Manipulating group reinforcement schedules: Problems in long term maintenance of treatment effects

Over the past decades, the worldwide prevalence of obesity has dramatically increased, thus posing a serious public health threat. Obesity is associated with the development of comorbid conditions and psychological disorders. Several lifestyle interventions have been proposed to tackle obesity; however, long-term maintenance of these interventions often proves challenging. In addition, among the different types of diets there is still a debate about the optimal macronutrient composition that will achieve the best results in weight loss. Recently, several commonly used spices such as pepper, ginger, and curcumin have been shown to play a beneficial role in obesity management. Therefore, exploring the effects of certain herbs or dietary spices on obesity may be promising. Among these spices, curcumin, which is the primary component of the spice turmeric, has gained great interest for its multiple health benefits. Several randomized controlled trials have investigated the potential favorable effects of curcumin supplementation on anthropometric measures. The aim of this review is to evaluate the effect of curcumin supplementation on the anthropometric indices among overweight or obese adults.

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The importance of achieving long-term treatment effects in ADHD

European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry ◽

10.1007/s00787-021-01800-y ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Pieter J. Hoekstra ◽

Barbara J. van den Hoofdakker ◽

Annabeth P. Groenman

Keyword(s):

Treatment Effects ◽

Term Treatment ◽

Long Term Treatment

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Potential for Farmers’ Cooperatives to Convert Coffee Husks into Biochar and Promote the Bioeconomy in the North Ecuadorian Amazon

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11114747 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. 4747

Author(s):

Mario A. Heredia Salgado ◽

Ina Säumel ◽

Andrea Cianferoni ◽

Luís A. C. Tarelho

Keyword(s):

Fossil Fuels ◽

Agricultural Waste ◽

The North ◽

Income Sources ◽

Ecuadorian Amazon ◽

Specific Standard ◽

The Government ◽

Post Harvesting ◽

Term Maintenance

Improving the livelihoods of communities living in fragile ecosystems, such as tropical forests, is among the main strategies to promote their conservation and preserve wildlife. In the Ecuadorian Amazon, farmers’ cooperatives are recognized as an important mechanism to improve the socioeconomic conditions of local communities. This study analyzes the integration of pyrolysis processes to convert agricultural waste into biochar as a way to implement the bioeconomy in these organizations. We found that post-harvesting processes in the studied farmers’ cooperatives are similar, and coffee husks are a potential feedstock to produce biochar. Although the environmental policies in Ecuador consider the valorization of agricultural waste, we did not find any specific standard to regulate the operation of pyrolysis facilities. Nonetheless, conversion of agricultural waste into biochar can contribute to (i) replacement of subsidized fossil fuels used in drying processes, (ii) prevention of environmental pollution caused by accumulation of waste, (iii) emergence of new income sources linked with the provision of carbon sequestration services, and (iv) the long-term maintenance of soil fertility. Currently, demonstration projects are needed to stimulate collaboration among farmers’ cooperatives, academia, the government, international cooperation agencies, and existing forest conservation initiatives.

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