Department of Human Environmental Sciences, General

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1,4-Dioxane cosolvency impacts on trichloroethene dissolution and sorption
(Elsevier, 2019) Milavec, Justin; Tick, Geoffrey R.; Brusseau, Mark L.; Carroll, Kenneth C.; New Mexico State University; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa; University of Arizona
Solvent stabilizer 1,4-dioxane, an emerging recalcitrant groundwater contaminant, was commonly added to chlorinated solvents such as trichloroethene (TCE), and the impact of co-disposal on contaminant transport processes remains uncertain. A series of batch equilibrium experiments was conducted with variations of 1,4-dioxane and TCE composition to evaluate aqueous dissolution of the two components and their sorption to aquifer sediments. The solubility of TCE increased with increasing amounts of 1,4-dioxane, indicating that 1,4-dioxane acts as a cosolvent causing solubility enhancement of co-contaminants. The solubilization results compared favorably with predictions using the log-linear cosolvency model. Equilibrium sorption coefficients (K-d and K-f) were also measured for different 1,4-dioxane and TCE compositions, and the findings indicate that both contaminants adsorb to aquifer sediments and TCE K-d values increased with increasing organic matter content. However, the K-d for TCE decreased with increases in 1,4-dioxane concentration, which was attributed to cosolvency impacts on TCE solubility. These findings further advance our understanding of the mass-transfer processes controlling groundwater plumes containing 1,4-dioxane, and also have implications for the remediation of 1,4-dioxane contamination. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Age at Arrival and Depression among Mexican Immigrant Women in Alabama: The Moderating Role of Culture
(MDPI, 2022) Andrews, Courtney; Oths, Kathryn S.; Dressler, William W.; University of Alabama Birmingham; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Mexican-born women in the U.S. are at high risk of depression. While acculturation is the primary analytical framework used to study immigrant mental health, this research suffers from (1) a lack of specificity regarding how cultural models of living and being take shape among migrants converging in new destinations in the U.S., and (2) methods to empirically capture the impact of cultural positioning on individual health outcomes. Instead of relying on proxy measures of age at arrival and time in the U.S. to indicate where an individual is located on the acculturation spectrum, this study uses cultural consensus analysis to derive the substance and structure of a cultural model for la buena vida (the good life) among Mexican immigrant women in Birmingham, Alabama, and then assesses the extent to which respondents are aligned with the model in their everyday lives. This measure of 'cultural consonance' is explored as a moderating variable between age at arrival in the U.S. and number of depressive symptoms. Results demonstrate that for those who arrived at an older age, those with lower consonance are at the highest risk for depression, while those who are more aligned with la buena vida are at lower risk.
Assessing placement bias of the global river gauge network
(Nature Portfolio, 2022) Krabbenhoft, Corey A.; Allen, George H.; Lin, Peirong; Godsey, Sarah E.; Allen, Daniel C.; Burrows, Ryan M.; DelVecchia, Amanda G.; Fritz, Ken M.; Shanafield, Margaret; Burgin, Amy J.; Zimmer, Margaret A.; Datry, Thibault; Dodds, Walter K.; Jones, C. Nathan; Mims, Meryl C.; Franklin, Catherin; Hammond, John C.; Zipper, Sam; Ward, Adam S.; Costigan, Katie H.; Beck, Hylke E.; Olden, Julian D.; State University of New York (SUNY) Buffalo; Texas A&M University College Station; Peking University; Idaho; Idaho State University; Pennsylvania State University; Pennsylvania State University - University Park; University of Melbourne; Duke University; United States Environmental Protection Agency; Flinders University South Australia; University of Kansas; University of California Santa Cruz; INRAE; Kansas State University; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa; Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University; United States Department of the Interior; United States Geological Survey; Indiana University Bloomington; European Commission Joint Research Centre; EC JRC ISPRA Site; University of Washington; University of Washington Seattle; Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Hydrologic data collected from river gauges inform critical decisions for allocating water resources, conserving ecosystems and predicting the occurrence of droughts and floods. The current global river gauge network is biased towards large, perennial rivers, and strategic adaptations are needed to capture the full scope of rivers on Earth. Knowing where and when rivers flow is paramount to managing freshwater ecosystems. Yet stream gauging stations are distributed sparsely across rivers globally and may not capture the diversity of fluvial network properties and anthropogenic influences. Here we evaluate the placement bias of a global stream gauge dataset on its representation of socioecological, hydrologic, climatic and physiographic diversity of rivers. We find that gauges are located disproportionally in large, perennial rivers draining more human-occupied watersheds. Gauges are sparsely distributed in protected areas and rivers characterized by non-perennial flow regimes, both of which are critical to freshwater conservation and water security concerns. Disparities between the geography of the global gauging network and the broad diversity of streams and rivers weakens our ability to understand critical hydrologic processes and make informed water-management and policy decisions. Our findings underscore the need to address current gauge placement biases by investing in and prioritizing the installation of new gauging stations, embracing alternative water-monitoring strategies, advancing innovation in hydrologic modelling, and increasing accessibility of local and regional gauging data to support human responses to water challenges, both today and in the future.
