Air pollution relevance analysis in the bay of Algeciras (Spain)

The aim of this work is to accomplish an in-depth analysis of the air pollution in the two main cities of the Bay of Algeciras (Spain). A large database of air pollutant concentrations and weather measurements were collected using a monitoring network installed throughout the region from the period of 2010-2015. The concentration parameters contain nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter (PM10). The analysis was developed in two monitoring stations (Algeciras and La Linea). The higher average concentration values were obtained in Algeciras for NO2 (28.850 mu g/m(3)) and SO2 (11.966 mu g/m(3)), and in La Linea for PM10 (30.745 mu g/m(3)). The analysis shows patterns that coincide with human activity. One of the goals of this work is to develop a useful virtual sensor capable of achieving a more robust monitoring network, which can be used, for instance, in the case of missing data. By means of trends analysis, groups of equivalent stations were determined, implying that the values of one station could be substituted for those in the equivalent station in case of failure (e.g., SO2 weekly trends in Algeciras and Los Barrios show equivalence). On the other hand, a calculation of relative risks was developed showing that relative humidity, wind speed and wind direction produce an increase in the risk of higher pollutant concentrations. Besides, obtained results showed that wind speed and wind direction are the most important variables in the distribution of particles. The results obtained may allow administrations or citizens to support decisions

Presence of Parabens and Bisphenols in Food Commonly Consumed in Spain

Given the widespread use of bisphenols and parabens in consumer products, the assessment of their intake is crucial and represents the first step towards the assessment of the potential risks that these compounds may pose to human health. In the present study, a total of 98 samples of food items commonly consumed by the Spanish population were collected from different national supermarkets and grocery stores for the determination of parabens and bisphenols. Our analysis demonstrated that 56 of the 98 food samples contained detectable levels of parabens with limits of quantification (LOQ) between 0.4 and 0.9 ng g-1. The total concentration of parabens (sum of four parabens: åparabens) ranged from below the LOQ to 281.7 ng g-1, with a mean value of 73.86 ng g-1. A total of 52% of the samples showed detectable concentrations of bisphenols. Bisphenol A (BPA) was the most frequently detected bisphenol in the food samples analysed, followed by bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol E (BPE). Bisphenol AF (BPAF), bisphenol B (BPB) and bisphenol P (BPP) were not found in any of the analysed samples. LOQ for these bisphenols were between 0.4 and 4.0 ng g-1

Comparison of maritime transport influence of SO2 levels in Algeciras and Alcornocales Park (Spain)

Trabajo presentado en: R-Evolucionando el transporte, XIV Congreso de Ingeniería del Transporte (CIT 2021), realizado en modalidad online los días 6, 7 y 8 de julio de 2021, organizado por la Universidad de BurgosThe main aim of this work was to measure the influence of the volume of shipping over the Sulphur dioxide (SO2) concentration in the air pollution in two monitoring stations located at Algeciras city and Alcornocales Park developing the same analysis in these two locations. The target is to demonstrate the assumption that Algeciras is more affected by SO2 than Alcornocales Park which is 30 km far away from Algeciras Port. A multiple regression approach has been applied using wind data: wind direction (degrees) and wind speed (km/h) recorded in two weather stations, together with the volume of the gross tonnage per hour (GT/h) of vessels in the Bay of Algeciras to estimate SO2 concentration values in the two stations Algeciras and Alcornocales. The database contains records of hourly samples of these variables during the year 2019. Different artificial neural networks (ANNs) models were compared and the results showed that SO2 in Algeciras station could be better explained than the same pollutant in Alcornocales station. On the other hand, ANNs produced better results than linear models which means that nonlinear models fit best the data. A cross- validation procedure has been applied in order to assure the generalization capabilities of the tested models. The results showed that in Algeciras a more reliable estimation could be done reaching a correlation estimation between the model and the target (real) values of SO2. This fact highlights the major influence of maritime transport in the Bay of AlgecirasThis work is part of the research project RTI2018-098160-B-I00 supported by 'MICINN’ Programa Estatal de I+D+i Orientada a 'Los Retos de la Sociedad'. Data used in this work have been kindly provided by the Algeciras Port Authority and the Andalusian Regional Government

Prediction of container filling for the selective waste collection in Algeciras (Spain)

