Relationship between rain and groundwater in the hydrogeological sectors of the South Basin of Ciego de Ávila

Abstract: Introduction: Groundwater constitutes the main source of water in the province of Ciego de Ávila, Cuba; especially in agriculture, which occupies the main economic line, however the overexploitation of aquifers in the southern basin of the province puts the sustainability of this important resource at risk, which is renewed through the natural recharge of rainfall. Objective: To determine the relationship between precipitation and groundwater levels in the hydrogeological sectors CA-II-2 and CA-II-3 of the Ciego de Ávila South Basin, which can constitute a way for the efficient use of water for irrigation purposes in this area of ​​great agricultural importance. Methodology: In the development of the research, different methodologies were used: selection of the most representative rain gauges, calculation of effective precipitation, determination of accumulated monthly and annual rainfall; as well as the annual rainfall of the wet and dry periods, completion of rainfall series by the linear regression method, use of the HidroEsta 2 program to obtain the mean hiperanual rainfall and the historical mean levels, absolute minimum and maximum of all the selected wells. The mean rainfall of the area of ​​the sectors was determined with the Isohyet method and the charts of hiperanual limnigrams were constructed using the BARHIS software. Results: The investigation showed that the average rainfall in the area is 1303.6 mm, higher than the historical average for the province. The water levels in the aquifer range between 0.84 and 12.98 m; where 7.21 m is the absolute average value. The year 1988 had great variations in rainfall, levels and the exploitation of groundwater. This study suggests the need to take measures that contribute to the rational use of groundwater in this overexploited basin due to the intensive use of water resources in agricultural irrigation. Conclusions: The study carried out was able to verify that the average rainfall in the area is 1303.6 mm, higher than the historical average for the province. The water levels in the aquifer range between 0.84 and 12.98 m, with absolute averages of 6.52 and 7.21 m respectively. The year 1988 presented high variability in rainfall, underground levels and the exploitation of groundwater.Abstract: Introduction: Groundwater constitutes the main source of water in the province of Ciego de Ávila, Cuba; especially in agriculture, which occupies the main economic line, however the overexploitation of aquifers in the southern basin of the province puts the sustainability of this important resource at risk, which is renewed through the natural recharge of rainfall. Objective: To determine the relationship between precipitation and groundwater levels in the hydrogeological sectors CA-II-2 and CA-II-3 of the Ciego de Ávila South Basin, which can constitute a way for the efficient use of water for irrigation purposes in this area of ​​great agricultural importance. Methodology: In the development of the research, different methodologies were used: selection of the most representative rain gauges, calculation of effective precipitation, determination of accumulated monthly and annual rainfall; as well as the annual rainfall of the wet and dry periods, completion of rainfall series by the linear regression method, use of the HidroEsta 2 program to obtain the mean hiperanual rainfall and the historical mean levels, absolute minimum and maximum of all the selected wells. The mean rainfall of the area of ​​the sectors was determined with the Isohyet method and the charts of hiperanual limnigrams were constructed using the BARHIS software. Results: The investigation showed that the average rainfall in the area is 1303.6 mm, higher than the historical average for the province. The water levels in the aquifer range between 0.84 and 12.98 m; where 7.21 m is the absolute average value. The year 1988 had great variations in rainfall, levels and the exploitation of groundwater. This study suggests the need to take measures that contribute to the rational use of groundwater in this overexploited basin due to the intensive use of water resources in agricultural irrigation. Conclusions: The study carried out was able to verify that the average rainfall in the area is 1303.6 mm, higher than the historical average for the province. The water levels in the aquifer range between 0.84 and 12.98 m, with absolute averages of 6.52 and 7.21 m respectively. The year 1988 presented high variability in rainfall, underground levels and the exploitation of groundwater

Relationship between rain and groundwater in the hydrogeological sectors of the South Basin of Ciego de Ávila