Assessing the impact of academic programs on student intentions toward selecting an environmentally sustainable workplace
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2019) Hughes, Susan Beamon; Shin, Yeonho; Severt, Kimberly; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
The ecosystem has been negatively impacted by the growth of population, an increase of industrial enterprise and an improper use of resources. As humans are the main catalyst of this global change, we have entered the Anthropocene epoch. Worldwide discussions contribute to an overall awareness that corporations need business strategies that incorporate environmentally sustainable initiatives. This poses many challenges as the majority of change initiatives fail. Creating this change requires leadership that is educated about environmental sustainability. Higher education institutions play a role in moving society toward environmental sustainability by integrating this education within the curricula and university culture. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of academic programs on student intentions toward the selection of an environmentally sustainable workplace. The theory of planned behavior was used to determine, among students, the relationship between attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control toward environmentally sustainable behavior and the intention to select an environmentally sustainable workplace. A survey was distributed to students attending a public university in the southeastern United States enrolled in three different degree programs. While the results statistically showed no significance between the groups, the research models did show that attitudes and subjective norm lead toward the students intentions to select an environmentally sustainable workplace, while their college major program is not a significant path to intention. Finally, there are thoughts on future research and ideas for future integration within higher education.
Assessment of Groundwater Susceptibility to Non-Point Source Contaminants Using Three-Dimensional Transient Indexes
(MDPI, 2018) Zhang, Yong; Weissmann, Gary S.; Fogg, Graham E.; Lu, Bingqing; Sun, HongGuang; Zheng, Chunmiao; Hohai University; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa; University of New Mexico; University of California Davis; Southern University of Science & Technology
Groundwater susceptibility to non-point source contamination is typically quantified by stable indexes, while groundwater quality evolution (or deterioration globally) can be a long-term process that may last for decades and exhibit strong temporal variations. This study proposes a three-dimensional (3-d), transient index map built upon physical models to characterize the complete temporal evolution of deep aquifer susceptibility. For illustration purposes, the previous travel time probability density (BTTPD) approach is extended to assess the 3-d deep groundwater susceptibility to non-point source contamination within a sequence stratigraphic framework observed in the Kings River fluvial fan (KRFF) aquifer. The BTTPD, which represents complete age distributions underlying a single groundwater sample in a regional-scale aquifer, is used as a quantitative, transient measure of aquifer susceptibility. The resultant 3-d imaging of susceptibility using the simulated BTTPDs in KRFF reveals the strong influence of regional-scale heterogeneity on susceptibility. The regional-scale incised-valley fill deposits increase the susceptibility of aquifers by enhancing rapid downward solute movement and displaying relatively narrow and young age distributions. In contrast, the regional-scale sequence-boundary paleosols within the open-fan deposits protect deep aquifers by slowing downward solute movement and displaying a relatively broad and old age distribution. Further comparison of the simulated susceptibility index maps to known contaminant distributions shows that these maps are generally consistent with the high concentration and quick evolution of 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) in groundwater around the incised-valley fill since the 1970s'. This application demonstrates that the BTTPDs can be used as quantitative and transient measures of deep aquifer susceptibility to non-point source contamination.
