Region Of Chile Research Articles

Chilean blind spots in soil biodiversity and ecosystem function research

AbstractSoil harbour up to a quarter of the world's biodiversity, substantially contributing to many ecosystem functions and processes. It is significantly important to identify the distribution patterns of soil organisms and their ecosystem functions, to support their conservation efforts and to build policy around them. This has been recently analysed at macroecological scales, but analyses at national or local scales are scarce. Here, we identify and analyse the blind spots in soil taxa and ecosystem functions data in continental Chile. A Web of Science search (1945–2020) was conducted focusing on ten soil taxa and four ecosystem functions (nutrient cycling, decomposition, water infiltration and soil respiration). A total of 741 sampling sites were obtained from 239 articles: in 49.25% of these sites, soil biodiversity was studied alone, while this percentage was 32.65% for ecosystem functions. In 18.10% of the sites, both soil biodiversity and ecosystem functions were jointly studied, a surprisingly high percentage compared to global‐scale studies. By far, bacteria/fungi and nutrient cycling were the most investigated taxa and function, respectively. Several soil taxa (Acari, Collembola, Nematoda, Formicoidea, Protista, Rotifera) were represented by just a few sampling sites concentrated in specific Chilean regions. Places like the central region (Metropolitan and Valparaíso administrative Regions), the Atacama Desert (north of the country) and the Valdivian temperate forests (La Araucanía, Los Ríos and Los Lagos administrative Regions) present the majority of studies on soil Fungi, Bacteria and nutrient cycling, reflecting the historical interests of well‐established research groups. Based on this research, we are identifying the causes of the data blind spots and inviting the Chilean soil ecology community to propose ideas on how to fill them, especially targeting less studied soil taxa and ecosystem functions in neglected regions of Chile.

Designing crop pollination services: A spatially explicit agent-based model for real agricultural landscapes

The decline of pollinators is a widespread problem in today's agriculture, affecting the yield of many crops. Improved pollination management is therefore essential, and honey bee colonies are often used to improve pollination levels. In this work, we applied a spatially explicit agent-based model for the simulation of crop pollination by honey bees under different management scenarios and landscape configurations. The model includes 1) a representation of honey bee social dynamics; 2) an explicit representation of resource dynamics; 3) a probabilistic approach to the foraging site search process; and 4) a mechanism of competition for limited resources. We selected 60 sample units from the rural landscape of the Chilean region with the largest apple-growing area and evaluated the effectiveness of different pollination strategies in terms of number of visits and number of pollinated flowers per hectare of apple crops. Finally, we analyzed how the effects of these practices depended on the structure of adjacent landscapes. Higher colony density per hectare in the focal crop increased the number of honey bee visits to apple inflorescences; however, the effects were nonlinear for rates of pollinated flowers, suggesting that there is an optimum beyond which a greater number of honey bees does not signify increased levels of crop pollination. Furthermore, high relative proportions of mass flowering crops and natural habitats in the landscape led to a decrease in honey bee densities in apple fields in landscapes with high relative cover of apple orchards (dilution effect). Our results indicate that for optimal crop pollination, strategies for management of pollinator species should consider the modulating effects of the surrounding landscape on pollination effectiveness. This model could thus be a useful tool to help farmers, beekeepers, and policy-makers plan the provision of pollination services, while also promoting the biodiversity and sustainability of agroecosystems.

Adaptaciones metodológicas y etnografía virtual en una investigación sobre profesionales psicosociales en justicia: desafíos del aprender haciendo

This article analyzes an experience of methodological adaptation, implemented in a research study carried out in the midst of a health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of our study was to analyze the interactions between psychosocial and legal professionals in justice institutions in two Chilean regions, using a face-to-face and in situ ethnographic methodological design. However, as a result of the change in working conditions brought about by the restrictions on people’s mobility and presence in these environments, we found it necessary to evaluate how to continue the ethnographic work under these limitations. Through constant reflection and analysis of our experiences in implementing this research, we designed a virtual ethnography that addressed both synchronous and asynchronous instances. We conclude that the use of virtual methodologies renders the rapport with the informants fundamental for the dialectic reconstruction of the story, where, as suggested by Tim Ingold, field notes are a key factor to build the atmosphere. We also highlight the importance of making methodological instruments more flexible and of constantly considering ways of adapting them to contexts of restricted on-site and face-to-face access. Finally, this article contributes to discussions on virtual ethnographies insofar as it presents a possibility to discover new ways of conducting ethnography in multisite contexts and in crisis. Many of these, we believe, will remain and will be an integral part of research work.

