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In attempting to understand and prevent fare evasion, existing research and policy have often categorised fare evaders based on passenger 'types' or profiles. However, such categorisations of 'malicious' or 'virtuous' behaviours rely on underlying moral claims which often go unexamined. In this paper, we study how different actors construct such moral claims as part of everyday interactions. We demonstrate that the everyday moralities of not or under-paying are diverse, locally occasioned, and emotionally charged. Drawing on social media and video data from Chile and the UK, we examine interactions between passengers, by-standers, transport workers, and transport operators. We highlight the diverse resources that actors draw upon to construct moral claims around fare evasion, including the mobilisation of alternative moral categories; attempts to produce exceptions to formal rules; and the foregrounding of moral emotions. The paper engages with an interdisciplinary body of work which reassesses existing policies and societal responses to fare evasion, while also contributing to a nascent literature on everyday morality and mobilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on Sen's notion of social justice in the Capability Approach, this paper examines the experiences of a group of novice teachers from English teacher education programmes working in marginalised schools in Chile. Through open-ended surveys and interviews, I investigated how new teachers navigate their first teaching years in contexts of educational vulnerability, how they perceive their teacher education programs and preparation to work in such school contexts, and how they balance the interplay between unfreedoms and the exercise of freedoms to teach students at social risk. The findings reveal the impact of contextless English teacher education programs and how these trigger future teacher motivation to develop a deeper understanding of educational vulnerability and their freedom to move away from language teaching issues to accommodate their teaching based on their care and commitment to their students. This paper closes by making a call for the importance of a grassroots approach in the development of English teacher education programs designed with members of marginalised communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Legacies of Chile's democratic crisis pose challenges for workplace gender equity. This paper brings together scholarly debates on gender regimes and factory regimes to examine the gendered labor practices in a high‐tech, transnational agricultural sector. Specifically, I ask how gender regimes and regulatory practices entrenched in Chile's authoritarian past shape labor dynamics in this industry today. I argue that we must look to the past to understand how firms benefit from unequal social relations embedded in institutions and for identifying mechanisms of change. I document how the neoliberal and authoritarian policies of the democratic crisis in Chile (1973–90) became the baseline conditions in democracy, leaving stark gender and labor inequalities that persist today. The resulting neoliberal pact continues to privilege elites and marginalize the working poor, especially women, contributing to the slow‐brewing inequality crisis that came to a head in 2019. Based on ethnographic observation and semi‐structured interviews in Arica, Chile, a major hub for corn seed development, I show how these legacies enable firms to benefit from Chile's unequal gender relations to develop high‐value products without paying the price associated with the skill needed to produce them. I find that conservative gender norms together with labor relations inherent in Chile's neoliberal model, rooted in a 17‐year dictatorship, create obstacles to efforts to address gender inequality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores conflicts in contemporary Chile between local communities and economic elites over water resources usage, developing a frameworkthat seeks to bridge the gap between the literature on social movements and the scholarly work on business politics. It examines two similar cases. The first case deals with the conflict between large avocado producers and the rural community of Petorca, Central Chile, which has meant water deprivation for the aggrieved community. In the second case, the local community of Aysén, in Chilean Patagonia, successfully challenged business interests by halting a mega-hydroelectric project. We found that local communities can prevail when at least three conditions are met. First, the formation of a broad contingent coalition. Second, the elaboration of collective action frames to mobilise new constituencies. Third, the capacity to forge alliances with elite actors, which enhances the movement’s potential to engage in collective action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On October 18, 2019, Chile experienced the most important social upheaval since the country regained democracy in the late 1980s. The "Social Outbreak" surprised economic and political elites and seemed paradoxical to the international community who had often praised Chile as a model of successful development. In this paper, we used structural-demographic theory to analyze the interaction between the overproduction of elites and the stagnation in the relative income of the population as the underlying structural cause of Chilean political instability. This theory was able to predict the three most significant instances of political tension in the recent history of Chile: the crisis of the late 1960s that culminated in the coup d'état of 1973, popular mobilizations during the 1980s, and the recent student mobilizations and social upheaval. Our results suggest that, at least during the period 1938–2019, Chilean sociopolitical dynamics is determined by the same structural drivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper estimates efficiency measures for the banking system in Chile for the period 2000-2019. In contrast to previous studies, we use input-distance functions, introduce the nonparametric slack-based model, and choose the intermediate inputs approach in determining inputs and outputs. Our results suggest that the Chilean system has achieved relatively high levels of efficiency, although with no significant variation over the sample period. Ownership (government, foreign and public) and size had a positive impact on efficiency. On average, mergers and acquisitions seem to have targeted highly efficient banks in order to improve the overall efficiency of the controlling institution in the short run. Other sources of efficiency gains could be an increase in bond funding or a reduction in expenses and capital holdings. The latter could be induced by deepening the local derivatives market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates the optimal integration of Blockchain Technology (BT) in Supply Chain Management (SCM) within Chile's maritime ports. Utilizing fuzzy Logarithmic Methodology of Additive Weights (LMAW) and Double Normalization-based Multiple Aggregation Methods (DNMA), the study systematically identifies, prioritizes, and ranks key factors influencing BT adoption in SCM. The study's findings highlight crucial factors like enhanced transaction security, good supply chain practices, and risk management. Furthermore, it ranks the application of ports as prime candidates for BT integration. The research contributes theoretically by developing a hybrid model combining MCDA methods, and practically by guiding the strategic application of BT in the maritime logistics sector, aligning with the principles of Industry 5.0. This paper presents a novel approach that explores the utilization of BT in maritime supply chain management, incorporating MCDA in a vague environment. The research gap of this study lies in defining new contexts in both theoretical and practical literature reviews for extending the use of BT in SCM in the ports of Chile, according to Industry 5.0, to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of all aspects of operations in these places. The contribution of this research is applying hybrid MCDA methods in an uncertain environment to assist decision-makers (DMs) in better implementing BT in SCM in Chilean ports, according to Industry 5.0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper estimates the acute effect of community‐level homicides on early childhood language development and explores the moderating role of maternal efficacy and satisfaction in Chile. It uses data from the 2017 wave of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Survey