Associations between Perceptions of Drinking Water Service Delivery and Measured Drinking Water Quality in Rural Alabama
(MDPI, 2014) Wedgworth, Jessica C.; Brown, Joe; Johnson, Pauline; Olson, Julie B.; Elliott, Mark; Forehand, Rick; Stauber, Christine E.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa; Georgia Institute of Technology; Georgia State University
Although small, rural water supplies may present elevated microbial risks to consumers in some settings, characterizing exposures through representative point-of-consumption sampling is logistically challenging. In order to evaluate the usefulness of consumer self-reported data in predicting measured water quality and risk factors for contamination, we compared matched consumer interview data with point-of-survey, household water quality and pressure data for 910 households served by 14 small water systems in rural Alabama. Participating households completed one survey that included detailed feedback on two key areas of water service conditions: delivery conditions (intermittent service and low water pressure) and general aesthetic characteristics (taste, odor and color), providing five condition values. Microbial water samples were taken at the point-of-use (from kitchen faucets) and as-delivered from the distribution network (from outside flame-sterilized taps, if available), where pressure was also measured. Water samples were analyzed for free and total chlorine, pH, turbidity, and presence of total coliforms and Escherichia coli. Of the 910 households surveyed, 35% of participants reported experiencing low water pressure, 15% reported intermittent service, and almost 20% reported aesthetic problems (taste, odor or color). Consumer-reported low pressure was associated with lower gauge-measured pressure at taps. While total coliforms (TC) were detected in 17% of outside tap samples and 12% of samples from kitchen faucets, no reported water service conditions or aesthetic characteristics were associated with presence of TC. We conclude that consumer-reported data were of limited utility in predicting potential microbial risks associated with small water supplies in this setting, although consumer feedback on low pressure-a risk factor for contamination-may be relatively reliable and therefore useful in future monitoring efforts.
Benefits of participation in arts-based extracurricular activities for youth
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2019) Lemmon, Ladye Joanna; Wilmarth, Melissa J.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
This research investigated the relationship among arts-based extracurricular activities, student proficiency, and student behavior. The study also analyzed the demographic makeup of students that were involved in arts-based extracurricular activities. For this investigation, the data came from the 1992 follow-up study of the National Educational Longitudinal Study (NELS) of 1988. Specific findings from this study showed that if a student was involved in afterschool arts activities, then they were more likely to be involved in the community by volunteering their time and help. Another discovery from this research project showed that there was a difference between gender groups of the student sample. More females participated in arts-based extracurricular activities than males. Future research is needed to help gain a fuller understanding of what types of students participate in arts-based afterschool activities and what are the social, educational, and financial impacts that stem from student participation in arts-based extracurricular activities.
Bringing Community and Academic Scholars Together to Facilitate and Conduct Authentic Community Based Participatory Research: Project UNITED
(MDPI, 2016) Lewis, Dwight, Jr.; Yerby, Lea; Tucker, Melanie; Foster, Pamela Payne; Hamilton, Kara C.; Fifolt, Matthew M.; Hites, Lisle; Shreves, Mary Katherine; Page, Susan B.; Bissell, Kimberly L.; Lucky, Felecia L.; Higginbotham, John C.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa; University of Alabama Birmingham
Cultural competency, trust, and research literacy can affect the planning and implementation of sustainable community-based participatory research (CBPR). The purpose of this manuscript is to highlight: (1) the development of a CBPR pilot grant request for application; and (2) a comprehensive program supporting CBPR obesity-related grant proposals facilitated by activities designed to promote scholarly collaborations between academic researchers and the community. After a competitive application process, academic researchers and non-academic community leaders were selected to participate in activities where the final culminating project was the submission of a collaborative obesity-related CBPR grant application. Teams were comprised of a mix of academic researchers and non-academic community leaders, and each team submitted an application addressing obesity-disparities among rural predominantly African American communities in the US Deep South. Among four collaborative teams, three (75%) successfully submitted a grant application to fund an intervention addressing rural and minority obesity disparities. Among the three submitted grant applications, one was successfully funded by an internal CBPR grant, and another was funded by an institutional seed funding grant. Preliminary findings suggest that the collaborative activities were successful in developing productive scholarly relationships between researchers and community leaders. Future research will seek to understand the full-context of our findings.
