Influence of non-pharmaceutical COVID-19 interventions on speed-related and alcohol-related traffic injuries in five cities of the province of Québec, Canada.

Introduction: Understanding the impact of non-pharmaceutical COVID-19 interventions (NPIs) on road safety has become increasingly important to uncover the unintended consequences of the pandemic. This study explores how NPIs influenced alcohol-related and speed-related traffic collisions, including fatalities and serious injuries, in five cities of the province of Québec, Canada: Montréal, Québec, Laval, Longueuil and Sherbrooke.

Methods: We performed Poisson interrupted time-series analyses using daily traffic fatality and injury data from 2015 to 2022, to assess the change in rate expressed per 10 000 population.

Towards a comprehensive COVID-19 non-pharmaceutical interventions' index for the province of Québec.

Objectives: The primary objective of this project was to develop a comprehensive COVID-19 non-pharmaceutical interventions' index for the province of Québec (QCnPI-Index). The resulting database systematically categorizes, multiple non-pharmaceutical interventions implemented in the 17 administrative regions (AR) of the province of Québec to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the form of an index.

Data Description: Data represent interventions and groups of interventions implemented during the COVID-19 period in Québec.

Comparison of Experienced and Novice Drivers' Visual and Driving Behaviors during Warned or Unwarned Near-Forward Collisions.

Forward collision warning systems (FCWSs) monitor the road ahead and warn drivers when the time to collision reaches a certain threshold. Using a driving simulator, this study compared the effects of FCWSs between novice drivers (unlicensed drivers) and experienced drivers (holding a driving license for at least four years) on near-collision events, as well as visual and driving behaviors. The experimental drives lasted about six hours spread over six consecutive weeks.

A neuroergonomics approach to driver's cooperation with Lane Departure Warning Systems.

Lane Departure Warning Systems (LDWS) are automation that warn drivers in case of immediate lane departure. While LDWS are associated with increased road safety, little is known about the neural aspects of the cooperation between an LDWS and the driver behind the wheel. The present study addresses this issue by combining fMRI and driving simulation for experienced and novice drivers.

Did the cannabis recreational use law affect traffic crash outcomes in Toronto? Building evidence for the adequate number of authorised cannabis stores' thresholds.

Introduction: In the past decade, a group of studies has begun to explore the association between cannabis recreational use policies and traffic crashes. After these policies are set in place, several factors may affect cannabis consumption, including the number of cannabis stores (NCS) per capita. This study examines the association between the enactment of Canada's Cannabis Act (CCA) (18 October 2018) and the NCS (allowed to function from 1 April 2019) with traffic injuries in Toronto.

Visual and steering behaviours during lane departures: a longitudinal study of interactions between lane departure warning system, driving task and driving experience.

Lane Departure Warning Systems (LDWS) generate a warning in case of imminent lane departure. LDWS have proven to be effective and associated human-machine cooperation modelled. In this study, LDWS acceptance and its impact on visual and steering behaviour have been investigated over 6 weeks for novice and experienced drivers.

A new alcohol-related traffic law, a further reduction in traffic fatalities? Analyzing the case of Turkey.

Background: In June 2013, an alcohol-related traffic law took effect in Turkey. The law 6487 introduced administrative fines for not respecting blood alcohol concentration limits, health warning messages on alcohol containers (bottles, cans), and prohibited the sale of alcohol beverages in retail facilities between 10 p.m.

Negative mood mind wandering and unsafe driving in young male drivers.

Objective: Road traffic crash fatalities disproportionately affect young male drivers. Driver distraction is a leading contributor to crashes. Mind wandering (MW) is a prevalent form of driver distraction that is linked to certain unsafe driving behaviours that are associated with increased crash risk (e.

Estimate of the magnitude of risky and protective behaviors associated with road traffic injuries in capitals participating in the Life in Traffic Project of Brazil.

Background: Brazil occupies the fifth position in the ranking of the highest mortality rates due to RTI in the world. With the objective of promoting traffic safety and consequently reducing deaths, Brazil created the Life in Traffic Project (LTP). The main goal of LTP is reducing 50% of RTI deaths, by promoting interventions to tackle risk factors, such as driving under the influence of alcohol and excessive and/or inappropriate speed.

Recidivism prevention for impaired driving: Longitudinal 5-year outcomes from Quebec's severity-based intervention assignment program.

Introduction: Driving while impaired by alcohol (DWI) is a persistent problem. Tailoring intervention modality to client risk and needs (i.e.

Childhood abuse/neglect and temporal patterns in late-life anxiety.

Objectives: Anxiety has been associated with childhood abuse/neglect, but this relationship and its mechanisms are poorly documented in older adults. This study examined the association between childhood abuse/neglect and late-life anxiety temporal patterns (i.e.

