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PHOENIX COST ACTION CA19123 - PROTECTION, RESILIENCE, REHABILITATION OF DAMAGED ENVIRONMENT, Proceedings of the 2022 Rome Meeting - Rome, 19-22 January 2022
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The main aim of the project is to connect people working in the framework of Bio-electrochemical systems (BESs) and their application for producing electricity from wastes or organic contaminants. This abstract book aims at summarising all the presentations performed and the first year of the Project activities. BESs, and in particular Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) are low environmental impact tools that exploit the biological activity of microorganisms naturally present in water and soils for pollutant reduction, recycling useful elements, synthesis of new products and production of electricity. The activities of PHOENIX are related to the characterization of BES technologies and their
implementation as bio-remediator, bio-sensors, and bio-reactors connected to sustainable urban planning, educational and socio-economic aspects. The integration of bio-technologies in the urban context is a key priority for appropriate rational urban planning and minimum environmental impact. Different skills are connected in this pan-European project, from electrical engineering, microbial ecology, Educational and socio-economics aspects.
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Lactobacilli are a promising natural tool against vaginal dysbiosis and infections. However, new local delivery systems and additional knowledge about their distribution and mechanism of action would contribute to the development of effective medicine. This will be facilitated by the introduction of the techniques for effective, inexpensive, and real-time tracking of these probiotics following their release. Here, we engineered three model vaginal lactobacilli (Lactobacillus crispatus ATCC 33820, Lactobacillus gasseri ATCC 33323, and Lactobacillus jensenii ATCC 25258) and a control Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 8014 to express fluorescent proteins with different spectral properties, including infrared fluorescent protein (IRFP), green fluorescent protein (GFP), red fluorescent protein (mCherry), and blue fluorescent protein (mTagBFP2). The expression of these fluorescent proteins differed between the Lactobacillus species and enabled quantification and discrimination between lactobacilli, with the longer wavelength fluorescent proteins showing superior resolving power. Each Lactobacillus strain was labeled with an individual fluorescent protein and incorporated into poly (ethylene oxide) nanofibers using electrospinning, as confirmed by fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy. The lactobacilli retained their fluorescence in nanofibers, as well as after nanofiber dissolution. To summarize, vaginal lactobacilli were incorporated into electrospun nanofibers to provide a potential solid vaginal delivery system, and the fluorescent proteins were introduced to distinguish between them and allow their tracking in the future probiotic-delivery studies.
This paper provides insights into the recreational function of green areas and visitors' habits in the City of Zagreb. The research is based on a conducted survey of 491 visitors, during the working week and weekends at three different green spaces: Zrinjevac (an example of a park in the city centre), Jarun (an example of a recreation and sports zone in the city’s periphery) and the square Trg Ivana Kukuljevića (an example of a neighbourhood park in the residential area Špansko). Apart from descriptive statistics, the results were obtained by the following statistical tools: chi-square test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-test. Based on the differences determined, different types of green spaces in the city were highlighted and their recreational function was closely considered. The research outcomes indicate that there is a correlation between different types of green spaces, their recreational functions and reasons for choosing a particular green space for recreational purposes from the visitors’ point of view. The results can contribute to a better understanding of visitor habits and mobilities geared toward specific types of green spaces in Zagreb on a workday and a non-working day. They can be applied to achieving a higher quality conceptualisation of recreation supply of green spaces, as well as to the process of spatial planning and design of urban recreational zones.
Microbial fuel cells (MFC) are an emerging technology for waste, wastewater and polluted soil treatment. In this manuscript, pollutants that can be treated using MFC systems producing energy are presented. Furthermore, the applicability of MFC in environmental monitoring is described. Common microbial species used, release of genome sequences, and gene regulation mechanisms , are discussed. However, although scaling-up is the key to improving MFC systems, it is still a difficult challenge. Mathematical models for MFCs are used for their design, control and optimization. Such models representing the system are presented here. In such comprehensive models , microbial growth kinetic approaches are essential to designing and predicting a biosystem. The empirical and unstructured Monod and Monod-type models, which are traditionally used, are also described here. Understanding and modelling of the gene regulatory network could be a solution for enhancing knowledge and designing more efficient MFC processes, useful for scaling it up. An advanced bio-based modelling concept connecting gene regulation modelling of specific metabolic pathways to microbial growth kinetic models is presented here; it enables a more accurate prediction and estimation of substrate biodegradation, microbial growth kinetics, and necessary gene and enzyme expression. The gene and enzyme expression prediction can also be used in synthetic and systems biology for process optimization. Moreover, various MFC applications as a bioreactor and bioremediator, and in soil pollutant removal and monitoring, are explored.
The green transition requires investments in updated skill sets to master green technologies and reduce the environmental footprint of activities. This report aims to support the implementation of the European Green Deal, the European Industry Strategy and the recently adopted European Skills Agenda for Sustainable Competitiveness, Social, Fairness and Resilience in the area of the EU citizens' skills necessary to guarantee a smooth twin digital and green transition. This study underlines the need to develop a more encompassing system to identify and update the necessary sustainability (instead of green) competences critical to perform sustainability-related jobs and other jobs in a sustainable manner.
