Catalytic Upgrading of Biomass-Gasification Mixtures Using Ni-Fe/MgAl2O4 as a Bifunctional Catalyst.

Biomass gasification streams typically contain a mixture of CO, H2, CH4, and CO2 as the majority components and frequently require conditioning for downstream processes. Herein, we investigate the catalytic upgrading of surrogate biomass gasifiers through the generation of syngas. Seeking a bifunctional system capable of converting CO2 and CH4 to CO, a reverse water gas shift (RWGS) catalyst based on Fe/MgAl2O4 was decorated with an increasing content of Ni metal and evaluated for producing syngas using different feedstock compositions. This approach proved efficient for gas upgrading, and the incorporation of adequate Ni content increased the CO content by promoting the RWGS and dry reforming of methane (DRM) reactions. The larger CO productivity attained at high temperatures was intimately associated with the generation of FeNi3 alloys. Among the catalysts' series, Ni-rich catalysts favored the CO productivity in the presence of CH4, but important carbon deposition processes were noticed. On the contrary, 2Ni-Fe/MgAl2O4 resulted in a competitive and cost-effective system delivering large amounts of CO with almost no coke deposits. Overall, the incorporation of a suitable realistic application for valorization of variable composition of biomass-gasification derived mixtures obtaining a syngas-rich stream thus opens new routes for biosyngas production and upgrading.

Highly Active Ce- and Mg-Promoted Ni Catalysts Supported on Cellulose-Derived Carbon for Low-Temperature CO2 Methanation.

The CO2 methanation performance of Mg- and/or Ce-promoted Ni catalysts supported on cellulose-derived carbon (CDC) was investigated. The samples, prepared by biomorphic mineralization techniques, exhibit pore distributions correlated to the particle sizes, revealing a direct effect of the metal content in the textural properties of the samples. The catalytic performance, evaluated as CO2 conversion and CH4 selectivity, reveals that Ce is a better promoter than Mg, reaching higher conversion values in all of the studied temperature range (150-500 °C). In the interval of 350-400 °C, Ni-Mg-Ce/CDC attains the maximum yield to methane, 80%, reaching near 100% CH4 selectivity. Ce-promoted catalysts were highly active at low temperatures (175 °C), achieving 54% CO2 conversion with near 100% CH4 selectivity. Furthermore, the large potential stability of the Ni-Mg-Ce/CDC catalyst during consecutive cycles of reaction opens a promising route for the optimization of the Sabatier process using this type of catalyst.

Rehabilitación: primera línea durante la pandemia para pacientes COVID y servicio esencial para pacientes no COVID / Rehabilitation: first line during pandemic for COVID patients and essential service for non-COVID patients

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Gestión económica del tratamiento del linfedema / Economic management of lymphoedema treatment

Objetivo. Análisis comparativo del coste del tratamiento del linfedema de miembro superior secundario a cáncer de mama, aplicando un modelo tradicional versus un modelo de vigilancia prospectiva. Cuantificar el ahorro derivado del abordaje prospectivo poscirugía. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio retrospectivo de costes asociados al tratamiento del linfedema en el Hospital Ramón y Cajal y centros concertados. Se valoran 1.400 pacientes en consulta durante el año 2014; de ellos, 212 precisaron terapia física compleja o de mantenimiento. Las variables analizadas son los costes directos, los costes indirectos y el ahorro estimado. Resultados. El coste anual por paciente del tratamiento tradicional en el linfedema, a base de terapia física compleja en estadios, avanzados es 2.500 € aproximadamente. En el modelo prospectivo todos los pacientes acuden a la Escuela de Linfedema y son evaluados posquirúrgicamente. No suelen requerir terapia descongestiva, ni vendajes continuados y permite usar mangas prefabricadas menos costosas. Se evitan consultas y costes indirectos. Se incluye el coste del cribado y de la intervención en estadios iniciales. El coste anual es aproximadamente el 25% de la cantidad estimada en el enfoque tradicional, unos 700 € aproximadamente. Conclusiones. La vigilancia prospectiva en el linfedema puede reducir la necesidad de rehabilitación intensiva y es coste-efectiva. Supone un ahorro potencial del 75% del coste asociado al modelo tradicional vigente (AU)

Objectives. To conduct a comparative analysis of the cost of treatment of upper limb lymphoedema secondary to breast cancer, using a traditional model versus a prospective surveillance model. To quantify the savings from a prospective postoperative approach. Patients and methods. Retrospective study of the costs associated with lymphoedema treatment at the Ramon y Cajal Hospital and private centres. A total of 1,400 patients were assessed in medical consultations in 2014; of these, 212 were treated with complex decongestive therapy or maintenance therapy. The variables analysed were direct costs, indirect costs and estimated savings. Results. The annual cost per patient of traditional lymphoedema treatment, based on complex physical therapy in advanced stages, was approximately €2,500. In the prospective model, all patients attended the Lymphoedema Clinic and were also evaluated postsurgically. They did not usually require decongestive therapy or bandages and containment systems and were able to use prefabricated sleeves, which are considerably cheaper. Consultations and indirect costs were avoided. The cost of screening and intervention in the early stages was included. The annual cost was about 25% of the estimated amount with the traditional approach, approximately €700. Conclusions. Prospective lymphoedema surveillance can reduce the need for intensive rehabilitation and is cost-effective. It represents a potential saving of 75% of the cost associated with the traditional model (AU)