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Macro‐Level Climate and Minority Voice: How Indigenous Multiculturalism Relates to Collective Action
No full textInequalities and discrimination against Indigenous minorities are pervasive in post-colonial societies. Collective action is critical for Indigenous minorities to redress these injustices. Integrating research on collective action, macro-level norms and multiculturalism, we argue that macro-level climates characterized by non-Indigenous endorsement of Indigenous multiculturalism policies are likely associated with Indigenous minorities’ collective action. Two multilevel studies in Chile (non-Indigenous majorities N = 1132; Indigenous minorities N = 1160; 26 communities) and New Zealand (NZ) (non-Indigenous majorities N = 12,136; Indigenous minorities N = 3484; 108 communities) reveal that non-Indigenous macro-level (i.e., aggregated) endorsement of resource-based policies was related to increased Indigenous minorities’ reaction to injustices and collective action. Non-Indigenous macro-level endorsement of symbolic policies showed similar (albeit weaker) results in NZ, but not in Chile. Thus, macro-level climates that endorse concrete measures to address power asymmetries are particularly effective at fostering Indigenous minorities’ collective action. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed
Impact on patient waiting and service downtime due to nonstructural earthquake damage of Hospital critical rooms
No full textTesis (Doctor in Engineering Sciences)--Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 2025Proveer cuidado médico continuo y estabilizar a pacientes gravemente heridos son servicios críticos que los hospitales ofrecen durante emergencias causadas por terremotos. Sin embargo, durante las últimas décadas muchos hospitales alrededor del mundo han sufrido daño no estructural significativo que ha impactado severamente la funcionalidad de los servicios médicos, reduciendo drásticamente su capacidad de respuesta hospitalaria. Actualmente, existe escasa investigación acerca de cómo correlacionar adecuadamente el daño de elementos no estructurales, sistemas, y contenidos (NSC) con la funcionalidad de recintos críticos hospitalarios y su posterior recuperación. Para abordar este vacío de conocimiento, esta investigación se enfoca en la estimación del impacto del daño de NSC en la Funcionalidad Residual (RF) y Tiempos de Espera de pacientes (WT) en recintos críticos hospitalarios. Para lograr esto, en primer lugar, la Técnica de Proyección de Cámara (CPT) fue usada para extraer las respuestas experimentales del equipamiento médico instalado en el edificio de cinco pisos, ensayado a escala natural en la Universidad de California San Diego, en 2012. Segundo, tres modelos numéricos no lineales, es decir, rodante, deslizante, y balanceo-vuelco, fueron desarrollados en MATLAB para reproducir las respuestas experimentales obtenidas en CPT. Luego, dos modelos de edificios hospitalarios tridimensionales y completamente equipados fueron desarrollados en OpenSees para simular un Box de Urgencia (ER), una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (ICU), y un Recinto Operatorio (OR) en el primer, cuarto, y quinto piso, respectivamente, considerando ambos sistemas de apoyo, Fijo-a-la-Base (FB) y Base-Aislada (BI). Ambos modelos hospitalarios fueron analizados para estimar su desempeño y daño estructural, no estructural, y de contenidos de forma progresiva para los sismos de Servicio (SE), Diseño (DE), y Máximo Sismo Considerado (MCE), y para ambos sistemas de apoyo. Luego, curvas de fragilidad estructural y de contenido médico no anclado fueron específicamente desarrolladas en este estudio usando Análisis Dinámico Incremental (IDA). Posteriormente, se adoptó una metodología probabilística para construir escenarios de daño no estructural usando modelos 3D de Realidad Virtual (3D-VR) mediante el acoplamiento de curvas de fragilidad estructural y no estructural usando 10,000 Simulaciones Monte Carlo (MCS). Luego, estos escenarios 3D-VR fueron usados para llevar a cabo elicitaciones a expertos médicos con la finalidad de obtener opiniones imparciales para RF y WT para cada recinto crítico, nivel de demanda sísmica, y condición de apoyo. Finalmente, los juicios de expertos fueron procesados usando el método Cooke para construir curvas de fragilidad discretas para RF y WT. Esta investigación busca contribuir a un mejor entendimiento del daño NSC, su interacción con el desempeño estructural, y su impacto en la continuidad de servicios médicos.ANIDANID/FONDECYTANID/FONDA
The LINC complex in blood vessels: from physiology to pathological implications in arterioles
No full text© 2025 The Authors. The Journal of Physiology © 2025 The Physiological Society.The LINC (linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton) complex is a critical component of the cellular architecture that bridges the nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton and mediates mechanotransduction to and from the nucleus. Though it plays important roles in all blood vessels, it is in arterioles that this complex plays a pivotal role in maintaining endothelial cell integrity, regulating vascular tone, forming new microvessels and modulating responses to mechanical and biochemical stimuli. It is also important in vascular smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts, where it possibly plays a role in the contractile to secretory phenotypic transformation during atherosclerosis and vascular ageing, and in fibroblasts' migration and inflammatory responses in the adventitia. Physiologically, the LINC complex contributes to the stability of arteriolar structure, adaptations to changes in blood flow and injury repair mechanisms. Pathologically, dysregulation or mutations in LINC complex components can lead to compromised endothelial function, vascular remodelling and exacerbation of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis (arteriolosclerosis). This review summarizes our current understanding of the roles of the LINC complex in cells from arterioles, highlighting its most important physiological functions, exploring its implications for vascular pathology and emphasizing some of its functional characteristics in endothelial cells. By elucidating the LINC complex's role in health and disease, we aim to provide insights that could improve future therapeutic strategies targeting LINC complex-related vascular disorders. (Figure presented.)
