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An earlier diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder might lead to an earlier intervention, yet knowledge and awareness of autism spectrum disorder in Latin America and Caribbean Countries are limited. A later autism spectrum disorder diagnosis has been associated with negative consequences, as it might imply later access to services. This study aims to identify factors associated with the age of autism spectrum disorder diagnosis as reported by 2520 caregivers of autistic children from six Latin America and Caribbean Countries. Results indicate that on average, caregivers were concerned about their child's development by 22 months of age; however, the diagnosis was 24 months later. Current age of autistic individuals, better language abilities, and having public health coverage increased the age of diagnosis. On the contrary, the presence of medical comorbidities, severity level, and type of diagnosis decreased the age of diagnosis. The age of diagnosis of autistic individuals in Latin America and Caribbean Countries corresponded to the start of formal schooling despite a much earlier age of first noticed developmental concern, highlighting the need to reduce this age gap and increase children's probability of benefiting from early intervention. Taken together, autism spectrum disorder personal/clinical characteristics and access to health service are the main determinants for the age of diagnosis.

We propose an adaptive methodology for the curricular redesign based on the performance indicators of the student progression observed after a follow-up period. The feasibility of adopting the same approach should be thoroughly studied to assess its compatibility with institutions and countries that employ an academic credit system based on student workload, such as the European Credit Transfer System. This approach was applied here for the Chilean system, which is highly consistent with the European case. The resulting methods can be automated and integrated into institutional databases for the management of teaching-learning processes to enhance decision-making. Special attention is devoted to the methods for estimating the credit points and the relative position of each course in the curriculum sequence chart of a university degree. As an example of application, we discuss the curriculum redesign of the B.Sc. degree in Physics offered by the Universidad Católica del Norte. The analysis is based on the statistical report of performance indicators of this undergraduate program during the follow-up period 2015-2019 (five years). We report a certain correspondence between the problem of credit allocation and the behavior in the student progression, which represents an empirical evidence of the effectiveness of the associated credit points estimation.

Preschool teachers can become attachment figures that complement the children's families of origin, becoming relevant actors in their early development. This article presents the results of a group video feedback program on early childhood teachers in public centers. The model, which focuses on promoting "educational sensitivity", comprises 5 group sessions. A pre-post evaluation of 157 participants was conducted by coding dyad and group interaction videos. After the intervention, a significant increase relative to the baseline was found in measures of dyad (d = 0.67) and group sensitivity (d = 0.13), among other positive outcomes. Likewise, a significant association was found between variables of dyadic sensitivity and group sensitivity, concurrently and prospectively. The promising results obtained support the viability of the model in early education. Future studies should include a control group and randomization measures to strengthen these conclusions and incorporate a follow-up component to evaluate the program's long-term impact on educators.

This descriptive and interpretative study accounts for results of representations regarding teaching profession which students of initial teaching training report in seven state Chilean Higher Education institutions. This study arises from the updating of the national education quality assurance system in which the obligation to apply a diagnostic test is established. For such a purpose, the study population was composed by 1836 students from 2019 cohort of pedagogical programs from this national universities. A Likert - like scale instrument was applied. Numerical descriptive and inferential methods were applied to analyze the information. Generally concluding, common representations are revealed a professional performance regardless of the sex; it suggests that the evaluated subjects shape a clearly modeled professional identity before starting their Initial Teaching Training.

In this study, we investigated factors predictive of disconnection, or not being in education, employment, or training (NEET), among young adults with at least a 2-year college degree. We also explored the extent to which disconnection influences civic participation and well-being among NEETs with and without college degrees. The authors used 2012 and 2015 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) data from the Survey of Adult Skills in the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) for 29 countries, including the United States, along with US 2012 data from the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002 (ELS:2002), collected by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Results highlight that college-educated individuals whose parents have low levels of educational attainment actually have a higher likelihood of becoming NEET relative to college-educated individuals whose parents are more highly educated. Study findings also emphasize the influence of economic and geographic differences (country-level for OECD and county-level for United States) on NEET rates, in addition to the extent to which mothers have a higher likelihood and fathers have a lower likelihood of being NEET relative to their childless peers and the influence of country-level family leave policies on the odds of being NEET across the OECD. College field of study also emerges as an important influence on disconnection across the 29 OECD countries in the study, but not in the United States separately. Finally, comparing results for college-educated NEETs and NEETs without degrees, we found that higher education appears to reduce the likelihood of community disengagement and reports of poor health among NEETs across the OECD countries. However, this is not the case within the United States where NEETs are less likely to be engaged in their communities and more likely to describe themselves as in poor health regardless of their educational attainment.

Attitudes towards learning chemistry have been little studied in secondary school students, especially regarding dimensions related to problem solving, the molecular atomic perspective of chemistry, and real-world connection of chemistry. In the present study, we first aimed to design and assess the psychometric properties of the attitude to learning Chemistry instrument (ALChI). A second aim of the study was to assess sex differences and the relation between achievement and attitudes. Participants were 503 secondary school students, from a central southern region of Chile, who answered a 23-item version of the ALChI. The results of the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) revealed that an 18-item scale was most appropriate grouped into four factors: real world connection (RWC), perceived difficulty in problem-solving (PDPS), confidence in problem solving (CPS), and atomic molecular perspective of chemistry (AMPCh). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) confirmed the four-factor structure of the model, with optimal fit indexes. Sex factorial invariance was also obtained for configural, metric, and scalar models, demonstrating that ALChI was invariant for sex. Reliability analysis showed moderate to good indices, which suggests good internal consistency of ALChI. On a descriptive level, the highest mean was for the CPS subscale, which entails that students showed a favourable disposition towards their ability to succeed in solving chemistry problems. A structural equation multiple indicators multiple causes (MIMIC) model was conducted to compare factor latent means for sex and assess the relationship between achievement and attitude latent variables. These analyses revealed that achievement was positively associated with all four latent factors. However, no difference by sex was observed across all four factor means. These findings are partially in line with the results from previous studies in more developed countries where attitudes towards chemistry have been consistently linked to academic performance and male students tend to have more positive attitudes than their female counterpart. Our findings are of relevance for researchers, school teachers, and secondary school students since attitudes towards learning chemistry play an important role in choosing a future career path.