Cancer Survivors in Saint Lucia Deeply Value Social Support: Considerations for Cancer Control in Under-Resourced Communities
(MDPI, 2022) Auguste, Aviane; Cox, Shania; Oliver, JoAnn S.; Phillip, Dorothy; Gabriel, Owen; St Catherine, James; Radix, Carlene; Luce, Daniele; Barul, Christine; Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale (Inserm); Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sante Publique (EHESP); Universite des Antilles; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Understanding the views of cancer survivors on their experience is important for informing community-based interventions. We studied, for the first time, the views of cancer survivors residing in Saint Lucia on their overall care experience. We used interview data from a cohort of adult cancer survivors from Saint Lucia between 2019 and 2020. We performed a thematic analysis to derive themes from codes. Forty-four survivors provided responses to at least one of the three questions. The majority of survivors were black, female and diagnosed with breast cancer. Survivors were interviewed on average five years after diagnosis. Four common themes emerged; "Availability of support groups", "Importance of support from family and friends", "Access to finances" and "Health education and patient navigation". Travel overseas for health services was common among survivors. Survivors expressed emotional distress during travel due to isolation from family and local providers. This is typical among island populations and is distinct from existing patient frameworks. Survivors also suggested that networking amongst providers and interventions assisted families of cancer survivors. Although tertiary care services are limited, we showed that survivors deeply value and depend on their inter-personal relationships during care. Interventions aimed at strengthening the inter-personal environment of survivors are warranted.
Climate-Related Hazards: A Method for Global Assessment of Urban and Rural Population Exposure to Cyclones, Droughts, and Floods
(MDPI, 2014) Christenson, Elizabeth; Elliott, Mark; Banerjee, Ovik; Hamrick, Laura; Bartram, Jamie; University of North Carolina; University of North Carolina Chapel Hill; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Global climate change (GCC) has led to increased focus on the occurrence of, and preparation for, climate-related extremes and hazards. Population exposure, the relative likelihood that a person in a given location was exposed to a given hazard event(s) in a given period of time, was the outcome for this analysis. Our objectives were to develop a method for estimating the population exposure at the country level to the climate-related hazards cyclone, drought, and flood; develop a method that readily allows the addition of better datasets to an automated model; differentiate population exposure of urban and rural populations; and calculate and present the results of exposure scores and ranking of countries based on the country-wide, urban, and rural population exposures to cyclone, drought, and flood. Gridded global datasets on cyclone, drought and flood occurrence as well as population density were combined and analysis was carried out using ArcGIS. Results presented include global maps of ranked country-level population exposure to cyclone, drought, flood and multiple hazards. Analyses by geography and human development index (HDI) are also included. The results and analyses of this exposure assessment have implications for country-level adaptation. It can also be used to help prioritize aid decisions and allocation of adaptation resources between countries and within a country. This model is designed to allow flexibility in applying cyclone, drought and flood exposure to a range of outcomes and adaptation measures.
Community Perspectives and Environmental Justice Issues in an Unincorporated Black Township
(MDPI, 2022) Moore, Teriana; Payne-Foster, Pamela; Oliver, JoAnn S.; Spears, Ellen Griffith; Spencer, Christopher H.; Maye, Jacqueline; Allen, Rebecca S.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Through each era, the southeastern United States was and continues to be an epicenter for industrial companies to establish factories and plants. Though this development attracts economic gain for the companies and surrounding areas, low-income and predominantly Black communities bear the brunt of the environmental consequences while frequently remaining stagnant economically. This qualitative, community-based participatory research study grew out of a larger study designed to recruit lay community advisors from communities labeled as hard to reach in research. We focus on Holt, Alabama, an unincorporated community in the southeastern United States region. The primary goal of this research inquiry is to thematically analyze community interviews stemming from a topic of research, practice, and policy interest to community members: the effects of industrial pollution on Holt citizens' daily lives. Content analysis of focus-group transcripts revealed four emergent themes, including: (1) how the pollution affects their water, soil, and air quality; (2) illness related to pollution; (3) community engagement and empowerment; and (4) suggestions regarding what government officials could do to address this area of need. Building upon the prior research regarding environmental justice, human flourishing, and the definition of nurturing environments, suggestions are made regarding the creation, implementation, and maintenance of project advisory councils focused on issues of environmental justice. Community advocacy and empowerment as well as community and scientific partnerships are imperative to alleviate problems associated with environmental justice.
COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance among College Students: A Theory-Based Analysis
(MDPI, 2021) Sharma, Manoj; Davis, Robert E.; Wilkerson, Amanda H.; University of Nevada Las Vegas; University of Arkansas Fayetteville; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
The severity and pervasiveness of the COVID-19 pandemic have necessitated the emergency use of COVID-19 vaccines. Three vaccines have been approved in the United States (USA). However, there is still some hesitancy in COVID-19 vaccine acceptability among some subgroups, including college students. While research is limited on vaccine acceptability behavior among college students, preliminary data suggests hesitancy as being high. This study aimed to explain the correlates of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among college students who reported hesitancy toward the COVID-19 vaccine and those who did not using the initiation component of the multi-theory model (MTM) of health behavior change. Using a cross-sectional study design, data were collected from a Southern USA University (n = 282) utilizing a valid and reliable 27-item questionnaire in February and March 2021. Almost half (47.5%) of participants reported hesitancy to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The three constructs of MTM's initiation model, behavioral confidence (b = 0.089, p < 0.001), participatory dialogue (b = 0.056, p < 0.001), and changes in the physical environment (b = 0.066, p = 0.001) were significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among those who were not hesitant to take the vaccine and accounted for 54.8% of the variance. Among those who were hesitant to take the COVID-19 vaccine, the MTM construct of behavioral confidence (b = 0.022, p < 0.001) was significant along with Republican Party political affiliation (b = -0.464, p = 0.004), which was negatively associated with vaccine acceptance. The model accounted for 60.6% of the variance in intention to take the COVID-19 vaccine. This study provides evidence for the utility of MTM as a timely intervention to design messages for college students to enhance COVID-19 vaccine acceptability.
Crisis Brings Innovative Strategies: Collaborative Empathic Teleintervention for Children with Disabilities during the COVID-19 Lockdown
(MDPI, 2021) Schiariti, Veronica; McWilliam, Robin A.; University of Victoria; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Background: While coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to spread across the globe, public health strategies-including the social distancing measures that many countries have implemented- have caused disruptions to daily routines. For children with disabilities and their families, such measures mean a lack of access to the resources they usually have through schools and habilitation or rehabilitation services. Health emergencies, like the current COVID-19 pandemic, require innovative strategies to ensure continuity of care. The objective of this perspective paper is to propose the adoption of two innovative strategies for teleintervention. Methods: The novel strategies include: (1) to apply the principles of the Routines-Based Model beyond the early years of development, and (2) to adopt My Abilities First-which is a novel educational tool promoting an abilities-oriented approach in healthcare encounters. Results: In the context of COVID-19, and using accessible language, the content of the paper highlights what is important for families and individuals with disabilities, and how the proposed novel strategies could be useful delivering remote support. Conclusions: The principles of the Routines-Based Model and My Abilities First are universal and facilitate collaborative, empathic, family-centered teleintervention for children and youth with disabilities during and post the COVID-19 lockdown.
Designing and Evaluating Bamboo Harvesting Methods for Local Needs: Integrating Local Ecological Knowledge and Science
(Springer, 2016) Darabant, Andras; Rai, Prem Bahadur; Staudhammer, Christina Lynn; Dorji, Tshewang; University of Natural Resources & Life Sciences, Vienna; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Dendrocalamus hamiltonii, a large, clump-forming bamboo, has great potential to contribute towards poverty alleviation efforts across its distributional range. Harvesting methods that maximize yield while they fulfill local objectives and ensure sustainability are a research priority. Documenting local ecological knowledge on the species and identifying local users' goals for its production, we defined three harvesting treatments (selective cut, horseshoe cut, clear cut) and experimentally compared them with a no-intervention control treatment in an action research framework. We implemented harvesting over three seasons and monitored annually and two years post-treatment. Even though the total number of culms positively influenced the number of shoots regenerated, a much stronger relationship was detected between the number of culms harvested and the number of shoots regenerated, indicating compensatory growth mechanisms to guide shoot regeneration. Shoot recruitment declined over time in all treatments as well as the control; however, there was no difference among harvest treatments. Culm recruitment declined with an increase in harvesting intensity. When univariately assessing the number of harvested culms and shoots, there were no differences among treatments. However, multivariate analyses simultaneously considering both variables showed that harvested output of shoots and culms was higher with clear cut and horseshoe cut as compared to selective cut. Given the ease of implementation and issues of work safety, users preferred the horseshoe cut, but the lack of sustainability of shoot production calls for investigating longer cutting cycles.