14th Conference on Transport Engineering: 6th – 8th July 2021The aim of this study is to create an intelligent system that improves the efficiency of garbage collection, (cardboard waste, in this particular case). The number of cardboard containers to be collected each day will be determined based on a prediction made on the filled volume recorded in each container. It will be reflected in the cost and fuel savings, reducing emissions and contributing to environmental sustainability. These results will allow planning the sequence of waste removal, which means the optimal collection route considering restrictive parameters such as the type of truck, the location of containers, collection times by zones, and the availability of working staff. A filling prediction system is proposed based on real historical data provided by the current waste collection company in Algeciras (ARCGISA). To achieve this objective, an intelligent system is designed using predictive analytics and several methods based on machine learning, modelling the collection system as a classification model, comparing the results from a statistical point of view (using sensitivity, specificity, etc.). The results obtained with the best-Tested method indicate an improvement average rate of 26% in sensitivity performance index and 67% in specificity performance index. Currently, waste collection is carried out without predictive analysis. The relevance of an efficient waste collection system is becoming increasingly important. Achieving optimal waste collection will result in improved service to citizens, cost savings for the administration, and significant environmental improvements. © 2021 Elsevier B.V.. All rights reserve

Levels of Bisphenol A and its analogs in nails, saliva, and urine of children: a case control study

Introduction: A growing number of studies link the increase in overweight/ obesity worldwide to exposure to certain environmental chemical pollutants that display obesogenic activity (obesogens). Since exposure to obesogens during the first stages of life has been shown to have a more intense and pronounced effect at lower doses, it is imperative to study their possible effects in childhood. The objective here was to study the association of Bisphenol A (BPA) and 11 BPA analogs in children, using three biological matrices (nails, saliva and urine), and overweight and obesity (n = 160). Methods: In this case–control study, 59 overweight/obese children and 101 controls were included. The measuring of Bisphenols in the matrices was carried out by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Logistic regression was used to study the association between overweight/obesity and Bisphenol exposure. Results: The results suggested that BPF in nails is associated with overweight/ obesity in children (OR:4.87; p = 0.020). In saliva, however, the highest detected concentrations of BPAF presented an inverse association (OR: 0.06; p = 0.010) with overweight/obesity. No associations of statistical significance were detected between exposure to BPA or its other analogs and overweight/obesity in any of the biological matrices.FEDER-Consejería de Salud y Familias’ of the Junta de Andalucía PE-0250-201

Aprendizaje invertido- Aprendizaje colaborativo, Flipped learning-Jigsaw, en el laboratorio y en el aula universitaria.

El aula invertida o “flipped classroom”, y la técnica del puzle o “Jigsaw” son metodologías pedagógicas cuyo principal objetivo consiste en que el alumno/a asuma un rol más activo en su proceso de aprendizaje que el que venía ocupando tradicionalmente. Los objetivos que se pretenden alcanzar son: mejorar los resultados de aprendizaje, fomentar el pensamiento crítico, el trabajo autónomo del estudiante, así como el trabajo colaborativo y la participación activa del estudiante en el proceso de aprendizaje. La metodología didáctica a seguir se explicará previamente a todos los estudiantes implicados. Se dejan algunas sesiones de laboratorio y seminarios teórico-prácticos para desarrollarlos siguiendo la metodología tradicional, considerándolos sesiones de control para poder comparar los resultados finales obtenidos con la metodología propuesta. Hasta la fecha la metodología seguida en las sesiones prácticas de laboratorio se limitaba a leer un guion de prácticas y seguir unas instrucciones, en las sesiones de seminarios numéricos o casos teórico-prácticos, de forma similar, el profesor dedica varias sesiones a poner en contexto a los estudiantes. El problema de esta metodología, es que muchas veces los estudiantes tienen dificultades para asimilar, en una sola sesión de clase, los conceptos teóricos que tienen que poner en práctica, ya que están más preocupados por seguir las instrucciones, que por comprender el porqué de lo que están haciendo. Para solucionar estos inconvenientes se propone esta metodología docente. The "flipped classroom" and the "Jigsaw" techniques are pedagogical methodologies whose main objective is for students to take on a more active role in the learning process than they have traditionally done. The objectives to be achieved are: to improve learning results, encourage critical thinking, autonomous student work, collaborative work, and the active participation of students in the learning process. The didactic methodology will be explained previously to the students. Some laboratory sessions and theoretical and practical seminars are left to be developed following the traditional methodology, considering them as control sessions to compare the final results obtained between both didactic methodologies. Until now, the methodology followed in the practical laboratory sessions was limited to reading a practical script and following instructions, while in the numerical seminar sessions or theoretical-practical cases, the teacher dedicates several sessions to putting the students in context. The problem with this methodology is that students often find it difficult to assimilate, in a single class session, the theoretical concepts they have to put into practice, as they are more concerned with following instructions than with understanding why they are doing what they are doing. This teaching methodology is proposed to solve these problems.Proyecto de Innovación docente y Buenas Prácticas Docentes. Plan Fido. Proyecto 22-9

Desarrollo de metodologías analíticas para el análisis de disruptores endocrinos obesógenos en matrices biológicas

Tesis Univ. Granada.Consejería de Salud y Familias. Investigación Biomédica y Ciencias de la Salud en Andalucía 2019Fondos FEDER proyecto PE-0250-201