The research analyzes the graduate profiles of pedagogical careers belonging to the universities of the Valparaíso region, Chile. For this purpose, a metrically consistent instrument has been proposed and created, according to the main Education Policies of the country that is called as an integral profile, which includes aspects with which Chilean teachers are evaluated, plus indicators of inclusion and citizen education. These Policies are not always measured, that's why universities give such importance to these three educational policies. For these reasons, the objective of this article is to analyze, based on quantitative techniques, the relation of similarity between graduation profiles and educational policies, contributing to empower the descended aspects and to visualize the importance that the universities grant to train students with an integral profile. The results of this research invite to promote the Educational Policies related to the exit profiles of the pedagogical careers, since having integral profiles contributes to form a model of teacher training for the country, especially in those with emerging economies, such as those of Latin America.

Cognitive biases are unreasonable ways of making decisions, often in a one-sided way. The objective of this research was to describe the level of representativeness and confirmation biases in Chilean psychology students, in order to know how this phenomenon occurs. The participants were 198 psychology students from three universities in southern Chile. The instrument was based on two cognitive tasks derived from Kanheman and Tversky. The data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and mean differences. The results indicate a high level of biases in the groups of students, in the two tasks evaluated; the representativeness bias presents differences among universities only in sub-task 1, as well as in task 2, related to confirmation bias. Likewise, there are differences in representation bias according to age and sex. The need to strengthen reasoning skills in the initial training of future psychologists, in order to improve skills related to decision making in the professional field is concluded.

We conducted a cross-sectional study to explore whether clinical characteristics and autism diagnostic-traits severity are associated with caregiver-reported impairment of health-related quality of life (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Generic Core Scales, Fourth Edition) in 93 Chilean toddlers (age: 2-4 years) with autism spectrum disorder. Median total scale, physical health, and psychosocial health scores were 76 (IQR 70-81), 88 (IQR 81-94), and 71 (IQR 62-79), respectively. In multiple-regression analysis, diagnostic age ([beta] = 0.219; p 0.021) and Calibrated Severity Score of Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, second edition ([beta] = -0.434; p < 0.001) were independently correlated to the total scale score. Lower age and higher autistic traits severity at diagnosis are correlated with worse well-being perception by caregivers.

In a policy climate where various actors claim to have solutions for the enduring challenges of teacher education, policy deliberations sideline certain voices and omit important perspectives. This special issue brings together scholars who attend to the voices, perspectives, and issues overlooked by teacher education policy debates dominated by market logic and accountability pressures. It highlights debates surrounding teacher performance assessments, teacher candidate selection, value-added assessments, as well as teacher preparation for linguistically diverse learners. The introduction to the special issue explores different dimensions of the relationship between research and practice urging teacher educators to become more proactive in policy debates.

The COVID-19 outbreak has created an uncertain scenario for educational systems, leading many countries to deploy unprecedented remote learning programmes. Chilean schools have not been the exception and have thus developed and put in place several actions to uphold effective pedagogical management (PM) and continuity of learning; however, as we emphasise in this paper, the Chilean educational system is highly segregated. PM encompasses actions and decisions aimed at safeguarding quality education by focusing on four domains: technological, curricular, methodological and assessment. This descriptive and exploratory quantitative study seeks to explore the challenges facing PM, as perceived by actors working in Chile's three different administrative and financial school governance systems in the framework of remote education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings highlight the disparities among actors belonging to the three types of administrative and financial governance systems regarding the perceived challenges facing PM. Thus, publicly funded schools face greater challenges in practically all four PM domains as compared to private schools. The main differences among schools revolve around the technological and assessment domains. While the technological domain is more of a concern for public schools, the assessment domain presents more challenges for private schools. Beyond the schools' administrative and financial governance system, an important finding was the scant importance attached to the curriculum as a challenging issue as well as an excessive focus on the methodological domain, indicative of a prevailing logic of efficiency as applied to the learning process.

The school closures necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic created a rapid shift to alternative modes of educational delivery, primarily online learning and teacher-supported home-schooling. This shift has revealed deep inequities in education systems worldwide, as many children lost access to teachers and schooling. An effective response to these changes has tested teachers' personal capacities and individual and collective agency intensely. The research lab we report on within this paper aimed to develop a better understanding of teacher agency in meeting the challenges of the pandemic and the physical and relational enablers and constraints of their environment. Drawing on case study reports from six international contexts and a series of online discussions with research lab participants, this study explores teachers' enactment of agency in the context of various circumstances and environments. The authors argue that it is imperative that education systems support the enhancement of teachers' personal and collective agency in the face of continued disruption to schooling and ongoing challenges to educational equity.

Introduction: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) accounts for 20% of all skin cancers and its incidence continues to increase globally. It represents 75% of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) mortality. Risk factors include ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure, advanced age, chemical exposure, fair skin types, and immunosuppression. While most human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are associated with the development of warts, a subgroup is potentially implicated in the development of cutaneous SCC. The prevalence of alpha, beta, and gamma-HPV in Chilean patients with hand SCCs has not been previously addressed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of HPV and genotyping in hand SCC from Chilean patients. Materials and methods: An observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted. Alpha (α), beta (β) and gamma (γ)-HPV detection was performed by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in paraffin-embedded tissue samples from 52 patients diagnosed with hand SCC from Santiago, Chile. HPV genotyping was carried out via direct amplicon sequencing by Sanger method. Results: The most frequent carcinoma site was the dorsum of the hands (52.5%). α-HPV was not detected in these specimens, whereas β-HPV and γ-HPV were detected in 25% of the analyzed samples. The most frequent genotypes found were β-HPV 100 (38%) and γ-HPV 178 (15%). Additionally, γ-HPV 101, 162, HPV-mSK_016, HPV-mSK_083, HPV-mSK_213 and HPV-mSK249nr genotypes were detected, none of which had been previously described in cutaneous SCC. Conclusion: β-HPV and γ-HPV are detectable in 25% of hand SCCs from Chilean patients. It is important to conduct prospective studies to better elucidate the role of these viruses in the development of this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite Public-Private Partnerships' (PPPs) growing popularity within education policy circles, research on their effects yields contradictory results. The understanding of PPP effects is limited by the prevalence of generalist analyses that neglect to acknowledge the exceptional heterogeneity of the policy frameworks in which PPPs crystallize. Building on a scoping literature review, this paper aims at identifying patterns of effects of main PPP modalities on education (namely vouchers, charter schools and public subsidies for private schools) by considering the mediating role of policy-design variables. Our results show that PPP configurations oriented at the generation of market-like dynamics are frequently found to exacerbate school segregation and educational inequalities. Conversely, those PPP arrangements less conducive to market competition and those that follow an affirmative action rationale (such as targeted vouchers) are more likely to yield more positive effects on learning outcomes than other types of PPPs, without necessarily undermining equity.

