City Of Morelia Research Articles

Automatic Rainwater Quality Monitoring System Using Low-Cost Technology

Water quality monitoring serves diverse purposes, such as assessing water safety for drinking or agriculture. However, traditional methods are often time-consuming and costly. Additionally, assessing water quality on demand is not always feasible, and parameter variations are not consistently documented. With the advent of affordable equipment capable of efficient performance with minimal resources, remote monitoring sans physical access to the environment has become viable. This has led to reduced inspection and control costs. Understanding the applications, characteristics, and limitations of these devices is crucial for maximizing their benefits. Rainwater quality remains understudied in many areas, leaving its physical, chemical, and microbiological conditions unknown. These conditions are influenced by various atmospheric factors, including both human and natural activities. This research paper develops monitoring stations employing low-cost technology to assess rainwater quality in Morelia City. A prototype was developed based on low-cost technology implementation. Additionally, basic parameters measured include pH, total dissolved solids, turbidity, and temperature, utilizing an Arduino microcontroller for data processing. Data collected from these stations are transmitted via a Wi-Fi communication module to a web platform, enabling real-time visualization of measurements both spatially and temporally. Utilizing such a device offers several advantages compared to standard methods of assessing rainwater quality. It enables continuous measurements and provides a record of how rainwater quality is affected over time by human and natural activities.

A complex transdisciplinary approach to achieve water sustainability: lessons from a case study in Morelia, Mexico

AbstractAlthough the theoretical–methodological complexity theory and transdisciplinary approach is increasingly accepted within sustainability science, its application at local-scale work with rural communities in the global south is still incipient and requires further research on its scope and limitations. The general objective of this work was to contribute to the knowledge on how a complexity and transdisciplinary approach applied to water problems at local scales can facilitate the process for water sustainability. The research took as study area the ejido of Coro Grande located in the municipality of Morelia, in the rural vicinity of Morelia City, capital of Michoacán State (Mexico). The theoretical–methodological scheme was based on the combination of the concepts of complexity–sustainability–transdisciplinarity to analyze the local water metabolism and generate actions to mitigate present and future water risk. The activities carried out involved a participatory diagnosis and the development of activities for the restoration of degraded environments with a double purpose: to generate conditions for the water sustainability of the system, and to promote the involvement of the population in a transdisciplinary research–action process. The results obtained show the effectiveness of the framework chosen to identify problems, achieve transformation in the short term, and improve both ecosystem functions and participation of the population in the solution of problems in the medium and long terms.

"Aprendes a Vivir con las Cosas Nuevas". Vivencias de Familias Náhuatl[1] Migrantes de Guerrero

The internal migration of indigenous families in Mexico is due above all to the precarious economic situation in their places of origin. Such is the case of the families that migrated from San Agustín Oapan, Guerrero to the city of Morelia, where they have formed a civil association, dedicated to the production and sale of crafts. The objective of this text is to describe the main experiences associated with the migration process experienced by the first families that settled in Morelia. To achieve this, qualitative research focused on doubly reflexive ethnography was carried out. Among the main challenges they faced, the following stand out: language, discrimination, food, fear of the unknown; While the resources that allowed them to face such challenges were: communality, their culture and resilient attitude. It is concluded that, despite the difficulties, the quality of life of the families improved and they remain linked to their original people.

Hygiene in the city of Morelia, Mexico, during the Porfiriato regime

Hygiene in the city of Morelia, Mexico, during the Porfiriato regime

Simplified Seismic Assessment of a 16th Century Church and Cloister in Morelia, Mexico

ABSTRACT The Saint Agustin Church, built in the 16th century in Morelia City, is composed of a single nave church and two-level cloister and it is in a region of high seismicity at the south part of Mexico. Currently, the church presents cracks in the main nave and in the monumental staircase of the cloister. This study reports the current damage state of this building and analyzes a simplified model to assess its seismic performance. A model of the temple and cloister was created with macro elements using the rigid element methodology and conducting nonlinear time history analysis on simplified models of significant portions of the church. The model was subjected to a suite of real accelerograms recorded during the September 19, 2017 earthquake (Mw 7.1) with epicenter in Morelos State in Mexico. The results agree satisfactorily with the current damage and cracking patterns observed in the building and a negligible effect was found when both horizontal and vertical components of the seismic records were simultaneously applied. It is concluded that simplified models are a suitable alternative to study this type of structures, even in the case of nave-cloister interaction during strong earthquakes, action that it is usually disregarded in numerical models.

