A multi-step multi-objective generation expansion planning model-A case study in Mexico

Abstract Planning in the energy sector implies multiple and conflicting objectives. Multi-objective models allow the analysis of the inter-relationships and trade-off solutions to be obtained. This paper presents a mixed integer linear model for multi-step multi-objective generation expansion planning (MMGEP). The MMGEP problem is defined as the problem of determining the answers to the following questions: What types of generation technologies are to be added to the grid? What is the capacity of each new generation plant? Where will the plant be located? When will the plant be located? The MMGEP objectives are to minimize the global cost of the system, minimize the environmental impact and maximize the social profits. The proposed model is based on a real power system in Mexico for the planning period between 2017 and 2037. The problem was solved using the NSGA-II algorithm. Keywords: Energy planning, generation expansion planning, capacity expansion planning, Generation expansion plannin

The psychological science accelerator’s COVID-19 rapid-response dataset

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Psychological Science Accelerator coordinated three large-scale psychological studies to examine the effects of loss-gain framing, cognitive reappraisals, and autonomy framing manipulations on behavioral intentions and affective measures. The data collected (April to October 2020) included specific measures for each experimental study, a general questionnaire examining health prevention behaviors and COVID-19 experience, geographical and cultural context characterization, and demographic information for each participant. Each participant started the study with the same general questions and then was randomized to complete either one longer experiment or two shorter experiments. Data were provided by 73,223 participants with varying completion rates. Participants completed the survey from 111 geopolitical regions in 44 unique languages/dialects. The anonymized dataset described here is provided in both raw and processed formats to facilitate re-use and further analyses. The dataset offers secondary analytic opportunities to explore coping, framing, and self-determination across a diverse, global sample obtained at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which can be merged with other time-sampled or geographic data

A global experiment on motivating social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Finding communication strategies that effectively motivate social distancing continues to be a global public health priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-country, preregistered experiment (n = 25,718 from 89 countries) tested hypotheses concerning generalizable positive and negative outcomes of social distancing messages that promoted personal agency and reflective choices (i.e., an autonomy-supportive message) or were restrictive and shaming (i.e., a controlling message) compared with no message at all. Results partially supported experimental hypotheses in that the controlling message increased controlled motivation (a poorly internalized form of motivation relying on shame, guilt, and fear of social consequences) relative to no message. On the other hand, the autonomy-supportive message lowered feelings of defiance compared with the controlling message, but the controlling message did not differ from receiving no message at all. Unexpectedly, messages did not influence autonomous motivation (a highly internalized form of motivation relying on one’s core values) or behavioral intentions. Results supported hypothesized associations between people’s existing autonomous and controlled motivations and self-reported behavioral intentions to engage in social distancing. Controlled motivation was associated with more defiance and less long-term behavioral intention to engage in social distancing, whereas autonomous motivation was associated with less defiance and more short- and long-term intentions to social distance. Overall, this work highlights the potential harm of using shaming and pressuring language in public health communication, with implications for the current and future global health challenges

The Psychological Science Accelerator’s COVID-19 rapid-response dataset

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Psychological Science Accelerator coordinated three large-scale psychological studies to examine the effects of loss-gain framing, cognitive reappraisals, and autonomy framing manipulations on behavioral intentions and affective measures. The data collected (April to October 2020) included specific measures for each experimental study, a general questionnaire examining health prevention behaviors and COVID-19 experience, geographical and cultural context characterization, and demographic information for each participant. Each participant started the study with the same general questions and then was randomized to complete either one longer experiment or two shorter experiments. Data were provided by 73,223 participants with varying completion rates. Participants completed the survey from 111 geopolitical regions in 44 unique languages/dialects. The anonymized dataset described here is provided in both raw and processed formats to facilitate re-use and further analyses. The dataset offers secondary analytic opportunities to explore coping, framing, and self-determination across a diverse, global sample obtained at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which can be merged with other time-sampled or geographic data

A global experiment on motivating social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Finding communication strategies that effectively motivate social distancing continues to be a global public health priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-country, preregistered experiment (n = 25,718 from 89 countries) tested hypotheses concerning generalizable positive and negative outcomes of social distancing messages that promoted personal agency and reflective choices (i.e., an autonomy-supportive message) or were restrictive and shaming (i.e. a controlling message) compared to no message at all. Results partially supported experimental hypotheses in that the controlling message increased controlled motivation (a poorly-internalized form of motivation relying on shame, guilt, and fear of social consequences) relative to no message. On the other hand, the autonomy-supportive message lowered feelings of defiance compared to the controlling message, but the controlling message did not differ from receiving no message at all. Unexpectedly, messages did not influence autonomous motivation (a highly-internalized form of motivation relying on one’s core values) or behavioral intentions. Results supported hypothesized associations between people’s existing autonomous and controlled motivations and self-reported behavioral intentions to engage in social distancing: Controlled motivation was associated with more defiance and less long-term behavioral intentions to engage in social distancing, whereas autonomous motivation was associated with less defiance and more short- and long-term intentions to social distance. Overall, this work highlights the potential harm of using shaming and pressuring language in public health communication, with implications for the current and future global health challenges

