The genomics of ecological flexibility, large brains, and long lives in capuchin monkeys revealed with fecalFACS.

Ecological flexibility, extended lifespans, and large brains have long intrigued evolutionary biologists, and comparative genomics offers an efficient and effective tool for generating new insights into the evolution of such traits. Studies of capuchin monkeys are particularly well situated to shed light on the selective pressures and genetic underpinnings of local adaptation to diverse habitats, longevity, and brain development. Distributed widely across Central and South America, they are inventive and extractive foragers, known for their sensorimotor intelligence. Capuchins have among the largest relative brain size of any monkey and a lifespan that exceeds 50 y, despite their small (3 to 5 kg) body size. We assemble and annotate a de novo reference genome for Cebus imitator Through high-depth sequencing of DNA derived from blood, various tissues, and feces via fluorescence-activated cell sorting (fecalFACS) to isolate monkey epithelial cells, we compared genomes of capuchin populations from tropical dry forests and lowland rainforests and identified population divergence in genes involved in water balance, kidney function, and metabolism. Through a comparative genomics approach spanning a wide diversity of mammals, we identified genes under positive selection associated with longevity and brain development. Additionally, we provide a technological advancement in the use of noninvasive genomics for studies of free-ranging mammals. Our intra- and interspecific comparative study of capuchin genomics provides insights into processes underlying local adaptation to diverse and physiologically challenging environments, as well as the molecular basis of brain evolution and longevity.

[Qualitative analysis of health preparedness policies in ChileUma análise qualitativa das políticas de preparação na área de saúde no Chile]. / Un análisis cualitativo de las políticas de preparación en salud en Chile.

Objective: Analyze health preparedness policies in Chile and identify their strengths and weaknesses. No other studies to date provide an analysis of the country's preparedness policies. Methods: A desk review and semi-structured interviews with experts in emergency preparedness and response were conducted to identify the regulatory framework, key actors, and the strengths and weaknesses of health preparedness policies. Results: The researchers identified 103 standards and interviewed seven preparedness experts. The reviewed standards and interviews show that Chile is in a transitional phase between the old National Civil Protection System and the new National Disaster Prevention and Response System. Only three standards were directly related to health, but the preparedness regulations provide for a multidisciplinary set of actors to address any threat. The experts gave a positive assessment of the Chilean system, although they agreed that certain weaknesses must be corrected. The country's main strength is its disaster response experience, along with its coordination mechanisms. The main shortcomings include risk communication, mitigation, preparedness and assessment, and human resources. Conclusions: Chile has a solid regulatory framework with an all-hazards approach and a set of multisectoral institutions. The new National Disaster Prevention and Response System must build on its strengths to correct the weaknesses that limit its emergency preparedness and response capacity.

Objetivos: Analisar as políticas de preparação na área de saúde no Chile e identificar seus pontos fortes e fracos. Até o momento, não há outros estudos que analisem as políticas de preparação no país. Métodos: Foi realizada uma análise documental e entrevistas semiestruturadas com especialistas em preparação e resposta a emergências para identificar a estrutura regulatória, os principais atores e os pontos fortes e fracos das políticas de preparação na área de saúde. Resultados: Foram encontradas 103 normas, e 7 especialistas em preparação foram entrevistados. As normas analisadas e as entrevistas demostram que o Chile está em um momento de transição entre o antigo Sistema Nacional de Proteção Civil e o novo Sistema Nacional de Prevenção e Resposta a Desastres. Apenas três normas estavam diretamente relacionadas à saúde, mas a legislação de preparação prevê a abordagem de qualquer ameaça por um conjunto multidisciplinar de atores. Os especialistas fizeram uma avaliação positiva do sistema chileno, embora tenha havido consenso sobre alguns pontos fracos que precisam ser corrigidos. O principal ponto forte é a experiência na resposta a desastres, bem como seus mecanismos de coordenação. Os principais pontos fracos foram detectados na comunicação de riscos, na mitigação, na preparação e avaliação e nos recursos humanos. Conclusões: O Chile tem uma sólida estrutura regulatória, com uma perspectiva de múltiplas ameaças e um conjunto de instituições multissetoriais. O novo Sistema Nacional de Prevenção e Resposta a Desastres deve se basear em seus pontos fortes para corrigir as deficiências que limitam sua capacidade de preparação e resposta a emergências.

Analysis of public policy formulation and its effect on the technical and professional work of the community psychologist: A case study.

The academic and professional relationship between Community Psychology and public policy is increasing, especially as pertaining to social issues. An important discussion is to be had regarding the complexity, degrees of complementarity, and contributions of this link, as well as its risks for the discipline of Community Psychology. In this context, this study asks the following question: What are the dynamics of public policy formulation for extreme poverty in Chile and its effect on the technical definition of the psychologists' work, and what alternatives this opens up for a discussion on the relationship between Community Psychology and public policies? A qualitative and idiographic methodological approach is used, based on Grounded Theory by Strauss & Corbin (2002) and the Case Study by Coller (2000), to analyze semistructured interviews with 10 policymakers of the Chile Seguridades y Oportunidades policy and nine legislative and technical documents that support this policy. The results show that the technical work of the psychologist who participates in public policy towards extreme poverty is affected and configured by the mechanisms and dynamics of the connection between the various frameworks of meaning of policy formulation. These frames of meaning affect the configuration of technical norms that, in a dynamic of reciprocal influence between notions of reference, notions of problem and notions of solution, affect and configure the professional tasks of the psychologists, in terms of the focus of their work, their objectives, levels of intervention and interdisciplinary work.

