initialize_user_fields.php

<?php

/**
 * This script will initialize the fields for controlling research and publications
 * with the default value for all users. This field was added later and so this
 * step is necessary.
 *
 * Run this script only if email notifications are disabled or if reroute email
 * is enabled.
 *
 * To run this script,
 * drush @env scr initialize_user_fields.php
 *
 * @author Nick Mathew <https://nm7.org>
 * @date 2016-03-15
 */

$users = entity_load('user');

foreach ($users as $user) {
  $wrapper = entity_metadata_wrapper('user', $user);
  if ($wrapper->uid->value() != 0) {
    //dpm($wrapper->getPropertyInfo());
    
    // Replace these with the fields that you want to update
    $wrapper->field_control_research = 0;
    $wrapper->field_control_publication = 0;
    $wrapper->save();
  }
}