A multi-country test of brief reappraisal interventions on emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased negative emotions and decreased positive emotions globally. Left unchecked, these emotional changes might have a wide array of adverse impacts. To reduce negative emotions and increase positive emotions, we tested the effectiveness of reappraisal, an emotion-regulation strategy that modifies how one thinks about a situation. Participants from 87 countries and regions (n = 21,644) were randomly assigned to one of two brief reappraisal interventions (reconstrual or repurposing) or one of two control conditions (active or passive). Results revealed that both reappraisal interventions (vesus both control conditions) consistently reduced negative emotions and increased positive emotions across different measures. Reconstrual and repurposing interventions had similar effects. Importantly, planned exploratory analyses indicated that reappraisal interventions did not reduce intentions to practice preventive health behaviours. The findings demonstrate the viability of creating scalable, low-cost interventions for use around the world

Comparación entre el método de estimación matemática y el método de calorimetría para determinar el contenido energético del subproducto de galleta y de panadería para la alimentación de cerdos en desarrollo

El presente estudio se realizó con el fin de comparar la funcionalidad del método de estimación matemática propuesto por McDowell (1974) y por Cañas y Aguilar (1990) comparado con la determinación calorimétrica in vivo, en las variables de nutrientes digestibles totales (TND), energía bruta (EB), energía digestible (ED) y energía metabolizable EM). También se compararon las características nutricionales in vivo del subproducto de galleta con el de panadería en las variables de nutrientes digestibles totales (TND), energía bruta (EB), energía digestible (ED) y energía metabolizable (EM). Al hacer la comparación entre los métodos de predicción de energía digestible y metabolizable, también se encontró diferencia significativa entre ambos métodos y de forma similar fue mayor la determinación in vivo. Para la variable de energía bruta también se encontró diferencia significativa entre ambos métodos, siendo también mayor el valor de la calorimetría directa. Finalmente, al comparar los valores nutricionales in vivo de los subproductos de galleta y de panadería en las variables de TND, EB, ED y EM se determinó que era superior el subproducto de galleta en todas las variables

Hábitos alimentarios del pargo mancha Lutjanus guttatus (Pisces: Lutjanidae) en Los Cóbanos y Puerto La Libertad, El Salvador

A total of 175 spotted snapper Lutjanus guttatus were collected monthly in the Los Cobanos and Puerto La Libertad, El Salvador, from January to December 2000 to determine its feeding habits. The fishes stud- ied ranged 9.8 - 58.0 cm in total length. Were collected using push-net and hook and line. This snapper is a ben- tonic opportunistic carnivorous predator. The total biomass of the stomach contents was 260.5 g. Crustaceans (Squillidae, Portunidae, Dynomenidae, Penaeidae, Sicyoniidae, Callianassidae), were the most abundant group; they accounted for 50.4% of the total biomass. Numerically, Portunus asper was the most abundant prey. Ontogenic differences were observed in the diet. In juveniles (16 cm TL), at any time of the year, the most fre- quent and abundant components were crustaceans and in adults were crustaceans, fishes and mollusks. The rel- ative importance of different components of the diet was assessed with two indexes that combine, in different ways, percentage frequency of occurrence, percentage number and percentage weight of prey categories. The commercial use this resource and the absence of management strategies are discussed.Se determinaron los hábitos alimentarios del pargo mancha Lutjanus guttatus a partir de 175 ejemplares (9.8 y 58.0 cm LT), recolectados entre enero y diciembre del 2000 en Los Cóbanos y Puerto La Libertad, El Salvador. L. guttatus es un depredador carnívoro oportunista bentó- nico. La biomasa total fue de 260.5g. Los crustáceos, re- presentados por seis familias (Squillidae, Portunidae, Dynomenidae, Penaeidae, Sicyoniidae, Callianassidae), constituyeron el 50.4% de la biomasa total. Numéricamen- te, la especie que más consumió el pargo mancha fue Por- tunus asper. Especimenes menores de 16 cm LT consumen preferentemente crustáceos. Después de los 24 cm y hasta los 44 cm el espectro alimenticio se ve diversificado con la inclusión de peces y moluscos. El 59.5% de los estómagos contenían restos (escamas, exoesqueletos y rostros de ca- marones) con una biomasa de 47.8 g. Se discute sobre la importancia comercial de este recurso y de la ausencia de una estrategia de manejo