of Chilean Children (N = 1194, Mage: 52.8 months, 52% girls). Children in municipalities with homicides 1 month before the Peabody Picture Vocabulary assessment scored between 0.18 and 0.41 SDs lower compared to children in the same municipality but for whom homicides happened after the assessment. On average, higher maternal satisfaction appears to have a protective effect, though it dissipates in the most violent municipalities. Evidence that higher maternal efficacy protects children from the negative effects of violence is inconclusive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of toxic leadership has been widely investigated in diverse settings with most contributors agreeing its impact on followers can have negative effects to the victim's well-being, job satisfaction, group productivity and organisational commitment. However, the concept has not yet been sufficiently researched in tertiary educational settings, and in this case, specifically in Chilean higher education. This paper explores whether toxic leadership was present in country's universities and, if so, to assess its impact over academics' work engagement. A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted, using a sample of 592 academics from two different Chilean universities, who voluntarily responded to two validated scales: One to measure toxic leadership perceptions (Schmidt's toxic leadership scale) and other one to measure work engagement (UWESR work engagement scale). The results corroborated the presence of toxic leadership in the consulted institutions, but a significant relationship between this style of leadership and work engagement was not established. This finding suggests that, even though the participants recognise the presence of toxic leadership, work engagement was not necessarily affected by their leader's behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under military rule (1973–1990), Chile embarked upon several top-secret chemical and biological weapons (CBW) programmes. 'Project ANDREA' and the development of sarin is the best known, although other programmes have also been reported. However, these programmes remain poorly understood – particularly in English language sources. To resolve this, this paper draws upon local-language reporting, Cold War histories and other sources to provide insight into the histories, key personalities, and evolution of Chile's historical CBW programmes. This paper contributes to wider literature on Chile's dictatorship, but also literature on CBW-proliferation, which remains confined to a relatively small set of case studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In this paper, we develop a fully parametric quantile regression model based on the generalised three‐parameter beta (GB3) distribution. Beta regression models are primarily used to model rates and proportions. However, these models are usually specified in terms of a conditional mean. Therefore, they may be inadequate if the observed response variable follows an asymmetrical distribution. In addition, beta regression models do not consider the effect of the covariates across the spectrum of the dependent variable, which is possible through the conditional quantile approach. In order to introduce the proposed GB3 regression model, we first reparameterise the GB3 distribution by inserting a quantile parameter, and then we develop the new proposed quantile model. We also propose a simple interpretation of the predictor–response relationship in terms of percentage increases/decreases of the quantile. A Monte Carlo study is carried out for evaluating the performance of the maximum likelihood estimates and the choice of the link functions. Finally, a real COVID‐19 dataset from Chile is analysed and discussed to illustrate the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the first translation and adaptation of the Multidimensional Mentalizing Questionnaire (MMQ) into Spanish for a native Spanish-speaking sample in Chile. The study examines the psychometric properties and internal consistency of the translated MMQ. The instrument undergoes modifications based on a confirmatory factor analysis of the original structure, resulting in the elimination of items with cross-loadings and improvement in model fit. The modified scale is then analyzed, demonstrating strong psychometric properties. Convergent evidence is assessed by correlating MMQ subscales with the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) and Empathy Quotient (EQ), while divergent evidence is assessed by correlating aggressive traits using the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ). The study also explores gender differences and age. Results reveal positive correlations between good mentalizing and empathy, particularly cognitive empathy, supporting the significance of positive mentalization in empathy. Negative mentalization is associated with difficulties in perspective-taking and social skills, as well as aggressive traits. Gender differences in mentalizing capacities are observed, and negative aspects of mentalization decrease with age. The availability of the Spanish translation of the MMQ, the first self-reporting scale measuring mentalization adapted to Chilean population, contributes to research aiming to understand its relationship with other psychological phenomena in different cultural context and facilitating clinical interventions with different population groups. We therefore encourage further investigation into cultural, gender and age differences in mentalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the design, implementation, and validation of an on-blade sensor system for remote vibration measurement for low-capacity wind turbines. The autonomous sensor system was deployed on three wind turbines, with one of them operating in harsh weather conditions in the far south of Chile. The system recorded the acceleration response of the blades in the flapwise and edgewise directions, data that could be used for extracting the dynamic characteristics of the blades, information useful for damage diagnosis and prognosis. The proposed sensor system demonstrated reliable data acquisition and transmission from wind turbines in remote locations, proving the ability to create a fully autonomous system capable of recording data for monitoring and evaluating the state of health of wind turbine blades for extended periods without human intervention. The data collected by the sensor system presented in this study can serve as a foundation for developing vibration-based strategies for real-time structural health monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why do some groups survive government repression while others get eliminated? This paper offers a corrective to the widely held theory that locally embedded opposition organizations with large and interconnected networks of civilian supporters are better adapted to survive. It argues that extreme and selective violent repression from a capable state requires strict compartmentalization and social detachment. These measures slow the speed and reach of repression. I test these propositions by examining the top targets of the Pinochet dictatorship in Chile. Cross-checking individuals on the Pinochet's target lists against the victims lists, the article shows that the Revolutionary Leftist Movement (MIR) had a significantly lower rate of victimization than the other top targets. Archival and interview data demonstrate that MIR's higher survival rate is due to the mechanisms proposed. This study renders intended repression observable and offers implications for the survival of a wide range of actors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precipitable water vapour (PWV) strongly affects the quality of data obtained from millimetre- and submillimetre-wave astronomical observations, such as those for cosmic microwave background measurements. Some of these observatories have used radiometers to monitor PWV. In this study, PWV was measured from 2021 April to 2022 April using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) instruments in the Atacama Desert, Chile, where several millimetre- and submillimetre-wave telescopes are located. We evaluated the accuracy of these measurements by comparing them to radiometer measurements. We calculated the PWV from GNSS data using csrs-ppp (Canadian Spatial Reference System Precise Point Positioning), an online software package. When using GNSS data alone, the estimated PWV showed a systematic offset of |$+1.08$| mm. When combining GNSS data with data from a barometer, which was co-located with the GNSS receiver, the estimated PWV showed