Abstract: Introduction: Groundwater constitutes the main source of water in the province of Ciego de Ávila, Cuba; especially in agriculture, which occupies the main economic line, however the overexploitation of aquifers in the southern basin of the province puts the sustainability of this important resource at risk, which is renewed through the natural recharge of rainfall. Objective: To determine the relationship between precipitation and groundwater levels in the hydrogeological sectors CA-II-2 and CA-II-3 of the Ciego de Ávila South Basin, which can constitute a way for the efficient use of water for irrigation purposes in this area of ​​great agricultural importance. Methodology: In the development of the research, different methodologies were used: selection of the most representative rain gauges, calculation of effective precipitation, determination of accumulated monthly and annual rainfall; as well as the annual rainfall of the wet and dry periods, completion of rainfall series by the linear regression method, use of the HidroEsta 2 program to obtain the mean hiperanual rainfall and the historical mean levels, absolute minimum and maximum of all the selected wells. The mean rainfall of the area of ​​the sectors was determined with the Isohyet method and the charts of hiperanual limnigrams were constructed using the BARHIS software. Results: The investigation showed that the average rainfall in the area is 1303.6 mm, higher than the historical average for the province. The water levels in the aquifer range between 0.84 and 12.98 m; where 7.21 m is the absolute average value. The year 1988 had great variations in rainfall, levels and the exploitation of groundwater. This study suggests the need to take measures that contribute to the rational use of groundwater in this overexploited basin due to the intensive use of water resources in agricultural irrigation. Conclusions: The study carried out was able to verify that the average rainfall in the area is 1303.6 mm, higher than the historical average for the province. The water levels in the aquifer range between 0.84 and 12.98 m, with absolute averages of 6.52 and 7.21 m respectively. The year 1988 presented high variability in rainfall, underground levels and the exploitation of groundwater.Abstract: Introduction: Groundwater constitutes the main source of water in the province of Ciego de Ávila, Cuba; especially in agriculture, which occupies the main economic line, however the overexploitation of aquifers in the southern basin of the province puts the sustainability of this important resource at risk, which is renewed through the natural recharge of rainfall. Objective: To determine the relationship between precipitation and groundwater levels in the hydrogeological sectors CA-II-2 and CA-II-3 of the Ciego de Ávila South Basin, which can constitute a way for the efficient use of water for irrigation purposes in this area of ​​great agricultural importance. Methodology: In the development of the research, different methodologies were used: selection of the most representative rain gauges, calculation of effective precipitation, determination of accumulated monthly and annual rainfall; as well as the annual rainfall of the wet and dry periods, completion of rainfall series by the linear regression method, use of the HidroEsta 2 program to obtain the mean hiperanual rainfall and the historical mean levels, absolute minimum and maximum of all the selected wells. The mean rainfall of the area of ​​the sectors was determined with the Isohyet method and the charts of hiperanual limnigrams were constructed using the BARHIS software. Results: The investigation showed that the average rainfall in the area is 1303.6 mm, higher than the historical average for the province. The water levels in the aquifer range between 0.84 and 12.98 m; where 7.21 m is the absolute average value. The year 1988 had great variations in rainfall, levels and the exploitation of groundwater. This study suggests the need to take measures that contribute to the rational use of groundwater in this overexploited basin due to the intensive use of water resources in agricultural irrigation. Conclusions: The study carried out was able to verify that the average rainfall in the area is 1303.6 mm, higher than the historical average for the province. The water levels in the aquifer range between 0.84 and 12.98 m, with absolute averages of 6.52 and 7.21 m respectively. The year 1988 presented high variability in rainfall, underground levels and the exploitation of groundwater

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups and serum levels of anti-oxidant enzymes in patients with osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress play a main role in the initiation and progression of the OA disease and leads to the degeneration of mitochondria. To prevent this, the chondrocytes possess a well-coordinated enzymatic antioxidant system. Besides, the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups are associated with the OA disease. Thus, the main goal of this work is to assess the incidence of the mtDNA haplogroups on serum levels of two of the main antioxidant enzymes, Manganese Superoxide Dismutase (Mn-SOD or SOD2) and catalase, and to test the suitability of these two proteins for potential OA-related biomarkers. METHODS: We analyzed the serum levels of SOD2 and catalase in 73 OA patients and 77 healthy controls carrying the haplogroups J, U and H, by ELISA assay. Knee and hip radiographs were classified according to Kellgren and Lawrence (K/L) scoring from Grade 0 to Grade IV. Appropriate statistical analyses were performed to test the effects of clinical variables, including gender, body mass index (BMI), age, smoking status, diagnosis, haplogroups and radiologic K/L grade on serum levels of these enzymes. RESULTS: Serum levels of SOD2 appeared statistically increased in OA patients when compared with healthy controls (p < 0.001). Even in those OA patients with higher OA severity (K/L grade IV), the serum levels of this antioxidant enzyme appeared more significantly increased than in OA patients with lower K/L grade (p < 0.001). The mtDNA haplogroups showed an influence on serum levels of catalase (p = 0.054), being carriers of the mtDNA haplogroup J those who showed higher serum levels than non-J carriers (p = 0.057). CONCLUSIONS: The increased levels of SOD2 in OA patients indicate an increased oxidative stress OA-related, therefore this antioxidant enzyme could be a suitable candidate biomarker for diagnosis of OA. Mitochondrial haplogroups significantly correlates with serum levels of catalase