Peripheralization, Ejidos and Agricultural Livelihoods in Intermediate Mexican Cities: The Importance of Collective Agency to Reduce Vulnerabilities

This paper focuses on the interactions between peripheralization, vulnerabilities of agricultural livelihoods, and local collective agency in the creation of new capabilities in intermediate cities. It discusses the theoretical implications of a study conducted in the municipality of Tarímbaro, part of the intermediate city of Morelia, Mexico; it expands on results already published in preliminary form. The unit of analysis was the ejido, since this type of social land tenure, granted to landless peasants in 1917 after the Mexican Revolution, is one of the most important forms of social organization in rural Mexico. About one-half of the Mexican territory comprises >30,000 community-based land tenures (mainly ejidos), and a high proportion of the land now occupied by urban centers was ejido land. This paper uses the example of 15 ejidos, notably affected by the expansion of Morelia city, to illustrate how local (rural) organizations can foster collective agency to reduce differential vulnerabilities in peri-urban agricultural livelihoods in intermediate cities. In 2015, a semi-structured interview was undertaken with the president of each ejido, followed by a survey of 61 individuals from 11 of the 15 ejidos. The peripheralization of Morelia has produced inequalities in the adjacent municipality of Tarímbaro. Differential vulnerabilities in peri-urban agricultural livelihoods were found in the participant ejidos. Not all the ejidos have been successful in addressing vulnerabilities associated with urbanization of agricultural land, but those who have achieved some success have certain characteristics that reinforce common values and motivations to establish common goals to sustain local livelihoods. This paper highlights the importance of functional (rural) organizations in regulating access to, and distribution of, resources in the peripheries of intermediate cities.

Seismic Behavior for the Main Nave and Cloister of an XVIII Century Masonry Convent in Morelia, Mexico

In this paper, the seismic behavior of the main nave and cloister of the Guadalupe Church and San Diego Convent is studied, a structure dating from the 18th century and built in the historic center of the city of Morelia, Mexico, considering a set of 9 real seismic acceleration records of September 19 2017 earthquake obtained at seismic stations located near the epicenter but at almost 100 kilometers from this building, which were used first without any scale factor and then a scale factor was applied to reach the expected maximum peak accelerations of the ground at the site for probabilistic return periods of 475 years and 975 years.

Obtaining optimal operation rules by means of evolutionary computation and GRG algorithms: Cointzio Dam, Michoacán, Mexico

In this study, operating policies of the Z curves type were obtained, using two optimization methods: the Generalized Reduced Gradient (GRG) Nonlinear and a simple Genetic Algorithm (GA), and they were applied to a reservoir located in the Cuitzeo lake basin, which plays an important role in supplying water to a part of the population of the city of Morelia and in the irrigation of several modules of the Irrigation District (DR) 020, known as Morelia-Queréndaro. With each policy obtained, the operation of the system was simulated, using the historical record of inflow volumes into the system, to compare with the reported by the National Water Commission (Conagua) and those that maintained the balance between compliance with demands and less presence of spills or deficits. Finally, to review the behavior of the system in the long term when using the selected policies, a series of synthetic monthly inflow volumes with 100 years of record were simulated, generated with the Svanidze method. The comparison of the deficit and spillage results at the monthly and annual level of the simulations carried out with the historical Z curve, GA and GRG, indicated that the GA had an acceptable behavior both in the historical period and in the long term, since, although the volumes spilled increased, the magnitude in which they did so is less than the magnitude in which the deficit was reduced and as the Cointzio dam has been used to supply water to the Vista Bella water treatment plant and for irrigation of 4 of the 5 modules of the irrigation district 020, the operating rule that best controlled the deficit event was chosen.