Intermediaries in Chile: Facilitating the right of child victims and witnesses to participate and be heard in criminal trials

The intermediary system is a special measure designed to support the participation of vulnerable witnesses in the judicial system. In Chile, this model was initially incorporated in six regions with the application of Law 21.057 in October 2019. The measure establishes that a specially trained professional from the criminal justice system must facilitate communication during a trial between the court and child victims or witnesses of sexual or other serious crimes through the use of a linked room. This study analyses the perceptions of intermediaries and other members of the justice system in relation to the first year of implementation of the intermediary system based on information obtained through the use of focus groups and a survey. The results show an overall positive assessment of the experiences with and functioning of the ‘judicial intermediation’ and portray some of the best practices and facilitating conditions for the correct operation of the scheme as well as the difficulties and challenges for other Chilean regions and countries.

Implementation of a Teledentistry Platform for Dental Emergencies for the Elderly in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Chile.

Objectives To develop and implement a “semi-presential” technology platform to support urgent and priority dental care for the elderly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic among the Chilean population. Methods A dental mobile clinic was implemented along with the development of a technological platform designed to support emergency and priority dental procedures, including teleconsultation with specialists. Under strict biosafety protocols, dental care was provided in five Chilean regions between February and May 2021. Sociodemographic, medical, and dental data were recorded. Results A total of 135 patients over sixty years old, with a mean age of 72 years, were treated, 48 males and 87 females were attended between February and May 2021 in five different regions of Chile. 53.3% required immediate or urgent treatment, and 24.4% were derived to specialists from whom 60.6% needed immediate or urgent treatment. 74.3% of teleconsultations were derived to an oral pathology specialist. Conclusion It was shown that a “semi-presential” technology platform implemented in a mobile dental clinic can help elderly people who are impeded to look for traditional dental assistance during a pandemic.

The COVID-19 Pandemic and Probation in Chile: Remote Supervision and Regional Differences

The COVID-19 pandemic forced Chilean probation officers to adopt remote supervision technologies to maintain contact with their clients. Considering remote contact was scarcely used by Chilean probation officers before the pandemic, this change demands studying the impact of the pandemic remote supervision on the contact between officers and clients. To address this problem, we surveyed probation officers (n = 326) exploring the impact of COVID-19 on clients, officers, and the use of remote supervision across six Chilean macro-geographical regions representing the entire country: Extreme North, North, Santiago (Metropolitan Region), Middle South, South, and Extreme South. The survey includes demographics on probation officers at the national level, presenting data about their workload and agency for the first time. The results suggest that probation officers drastically changed how they contact their clients, shifting from primarily in-person communication to remote contact including videoconferencing, calls, and text messages. Our findings indicate that clients were heavily impacted by the pandemic in different psychosocial aspects and had low rates of access to technology. Finally, the macro-geographical analysis reveals how demographics, agency characteristics, technology access, and COVID-19 impact vary throughout the country. We conclude by discussing the relevance of the geographical and socioeconomic context before implementing remote supervision as community supervision core practice.