a lower systematic offset of −0.05 mm. The GNSS PWV showed a statistical uncertainty of 0.52 mm with an averaging time of an hour. Compared to other PWV measurement methods, GNSS instruments are robust in bad weather conditions, have sufficient time resolution, and are less expensive. By demonstrating good accuracy and precision in low-PWV conditions, this paper shows that GNSS instruments are valuable tools for PWV measurements for observing site evaluation and data analysis for ground-based telescopes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long‐distance commuting (LDC) is an increasingly relevant strategy of labor mobility worldwide and is therefore key to understanding the structure and dynamics of labor markets. However, little is known about the effect that LDC has on the labor market equilibrium of host territories. This paper addresses this gap for the case of Chile. While LDC is a useful strategy for improving salary and employment on a national scale, our results show a negative effect for residents in host territories (on a local scale), particularly when LDC results in commuters with similar characteristics to residents competing for the same jobs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deploys an anthropological concept of "theopolitics" to reflect on the political work done and undone by the action of grace during a dam conflict in the Aysén region of Chilean Patagonia. Exploring procedural affinities between the state's instruments for regulating environmental conflict and theories of assemblage that trace relations to overcome Western ontologies, I suggest that their convergent demand for relations to be rendered visible as the condition of environmental justice violated the ethic of gratuity through which Ayseninos participate in collective life on the Patagonian frontier. Instead of arguing for a better capture of grace within accounts of sociality, I suggest that researchers accompanying anti-extractive struggles should attend to how untraceable but nonetheless highly effective forces like grace convene coalitions for environmental justice and thus to the theopolitical conditions of staging challenges to the state and capital in Latin America. Resumen: Este trabajo antropológico conceptualiza la "teopolítica" para investigar la acción de la gracia en un conflicto de represas en la región patagónica de Aysén, Chile. Yuxtaposicionando los procedimientos del estado chileno para regular los conflictos ambientales con teorías de ensamblaje que rastrean relaciones para representar ontologías alternativas a la occidental, sugiero que su convergencia en condicionar la justicia ambiental en la visibilización de las relaciones viola la ética de gratuidad con la cual participan los ayseninos en la vida colectiva de la frontera patagónica. En lugar de abogar por una mejor captura de la gracia, propongo que los investigadores que acompañan las luchas antiextractivas latinoamericanas presten más atención la participación de fuerzas no rastreables pero no obstante muy eficaces, como la gracia, en convocar movimientos para la justicia ambiental y, así mismo, a las condiciones teopolíticas de los desafíos al estado y al capital en Latinoamerica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The omnichannel, a new concept in retailing, has surpassed the genre of electronic business (e-commerce) and has significantly influenced consumer thoughts and decisions. This approach refers to a retailing approach that has transformed the way customers shop, seamlessly transitioning between online and offline platforms due to the increased usage of smartphones and tablets. Presently, retailers are focusing on delivering excellent service experiences. However, despite being a prominent topic in the retail sector, bibliometric and systematic reviews exploring omni-channels are scarce. To contribute to further research collaboration and expand knowledge in this subject area, a bibliometric study was conducted to examine omni-channel research trends, including publication outputs, notable journals, top-performing authors, leading countries, and author keywords. A total of 773 articles were acquired from Scopus databases from 2013 to March 2023. The findings revealed a continuous increase in the number of omni-channel publications each year, indicating its growing relevance in the retail industry. Among the 61 countries analysed, Chile had the highest number of active paper publications, followed by Sweden and Spain. The systematic analysis conducted using VOSviewer identified 2103 keywords. This research explores focal points in research, evaluates trends in evolution, visualizes collaboration networks, and identifies a prominent topic in the field of omni-channel research. Cluster analysis revealed prominent topics of interest within the omni-channel context, including the grocery, fashion, luxury, and tourism domains. As a result, this study provides an information and implementation direction for the development of omni-channel retailing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seismic-resistant design incorporates measures to ensure that structures perform adequately under specific limit states, focusing on seismic forces derived from both the equivalent static and spectral modal methods. This study examined buildings on slopes in densely built urban areas, a common scenario in Latin American cities with high seismic risks. The adjustment of high-rise buildings to sloping terrains induces structural asymmetry, leading to plan and elevation irregularities that significantly impact their seismic response. This paper explores the asymmetry in medium-height reinforced concrete frame buildings on variable inclines (0°, 15°, 30°, and 45°) and its effect on their nonlinear response, assessed via displacements, rotations, and damage. Synthetic accelerograms matched with Chile's high seismic hazard design spectrum, scaled for different performance states and seismic records from the Chilean subduction zone, were applied. The findings highlight structural asymmetry's role in influencing nonlinear response parameters such as ductility, transient interstory drifts, and roof rotations, and uncover element demand distributions surpassing conventional analysis and in earthquake-resistant design expectations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the current and prospective greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of e-fuels produced via electrolysis and Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) for the years 2021, 2030, and 2050 for use in Germany. The GHG emissions are determined by a scenario approach as a combination of a literature-based top-down and bottom-up approach. Considered process steps are the provision of feedstocks, electrolysis (via solid oxide co-electrolysis; SOEC), synthesis (via Fischer–Tropsch synthesis; FTS), e-crude refining, eventual transport to, and use in Germany. The results indicate that the current GHG emissions for e-fuel production in the exemplary export countries Saudi Arabia and Chile are above those of conventional fuels. Scenarios for the production in Germany lead to current GHG emissions of 2.78–3.47 kgCO2-eq/L e-fuel in 2021 as the reference year and 0.064–0.082 kgCO2-eq/L e-fuel in 2050. With a share of 58–96%, according to the respective scenario, the electrolysis is the main determinant of the GHG emissions in the production process. The use of additional renewable energy during the production process in combination with direct air capture (DAC) are the main leverages to reduce GHG emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A primary community prevention approach in Iceland was associated with strong reductions of substance use in adolescents. Two years into the implementation of this prevention model in Chile, the aim of this study was to assess changes in the prevalence of adolescent alcohol and cannabis use and to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the substance use outcomes. In 2018, six municipalities in Greater Santiago, Chile, implemented the Icelandic prevention model, including structured assessments of prevalence and risk factors of substance use in tenth grade high school students every 2 years. The survey allows municipalities and schools to work on prevention with prevalence data from their own community. The survey was modified from an on-site paper format in 2018 to an on-line digital format in a shortened version in 2020. Comparisons between the cross-sectional surveys in the years 2018 and 2020 were performed with multilevel logistic regressions. Totally, 7538 participants were surveyed in 2018 and 5528 in 2020, nested in 125 