Detection of fungi and yeast in the air dust outdoors of the city of Morelia, Mich, Mexico

The air we breathe contains suspended dust particles which can host filamentous fungi that can cause respiratory problems and allergies in humans. Generally, the propagules can survive depending upon the environmental conditions, such as humidity, temperature and cleanness. The aim of this research work was to detect the fungi in dust of outdoor air at the city of Morelia, Mich, México. So far similar study is not reported in this city. For this purpose, the samples were collected at fixed places from October to December 2017 at two times during the day. Results demonstrate the existence of the various fungi genera, from high to low concentration levels: Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium sp, A. niger, Monilia sp, Alternaria sp, Mucor sp, Acremonium sp Cladosporium sp, and Chrysosporium sp including more than one genus of yeasts such as Candida tropicalis and Rhodotorula rubra were isolated from the dust precipitated from the outside air, regardless of the intensity of solar radiation The existence of A. fumigatus and C. tropicalis represents a risk for human population who lives in this city in that sense a sanitary measures should be apply.

Ephemeral visitors or permanent residents? — Decadal change in the ruderal vegetation from a periurban university campus

Urbanization creates environmental conditions that hinder the growth of natural vegetation. We surveyed the ruderal vegetation from a periurban university campus in west-central Mexico during the rainy seasons of 2008 and 2016–2018, time during which the campus underwent intensive construction. The built area grew from 4 ha in 2009 to 12.6 ha in 2017. We identified 234 different Angiosperms belonging to 165 genera and 43 families and the community composition changed over time. For example, Asteraceae was replaced by Poaceae as the richest family in 2018. Also, 16 native species found in 2008 disappeared from the study site, 9 of which have been related with low disturbance. In contrast, 98 new species were observed in the latter years, including some that are commonly found in cities. Overall, species richness increased with time, including that of exotic species that increased from 16 % of the total species in 2008 to 24 % in 2018. Thirteen of such exotic species are invasive in Mexico, including Digitaria velutina, Asphodelus fistulosus, Mercurialis annua, and Senecio inaequidens, for which this was their first record in the city of Morelia (population 849,053), where the campus is located. These results suggest that environmental conditions imposed by disturbance can favor the proliferation of various species, especially grasses and several exotic species of different families.

Youth Attitude and Perception during the Covid-19 contingency in Morelia, Michoacan

Introduction: The worldwide contingency for Covid-19 disease has caused substantial changes in the lifestyle of the population, modifying consumption habits, and perceptions of individuals. In the case of young people, the pandemic has revealed problems, needs, and challenges related to health, violence, education, and employment. Method: The objective of this study is to identify the perceptions of the young population aged 16 to 29 years in the city of Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico, during the health contingency of the Covid-19 disease generated by the new coronavirus SarsCov-2. The sample consists of 1386 cases, collected from May to July. The stratified sampling by quotas was used to ensure the representation of the entire young population in the metropolitan area of ​​the municipality. The measurement instrument consists of 48 questions divided into 5 elements: Perception of contingency, Physical and Mental Health, Education, Employment, and Consumption Habits. Results: In the study, 847 women and 539 men participated, being 61.1% of feminine gender and 38.9% masculine individuals; 84.9% of the participating individuals declared to pass the contingency with family members. The marital status of the participants is 87.7% single, 6.3% married, and 7.9% in concubinage. 20.6% of the respondents declared to be in charge of children, and 18.3% to be in charge of people over 65 years old. 65.9% of the participants declared to stay at home and only leave for specific situations; On the other hand, government official press conferences and social networks, followed by open and pay-tv have been the most used media to be informed. There is a strong interest in receiving information about Covid-19 and psychological care, as well as receiving consultations and medicines at home, also the main concerns of young people are the family and personal financial aspects. Areas affected by young people highlighted job stability, job opportunities, and are feared that school cycles will not be completed satisfactorily. Discussion or Conclusion: The main findings of this study are that the young population of the city seeks official information from the Ministry of Health through electronic means, as well as consuming information such as government conferences. In the health section, the youths have declared substantial changes in their physical and mental health, related to confinement and physical distance measures. In the education section, the participants mentioned a decrease interest in academic issues and a considerable increase in the academic load. In the employment section, the youths declared changes in the way of working, using digital tools, reducing time in the workplace. Finally, an increase in frequency and quantity consumed of alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and other psychotropic substances is declared, in addition to the time of browsing on social networks and the Internet.