Understanding writing curriculum innovation in Grades 7-12 in Chile: Linking teachers´ beliefs and practices

This study aimed to provide evidence for continuing the innovation of writing instruction in Grades 7-12 of Chilean public schools. Teachers' beliefs influence their curricular interpretations; therefore, these beliefs play a key role when aiming for educational innovation. Hence, we investigated the relations between Language teachers’ current practices of implementing the national curriculum and their beliefs regarding five paradigms of Language instruction. While beliefs on writing instruction are possibly embedded in beliefs on the broader topic of Language instruction, we took this broader category into account. We obtained 182 completed surveys from teachers of all Chilean regions (response rate: 47%). Teachers reported a rather strong adherence to four curricular paradigms both in terms of practices and beliefs, while the fifth, the communicative paradigm, demonstrated a low level of adherence. The strength of the implementation of teachers´ practices of writing instruction seemed to be related to teachers´ beliefs, about writing and more general aspects as well. The results suggest that policymakers must focus public efforts on reinforcing teachers’ beliefs regarding writing instruction, especially regarding communicative writing and on the connections between the five paradigms. In addition, we recommend that public efforts prioritize improvements in Grades 9-12 over Grades 7-8.

Demografía y distribución de los dermatólogos en Chile

IntroductionAt present, the demand for medical specialists is a subject of discussion and debate in Chile, with variable gaps existing between attention and offer. The objective of this study is to characterize and update the information on the geographic and demographic distribution of dermatologists in Chile until January 2019.Materials and methodsThe information search was developed through the Superintendence of Health, the Chilean Society of Dermatology and Venereology and National Autonomous Corporation for the Certification of Medical Specialties. The Ministry of Health was asked about the number of dermatologists and their hours hired in the public system. The data was tabulated and analyzed in Excel and Stata 14 and GeoDA 1.18.0 software.ResultsDermatologists in Chile: 512, with a distribution rate of 2.9 dermatologists per 100,000 inhabitants, 64% is concentrated at the Metropolitan Region (MR), which has the highest proportion of dermatologists (4.7 per 100,000 inhabitants). 56% registered a degree granted by a Chilean University. 162 dermatologists work at the public system, mainly at MR (52%). Antofagasta, and Arica and Parinacota regions have the lowest amount of hired hours per week (44 hrs per week).ConclusionChile presents a similar number of dermatologists than Ecuador, but a lower number than Brazil, Argentina and a large part of the European countries. We observed heterogeneous distribution of dermatologists among Chilean regions. The highest concentration is at Metropolitan Region. More studies are needed to characterize dermatology in Chile.

The presence of Africans and their descendants in colonial Concepción, Chile: a first approach

In the volumes that compile the history of Concepción and its surrounding areas, the African and/or Afro-descendant presence during colonial times is usually reduced to trivial events. Unlike what happens in other Chilean regions, no systematic studies mention the permanence of this population in the study area during the Spanish domination. Hence, the local sociocultural imaginary does not recognize the historical depth of their presence and relevance. This research aims to carry out the first systematic compilation exercise regarding the presence of Afro-descendants in Concepcion and its surrounding areas, registering their mentions in currently available primary and secondary sources. As a result, we were able to identify a continued presence of Afro-descendants between the 16th and 19th centuries. Finally, we discuss their estrangement in historical volumes and the development of a paradigm that has made them historically invisible as part of the current social fabric in Concepcion.

Chickpeas from a Chilean Region Affected by a Climate-Related Catastrophe: Effects of Water Stress on Grain Yield and Flavonoid Composition.

The Valparaiso region in Chile was decreed a zone affected by catastrophe in 2019 as a consequence of one of the driest seasons of the last 50 years. In this study, three varieties (‘Alfa-INIA’, ‘California-INIA’, and one landrace, ‘Local Navidad’) of kabuli-type chickpea seeds produced in 2018 (control) and 2019 (climate-related catastrophe, hereafter named water stress) were evaluated for their grain yield. Furthermore, the flavonoid profile of both free and esterified phenolic extracts was determined using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and the concentration of the main flavonoid, biochanin A, was determined using liquid chromatography with diode array detection. The grain yield was decreased by up to 25 times in 2019. The concentration of biochanin A was up to 3.2 times higher in samples from the second season (water stress). This study demonstrates that water stress induces biosynthesis of biochanin A. However, positive changes in the biochanin A concentration are overshadowed by negative changes in the grain yield. Therefore, water stress, which may be worsened by climate change in the upcoming years, may jeopardize both the production of chickpeas and the supply of biochanin A, a bioactive compound that can be used to produce dietary supplements and/or nutraceuticals.

