Alberto Sols Biomedical Research Institute
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The fiscal multiplier in presence of unconventional monetary policy: Evidence for 17 OECD countries
No full textFollowing the exhaustion of conventional interest-rate tools during the 2008 financial crisis, central banks relied on unconventional monetary policy, which ultimately proved insufficient to stimulate aggregate demand. This paper evaluates the interaction between unconventional monetary policy and fiscal stabilization measures. Leveraging annual macro-data for 17 OECD countries spanning 1978–2019—and extending the narrative approach to cover 2016–2019—we introduce a novel country-heterogeneity instrument for unconventional monetary policy. Combining local projections with the Kitagawa-Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition, our analysis estimates the unconventional monetary–fiscal multiplier. The results reveal that, under accommodative monetary conditions, the multiplier ranges between 1.7 and 5, underscoring significant positive interactions between fiscal and unconventional monetary interventions. These findings contribute new empirical insights into policy coordination, showing that joint monetary–fiscal strategies can enhance macroeconomic stabilizatio
Métodos numéricos de computación cuántica e inspiración cuántica. Aplicaciones a problemas en física de la materia condensada y otros campos
No full textTesis Doctoral inédita leída en la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada. Fecha de Lectura: 14-03-2025Partial differential equations (PDEs) are relevant for solving real-world
problems across many areas. However, their solution may be challenging,
especially for large-dimensional or high-resolution problems with high
memory demands. This thesis develops new quantum and quantuminspired
numerical analysis methods for solving PDEs with potential
memory and time savings while maintaining high accuracy. First, we
resort to quantum computing, which benefits from exponential encoding
advantages and speedups in key operations. Due to the lack of error
correction of existing quantum computers, we propose a variational
quantum algorithm to solve Hamiltonian PDEs, combining a classical
and a quantum computer to exploit the properties of the quantum register.
However, the noise sources and limited number of measurements
of current quantum devices restrict the scalability of this approach. The
high efficiency of the quantum register function encoding motivates its
use in developing quantum-inspired algorithms. The second part of the
thesis focuses on creating a matrix product state (MPS) finite precision
algebra and applying it to quantum-inspired numerical analysis. More
concretely, we develop MPS methods to solve static and time-dependent
PDEs, motivated by the solution of problems of physical interest: the
study of superconducting circuits and the expansion of a particle’s wavefunction
in the context of levitodynamics. Using a two-dimensional
squeezed harmonic oscillator of up to 230 points as a benchmark, MPS
methods for Hamiltonian PDEs show exponential memory advantage
compared to vector implementations and asymptotic advantage in time
while achieving a low error in the solution approximation. Similarly, the
time evolution MPS techniques demonstrate exponential memory compression
and comparable accuracy and cost to standard vector methods.
We conclude that the MPS framework constitutes a memory-efficient and
accurate tool for solving PDEs. These findings present new opportunities
for applying quantum-inspired algorithms to a wider range of PDEs and
numerical analysis problems, opening exciting avenues for future research
and applicationsThis thesis was funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and “FSE
invierte en tu futuro” through an FPU Grant FPU19/03590. The author
acknowledges support from Spanish Project No. PGC2018-094792-B-I00
(MCIU/AEI/FEDER, UE), CAM/FEDER Project No. S2018/TCS-
4342 (QUITEMAD-CM), Proyecto Sinérgico CAM 2020 Y2020/TCS-
6545 (NanoQuCoCM), Spanish Projects No. PID2021-127968NB-I00
and No. PDC2022-133486-I00, funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/5011000
11033 and by the European Union “NextGenerationEU”/PRTR”1, and
CSIC Interdisciplinary Thematic Platform (PTI) Quantum Technologies
(PTIQTEP+). The author also gratefully acknowledges the Scientific
computing Area (AIC), SGAI-CSIC, for their assistance while using the
TRUENO and DRAGO Supercomputers for performing the simulations,
and Centro de Supercomputación de Galicia (CESGA) for access to the
supercomputer FinisTerra
El impacto de la reactivación de las reglas fiscales en las políticas locales de vivienda y gestión de residuos