Association between dietary exposure to bisphenols and body mass index in Spanish schoolchildren

This report is funded by EFSA as part of the EU-FORA programme.The increase in children obesity worldwide has been of particular concern in recent decades. Environmental factors have been proposed as contributors to obesity, and there is a growing concern over obesogens, environmental chemicals with potential obesity-related endocrine-disrupting properties. In this regard, bisphenol A (BPA) and its analogues are suspected to have obesogenic properties. Current document report on the activities of the fellow, undertaken during the fourth, 2020–2021 cycle of the EU-FORA programme at the University of Granada, Institute of Nutrition and Food Science, in Spain. The work programme offered by the hosting site was related to the extrapolation of bisphenols exposure following the determination of these compounds in food frequently consumed by children and in their biological samples. The fellow has participated in the recruitment of the study population in the health centres. In addition, she has participated in the collection of the children biological samples, anthropometric measurements and dietary surveys and in the optimisation of the laboratory methodology for the extraction of bisphenols in biological samples. All these activities also provided the fellow an opportunity to develop her data science related skills, which will benefit her professional development. In addition, the fellow gained an overview of various topics related to food safety risk assessment by attending the EU-FORA dedicated training modules.EFS

Presence of Parabens in Different Children Biological Matrices and Its Relationship with Body Mass Index

The following supporting information can be downloaded at: https: //www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/nu15051154/s1, Table S1: Comparison between control and cases included/not included subjectsThis work was carried out within the framework of Proyecto cofinanciado FEDER-ISCIII PI20/01278, Proyecto cofinanciado FEDER-Consejería de Salud y Familias, Junta de Andalucía PE-0250-2019, Proyecto cofinanciado FEDER-Consejería de Transformación Económica, Industria, Conocimiento y Universidades, Junta de Andalucía P18-RT-4247 and INTRAIBS-2021-02 funded by ibs.GRANADA.Parabens have been accepted almost worldwide as preservatives by the cosmetic, food, and pharmaceutical industries. Since epidemiological evidence of the obesogenic activity of parabens is weak, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between parabens exposure and child- hood obesity. Four parabens (methylparaben/MetPB, ethylparaben/EthPB, propylparaben/PropPB, and butylparaben/ButPB) were measured in 160 children’s bodies between 6 and 12 years of age. Parabens measurements were performed with ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography cou- pled with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Logistic regression was used to evaluate risk factors for elevated body weight associated with paraben exposure. No significant relation was detected between children’s body weight and the presence of parabens in the samples. This study confirmed the omnipresence of parabens in children’s bodies. Our results could be a basis for future research about the effect of parabens on childhood body weight using nails as a biomarker due to the ease of its collection and its non-invasive character.FEDER-ISCIII PI20/01278FEDER-Consejería de Salud y Familias, Junta de Andalucía PE-0250-201FEDER-Consejería de Transformación Económica, Industria, Conocimiento y Universidades, Junta de Andalucía P18-RT-4247INTRAIBS-2021-02 ibs.GRANADA

Prediction of container filling for the selective waste collection in Algeciras (Spain)

Trabajo presentado en: R-Evolucionando el transporte, XIV Congreso de Ingeniería del Transporte (CIT 2021), realizado en modalidad online los días 6, 7 y 8 de julio de 2021, organizado por la Universidad de BurgosThe aim of this study is to create an intelligent system that improves the efficiency of garbage collection, (cardboard waste, in this particular case). The number of cardboard containers to be collected each day will be determined based on a prediction made on the filled volume recorded in each container. It will be reflected in the cost and fuel savings, reducing emissions and contributing to environmental sustainability. These results will allow planning the sequence of waste removal, which means the optimal collection route considering restrictive parameters such as the type of truck, the location of containers, collection times by zones, and the availability of working staff. A filling prediction system is proposed based on real historical data provided by the current waste collection company in Algeciras (ARCGISA). To achieve this objective, an intelligent system is designed using predictive analytics and several methods based on machine learning, modelling the collection system as a classification model, comparing the results from a statistical point of view (using sensitivity, specificity, etc.). The results obtained with the best-tested method indicate an improvement average rate of 26% in sensitivity performance index and 67% in specificity performance index. Currently, waste collection is carried out without predictive analysis. The relevance of an efficient waste collection system is becoming increasingly important. Achieving optimal waste collection will result in improved service to citizens, cost savings for the administration, and significant environmental improvements.This work is part of the research project RTI-2018-098160-B-I00 supported by 'MICINN. Programa Estatal de I+D+i Orientada a 'Los Retos de la Sociedad'. Data used in this work have been kindly provided by ARCGISA. Colaboration between ARCGISA and University of Cádiz was supported with Fundación del Campus Tecnológico de Algeciras (FCTA)