Engaging Stakeholders in Extraction Problems of the Chilean Mining Industry through a Combined Social Network Analysis‐Analytic Network Process Approach

This paper proposes a state‐of‐the‐art methodology for the analysis of stakeholders and their role and performance related to SMEs in the mining industry in the Chilean region of Coquimbo. The relationships between the actors are studied and prioritized according to their support network position. An individual index for each actor based on their influence on solving problems is provided. The social network analysis was used to know the influence of the actors in the sector through the centrality measures. Furthermore, a methodology to measure stakeholders’ influence based on the multicriteria method analytic network process approach is proposed. Both methods are used to identify the main stakeholders, study their relationships, and identify the most influential actors involved in executing strategies to boost the sector performance. The results show that the network remains cohesive thanks to certain actors, while the links between private actors must be strengthened; likewise, some public actors should assume a more proactive role in dealing with the problems of the sector.

Impact of seawater desalination and wastewater treatment on water stress levels and greenhouse gas emissions: The case of Chile

Many regions around the world are suffering from water stress, and desalinated water and recycled water are seen as alternatives for meeting the water demand. However, high energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions are some of the main environmental impacts. This is notable for many arid and semi-arid countries where desalination and water recycling are considered options for ensuring water resources availability. This research presents the incorporation of the quantification of greenhouse gas emissions generated during the operation of desalination and wastewater treatment plants in the assessment of water stress levels using the water stress indicator adopted by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Chile was chosen as a case study, as it is a country where there is a considerable difference between the availability of conventional water sources and the water demand, and the electrical grid is fed mainly by fossil fuels. The methodology proposed allows calculating the indirect greenhouse gas emissions due to electrical consumption for the operation of desalination and wastewater treatment plants, and the direct greenhouse gas emissions coming from biological processes used in wastewater treatment plants. The results showed that Chilean arid climate zones will not experience water stress in the future at the regional level, mainly because of the installation of several desalination plants by 2030. Meanwhile, recycled water from the urban sector will slightly contribute to the reduction in the level of water stress in almost all Chilean regions by 2030. Moreover, desalination and wastewater treatment plant will contribute only between 0.34% and 0.75% of total greenhouse gas emitted in Chile by 2030. Therefore, the operation of these industrial systems for facing water scarcity problems in northern and central zones of Chile is a suitable alternative because it does not generate large environmental problems.

The contribution of omic sciences for the management of cancer in Chile

With or without a COVID19 pandemic, cancer is and will continue to be one of the greatest health challenges on the planet. In Chile, during 2016, this disease was the second cause of death in the country and during 2019, it was the first cause in seven Chilean regions, surpassing cardiovascular diseases. With the advent of precision medicine as a powerful tool for cancer control, it is necessary to have genomic, proteomic, and molecular data in general, ideally on a population scale. This is essential for decision-making, for example in public and private oncology, to be as cost-effective as possible. Chile has a mass of high-quality researchers in cancer. However, until today the investment in research and development is far below the peers in the OECD. In this work we put into perspective the role of precision medicine and omic sciences as essential tools for public health. We offer a brief national diagnosis of the knowledge collected to date by the local scientific community regarding onco-genomic data from our own population. We finally discuss the potential behind the strengthening of this scientific knowledge, aiming to optimize the comprehensive management of cancer.

New species of Crella (Pytheas) Topsent, 1890 and Crellomima Rezvoi, 1925 (Crellidae, Poecilosclerida, Demospongiae) from Chilean shallow and Argentinean deep waters, with a synthesis on the known phylogenetic relationships of crellid sponges.

