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Cross-cultural communication competence of Chinese immigration children and adolescent in Basque Country
No full text306 p.Chinese immigration to the Basque Country began in the 1950s, with rapid growthsince the 1980s. Due to the region¿s unique Basque culture and language,Chinese families face challenges adapting to Chinese, Spanish, and Basque(Euskera) cultures, offering a new perspective for cross-cultural studies.This study examines 1.5- and second-generation Chinese immigrant children, aswell as some adopted children, analyzing their cross-cultural competence throughsurveys and interviews. Results show that these children are most proficient inSpanish, followed by Chinese, and least in Euskera. Influences on cross-culturalcompetence include length of residence, family dynamics, school resources, andsocial engagement. Additionally, adopted children tend to "seek" identity throughreconnecting with their past, while immigrant children "choose" between culturalidentities.The study recommends collaborative support from families, schools
Spin and charge control of single molecules for atomic scale quantum coherence
No full text127 p.The quantum coherence of molecular spins, a platform for miniaturized quantum computation, is generally diminished when interfaced with conductive surfaces due to the Kondo effect, and magnetism can even be destroyed entirely by charge transfer. In this thesis, we explore several rationales for how the gas-phase electronic properties of isolated molecular spins can be protected from, or even enhanced by these interactions. For instance, ¿-magnetic chiral graphene nanoribbons, when spaced by a thin insulating MgO layer from a metallic substrate, support electronically decoupled but highly negative charge states are realized, whose ionicity and spin state are tuned purely by geometry. On the intermetallic ferromagnet GdAu2, instead a pristine half-filled molecular state manifests in the emergence of two characteristic symmetry-protected topological zero modes with local moments. Employing a single nickelocene molecule as a spin probe, we map the substrate¿s exchange field whichfavours alignment of radicals. To probe the quantum coherence of molecular spins, we augment a scanning tunnelling microscope with radiofrequency capability and perform electron spin resonance of an individual atom, obtaining state-of-the-art energy resolution. In this work, several molecular spin qubit candidates are realized by rational choice of both chemical structure and supporting surfac
Advancing artificial intelligence in medical imaging: self- aware exploration, data augmentation, and real- world simulation for robust diagnosis
No full text213 p.Artificial intelligence (Al) and deep learning are at the forefront of revolutionizing medica! imaging, promising unprecedented advancements in diagnostic precision, efficiency, and accessibility. Despite this potential, their application in clinical settings is hampered by persistent challenges such as limited high-quality data, class imbalance, and the complex variability inherent in medica! images. This PhD thesis addresses these critica! challenges through three pioneering research contributions: (1) the introduction of self-aware Al systems capable of autonomous learning optimization, (2) the creation of a novel data augmentation technique that enhances model performance under constrained data conditions, and (3) the development of robust deep learning frameworks tailored for MRl based brain cancer diagnosis in real-world scenarios.The first key innovation is the exploration of self-aware Al. This thesis propases that pre-trained models such as Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and Vision Transformers (ViTs) possess the potential to self-monitor and adapt their learning processes autonomously. By introducing novel metrics, such as "accuracy difference" and "loss difference," this research offers a framework for measuring and enhancing the self-awareness of Al models. This development has profound implications for the future of Al in healthcare, paving the way for adaptive models that can fine-tune themselves in response to the quality and quantity of the datathey encounter, ensuring more reliable and context-aware decision-making in clinical environments.The second contribution is the introduction of the 'Naturalize' augmentation technique, a groundbreaking method designed to generate synthetic medical images with fidelity equal to original data. This technique is specifically engineered to overcome data scarcity and class imbalance, two significant obstacles in medical imaging. By applying 'Naturalize' to blood cell and skin cancer classification, this work demonstrates unparalleled improvements in both sensitivity and specificity, particularly in underrepresented classes. The 'Naturalize' technique fundamentally transforms the dataset augmentation paradigm, enabling deep models to generalize more effectively to unseen clinical cases.The third contribution focuses on advancing model robustness for MRl-based brain cancer diagnosis. Medical imaging, particularly MRI, is subject to significant variability dueto differences in magnetic field