No full textEsta publicación es parte del proyecto de I+D+i “Aproximación multidimensional a la vivienda: un enfoque desde el derecho tributario y del gasto público” (PID2021-127541NB-I00), financiado por el MCIU / AEI/10.13039/501100011033/ y por FEDER Una manera de hacer Europa. IP: Dra. Mª Luisa Esteve Pard
Historia pública, fake news y ciudadanía democrática tras el estallido social en Chile: análisis y desafíos partir de la enseñanza de la Historia
Get PDFSuperconducting Density of States of PtPb4
Get PDFPtPb4 is a type II superconductor with a bulk critical temperature Tc ≈ 3 K and an upper critical field of Hc2 = 0.36T. PtPb4 is related to non-superconducting PtSn4, which presents nodal arc states at the surface. Here, we measure the superconducting density of states of PtPb4 using millikelvin Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM). We observe a fully opened superconducting gap of = 0.48 meV similar to expectations from Bardeen, Cooper and Schrieffer (BCS) theory (0 = 1.76kB Tc = 0.49 meV). Measurements under magnetic fields applied perpendicular to the surface show a spatially inhomogeneous gap structure, presenting superconducting signatures at fields as high as 1.5 T, significantly above Hc2 = 0.36 T. On some locations, we find that the superconducting density of states does not vanish above Tc. We can find signatures of a superconducting gap up to 5 K. We discuss possible reasons for the observation of superconducting properties above Tc andHc2, emphasizing the role played by structural defectsWe acknowledge support by the Spanish State Research Agency (PID2020-114071RB-I00, PID2023-150148OB-I00, CEX2023-001316-M, TED2021-130546B-I00), by the Comunidad de Madrid through program NMag4TIC-CM (Program No. TEC2024/TEC-380), and PhD thesis support (PIPF-2023/TEC-30683), and by EU (VectorFieldImaging Grant Agreement 101069239, ISABEL project under Grant Agreement No 871106 and COST superqumap CA21144). We acknowledge the QUASURF project (SI4/PJI/2024- 00062) funded by the Comunidad de Madrid through the agreement to promote and encourage research and technology transfer at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Segainvex and Sidi at UAM, Madrid, are acknowledged for help in STM construction and sample characterization. Work done at Ames Laboratory was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Science, Division of Materials Sciences and Engineering. Ames Laboratory is operated for the U.S. Department of Energy by Iowa State University under Contract No. DE-AC02-07CH1135
Building social resilience in wartime environments: the case of Ukraine
Get PDFEste trabajo analiza cómo las prácticas empresariales responsables pueden contribuir a la resiliencia social en entornos de guerra. La literatura previa ha estudiado el papel de las empresas en el alivio de las consecuencias de diferentes shocks. Sin embargo, la importante brecha de la contribución de las acciones responsables para asegurar la resiliencia social en tiempo de guerra permanece sin explorar. Además, estudios previos no han analizado las respuestas de las empresas durante un periodo prolongado después de un shock. Analizamos las 100 empresas más grandes que operan en Ucrania e identificamos 476 acciones responsables durante el primer año de la guerra que comenzó en 2022. Clasificamos y categorizamos las diferentes acciones y evaluamos las estrategias de las empresas que contribuyen a generar resiliencia social. En suma, aquellas empresas que han mostrado un mayor potencial para construir resiliencia social son aquellas que articulan una respuesta que incluye acciones tempranas abiertas a una amplia gama de grupos de interés y que establecen una variedad de acciones durante un periodo extensoThis paper examines how responsible business practices can contribute to social resilience in wartime environments. Previous literature has studied the role of business in alleviating the con-sequences of different shocks. However, the important gap of the contribution of responsible actions to ensure social resilience in wartime remains unexplored. Moreover, previous studies have not analysed corporate responses over an extended period after a shock. We analysed the 100 largest companies operating in Ukraine and identified 476 responsible actions during the first year of the war that started in 2022. We ranked and categorised the different actions and assessed the strategies of companies that contribute to building social resilience. In sum, those companies that have shown the greatest potential to build social resilience are those that articulate a response that includes early actions open to a wide range of stakeholders and that establish a variety of actions over an extended perio