schools from the six municipalities. Lifetime alcohol use decreased from 79.8% in 2018 to 70.0% in 2020 (X2 = 139.3, p < 0.01), past-month alcohol use decreased from 45.5 to 33.4% (X2 = 171.2, p < 0.01), and lifetime cannabis use decrease from 27.9 to 18.8% (X2 = 127.4, p < 0.01). Several risk factors improved between 2018 and 2020: staying out of home after 10 p.m. (X2 = 105.6, p < 0.01), alcohol use in friends (X2 = 31.8, p < 0.01), drunkenness in friends (X2 = 251.4, p < 0.01), and cannabis use in friends (X2 = 217.7, p < 0.01). However, other factors deteriorated in 2020: perceived parenting (X2 = 63.8, p < 0.01), depression and anxiety symptoms (X2 = 23.5, p < 0.01), and low parental rejection of alcohol use (X2 = 24.9, p < 0.01). The interaction between alcohol use in friends and year was significant for lifetime alcohol use (β = 0.29, p < 0.01) and past-month alcohol use (β = 0.24, p < 0.01), and the interaction between depression and anxiety symptoms and year was significant for lifetime alcohol use (β = 0.34, p < 0.01), past-month alcohol use (β = 0.33, p < 0.01), and lifetime cannabis use (β = 0.26, p = 0.016). The decrease of substance use prevalence in adolescents was attributable at least in part to a reduction of alcohol use in friends. This could be related to social distancing policies, curfews, and homeschooling during the pandemic in Chile that implied less physical interactions between adolescents. The increase of depression and anxiety symptoms may also be related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The factors rather attributable to the prevention intervention did not show substantial changes (i.e., sports activities, parenting, and extracurricular activities). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Simons Observatory (SO) experiment is a cosmic microwave background (CMB) experiment located in the Atacama Desert, Chile. The SO's small aperture telescopes (SATs) consist of three telescopes designed for precise CMB polarimetry at large angular scales. Each SAT uses a cryogenic rotating half-wave plate (HWP) as a polarization modulator to mitigate atmospheric 1/f noise and other systematics. To realize efficient polarization modulation over the observation bands, we fabricated an achromatic HWP (AHWP) consisting of three sapphire plates with anti-reflection coatings. The AHWP is designed to have broadband modulation efficiency and transmittance. This paper reports on the design and the preliminary characterization of the AHWPs for SATs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the requirements, design, and evaluation of the cryogenic continuously rotating half-wave plate (CHWP) for the Simons Observatory (SO). SO is a cosmic microwave background polarization experiment at Parque Astronómico de Atacama in northern Chile that covers a wide range of angular scales using both small (⌀ 0.42 m) and large (⌀ 6 m) aperture telescopes. In particular, the small aperture telescopes (SATs) focus on large angular scales for primordial B-mode polarization. To this end, the SATs employ a CHWP to modulate the polarization of the incident light at 8 Hz, suppressing atmospheric 1/f noise and mitigating systematic uncertainties that would otherwise arise due to the differential response of detectors sensitive to orthogonal polarizations. The CHWP consists of a 505 mm diameter achromatic sapphire HWP and a cryogenic rotation mechanism, both of which are cooled down to ∼50 K to reduce detector thermal loading. Under normal operation, the HWP is suspended by a superconducting magnetic bearing and rotates with a constant 2 Hz frequency, controlled by an electromagnetic synchronous motor. We find that the number of superconductors and the number of magnets that make up the superconducting magnetic bearing are important design parameters, especially for the rotation mechanism's vibration performance. The rotation angle is detected through an angular encoder with a noise level of 0.07 μrad s . During a cooldown process, the rotor is held in place by a grip-and-release mechanism that serves as both an alignment device and a thermal path. In this paper, we provide an overview of the SO SAT CHWP: its requirements, hardware design, and laboratory performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper engages with the Freirean concept of politicity for critical policy studies in education. The first part lays the ground to expand the conceptualisation of teachers' politicity. I argue this entails an examination of the limits and possibilities within a juncture. To develop the argument, the second part focuses on a teacher strike that took place in Chile and draws on corpus-driven discourse analysis to explore news from a national teacher organisation and from an influential newspaper. Through the angle of politicity, I identify and discuss ideational projects during the strike with an emphasis on counterhegemonic resources for change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present article analyzes the recent debates regarding the redefinition of the museum, exploring resonances in reflective practices and processes in public museums in Chile. While these have caused controversy and discord, they appear to converge in the need to rethink the relationship between museums and society, seeking to make them more inclusive, democratic and diverse. The present discussion is based on the preliminary results of "LAB_Museums: Contemporary Museums and Museologies", an ongoing interdisciplinary research intervention model promoting processes of co-production of knowledge regarding museums and museography. This paper is the publication of the results of the project. To this end, a collaborative ecosystem of knowledge has been developed between the university, museums and public sector, based on the implementation of laboratories, initially, in five public museums of the Metropolitan Region of Santiago, Chile: the National Museum of Fine Arts, the National Historical Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Popular Art Museum and the National Center of Contemporary Art. The theoretical/methodological framework used was that of Institutional Analysis (IA), based on which interviews and discussion groups with museum professionals promote dialogues on the present reality and contemporary challenges of museums. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increase in global research, it is common for researchers to investigate topics in intercultural settings, both in their own home countries and abroad. Although findings from this research are prolific, rarely are detailed examples given or practical suggestions offered, particularly in relation to the role of the translator/researcher. The significant and often undervalued role of the translator/researcher in cross cultural/language qualitative research warrants methodological considerations at the onset and throughout the research. Nonetheless, few qualitative studies transparently report the process of how the translation findings were developed. This paper addresses this gap by examining a Latinx postgraduate student's role in the qualitative research on teacher induction in Chile. I used reflexivity to assess my positionality of insiderness and outsiderness and its influence in the process of recruitment, conducting interviews, transcription, and translation. Interviews were conducted, transcribed and analysed in Spanish. Examples of data translation that can help to identify the main issues associated with reporting the findings in English are provided. These applied examples are used to illustrate the gaps and misinterpretations possible in intercultural research. The importance of researcher's culture competence, contextual skills and knowledge of the field of the study are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we address the relationship between ethics committees and children involved in qualitative educational research in Chile. In light of a central and recurring challenge (protection versus participation) and its implications, we reflect on informed consent as an instrument that embodies the power of ethics committees within the research process. We inform this reflection with extracts of visual ethnographic fieldwork carried out in 2017 in a marginalised school in Santiago, Chile, with children aged from 8 to 13. We draw on the principles of the Belmont Report (respect, beneficence, justice) to contrast procedural with situated ethics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The flows of surface water and groundwater from the Andes to the Atacama Desert are a vital source of freshwater, supporting ecosystems and human activities, but few