strength, patient motion, and image quality. This work systematically addresses these challenges by simulating real world conditions-such as noise, blur, and motion artifacts-within the training process. By integrating sophisticated data augmentation strategies, including Gaussian noise and blur, into the training of deep learning models, the research significantly enhances model resilience and generalization, ensuring consistent and accurate performance across diverse clinical environments. This contribution is a critica! step toward translating Al solutions from research to practice in the domain of neuro-oncology.In summary, this thesis makes substantial strides in addressing sorne of the most pressing limitations of Al in medical imaging. Through innovative augmentation techniques, the concept of self-aware Al, and robust training methodologies, this work significantly enhances the reliability, adaptability, and clinical relevance of deep learning models. The findings lay the foundation for more intelligent, autonomous, and clinically applicable Al systems that can improve diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes. Future research directions include expanding the 'Naturalize' method to 3D imaging, developing real-time adaptive Al models, and exploring federated learning to enhance model generalization while preserving patient privacy.K.eywords: Deep Learning, Transfer Learning, Fine-tuning, Medica! lmage Augmentation, Naturalize, GANs, Pre-trained Models, Medical lmaging, Self awareness, Model Robustness, Real-Life Scenario Simulatio
Análisis de la crisis del COVID-19 en la eurozona desde el modelo IS-LM-PC
No full textEste trabajo analiza el impacto económico de la pandemia de COVID-19 en la
eurozona, utilizando el modelo IS-LM-PC desarrollado por Olivier Blanchard. La crisis
sanitaria provocó un doble shock, tanto de oferta como de demanda, lo que generó una
recesión sin precedentes y obligó a las autoridades europeas a implementar medidas
fiscales y monetarias excepcionales. A lo largo del estudio, se abordan las principales
consecuencias económicas de la pandemia y se evalúa el efecto de las políticas aplicadas
por los organismos europeos. Asimismo, se contrasta la respuesta macroeconómica del
área euro con la de Estados Unidos, con el objetivo de identificar semejanzas y diferencias
entre ambas estrategias
Novel P-Spline-Based Approaches for Curve and Derivative Estimation in Longitudinal Growth Studies
No full text175 p.Longitudinal data analysis plays a key role in understanding individual development over time. It helps identify important characteristics such as growth patterns, biological variations, and key milestones like growth spurts and the age at which they occur. Although several statistical models and software implementations are available to estimate growth curves and their derivatives, challenges remain due to the complex and dynamic nature of these processes.This dissertation explores a range of statistical methods for modeling growth based on repeated measurements from individuals. In particular, it highlights the use of penalized spline (P-spline) models, which have gained popularity for their flexibility in modeling smooth curves. Additionally, their connection with mixed-effects models allows us to take advantage of the methodological and computational tools in this setting for fitting P-spline models.We focus on three main classes of models for fitting individual growth trajectories and estimating their derivatives: (i) the double-penalty P-spline model, (ii) a family of semiparametric mixed-effects models, and (iii) modified versions of the SuperImposition by Translation and Rotation (SITAR) model. Each approach is discussed in terms of its theoretical background, practical implementation, and suitability for growth analysis.The proposed methods are evaluated through simulation studies and compared with alternative approaches to assess their performance. Our results indicate that the proposed models provide a slight improvement in curve fitting and derivative estimation. Additionally, we demonstrate the application of these methods using real longitudinal data from 125 young professional football players to analyze their growth and maturation processes over tim
Language-Specific Sound-Shape Matching at 12-Months of Age
No full textPublished online 9 April, 2024.By 12 months of age, infants exhibit behavioral sensitivity to sound symbolism (e.g. sound-shape correspondences) when they hear universally sound symbolic pseudowords (e.g. “bouba,” “kiki”). Here, we investigated whether infant’s sensitivity to sound-shape correspondences is affected when they hear language-specific sound symbolic words. Using the spontaneous preference-looking paradigm, we tested 12-month-old monolingual Spanish (n = 13) and Basque (n = 16) infants matching Spanish-like pseudowords (i.e. “bubano,” “raceto”) with rounded and spiky shapes. These pseudowords were created by Spanish-Basque bilingual adults, who then rated pseudowords as more Spanish or Basque-like, and more rounded or spikey-like. Infants were presented with eight congruent (e.g. “bubano” presented with a rounded shape) and incongruent (e.g. “bubano” presented with a spiky shape) trials. Both