Lifetime poly-victimization and psychopathological symptoms in Mexican adolescents

BackgroundThere is a lack of research on the impact of poly-victimization on mental health in Mexico. ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between poly-victimization and both internalizing and externalizing symptoms, in a community sample of Mexican adolescents. The starting hypothesis of this study was that poly-victimization would be a better predictor of internalizing and externalizing symptoms than individual categories of victimization (conventional crimes, caregiver victimization, peer and sibling victimization, sexual victimization, witnessing victimization, and electronic victimization). Participants and settingsThe sample comprised 1068 adolescents from public schools in Morelia city (Western Mexico). Adolescents completed the Mexican version of the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire and the Latin version of the Youth Self Report. MethodsHierarchical regression analyses were conducted to determine the contributions of victimization and poly-victimization in predicting internalizing and externalizing symptomatology. ResultsPoly-victimization accounted for more variability in scores of externalizing and internalizing symptoms than a single type of victimization. Even when poly-victimization was considered, conventional crimes contributed to predicting both internalizing and externalizing symptoms, caregiver victimization was a predictor of internalizing symptoms and witnessing victimization was a protective factor for internalizing symptoms and total problems. ConclusionsThis is the first study in Mexico analyzing the psychological impact of poly-victimization. Our results should be taken into consideration by clinicians and those who design public policies. Conventional crimes need to be specifically addressed when assessing Mexican adolescents.

Optimal and Fair Distribution of Water Under Water Scarcity Scenarios at a Macroscopic Level

This paper presents an optimization approach for designing water allocation systems at macroscopic level under water scarcity conditions. The proposed approach accounts for the proper water distribution of the available sources (dams, deep wells, lakes, rivers, etc.) and the incorporation of artificial sources (rainwater harvesting systems, and recycled water) to satisfy domestic and agricultural demands in a specific region at the maximum revenue. The proposed mathematical model incorporates fair distribution schemes (Social Welfare, Rawls and Nash Schemes), which allow determining fair water distribution options under water scarcity conditions. A case study for the city of Morelia in Mexico is presented to show the applicability of the proposed optimization approach. Results show that it is possible to obtain fair solutions for the water allocation for all the users under different water scarcity conditions.

Evolution assessment of structurally-controlled differential subsidence using SBAS and PS interferometry in an emblematic case in Central Mexico

ABSTRACT The city of Morelia has been affected by Structurally-Controlled Differential Subsidence (SCDS) since at least 1983, modifying civil structures and infrastructure through the appearance of ground failures and differential ground subsidence. The resulting damage to streets, homes, hydraulic lines, and government facilities has caused economic losses worth millions of dollars. An increase in population has led to the overexploitation of groundwater, which is the main trigger for SCDS, while the subsoil's geology and bedrock configuration are considered conditioning factors of this phenomenon. This paper offers an analysis of the SCDS evolution over the last fourteen years and its relationship with groundwater extraction and thickness of unconsolidated sediments. The former was carried out through SAR Interferometry techniques to detect and monitor land subsidence, using Small Baseline Subset (SBAS) from 2003 to 2010 and Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI) from 2014 to 2017. Additionally, groundwater pumping well data and lithological information from boreholes enabled a spatial analysis to evaluate the role of these factors in the development and acceleration of SCDS. The SBAS results show maximum sinking rates of 2.2 cm/yr. with a spatial distribution that is clearly controlled by buried geological structures. In this period, the maximum sinking rates were induced by high groundwater extraction rates in focused areas, while intermediate rates were linked to notable depletion cones. The PSI results indicate a maximum sinking rate of 2.74 cm/yr. and an accelerated subsidence migration to the west, owing to the construction of new wells and persistent high groundwater extraction rates. For both periods, the larger compressible sediment package reveals a good correlation with high subsidence rates, mainly in the hanging wall blocks of the buried faults. The identification of differential subsidence accompanied by high sinking rates in novel areas of Morelia, as well as the detection of the subsidence migration, will provide scientific support to decision-makers for the proposal of engineering solutions and urban planning capable of reducing hydrogeological hazards associated with SCDS.

