David J Peters

Iowa State University | ISU · Department of Sociology

New gene editing techniques, such as CRISPR‐Cas9, have created the potential for rapid development of new gene‐edited food (GEF) products. Unlike genetically modified organism foods, there is limited research and literature on U.S. public opinions about GEFs. We address this knowledge gap by examining how crop‐based GEF adoption is linked to public...

Psychopathy is an important forensic mental health construct. Despite this importance, the research base of psychopathy among individuals convicted of capital murder is limited. Archival data were collected from a sample of 636 persons convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death in the State of California. Psychopathy was assessed using the...

Despite declines in prescription opioid overdoses, rural areas continue to have higher prescription opioid overdose rates than urban areas. We aim to understand high overdose places were resilient to the prescription opioid overdose crisis (better than predicted), while others were vulnerable (worse than predicted). First, we predicted prescription...

Estimates of resident satisfaction with public education have great utility in public administration, especially among decision makers in shrinking small communities. But such estimates are typically obtained via surveys, which are costly and often unreliable at high spatial resolutions given low response rates. Our study found that satisfaction wi...

Recent gene editing tools and techniques continue to develop at a swift pace and gene-edited foods boast significant promise to create identifiable benefits for end-use consumers, although there are currently few publicly identifiable products in the commercial marketplace. While competing stakeholders are active in this space, few public-facing me...

CRISPR-Cas, ZFN, and TALEN provide gene editing opportunities which may lead to new food and agricultural products with identifiable benefits for end-use consumers. Given the public perceptions and backlash faced by previous generations of genetically modified food products, there is a lot of speculation regarding how gene edited food products will...

Precision swine production can benefit from autonomous, noninvasive, and affordable devices that conduct frequent checks on the well-being status of pigs. Here, we present a remote monitoring tool for the objective measurement of some behavioral indicators that may help in assessing the health and welfare status—namely, posture, gait, vocalization,...

Micropolitan areas (between 10,000 and 50,000 people) are not immune to economic shocks that threaten their vitality. Factors related to economic shocks can range from local companies leaving a town or national economic crises affecting local economies. Using the perspective of local micropolitan area stakeholders, this research seeks to identify w...

Most small and rural communities in the United States are shrinking. This population loss is often accompanied by economic and social upheaval—job losses, out migration of young people, school closures, reductions in local services, and deteriorating physical infrastructure. Because design firms cluster in metropolitan areas and most rural commissi...

Purpose This study creates a COVID‐19 susceptibility scale at the county level, describes its components, and then assesses the health and socioeconomic resiliency of susceptible places across the rural‐urban continuum. Methods Factor analysis grouped 11 indicators into 7 distinct susceptibility factors for 3,079 counties in the conterminous Unite...

Rural places may still be at risk for COVID-19 even in the absence of cases, as the pandemic may just be taking hold. This makes rural places statistically invisible, creating a false sense of rural immunity. There is an immediate need to assess the risk of serious COVID-19 complications at the county-level before such cases become widespread. Know...

What are the characteristics of good leadership in small towns? Does leadership enhance quality of life? Is leadership the difference between successful and struggling communities? This publication examines these questions and provides research from Iowa small towns to demonstrate how leadership styles can shape a community.

Getting people to volunteer can be a challenge in small communities across Iowa. This publication looks at the motivations for people to volunteer in their community, what type of communities attract the most volunteers, and things communities can do to foster volunteering.

This analysis seeks to understand why some small towns have improved quality of life (QoL) over the past 20 years despite sizable population losses. Using a longitudinal data set of small towns in Iowa collected every 10 years since 1994, I measure the resiliency or vulnerability of declining towns based on change in subjective QoL, and then model...

The rapid increase of fatal opioid overdoses over the past two decades is a major U.S. public health problem, especially in non‐metropolitan communities. The crisis has transitioned from pharmaceuticals to illicit synthetic opioids and street mixtures, especially in urban areas. Using latent profile analysis, we classify n = 3,079 counties into dis...