Spanish and Basque-learning infants displayed similar increased sensitivity to incongruent than to congruent trials. We found weak evidence that language background modulates sound-shape correspondence. These results suggest that at 12 months of age, specific language experience (e.g. Spanish vs. Basque) most likely does not alter sound-shape bias when hearing Spanish-like sound combinations. This study was the first to utilize language-specific instead of language nonspecific stimuli. Nonetheless, similar to previous investigations, the sound-shape bias effect was exhibited at 12 months of age in both language groups.This research was funded by the grant PSI2014-5452-P from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness to M.M. The authors also acknowledge financial support from the ‘Severo Ochoa Program for Centers/Units of Excellence in R&D’ (SEV-2015-490) and from the Basque Government ‘Programa Predoctoral’ to J.P
Hizkuntza idatzia Haur Hezkuntzan: ikasturtean zehar 5 urteko talde batek idazketan izandako bilakaeraren azterketa
No full text[EUS] Lan honek Haur Hezkuntzako ikasleen idazketa-prozesuaren hasierako faseak aztertu zituen. Helburua izan zen ulertzea nola eraikitzen den idazketa adin txikiko haurrengan eta zer faktorek eragiten duten horretan. Horretarako, hainbat autore eta autoreren ekarpen teorikoak aztertu ziren eta metodologia kualitatiboa erabili zen faseen sailkapena egiteko. Ondorioek erakutsi zuten prozesua ez dela lineala, eta hizkuntza-esperientzia, ingurunea eta motibazioa funtsezko osagaiak direla. Ikerketak baliabide erabilgarria eskaini zuen hezkuntza-praktika orientatzeko, ikuspegi inklusibo batetik eta haur bakoitzaren garapen-erritmoa errespetatuz.[ES] Este trabajo analizó las fases iniciales del proceso de escritura en el alumnado de Educación Infantil. El objetivo fue comprender cómo se construye la escritura en edades tempranas y qué factores influyen en dicho proceso. Para ello, se revisaron aportaciones teóricas de diversas autoras y autores, y se utilizó una metodología cualitativa para clasificar las fases del desarrollo. Las conclusiones mostraron que el proceso no es lineal, y que la experiencia lingüística, el entorno y la motivación son elementos clave. El estudio ofreció una propuesta útil para orientar la práctica educativa desde una perspectiva inclusiva y respetuosa con el ritmo de desarrollo de cada niña y niño.[EN] This study analyzed the initial stages of the writing process in Early Childhood Education students. Its aim was to understand how writing is constructed in young children and what factors influence this process. To do so, theoretical contributions from various authors were reviewed, and a qualitative methodology was used to classify the development stages. The findings showed that the process was not linear, and that linguistic experience, environment, and motivation were key elements. The study provided a useful tool to guide educational practice from an inclusive perspective, respecting each child’s individual pace of development
Deskonexio digitalerako eskubidea telelanean
No full text[eus] Teknologiaren eboluzioak gizartearen funtzionamenduan aldaketa handiak ekarri ditu.
Gizarteak eboluzionatu du, lan arloan zein arlo pertsonalean portaerak aldatuz. Etengabe
gailu elektronikoetara konektatuta gaude, lan-jardunaldian eta aisialdian. Horiek, lan eta
aktibitate profesionalak errazten dituzte. Baina, aldi berean etengabe konektatuta egotea
eragiten dute, lan denboraren eta atsedenaldien arteko mugak ezartzea zailduz, osasun
eta kontziliazio arazoak sorraraziz langileentzat. Egoera hori, telelanaren modalitatean
bereziki nabaria da, lan prestazioa ez delako lan-zentroan fisikoki egikaritzen. Lan
Zuzenbideak dituen erronka garrantzitsuenen artean, deskonexio digitalerako
eskubidearen ezarpen eraginkorra bermatzea aurkitzen da. Gradu amaierako lan honetan,
telelanean deskonexio digitalerako eskubidearen azterketa egingo da; bere egoera
juridikoa ikertzeko, eta praktikan eskubidea egikaritzerakoan dauden oztopoak agerian
jartzeko. Horretarako, informazio iturri ezberdinak ikertuko dira, ikuspegi sakona eta
osatua lortzeko xedez.
Euskaraz.[eng] The evolution of technology has led to major changes in the functioning of society.
Society has evolved, changing behaviours both in the workplace and in the personal
sphere. We're constantly connected to electronic devices, on working and rest time. They
facilitate professional work and activity. At the same time, however, they make it difficult
to establish the boundaries between working time and rest periods, causing health and
conciliation problems for workers. This situation is particularly evident in the form of
teleworking, since the provision of work is not physically implemented in the workplace.
One of the most important challenges of labour law is to ensure the effective
implementation of the right to digital disconnection. In this end-of-grade work, a study
will be carried out on the right to digital disconnection in teleworking, to investigate its
legal status and to highlight the obstacles to the exercise of the right in practice. To this
end, various sources of information will be investigated in order to obtain a
comprehensive and comprehensive view.
