Environmental Taxation and Fertilizers: An Alternative to Recover the Quality of Water Resources in Argentina

24 pagesEutrophication is a process of water deterioration caused by the excessive and uncontrolled enrichment of nutrients, which conditions its use and generates ecological, health, economic, and social impacts. Considering the consequences of eutrophication for Argentina, which are likely to worsen with COVID-19; that one of its main causes is the excessive use of chemical fertilizers; and that tax measures may be effective to modify human behaviors, the goal is to evaluate the way in which the national tax system can help to restore the quality of the Argentine eutrophic water resources and to develop normative proposals in that direction. To achieve this goal, the Article will first develop the link between tax measures and environmental protection; second, it will study the legal experience of other countries when applying taxes on fertilizers to tackle eutrophication; and, finally, it will analyze the different alternatives within the Argentine tax system to discourage the use of fertilizers. In short, the Article shows that Argentina is not currently taking advantage of environmental taxation to modify agricultural practices involved in the eutrophic process of its water resources

Effective-periodicity effects in Fibonacci slot arrays

In this Letter, the transmission properties of a nonperiodic array of slots arranged in the form of a Fibonacci sequence are investigated. By arranging the slots in this manner, an additional periodicity can be utilized, resulting in corresponding resonance features in the transmitted signal. By investigating the transmission response of a perforated metallic sheet over a broad frequency range (6–40 GHz), it is shown that this simple one-dimensional chain supports two periodicities, one due to the regular periodic separation and one due to average spacing—which is related to the golden ratio. This response replicates the resonant behavior of a two-dimensional periodic array with a single nonperiodic array also creating new families of diffraction lobes in the far-field region.MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 PID2020-116739GB-I00EPSRC EP/R004781/1EPSRC EP/L015331/

Reflectarray antennas for dual polarization and broadband telecom satellite applications

A reflectarray antenna with improved performance is proposed to operate in dual-polarization and transmit-receive frequencies in Ku-band for broadcast satellite applications. The reflectarray element contains two orthogonal sets of four coplanar parallel dipoles printed on two surfaces, each set combining lateral and broadside coupling. A 40-cm prototype has been designed, manufactured, and tested. The lengths of the coupled dipoles in the reflectarray cells have been optimized to produce a collimated beam in dual polarization in the transmit and receive bands. The measured radiation patterns confirm the high performance of the antenna in terms of bandwidth (27%), low losses, and low levels of cross polarization. Some preliminary simulations at 11.95 GHz for a 1.2-m antenna with South American coverage are presented to show the potential of the proposed antenna for spaceborne antennas in Ku-band

BIOTIC AND ABIOTIC EVENTS IN A SHALLOW CARBONATE PLATFORM (UPPER CRETACEOUS, SOUTH PYRENEAN MARGIN)

Πραγματοποιήθηκε μία λεπτoμεpής ιζηματολογική και παλαιοντολογική μελέτη των αποθέσεων ανθρακικής πλατφόρμας της περιοχής Serres Marginals (νότιο περιθώριο της Λεκάνης των Πυρρηναίων) και αναγνωρίσθηκαν τρεις ακολουθίες ρηχών ανθρακικών αποθέσεων (Cl, C2 και C3). Εντός των αποθέσεων ρηχής πλατφόρμας περιγράφονται ενδιάμεσης ενέργειας υποπαλιρροιακές έως ενδοπαλιρροιακές φάσεις, αβαθείς άμμοι υψηλής ενέργειας καθώς και λιμνοθαλάσσια έως λιμναία περιβάλλοντα.A detailed sedimentological and paleontological study of the Late Santonian-Late Campanian carbonate platform deposits of the Serres Marginals area (South margin of the Pyrenean Basin) has been performed. Three depositional shallow carbonate sequences have been distinguished (CI, C2 and C3). Within the shallow platform sequences moderate energy subtidal to intertidal, high energy sand-shoal, protected lagoon and restricted lagoon to lacustrine fades have been identified

Incision and width changes caused by dam removal. Experiments and data analysis

River morphodynamics and sediment transportRiver morphology and morphodynamic

Galdós y el problema del misticismo morboso como causa de enfermedad mental.

