Resumen En las últimas décadas, la aplicación de líquidos iónicos (LI) como pretratamiento de la biomasa (BM) residual previo a la reacción de hidrólisis, ha demostrado ser un sistema eficiente para mejorar los rendimientos hacia la obtención de monosacáridos. Una mayor obtención de monosacáridos, se traduce en un mayor rendimiento en la producción de biocombustibles pudiendo volver a esta industria rentable. En este contexto, la presente revisión bibliográfica analiza las características fisicoquímicas, métodos de síntesis, condiciones de disolución con aplicación de variables, tales como: relación másica LI: BM, temperatura y tiempo. Además, se realiza un análisis comparativo de los resultados de procesos de hidrólisis ácida tradicional con respecto a los obtenidos con la aplicación de LI, aumentado en la mayoría de los casos sus rendimientos de reacción. Finalmente, se mencionan algunas técnicas de recuperación y reciclaje, que permitan reducir los costos del proceso, de manera que este sea económicamente rentable.

Abstract In recent decades, the application of ionic liquids (IL) as pretreatment of residual biomass (BM) before the hydrolysis reaction has proven to be an efficient system to improve yields towards obtaining monosaccharides. A greater recovery of monosaccharides translates into a higher yield in the production of biofuels, which can make this industry profitable. In this context, this bibliographic review analyzes the physicochemical characteristics, synthesis methods, dissolution conditions with application of variables, such as: IL: BM weigh ratio, temperature and time. In addition, a comparative assessment of the results of traditional acid hydrolysis processes with respect to those obtained with the application of IL is carried out, increasing in most cases their reaction yields. Finally, some recovery and recycling techniques are mentioned, which allow to reduce the costs of the process, so that it is economically profitable.

Resumo O desenvolvimento industrial gerou novos produtos para facilitar a vida das pessoas. Itens como alimentos, higiene, cuidados pessoais e produtos de saúde, entre outros, são processados, vendidos e consumidos diariamente por todas as faixas etárias. Esses produtos incluem em sua formulação produtos químicos orgânicos e inorgânicos com o objetivo de melhorar ou aumentar algumas de suas propriedades, tornando-os mais atraentes para o consumidor. Essas substâncias são rigorosamente controladas durante a produção para que o produto final possa ser consumido com segurança. Na maioria dos casos, os constituintes dos produtos comerciais acabam em águas residuais onde não são controlados. Esses poluentes não controlados, de diferentes naturezas químicas, são conhecidos como "Contaminantes Emergentes" (CEs). Pesquisas em todo o mundo encontraram CEs em várias matrizes ambientais, especialmente na água. Para entender esse problema quatro aspectos fundamentais devem ser abordados: 1) os métodos analíticos para sua determinação; 2) a ocorrência em matrizes ambientais; 3) os tratamentos para a remoção de CEs em estações de tratamento de águas residuais e de água potável; e 4) os riscos para a saúde e o meio ambiente. Este documento analisa esses quatro aspectos em relação aos 14 CEs comumente encontrados em estudos internacionais que abordam a situação desses CEs em águas transamericanas.

Abstract Industrial development has made new products available to people to make their lives easier. Items such as food, cleaning, personal care and health products, among others, are processed, sold and consumed daily by all age groups. These products include in their formulation inorganic and organic chemicals with the purpose of improving or increasing some of their properties, making them more attractive to the consumer. These substances are strictly controlled during production so that the final product may be safely consumed. In most cases, the constituents of commercial products end up in wastewater, where they are not controlled. These uncontrolled pollutants of differing chemical natures are known as “Emerging Contaminants” (ECs). Research worldwide has found ECs in various environmental matrices, especially water. To understand this problem, four fundamental aspects must be addressed: 1) the analytical methods for its determination; 2) the occurrence in environmental matrices; 3) the treatments for the removal of ECs in wastewater and drinking water plants; and 4) the risks to health and the environment. This document reviews these four aspects with regard to 14 ECs commonly found in the studies around the world and addresses the state of these ECs in trans-American waters.

Resumen:En ese artículo se presentan los resultados de un estudio de conocimientos y actitudes en sexualidad y en educación sexual dirigido a docentes de 17 colegios públicos de la ciudad de Cuenca-Ecuador. Se evaluó el impacto de un curso de capacitación sobre sexualidad que fue planificado por el proyecto VLIR-UOS “Promoción de la salud sexual en Adolescentes” de la Universidad de Cuenca-Ecuador. Con el objetivo de evaluar el efecto del curso, se aplicó a los docentes y 2 grupos de profesores no asistentes como testigos, una evaluación diagnóstica y una evaluación final, a través de 3 cuestionarios: el cuestionario de conocimientos sobre sexualidad y educación sexual con los siguientes ejes temáticos: sexualidad y actitudes, docencia y educación sexual, sexualidad y adolescencia, sexualidad: diversidad y bienestar personal-social y metodología en educación sexual. El cuestionario de actitudes hacia la sexualidad, con los siguientes ejes: valores personales claros, actitudes hacia la sexualidad en la vida, actitudes hacia la anticoncepción, actitudes hacia las relaciones prematrimoniales y autoestima. Finalmente, se aplicó el cuestionario de actitudes hacia la educación sexual. Los resultados muestran avances significativos en el nivel de conocimientos del grupo de capacitación; en la valoración inicial los docentes obtuvieron una media de .76 (DE = .07) y en post test este valor se elevó a .81 (DE = .07). En las actitudes hacia la sexualidad las diferencias no fueron estadísticamente significativas, la media inicial fue de 3.92 (DE = .52) y posteriormente fue de 4.16 (DE = .81). En las actitudes hacia la educación sexual, el valor medio inicial fue de 1.79 (DE = .58) que descendió a 1.52 (DE = .29) lo que indica una mejoría significativa en este aspecto. Se considera que variables tales como la edad de los participantes, perfil profesional y la modalidad del curso tuvieron una marcada influencia en el resultado de esta capacitación en sexualidad y educación sexual. Se discute sobre las medidas correctivas para mejorar la eficacia del curso.

Abstract:This article presents the results of a study of knowledge and attitudes in sexuality and sex education applied teachers of 17 public schools in the city of Cuenca, Ecuador. The impact of a training course on sexuality planned by the VLIR-UOS project "Promotion of sexual health in adolescents" of the University of Cuenca-Ecuador was evaluated. To this purpose, a diagnostic evaluation, and final evaluation were applied to the experimental group of teachers and two groups of non-attending teachers used as reference control. Evaluations were carried out using the knowledge questionnaire on sexuality and sexual education with the thematic axes: sexuality and attitudes, teaching and sexual education, sexuality and adolescence, sexual diversity and personal-social well-being and methodology in sex education. The questionnaire of attitudes towards sexuality, focusing on: clear personal values, attitudes toward sexuality in life, attitudes towards contraception, attitudes toward premarital relationships and self- esteem. Finally, the questionnaire of attitudes towards sex education was also applied. The results show significant advances in the level of knowledge of the training group: in the initial assessment teachers obtained an average of 76 (SD = .07) while in the post test this value increased to .81 (SD = .07). In the attitudes towards sexuality the differences were not statistically significant, with an initial mean of 3.92 (SD = .52) and an after training of 4.16 (SD = .81). In the attitudes towards sex education, from the initial mean of 1.79 (SD = .58) the value decreased to 1.52 (SD = .29) pointing to a significant improvement in this regard. Variables such as the age of the participants, professional profile and the modality of the course were considered to have a marked influence on the outcome of this training in sexuality and sex education. Corrective measures to improve course effectiveness are discussed.