This work describes the preliminary results of a tutoring program that provides personalized academic assistance to first-year undergraduates enrolled in introductory chemistry, physics and mathematics courses at Universidad Andres Bello (UNAB), in Concepción, Chile. Intervened courses have historically large enrolments, diverse student population and high failure rates. The evaluation of the program was performed in terms of the academic results and perception surveys collected from 377 voluntary students who participated in the tutoring program during the first semester of 2014. Results indicate that participant students accomplished better academic results in their chemistry, physics and mathematics courses, compared to non-participants. In addition, survey results revealed a positive perception about the tutoring program and evidence the tutor's dedication, disciplinary knowledge and ability to explain things easily as favorable qualities that contribute to learning.

In Chile, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth cause of death by cancer. Few studies have evaluated the role of contextual and individual socio-economic variables associated with premature death by CRC (<70 years). We analyzed the association between socio-economic factors (at individual and contextual levels) and premature death from CRC in Santiago de Chile. This was a cross-sectional study. We analyzed deaths from CRC between 2014 and 2018 using data published by the Ministry of Health. Individual predictors were sex, marital status, and educational level. Contextual variable included the Social Priority Index (SPI) of the commune where the deceased lived. The association was assessed through multilevel logistic regression models. During the period, 4762 deaths occurred (51.7% women); 39.3% were premature. At the individual level, male sex (odds ratio [OR] 1.36; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20–1.53) and single marital status (OR 1.45; 95% CI 1.24–1.68) were associated with premature death from CRC. Primary or lower education was a protective factor (OR 0.53; 95% CI 0.47–0.60). At the contextual level, communes with a higher SPI were three times more at risk than those with a lower SPI (OR 3.13; 95% CI 2.15–4.57). This study showed that individual and contextual socio-economic variables are related to premature death from CRC. Residing in communes with greater socio-economic vulnerability was associated with greater risk. To reduce this gap, it is urgent to design and implement structural policies to reduce social inequities and improve access to health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Facultative bacterial endosymbionts have the potential to influence the interactions between aphids, their natural enemies, and host plants. Among the facultative symbionts found in populations of the grain aphid Sitobion avenae in central Chile, the bacterium Regiella insecticola is the most prevalent. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether infected and cured aphid lineages exhibit differential responses to wheat cultivars containing varying levels of the benzoxazinoid DIMBOA (2,4‐dihydroxy‐7‐methoxy‐2H‐1,4‐benzoxazin‐3(4H)‐one), which is a xenobiotic compound produced by plants. Specifically, we examined the reproductive performance responses of the most frequently encountered genotypes of Sitobion avenae when reared on wheat seedlings expressing low, medium, and high concentrations of DIMBOA. RESULTS: Our findings reveal that the intrinsic rate of population increase (rm) in cured lineages of Sitobion avenae genotypes exhibits a biphasic pattern, characterized by the lowest rm and an extended time to first reproduction on wheat seedlings with medium levels of DIMBOA. In contrast, the aphid genotypes harbouring Regiella insecticola display idiosyncratic responses, with the two most prevalent genotypes demonstrating improved performance on seedlings featuring an intermediate content of DIMBOA compared to their cured counterparts. CONCLUSION: This study represents the first investigation into the mediating impact of facultative endosymbionts on aphid performance in plants exhibiting varying DIMBOA contents. These findings present exciting prospects for identifying novel targets for aphid control by manipulating the presence of aphid symbionts. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: High-risk human papillomaviruses are the causal agents of a subset of head and neck cancers. A previous transcriptomic analysis showed that cIAP2 protein, involved in cell survival and apoptosis, is upregulated in OKF6 oral cells that express HPV16 E6/E7. In addition, cIAP2 promotes radioresistance, a very important concern in HNC treatment. However, cIAP2 increase has not yet been evaluated in oropharyngeal carcinomas (OPCs), nor has been the role of cIAP2 in HNC radioresistance. Methods: We carried out a descriptive-analytical retrospective study in 49 OPCs from Chilean patients. We determined the expression of cIAP2 at transcript and proteins levels using reverse-transcriptase -polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, respectively. HPV and p16 expression were previously analyzed in these specimens. In addition, SCC-143 HNC cells ectopically expressing HPV16 E6/E7 were analyzed for cIAP2 expression and after transfection with a siRNA for HPV16 E6/E7 knocking down. Results: We found a statistically significant association between HPV presence and cIAP2 expression (p = 0.0032 and p = 0.0061, respectively). An association between p16 and cIAP2 levels was also found (p = 0.038). When SCC-143 cells were transfected with a construct expressing HPV16 E6/E7, the levels of cIAP2 were significantly increased (p = 0.0383 and p = 0.0115, respectively). Conversely, HPV16 E6 and E7 knocking down resulted in a decrease of cIAP2 levels (p = 0.0161 and p = 0.006, respectively). Finally, cIAP2 knocking down in HPV16 E6/E7 cells resulted in increased apoptosis after exposure to radiation at 4 and 8 Gy (p = 0.0187 and p = 0.0061, respectively). Conclusion: This study demonstrated for the first time a positive relationship between HPV presence and cIAP2 levels in OPCs. Additionally, cIAP2 knocking down sensitizes HNC cells to apoptosis promoted by radiation. Therefore, cIAP2 is a potential therapeutic target for radiation in HPV-driven HNC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genomic surveillance (GS) programmes were crucial in identifying and quantifying the mutating patterns of SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this work, we develop a Bayesian framework to quantify the relative transmissibility of different variants tailored for regions with limited GS. We use it to study the relative transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 variants in Chile. Among the 3443 SARS-CoV-2 genomes collected between January and June 2021, where sampling was designed to be representative, the Gamma (P.1), Lambda (C.37), Alpha (B.1.1.7), B.1.1.348, and B.1.1 lineages were predominant. We found that Lambda and Gamma variants' reproduction numbers were 5% (95% CI: [1%, 14%]) and 16% (95% CI: [11%, 21%]) larger than Alpha's, respectively. Besides, we observed a systematic mutation enrichment in the Spike gene for all circulating variants, which strongly correlated with variants' transmissibility during the studied period (r = 0.93, p-value = 0.025). We also characterised the mutational signatures of local samples and their evolution over time and with the progress of vaccination, comparing them with those of samples collected in other regions worldwide. Altogether, our work provides a reliable method for quantifying variant transmissibility under subsampling and emphasises the importance of continuous genomic surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Right-wing candidates have rallied against same-sex marriage, abortion, and 'gender ideology' in several recent Latin American elections, attracting socially conservative voters. Yet, these issues are largely irrelevant to voting decisions in other parts of the region. Drawing on theories explaining partisan shifts in the US and Europe, we argue that elite and social movement debates on sexuality politics create conditions for electoral realignment. When politicians take polarized positions on newly salient 'culture war' issues, the masses' voting behaviour shifts. Using region-wide multilevel analysis of the AmericasBarometer and Latinobarómetro and a conjoint experiment in Brazil, Chile, and Peru, we demonstrate that the rising salience of sexuality politics creates new electoral cleavages, magnifying the electoral impact of religion and sexuality politics attitudes and shrinking the impact of economic views. Whereas scholarship on advanced democracies posits the centrality of partisanship, our findings indicate that sexuality politics prompts realignments even in weak party systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Simons Observatory (SO) is a cosmic microwave background instrumentation suite in the Atacama Desert of Chile. More than 65,000 polarization-sensitive transition-edge sensor (TES) bolometers will be fielded in the frequency range spanning 27 to 280 GHz, with three separate dichroic designs. The mid-frequency 90/150 GHz and ultra-high-frequency 220/280 GHz detector arrays, fabricated at NIST, account for 39 of 49 total detector modules and implement the feedhorn-fed orthomode transducer-coupled TES bolometer architecture. A robust production-level fabrication framework for these detector arrays and the monolithic DC/RF routing wafers has been developed, which includes single device prototyping, process monitoring techniques, in-process metrology, and cryogenic measurements of critical film properties. Application of this framework has resulted in timely delivery of nearly 100 total superconducting focal plane components to SO with 88 % of detector wafers meeting nominal criteria for integration into a detector module: a channel yield > 95 % and T c in the targeted range. [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]