Early Adversity and Changes in Cortisol and Negative Affect in Response to Interpersonal Threats in the Laboratory
(MDPI, 2022) Wendel, Christopher J.; Cundiff, Jenny M.; Cribbet, Matthew R.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Adverse childhood experiences, such as abuse and neglect, are associated with poor health outcomes. This association may be partially explained by differences in stress physiology. Though most early adverse experiences occur within the context of interpersonal relationships, stress exposures manipulated in the laboratory rarely involve interpersonal interactions beyond the mere presence of others. This study examines whether adverse childhood experiences are associated with differences in affective and cortisol reactivity to two stressors which may more closely resemble the powerlessness and the lack of control characteristic of many adverse childhood experiences: a dominant (vs. submissive) interaction partner and lower (vs. higher) social status. We also manipulate social-evaluative threat as a test of whether these interpersonal stressors are more germane to stress reactivity associated with early adversity than the performance anxiety evoked by more traditional laboratory stressors, such as the Trier Social Stress Test. The results partially support the hypothesis that participants with greater early adversity may be more reactive to interpersonal stressors reminiscent of early adverse experience. Given the interpersonal nature of most adverse childhood experiences, conceptualizing and measuring associations with stress physiology in an interpersonal context may more closely capture the psychological and biological embedding of these early experiences.
Early Pandemic Improvements in Diet Quality Are Associated with Increased Physical Activity and Weight Loss in US Adults
(MDPI, 2022) Gautreaux, Corinne E.; Smith, Kristen S.; Dolan, Luke; Marlin, Michael B.; Greene, Michael W.; Novak, Josh R.; Fruge, Andrew D.; Auburn University; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa; University of Mississippi; University of Mississippi Medical Center
In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led to restricted vocational (Voc-PA) and recreational physical activity (Rec-PA) outside of the home. We conducted a nation-wide survey in the United States (US) during the mitigation peak of the pandemic (June 2020) to assess health-related changes from the previous year. A diet quality (DQ) assessment tool weighted the relative healthfulness of eating occasions from foods prepared-at-home (Home) and away-from-home (Away). Previously-validated instruments assessed PA and demographic variables; height/weight were self-reported to calculate body mass index (BMI). T-tests explored longitudinal, between-sex, and obesity status differences in DQ, PA, and BMI; Pearson correlations explored associations. Of 1648 respondents, 814 valid responses (56.8% female, 81.7% white) were analyzed. Overall and Home DQ was higher for females than males in 2020 (p < 0.001 for both). Respondents increased DQ from 2019 to 2020, primarily from Away (p < 0.001 for both sexes). Total Rec-PA and Voc-PA was higher in males (p = 0.002, p < 0.001) than females in 2020; females reported higher other PA (p = 0.001). Change in BMI was inversely associated with change in both DQ and PA (p < 0.001 for both). In this sample of US adults, early adaptations to the COVID-19 pandemic included improved DQ and BMI. Whether these short-term improvements were maintained warrant further investigation.
The Effects of Age, Priming, and Working Memory on Decision-Making
(MDPI, 2016) Wood, Meagan; Black, Sheila; Gilpin, Ansley; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
In the current study, we examined the effects of priming and personality on risky decision-making while playing the Game of Dice Task (GDT). In the GDT, participants decide how risky they wish to be on each trial. In this particular study prior to playing the GDT, participants were randomly assigned to one of three priming conditions: Risk-Aversive, Risk-Seeking, or Control. In the Risk-Seeking condition, a fictional character benefitted from risky behavior while in the Risk-Aversive condition, a fictional character benefitted from exercising caution. Although not explicitly stated in the instructions, participants need to make "safe" rather than risky choices to optimize performance on the GDT. Participants were also given Daneman and Carpenter's assessment of working memory task. Interestingly, although older adults self-reported being more cautious than younger adults on the Domain Specific Risk Attitude scale (DOSPERT), older adults made riskier decisions than younger adults on the GDT. However, after controlling for working memory, the age differences on the GDT became insignificant, indicating that working memory mediated the relation between age and risky decisions on the GDT.
