Midazolam (MID) is a sedative drug which can be added in beverage samples as drug-facilitated-sexual assault (date rape drug). This type of drug has short half-life in biological fluids (not ...detectable) which often prevents the correlation between drug abuse and crime. In this work, we described a simple and low-cost method for fast screening and selective determination of MID in beverage samples (vodka, whiskey and red wine). For the first time, the electrochemical oxidation of MID was used for this purpose. The oxidation mechanism was studied using electrochemical techniques (cyclic and square-wave voltammetry) and computational simulations (density functional theory calculations). Differential-pulse voltammetry, boron-doped diamond electrode (BDDE), and Britton-Robinson (BR) buffer (pH = 2) were selected as electrochemical analysis technique, working electrode and supporting electrolyte, respectively. Different linear response ranges (4–25 μmol L−1 with r = 0.9972; 1–10 μmol L−1 with r = 0.9951; 1–15 μmol L−1 with r = 0.9982) and limits of detection (0.46, 0.43 and 0.33 μmol L−1) were obtained for the analysis of vodka, whisky, and red wine solutions, respectively. The precision and accuracy were satisfactory considering the low relative standard deviation values (RSD < 6.3%, n = 15) and minimal sample matrix effects (recovery values between 87 and 103%).
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•Fast screening and selective determination of midazolam.•The electrochemical oxidation of midazolam has been studied for the first time.•The electrochemical oxidation showed better selectivity than the electrochemical reduction.•The oxidation mechanism was proposed.
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•Noteworthy electroanalytical method for determination of gallic acid in real complex samples was developed.•The procedure provides portability, low-cost, and requires low amounts of ...samples and chemicals.•The proposed procedure appears as a promising alternative to conventional methods.•The samples were analyzed without prior treatment, requiring only a simple dilution in the background electrolyte.
The excessive consumption of products with high concentrations of Gallic Acid (GA) can cause various health problems, particularly affecting liver and kidneys. Therefore, the engineering of new analytical devices for monitoring and quantifying GA in different matrices, especially complex matrices, such as wine, tea, and water is of great relevance to ensure product quality and consumer safety. In this sense, this work addresses the development of a portable electrochemical platform envisaged by the additive manufacturing technology using non-conductive and conductive polymeric filaments, based on polylactic acid (PLA) and carbon black (CB), for the quantification of GA in beverages and water samples. For this, both as-printed and chemically/electrochemically treated CB-PLA sensors were evaluated. The GA detection was conducted using differential pulse voltammetric technique after optimizing the operational parameters using multivariate experiments. It was obtained a linear behaviour between 20.0 and 1000.0 µmol/L. The limits of detection and quantification were estimated, respectively, as 0.17 and 0.56 µmolL−1. Repeatability (intra-electrode, n = 10) study was performed and an RSD < 5.0 % was found. Furthermore, the GA’s analysis in wine, tea, tereré (Brazilian cold tea), and water samples yielded acceptable findings, with recovery values between 96 and 104 %. Thus, the proposed platform demonstrates significant promise for use in detecting GA in complex matrices, featuring affordability, and enabling on-site application.
Spanish foreign policy adopted a positive and assertive attitude towards the German reunification, but it wasn ́t totally united. While Prime Minister ́s office and Economy Ministry promoted a quick ...method for the union of both Germanies, Ministry of Foreign Affairs disagreed on the rhythm. Instead, it favoured a gradual and regulates reunification because of the potential slowdown it could cause to European integration. However, although both positions stemmed from institutional pragmatism, in the end the position favoured by Spanish Prime Minister came to predominate, resulting in the creased presidentialisation of Spanish foreign policy.
La política exterior española adoptó una actitud positiva y asertiva ante la reunificación alemana, pero no estaba completamente cohesionada. Mientras que desde la Presidencia del Gobierno y el Ministerio de Economía se promovió una metodología rápida para la unión de las dos Alemanias, desde el Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores se discrepó en elritmo con el que tenía que llevarse a cabo. En su lugar, se inclinó más a favor de una reunificación gradual y regulada debido a la posible desaceleración que podía causarle a la integración europea. No obstante, aunque ambas posiciones derivaban de un pragmatismo institucional, terminó predominando la postura más favorecida por el Presidente del Gobierno, lo cual redundó en un incremento de la Presidencialización de la política exterior española.