Eruptive chronology of monogenetic volcanoes northwestern of Morelia – Insights into volcano-tectonic interactions in the central-eastern Michoacán-Guanajuato Volcanic Field, México

Twelve monogenetic volcanoes formed during the last 7 Ma within the Tarímbaro graben, northwest of the city of Morelia, in the central-eastern part of the Michoacán-Guanajuato volcanic field (México). These include four scoria cones (Pelón, Tetillas, Jamanal, and Parastaco), four lava domes (La Cruz, Divisadero, Estadio, and Tetillas), two small shield volcanoes (Quinceo and Tetillas) and two lava flows (Cuto and Cerritos). Based on a detailed geological map and stratigraphy aided by new 40Ar/39Ar and 14C radiometric dates, and whole-rock chemical analyses, we established the eruptive chronology of these monogenetic volcanoes. These volcanoes were built upon four early Miocene successions of regional volcanism named Cuitzeo lavas (18.7 Ma), Cuitzeo ignimbrite (17.4 Ma), Atécuaro ignimbrite (16.8 Ma), and Punhuato lavas (16.3 Ma). Late Miocene to Pliocene activity consisted of the La Cruz, Divisadero, and Estadio domes and the Cuto lava flow (6.7–3.1 Ma). Pleistocene activity included the Cuitzeo fallout pyroclastic sequence (1.48 Ma), the Quinceo small shield volcano (1.36 Ma), the Pelón scoria cone (0.84 Ma), the Tetillas small shield volcano, two lava domes and a scoria cone (0.56–0.34 Ma), the Jamanal and Parastaco scoria cones and the Cerritos lava flow (0.11 Ma). Magma volumes from these volcanoes vary from <0.1 to 4 km3. We ascribe their variety of magma volumes, morphology, volcanic styles, and spatio-temporal distribution to tectonic changes and evolution of the ENE Tarímbaro graben, whose faults belong to the Tarímbaro-Álvaro Obregón fault segment in the central part of the Morelia-Acambay Fault System. Quinceo (2 km3) and Tetillas (4 km3) small shield volcanoes are by far the most voluminous centers dominating the landscape of the city of Morelia. All rock samples have compositions varying from 49.3 to 61.6 wt % in silica with medium-K contents (0.43–1.83 wt %).

Movilidades cotidianas y nuevos modos de habitar: Un análisis en y desde la periferia metropolitana

La distancia cada vez mayor que separa a los habitantes de las periferias metropolitanas de las oportunidades que ofrecen los centros urbanos posiciona a la movilidad cotidiana como un importante elemento de análisis y discusión para la comprensión integral de nuevas formas de habitar la metrópoli. A partir del trabajo de campo, que consistió en entrevistas semiestructuradas, recorridos de observación, y observación par­ticipante, el presente artículo analiza experiencias de movilidad cotidiana de habitantes de la periferia metropolitana de Morelia, Michoacán, México. Se argumenta que la movilidad no se limita a los desplazamientos origen/destino, puesto que en la búsqueda de los habitantes por satisfacer sus necesidades y deseos de movilizarse se entremezclan experiencias relacionadas con sus motivos, recursos, y sentidos, que además de conformar estrategias de movilidad moldean nuevos modos de habitar.

