4 research outputs found
Potential use of pruning-residues from avocado trees as energy input in rural communities
The global need to transition to renewable and decentralized systems entails agricultural systems as producers of residual biomass. Avocado trees (Persea americana Mill.) are one of the main woody crops cultivated in Mexico, with over 150,000 hectares grown in the country. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the use of avocado pruning residues as an energy input, focusing on the revalorization of biomass and the generation of economic benefits for small producers in the region. For that purpose, we developed allometric equations to calculate biomass availability from pruning residues, evaluated their thermochemical properties, and proposed technological alternatives for their energy use. Two allometric equations for pruning residues as a function of tree height and crown diameter were obtained: one for light and minor maintenance pruning (R2 = 0.63) and one for rejuvenation pruning (R2 = 0.86). From these equations, we estimate the mean amount of biomass generated from light and rejuvenation pruning to be 42.7 and 25.1 kg per tree and year, respectively, which amounts to 1324 and 780 kg haâ1 DM (dry matter), with an energy potential of 26.2 and 15.4 GJ haâ1. The thermochemical analysis shows that a higher proportion of leaves generates a higher ash content, which reduces the quality of the residues as a fuel. Avocado pruning residues have high potential for energy use and could be implemented in the industrial and residential sectors, generating a complementary source of income for producers.Fil: Tauro, RaĂșl. Universidad Nacional AutĂłnoma de MĂ©xico; MĂ©xicoFil: VelĂĄzquez MartĂ, Borja. Universidad PolitĂ©cnica de Valencia; EspañaFil: Manrique, Silvina Magdalena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Investigaciones en EnergĂa no Convencional. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Departamento de FĂsica. Instituto de Investigaciones en EnergĂa no Convencional; ArgentinaFil: Ricker, MartĂn. Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico. Facultad de Ciencias; MĂ©xicoFil: MartĂnez Bravo, RenĂ©. Universidad Nacional AutĂłnoma de MĂ©xico; MĂ©xicoFil: Ruiz GarcĂa, VĂctor. Universidad Nacional AutĂłnoma de MĂ©xico; MĂ©xicoFil: Ramos Vargas, SaraĂ. Universidad Nacional AutĂłnoma de MĂ©xico; MĂ©xicoFil: Masera, Omar Raul. Universidad Nacional AutĂłnoma de MĂ©xico; MĂ©xicoFil: Soria GonzĂĄlez, JosĂ© A.. Universidad Michoacana de San NicolĂĄs de Hidalgo. Facultad de IngenierĂa en TecnologĂa de la Madera; MĂ©xicoFil: Armendariz, Cynthia. Universidad Nacional AutĂłnoma de MĂ©xico; MĂ©xic
A global 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 which modifies how one thinks about a situation. Participants from 87 countries/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 (vs. both control conditions) had consistent effects in reducing negative emotions and increasing positive emotions across different measures. Reconstrual and repurposing 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 to build resilience during the pandemic and beyond
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 oneâs core values) or behavioral intentions. Results supported hypothesized associations between peopleâs 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
In COVID-19 health messaging, loss framing increases anxiety with little-to-no concomitant benefits: Experimental evidence from 84 countries
The COVID-19 pandemic (and its aftermath) highlights a critical need to communicate health information effectively to the global public. Given that subtle differences in information framing can have meaningful effects on behavior, behavioral science research highlights a pressing question: Is it more effective to frame COVID-19 health messages in terms of potential losses (e.g., âIf you do not practice these steps, you can endanger yourself and othersâ) or potential gains (e.g., âIf you practice these steps, you can protect yourself and othersâ)? Collecting data in 48 languages from 15,929 participants in 84 countries, we experimentally tested the effects of message framing on COVID-19-related judgments, intentions, and feelings. Loss- (vs. gain-) framed messages increased self-reported anxiety among participants cross-nationally with little-to-no impact on policy attitudes, behavioral intentions, or information seeking relevant to pandemic risks. These results were consistent across 84 countries, three variations of the message framing wording, and 560 data processing and analytic choices. Thus, results provide an empirical answer to a global communication question and highlight the emotional toll of loss-framed messages. Critically, this work demonstrates the importance of considering unintended affective consequences when evaluating nudge-style interventions