substantive studies have addressed the hydrological and hydrogeological functioning of these systems. A dispute between Chile and Bolivia concerning the transboundary Silala River, recently heard before the International Court of Justice, The Hague, provided a unique opportunity for new scientific studies, reviewed in this Special Issue. First, findings from field studies that address the geological and geomorphological evolution of the Silala River basin and its current status, the key hydrological processes (including infiltration, actual evaporation from wetlands and alluvial plains, and surface water‐groundwater interactions), and the hydrogeological characterization of the major aquifers are reviewed. The dispute arose because Bolivia disagreed that the Silala was a transboundary river, subject to international law. As the Court proceedings evolved, this was accepted by Bolivia, but effects on surface flows of historical channelization in the Bolivian headwater wetlands remained a point of legal and technical disagreement. Bolivia asserted large increases in surface flow, based on modeling by their consultants, DHI. Chile held that these effects are small. In the second part of this paper, we summarize the modeling evidence. Chile's use of DHI's models, and its own hydrological and groundwater modeling of the basin, fully support Chile's position. We conclude with discussion of the Court's judgment, the challenges of physically‐based modeling of small changes in complex systems, and associated implications for judicial practice. This article is categorized under:Human Water > Water GovernanceScience of Water > Hydrological ProcessesScience of Water > Water and Environmental Change [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Silala is a small river, originating in the Andean Altiplano, which flows from Bolivia into Chile. Prior to a legal dispute between Chile and Bolivia over the status and use of the waters of the Silala, few hydrological studies had been performed in the basin. Further insights were required to better understand the surface‐water and groundwater discharges from Bolivia to Chile, and the effects of historical channelization of the Bolivian wetlands on these flows. A semi‐distributed hydrological model was therefore developed to estimate the discharges from the basin and provide recharge inputs to a groundwater model used to investigate the effects of channelization. Long‐term temperature and precipitation data were available for 1969–1992, while more detailed data were available for 2018–2019. 1969–1992 was selected as a suitable length of record for long‐term groundwater recharge estimation, and the recent data were reserved for model validation, reported in a companion paper. Prior model parameter ranges were identified based on field observations and scientific literature, and sampling of both input and parameter uncertainty allowed determination of representative, lower and upper groundwater recharge scenarios. Results show strong inter‐annual and seasonal variability, the largest groundwater recharge being observed during the Austral summer. A representative groundwater recharge rate of 39.5 mm/year was obtained for the basin to the international border, with feasible lower and upper bounds of 34.9 and 50.2 mm/year, respectively. This lies within the range of 21–51 mm/year estimated by Bolivia for 1969–2017, albeit higher than their best estimate (24 mm/year). This article is categorized under:Science of Water > Hydrological Processes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A dispute between Chile and Bolivia regarding the status and use of the waters of the Silala River resulted in proceedings before the International Court of Justice, initiated in 2016. The magnitude of the effect of historical channelization in Bolivia on surface water flows emerged as a major point of disagreement. Based on modeling by the Danish Hydraulic Institute (DHI), using the MIKE‐SHE and MIKE‐11 modeling systems, Bolivia suggested initially that the channels had increased surface flow by 30%–40% and later by 11%–33%. In the opinion of Chile's international experts, these effects would be small. This paper reviews the use of DHI's models by Bolivia and, subsequently, by Chile. Concerns about Bolivia's modeling raised by Chile included the selection of boundary conditions, inconsistent use of the two models for different scenarios, the use of inconsistent topographies for different scenarios, unexplained additions of water and numerical instabilities affecting the results. To investigate these discrepancies, additional simulations were performed by Chile. DHI's MIKE‐SHE and MIKE‐11 models were used for all scenarios, with consistent topography, spring and surface water flow representation. Numerical instabilities were reduced by adjustment of time steps and channel topography. These simulations showed that removing the channels reduces surface flow by a maximum of 3.5 L/s, or 2.4%. The sum of the groundwater and surface water outflow decreases by 2.6 L/s or 1.0%. This small decrease lies within the modeling error but is consistent with the expected effect of minor changes in evaporation. This article is categorized under:Science of Water > Hydrological ProcessesHuman Water > Rights to WaterScience of Water > Methods [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A key issue in the legal case before the International Court of Justice between Bolivia and Chile concerned artificial channels in the headwater wetlands of the Silala River in Bolivia, and their impact on the river and groundwater flow rates across the international border into Chile. In pleadings before the Court, Bolivia had claimed up to 40% changes in river flow, whereas Chile had maintained that these were much smaller. This paper reviews construction of a numerical groundwater model to quantify this impact, based on the hydrogeological conceptual model presented earlier in this volume. The groundwater model domain covers the Silala River topographical catchment, plus three adjacent closed (endorheic) topographical catchments to the northeast, which together form the groundwater catchment of the Silala River. The geometry was based on a 3D geological model, constructed based on knowledge gained from several geological mapping investigations. Surface water flows were simulated within a margin of error less than the range of uncertainty associated with the flow measurements. The resulting calibrated groundwater model was used to simulate scenarios corresponding to (a) the removal of channels in the Bolivian wetlands and (b) backfilling of the channels and a small increase in ground elevation (postulated by Bolivia due to long term peat accumulation). The results of these scenarios indicate that the measures would result in a small reduction to the surface water flow over the border to Chile; for Scenario A less than 1% change in surface flows, and for Scenario B less than 3%. This article is categorized under:Human Water > Rights to WaterScience of Water > Hydrological ProcessesHuman Water > Water Governance [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes an innovative approach towards real-time earthquake forecasting in Chile by integrating intelligent technologies and machine learning methods. Earthquakes pose significant risks to communities and infrastructure in Chile, making accurate and timely forecasting crucial for disaster preparedness and mitigation. Traditional forecasting methods have limitations in providing real-time insights into seismic activity. In contrast, intelligent technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning offer promising avenues for enhancing prediction accuracy and speed. A new earthquake forecasting method using a modified clustering approach LMSCAN(Local Maxima-based Spatio-Cluster Analysis Network) and enhanced neural network time series analysis LSTM-IC (Long Short Term Memory Inverse Correlation) is presented in this paper. This neural network-based technology has been utilized to forecast earthquakes in the Chile region, one of the countries with the largest seismic activity. This study explores the integration of intelligent systems with machine learning algorithms to analyze seismic data and predict earthquake occurrences in Chile. By leveraging historical seismic data, sensor networks, and advanced predictive models, our approach aims to provide timely warnings and insights into seismic events, thereby improving disaster response and resilience. The proposed framework holds the potential to revolutionize earthquake forecasting by enabling real-time monitoring and proactive measures to safeguard communities and