Presentación Mendieta Muñoz, Rodrigo
Revista de economía y política (Cuenca. En línea),
01/2021
35
Journal Article
Recenzirano
El número 35 de la Revista Economía y Política de la Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Administrativas de la Universidad de Cuenca, presenta seis trabajos que abordan temáticas económicas y políticas ...desde prismas tanto teóricos como empíricos.
En primera instancia, el estudio sobre “La Economía Circular como eje de desarrollo de los países latinoamericanos” cuestiona el grado en el que los procesos de crecimiento económico sostenible en América Latina abordan la circularidad, y cuáles serían los factores condicionantes para ello. Tras un interesante recorrido de casos, plantea líneas de investigación en torno a la economía circular en nuestros países y su practicidad.
Por su parte, el segundo artículo “The impact of pandemic and infectious diseases in economic growth: a neoclassical point of view” esboza con propiedad un modelo de crecimiento económico neoclásico que considera el efecto de enfermedades infeccionas y pandemias. Mediante adecuaciones en la función de producción, y la posterior contratstación del modelo, se conclye que el nivel de tecnología y mejoras en capital humano determinan la velocidad de recuperación ante shocks externos como la pandemia actual.
“El teorema de Mantel-Debreu-Sonnenschein: sus consecuencias en la teoría económica y en su enseñanza”, analizado en el artículo 3, sustenta ciertos límites del análisis microeconómico neoclásico tradicional, en lo referente a equilibrio general, teoremas del bienestar, fallas y límites del mercado. Cautivador debate con importantes incidencias, entre las que destaca lo fundamental del análisis institucional riguroso en la macroeconomía actual.
El cuarto trabajo: “Análisis de los Factores de Resiliencia Económica en Baja California Sur, ante Crisis y Desastres Naturales”, brinda una aproximación de la respuesta, en términos de producción y empleo regionales, ante crisis económicas causadas por fenómenos hidrometereológicos. Con el uso técnicas de valoración de Hodrick-Prescott y un análisis shift-share para determinar el comportamiento diferencial de las regiones frente a su contrafactual, se concluye que la composición sectorial del empleo (efecto sectorial) y/o un mayor dinamismo de algunos sectores (efecto competitivo), son piezas claves para entender la diferencia en resistencia y recuperación de las economías locales.
El quinto estudio denominado “La paradoja chavista: modelo de desarrollo, Estado y acción política”, aporta al estado de la cuestión en el campo de la economía política que vincula la redistribución de recursos con la democratización del petróleo a fin de explicar el papel del Estado benefactor. ¿Esta el extractivismo bolivariano y sus políticas compensatorias mitigando las fallas del rentismo, o propenden a perpeutar la crisis? Es la pregunta central de este interesante análisis.
Finalmente, el artículo 6 “Estudio de los predictores del comportamiento de ahorro en estudiantes universitarios ecuatorianos”, haciendo uso de un análisis multivariante sobre una muestra de 1535 estudiantes universitarios de Quito, aporta evidencia sobre los factores que inciden en la decición de ahorro, encontrando que variables socioeconómicas como los ingresos familiares, la edad, la escolaridad parental y el género no predicen significativamente el ahorro. En contraste, la socialización financiera familiar, el altruismo y el alfabetismo financiero se relacionan positivamente con el comportamiento de ahorro.
Rodrigo Mendieta Muñoz, PhD.
Editor Responsable
To know the distribution of births of very low birth weight infants by day of the week, and whether this distribution affects the morbidity and mortality in this group of patients.