Application of the SERVQUAL model to evaluate the quality in the transportation service in Morelia, Mexico

Purpose: The objective of this paper is to evaluate the quality of the public transportation system service in the city of Morelia, Mexico.Methodology: According to the needs of the study, the expectation-perception SERVQUAL model was adapted, which consists of 5 variables: Tangibility, Reliability, Responsiveness, Security and Empathy, and 25 items. The subjects of the study were users over 15 years old who regularly use the system. Users answered the expectations questionnaire the before getting on the transport vehicle and for the perceptions questionnaire, users answered it after getting off the vehicles. For each questionnaire, the sample was 392, a total of 784 people participated in the study, and their answers where measured using a five-point Likert-type scale.Results: The mean comparison shows that respondents have a high expectation level, with 4 points or above, whereas their perception level is 3, with gaps between 0.5 and 1 points.

On the verge of extinction in Mexico today: Field observations of Ambystoma ordinarium and Ambystoma flavipiperatum with remarks on their habitat and conservation

Mexico is a hotspot of salamander diversity and harbours 18 species of the genus Ambystoma (Amphibia: Urodela) widely distributed from the Sierra Madre Occidental to the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. These species are highly threatened by various factors and some of them are considered nearly extinct in the wild. The Michoacán stream salamander, Ambystoma ordinarium and the yellow-peppered salamander, A. flavipiperatum are two endemic and scarce species from Mexico living in isolated and declining populations. Few observations have been made on them in their natural habitat since their original description. Here we report new data regarding the biology and habitats of A. ordinarium observed at Rio Bello, 2,120 m a.s.l., Morelia city, Michoacán state, and for A. flavipiperatum at Sierra de Quila, 2,165 m a.s.l., 100 km south from Guadalajara city, Jalisco state. For A. ordinarium we found one neotenic adult male and two dead adult females in a small shallow stream located within a fragmented fir, oak and pine forest. For A. flavipiperatum we recorded an adult male and a female both neotenic, one clutch of eggs, and eleven larvae inhabiting a slow-moving stream located through a riparian habitat surrounded by large pineoak forest. Our observations confirm that both species are highly endangered, capable of facultative neoteny and occur in small slow-moving streams surrounded by coniferous forests. We discuss their morphology, geographical distribution and conservation status.

Urbanización neoliberal y procesos de destrucción territorial creativa del ejido suburbano: el caso de La Aldea, Morelia, Michoacán

Within a context of privatization and commodification of the production of urban space, the neoliberal Latin American city is characterized by an explosive physical expansion over adjacent rural areas and a patchwork structure of its peripheries. Once the city encroaches over rural areas, it destroys the institutional fundaments of such territories, giving pass to new territorial arrangements that enable the expansion of the capital. In Mexico, such production has been materialized over peri-urban land with social property (ejido). The purpose of this paper is to show from the Critical Geography perspective, how neoliberal urbanization has hastened as well as intensified the creative territorial destruction over peri-urban ejido. By using the dialectical method, we analyze the case of La Aldea, an ejido located in the northeastern part of the periphery of Morelia City, in Michoacan state. Findings show how neoliberal urbanization destroys the fundaments of the rural-ejidal territories, producing new geographies of inequality that somehow facilitate the reproduction of the capital.

Genetic diversity of HLA system in two populations from Michoacán, Mexico: Morelia and rural Michoacán

We studied HLA class I (HLA-A, -B) and class II (HLA-DRB1, -DQB1) alleles by PCR-SSP based typing in 498 Mexicans from the state of Michoacán living in the city of Morelia (N = 150) and rural communities (N = 348), to obtain information regarding allelic and haplotypic frequencies. We find that the ten most frequent haplotypes found in the state of Michoacán include 12 Native American and two European haplotypes. Admixture estimates revealed that the main genetic components in the state of Michoacán are Native American (48.79 ± 1.44%) and European (43.10 ± 0.86%), while African genetic component is less apparent (8.11 ± 0.85%). Our findings add to the growing knowledge on the population genetics of Western Mexico and provide new HLA data on populations from Michoacán.