Mineral resource estimation for a placer gold deposit in Cordón Baquedano mining district, Tierra del Fuego, Chile (54°S)
No full textThe genesis of gold placer deposits is related to different superficial processes, having varied characteristics and complex mechanisms of mineral concentrations. They are often exploited by medium to small-scale miners, with high geological uncertainty and/or without proper geological characterisation. This represents a difficulty for mineral resource estimation, and usually simpler geometric methods are employed. The Cordón Baquedano Gold Mining District (CBGMD) in southernmost South America has been a source of detrital gold for over a century. Some attempts of industrialised mining occurred but without success. Furthermore, the existing metallogenic models are over 30 years old and do not represent the complexity and variety of the deposits found in the district. This research follows the common practices for mineral inventory estimation to create a resource model for the Mina Nueva Deposit (MND) in the CBGMD. Mineralisation and resource models are proposed by using traditional and geostatistical methods. The results of this study indicate that the gold resources in the MND varies from 8,070 to 10,730 ounces using newly acquired dataset, and from 16,720 to 18,280 ounces for a database that incorporates new and historical information. This illustrates the great complexity and variability of results when estimating mineral resources within placer gold deposits in this area
Tackling cutaneous herpes simplex virus disease with topical immunomodulators—a call to action
No full textOptical characterization of single molecules for quantum technologies
No full textTesis (Master’s degree in Physics)--Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 2025.In this thesis, the optical properties of Vanadium Oxide Phthalocyanine (VOPc) molecules were studied using a home-built confocal microscope setup. Single VOPc molecules were successfully isolated and identified by their distinct diffraction-limited spots. Two sample preparation techniques were compared: spin coating and ion exchange. Spin coating produced less density of spots, while ion exchange resulted in more photostable spots.The emission spectra of the isolated spots were consistent with the known spectrum of VOPc, showing two peaks around 855 nm and 877 nm. The polarization response of the molecules indicated that they are randomly oriented in the sample. The lifetime of VOPc molecules was measured using time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC), revealing an unexpected oscillatory behavior at high excitation powers, which disappeared at lower powers. This behavior suggests that the oscillation might be due to the laser's stability or noise. The lifetimes measured in an ensemble of VOPc were τ1 = 0.038 ns and τ2 = 0.221 ns for a power of 3.5 μW, and τ1 = 0.034 ns and τ2 = 0.084 ns. This power dependence on the excitation power is not the expected behavior as the lifetime should be a fixed characteristic of the molecule. Overall, the study provided valuable insights into the optical properties and isolation of VOPc molecules. Future work could focus on measuring the saturation curve of the fluorescence, confirming the presence of single molecules using second-order autocorrelation, and investigating the interaction of VOPc molecules with magnetic fields for potential applications in quantum technologies.ANID-Subdirección de Capital Humano-Magíster Nacional-2023; Folio de beca: 22231517ANID/Fondecyt Regular; Folio de beca: 1221512ANID-ACT; Folio: 192023Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR); Folio: FA2386- 21-1-412
Timber Biogenic Carbon Stock in the Urban Environment: Santiago City as a Second Forest
No full textUrban environments significantly contribute to carbon emissions, both through operational processes and the embodied emissions of construction materials, thus exacerbating climate change. Nevertheless, urban timber structures offer a viable alternative by acting as carbon sinks, capable of sequestering carbon for decades or even centuries. This study develops and applies a methodology to quantify the biogenic carbon stored in Santiago City’s timber-based buildings, conceptualized as a “Second Forest” that transfers and preserves the carbon capture capacity of trees in the built environment. The analysis estimates that Santiago’s urban timber constructions have expanded their wood-built surface area by 192,831 m2 over the past eight years, reflecting the growing adoption of timber in urban construction. During the same period, biogenic carbon storage increased from 199.78 kt to 202.73 kt, equivalent to 10.84 kt of CO2 under average conditions. These findings highlight the potential of urban planning strategies, such as promoting taller timber buildings and adopting circular timber practices, to enhance carbon sequestration and reduce reliance on carbon-intensive materials. This research highlights the fundamental role that timber buildings play in urban climate change mitigation, positioning them as active contributors to global carbon management efforts