Association between the Planetary Health Diet Index and growth differentiation factor-15: the Seniors ENRICA-2 cohort
Get PDFThe growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is an inflammaging biomarker, predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and several other non-communicable diseases (NCD) that represent the main causes of death globally, for which prevention is essential. Current worldwide threats include NCD and environmental burden, where diet is a key determinant. Therefore, the EAT-Lancet Commission developed the Planetary Health Diet Index (PHDI), a dietary pattern designed to ameliorate human and environmental health. The objective of the study was to evaluate the association between the PHDI and serum concentrations of GDF-15 in older adults. Study participants were 2497 people aged+65 years from the Seniors-ENRICA-2 study. Food consumption was obtained through a validated diet history, and adherence to the PHDI was estimated with a score of 15 food groups (range 0–140), where higher scores indicated better adherence. Analyses for the association between the PHDI and GDF-15 concentrations were performed using multivariable linear regression models, adjusting for main potential confounders. The PHDI showed an inverse dose– response association with GDF-15 concentrations. Compared with participants in the lowest quartile of the PHDI, those in the highest quartile had a mean percentage difference (95% CI) of−6.8% (−11.1,−2.4) in GDF-15 concentrations. The mean percentage difference (95% CI) per 20-point increase of adherence was−4.4% (−7.7,−0.9). Consumption of whole grains, fruits, nuts, and a low intake of trans and saturated fat were important drivers of this association. Results remained robust after adjustment for other inflammation (interleukin 6), renal and cardiac (creatinine, NT-proBNP, cardiac troponin T) biomarkers, and after excluding participants with CVD, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. The PHDI was associated with lower concentrations of GDF-15. Adopting the PHDI may be a useful approach to reduce chronic inflammation and target NCD prevention in the older adult population, while staying within planetary boundariesThis work was supported by the Carlos III Health Institute, the Secretary of R+ D+ I; the European Regional Development Fund/European Social Fund (FIS grants 20/00896; 22/1111; 23/00079); National Agency of Research (CNS2022-135623); Ministry of Science and Innovation (RYC 2018-02069I to MSP); and Ministerio de Educación, Formación Profesional y Deportes (FPU contract to CAR
Trasplante alogénico de progenitores hematopoyéticos en Leucemia aguda linfoblástica del adulto. Análisis de los 141 pacientes sometidos a trasplante en el Hospital Universitario de la Princesa entre 1984 y 2020
Get PDFTesis Doctoral inédita leída en la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Medicina. Fecha de Lectura: 03-04-202
Concomitant anti-CGRP and immunomodulatory treatments in patients with migraine: Towards integrated management strategies
Get PDFArtículo escrito por un elevado número de autores, solo se referencian el que aparece en primer lugar, el nombre del grupo de colaboración, si le hubiere, y los autores pertenecientes a la UAMBackground Preclinical evidence supports the immunoregulatory role of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in migraine pathophysiology. The increasing use of anti-CGRP therapies in patients with migraine and other comorbidities raises the question whether the potential use of anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies (CGRP-mAbs) therapies in combination with other immunological therapies is efective and safe. Methods This multicenter study included patients with migraine receiving CGRP-mAbs combined with immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory treatments. Clinical and demographic data, treatment history, laboratory markers and treatmentemergent adverse events (TEAEs) were analyzed. Efectiveness outcomes included the change in monthly migraine days (MMD) and monthly headache days (MHD) at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, alongside the>50% response rate. Moreover, autoimmune disease progression was also evaluated. We explored diferences between patients with and without autoimmune disease activation. Results Among 89 patients, there were 80 (90%) females with a mean age of 50 years (SD: 11), who had a high prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities (anxiety 44%, depression 49%) and medication overuse (68%). Patients receiving immunological treatments experienced signifcant reductions in MMD and MHD, with MMD decreasing from 16 (SD: 7) at baseline to 9 (SD: 8) at 6 months, and MHD dropping from 23 (SD: 8) to 17 (SD: 11). A 50% response in MMD was achieved by 46% at 6 months. TEAEs were reported in 28%, most commonly constipation (16%) and dizziness (9%). Conclusions CGRP-mAbs therapies combined with immunological treatments appear efective and safe in patients with autoimmune diseases. Larger prospective studies are necessary to confrm these fndings and optimize management strategiesThis work was supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, FEDER and FSE funds (grant number R23/0005, PI24/01085