This was a ...retrospective analysis of data collected prospectively in the Spanish SEN1500 network (2002–2011). Outborn infants, patients with major congenital anomalies, and those who died in the delivery room were excluded. Births were grouped into “weekdays” and “weekends.” A multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the independent effect of the birth moment on outcomes, and Cox regression for survival.
Out of a total of 27,205 very low birth weight infants born at and/or admitted to the participating centers, 22,961 (84.4%) met inclusion criteria. A reduction of 24% in the number of births was observed during the “weekends” compared with “weekdays”. In the raw analysis, patients born on weekends exhibited higher morbidity and mortality (mortality rate: 14.2% vs. 16.5%, p<0.001), but differences were no longer significant after adjusting for confounding factors.
The present results suggest that current care practices reduce the proportion of births during the weekends and tend to cluster some high‐risk births during this period, increasing crude morbidity and mortality. However, after adjusting for confounding factors, the differences disappear, suggesting that overall care coverage in these centers is appropriate.
Conhecer a distribuição dos partos de neonatos com muito baixo peso ao nascer durante a semana e se essa distribuição afeta a morbidez e a mortalidade nesse grupo de pacientes.
Esta é uma análise retrospectiva de dados coletados prospectivamente na rede espanhola SEN1500 (2002‐2011). Foram excluídos neonatos nascidos em outro local, pacientes com grandes anomalias congênitas e pacientes falecidos na sala de parto. Os partos foram agrupados em “Dias úteis” e “Final de semana”. Foi realizada uma análise de regressão logística multivariada para avaliar o efeito independente do parto sobre os resultados e uma regressão de Cox para avaliar a sobrevida.
Do total de 27.205 neonatos com muito baixo peso ao nascer nascidos e/ou internados nos centros participantes, 22.961 (84,4%) atenderam aos critérios de inclusão. Houve uma redução de 24% no número de partos no “Final de semana” em comparação com os “Dias úteis”. Na análise bruta, os pacientes nascidos em finais de semana apresentaram maior morbidez e mortalidade (Taxa de mortalidade: 14,2% em comparação a 16,5%, p<0,001), porém as diferenças não eram mais significativas após o ajuste aos fatores de confusão.
Nossos resultados sugerem que as práticas atuais de atendimento reduzem a proporção de partos em finais de semana e tendem a agrupar alguns partos de alto risco nesse período, aumentando a morbidez e mortalidade brutas. Contudo, após o ajuste aos fatores de risco, as diferenças desaparecem, sugerindo que a cobertura de atendimento geral em nossos centros é adequada.
Introducción. El estudio de variables antropométricas y genéticas son fundamentales como determinantes del rendimiento deportivo. Objetivo. El objetivo del estudio fue determinar el somatotipo y la ...frecuencia de genotipo y alelo de -actinina 3 (ACTN3) R577X y enzima convertidora de angiotensina (ECA) I/D polimorfismo de jugadores de tenis de mesa chilenos. Método. Se estudiaron 24 tenimesistas varones (edad 22,1 ± 5,4) del ranking nacional de Chile. La obtención de ACTN3 y ECA se recogió por muestra la saliva y se analizaron mediante reacción cadena de la polimerasa convencional. La estructura corporal se caracterizó a través del método del somatotipo propuesto por Carter. A partir de estadísticas descriptiva, se analizaron los valores medios de somatotipo, frecuencia de clasificación y ubicación de somato carta, además, de valores de frecuencia de genotipo y alelo de ACTN3 R/X y ECA I/D polimorfismo de acuerdo con número de aparición y porcentaje.Resultados. Se evidenció un predominio de clasificación mesoendomórfica y endomesomórfica, una mayor frecuencia fenotípica XX con predominio de alelo X para el gen ACTN3 y mayor frecuencia DI con predominio de alelo D para ECA. Conclusión. El somatotipo de tenimesistas chilenos tiene una orientación hacia mesoendomorfía y un predominio XX y alelo X del gen ACTN3 y, predominio del genotipo DI y alelo D del gen ECA, estas características podrían ofrecer una ventaja genética en cuanto a niveles de fuerza y potencia muscular, posiblemente facilitando la práctica y el éxito competitivo en estos tenimesistas chilenos.
