Karst flow system information from shape analysis and numerical modeling of tracer concentration curves

Dye tracing constitute a very valuable tool for investigating the origin of groundwater and delineating flowpaths in karst media, providing direct and quantitative information about the hydraulic properties and solute transport dynamic within a conduit (and/or fracture) dominated system. In this sense, data obtained from 8 single- and multi-injection tracer experiments performed during last years in different carbonate aquifers located in Malaga province (southern Spain) have been re-examined following the numerical solutions provided by a dual process-based approach: advection–dispersion model (ADM) and two-region non-equilibrium model (2RNE). Tracer tests were conducted under different hydrological conditions (high-intermediate-low flow) affecting the aquifers, and the fluorescent substances were injected into sinkholes (5), losing streams (4), karrenfields (1) and dolines (1), while springs commonly served as detection points (manual sampling and eventually field fluorimeters). Flow and transport parameters estimates obtained from the simulation of 13 tracer breakthrough curves (BTCs) provided mixed information on a wide range of hydrogeological behaviors: from well-developed conduit flow paths to flow and storage modalities in a fissured-like systems. The statistical treatment of the analytical and numerical results, jointly to the field observations, has been especially useful for the characterization of the predominant solute transport processes in the studied experimental sites, given the significant deviations that have been eventually found between the shape of the measured and modeled curves (marked skewness, single/multi-pulse geometry, long-tailing effect, etc). These findings will allow for a better understanding of the structure and dynamic of the karst systems investigated and will may help to protect and preserve karst water resources in the region.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

On the value of water quality observations for karst model parameterization

If properly applied, karst hydrological models are a valuable tool for karst water resources management. If they are able to reproduce the relevant flow and storage processes of a karst system, they can be used for prediction of water resources availability when climate or land use are expected to change. A common challenge to apply karst simulation models is the limited availability of observations to identify their model parameters. In this study, we quantify the value of information added to parameter estimation when water quality data (NO3 and SO4) is used in addition to discharge observations to estimate the parameters of a process-based karst simulation model at a test site in Southern Spain. We use a three-step procedure (1) to confine an initial sample of 500,000 model parameter sets, (2) to identify alterations of individual model parameters through the confinement, and (3) to quantify the strength of the confinement for each of the model parameters. The last step allows us to quantify the information content of hydrodynamic and water quality observations for model parameter estimation. Our results show that NO3 provides most information to identify the model parameters controlling soil and epikarst dynamics, while discharge observations provide most information about the recharge area and the groundwater dynamics. SO4 mostly contributes to the identification of recharge processes. Looking at different flow states of the system, we also find that information provided by our observations varies over time.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Hydrogeological model of Mijas mountain aquifers under different climate conditions (Málaga, Spain)

Carbonate aquifers represent an important source of freshwater, both for urban and agricultural uses. This is particularly true in semiarid regions, where intensive pumping has often led to aquifer overexploitation. One example is the Mijas mountain carbonate diffuse flow system (80 km2), located to the SW of the city of Malaga, Spain. From a geolo-gical standpoint, this area consists of Triassic dolomitic and calcareous rocks, which overlay Palaeozoic metapelites. The geological structure is formed by ESE-WNW folds and the me-tapelites anticlinal cores have divided the study area into four aquifer systems. The recharge of Mijas mountain aquifers comes from direct infiltration of rainfall, while pumping is the main discharge. To improve the knowledge of geological and hydrodynamic parameters, and therefore to improve water resources management, a hydrogeological model has been developed with Processing Modflow 8.0.42. Piezometric level and spring flows have been modelled, under steady and transient-flow conditions for a 35-year period. Five future scenarios were simulated for different rainfall and pumping conditions. Outcomes confirm that the water level evolution is determined by the quantity and distribution of rainfall during the hydrological year, with the same pumping rate. The results also suggest that current trends are likely to raise sustainability issues in the future.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Generation of previtamin D3 from tachysterol3: a novel approach for producing vitamin D3 in the winter