Benito Pérez Galdós ha sido considerado por F. L. Pérez Bautista como el novelista del pasado siglo que mayor número de aportaciones ofrece referentes a la enfermedad mental. Un gran grupo de estas afecciones mentales estaba constituido por las neurosis y la histeria. Los novelistas del pasado siglo utilizaban indistintamente ambos términos para designar un mismo proceso. La histeria es un mal que frecuentemente citan y hacen padecer a un gran número de mujeres. Generalmente aparece bien definida. La clínica psiquiátrica que figura en la novela finisecular es muy amplia y variada: grandes ataques convulsivos, síntomas motores, sensitivos, viscerales y psíquicos. Las damas sufrían innumerables casos de crisis convulsivas, planteando el diagnóstico diferencial con el ataque epiléptico. La histeria estaba considerada como una enfermedad de las clases media y alta. Los paroxismos histéricos que figuran en la novelística, narran el episodio convulsivo con su periodo prodrómico y las fases tónica, clónica y de resolución; por último, las actitudes pasionales o trastornos alucinatorios. El acceso va precedido de movimientos tales como risas, llantos, gritos, golpes, contorsiones, etc., cayendo después en gran postración. Las motivaciones desencadenantes son en su mayoría, contrariedades amorosas y situaciones de tensión anímica

Galdós y el problema del misticismo morboso como causa de enfermedad mental.

Benito Pérez Galdós ha sido considerado por F. L. Pérez Bautista como el novelista del pasado siglo que mayor número de aportaciones ofrece referentes a la enfermedad mental. Un gran grupo de estas afecciones mentales estaba constituido por las neurosis y la histeria. Los novelistas del pasado siglo utilizaban indistintamente ambos términos para designar un mismo proceso. La histeria es un mal que frecuentemente citan y hacen padecer a un gran número de mujeres. Generalmente aparece bien definida. La clínica psiquiátrica que figura en la novela finisecular es muy amplia y variada: grandes ataques convulsivos, síntomas motores, sensitivos, viscerales y psíquicos. Las damas sufrían innumerables casos de crisis convulsivas, planteando el diagnóstico diferencial con el ataque epiléptico. La histeria estaba considerada como una enfermedad de las clases media y alta. Los paroxismos histéricos que figuran en la novelística, narran el episodio convulsivo con su periodo prodrómico y las fases tónica, clónica y de resolución; por último, las actitudes pasionales o trastornos alucinatorios. El acceso va precedido de movimientos tales como risas, llantos, gritos, golpes, contorsiones, etc., cayendo después en gran postración. Las motivaciones desencadenantes son en su mayoría, contrariedades amorosas y situaciones de tensión anímica

Release of Ropinirole from Acrylate-Vinylacetate Transdermal Formulations: Modulation Based on Polymer-Drug Interactions

Optimization of transdermal formulations requires solving simultaneous challenges as the selection of release polymers. The interactions between the formulation components must be taken as a way to modulate its performance. Selection of acrylic polymers with different functionalizations for the transdermal formulation of a tertiary amine drug (ropinirole HCl) have been investigated. Aim of this work is to characterize the influence over drug release of certain experimental interactions. Solubility-crystalization and pharmacopoeial release tests have been used to evaluate the influence of drug loading and the pH of the release media. Area under the curve of dissolved amounts and percentage of release have been used as discriminant variables in mutual influence with the physical state of the drug. Elucidation of release mechanisms has been performed with data fitting of relevant modelystic equations. Fickian release and erosion contribution have been related with drug loading and the risk of burst effects. In conclusion, a rationale to select the best suitable polymer for ropinirole HCl has been demonstrated in terms of efficiency and extent of release