infrastructure in Chile and beyond. The remarkable 95 % accuracy achieved by this model is a testament to its exceptional learning process, which sets it apart from other models. Its ability to learn and adapt to new data is unparalleled, allowing it to forecast incredibly precisely and produce highly reliable results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents new u-channel paleomagnetic secular variation (PSV) data for ODP Site 1233 (Chile margin) for the last 70 ky. This is the highest-resolution, long-term PSV record ever recovered. The u-channel study has carried out detailed af demagnetization of the natural remanence (NRM) and developed a characteristic remanence (ChRM – final PSV direction) for each sampling horizon. The u-channel rock magnetic studies have measured magnetic susceptibility and anhysteretic remanence (ARM) with af demagnetization and used them to normalize the NRM and develop a new, detailed relative paleointensity record. The paleomagnetic record contains three excursions: the Mono Lake Excursion, the Laschamp Excursion, and the Greenland/Norwegian-Sea Excursion. These excursions have nominal sampling intervals of 5–8 years. Both the Mono Lake and Greenland/Norwegian-Sea Excursions involve short duration intervals of excursional directions (<300 years). The excursions are distinctly different from similar excursion records from other parts of the World. The Laschamp Excursion exhibits a full local reversal of the field with fast (<200 yr) movement to/from reversed directions and ∼ 500 years of full reversed polarity directions. This pattern is distinctly different from Laschamp excursion records from other parts of the World. We have carried out a statistical analysis of the Site 1233 u-channel PSV record. Notable specific features of that analysis include documentation that the field spends >1/3 of its time with anomalously large amplitude directional variability (high angular dispersion). These intervals occur at∼25–45 ka and 55–65 ka. These intervals have lower-frequency (more sluggish) directional variability and are associated with lower than average paleointensity. • This paper presents a very detail record of PSV from the Southern Hemisphere. • The record contains detailed records of three excursions. • The Site 1233 PSV record of the Laschamp Excursion is a local field reversal. That is different from its detailed character elsewhere in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research captured a series of aspects related to the global pork market, focusing, above all, on the 2015-2021 interval. The main indicators that had to be analysed are: worldwide pig herds, worldwide pork production, global pork consumption, worldwide imports and exports of pork. Regarding pork, it was found that it is part of the food consumption model for part of the world's population, because it presents several characteristics agreed by consumers. The statistical data that were presented and analyzed in the study were provided by the FAOSTAT website. In order to better capture the evolution of the worldwide pork market, numerous specialized materials were consulted. In 2021, Asia achieved 52.4% of the production share of pig meat with the bone, fresh or chilled obtained worldwide. The top three pork consuming countries in 2021 were: Korea (31.6 kg/inhabitant); Vietnam (25.9 kg/inhabitant) and Chile (25.0 kg/inhabitant). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Salares Norte (SN) Au–Ag belt is here defined as an Upper Miocene-Pliocene metallogenic area, extending for nearly 200 km, located NE of the northern end of the Upper Oligocene-Lower Miocene Maricunga Belt in the central Andes of northern Chile. The belt is located just east of the main reverse NS fault systems which are part of the Sierra Castillo, Potrerillos Mine and Claudio Gay Cordillera faults, limited to the north and south by the NW-striking oblique to the arc Imilac and Wheelwright-Incahuasi regional faults systems. The epithermal deposits within the SN belt are intimately associated with the occurrence of Middle Miocene volcaniclastic basins and Middle to Upper Miocene phreatomagmatic vents and their related high-sulfidation hydrothermal systems. The volcanostratigraphy of the SN epithermal belt comprises volcaniclastic sequences, subvolcanic and volcanic rocks ranging between the Lower Miocene and the Pliocene. High-angle NS reverse faults involving Paleozoic and lower Cenozoic units form the western-southwestern limit of the belt. Folded and faulted Middle Miocene volcaniclastic and volcanic sequences form the main host rock of at least 4 phreatomagmatic events that generated maar-diatreme fields and discrete maar vents, with their related subvolcanic facies, within the widespread Upper Cenozoic volcanic arc, ranging in age between ca. 15 and ca. 4 Ma. These four phreatomagmatic events are spatially and temporarily associated to 4 main high-sulfidation hydrothermal events which have altered both the phreatomagmatic rocks and the Cenozoic country rock of the explosive activity. These hydrothermal systems have formed dozens of discrete hydrothermally altered areas where argillic, advance argillic, silicification and steam-heated alteration are common. Most of the maar fields and the hydrothermal alteration systems are emplaced within a strike-slip tectonic regime with NE-trending shortening which is accommodated in the NW-striking sinistral-normal faults and NE-striking extension structures. These fault systems crosscutting interaction favor the hydrothermal fluid circulation and migration, as well as mineral precipitation on structural and/or primary lithological traps and on NE-striking tension cracks. In summary, the SN epithermal belt is an almost 200 km long and 60 km wide area, mainly NNE-oriented, where epithermal deposits have formed during the Upper Miocene and Pliocene (ca. 13-4 Ma), emplaced within Middle to Upper Miocene volcanic and volcaniclastic sequences associated to small volcanotectonic basins oriented in NS, NE-SW and NW-SE directions, in which most of the high-sulfidation systems are associated to discrete or repetitive structurally-controlled Upper Miocene-Pliocene phreatomagmatic vents and maar fields. • This paper defines a new Au–Ag epithermal belt in the Central Andes of northern Chile. • Novel results in terms of age, volcanic stratigraphyand hydrothermal alteration. • The relationships between Upper Cenozoic HS epithermal areas, local tectonics and phreatomagmatic volcanism are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the concept of density rent gaps in verticalizing cities, with relation to Peter Marcuse's displacement categories. The study highlights a commonly uncritical relation with the rent gap that both defenders and critics of gentrification usually assume in the literature. Results from a quantitative analysis of a Displacement Index suggest that the largest rent gaps do not always correlate with the highest displacement rates because, in verticalizing cities, the most significant rent gaps come from 'density rent' and not necessarily the most expensive new housing. The study focuses on Chile's second-tier towns of Iquique and Antofagasta (seldom seen in the international literature). It uses real estate and population data and fieldwork analysis to fill data voids and caps the rent gap to estimate the amount of land value capture possible to implement to reduce Chile's highly exclusionary housing environment. We believe this analysis helps to conceptually separate the rent gap from gentrification for a more precise urban analysis of vertical cities. • The study contests the automatic association between rent gap and gentrification. • Residential density increases rent gaps; developers capitalize on more substantially than landholders. • Census data from 2002 and 2017 shows no statistical correlation between the largest rent gaps and displacement. • Displacement correlates with more expensive, low-density areas with lower rent gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rural-urban divide has traditionally been used to characterize key features of regions, including features of economic geography like density and connectivity that determine the prospects for economic growth and other dimensions of territorial development. In this paper, we develop a methodology that identifies areas along the urban-rural continuum according to their key features of population density and distance to large urban settlements at a more-detailed scale than the smallest administrative areas, taking Chile as a case study, a country that has experienced a rapid socio-economic transition over the last three decades. Information