Ingelese
Kontsumitzaileen hizkuntza-eskubideak EAEn eta Katalunian
No full text[eus] Lan honek berezko hizkuntza duten bi autonomia-erkidegotan kontsumitzaileek dituzten
hizkuntza-eskubideetan jartzen du arreta: Euskal Autonomia Erkidegoa eta Katalunia. Azterketa autonomia-erkidego bakoitzeko hizkuntza-eskubidei buruzko hiru lege garrantzitsuenetan oinarritzen da. Alderaketa eta azterketa errazteko, legeen bilakaera eta dituzten antzekotasunak eta desberdintasunak behatu ahal izateko, artikulu bakoitza honako irizpide hauek kontuan hartuta sailkatu da: Erreferentzia Marko Estandarra, aplikatzen zaion sektorea, eskakizun maila, kontrol mekanismoak eta jasotako hizkuntza kexak. Emaitzek bezeroekiko harremanetara bideratutako araudiaren garrantzia nabarmentzen dute, aldiz, agerian geratzen dira beste eremu batzuetan dauden hutsuneak. Era berean, Euskal Autonomia Erkidegoan gero eta lege malguagoa eta, batez ere, ez hain zehatzailea egiteko joera ikusten da, Katalunian ikuspegi zorrotzagoa mantentzen den bitartean.[spa] Este trabajo se centra en el análisis de los derechos lingüísticos de los consumidores en dos de las comunidades autónomas que tienen lengua propia: País Vasco y Cataluña. El análisis se realiza a partir de las tres leyes relativas a los derechos lingüísticos más relevantes de cada comunidad autónoma. Para facilitar su comparación y análisis y poder observar su evolución, así como las similitudes y diferencias que presentan, se ha clasificado cada artículo teniendo en cuenta los siguientes criterios: el Marco Estándar de Referencia, el sector al que se aplica, el grado de exigencia, los controles de mecanismos y las quejas lingüísticas recibidas. Los resultados destacan la importancia de la normativa dirigida a las relaciones con los clientes, mientras que se aprecian vacíos normativos en otros ámbitos. Asimismo, en el País Vasco se observa una tendencia a una ley cada vez más flexible y sobre todo menos sancionadora, en Cataluña persiste un enfoque más estricto.[eng] This work focuses on the analysis of consumer language rights in two autonomous communities with their own languages: the Basque Country and Catalonia. The analysis is based on the three most relevant laws relating to language rights in each autonomous community. To facilitate comparison and analysis and to observe their evolution, as well as the similarities and differences they present, each article has been classified according to the following criteria: the Standard Reference Framework, the sector to which it applies, the degree of strictness, the control mechanisms, and the language complaints received. The results highlight the importance of regulations aimed at customer relations, while regulatory gaps are noted in other areas. Furthermore, in the Basque Country, there is a trend toward increasingly flexible and, above all, less punitive laws, while in Catalonia, a stricter approach persists
Exploring urban design’s impact on physical activity: A participatory photovoice study across socioeconomically diverse neighborhoods
No full textUrban design significantly influences the physical activity (PA) behaviors of residents, impacting public health and well-being. This study examines how the built environment, social structures, economic conditions, and political context shape PA behaviors in three socioeconomically diverse neighborhoods in Bilbao, Spain. Using the Photovoice method, forty-one participants documented and discussed urban design features that affect their PA, fostering deep community engagement. A thematic analysis of 117 photographs identified four overarching factors influencing PA across all socioeconomic groups: 1) availability and quality of urban spaces for PA; 2) walkability and pedestrian infrastructure; 3) perceived safety and security; and 4) management of community assets. These factors were shaped by public space accessibility, topography, traffic-pedestrian interactions, and the extent of community involvement in urban planning. The study highlights the importance of inclusive, participatory approaches in urban planning to address health disparities and promote active, sustainable communities. Participants suggested specific interventions such as improving pedestrian infrastructure, enhancing
safety measures, and increasing community-led management of shared assets to encourage active living. By emphasizing the role of social policies and community engagement, these findings provide a foundation for policymakers to develop strategies that promote equitable access to active living environments for all residents. While the study’s insights are context-specific to Bilbao, they offer valuable lessons for similar urban settings, highlighting the potential of community-based approaches in fostering healthier and more inclusive citiesThis project was funded by the University of the Basque Country (US 19/14) and the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology – Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (FCT-20–16752). It is also supported by the predoctoral program for the training of non-PhD researchers through the Department of Education of the Basque Government