RESUMO
The biochemical valorization potential of food waste (FW) could be exploited by extracting decreasing added-value bio-based products and converting the final residues into energy. In this context, multi-purpose and versatile schemes integrating thermal and biochemical conversion processes will play a key role. An upstream thermal pretreatment + solid-liquid separation unit was here proposed to optimize the conversion of the liquid fraction of FW into valuable chemicals through semi-continuous fermentation process, and the conversion of the residual solid fraction into biomethane through anaerobic digestion. The solid residues obtained after thermal pretreatment presented a higher soluble COD fraction, which resulted in higher methane production with respect to the raw residues (0.33 vs. 0.29 Nm3CH4 kg-1VSfed) and higher risk of acidification and failure of methanogenesis when operating at lower HRT (20d). On the contrary, at HRT = 40 d, the pretreatment did not affect the methane conversion rates and both tests evidenced similar methane productions of 0.33 Nm3CH4 kg-1VSfed. In the reactor fed with pretreated residue, the association of hydrogenotrophic methanogens with syntrophic bacteria prevented the acidification of the system. Modelling proved the eligibility of the FW solid residues as substrates for anaerobic digestion, given their small inert fractions that ranged between 0% and 30% of the total COD content.
RESUMO
In humans, mirtazapine can prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) and improve cancer patients' quality of life (QoL). This drug is being increasingly used as an appetite stimulant in cats. The hypothesis of this retrospective study was that mirtazapine could reduce the incidence of CINV and weight loss in feline patients affected by lymphoma. The objectives were to report the use of mirtazapine transdermal ointment and assess the incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity and weight loss in cats diagnosed with lymphoma and receiving chemotherapy. Transdermal mirtazapine was topically administered to the inner surface of the pinna (2 mg/cat/daily) for 14 days following chemotherapy administration. Data recorded from 20 patients were collected. Different grades of GI toxicity were shown in 8/20 (40%) patients. Body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), and muscle condition score (MCS) improved in 12/20 (60%), 6/20 (30%), and 2/20 (10%) cats, respectively. Mirtazapine-induced adverse events (AEs) occurred in 4/20 (20%) cats and did not require mirtazapine discontinuation. Substantial weight loss was not encountered, suggesting that patients had an adequate food intake after chemotherapy administration. Transdermal mirtazapine ointment was considered safe and well tolerated.
RESUMO
The present contribution illustrates the findings of a research about the narrative structure of psychiatric expertise. We have analysed a sample of nine expertises, using the methodology proposed by Roland Barthes in his book S/Z, in which he applies it to Honoré de Balzac's "Sarrasine". Barthes suggests that every narrative is characterized by the presence of five codes (hermeneutical, proairetic, semantic, symbolic and referential): we have searched for them in the expertises, but we have also observed the presence of many lapsus calami. As for our results, we have interpreted the massive presence of symbolic code in an expertise as a proof of the elaboration of the horror elicited by crime in the expert's narrative and, on the other side, the presence of referential code as the proof of the incapacity to treat such feeling and the necessity to defend himself from it. In this vision, lapsuses arise when the expert is astonished by the horror of the crime, and does not succeed in elaborating it either by using symbolic code or through his cultural resources (referential code). Finally, some reflections are made upon the difficulty for the voice of the defendant to be heard in the texts written about him.