SUS-RURI: Proceedings of a Workshop on Developing a Convergence Sustainable Urban Systems Agenda for Redesigning the Urban-Rural Interface along the Mississippi River Watershed Held in Ames, Iowa, August 12–13, 2019. https://doi.org/10.31274/3d9ea6a4.be4c8b7b

Objectives. To examine associations of county-level demographic, socioeconomic, and labor market characteristics on overall drug mortality rates and specific classes of opioid mortality. Methods. We used National Vital Statistics System mortality data (2002–2004 and 2014–2016) and county-level US Census data. We examined associations between severa...

Population loss in North America is often viewed as a problem best addressed through economic development efforts promoting growth. In Europe, an alternative view sees depopulation as a process needing to be managed properly, by scaling down community services and infrastructure while maintaining social equity. Called smart shrinkage, this approach...

The report tracks income inequality across Iowa counties between 1970 and 2012, with comparisons between metro-rural Iowa and the U.S.. Socioeconomic conditions related to inequality in Iowa are examined; and policy implications are discussed. County inequality data are presented in the appendix.

Offers population trends to inform community planning decisions. Gives key aspects of population change by metro, urban, and rural areas. Examines change across counties and identifies factors that contribute to change. Includes implications of population change.

This publication summarizes current demographic, economic, and social trends in rural Iowa from 2005-2015. It is modeled after the USDA's Rural America at a Glance, showing how Iowa metro, micropolitan and rural areas compare with the rest of the country.

This publication discusses how smartly shrinking towns differ from other declining places; and outlines recommendations for communities to maintain quality of life as their populations decline.

Here's a report that documents trends in poverty across Iowa counties during the past 40 years. It also identifies key factors of poverty in Iowa and their correlation.

What makes a community an attractive place to live? This publication explores that question in Iowa small towns. It looks at current perceptions of quality of life, how that quality of life has changed over the last 20 years and what drives quality of life in small towns.

To better understand the spatial pattern of organic agriculture in the U.S., this research investigates multiple measures of organic farming and examines its environmental and socioeconomic correlates at the meso-level between 2007 and 2012. Drawing data from the Census of Agriculture, the organic index indicates that organic farming is primarily l...

This bulletin summarizes current population trends for Iowa's regions, counties, and cities over the past year from 2015 to 2016. Despite initial appearances, Iowa is a diverse state in terms of population. A number of cities have booming population due to high birth rates and large inflows of migrants, while many towns and smaller cities have fell...

Drawing on interviews with 24 correctional practitioners who use risk assessment instruments daily, we examine barriers to the use and implementation of these instruments. Findings reveal that practitioners have confidence in the state of risk assessment generally, but are skeptical about risk assessment on the job due to limited resources. They al...

Using two data sets, containing 582 total cases, this study investigates whether classifying offenders on trajectories of risk scores helps predict parolee recidivism. One data set has 4 years of risk scores and another has three. Both data sets contain control variables measuring released inmates’ characteristics. The dependent variable measures a...

Objectives Ascertaining the effect of treatment on recidivism is a core area of investigation in criminology and corrections research. The two objectives of the current analysis are: (1) to determine the true effect of treatment regimen completion on time to recidivism controlling for propensity to complete treatment; and (2) to examine the sensiti...

Green occupations are identified using the diversity, use, and relevance of green tasks in the United States. Results find 176, of nearly 1,000, occupations use at least one green task, but only 70 intensively use green tasks. Green-intensive jobs are quality jobs that are full-time, pay above average wages, and have health insurance. The employmen...

Recently developed inmate behavior frameworks have expanded the discussion from deprivation/importation models to a life-course perspective. DeLisi and associates (International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology 55;1186–1207, 2011) presented the life-course importation model of inmate behavior based on a sample of state incarc...

This analysis examines the spatial clustering of income inequality and its socioeconomic correlates at the meso-scale over the past four decades. Cluster analysis is used to group N=3078 counties into five inequality clusters; and multinomial logistic regression is used to assess the effects of socioeconomic correlates. High and extreme inequality...