Solar ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation is capable of converting 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) to previtamin D3 (preD3), which undergoes thermal isomerization to produce vitamin D3. Further ultraviolet irradiation of preD3 will produce other photoproducts, including lumisterol3, tachysterol3, and 7-DHC. Continued exposure to UVB results in a photoequilibrium of these photoproducts. During the winter months, people living at latitudes greater than 32° north or south are incapable of converting cutaneous 7-DHC to preD3. Because an increased zenith angle creates a longer path-length for UVB radiation to traverse through the atmosphere, ozone can absorb a much greater proportion of this radiation. Given the absorption spectrum of tachysterol3 which absorbs UV radiation up to 340nm, it was hypothesized that winter sunlight which contains UV radiation between 315nm and 340nm would be able to convert tachysterol3 to preD3. Each hour between sunrise and sunset, ampules containing 50g/mL tachysterol3, lumisterol3, and 7-DHC in 100% ethanol were exposed to solar radiation. These samples were chromatographed on a normal phase chromatographic column. Results revealed that tachysterol3 was efficiently converted to preD3 from sunrise to sunset, whereas as 7-DHC and lumisterol3 were not. Exposure of tachysterol3 to sunlight throughout the day revealed that tachysterol3 began converting to preD3 at sunrise at 8am and the peak conversion occurred between 10:00 and 13:00. PreD3 was generated from tachysterol3 until sunset. No preD3 was observed when 7-DHC or lumisterol3 were exposed at the same time. From this data, it is feasible to use tachysterol3 to produce preD3 in a topical preparation during winter

La formación de las identidades y los imaginarios nacionales en Cuba a inicios del siglo XIX (Estudios)

Este trabajo analiza el proceso de nacimiento y formación de la conciencia nacional cubana desde la perspectiva del imaginario icónico, en el que tuvieron un destacado papel las imágenes que plasmaron pintores y grabadores europeos. Ese imaginario, trasladado al viejo continente, juega, aún hoy, un transcendente papel en la visión que tenemos del mundo americano y de forma concreta del mundo cubano. Más aun, veremos cómo ese imaginario se adoptó por aquel mundo y entró a formar parte de la conciencia e identidad nacional isleña.This paper analyze the process of birth and formation of the Cuban national consciousness from the perspective of iconic imaginary. In the formation of this iconic imaginary, European painters and engravers played a very prominent role. This imaginary, when applied to the old continent, even today still plays a transcendental role in our vision of the American world and of the Cuban world in particular. Moreover, we shall see how this imaginary world was adopted and became part of consciousness and national identity

Coupling hydro-geo-chemical and isotopic approaches to assess the main factors controlling karst development in a fissure-dominated carbonate aquifer system (s-Spain)

Sierra Tejeda, Almijara and Albuñuelas mountains comprise a large outcrop (750 km² ca) of Triassic marbles in between of Málaga and Granada provinces in S Spain. They constitute a large entity carbonate aquifer system providing strategic groundwater resources for drinking water supply in sparse urban settlements and crops irrigation. The present research aims to refine the current hydrogeological knowledge of large-scale fissure-dominated carbonate aquifers regarding flow mechanisms and geochemical processes defining observed groundwater quality. To this, a two-year monitoring program of aquifer dynamics have been conducted in three selected discharge points (Fájara, Cijancos and Maro springs) showing characteristic spring responses. A combined approach based on the analysis of spring discharge and time series of selected hydrochemical and isotopic tracers (Na+, Ca+2, Mg+2, TA, TOC, Cl-, SO4-2 and δ13CTDIC) and on the geochemical calculations from the chemical signature of spring waters have been followed. The results indicate that the more bicarbonate enriched waters and the lowest hydrochemical variability of Cijancos spring, practically in all analyzed solutes, denotes a fissure type dominant flow system, while the larger variations in meteoric/soil tracers (Cl- and TOC) observed in Fajara spring chemograph as consequence of rainfall inputs characterize a karst drainage from a better hierarchized fracture-enlarged flow system. Maro spring waters are rich in Na+, Ca+2, Cl- and SO4-2, have higher δ13CTDIC amplitude and the temporal variations of major ions display marked dilutions after rainfall events followed by rapid recoveries of pre-event concentrations, evidence a complex flow system and variable groundwater source contribution. The chemical reactions deduced from the molar ratios of spring water chemistry are commonly CO2 dissolution and calcite dissolution, but also salt evapoconcentration in soil layer and gypsum dissolution in the case of Maro spring.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

El camp elèctric i les reaccions químiques: Un nou catalitzador o un inhibidor?