Lack of sufficient physical activity (PA) has been associated with an increased risk of several non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and all-cause mortality. This study aimed to estimate the number of preventable incidence cases of NCDs attributable to insufficient PA in the Chilean population. Comparative risk assessment modelling study. This study examined data from 5834 participants aged ≥20 years from the Chilean National Survey (2016–2017). PA was assessed by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), and metabolic equivalent of tasks (METs) were assigned according to PA intensity. Estimated incidence cases of NCDs in Chile in 2019 were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease study. Relative risks for breast cancer, colon cancer, ischaemic heart disease, diabetes and stroke were obtained from a published meta-analysis and applied to the prevalence of insufficient PA estimates through the potential impact fraction equation. High levels of PA (≥8000 MET-min/week) could potentially avoid more than 22,000 (64.6 %) incidence NCD cases, ranging from 498 (10.1 %) preventable cases of breast cancer to 5629 (14.7 %) cases of diabetes. Other modelled scenarios also showed to reduce the incidence cases of all five NCDs but to a lesser extent; where at least PA recommendation was achieved, preventable NCDs were reduced by 6522 cases (18.7 %), and where a 10 % relative reduction in insufficient PA level in the population was achieved, preventable NCDs were reduced by 651 (1.8 %) cases. The study results provide estimates for the incidence cases of preventable NCDs attributable to insufficient PA, highlighting the important role of PA in NCD prevention in Chile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Association of American Geographers' Center for Global Geography Education aims to internationalize geography in higher education by providing materials and activities to support international learning collaborations. From 2007-2011, geographers in different countries collaboratively developed online learning materials and trialed these materials in their courses. This research examines the student learning outcomes for international trials in seven countries in order to develop effective practices for the implementation of online, cross-cultural curricula. Facilitators require competencies--from flexibility in teaching methods to an awareness of "teachable" moments--to coordinate meaningful online and off-line student intercultural communications.

Research into attitudes towards chemistry in Latin America and indeed towards science in general is very limited. The present study aimed to adapt and validate a shortened version of Bauer's Attitude toward the Subject of Chemistry Inventory version 2 (ASCIv2) for use in a Latin American context. It also explored attitudes towards chemistry of Chilean secondary school students, and assessed the effect of school type, year group, gender, and chemistry achievement on both cognitive and affective dimensions. The participants were 523 secondary school students from public, private subsidised, and private schools in Chile. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were first carried out to validate ASCIv2. The results of CFA showed that ASCIv2 retained the two-factor structure and showed optimal model fit, but three items had to be removed from the original instrument. The research also showed that attitudes towards science were neither positive nor negative, a reality similar to that of other countries. The results of multivariate and univariate analyses of variance showed significant effects of year group and chemistry achievement on attitudes towards chemistry. No effects of school type, gender or interactions between factors were found. Follow-up analyses revealed that as students advance through school their attitudes decline, but that the higher their chemistry marks, the more positive their attitudes become. These findings are partially in line with previous data from other countries and are a starting point for more research into attitudes towards chemistry in Latin America.

