Relationship of work-family conflict,gender, and alcohol expectancies to alcohol use/abuse

Numerous studies have documented a positive relationship between work-family conflict and both psychological distress and somatic symptoms. Little research, however, has explored the relationship of work-family conflict to alcohol use/abuse. Consequently, this study investigated the relationship of work-family conflict to several indicators of abusive alcohol consumption. In addition, the moderating influence of gender and tension-reduction expectancies was examined. Data were obtained through household interviews with a random sample of 473 employed adults. As hypothesized, work-family conflict was positively related to abusive alcohol consumption. In addition, there was strong support for the moderating influence of tension-reduction expectancies. As anticipated, the positive relationship between work-family conflict and abusive alcohol consumption was found almost exclusively among individuals who believe that alcohol use promotes relaxation and tension reduction. In contrast, the hypothesis that gender moderates the relationship between work-family conflict and alcohol use/abuse was not supported. Implications for future research and intervention efforts aimed at reducing alcohol abuse in the workforce are discussed.     

ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM FOR STREAMFLOW1

Daily, monthly, and yearly summaries of streamflow and sediment transport are computed from continuous gage height records and discrete measurements of sediment concentration and discharge rate. The system includes computer computation of discharge measurement notes and an accuracy check of gage height and time input data. Maximum volumes of runoff for selected time intervals up to eight days and flow duration data can also be compiled. Electronic data processing equipment including a chart reader, card punch, computers, and card sorter are used. The system software includes 12 Fortran programs.     

A NONTRADITIONAL METHODOLOGY FOR FLOOD STAGE-DAMAGE CALCULATIONS1

ABSTRACT: This paper presents a new methodology to calculate economic losses from hypothetical, extreme flood events, such as the Probable Maximum Flood. The methodology uses economic data compiled from already-available secondary sources, such as U.S. Census data on magnetic tapes, utilizing microcomputer and other electronic media. Estimates of land elevations are obtained from topographic maps, and flood elevations axe estimated using, for example, a dam breach and flood routing (DAMBRK) model (Fread, 1984). The calculations are performed at a disaggregate spatial scale, by various land use and industrial classification categories. The basic areal units are city blocks (for urbanized areas), enumeration districts, and Census tracts. Depth-damage functions, which provide an estimate of damages as a proportion of the existing value of the structure, are estimated statistically. Computer software (called DAMAGE) is used to combine the economic, flood elevation, and depth-damage information to compute economic losses for different possible flood stages and for different inflow events. Two case studies are presented as illustrations of the method.     

Use of agricultural land evaluation and site assessment in Linn County,Oregon, USA

Oregon state law requires each county in the state to identify agricultural land and enact policies and regulations to protect agricultural land use. State guidelines encourage the preservation of large parcels of agricultural land and discourage partitioning of agricultural land and construction of nonfarm dwellings in agricultural areas. A land evaluation and site assessment (LESA) system was developed in Linn County to aid in the identification of agricultural land and provide assistance to decision makers concerning the relative merits of requests to partition existing parcels of ricultural land and introduce nonagricultural uses.Land evaluation was determined by calculating soil potential ratings for each agricultural soil in the county based on the soil potentials for winter wheat, annual ryegrass, permanent pasture, and irrigated sweet corn. Soil potential ratings were expressed on a scale of 0 to 150 points. The land evaluation score for a parcel consists of the weighted average soil potential rating for all of the soils in the parcel, weighted by the percentage of each soil present in the parcel.Site assessment was based on the size of a parcel and on the amount of existing conflict between agricultural and nonagricultural uses, particularly rural residential uses, both adjacent to and in the vicinity of a parcel. Parcel size refers to both size in relation to a typical field and size in relation to a typical farm unit. Conflict takes into account the number of nonfarm dwellings within 1/4 mile (0.4 km) of a parcel, the amount of the perimeter that adjoins conflicting land uses, and the residential density adjacent to the parcel. Empirical scales were derived for assigning points to each of the site assessment factors. Both parcel size and conflict were worth 75 points in the model. For parcel size, 45 points were allocated to field size and 30 points to farm-unit size. For conflict, 30 points were allocated to nonfarm dwellings within 1/4 mile and 45 points to perimeter conflicts.The LESA model was validated by testing on 23 parcels in Linn County for which requests to partition and/or convert to nonagricultural uses had been received by the County Planning Department. This testing was an essential part of the development process, as it pointed out inconsistencies and errors in the model and allowed continuous adjustment of factors and point scales. The results of application of the final model to three of the case studies are presented to illustrate the concepts.Three possible uses of the information generated by the LESA system include determining the relative agricultural value of a parcel, determining grades of agricultural land suitability, and determining the impacts of changing land use on other parcels in the vicinity. Relative agricultural value is a direct outcome of application of the evaluation criteria in the LESA model. Good, marginal, and nonagricultural grades of agricultural suitability were determined by examining the data from all 23 test cases and establishing threshold point values for soil quality, conflict, parcel size, and total LESA score. Impact analyses were not done in this study, but could be achieved by calculating LESA scores for all parcels possibly affected by a land-use change both before and after a proposed change. All three applications fall short of making a specific land-use decision, but they do provide information that should be of value to the local jurisdiction charged with making such decisions.     