Diet and the evolution of ADH7 across seven orders of mammals.

Dietary variation within and across species drives the eco-evolutionary responsiveness of genes necessary to metabolize nutrients and other components. Recent evidence from humans and other mammals suggests that sugar-rich diets of floral nectar and ripe fruit have favoured mutations in, and functional preservation of, the ADH7 gene, which encodes the ADH class 4 enzyme responsible for metabolizing ethanol. Here we interrogate a large, comparative dataset of ADH7 gene sequence variation, including that underlying the amino acid residue located at the key site (294) that regulates the affinity of ADH7 for ethanol. Our analyses span 171 mammal species, including 59 newly sequenced. We report extensive variation, especially among frugivorous and nectarivorous bats, with potential for functional impact. We also report widespread variation in the retention and probable pseudogenization of ADH7. However, we find little statistical evidence of an overarching impact of dietary behaviour on putative ADH7 function or presence of derived alleles at site 294 across mammals, which suggests that the evolution of ADH7 is shaped by complex factors. Our study reports extensive new diversity in a gene of longstanding ecological interest, offers new sources of variation to be explored in functional assays in future study, and advances our understanding of the processes of molecular evolution.

Un análisis cualitativo de las políticas de preparación en salud en Chile / Qualitative analysis of health preparedness policies in Chile / Uma análise qualitativa das políticas de preparação na área de saúde no Chile

RESUMEN Objetivo. Analizar las políticas de preparación en salud en Chile, e identificar sus fortalezas y debilidades. No hay hasta la fecha otros estudios que analicen las políticas de preparación en el país. Métodos. Se llevó a cabo una revisión documental y entrevistas semiestructuradas con expertos en preparación y respuesta a emergencias para identificar el marco normativo, los actores principales, y las fortalezas y debilidades de las políticas de preparación en salud. Resultados. Se encontraron 103 normas y se entrevistó a 7 personas expertas en preparación. Las normas revisadas y las entrevistas demuestran que Chile se encuentra en un momento de transición entre el antiguo Sistema Nacional de Protección Civil y el nuevo Sistema Nacional de Prevención y Respuesta ante Desastres. Solo tres normas tenían relación directa con salud, pero la normativa de preparación prevé el abordaje de cualquier amenaza desde un conjunto de actores multidisciplinario. Los expertos valoraron de manera positiva el sistema chileno, si bien hubo consenso en algunas debilidades que deben corregirse. La principal fortaleza es la experiencia en respuesta a desastres, así como sus mecanismos de coordinación. Las principales deficiencias se detectaron en la comunicación de riesgo, la mitigación, la preparación y evaluación, y los recursos humanos. Conclusiones. Chile cuenta con un marco normativo sólido con una perspectiva multiamenaza y un conjunto de instituciones multisectoral. El nuevo Sistema Nacional de Prevención y Respuesta ante Desastres debe apoyarse en sus fortalezas para corregir las debilidades que limitan su capacidad de preparación y respuesta ante emergencias.

ABSTRACT Objective. Analyze health preparedness policies in Chile and identify their strengths and weaknesses. No other studies to date provide an analysis of the country's preparedness policies. Methods. A desk review and semi-structured interviews with experts in emergency preparedness and response were conducted to identify the regulatory framework, key actors, and the strengths and weaknesses of health preparedness policies. Results. The researchers identified 103 standards and interviewed seven preparedness experts. The reviewed standards and interviews show that Chile is in a transitional phase between the old National Civil Protection System and the new National Disaster Prevention and Response System. Only three standards were directly related to health, but the preparedness regulations provide for a multidisciplinary set of actors to address any threat. The experts gave a positive assessment of the Chilean system, although they agreed that certain weaknesses must be corrected. The country's main strength is its disaster response experience, along with its coordination mechanisms. The main shortcomings include risk communication, mitigation, preparedness and assessment, and human resources. Conclusions. Chile has a solid regulatory framework with an all-hazards approach and a set of multisectoral institutions. The new National Disaster Prevention and Response System must build on its strengths to correct the weaknesses that limit its emergency preparedness and response capacity.