Limited evidence describes promoting development and reducing violence in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), a missed opportunity to protect children and promote development and human capital. This study presents a systematic literature review of integrated early childhood development plus violence prevention (ECD+VP) interventions in LMICs. The search yielded 5,244 unique records, of which N = 6 studies met inclusion criteria. Interventions were in Chile, Jamaica, Lebanon, Mexico, Mozambique, and Turkey. Five interventions were parent education programs, including center-based sessions (n = 3) and home visiting (n = 2), while one intervention was a teacher education program. All but one study reported improvements in both child development and maltreatment outcomes. The dearth of evidence on ECD+VP interventions suggests additional research is needed. Integrated ECD+VP interventions may improve multiple child outcome domains while leveraging limited resources in LMICs.

Texture, soil organic matter (SOM), and soil depth (SoD) are crucial properties in forest management because they can supply spatial information on forest site productivity and guide fertilizer applications. However, soil properties possess an inherent uncertainty that must be mapped to enhance decision making in management applications. Most digital soil mapping predictions primarily concentrate on the mean of the distribution, often neglecting the estimation of local uncertainty in soil properties. Additionally, there is a noticeable scarcity of practical soil examples to demonstrate the prediction uncertainty for the benefit of forest managers. In this study, following a digital soil mapping (DSM) approach, a Quantile Regression Forest (QRF) model was developed to generate high-resolution maps and their uncertainty regarding the texture, SoD, and SOM, which were expressed as standard deviation (Sd) values. The results showed that the SOM (R2 = 0.61, RMSE = 2.03% and with an average Sd = 50%), SoD (R2 = 0.74 and RMSE = 19.4 cm), clay (R2 = 0.63, RMSE = 10.5% and average Sd = 29%), silt (R2 = 0.59, RMSE = 6.26% and average Sd = 33%), and sand content (R2 = 0.55, RMSE = 9.49% and average Sd = 35%) were accurately estimated for forest plantations in central south Chile. A practical demonstration of precision fertilizer application, utilizing the predictive distribution of SOM, effectively showcased how uncertainty in soil attributes can be leveraged to benefit forest managers. This approach holds potential for optimizing resource allocation and maximizing economic benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an innovative experience involving students and professors from diverse backgrounds and regions that was designed to integrate corporate sustainability (CS) knowledge into undergraduate programs. An action research approach was adopted, with the course running over one semester. The course involved 146 students with diverse academic backgrounds from universities across Brazil along with eight professors from Brazil, Chile, and South Africa. The proposed approach provides actionable insights into the integration of sustainability concepts in the higher educational setting, thereby contributing to the development of a more environmentally and socially conscious generation of professionals. The learning outcomes are discussed in the light of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Agenda, particularly SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), SDG 9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure), and SDG 13 (climate action). In addition, it is important to highlight that the dissemination of the course's key features can be useful for universities, professors, and researchers engaged in training future professionals capable of addressing real-world problems of innovation and sustainability. By employing an action research methodology and fostering collaboration among students and professors with diverse academic backgrounds and from different countries, including Brazil, Chile, and South Africa, this paper presents a multiregional and interdisciplinary perspective that sets it apart from conventional practices. The emphasis on providing actionable insights and its potential applicability for universities, professors, and researchers involved in training future professionals further underscore its distinctive contribution to education for sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unique worldwide, nitrate/iodine deposits (NIDs) are located along a 700 km geological belt in the Atacama Desert, Chile. They serve as the primary source of mineral ores for the extraction of iodine, sodium, and potassium nitrates. NIDs have been relatively underexplored from a biological perspective. To address this, we collected sixteen soil samples from abandoned mines in Oficinas Pissis and Savona for chemical, mineralogical, and metagenomic analyses. The soils primarily consisted of halite and darapskite, with only one sample being predominantly composed of thenardite. Deliquescence and water activity measurements yielded values ranging from 0.02% to 0.40% and 0.47 to 0.62, respectively. To investigate the presence, identification, relative abundance, and diversity of microbial life in NID soils, we employed MiSeq high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatic tools. The dominant phyla observed were Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, with Actinobacteria and Cyanobacteria being predominant in two soil samples. Furthermore, we detected nitrate/perchlorate-reducing bacterial activity in enriched cultures from the soil samples. This study sheds light on the resilience of microbial life in the Atacama Desert NIDs, providing compelling evidence for its existence and offering insight into factors that could facilitate it within this unique environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Tick-borne infectious agents (TBIAs) include several bacteria and protozoa that can infect vertebrates, including humans. Some of these agents can cause important diseases from both a public health perspective, such as Lyme disease, and from an animal health and production viewpoint, such as Texas fever. In Chile, several studies have assessed the presence of tick-borne disease agents in vectors and mammal hosts, mainly in the northern regions, but few studies have assessed the presence of these agents in Central and Southern Chile. This study aimed to assess the presence of three groups of TBIAs--Borrelia, Anaplasmataceae, and Piroplasmida--in cricetid rodents of Central and Southern Chile. A total of 207 specimens from 13 localities between the O'Higgins and Los Lagos regions were captured. DNA was extracted from the liver and spleen, and subsequently underwent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification targeting the 16S rRNA, flaB, and 18S rRNA genes to detect DNA from Borrelia, Anaplasmataceae, and Piroplasmida, respectively. Although no DNA from these TBIAs was detected, the DNA extraction process was validated by optimal DNA purity ratios (an A260/A280 ratio within the 1.6-2.0 range) and successful internal control amplification in all samples. These results, in addition to findings from previous reports, suggest a very low prevalence of these TBIAs in the rodent population studied. Further research into the factors influencing the presence of these agents and their vectors will provide insight into the reasons underlying this low prevalence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present high spectral resolution observations of the hot Jupiter WASP-94 A b using the HARPS instrument on ESO's 3.6-m telescope in La Silla, Chile. We probed for Na absorption in its atmosphere as well as constrained the previously reported misaligned retrograde