Treballs Finals de Grau de Química, Facultat de Química, Universitat de Barcelona, Any: 2020, Tutor: Josep Maria Bofill VillàThe catalysis is one of the most important areas for the reaction synthesis and mechanists. Actually, there are thousand types of different catalysts. As we all know, a catalyst is a substance that increases the reaction rate but without reacting with the reagents and without modifying the course of the reaction. According to this definition, there is a new type of catalyst that we will probably use in the future: an Oriented External Electric Field (OEEF). In this research we study the general effects of an OEEF on the reactions and applied to different types of bonds. From this first application of the OEEF we extracted the Shaik rules, which are general rules about the OEEF effects in all type of bonds we know about. Secondly, we look at the Valance Bond (VB) diagrams, what they are and how to build them. This is a really good tool to understand which are all the structures involved in a reaction, plus the reagents and products, how intermediates appear and how we obtain the energy profile of any reaction (which we all know and have studied). Furthermore, we study the effect of the dipole moment in the opposite direction to the OEEF. The VB diagram model is the basic model to understand the Shaik rules for OEEF. We applied all this knowledge in four reactions: Diels-Alder reaction, Menshutkin reaction (SN2), benzene nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr) and cyclobutene ring opening reaction by conrotatory rotation. We study the effects of the OEEF and how the reagents substituents can affect on this reactions, resulting in catalysis or inhibition. With all the initial knowledge and the new one acquired we study the cyclobutene ring opening reaction by disrotatory rotation and how the OEEF affects this reaction. We propose how to apply them so that the reaction goes from forbidden to allowed, something that no one has done before. Finally, we can say that we study the OEEF and its applications, a new type of catalyst that has many possibilities despite its possible negative effects

Existe diferença morfológica entre músculos branquioméricos e somíticos submetidos ao consumo de alcool? Um estudo experimental em ratos (Rattus norvegicus)

Alcoholism is considered a physical dependence disorder. More than 18 million people are alcoholics in the USA and England and between 1/3 to ½ of them present some kind of physical disorder. In general the literature is focused on alcoholic trunk muscle disorders. These muscles have different embryological origins if compared to the masticatory muscles. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of alcohol on the masticatory muscles in order to compare them with the somitic muscles. For this purpose, 15 male Wistar rats weighing around 250g were used. The rats were divided into three groups: Normal control (N), Alcoholic (A) and Isocaloric (I). Slices of the masseter muscle, temporalis muscle and rectus abdominal muscle were harvested and submitted to histochemical reactions (m-ATPase: acid and alkaline pre incubation and NADH-TR). The myofibers were classified in SO, FOG and FG. The results showed atrophy of the fast fibers (FG and FOG) in the masticatory muscles but this atrophy was not statistically significant in this study (p< 0.05). On the other hand, significant atrophy occurred in the rectus abdominal muscle (pO alcoolismo é considerado uma doença que causa desordens físicas e também dependência. Mais de 18 milhões de pessoas nos Estados Unidos são alcoólatras e na Inglaterra, entre 1/3 à ½ delas apresentam algum tipo de desordem física. No geral a literatura está focada para as desordens que acometem os músculos do tronco. Esses músculos têm origem embriológica diferente dos músculos da mastigação. O propósito desta pesquisa foi avaliar o efeito do álcool sobre os músculos da mastigação (branquiméricos) no intuito de compará-lo com as alterações que ocorrem nos músculos do tronco (miotômicos). Para isso 15 ratos machos Wistar, pesando ao redor de 250g foram utilizados. Os animais foram divididos em três grupos: Controle normal (N); Alcoolizado (A) e Isocalórico (I). Fragmentos dos músculos masseter, temporal e reto do abdome foram coletados e submetidos às reações de m-ATPase (com pré-incubações ácida e alcalina) e NADH-TR. As fibras puderam ser classificadas como FG, FOG e SO. Os resultados mostraram atrofia das fibras de contração rápida (FG e FOG) nos músculos da mastigação, embora esta atrofia, não tenha sido significante entre os grupos estudados. Por outro lado, atrofia significativa foi observada no músculo reto do abdome. Baseado nestes resultados pode-se concluir que o efeito do álcool sobre os músculos elevadores da mandíbula (m. masseter e m. temporal) é diferente se comparado aos observados em músculos somíticos (m. reto abdominal)