FACTORS IN THE COMMUNITY PERCEPTION OF WATER RESOURCE PROBLEMS1

ABSTRACT The study explores the perception of community problems, including flooding and pollution, among leaders in four different communities, ranging in size from 10,000 to 20,000. Water-related problems were considered in the context of other community problems which were defined by these leaders. Among these leaders, water-related problems were characterized by low salience and by low consensus. In seeking solutions, these leaders see water problems as being less likely to be solved at the local community level and to necessitate extra-community assistance. They also see water-related problems as requiring a relatively low level of community coordination and as being primarily the responsibility of the public sector. Local governmental leaders were seen as being more important in problem solving in water-related problems than they were in other community problems.     

ON AN ECONOMIC VALUATION OF THE COLUMBIA-SNAKE RIVER COMPLEX1

This paper is an effort to establish a lower bound on the economic value of the Columbia and Snake Rivers to the State of Washington, so as to assess the economic consequences of diversion of waters of these rivers to other geographic regions. The uses recognized in this paper are for power generation and irrigation, although the dynamic-programming model constructed is capable of incorporating, with minor changes, returns from other uses of the rivers when the economic data can be obtained.     

Natural and Artificial Functionalized Biopolyesters. II. Medium-Chain Length Polyhydroxyoctanoates from Pseudomonas Strains

Sixteen Pseudomonas strains have been tested with a view to developing medium-chain length polyhydroxyalkanoates. Four strains were selected and it is shown that their ability for producing three different polyesters with variable properties was dependent on the strains and substrates. Otherwise, Pseudomonas oleovorans was grown on a mixture of sodium octanoate and undecenoate salts at a 90/10 mol/mol ratio. The corresponding copolymer, bearing lateral double bonds, was chemically modified in the carboxy group. Finally, the ability to tailor-make functional bacterial polyesters aimed at temporary therapeutic applications is demonstrated.     

Characterization of drug and alcohol use among senior drivers fatally injured in U.S. motor vehicle collisions, 2008–2012

Objective: Adults 65 years of age and older comprise the fastest growing demographic in the United States. As substance use is projected to increase in this population, there is concern that more seniors will drive under the influence of impairing drugs. The purpose of this analysis was to characterize the drug and alcohol usage among senior drivers fatally injured (FI) in traffic collisions.

Methods: Data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System were analyzed from 2008 to 2012. Commonly used classes and specific drugs were explored. Rates of drug use, multiple drugs, concomitant drug and alcohol use, and alcohol use alone were generated using Poisson regression with robust error variance estimation. Rates were compared to a reference population of FI middle-aged drivers (30 to 50 years old) using rate ratios.

Results: Drug use among FI senior drivers occurred in 20.0% of those tested. Among drug-positive FI senior drivers, narcotics and depressants were frequent. The prevalence of testing positive for any drug, multiple drugs, combined drug and alcohol, and alcohol use alone among FI seniors were 47% less (relative risk [RR] = 0.53, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.47, 0.62), 59% less (RR = 0.41, 95% CI, 0.34, 0.51), 87% less (RR = 0.13, 95% CI, 0.09, 0.19), and 77% less (RR = 0.23, 95% CI, 0.19, 0.28), respectively, compared to FI middle-aged drivers.

Conclusions: Though overall drug use is less common among FI senior drivers relative to FI middle-aged drivers, driving under the influence of drugs may be a relevant traffic safety concern in a portion of this population.     

Sexual selection and reproductive careers in mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx)

In sexually dimorphic, polygynous species, where males provide little parental care and competition between males for access to fertile females is high, sexual selection theory predicts sex differences in age-specific reproductive output and mortality profiles, and greater variance in lifetime reproductive success in males than in females. We examined age-specific reproductive output, mortality patterns and the extent and causes of variation in reproductive success for a semi-free-ranging colony of mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx, Cercopithecidae) in Franceville, Gabon, using long-term (20 year) demographic records and microsatellite parentage analysis. Although differences in the demography and feeding ecology of this closed, provisioned colony, in comparison with wild mandrills, limit interpretation of our results, sex differences in reproductive output and mortality showed the patterns predicted by sexual selection theory. Mortality was higher in males than in females after sexual maturity, and lifespan was significantly shorter in males (mean 14 year) than in females (>22 year). Age at first reproduction was significantly earlier in females (mean 4.2 year) than in males (11.6 year), and male reproductive output declined earlier. All females of breeding age produced offspring; while only 17 of 53 sexually mature males (32%) sired. Males sired a maximum of 41 offspring, versus 17 in females, and variance in male reproductive output was significantly greater than in females at all ages. The most important influence on variation in lifetime reproductive output in both sexes was joint variation between length of the breeding period and reproductive rate, due to lower reproductive rates in younger animals. Finally, social rank significantly influenced reproductive output in both sexes: high-ranking females began their reproductive careers earlier and had a higher subsequent reproductive rate than low-ranking females, while males that achieved top rank during their career sired far more offspring than males that did not.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at