derived from the application of this methodology allows the identification of geographic categories according to observable density and distance. We also present geographic definitions of urban, rural, and mixed areas, which allow a practical, policy-relevant taxonomy of the rural-urban landscape, consistent with the 3-tier approach taken in most OECD countries. We demonstrate the relevance and practical importance of this smaller-scale approach by showing that, in the case of Chile, there is a significant mismatch between the official, cruder definitions, based on political subdivisions and currently in use by the government, and the realities of the country's present rural-urban landscape. Our results demonstrate that a focus on the scale at which information can be interpreted and summarized is not merely an academic exercise, but a way of correctly identifying, within the policymaking framework, communities according to the realities of their needs and capabilities. • Density and connectivity are used to create an urban/rural continuum. • Connectivity, measured as travel time, is derived using modern GIS tools. • The urban/rural continuum can be aggregated in a familiar binary taxonomy. • The scale at which density is estimated is key to describe geographic units. • Urban/rural categories relevant for practical policy analysis are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supply schemes, specifically delivery times, are essential factors in the resulting final cost of fuels. It is the particular case of hydrogen produced from variable renewable energies. However, the impact of different delivery times on the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) remains unclear. This paper assesses the combined impact of different delivery times, local renewable sources, and onsite generation curtailment on the LCOH. We developed an optimization model of an electrolysis-based hydrogen plant and found key LCOH locational drivers and trends. The model uses hourly solar PV and wind generation data for four locations in Chile and optimizes the capacities of the onsite solar and wind generators, electrolyzers, storage tanks, and compressors. In all the locations examined, we found an almost linear relationship between LCOH and delivery time. LCOH values for a daily delivery range from 2.4 to 3.4 $US/kg (for different locations). Values for a delivery time of 120 days range from 12.2 to 13.6 $US/kg. These are explained by the almost linear increase in storage costs with respect to delivery time, despite the variability of renewable energies at the analyzed locations. Production costs remain almost constant for different delivery times. Furthermore, we obtained that curtailment could decrease LCOHs between 5% and 40%, by increasing the electrolyzer's capacity factor and decreasing the storage size. Moreover, we show that off-grid solar-dominant scenarios are strongly affected by the lack of solar energy in winter, increasing LCOHs considerably. • Linear relationship between LCOH and delivery time. • Low delivery times imply less volume and cost of storage, decreasing the LCOH. • Production costs remain almost constant for different delivery times. • Curtailment reduces LCOHs between 5% and 40% due to increased capacity factors. • Off-grid solar dominant locations present higher LCOHs due to winter's lower solar generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper uses rich administrative data from Chile to estimate teacher value added (TVA) on test scores and on an educational attainment index. We allow each teacher to have a different TVA for male and female students and show that differences in TVA explain an important part of the gender gaps we observe in test scores and postsecondary education trajectories. The gaps in gender-specific teaching effectiveness are especially pronounced in mathematics. Indeed, eliminating within-teacher differences in math test score VA would reduce the gender gap in math performance by 67%. We explore what could be behind these gaps in gender-specific TVA and find no significant differences in what makes teachers effective for male and female students. We do find, however, significant associations between teacher characteristics—e.g., gender and performance in the college admission exam—and practices—e.g., paying attention to low-performing students, congratulating students who improve, and having a good relationship with students—with teacher effectiveness. Finally, we also show that math teachers tend to be biased in favor of male students and that teachers with smaller gender biases are more effective for both, male and female students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Can protests produce changes in electoral behavior? In this paper, we examine variations in voter turnout and electoral preferences at the local level after a protest cycle. Using data on protest occurrence during the 2019 social mobilizations in Chile and Bolivia and a difference-in-differences design, we assess the impact that street demonstrations had on voting behavior in the elections that took place the following year. We found that turnout was higher in municipalities that had protests, while the incumbent vote was lower. We argue that the effect on turnout is explained by the surge in political efficacy that emerged from the protests. Furthermore, we suggest that the protests enabled more effective blame attribution and heightened the salience of political issues, leading to changes in voter preferences. These results demonstrate the effect of protests on electoral dynamics, highlighting their role not only in mobilizing voters but also in shaping electoral preferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies calculate the potential of renewable energies throughout the world. However, these studies vary in the underlying assumptions and do not consider several technologies within a uniform methodology, which affects comparability. In this paper, we calculate the worldwide potentials of ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV), concentrated solar power (CSP), and wind onshore and offshore on a 6.5 by 6.5 km grid. The results consist of installable capacity, generated electricity, and specific cost of electricity generation. Our methodology combines high-resolution data for land uses, slope, and hourly weather data with a thorough analysis of different factors for wind power, like hub heights and rotor diameters, and solar power plants, like tilt angle, and temperature-related loss of efficiency. The results show that the summed-up potential capacity of ground-mounted PV surpasses the amount of CSP, wind onshore and offshore combined with 450 TW. Given the cost-potential curve, ground-mounted PV reaches 560,000 TWh at costs below 20 €/MWh, which is twice the projected worldwide primary energy supply of the World Energy Outlook 2022 for the year 2050 with 205,557 TWh. The calculated results can function as input factors for energy system models, which are an important tool to analyse the energy transition. • Model-based global renewable potential calculation. • Calculation of capacity, electricity generation and costs for four technologies. • Results show technical potentials of 662,740 TWh for ground-mounted PV. • Ground-mounted PV shows potentials of 560,000 TWh at costs below 20 €/MWh. • Most cost efficient ground-mounted PV and CSP potentials can be found in Chile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Committed to achieving carbon neutrality by mid-century, South America faces unique challenges in carbon mitigation due to its distinct socio-economic, technological, and institutional backgrounds compared to developed and other developing economies. Previous research on South America's carbon emissions has limited country and sector coverage and typically adopts a top-down approach that focuses on the overall emissions of an economy, neglecting individual energy sources and emission sectors. Therefore, this paper compiles a comprehensive inventory of CO 2 emissions for South American countries based on a meticulous bottom-up approach and multi-source data integration, followed by a thorough analysis of their temporal evolution patterns and the driving forces behind them. Between 2010 and 2020, South America's overall emissions peaked in 2014 at 1092.3 Mt., led by emissions from oil consumption and from the transport and electricity sectors, and dropped to 865.6 Mt. in 2020, due to the economic fluctuations and COVID-19. Specifically, Brazil was the largest emitter, Chile experienced the most significant increase in emissions, and Paraguay recorded the highest emission growth rate. Generally, expanding