David Hume y la religión. Recuperar a Hume desde el Evangelio

Nos proponemos llevar a cabo una “aufhebung” de la crítica a la religión de Hume. De un lado queremos «superar» la crítica humeana mediante el crisol del Evangelio de Jesús de Nazaret. Pero no solo es necesario «superar», también hay que «recuperar» en un estadio superior la crítica que Hume realiza a la religión. El Dios de Hume, su concepción de la religión y su proyecto socio-político tienen una nada oculta pretensión legitimadora y sustentadora de la organización social liberal-burguesa. Pero Hume nos puede aportar un impulso para llevar a cabo el proyecto cristiano hoy: nos enseña que debemos «respetar» a Dios y no rebajarlo a un “diosesito” a la medida de nuestras necesidades; que la razón humana debe tener en cuenta sus propios límites sin absolutizarse; y que la religión puede ser una mediación de humanidad. El riesgo estriba en que, históricamente, las religiones han caído en una perversión de su ser, en una “falsa creencia”, alejándose de su “verdadera” tarea, es decir, ser un factor de realización del hombre en la sociedad, y ser el medio en el que se pueden relacionar el hombre y Dios.We propose to realize an “aufhebung” about the Hume’s religion critic. By one hand, we want to “overcome” the Hume’s critic through of the Gospel of Jesus from Nazaret. But it is not just necessary to “overcome” it, but it is also necessary to “recuperate” in a superior way the critic that Hume makes about the religion. The Hume’s God, his conception about religion and his social-politic project have a very clear intention which is an authentic support for the social liberal-bourgeois organization. But Hume can contribute us with a thrust to realize the christian project nowadays. He teaches us that we must “respect” God ant not to reduce him like a “little-god” according to our necessities; what the human reason must remain its own limits without absoluting, and that religion can be an instrument for constructing the human society. Historically, the risk rest on the fact that the religions have become in a perversion of its being, in a “false belief”, is to say, to be a factor of achievement of man in society, and being the way in which man and God con be related

La victoria de la postmodernidad o “El hombre lleno de nada”

La postmodernidad es la misma modernidad en la que los pilares han sido tambaleados y derruidos con el fin de que no fuesen utilizados por las víctimas de la historia para encumbrarse a su cima y trasmutar el orden de explotación y dominio. Sujeto, razón absoluta y concepto teleológico de la historia van a ser sistemáticamente “desconstruidos” con el fin de hacer ver ideológicamente su nulidad. El sujeto se tornará “homo consumptor”, el individuo consumidor de su propio consumo. La razón absoluta será “desconstruida” de manera inmisericorde. La historia será negada, finalizada, borrada, ya no hay ninguna necesidad de generar utopías y alternativas. Pero creemos que es necesario que haya salidas a esta situación postmoderna, hay que repensar o “re-escribir” la postmodernidad para levantar su principal hipoteca: las víctimas.The Postmodernity is the same modernity in which the props have collapsed in order that they were not used by the victims of the history to be elevated to his top and to change the order of exploitation and domain. Subject, absolute reason and teleological concept of the history are going to be systematically “deconstructed” in order to show his nullity. The subject turns into “homo consumptor”, the individual consuming his own consumption. The absolute reason will be absolutely “deconstructed”. The history will be denied, finished, erased, already there is no need to generate utopias and alternatives. But we believe that it is necessary to propose exits to this situation, it is necessary to rethink or rewrite the Postmodernity to raise his principal mortgage: the victims