RESUMO Objetivos. Analisar as políticas de preparação na área de saúde no Chile e identificar seus pontos fortes e fracos. Até o momento, não há outros estudos que analisem as políticas de preparação no país. Métodos. Foi realizada uma análise documental e entrevistas semiestruturadas com especialistas em preparação e resposta a emergências para identificar a estrutura regulatória, os principais atores e os pontos fortes e fracos das políticas de preparação na área de saúde. Resultados. Foram encontradas 103 normas, e 7 especialistas em preparação foram entrevistados. As normas analisadas e as entrevistas demostram que o Chile está em um momento de transição entre o antigo Sistema Nacional de Proteção Civil e o novo Sistema Nacional de Prevenção e Resposta a Desastres. Apenas três normas estavam diretamente relacionadas à saúde, mas a legislação de preparação prevê a abordagem de qualquer ameaça por um conjunto multidisciplinar de atores. Os especialistas fizeram uma avaliação positiva do sistema chileno, embora tenha havido consenso sobre alguns pontos fracos que precisam ser corrigidos. O principal ponto forte é a experiência na resposta a desastres, bem como seus mecanismos de coordenação. Os principais pontos fracos foram detectados na comunicação de riscos, na mitigação, na preparação e avaliação e nos recursos humanos. Conclusões. O Chile tem uma sólida estrutura regulatória, com uma perspectiva de múltiplas ameaças e um conjunto de instituições multissetoriais. O novo Sistema Nacional de Prevenção e Resposta a Desastres deve se basear em seus pontos fortes para corrigir as deficiências que limitam sua capacidade de preparação e resposta a emergências.

SEROSURVEY OF SELECTED ARBOVIRAL PATHOGENS IN FREE-RANGING, TWO-TOED SLOTHS (CHOLOEPUS HOFFMANNI) AND THREE-TOED SLOTHS (BRADYPUS VARIEGATUS) IN COSTA RICA, 2005-07.

We screened for antibodies to 16 arboviruses in four populations of free-ranging sloths in Costa Rica. Blood samples were taken from 16 Hoffman's two-toed sloths (HTSs; Choloepus hoffmanni ) and 26 brown-throated sloths (BTSs; Bradypus variegatus ) over a 3-yr period. We used serologic assays to detect antibodies against 10 arboviruses previously described in sloths (St. Louis encephalitis [SLEV], Changuinola, Venezuelan equine encephalitis, Ilheus [ILHV], Oropouche, Mayaro, Utinga, Murutucu, Punta Toro, and vesicular stomatitis [VSV] viruses) and six arboviruses not described in sloths (Rio Grande, West Nile [WNV], eastern equine encephalitis, Piry, Munguba, and La Crosse viruses). Overall, 80% of sloths had detectable antibodies to SLEV, 67% had antibodies to ILHV, 32% to Punta Toro virus, 30% to Changuinola virus, 15% to WNV, 14% to VSV, 11% to Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, and 10% to Rio Grande virus. No samples had detectable antibodies to the remaining eight viruses. We found a significant increase in prevalence of antibody to VSV in HTSs between 2005 and 2007, and for WNV antibody between 2005 and 2006. We found no significant differences in the prevalences of antibodies to the sampled viruses between the two locations. Antibody prevalences were significantly higher in HTSs than in BTSs for SLEV in 2005. Antibody-positive results for ILHV were likely due to cross-reaction with SLEV. The novel finding of antibodies to Rio Grande virus in sloths could be due to cross-reaction with another phlebovirus. These findings might have implications for land management and domestic animal health. Due to the nature of the study, we could not determine whether sloths could represent amplification hosts for these viruses, or whether they were only exposed and could be used as sentinel species. Further studies are needed to fully characterize arboviral exposure in sloths.

Políticas de bienestar en contextos neoliberales: tensiones del modelo chileno / Políticas de bem-estar em contextos neoliberais: tenções do modelo chileno / Policy of welfare in neoliberal contexts: tensions of the Chilean model / Protection sociale dans des contextes neoliberaux: tensions du modèle chilien

Las sociedades latinoamericanas contemporáneas se han visto tensionadas por los conflictos entre múltiples visiones sobre la articulación entre crecimiento económico y políticas sociales. Este artículo expone el análisis desde el enfoque de marcos interpretativos que, desde la perspectiva constructivista, permite profundizar en la dimensión simbólica y representacional de las políticas. A partir de reflexiones teóricas y análisis sobre las visiones en la protección social en discusiones parlamentarias en el caso de Chile, la finalidad es aportar a una perspectiva de análisis que permita indagar en los procesos de cambio de las políticas sociales, y mostrar cómo el eje en las ideas ofrece una mejor comprensión de la estabilidad y el cambio de las políticas sociales.

As sociedades latino-americanas contemporâneas se viram tensionadas por conflitos entre múltiplas visões sobre a articulação entre crescimento econômico e políticas sociais. Este artigo apresenta a análise de quadros interpretativos que, a partir da perspectiva construtivista, permitem aprofundar a dimensão simbólica e representativa das políticas. A partir de reflexões teóricas e análises sobre as visões de proteção social em discussões parlamentares, no caso do Chile, a finalidade é trazer uma perspectiva de análise que permita indagar sobre os processos de mudança das políticas sociais e mostrar como o eixo, nas ideias, oferece uma compreensão melhor da estabilidade e da mudança das políticas sociais.