University of Talca

Due to increased awareness and better diagnostic methods the reported prevalence of autism has increased dramatically. Despite this, to our knowledge, no bibliometric analysis on the topic has been conducted. The aim was to analyse the existing literature on autism prevalence in the Web of Science (WoS). A total of 958 articles on the prevalence of autism were retrieved and analysed from various WoS databases between the years 1976 and 2024. Biblioshiny, an R-Studio package, and Excel spreadsheets were used for the statistical processing of the data. Publications on autism prevalence showed an average annual growth rate of 5.73 % with the highest activity period occurring between 2015 and 2021. The most relevant articles were primarily published in the "Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders," featuring prominent authors such as Fombonne and Durkin. Collaboration among authors has increased. Researched topics include psychiatric disorders, comorbid conditions, and risk factors, while the most frequent keywords reflect populations such as "children" and "adolescents". The United States is the most productive country, followed by the United Kingdom and China, highlighting the global relevance of autism research. This study provides a global perspective, acknowledging both historical and current points of significance in the major research areas and trends concerning the worldwide prevalence of autism. • Bibliometric analysis of global autism research. • Demonstrates trends in worldwide prevalence rates of autism. • Acknowledges historical and current points of significance in major research areas.

A novel decision-making (DM) based direct speed predictive control (DSPC) strategy for an induction machine (IM) is presented in this article, eliminating the requirement for weighting factors (WFs). The proposed technique applies the Euclidean norm-based DM approach to DSPC, tackling the challenges observed in conventional WF-based model predictive control strategies. In addition, an extended Kalman filter (EKF) is considered to estimate the rotor flux and load torque, improving the robustness of the system and decreasing complexity by avoiding multiple estimators. The DM-based DSPC technique is validated by simulation and experimental results under different operating conditions. This article also demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed technique by establishing a comparison with a conventional DSPC technique that uses WFs and the same EKF observer. Our results confirm that the DM-based DSPC scheme improves the control performance and robustness of the system, being a promising alternative for high-performance drive applications.

Floating exchange rates are widely considered difficult-if not impossible-to predict. While traditional evaluations focus on out-of-sample accuracy measures such as Mean Squared Prediction Error (MSPE), recent literature argues that predictability is better understood as a form of dependence. Following this view, we assess the ability of Chile's Survey of Professional Forecasters (SPF) to predict the Chilean peso (CLP) across multiple horizons. We find that SPF forecasts maintain stable and statistically significant predictive correlations with CLP returns, indicating meaningful predictability. However, forecast accuracy varies over time, mainly due to a persistent positive bias in the survey. We propose an adjustment aimed at removing this and other inefficiencies, which greatly improves accuracy, particularly at medium and long horizons. Finally, and contrary to common wisdom, we find that the most difficult benchmark to beat in the Chilean case is the random walk with drift-not the driftless random walk.

The rapid digital transformation of education systems has profoundly changed teachers' working conditions, intensified administrative demands, and highlighted territorial and organizational inequalities. In this context, understanding how these dynamics influence teacher engagement is essential for promoting healthy educational organizations. This study examined the factor structure of the UWES-17 and analyzed the relationship between engagement levels and sociodemographic variables in a sample of 314 elementary school teachers from four regions of Chile. Descriptive analyses, exploratory factor analysis with polychoric correlations and unweighted least squares, and confirmatory factor analysis using robust ULS and the Hull method were performed. The results showed a robust two-factor structure-Inspired Vitality and Challenging Commitment-with excellent fit indices. Freeman-Halton exact tests showed that Inspired Vitality was significantly associated with age, gender, region, location, administrative dependency, and professional experience, while Challenging Commitment was associated with gender, region, context, and professional experience. These findings indicate that teacher engagement is influenced by both structural inequalities and individual trajectories. The results underscore the need to strengthen organizational resources, regulate digital intensification, and reduce territorial gaps to promote teacher well-being.

Oral health literacy (OHL) influences older adults' capacity to obtain, process and apply oral health information for self-care and decision-making. Evidence on OHL in community-dwelling older adults in Chile remains scarce. This study explored the factors shaping OHL among Chilean community-dwelling older adults. A qualitative exploratory study was conducted using the Grounded Theory approach. Older adults (≥ 65 years) were purposively sampled from three municipalities in Santiago, Chile, representing different levels of social vulnerability. Thirteen in-depth, face-to-face, semi-structured interviews were conducted. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed iteratively using constant comparison and open, axial and selective coding, categorising the answers to identify emerging topics until reaching saturation. Data triangulation included interviews, field observations and document reviews. Findings emerged into two overarching dimensions shaping OHL across the life course: upstream and downstream factors. Upstream factors included contextual factors, provider-related factors and system-related factors. Downstream factors encompassed individual and behavioural aspects that influenced access to dental care and attention. OHL in older adults is shaped by cumulative life-course experiences across structural, social and individual domains. Addressing OHL requires integrated public policies, professional training in patient-centred communication and community-based strategies targeting social determinants to promote equitable oral health in older age.

Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is gaining popularity as a sustainable building material due to its favorable structural performance and low environmental impact. This study introduces a multiscale domain decomposition method, known as the LaTIn strategy, to predict the out-of-plane behavior and failure of CLT panels. The proposed approach incorporates cohesive zone models to capture inter- and intralaminar damage using a cohesive parameter identification based on strength values reported in the literature. By aligning domain partitioning with principal stress directions and leveraging parallel computations, the method reduces degrees of freedom and the number of subdomains by up to 55% and 70%, respectively. Additional algorithmic enhancements allow for a 70% reduction of iterations. Validation with experimental data confirms the model’s ability to predict rolling shear failure with high accuracy. These results demonstrate the potential of the strategy for efficient and reliable simulation of timber structures, in line with the needs of multiscale nonlinear analysis in structural engineering.

International trade policy constitutes a challenging subject for undergraduate students, as it requires the integration of historical, institutional, and quantitative perspectives. This study presents a digital learning framework designed to support the teaching of Ecuador’s trade policy trajectory between 1979 and 2024 through the use of open macroeconomic datasets, interactive visualizations, and guided data-analysis tasks. The framework combines historical interpretation with structured digital inquiry, allowing students to explore policy cycles, export composition, and institutional shifts using empirical evidence. A small-scale classroom implementation with economics and social science students (n = 48) indicates that the proposed approach supports students’ ability to recognize long-term economic trends and to relate policy decisions to broader development patterns. Rather than offering causal claims, the study provides exploratory evidence of how data-driven digital environments can enhance analytical engagement in policy-oriented courses. The framework is intended as a transferable pedagogical model for contexts where economic history, public policy, and digital learning intersect.

Este estudio tuvo por objetivo explorar el alcance formativo de la lectura de relatos en la formación inicial. Asumiendo que la formación debe orientarse epistémicamente hacia la práctica, empleamos una metodología fenomenológica y hermenéutica para interrogar el sentido formativo que tiene narrar experiencias significativas de las pasantías de práctica (practicum). Los resultados del análisis temático de 67 informes reflexivos muestran que relatar experiencias posibilita a) acrecentar el conocimiento que poseen sobre experiencias escolares, b) ahondar analíticamente en los significados educativos que tienen las vivencias y c) desarrollar una sensibilidad pedagógica en relación con aquello que se va reflexionando e interpela subjetivamente a educadores en formación. Las conclusiones destacan la importancia de compartir relatos para ampliar el sentido de lo que significa educar y valoran el potencial formativo de las narrativas para los programas de pedagogía que buscan dar centralidad a la reflexión docente.