orbit using the Rossiter–McLaughlin effect. Additionally, we undertook a combined atmospheric retrieval analysis with previously published low-resolution data. We confirm the retrograde orbit as well as constrain the orbital misalignment with our measurement of a projected spin-orbit obliquity of λ = 123.0 ± 3.0°. We find a tentative detection of Na absorption in the atmosphere of WASP-94 A b, independent of the treatment of the Rossiter–McLaughlin effect in our analysis (3.6σ and 4.4σ). We combine our HARPS high-resolution data with low-resolution data from the literature and find that while the posterior distribution of the Na abundance results in a tighter constraint than using a single data set, the detection significance does not improve (3.2σ), which we attribute to degeneracies between the low- and high-resolution data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, the cultivation and harvesting of mollusks is a crucial activity worldwide. However, this industry generates a large amount of mollusk shell waste disposed of in landfills, causing environmental pollution. In addition, the companies linked to this item allocate large sums of money to depositing the shells in authorized landfills. In South America, Chile is one of the leading producers worldwide of scallop shell (Argopecten purpuratus) waste, creating a growing environmental and financial problem in the country, especially considering that there has yet to be progress in the development of new technologies that may reuse this waste in Chile. This study used different techniques to completely characterize the northern Chile scallop shell waste's physical and chemical properties for the first time. The XRD result corresponded with calcite crystal structures (CaCO3), and the XFR showed 97.68% purity. Three particle sizes were obtained: BS (595–100 µm), MS (250–595 µm), and SS (<250 µm). In addition, the potential use of these wastes to remove contaminants present in water from the wine industry (caffeic acid) and some drinking water (arsenic(III)) was evaluated. The powder with the smallest particle size (SS), which has a surface area of 1 m2/g, 0.0050 m3/g of pore volume and pore diameter of 18.0 nm, removed 100.0% of CA and 23.0% As(III) in a pH condition of 4.6. The results show that scallop shell waste can be used to treat water and reinforce polymeric matrix composite materials to improve mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raco is a local wind occurring in central Chile where the Maipo River Canyon exits into the Santiago valley. The intensification of the easterly down-canyon flow starts at any time during some cold season nights, accompanied by increases in temperature and drops in humidity. The hypothesis of the raco being a gap wind controlled by the narrowest section in the 12-km canyon exit corridor is tested with data from two events in July 2018 and July 2019. The data are analyzed in the framework of hydraulic theory, and a subcritical-to-supercritical transition is documented to occur at the narrows of the gap where the Froude number is close to unity, confirmed by radiosondes launched in the narrows in 2019. For the raco flow, the sum of potential and kinetic energy is conserved upstream of the narrows, while the acceleration occurring farther downstream loses a large fraction of energy to frictional dissipation. The raco events occur under the influence of regional subsidence, but a differential nocturnal warming of the in-canyon air mass is responsible for a pressure gradient driving the raco. In the 2019 case, a ceilometer mounted on an instrumented pickup truck documented the structure and movement of the interface between the raco air and the cold-air pool (CAP) existing over the valley to the west. Together with a radiosonde launched near the CAP–raco surface front, the observations reveal the intense shear-driven mixing taking place at the interface and the factors supporting the establishment of a stationary front. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper shows an agricultural irrigation alternative using a low-cost Internet of Things (IoT) application. This technology allows the automation and optimization of processes by monitoring, processing, and analyzing large volumes of related data, including variables related to the soil (moisture), fertilization, and irrigation, which can be visualized through the internet to enable sustainable and efficient agriculture. The study is centered on the Los Angeles, Biobío, Chile case. The main objective of the prototype is to optimize water consumption for agricultural irrigation by using only the amount that is strictly necessary for each crop by allowing real-time visualization of irrigation status, moisture data, and irrigation times while providing a history of data that can be used for further analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of People & Nature is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Immune response of triatomines plays an important role in the success or failure of transmission of T. cruzi. Studies on parasite–vector interaction have shown the presence of trypanolytic factors and have been observed to be differentially expressed among triatomines, which affects the transmission of some T. cruzi strains or DTUs (Discrete Typing Units). Methodology/Principal findings: Trypanolytic factors were detected in the hemolymph and saliva of R. prolixus against epimastigotes and trypomastigotes of the Y strain (T. cruzi II). To identify the components of the immune response that could be involved in this lytic activity, a comparative proteomic analysis was carried out, detecting 120 proteins in the hemolymph of R. prolixus and 107 in R. colombiensis. In salivary glands, 1103 proteins were detected in R. prolixus and 853 in R. colombiensis. A higher relative abundance of lysozyme, prolixin, nitrophorins, and serpin as immune response proteins was detected in the hemolymph of R. prolixus. Among the R. prolixus salivary proteins, a higher relative abundance of nitrophorins, lipocalins, and triabins was detected. The higher relative abundance of these immune factors in R. prolixus supports their participation in the lytic activity on Y strain (T. cruzi II), but not on Dm28c (T. cruzi I), which is resistant to lysis by hemolymph and salivary proteins of R. prolixus due to mechanisms of evading oxidative stress caused by immune factors. Conclusions/Significance: The lysis resistance observed in the Dm28c strain would be occurring at the DTU I level. T. cruzi I is the DTU with the greatest geographic distribution, from the south of the United States to central Chile and Argentina, a distribution that could be related to resistance to oxidative stress from vectors. Likewise, we can say that lysis against strain Y could occur at the level of DTU II and could be a determinant of the vector inability of these species to transmit T. cruzi II. Future proteomic and transcriptomic studies on vectors and the interactions of the intestinal microbiota with parasites will help to confirm the determinants of successful or failed vector transmission of T. cruzi DTUs in different parts of the Western Hemisphere. Author summary: Some factors can facilitate or prevent T. cruzi transmission, i.e. vector immunity. Our work has managed to detect a stronger immune response against T. cruzi II in R. prolixus saliva and haemolymph, compared to that of R. colombiensis. Proteins from both species' saliva and haemolymph were analysed for studying factors which might have been involved in such response; most proteins were detected in both species' haemolymph, thereby indicating common immune mechanisms. Three proteins having oxidative immune activity were only expressed in R. prolixus. Lipocalin diversity and abundance predominated in R. prolixus saliva; these