This study investigated microplastics (MPs) sized 10-5000 µm across stages of a conventional municipal wastewater treatment plant using multiple analytical techniques. Samples were collected via pumping and filtration, treated with the Fenton reaction for wet peroxidation, and separated by density separation. Analysis employed Focal Plane Array Micro-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FPA micro-FTIR), a widely used technique in MPs analysis, alongside the less common Laser Direct Infrared Spectroscopy (LDIR), providing complementary data on particle composition, shape, size, and colour. To enhance insights, spectroscopic methods were supplemented with Thermal Desorption Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (TD-GC/MS), calibrated for specific polymers, to quantify MPs by mass and assess removal efficiency. Wastewater treatment effectively reduced MPs. In influent samples, concentrations reached 72 MPs/L (FTIR), 2117 MPs/L (LDIR), and 177 µg/L (TD-GC/MS). Primary treatments removed 41 %-55 %, while the wastewater treatment plant effluent contained 1 MPs/L (FTIR), 93 MPs/L (LDIR), and 2 µg/L (TD-GC/MS), reflecting 96 %-99 % removal efficiency. Activated sludge showed concentrations of 123 MPs/L (FTIR), 10,800 MPs/L (LDIR), and 0.3 mg/g dry weight (TD-GC/MS), underscoring its role in MPs capture. However, sludge dewatering released significant MPs into centrifuge rejected water: 484 MPs/L (FTIR), 23,000 MPs/L (LDIR), and 1100 µg/L (TD-GC/MS). These results highlight the effectiveness of conventional treatments in MPs removal and the critical role of sludge in capturing these contaminants. However, sludge dewatering poses a risk of reintroducing MPs into the environment. Effective sludge management should prioritize nutrient recovery and biomass valorisation to mitigate these risks and minimise harmful environmental impacts.

Spending a single night at moderate altitude before ascending to high altitude may enhance ventilatory acclimatization but also exacerbate sympathetic activation, a response that should be carefully pondered in persons with coronary artery disease (CAD). Ten males with CAD participated in this randomized placebo-controlled crossover trial in a hypobaric chamber, where they slept either at simulated 1,900 m (intervention) or in control conditions (250 m, placebo) before being decompressed to 3,000 m the following morning. Respiratory polygraphy was performed each night. Peripheral oxygen saturation ([Formula: see text]), end-tidal partial pressure of CO2 ([Formula: see text]), cerebral tissue oxygen saturation index (cTSI), baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), heart rate variability (HRV), and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) were recorded during wakeful rest each morning, both before the overnight stay (at 250 m) and after the simulated ascent to 3,000 m. The intervention night was associated with a greater number of apneas/hypopneas (33 [9, 51] h-1) than placebo (6 [3, 13] h-1, P = 0.02). At 3,000 m, [Formula: see text] was higher after intervention (88 ± 2%) than placebo (87 ± 2%, P = 0.03), [Formula: see text] was lower after intervention (34 ± 3 mmHg) than placebo (36 ± 3 mmHg, P = 0.002), cTSI decrease was smaller after intervention (-3.6 ± 2.2%) than placebo (-6.5 ± 3.1%, P = 0.02), and PASP was higher after intervention (30 ± 8 mmHg) than after placebo (28 ± 7 mmHg, P = 0.04), whereas BRS and HRV indices showed no differences. We conclude that a single night at 1,900 m is sufficient to trigger measurable ventilatory acclimatization in persons with CAD without altering BRS and HRV at 3,000 m, but likely enhancing pulmonary hypoxic vasoconstriction.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We found that a single night spent at simulated moderate altitude (1,900 m) prompts measurable ventilatory acclimatization when ascending to simulated high altitude (3,000 m) in males with coronary artery disease. We also found that, although sleeping at 1,900 m increases the occurrence of apneas and/or hypopneas, this did not modify heart rate variability and baroreflex sensitivity responses at 3,000 m.

ABSTRACT This study explores how spatial plans hold transformative potential for biodiversity and ecosystem services (ES) valorisation. It develops a conceptual framework that unpacks transformative change for biodiversity-inclusive spatial planning, analysing plans' components—visions, strategies, information baseline, actions, instruments and regulations—through four analytical elements: governance, mitigation hierarchy, spatial planning provision of sectors and biodiversity/ES. The framework assesses transformative potential using five characteristics: restructuring (i.e., system's components variations), multiscale (i.e., spatial and temporal scales and actors), path-shifting (i.e., redirection of current trends and principles), innovative (i.e., uptake of new knowledge) and phasing-out (i.e., outdated practices' elimination). We tested it through content analysis of 28 plans from seven European countries with good Biodiversity Strategy 2020 performance (Italy, Denmark, Germany, Portugal, Scotland, Spain and Switzerland), spanning NUTS levels. The results reveal varying transformative potential across plan components, with visions and strategies showing higher transformation commitment than other components. While governance and biodiversity/ES considerations demonstrate emerging transformative practices, the mitigation hierarchy and sectoral provisions remain underutilised. Plans tend to favour restructuring over more disruptive changes like path-shifting, innovation and phase-out. We identify critical interventions for fostering biodiversity-inclusive planning, including strengthening sectoral engagement, addressing temporal misalignments, reforming bureaucratic processes and shifting planning paradigms towards net biodiversity gains.