Reducing interpretative ambiguity in an educational environment with ChatGPT
No full textThe study posits that both concrete and abstract words are crucial for effective communication, particularly in educational contexts where the interplay between these forms of language intersects with linguistic, cognitive, and social stratification theories. A key challenge is balancing the efficiency of abstract language in conveying complex concepts with the accessibility of concrete language, which enhances student comprehension. Generative languages, with their capacity to manipulate symbols, offer a way to navigate this challenge by facilitating the structured and systematic representation and exploration of abstract concepts within their contexts. The central research question was: “How can generative languages assist educational stakeholders in articulating their ideas and actions more clearly by identifying and refining abstract terms?” To explore this, a protocol in English was developed for ChatGPT-4, featuring structured guidelines and prompts aimed at helping users achieve specific educational goals. In a pilot study involving 13 participants, ChatGPT-4 provided feedback, suggested improvements, and guided users through text interactions. One of the authors observed the participants, took notes on their behavior, and conducted brief post-exercise discussions to gauge their experiences. After the session, participants were asked to reflect on their experience and share their thoughts via email. The process helped participants refine their responses from abstract to more concrete terms, enhancing clarity and engagement with educational content. The ChatGPT-4 protocol effectively bridges the gap between abstract pedagogical theories and practical classroom application, training teachers to use vivid descriptions, relatable scenarios, and tangible examples. This study illustrates how artificial intelligence can successfully integrate teaching principles and learning theories to enhance educational practices
Implementation of Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs in Chilean Hospitals: A Mixed-Methods Assessment
No full textTesis (Master in Public Policy)--Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 2024Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical public health threat in Chile, as it is globally, driven by the misuse of antibiotics. The increasing prevalence of AMR compromises the effectiveness of treatments for infectious diseases, posing severe risks to vulnerable populations and leading to higher healthcare costs. In response, Chile implemented a National Action Plan against AMR. A key component of this plan is the establishment of Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASPs) in medium and high-complexity hospitals, aimed at optimizing antimicrobial use. However, there is an urgent need to understand the development of these ASPs and the barriers to implementing effective programs. Identifying these challenges is crucial to inform public health decision-making and strengthen these programs as a key strategy to combat AMR
Forward energy grade line analysis for tsunami inundation mapping
No full textA simplified model using 1D topobathymetric profiles for generating tsunami inundation maps is implemented and evaluated. The approach is a modification of the ASCE Energy Grade Line Analysis, that allows estimation of the maximum inundation distances using an iterative method. The modified methodology is implemented in three coastal cities in central Chile and compared with a database of 5400 full tsunami simulations obtained from a Nonlinear Shallow Water Equations solver. The key parameter of the model is based on the Froude number, for which three parameterizations and a range of values are tested. Results show that errors in the estimation of the areal extent of the inundation can be as low as 4%, after calibration. However, calibration is site specific and the optimal solution depends on the geographical characteristics of the area of interest. A sensitivity analysis based on the aleatoric sampling of the full tsunami simulation database show that as little as 100 inundation maps are required to perform the calibration of the model. This is a manageable number that offers reduced computational costs when compared with full tsunami simulations, and even those required to train other surrogate models using machine learning.Servicio Hidrográfico y Oceanográfico de la Armada de ChileSHOAAgencia Nacional de Investigación y DesarrolloFONDECYTFONDECYTCIGIDENCIGIDE