proteins are involved in nitric oxide metabolism and their role in immunity could be key in host defence against T. cruzi. Recognising the components modulating parasite transmission in a vector helps in understanding how such factors act independently and how they would act synergistically against T. cruzi, thereby enabling us to establish tools regarding Chaga's disease epidemiology, aimed at predicting T. cruzi distribution and creating transmission control mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extratropical west coast of South America has one of the largest frequencies of landfalling atmospheric rivers (ARs), with dozens of events per season that account for ~50% of the annual precipitation and can produce extreme rainfall events in south-central Chile. Most ARs form an acute angle with the Andes, but, in some cases, the moist stream impinges nearly perpendicular to the mountains, referred to as zonal atmospheric rivers (ZARs). Enhanced surface-based and upper-air measurements in Concepcion (36.8° S), as well as numerical simulations, were used to characterize a ZAR and a meridionally oriented AR in July 2022. They represent extremes of the broad distribution of winter storms in this region and exhibit key features that were found in a composite analysis based on larger samples of ZARs and tilted ARs. The latter is associated with an upper-level trough, broad-scale ascent, extratropical cyclone, and cold front reaching southern Chile. Instead, ZARs are associated with tropospheric-deep, strong zonal flow and a stationary front across the South Pacific, with ascent restricted upstream of the Andes. Consequently, ZARs have minimum precipitation offshore but a marked orographic precipitation enhancement and exhibit relatively warm temperatures, thus resulting in an augmented risk of hydrometeorological extreme events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate projections under the high-emission representative concentration pathway "RCP-8.5" scenario are used to show the effects of global warming on the energy production of two similar concentrated solar tower power plants in Spain and Chile from 2025 to 2060. Results show a reduction of the annual energy production of almost 1.8% for Chile and an increase of almost 6% in the Spanish plant, but an increase of 10% water consumption due to both the increase in dry- and wet-bulb temperatures and changes in the direct normal irradiation caused by climate change. When the effect of water restrictions is included in the model caused by the foreseen reduction in water availability in Spain, the increase of the annual energy production is only 2%. Finally, the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) calculated during the whole power plant lifetime (35 years) with respect to the LCOE obtained at the beginning of the project is increased by 1.1% in the Chilean plant, whereas in the Spanish plant, it can be reduced more than 2.5% if there are no water restrictions, while a reduction of 0.4% is expected in a scenario with water restrictions. Results show that careful consideration of climate projections should be considered to properly estimate the economic viability of solar tower plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Realising the benefits of systematic secondary fracture prevention requires supporting local sites to get started and becoming effective. We here describe the development, implementation and impact of a regional fracture liaison service (FLS) mentorship programme in Latin America that led to 64 FLS getting started and coverage of 17,205 patients. Introduction: Despite treatments and service models to deliver effective secondary fracture prevention, most patients are left untreated after a fragility fracture. To improve the capability to get FLS started and more effective, we describe the development, implementation and evaluation of an international programme to develop national communities of FLS mentors as part of the Capture the Fracture Partnership in Latin America. Methods: The IOF regional team and the University of Oxford developed the curriculum and associated resources for training mentors in setting up FLS, service improvement and mentorship. Mentors were selected during a preparatory meeting, trained using live online sessions followed by regular mentor-led post-training meetings. The programme was evaluated using a pre-training needs assessment and post-training evaluation based on Moore's outcomes. Results: The mentorship programme was initiated in Mexico, Brazil, Colombia and Argentina. The mentors were multidisciplinary, including orthopaedic surgery, rehabilitation, rheumatology, endocrinology, geriatrics, gynaecology and internal medicine. There was 100% participation in training sessions and reported satisfaction with the training. Since the initiation of the training programme, 22 FLS have been set up in Mexico, 30 in Brazil, 3 in Colombia and 9 in Argentina, in comparison with two in Chile and none in any other LATAM countries that were not involved in the mentorship programme. This equates to approximately 17,025 additional patients identified from 2019 to 2021 after initiation of mentorship. The mentors have engaged with 58 FLS for service development. Post-training activities include two published national best practice guidelines and other country-specific resources for FLS in the local language. Conclusion: Despite the COVID pandemic, the mentorship pillar of the Capture the Fracture Partnership has developed a community of FLS mentors with measurable improvement in national FLS provision. The programme is a potentially scalable platform to develop communities of mentors in other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In northern Chile, economic activities related to mining and thermoelectric energy have existed in the city of Tocopilla since the early 1900s and metal concentrations in soils have likely been altered by historic anthropogenic activities. To assess the concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, Co, and Cr in urban soils of Tocopilla, a total of 70 superficial (2 cm) and 70 deep (20 cm) soil samples were collected in 2014. Furthermore, to analyze concentration changes in soils over time, 18 superficial (5 cm) samples were collected in 2020–2021. A numerical evaluation (geoaccumulation index, and enrichment factor), principal component analysis, and spatial distribution approach were applied to infer geogenic and anthropogenic influence on the concentrations of these elements. The main conclusions of this research indicate that urban soils of Tocopilla contain geogenic Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, Co and Cr. However, elevated concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Pb cannot be attributed to a geogenic origin alone, as a proportion of their enrichment is considered to be anthropogenically sourced. The contamination of anthropogenic elements has been found to be related to historic copper mining and thermoelectric energy production. Furthermore, when compared to other sites globally, median concentrations of Cu (945 mg/kg in 2014 and 823 mg/kg in 2020) and Zn (305 mg/kg in 2014 and 196 mg/kg in 2020) in superficial urban soils are among the highest worldwide. Regarding 2020–2021 sampling, Zn and Pb concentrations have increased, while Cu, Cr, Co, and Ni have remained similar to the 2014 samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The convergence of hypervirulence and carbapenem resistance in the bacterial pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae represents a critical global health concern. Hypervirulent K. pneumoniae (hvKp) strains, frequently from sequence type 23 (ST23) and having a K1 capsule, have been associated with severe community-acquired invasive infections. Although