Fledgling psychopathy is a construct that has proven useful in organizing the nomological network of conduct problems and psychopathology in children and adolescents. Drawing on data from an institutionalized sample of delinquents (n = 252), the current study compared ADHD, CD, and ADHD+CD youth on psychopathic personality features and their associ...

Moral engagement produces strong emotions that help individuals refrain from serious criminal behavior, but what if a youth is unable to experience these emotions. Based on a sample of adjudicated delinquents and using a series of structural equation models, we test whether moral disengagement varies by level of psychopathy in relation to criminal...

This analysis seeks to understand the socioeconomic correlates of the poverty U-turn across time periods and geographic scales. Demographic and economic factors affecting poverty and its change from 1980-2010 are analyzed using spatial regressions across block-groups, census tracts, and counties in the North Central Region - West. Meso-level aggreg...

A bstract This article examines the spatial distribution of income inequality and the socioeconomic factors affecting it using spatial analysis techniques across 16,285 block groups, 5,050 tracts, and 618 counties in the western part of the North Central Region of the United States. Different geographic aggregations result in different inequality o...

This article addresses a current gap in the inequality literature by identifying demographic and economic factors that best explain persistent income inequality across N= 817 nonmetropolitan block groups in Nebraska between 1979 and 2009. Over one-half of rural places in Nebraska have average levels of income inequality, one-quarter have persistent...

This analysis identifies and describes clusters of persistently low and high income inequality for N = 7,353 non-metropolitan block-groups in the western part of the North Central Region. Analysis finds more low inequality than high inequality places in the region, but there are also large numbers of rising inequality places. Lower inequality place...

Find information about trends in child poverty in Iowa, the socioeconomic characteristics of poor places, and the potential implications child poverty has for Iowa. Includes information on data and statistical methods.

This analysis seeks to better understand the geography of American poverty over time. Cluster analysis is used to group 34,908 minor civil divisions according to their similarity in mean-centered poverty rates from 1980 to 2000. Logistic regression is used to asses the groupings' statistical validity and accuracy. Results identify twelve statistica...

It is predicted that the earth’s climate will change because of the buildup of greenhouse gases. However, the exact effect of these gases on the climate is difficult to predict. Given these conditions, what do rural Nebraskans think about global climate change? Do they think global climate change will impact them? What are their opinions about the...

Energy prices have steadily increased during the past year. Rural residents are now faced with higher costs to drive and heat and cool their homes. Given these conditions, how much of a problem have rising energy costs been for rural Nebraskans? What are their opinions on future energy sources? What changes have they made or do they plan to make du...

This book is a comprehensive examination of poverty in the United States from 1969 to 1999. Its three main objectives are to document the uneven distribution of poverty, to explore its underlying demographic and economic determinants, and to offer policy prescriptions for its amelioration. The analysis of rural poverty is likely to be of most inter...

Most of the smaller communities in rural Nebraska have experienced population decline since 2000 while most of the larger communities have experienced population growth. Given these conditions, how do rural Nebraskans feel about their community? Are they satisfied with the services provided? Are they planning to move from their community next year?...

Starting in mid-February 2009, all television stations in the country can only broadcast a digital signal. This change does not affect households that currently receive their television signal from a cable or satellite TV provider, only those that receive their signal over-the-air through an antenna or rabbit ears. The 2008 Nebraska Rural Poll incl...

Nebraska has experienced slow economic growth recently. However, the state has also seen higher farm income this past year. How do rural Nebraskans perceive their quality of life? Do their perceptions differ by community size, the region in which they live, or their occupation? How concerned are rural Nebraskans about their personal finances? This...

The ethanol boom has generated an unprecedented amount of industrial investment in many rural communities. However, local governments and economic developers have little reliable information regarding the economic impact of these plants in the community. An assortment of consultants and government agencies, including some universities, has produced...