Abstract. Introduction. The study of anthropometric and genetic variables are essential as determinants of sports performance. Objective. The objective of the study was to determine the somatotype and the frequency of genotype and allele of -actinin 3 (ACTN3) R577X and angiotensin converting enzyme (RCT) I / D polymorphism of Chilean table tennis players. Method. 24 male table tennis players (age 22.1 x 5.4) of Chile's national rankings were studied. Obtaining ACTN3 and ACE was collected by sample of saliva and analyzed by polymerase chain in real time. The body structure was characterized through the somatotype method proposed by Carter. From descriptive statistics, the mean values of somatotype, frequency of classification and location of somato letter were analyzed, in addition, of genotype frequency values and allele of ACTN3 R/X and ECA I/D polymorphism according to number of occurrence and percentage. Results. It demonstrated a predominance of mesoendomorphy and endomorphy classification, a higher phenotypic frequency XX with predominance of allele X for the ACTN3 gene and higher frequency of DI allele with predomina D for ACE. Conclusion. The somatotype of Chilean tenimestists has an orientation towards mesoendomorphy and a predominance of the genotype XX and allele X of the ACTN3 gene and, predominance of the DI genotype and allele D of the ACE gene, these characteristics could offer a genetic advantage in terms of strength levels and muscle potency, possibly facilitating practice and competitive success in these Chilean tenimists.
The low-potential reduction of sulfite at a ruthenium-oxide hexacyanoferrate (RuOHCF)-modified electrode is reported. A decrease (200mV) in the overpotential of the sulfite reduction reaction and a ...substantial current increase (compared to the bare glassy-carbon electrode) were verified. Evidence is found for a mass transport regime which includes a thin-layer diffusional process (sulfite species trapped within the RuOHCF film) responsible for the lowered reductive potential (rather than electrocatalytic properties of the film). The low-potential (−0.2V vs. Ag/AgCl/saturated KCl) amperometric detection of sulfite in 0.25molL−1 HCl was free of interferences from substances typically found in food samples.
► Low-potential reduction of sulfite at ruthenium-oxide hexacyanoferrate. ► Decrease in the overpotential of sulfite reduction and ample current increase. ► Contribution from thin-layer diffusional process is evidenced. ► Amperometric detection of sulfite free of interferences from food constituents.
Presentación Mendieta Muñoz, Rodrigo
Revista de economía y política (Cuenca. En línea),
01/2021
Journal Article
Recenzirano
La Edición No. 33 de la Revista Economía y Política se presenta en medio de las duras circunstancias de la pandemia; que de por sí, implica redoblados esfuerzos para obtener resultados de ...investigación, sobre todo en ciencias sociales, dadas las restricciones inherentes.
In the global obesity pandemic, the demand for healthy products that provide weight loss is increasing. However, undeclared adulterants are commonly added to increase their performance and the ...development of rapid methods for detecting these compounds is fundamentally important. In this work, it was demonstrated that an electrochemical technique (square wave voltammetry) using boron-doped diamond (BDD) as the working electrode can be used for rapid screening and quantification of the doping substance fluoxetine (FLU) in samples like thermogenic supplements, compounded drugs, and weight loss herbal medicines. Fast screening of FLU is possible after easy sample dilution in a supporting electrolyte solution (0.1 mol L-1 H2SO4). In addition to the simplicity and low cost of the proposed method, adequate analytical characteristics in terms of limits of detection (0.1 mg L-1), linear range (1 to 50 mg L-1; r = 0.993), and recovery values (104 ± 6 %) were obtained. These results suggest that the method has great potential as a simple and fast screening test to detect FLU in natural products for anti-obesity therapy.
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•Detection of antidepressant in weight loss products.•Simple and fast electrochemical screening test to detect fluoxetine in natural products.•Simple and rapid sample preparation step (dilution in electrolyte).•Square wave voltammetry technique using boron doped diamond as the working electrode.
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