hvKp were initially restricted to Southeast Asia and primarily antibiotic-sensitive, carbapenem-resistant hvKp infections are reported worldwide. Here, within the carbapenemase production Enterobacterales surveillance system headed by the Chilean Public Health Institute, we describe the isolation in Chile of a high-risk ST23 dual-carbapenemase-producing hvKp strain, which carbapenemase genes are encoded in a single conjugative plasmid. Results: Phenotypic and molecular tests of this strain revealed an extensive resistance to at least 15 antibiotic classes and the production of KPC-2 and VIM-1 carbapenemases. Unexpectedly, this isolate lacked hypermucoviscosity, challenging this commonly used hvKp identification criteria. Complete genome sequencing and analysis confirmed the K1 capsular type, the KpVP-1 virulence plasmid, and the GIE492 and ICEKp10 genomic islands carrying virulence factors strongly associated with hvKp. Although this isolate belonged to the globally disseminated hvKp clonal group CG23-I, it is unique, as it formed a clade apart from a previously reported Chilean ST23 hvKp isolate and acquired an IncN KPC-2 plasmid highly disseminated in South America (absent in other hvKp genomes), but now including a class-I integron carrying blaVIM−1 and other resistance genes. Notably, this isolate was able to conjugate the double carbapenemase plasmid to an E. coli recipient, conferring resistance to 1st -5th generation cephalosporins (including combinations with beta-lactamase inhibitors), penicillins, monobactams, and carbapenems. Conclusions: We reported the isolation in Chile of high-risk carbapenem-resistant hvKp carrying a highly transmissible conjugative plasmid encoding KPC-2 and VIM-1 carbapenemases, conferring resistance to most beta-lactams. Furthermore, the lack of hypermucoviscosity argues against this trait as a reliable hvKp marker. These findings highlight the rapid evolution towards multi-drug resistance of hvKp in Chile and globally, as well as the importance of conjugative plasmids and other mobile genetic elements in this convergence. In this regard, genomic approaches provide valuable support to monitor and obtain essential information on these priority pathogens and mobile elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colletotrichum coccodes (Wallr.) Hughes is an asexual fungus with five vegetative compatibility groups. It was postulated that C. coccodes was isolated at the center of origin of potato at one time, and due to the movement of potato around the globe, the fungus was established on each continent but became bottlenecked and genetically unable to form stable heterokaryons via vegetative compatibility grouping (VCG) studies. The objectives of this study were (i) to determine if the VCGs around the world are related to the VCGs in Chile, (ii) to determine the diversity of C. coccodes populations in Chile, and (iii) to find any evidence for a cryptic sexual life cycle for this fungus. Worldwide C. coccodes populations have been found to be genetically correlated and belong to one or more C. coccodes-identified VCGs. The most distributed VCG in Chile was VCG2, which is the most common VCG in North America. We hypothesize that one or more VCGs had spread from Chile to the rest of the world. Precautions and further studies should be investigated by using other molecular markers and gene sequencing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose an adaptive methodology for the curricular redesign based on the performance indicators of the student progression observed after a follow-up period. The feasibility of adopting the same approach should be thoroughly studied to assess its compatibility with institutions and countries that employ an academic credit system based on student workload, such as the European Credit Transfer System. This approach was applied here for the Chilean system, which is highly consistent with the European case. The resulting methods can be automated and integrated into institutional databases for the management of teaching-learning processes to enhance decision-making. Special attention is devoted to the methods for estimating the credit points and the relative position of each course in the curriculum sequence chart of a university degree. As an example of application, we discuss the curriculum redesign of the B.Sc. degree in Physics offered by the Universidad Católica del Norte. The analysis is based on the statistical report of performance indicators of this undergraduate program during the follow-up period 2015–2019 (five years). We report a certain correspondence between the problem of credit allocation and the behavior in the student progression, which represents an empirical evidence of the effectiveness of the associated credit points estimation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study employs a non-linear static analysis, known as pushover analysis, to explore the flexural-compressive behavior of complex shear walls within a reinforced concrete (R.C.) structure, adhering to contemporary design standards in Chile. The primary objective is to assess the initiation of damage as the building approaches the limit states outlined in Achisina's seminal "Performance Based Seismic Design" framework. To achieve this, a sophisticated fiber model, accounting for the confined behavior of concrete derived from the structural elements' detailing, has been uniformly integrated across the building's entire height. Furthermore, the analysis incorporates a rigid diaphragm to simulate the R.C. slab's response accurately. The study implements the N2 method, adjusting for seismic demands in an acceleration-displacement format, which leverages the displacement spectrum defined by Supreme Decree 61, a legislative response to the 8.8 Mw Maule earthquake in 2010. The findings reveal that the analyzed structure meets the immediate occupancy performance level with drifts nearing 5‰ in the symmetrical Y direction. This outcome aligns with prior assessments of Chilean R.C. wall buildings. However, in the asymmetric X direction, the structure exhibits a higher degree of structural damage, aligning with a life safety performance level. This differentiation underscores the critical need for nuanced understanding and modeling of structural behavior under seismic loads, contributing to the ongoing refinement of seismic design practices and standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global change drivers are imposing novel conditions on Earth's ecosystems at an unprecedented rate. Among them, biological invasions and climate change are of critical concern. It is generally thought that strictly asexual populations will be more susceptible to rapid environmental alterations due to their lack of genetic variability and, thus, of adaptive responses. In this study, we evaluated the persistence of a widely distributed asexual lineage of the alfalfa race of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum, along a latitudinal transect of approximately 600 km in central Chile after facing environmental change for a decade. Based on microsatellite markers, we found an almost total replacement of the original aphid superclone by a new variant. Considering the unprecedented warming that this region has experienced in recent years, we experimentally evaluated the reproductive performance of these two A. pisum lineages at different thermal regimes. The new variant exhibits higher rates of population increase at warmer temperatures, and computer simulations employing a representative temperature dataset suggest that it might competitively displace the original superclone. These results support the idea of a superclone turnover mediated by differential reproductive performance under changing temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]