Caracterización de las propiedades moleculares de la proteína potyviral HCPro, y su función en la interacción del virus con su medioambiente
No full textTesis Doctoral inédita leída en la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Biología Molecular. Fecha de Lectura: 04-04-2025My studies have investigated, on the one hand, how a positive polarity RNA virus adapts to its environment during a compatible infection, and on the other hand, how a viral suppressor of silencing factor may play a role in such adaptation. It also aims at understanding how the viral suppressor performs its functions. Specifically, I worked with potyviruses, and with their suppressor HCPro. To do that, I followed molecular and cell biology approaches.
HCPro is a multifunctional protein that suppresses the antiviral silencing-based defences of the plant, mediates virus transmission by insects between plants, and has an auto-proteolytic activity that separates it at its C-terminus from the rest of the polyprotein downstream. In the course of research aimed at investigating how HCPro performs its functions, we created a potyviral chimera in our lab: a plum pox virus vector (PPV-GFP) that had its P1-HCPro bi-cistron replaced by a modified one from potato virus Y (PVY). This chimera was infectious. I started my PhD studies characterizing how its infectivity compared to that of the parental virus. We found that its relative virulence was very low, with relative viral levels, or titers, that were an order of magnitude lower than those of the parental, little or no infection symptoms, and low speed of dispersal within the compatible host. We then tested if this chimera virus could increase in virulence through time, by infecting different generations of the same host through serial mechanical passages. We found that that was the case, because in some of the infected plants symptoms and titers increased. The genomes of the viruses infecting those particular plants were partially sequenced, and a few mutations were found in different sites of the genome, both in coding and non-coding regions. Two non-silent mutations were found inside the HCPro cistron, not simultaneous in the same virus, which altered its amino acids 352 (Ile→Thr) or 454 (Leu→Arg). These mutations occurred at sites where single nucleotide polymorphisms occurred already in the original generation (generation 1) plants, suggesting that selective pressures were acting right from the begin to mutate those sites, eventually leading to their prevalence.
Using a reverse genetics approach and functional assays, we investigated how the two HCPro mutations contributed to virulence in the adapted viruses. We introduced those mutations in the original chimera clone, either separately or together, creating four different chimera viruses, each encoding a different HCPro variant. We found that each of the two mutations could separately increase virulence. And when both were present together, their effects on virulence were additive. Furthermore, using functional assays, we found that Thr352 increased HCPro half-life in transient expression agropatch assays, as well as its silencing suppression activity. On the other hand, Arg in position 454 improved HCPro autocatalytic cleavage. Therefore, we demonstrated not only that those mutations increased virulence, but could explain the functional means why this was likely happening.
In addition to these findings, we obtained evidence that HCPro levels can be affected by the small RNA context of the infected plant cells, suggesting that it could need them for its stability/accumulation, and that this is a factor also influencing virulence.
We performed additional studies on properties of the chimeras and their HCPros (i.e., with regard to their host range relative to those of the parental viruses, or the effect of the mutations in HCPro on its transmission-mediation function). We also studied the potential molecular structure of the HCPro homodimer, and the subcellular localization of variants in plant cellsThis work was completed with funding from the Spanish Ministry of Innovation and Science (Project refs. PID2019-109304RB-I00, and PID2022-137691OB-I00), and the European Union Next Generation EU/PRT