjusted logistic regression demonstrated higher BAC group and Glasgow coma scale (GCS) scores, and lower ISS and age were identified as independent predictors of reduced mortality. In our study, we found that patients who had moderate alcohol intoxication had higher risk of mortality. However, higher GCS scores, lower ISS, and younger age were identified as independent predictors of reduced mortality in the study patients.

scholarly journals Vive la Difference! Effects of Natural and Conventional Wines on the Blood Alcohol Concentrations: A Randomized, Triple-Blind Controlled Study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federico Francesco Ferrero ◽  
Maurizio Fadda ◽  
Luca De Carli ◽  
Marco Barbetta ◽  
Rajandrea Sethi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Blood Alcohol ◽  
Production Chain ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
The One ◽  
Kinetics Of

Background When equalized for alcohol content by volume, however, not all alcoholic beverages have the same effect on blood alcohol concentration (BAC) or neurotoxicity. The aim of this study was to investigate differences between metabolism of a natural wine and of a conventional wine. Methods Fifty-five healthy male volunteers were randomly administered the equivalent of 2 units of alcohol (24 g of ethanol) of a natural or of a conventional wine, and one week later received the same dose of the other wine. At each of the two sessions, a breathalyzer was used to estimate BAC levels before the intake of the wine and then every twenty-minute for 2 hours. The entire study was conducted in triple-blind conditions. Results The blood alcohol curves after consumption of the two different wines diverged significantly at the twenty-minute mark (T20) and then again at their peak values. In both cases, the BAC induced by the natural wine was lower than the one corresponding to the conventional wine (T20 0.44 vs. 0.49 [p&lt;0.012], peak 0.56 vs. 0.60 [p&lt;0.032]). Conclusions The results of the study suggest that natural and conventional wines have a different effect on BAC. The alcohol in the natural wine seems to be absorbed more slowly. Different techniques applied in the production chain likely lead to the development of different amino acids and different types and amounts of antioxidants in the two wines. These compounds, in turn, may affect the kinetics of alcohol absorption and metabolism. The presence or absence of residues of pesticides and other agrochemicals, differences in sugar and fiber content, and the use of either indigenous or selected yeasts, are additional factors that may contribute to the differences observed. If this hypothesis is confirmed, it could have important public health and policy implications.

Paclitaxel Formulation as a Cause of Ethanol Intoxication

1997 ◽  
Vol 31 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 873-875 ◽  
Author(s):  
David B. Wilson ◽  
Thomas M. Beck ◽  
Catherine A. Gundlach
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Intoxication ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Metastatic Breast ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Ethanol Intoxication ◽  
Metastatic Breast Carcinoma ◽  
Case Summary ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Patient Series ◽  
Higher Doses

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of ethyl alcohol intoxication associated with paclitaxel administration. CASE SUMMARY: A patient who received a 3-hour paclitaxel infusion for metastatic breast carcinoma and developed symptoms of acute alcohol intoxication. A blood ethanol concentration drawn at the end of the paclitaxel infusion was 97.8 mg/dL (0.098%). DISCUSSION: The amount of alcohol contained in paclitaxel is discussed. A review of the literature revealed one patient series where the highest blood alcohol concentration was one-third that seen in our patient. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should recognize the potential for alcohol intoxication with paclitaxel administration. This is especially pertinent when higher doses are given over a short period of time.

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