Here, we describe four new species of Crellidae Dendy, 1922 and discuss characters and relationships from published molecular phylogenies including crellid sponges. New species proposed are Crella (Pytheas) chiloensis Fernandez, Gastaldi, Pardo Hajdu, sp. nov., from southern Chile (15 m depth), C. (P.) desventuradae Fernandez, Gastaldi, Zapata-Herndez Hajdu, sp. nov., from Desventuradas Archipelago (1020 m depth), Crella (P.) santacruzae Fernandez, Gastaldi, Thompson Hajdu, sp. nov., from deep waters off Argentina (750 m depth) and Crellomima sigmatifera Fernandez, Gastaldi Hajdu, sp. nov., from the Chilean fjords region (ca. 20 m depth). These new species are set apart from each other and from known species mainly due to aspects of their spiculation. Chelae microscleres and acanthostyles supply characters that might be used to infer phylogenetic relationships and to verify the monophyly of Crella Gray, 1867 and Crellidae, which has seemingly been contradicted by preliminary molecular data available in the systematics literature. Our own interpretation of phylogenetic affinities, in the light of morphological characters from previous taxonomic studies, argues for a classification reassessment of materials (vouchers) included in these molecular phylogenies, especially in the case of Crella incrustans (Carter, 1885). We argue that currently available molecular phylogenetic outcomes for crellid sponges are not supportive of the polyphyly of Crella and Crellidae.

Movilidades, violencia y cuidados: La experiencia de mujeres bolivianas en los territorios chilenos de la Triple-frontera Andina

The article reviews the social sciences’ bibliography on the migrant experience of Bolivian women in the Chilean territories bordering the Andean Triple-border-Area (between Bolivia, Chile and Peru), emphasizing the studies carried out in the Chilean Region of Arica and Parinacota. We start by situating and describing the Chilean territory of the Andean Triple-border-Area. We also discuss how the processes of historical formation of its borders have played a central role in the institutionalization of patterns of gender violence. Then, we discuss the Bolivian women’s mobilities and the economic flows that characterize them. We also synthesized the studies on the Bolivian Aymara presence in the agricultural valleys of the city of Arica, the findings of the studies on the experience of gender violence by the Aymara migrants, and on the transnational and cross-border chains of care. In the final section, we weave our conclusions on these studies.

General and infant mortality trends in Chile from 1909 to 2017

During the twentieth century, Chile experienced an important reduction in general mortality. To describe both general and infant mortality of Chile from 1909 to 2017. Analysis of information about births and deaths published by the Chilean National Institute of Statistics for the period between 1909 and 2017. Both general and infant mortality rates declined sharply from the 1930s to the late 1990s. However, during the last few years, general mortality rates increased slightly. This is the first increase in over a century. Another positive aspect is that there was a dramatic decrease in mortality rate gaps across Chilean regions, for both general and infant mortality. However, intraregional inequalities in infant mortality continue to be a detrimental factor. Public health efforts should be carried out to further reduce socioeconomic and regional gaps in adult and infant mortality in Chile.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Peer Victimization in a National Sample of Chilean Children and Youth.

This research aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of peer victimization (PV) in a national sample of Chilean children and youth. We worked with secondary data of Encuesta Nacional de Polivictimización (2017). The sample was probabilistic and included 19,684 participants between 12 and 18 years (M = 14.7, SD = 1.59) from all Chilean regions. The participants answered an adapted version of the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire to assess different violence forms. However, for the present study, only five items related to PV were considered. The results showed that a lifetime and the last 12 months' prevalence of PVwerevery high. More than half of the adolescents (60.3%) reported at least one type of victimization by peers throughout a lifetime. Gender differences were found; females have the highest rates of PV than males. These results have discussed the magnitude of this issue and promote the generation of prevention strategies.

Adaptive Capacity as Local Sustainable Development: Contextualizing and Comparing Risks and Resilience in Two Chilean Regions

Regional resilience refers to an immanent condition for facing multiple risks on a permanent basis, both episodic and incremental. These risks are not only linked to natural disasters and climate change, but also to poverty and inequality of access to services such as health, and personal safety. This article considers the underlying conditions that shape regional resilience in Chile, based on inter-regional and intra-regional comparisons in the Metropolitan Region of Santiago and the Region of Araucanía. Instead of viewing resilience in terms of an ability to counter a single risk, the article highlights the fact that risks are multiple and overlapping over time and generated at different scales. Municipal level data on poverty, health, and public finances in the two regions reveal the contrasting underlying inequalities that point to regional mosaics of resilience rather than homogeneity. Different threats are superposed on these preexisting conditions of resilience. The article refers to three in particular: the 2010 Chilean earthquake (episodic); climate change (episodic and incremental); and the Covid-19 pandemic (episodic). The findings point to high levels of urban versus rural differentiation, and also high differentiation within the Santiago Metropolitan Area based on socio-economic conditions. This regional mosaic of underlying structural conditions suggests that regional resilience can be enhanced by engaging with structural socio-spatial inequalities rather than a focus on managing risks via siloed, threat-by-threat responses.

