Effect of the metal in the production of pollutants during the decomposition of two types of electric wires

Support for this work was provided by the Generalitat Valenciana (Spain) with projects PROMETEO/2009/043/FEDER, and by the Spanish MCT CTQ2008-05520.

Crystallographic orientation and electrode nature are key factors for electric current generation by Geobacter sulfurreducens

We have investigated the influence of electrode material and crystallographic structure on electron transfer and biofilm formation of Geobacter sulfurreducens. Single-crystal gold - Au(110), Au(111), Au(210) - and platinum - Pt(100), Pt(110), Pt(111), Pt(210) - electrodes were tested and compared to graphite rods. G. sulfurreducens electrochemically interacts with all these materials with different attachment kinetics and final current production, although redox species involved in the electron transfer to the anode are virtually the same in all cases. Initial bacterial colonization was fastest on graphite up to the monolayer level, whereas gold electrodes led to higher final current densities. Crystal geometry showed to have an important influence, with Au(210) sustaining a current density of up to 1442 (± 101) μA cm- 2 at the steady state, over Au(111) with 961 (± 94) μA cm- 2 and Au(110) with 944 (± 89) μA cm- 2. On the other hand, the platinum electrodes displayed the lowest performances, including Pt(210). Our results indicate that both crystal geometry and electrode material are key parameters for the efficient interaction of bacteria with the substrate and should be considered for the design of novel materials and microbial devices to optimize energy production.

Decomposition of two types of electric wires considering the effect of the metal in the production of pollutants

Combustion runs at 700 °C in a horizontal laboratory furnace were carried out on two different electric wires (PVC and halogen-free wire). Tests were performed in the presence and in the absence of the metal conductor of the wires. The analyses of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), chlorobenzenes (CBzs), chlorophenols (CPhs), mono- to octa-chlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), and dioxin-like PCBs are shown. Regarding semivolatile compounds, PAHs production decreases in the presence of metal, while a higher amount of chlorinated compounds are emitted. Respect to the PCDD/Fs, the PVC wire in the presence of metal presents the highest emission, with a much more emission of furans than dioxins. The maximum emission is with 2 or 3 chlorine atom PCDD/Fs. PCBs emission correlates with PCDD/F production and represents 3–4% of total toxicity, determined by using WHO2005 factors.

Analyzing the commercial activities of a street network by ranking their nodes: a case study in Murcia, Spain

Urban researchers and planners are often interested in understanding how economic activities are distributed in urban regions, what forces influence their special pattern and how urban structure and functions are mutually dependent. In this paper, we want to show how an algorithm for ranking the nodes in a network can be used to understand and visualize certain commercial activities of a city. The first part of the method consists of collecting real information about different types of commercial activities at each location in the urban network of the city of Murcia, Spain. Four clearly differentiated commercial activities are studied, such as restaurants and bars, shops, banks and supermarkets or department stores, but obviously we can study other. The information collected is then quantified by means of a data matrix, which is used as the basis for the implementation of a PageRank algorithm which produces a ranking of all the nodes in the network, according to their significance within it. Finally, we visualize the resulting classification using a colour scale that helps us to represent the business network.

Propuesta de un modelo de comunicación para la realización de una acción de Street Marketing-Street Art

Creación de un modelo de comunicación que fusione los mejores atributos del Street Marketing y el Street Art. Previamente, se habrán estudiado los conceptos procedentes y se habrá realizado un análisis de acciones específicas así como entrevistas a creativos del sector. Posteriormente se utilizará este modelo para crear, definir y proponer una de acción de comunicación que será promovida por una institución cultural.