Genetics in Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative articular disease with complex pathogeny because diverse factors interact causing a process of deterioration of the cartilage. Despite the multifactorial nature of this pathology, from the 50’s it´s known that certain forms of osteoarthritis are related to a strong genetic component. The genetic bases of this disease do not follow the typical patterns of mendelian inheritance and probably they are related to alterations in multiple genes. The identification of a high number of candidate genes to confer susceptibility to the development of the osteoarthritis shows the complex nature of this disease. At the moment, the genetic mechanisms of this disease are not known, however, which seems clear is that expression levels of several genes are altered, and that the inheritance will become a substantial factor in future considerations of diagnosis and treatment of the osteoarthritis

Biofilm formation as a novel phenotypic feature of adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Crohn's disease (CD) is a high morbidity chronic inflammatory disorder of unknown aetiology. Adherent-invasive <it>Escherichia coli </it>(AIEC) has been recently implicated in the origin and perpetuation of CD. Because bacterial biofilms in the gut mucosa are suspected to play a role in CD and biofilm formation is a feature of certain pathogenic <it>E. coli </it>strains, we compared the biofilm formation capacity of 27 AIEC and 38 non-AIEC strains isolated from the intestinal mucosa. Biofilm formation capacity was then contrasted with the AIEC phenotype, the serotype, the phylotype, and the presence of virulence genes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Specific biofilm formation (SBF) indices were higher amongst AIEC than non-AIEC strains (P = 0.012). In addition, 65.4% of moderate to strong biofilms producers were AIEC, whereas 74.4% of weak biofilm producers were non-AIEC (P = 0.002). These data indicate that AIEC strains were more efficient biofilm producers than non-AIEC strains. Moreover, adhesion (P = 0.009) and invasion (P = 0.003) indices correlated positively with higher SBF indices. Additionally, motility (100%, P < 0.001), H1 type flagellin (53.8%, P < 0.001), serogroups O83 (19.2%, P = 0.008) and O22 (26.9%, P = 0.001), the presence of virulence genes such as <it>sfa/focDE </it>(38.5%, P = 0.003) and <it>ibeA </it>(26.9%, P = 0.017), and B2 phylotype (80.8%, P < 0.001) were frequent characteristics amongst biofilm producers.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The principal contribution of the present work is the finding that biofilm formation capacity is a novel, complementary pathogenic feature of the recently described AIEC pathovar. Characterization of AIEC specific genetic determinants, and the regulatory pathways, involved in biofilm formation will likely bring new insights into AIEC pathogenesis.</p

Electron impact excitation of the a 3B1u electronic state in C2H4: an experimentally benchmarked system?

We report on differential and integral cross section measurements for the electron impact excitation of the lowest-lying triplet electronic state (ã 3B1u) in ethylene (C2H4). The energy range of the present experiments was 9 eV–50 eV, with the angular range of the differential cross section measurements being 15°–90°. As the ground electronic state of C2H4 is a 1Ag state, this singlet → triplet excitation process is expected to be dominated by exchange scattering. The present angular distributions are found to support that assertion. Comparison, where possible, with previous experimental results from the University of Fribourg group shows very good agreement, to within the uncertainties on the measured cross sections. Agreement with the available theories, however, is generally marginal with the theories typically overestimating the magnitude of the differential cross sections. Notwithstanding that, the shapes of the theoretical angular distributions were in fact found to be in good accord with the corresponding experimental results

Excitation of electronic states in tetrahydrofuran by electron impact

We report on differential and integral cross section measurements for the electron impact excitation of the three lowest lying Rydberg bands of electronic states in tetrahydrofuran. The energy range of the present experiments was 15–50 eV with the angular range of the differential cross section measurements being 15°–90°. The important effects of the long-range target dipole moment and the target dipole polarizability, on the scattering dynamics of this system, are evident from the present results. To the best of our knowledge, there are no other theoretical or experimental data against which we can compare the cross section results from this study