Nebraska, along with several other Midwestern states, is in the middle of an ethanol boom. In the past few years a combination of high oil prices, cheap corn and favorable government policy have driven expansion of the industry. In turn, this has generated an unprecedented amount of industrial investment in many rural communities. However, local go...

• Most rural Nebraskans indicate an ideal retirement age of between 55-64 years (about 55%), or an ideal age of between 65-70 years (under 30%). • However, only one-third of those ideally retiring between ages 55-64 think they will have sufficient income to do so, while nearly one-half of those ideally retiring between ages 65-70 think they will ha...

• Rural Nebraskans are concerned about health and health care during their retirement. • Concerns over health care needs are likely to influence where older Nebraskans choose to reside. • The perceived need to provide personal health insurance for oneself is likely to keep older rural Nebraskans in the labor force. • Upon retirement, rural Nebraska...

Key Findings • Employment is an important part of retirement and retirement planning for rural Nebraskans. • Many rural Nebraskans who are not yet retired expect to work past the traditional retirement age of 65, especially those age 40 to 64 and farmers and ranchers. • Motivations for working past the traditional retirement age include to meet bas...

• Most rural Nebraskans are concerned about adequate income for their retirement years. • Social security is only one of many retirement income sources that rural Nebraskans are employing. • Planning on continuing employment, either full or part-time, into the retirement years as an income source is the rule rather than the exception. • Few rural N...

Key Findings • Younger people in their 20s are unsure of their plans to move in retirement (65%). Those in their 30s and 40s are also unsure (about 55%), but are also more likely to stay where they currently live (about 35%) than younger people. • Plans to move become more definite as people get older. Those in their 50s and early 60s either do not...

Many rural communities have experienced population growth during the past decade and the state has experienced relatively stable economic conditions during the past year. How do rural Nebraskans feel about their community? Are they satisfied with the services provided? Are they planning to move from their community next year? How do rural Nebraskan...

This analysis estimates the economic impact of a 110 million gallon dry-mill ethanol plant in Hall County. The facility is operated by BioFuel Energy LLC and is currently under construction in Wood River. This analysis looks at both the construction and operation impacts of this facility. Hall County, including Wood River, is part of the Grand Isla...

Economic development is “sustained progressive change to attain individual and group interests through the expanded, intensified and adjusted use of resources,” where “human welfare is the end product of the development process.”1 The previous issue of Cornhusker Economics2 used persistent poverty as one way to measure development at the communityl...

Economic development is a priority for nearly all Nebraska communities. However, development is often confused with economic growth. Economic development entails “sustained progressive change to attain individual and group interests through the expanded, intensified and adjusted use of resources,” where “human welfare is the end product of the deve...

With 6.7 million head of cattle and calves in 2007, Nebraska has the second largest beef cattle herd in the nation. Cash receipts from sales of these cattle and calves totaled $6.6 billion in 2006. Nebraska's 2.7 million head of cattle on feed in January 2007 also makes the state the second largest in the number of cattle on feed and com- mercial c...

Understanding your local trade area is important because retail sales taxes are an important source of revenue for local governments; and the geographic concentration of retailing directly affects smaller communities. This analysis provides some base information that allows a better understanding of local trade areas. It should be considered a firs...

Application of the industry cluster concept by development agencies is limited because cluster policies benefit economically powerful core regions over periphery regions and are of little use when a region has no competitive industries. To address these limitations, industry complexes can be used as an alternative to traditional cluster approaches....

To better understand how the downturn in the farm economy has impacted Iowa farmers and farm families, this study summarizes current trends in farm income and debt by type of farm operation.

Industry cluster theory and method is synthesized to present a conceptually clear cluster blueprint for use in economic development public policy. Theoretically, the blueprint defines industry clusters as a group of economically competitive industries that are interdependent because of shared resources. Methodologically, the blueprint identifies co...

This study explores the policy antecedents, theoretical foundations, and the many approaches to measuring green jobs in the U.S. It also contains brief descriptions of national and state initiatives to quantify green jobs currently in the economy, as well as their potential growth. The research preliminarily evaluates the likelihood of green job gr...