Prognostic Value of Handgrip Strength in Older Adults Undergoing Cardiac Surgery.

Background: Although multidimensional frailty scales have been proven to predict mortality and morbidity in cardiac surgery, there is a need for rapid tools that could be easily administered at the point of care. Handgrip strength (HGS) is an attractive option that can be measured in acutely ill and bed-bound patients, although it has yet to be validated in a large cardiac surgery cohort.

Methods: This is a post hoc analysis of a multicentre prospective study in older patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and/or valve surgery from 2011 to 2019.

The Essential Frailty Toolset in Older Adults Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.

Background The Essential Frailty Toolset (EFT) was shown to be easy to use and predictive of adverse events in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement procedures. The objective of this study was to evaluate the EFT in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting procedures. Methods and Results The McGill Frailty Registry prospectively included patients ≥60 years of age undergoing urgent or elective isolated coronary artery bypass grafting between 2011 and 2018 at 2 hospitals.

Temporal patterns of anxiety disorders and cortisol activity in older adults.

Introduction: Studies focusing on anxiety temporal patterns and cortisol activity in older adults are scarce. The objectives of this study were to examine in older adults the relationship between anxiety temporal patterns and cortisol activity and ascertain the presence of sex differences.

Methods: Data were retrieved from the Étude sur la santé des ainés - Services study in Quebec and included N = 762 community living adults aged ≥ 65 years having participated in interviews at baseline (T) and at 4 years follow-up (T).

Restricted mean survival time of older adults with severe aortic stenosis referred for transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Background: Few studies have measured frailty as a potential reason for foregoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in older adults with severe aortic stenosis (AS). This study sought to determine the impact of frailty and other clinician-cited reasons on restricted mean survival time (RMST).

Methods: An analysis of the McGill Frailty Registry was conducted between 2014 and 2018 at the McGill University Health Center Structural Valve Clinic.

The association between legalization of cannabis use and traffic deaths in Uruguay.

Background And Aims: While cannabis use has been found to impair motor vehicle driving, the association between cannabis legalization and motor vehicle fatalities is unclear. In Uruguay in December 2013, cannabis for recreational purposes was legalized. This study assessed the association between implementation of this law and changes in traffic fatality rates.

Driving Under the Influence: How Music Listening Affects Driving Behaviors.

Car driving is a daily activity for many individuals in modern societies. Drivers often listen to music while driving. The method presented here investigates how listening to music influences driving behaviors.

Cumulative mild partial sleep deprivation negatively impacts working memory capacity but not sustained attention, response inhibition, or decision making: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Twenty-eight per cent (28%) of adults sleep at least 1 hour less than they consider optimal, yet the effects of such cumulative mild partial sleep deprivation on cognitive functions are unknown. The objective of this study was to examine how cumulative mild partial sleep deprivation over 6 nights can impact working memory, sustained attention, response inhibition, and decision making.

Methods: A double-blind placebo-controlled randomized study was conducted to determine the impact of sleep restriction (elimination of 1 hour of sleep relative to the baseline habitual sleep duration) vs placebo (exposure to a lamp with no known therapeutic effect) on cognitive performance.

The Role of Behavioral Phenotypes on Impaired Driving Recidivism Risk and Treatment Response to Brief Intervention: A Preliminary Study.

Background: Heterogeneity in the driving while impaired (DWI) offender population and modest outcomes from remedial programs are fueling interest in clarifying clinically significant DWI subtypes to better assess recidivism risk and target interventions. Our previous research identified 2 putative behavior phenotypes of DWI offenders with distinct behavioral, personality, cognitive, and neurobiological profiles: (i) offenders primarily engaging in DWI (pDWI); and (ii) offenders engaging in DWI and other traffic violations (MIXED). Here, we evaluate these phenotypes' clinical significance for prediction of recidivism and intervention targeting.

Phase Angle as a Biomarker for Frailty and Postoperative Mortality: The BICS Study.

Background Phase angle (PA) is a bioimpedance measurement that is determined lean body mass and hydration status. Patients with low PA values are more likely to be frail, sarcopenic, or malnourished. Previous work has shown that low PA predicts adverse outcomes after cardiac surgery, but the effect of PA on survival has not previously been assessed in this setting.

Transdermal alcohol monitoring combined with contingency management for driving while impaired offenders: A pilot randomized controlled study.

Objectives: In a pilot randomized controlled trial of contingency management (CM) and transdermal alcohol monitoring (TAM) with offenders driving while impaired by alcohol (DWI), perceptions regarding the acceptability of a TAM device, recruitment issues, and the impact of CM and TAM on alcohol use over a 6-week period were evaluated. The results aimed to inform the design of future trials and programs involving CM and TAM for DWI remediation.

Methods: TAM devices were affixed to 37 voluntary, community-recruited male DWI offenders with problem alcohol use.