Updating the knowledge of the flower flies (Diptera: Syrphidae) from Chile: Illustrated catalog, extinction risk and biological notes.

Syrphidae, more commonly known as flower flies, are considered one of the most important Diptera families worldwide because of their critical role in pollination, biological control and decomposition of organic matter. The study of these flies in Chile has stagnated due to a lack of local experts as well as the absence of an updated catalog of species. This study is an attempt to remedy the latter of these issues by providing an illustrated and updated catalog to the Syrphidae of Chile. Species are presented under currently accepted names, with synonyms and previous combinations listed and original references. Type localities, world and Chilean distribution by geopolitical Chilean regions, taxonomic and biological notes, a complete record of bibliographic references and extinction risk under IUCN Red List criteria are provided. This catalog recognizes 132 species of Syrphidae, belonging to four subfamilies (Eristalinae, Microdontinae, Pipizinae and Syrphinae), 13 tribes and 47 genera. A total of 46 species (34.84 %) is restricted to the geopolitical territory of Chile. Eight species are considered exotic, one is considered incertae sedis and three are based on doubtful records. Seventeen species of 10 different genera (Copestylum Macquart, 1846; Dolichogyna Macquart, 1842; Eosalpingogaster Hull, 1949b; Eupeodes Osten Sacken, 1877; Meromacrus Rondani, 1848; Palpada Macquart, 1834; Paragus Latreille, 1804; Sphiximorpha Rondani, 1850; Sterphus Philippi, 1865 and Toxomerus Macquart, 1855) are reported from Chile for the first time. A total of 44 species (33.33 %) reported from Chile are directly threatened by human activities such as agriculture, forestry, mining and/or urbanization and indirectly by climate change. The gaps found in the geographic distribution of Chilean flower fly species and what it means for its use by disciplines such as ecology, floral biology and agronomy, are discussed. In addition, the use of this illustrated catalog for biological conservation, the potential definition of priority areas and ecosystem management plans based on this group of Diptera are also discussed.

The resurgence of syphilis among pregnant women in southern Chile.

National rates of HIV, gonorrhoeae and syphilis have increased in Chile in recent years, but it is not known if syphilis among pregnant women (PW) is also escalating. To explore syphilis rates among PW in a southern Chilean region and to describe clinical features of mothers and offspring. We selected PW with positive VDRL or T. pallidum micro-he-magglutination (MHA-TP) reactive tests, referred to a high-risk obstetrical pathology center between 2011 and 2019. Clinical information of mothers and their offspring was obtained from their medical records. Syphilis rates among PW increased from 0.4 to 7.2 per 1,000 live births in the reference center from 2013 to 2019, along with a national and regional increase in both sexes. Twenty-nine cases of PW with syphilis were identified with a median age of 28 years (interquartile range 23-32). Seventeen percent had a history of drug abuse, and 14% had previous sexually transmitted diseases. In seven cases (24%), the diagnosis occurred at delivery. Three percent of patients had a primary syphilis, 14% a secondary syphilis, 24% an early latent syphilis, and 59% a latent syphilis. All cases except one case were treated with benzathine penicillin G and the remaining with erythromycin due to allergy suspicion. Penicillin desensitization was required in two cases (7%). Treatment timing was inadequate in 10 cases (34.5%). Of 19 patients with available serological follow-up, 10 (53%) showed a significant decrease in VDRL titers (≥ 2 dilutions) and two cases had re-infection. Two patients (7%) had an abortion, two had congenital syphilis (7%), and six had premature births (21%), totaling 35% of adverse-pregnancy outcomes. Resurgence of syphilis among pregnant women is happening in southern Chile and is associated to adverse-pregnancy outcomes.