population was constant driver of emission growth. High energy intensity led to significant emission increases in Brazil and Ecuador, while elevated carbon intensity was the main driver in Argentina. Energy structure changes played a positive role in most countries to different extents (e.g., much more significant in Brazil than in Chile) but aggrevated emissions in Paraguay and Guyana. Therefore, carbon mitigation strategies should be tailored to each country's unique national circumstances. • During 2010–2020, South America's CO 2 emissions from fossil fuels peaked in 2014. • Transport and electricity sectors comprised over 60% of total emissions. • Brazil was the top emitter, while Chile saw the largest increase in emissions. • Emission patterns and driving factors varied significantly across countries. • Carbon reduction strategies should be tailored to local circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines educational mismatch in Chile, a stable developing economy in Latin America, through the lens of incomplete markets. I offer three significant contributions to the field. Firstly, I develop a theoretical framework rooted in the job competition model and incomplete markets theory, placing educational mismatch in a historical context. This perspective broadens the discourse beyond conventional economic and sociological viewpoints, considering factors like the timing of higher education. Secondly, I explore the connection between educational mismatch's impact on wages and labor market discrimination, particularly gender-based disparities. This sheds light on how female workers are affected by educational mismatch. Lastly, I address methodological concerns by utilizing longitudinal data to refine our analysis, responding to critiques about using cross-sectional data to estimate educational mismatch. This study enhances the understanding of educational mismatch, offering insights specific to Chile's developing economy and contributing to a more comprehensive view of this issue in emerging economies. • Propose a novel framework, blending job competition and incomplete market theories, to analyze educational mismatch in Chile within its historical context. • Uncovers the links between educational mismatch and gender-based labor market discrimination, emphasizing the impact on female workers. • To bolster credibility, I tackle methodological concerns using longitudinal data, countering criticisms of cross-sectional data usage and ensuring research robustness. • My study extends beyond traditional viewpoints, advancing the understanding of educational mismatch in Chile's stable economy and providing policy insights for similar economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We present a novel integration for reducing CO 2 emissions in blast furnaces. • It combines top gas recycling, oxy-fuel regime, power to gas and biomass pyrolysis. • The integration was modelled using the extended operating line methodology. • The best performance was found for pyrolysis at 700 °C. • The CO 2 emissions were reduced by 58% (9.8 MJ/kg CO2 energy consumption) The paper introduces a novel approach for mitigating CO 2 emissions in blast furnaces by integrating top gas recycling, an oxy-fuel regime, power to gas, and biomass pyrolysis. Various case studies were conducted, involving the adjustment of pyrolysis temperatures (300 °C, 500 °C, 700 °C, and 900 °C) and varying the quantity of blast furnace gas directed to methanation for carbon recycling. Pinus radiata, abundant and cost-effective in Chile and Spain, was chosen as the biomass source. The integration was modeled using the extended operating line methodology and evaluated through 12 key performance indicators, such as flame temperature, coke consumption, CO 2 emissions, and specific primary energy consumption per unit of CO 2 avoided. Optimal performance was observed with pyrolysis at 700 °C and no blast furnace gas recycled through methanation. This configuration achieved a 58 % reduction in CO 2 emissions, with an energy consumption of 9.8 MJ/kg CO2 , and obviated the need for geological storage. Comparing this innovative proposal with other oxygen blast furnace approaches from the literature revealed a 13 percentage point improvement in CO 2 reduction over the second-best alternative. Additionally, the required electrolysis capacity, influencing capital expenditure, was 57 % lower, and energy consumption was reduced by 44 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the causal effect of COVID-19 quarantine measures on the electricity consumption of different types of regulated customers. In particular, the average energy consumption of a group of customers in Chile is examined, exploiting the weekly variations in the application of the stages of the Step by Step Plan as a natural experiment. Step by Step Plan was the Chile COVID containment strategy, which involved implementing partial lockdowns based on the COVID incidence in the municipalities, and adjusted on a weekly basis. An econometric model is specified, and estimated using the technique Difference-in-Difference-in-Difference (DDD) to quantify the causal impact of these measures. After applying the model, it is found that the quarantine measures have had a negative effect on the trend weekly consumption of customers located in municipalities where some of the phases of the Plan have been applied. This effect is significantly different depending on each stage of the plan analysis, and statistically significant. It is also observed that, on average, the savings for a representative customer in the sample range from $ 8 to $ 6. 15 for some municipalities, and the sample costs range from $ 0. 02 to $ 0. 26 for others, depending on the municipality analyzed. The results can be expressed in a total of 2.95 tons less CO 2 emitted on a monthly basis. This shows a great impact in terms of sustainability and planning of energy demand and supply. • Quarantines by Covid 19 affected energy consumption, like a "Natural Experiment". • Using Panel Data of 400 thousand observations with geographic, temporal and Daylight Saving Time controls. • Difference-in-Difference-in-Difference method to quantify causal impact of quarantines on electric consumption. • Applying quarantines generated Energetic Savings from 8 cents to 6.15 dollars depending on client type. • An Event Study was designed to check the estimation results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microgrids (MGs) are sustainable solutions for rural zone electrification that use local renewable resources. However, only careful planning at the start of an MG project can ensure its future optimal operation. In this paper, a novel methodology for MG planning by using the uncertainty characterization of renewable resources and demand is presented. Additionally, a model of electricity consumption is proposed and applied in an isolated rural community. In such communities, consumption patterns typically need to be derived as model inputs because consumption measurements are not available for the planning stage. To obtain these inputs, clustering algorithms based on self-organizing maps (SOMs) and fuzzy c-means are used to classify the families of the community given sociodemographic information obtained via surveys. Subsequently, Markov chains (MCs) are employed to generate consumption patterns based on consumption measurements in some dwellings and surveys applied to the community. The nonlinearities and uncertainties associated with renewable resources and consumption are modeled by using prediction interval (PI) models. These PI models provide the required consumption and generation scenarios for deriving the optimal sizing and topological information to address the MG planning problem. The results of the robust planning approach based on scenarios are useful at the feasibility and design phases of an MG project. The proposed methodology is successfully applied to MG planning for a rural Mapuche community, where a conservative criterion was considered to minimize the investment risk. This criterion corresponds to the worst-case scenario in which the demand increases by 19.9% compared to that of the baseline scenario and a lower energy cost is obtained. However, the net present cost and operational costs increase by 14% and 11.75% compared to those of the baseline scenario, respectively. • Clustering algorithms and Markov chains are used to generate consumption patterns. • Prediction interval models contribute to generating scenarios for MG planning. • The proposed methodology is validated in a rural Mapuche community in Chile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]