The effects of secondary stressors, social identity, and social support on perceived stress and resilience: Findings from the COVID-19 pandemic
(Elsevier, 2023) Ntontis, Evangelos; Blackburn, Angelique M.; Han, Hyemin; Stoeckli, Sabrina; Milfont, Taciano L.; Tuominen, Jarno; Griffin, Siobhan M.; Ikizer, Gozde; Jeftic, Alma; Chrona, Stavroula; Nasheedha, Aishath; Liutsko, Liudmila; Vestergren, Sara; Open University - UK; Texas A&M International University; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa; University of Bern; University of Zurich; University of Waikato; University of Turku; University of Limerick; TOBB Ekonomi ve Teknoloji University; International Christian University; University of Sussex; ISGlobal; Lomonosov Moscow State University; Keele University
Primary stressors are direct outcomes of extreme events (e.g., viruses, floodwater) whereas secondary stressors stem from pre-disaster life circumstances and societal arrangements (e.g., illness, problematic pre-disaster pol-icies) or from inefficient responses to the extreme event. Secondary stressors can cause significant long-term damage to people affected but are also tractable and amenable to change. In this study we explored the asso-ciation between secondary stressors, social identity processes, social support, and perceived stress and resilience. Pre-registered analyses of data from the COVIDiSTRESS Global Survey Round II (N = 14,600; 43 countries) show that secondary stressors are positively associated with perceived stress and negatively associated with resilience, even when controlling for the effects of primary stressors. Being a woman or having lower socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with higher exposure to secondary stressors, higher perceived stress, and lower resilience. Importantly, social identification is positively associated with expected support and with increased resilience and lower perceived stress. However, neither gender, SES, or social identification moderated the relationship be-tween secondary stressors and perceived stress and resilience. In conclusion, systemic reforms and the avail-ability of social support are paramount to reducing the effects of secondary stressors.
The Efficiency of Data Assimilation
(American Geophysical Union, 2018) Nearing, Grey; Yatheendradas, Soni; Crow, Wade; Zhan, Xiwu; Liu, Jicheng; Chen, Fan; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa; National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA); NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; University of Maryland College Park; United States Department of Agriculture (USDA); National Oceanic Atmospheric Admin (NOAA) - USA
Data assimilation is the application of Bayes' theorem to condition the states of a dynamical systems model on observations. Any real-world application of Bayes' theorem is approximate, and therefore, we cannot expect that data assimilation will preserve all of the information available from models and observations. We outline a framework for measuring information in models, observations, and evaluation data in a way that allows us to quantify information loss during (necessarily imperfect) data assimilation. This facilitates quantitative analysis of trade-offs between improving (usually expensive) remote sensing observing systems versus improving data assimilation design and implementation. We demonstrate this methodology on a previously published application of the ensemble Kalman filter used to assimilate remote sensing soil moisture retrievals from Advanced Microwave Scattering Radiometer for Earth (AMSR-E) into the Noah land surface model.
Electric Bicyclist Injury Severity during Peak Traffic Periods: A Random-Parameters Approach with Heterogeneity in Means and Variances
(MDPI, 2021) Zhu, Tong; Zhu, Zishuo; Zhang, Jie; Yang, Chenxuan; Chang'an University; Ministry of Transport of the People's Republic of China; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Accidents involving electric bicycles, a popular means of transportation in China during peak traffic periods, have increased. However, studies have seldom attempted to detect the unique crash consequences during this period. This study aims to explore the factors influencing injury severity in electric bicyclists during peak traffic periods and provide recommendations to help devise specific management strategies. The random-parameters logit or mixed logit model is used to identify the relationship between different factors and injury severity. The injury severity is divided into four categories. The analysis uses automobile and electric bicycle crash data of Xi'an, China, between 2014 and 2019. During the peak traffic periods, the impact of low visibility significantly varies with factors such as areas with traffic control or without streetlights. Furthermore, compared with traveling in a straight line, three different turnings before the crash reduce the likelihood of severe injuries. Roadside protection trees are the most crucial measure guaranteeing riders' safety during peak traffic periods. This study reveals the direction, magnitude, and randomness of factors that contribute to electric bicycle crashes. The results can help safety authorities devise targeted transportation safety management and planning strategies for peak traffic periods.

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