Old and new coins in Southern Hispania in the sixth century A.D

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the behaviour of monetary circulation in Southern Hispania in the 6th century AD. During this time, there was a visible renewal of the monetary stock. This large quantitative increase contrasts with a shortage of information on coin circulation for the previous period, between the second quarter of the 5th century and the arrival of Byzantine authority in the Iberian Peninsula.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Using sounds and sonifications for astronomy outreach

Good astronomy pictures, like those of the HST, play an important and wellknown role in astronomy outreach, triggering curiosity and interest. This same aim can also be achieved by means of sounds. Here we present the use of astronomy-related sounds and data sonifications to be used in astronomy outreach. These sounds, which people are unlikely to hear in the normal course of things, are a good tool for stimulating interest when teaching astronomy. In our case, sounds are successfully used in ‘‘The sounds of science,’’ a weekend science-dissemination program heard on the principal national radio station, Radio Nacional de Espan˜a (RNE). But teachers can also easily make use of these sounds in the classroom, since only a simple cassette player is needed

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

The Economics of Smoking Bans

While the empirical literature on smoking bans is extensive, little theory has been developed. This paper examines the welfare impact of smoking bans in an economy where smokers’ utility is reduced by a workplace/public place ban. The government has two instruments - increasing the price through taxation, or limiting when the product can be consumed through a ban. Its ability to reduce smoking through taxation is limited by a black market where cigarettes are not taxed. We show that the quantity instrument (ban) is always welfareenhancing. The model has application to other addictive activities.smoking, workplace ban, public place ban, government control, taxation

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

Functional independence of the protein translocation machineries in mitochondrial outer and inner membranes

The protein translocation machineries of the outer and inner mitochondrial membranes usually act in concert during translocation of matrix and inner membrane proteins. We considered whether the two machineries can function independently of each other in a sequential reaction. Fusion proteins (pF-CCHL) were constructed which contained dual targeting information, one for the intermembrane space present in cytochrome c heme lyase (CCHL) and the other for the matrix space contained in the signal sequence of the precursor of F1-ATPase beta-subunit (pF1 beta). In the absence of a membrane potential, delta psi, the fusion proteins moved into the intermembrane space using the CCHL pathway. In contrast, in the presence of delta psi they followed the pF1 beta pathway and eventually were translocated into the matrix. The fusion protein pF51-CCHL containing 51 amino acids of pF1 beta, once transported into the intermembrane space in the absence of a membrane potential, could be further chased into the matrix upon re-establishing delta psi. The sequential and independent movement of the fusion protein across the two membranes demonstrates that the translocation machineries act as distinct entities. Our results support a model in which the two translocation machineries can function independently of each other, but generally interact in a dynamic fashion to achieve simultaneous translocation across both membranes. In addition, the results provide information about the targeting sequences within CCHL. The protein does not contain a signal for retention in the intermembrane space; rather, it lacks matrix targeting information, and therefore is unable to undergo delta psi-dependent interaction with the protein translocation apparatus in the inner membrane