Dans les débats en classe, la construction d'un style rhétorique plus ou moins haut ou bas peut être appréhendé à partir de 6 indices linguistiques (prises de parole, ancrage dans les dires antérieurs, marques de doute, idées reprises, production d'attaques personnelles et d'auto-dévalorisations). Une étude quantitative menée sur 10 débats à propos de la gestion de l'eau potable, organisés dans 4 écoles de 3 pays met en évidence une répartition sexuée de cette polarisation verticale dans l'interaction argumentative. En mixité « paritaire », les garçons tendent à développer un style rhétorique haut, et les filles à se retrouver dans un style rhétorique bas qui limite la prise en compte de leurs idées. Une étude de cas portant sur une Discussion à Visée Philosophique illustre comment les pratiques de facilitation peuvent renforcer ce phénomène, un animateur expert passant à côté de contributions importantes d'élèves (principalement des filles) exprimées dans un style rhétorique bas. Enfin, des pistes sont évoquées pour oeuvrer à la mise en place de débats éducatifs plus inclusifs.
Phenomenon-based learning (PhBL) is an indistinct concept with many roots. Its unclear principles are interpreted and implemented in many ways. It is neither a theory nor a method, but it is called an approach. PhBL relates to a pedagogical way of viewing learners, teachers, and knowledge of the world both distinctly and in their context. PhBL has been shallowly investigated from a theoretical perspective, and the methods by which it is implemented vary. Theoretically the concept is based on constructivism, pragmatism, and phenomenology. Politically the concept connects to transversal knowledge and twenty-first century skills. Methodically it relates to problem-based learning (PBL), inquiry-based learning (IBL), phenomenological learning, hermeneutic learning, et cetera. Among the core features of PhBL are that it is interdisciplinary (see “Transdisciplinary Learning”), student centered, collaborative, and build on authentic problems. In psychological perspectives, learning is linked to the students’ interests and emotions (Lonka 2018). Philosophical perspectives emphasize comprehensive learning situations and seeking answers on ethical and existential questions (Küpers 2012). PhBL takes place in early childhood settings, schools, and in higher education. It relates to phenomenon-based research used in management and organization science (von Krogh et al. 2012), and has been proposed as one answer, even if not the only one, on how to meet the educational challenges of sustainability (see “Sustainable Development”, “Sustainable Education”, and “Sustainability in Curricula (Sustainability Education)”) (Vlieghe and Zamojski 2020; Wolff et al. 2019). PhBL is thus future oriented, and at its best, it is a transformative prospect (see “Transformative Learning”).
Many soils contain a wide number of organic and inorganic chemicals and potential toxic elements due to industrial, agricultural and numerous anthropogenic activities. The recovery of polluted sites is an urgent need to be addressed and the development of innovative remediation technologies, which exploit nature based solutions, is strongly encouraged, in line with the new EU Circular Economy Action Plan. Terrestrial Microbial Fuel Cells (TMFCs) can be a valuable tool for recovering soils polluted by various organic and inorganic contaminants. TMFCs benefit from capabilities of microbial biofilms developed on the electrodes which use the terminals as catalysts for metabolic activities, including contaminant degradation. This process produces energy, thanks to conversion of chemical bond energy (stored in the bonds of organic compounds) into electrical one. This work describes construction materials, remediation capabilities and technology of the Terrestrial Microbial Fuel Cells (TMFCs), reporting the last advances in TMFCs such as soil-based reactors or in combination with plants (Plant Microbial Fuel Cell - PMFC). Some aspects related to microbiological activities for pollutant biodegradation, plant-microbial interactions, energy production, and fields of application will be shown. Finally, abiotic factors which can improve bioremediation activities are also considered. Furthermore, limitations and issues for large-scale applications, as well as for stacking and scaling-up are discussed.
Keywords: electrogenic bacteria, microbial degradation, green technology, bioremediation, Microbial Fuel Cell
DDE (2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloroetylene) is a very persistent and bioaccumulative pesticide and its residues are continuously found in the environment. Among the green remediation strategies for soil recovery, terrestrial Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC) are arousing great interest in scientific community. MFCs transform energy stored in the chemical bonds of organic compounds into electrical energy thanks to exo-electrogen microorganisms naturally occurring in soil, which catalyse oxidation and reduction reactions in the area between two graphite electrodes. This work reports preliminary data on the use of MFCs for promoting soil decontamination from DDE. Several experimental conditions (e.g. addition of compost and open/closed circuit) were applied for assessing how to improve MFC performance in favouring DDE removal. MFCs promoted a significant DDE removal (39%) after 2 months, while at the same time any pesticide decrease was observed in the batch condition. Compost addition stimulated microbial activity and improved MFC performance for a longer time.