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Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been appointed as one of the main sources of microplastics (MP) into marine ecosystems. The aim of this research work has been to study the influent and effluent of two WWTPs, both located in Cadiz, with different wastewater source (industrial and urban), as well as the receiving water bodies where the facilities discharge their sewage. MP were collected, extracted from wastewater matrixes and analysed according to the abundance, shape, size, and type of polymer, along with the removal rates of MPs in the plants. Subsequently, the data obtained on both WWTPs were compared, the main difference among the WWTPs was the amount of microplastics found in the wastewater, as well as the presence of polymers with resins from industrial activities. The results from this study established that the most representative form was fibers; about the size, 100–355 μm fraction was the most abundant, followed by 355–1000 μm and finally the size among 1000–5000 μm. Regarding to the type of polymers, 17 were identified using attenuated total refraction Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). Further, PVC, PE, EAA and HDPE were the largest found polymers. The presence of MPs in the influent varied from 645.03 ± 182.24 MPs/L to 1567.49 ± 413.18 MPs/L in the urban and industrial WWTP respectively; in the effluent, it varied from 16.40 ± 7.85 MPs/L to 131.35 ± 95.36 MPs/L. The removal rate overcome the 90% in all the samples. Receiving water bodies presented heterogeneous abundance of microplastics 6.64 ± 2.71 MPs/L and 0.83 ± 0.26 MPs/L in the zones close to IWWTP and UWWTP discharge point. The results obtained shows that despite the elimination efficiency in the WWTPs studied, these facilities act as a significant source of MPs into aquatic ecosystem due to large flow of water discharged.

The high concentrations of microplastics (MPs) detected in the environment point to the need to carry out studies of their occurrence and distribution worldwide. Addressing this challenge, the present study has been carried out for the province of Cadiz, Spain. To this end, the influents and effluents of 5 municipal wastewater treatment plants (representing 50 % of the total wastewater in Cadiz) and 2 industrial plants treating wastewater from an industrial estate and a large marine construction firm that builds ships and offshore platforms (5 MWWTPs and 2 IWWTPs) have been studied for the first time. MP levels were higher in IWWTPs than in MWWTPs, especially in the wastewaters from the marine construction company. Removal efficiencies ranged between 78 and 97 %. The size and shape distribution of MPs in the effluents resembled that in the influents, suggesting that no preferential removal of MPs occurred in the MWWTPs or IWWTPs with respect to shape and size. PVC, HDPE, PEMA, PP, PS and PE were the most common MPs detected in the influents of the studied WWTPs. The relative contribution of MPs (MPs/L) to the environment from the IWWTPs compared to that from the MWWTPs was found to be highly significant. Results suggested that around 8.5*1011 of MPs/year could be discharged into the environment by the treated wastewaters under study. The results of this paper comprise useful tools to obtain in-depth knowledge of MPs in different kinds of wastewater treatment plants and map an important environmental location (close to the Straits of Gibraltar linking the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea).

Batteries are nowadays ubiquitous in our everyday life but their role may certainly be even more important in the future. They are part of the technologies that should address the challenges of efficient devices for electric vehicles/large-scale grid storage while delivering clean sustainable energy. This book chapter reviews some of the exciting possibilities afforded in this area through the use of computer simulation techniques, focusing first on the scope of contemporary work calling to density functional theory calculations and then including an overview of the growing areas of multiphysics and multiscale modeling. The main information and progress that can be expected by using these methodologies encompass promoting design of new materials or devices thanks to prediction of average intercalation voltages and stability, understanding of structure-property relationships (analysis of electron density properties, band structures interpretation, etc.), studies of electron conductivity and ion diffusion processes, investigations on solid-electrolyte interphase layer, analyses of microstructural or thermomechanical stress properties and genesis of global multiphysics and multiscale modeling tools for gaining insights in the battery performance. Besides some comparison between intercalation and conversion batteries, a final focus is made on emerging battery types (e.g., lithium-air and all solid-state batteries).

Given the current state of the welfare state, rethinking the prevailing health care paradigm is important as health care services try to adapt to the demographic, economic, political, environmental transformation, and rapid technological innovation. The basic focus of the medical paradigm is fundamentally unchanged since the time of Hippocrates: disease management driven mainly by the curative treatment. This paper argues that a new paradigm of ‘functional health’ is now beginning to emerge. Its starting point is not disease and treatment, but rather a person’s functional ability. This approach accords the individual a more central role as the person often best aware of his or her functional limitations. Although the health professionals remain in charge of acute and life threatening situations, when it comes to functional ability, the health professional acts as a counselor or facilitator. In terms of the World Health Organisation (WHO) classifications, this corresponds to a shift from the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), toward the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). This new paradigm is potentially sustainable: it can combine simplicity with best quality, cost effectiveness with lack of waste, and use robust new technologies to the utmost. The new paradigm maintains the essence of the Hippocratic paradigm, but broadens the scope to health care issues and health care services so that important theoretical, educational, operational, and economic aspects can be accommodated. This paper looks into the implications of this transition and what can be done to ease the transition of focus from cure to care, from medical health to functional health.

Nitrogenase is an enzyme responsible for the reduction of the atmospheric N 2 into NH 4 + , which represents the key entry point of the molecular nitrogen into the biogeochemical cycle of nitrogen. This enzyme is present in the rhizobial bacteroids, which are symbionts in a Leguminosae plant (Acacia Hotosericea), and also reduces acetylene into ethylene at the same rate as the nitrogen reduction. Therefore, a CO 2 Laser Photoacoustic system was used for detecting and monitoring the ethylene emission by the nitrogenase activity, in the rhizobial symbionts in Acacia Holosericea, when they are confined in test tubes with acetylene at two different volumes (0.1 and 0.5 ml). Ethylene concentrations are also determined in the ppm range.

At the end of ISG*ISARC2012 World Conference, Eindhoven, June 27-29, 2012, a discussion took place by video conference, between participants of the AAL summit (chaired by Olga Rivera, Basque Country’s Deputy Minister of Health Research and Innovation) and the gerontechnology conference (chaired by Alain Franco, ISG president). The Basque country declaration has been well received by the Gerontechnology community as convened in Eindhoven at the ISG*ISARC2012 conference. It was understood that the AAL Summit in Bilbao concerned R&D funding and business issues of Ambient Assisted Living (AAL). The Basque country declaration is a sturdy and welcome initiative to turn the aging society in a successful society for all. It looks for new and sustainable models for health and takes into account stakeholders from academia, industry, technological research institutes, care organisations and even users. Some remarks are presented about education, prevention and sustainability, end users, usability and building environments. The Basque country declaration is an important and needed document, which hopefully will have considerable impact. We strongly support the pronounced user orientation regarding technology development and use as clearly highlighted in the declaration. The gerontechnology community may further strengthen our move to a successful aging society by providing insights and results on the interface of gerontology and technology, including needed paradigm changes.

Twenty-two papers on various aspects of nitrogen fixation in tropical plants are presented. (HLW)