97828 research outputs found
Sort by
Evaluation of the effectiveness of a projection-based augmented reality exposure treatment system and study of attentional biases in cockroach phobia using eye tracking.
No full textCompendi d'articles, Doctorat internacionalThis thesis primarily aims to assess the effectiveness of a projection-based augmented reality exposure therapy (P-ARET) for treating cockroach phobia (CP) and to examine attentional biases (AB) in CP using eye-tracking technology. Chapter 1 presents a systematic review focused on AB measured by eye-tracking in specific phobias. Chapter 2 presents validation of a standardized set of animal images, including a representative number of cockroach images, and Chapter 3 reports the results of an experimental study comparing AB in CP versus healthy controls. Chapters 4 to 6 are focused on exploring the effectiveness of augmented reality (AR) exposure therapy. Specifically, chapter 4 presents a systematic review focused on the AR for anxiety disorders. Chapter 5 includes a randomized controlled trial (RCT) protocol comparing P-ARET to in vivo and wait-list control conditions, and Chapter 6 presents the preliminary results of this RCT including the assessment of AB change after exposure treatment.Programa de Doctorat en Psicologi
Memoria de las prácticas de traducción para Editorial Médica Panamericana: traducción especializada y análisis de un encargo editorial
No full textTreball Final del Màster Universitari en Traducció Medicosanitària (Pla de 2013). Codi: SBA031. Curs: 2024/202
Validación externa de modelo predictivo de cirugía subóptima en cáncer de ovario avanzado
No full textEl objetivo de esta tesis ha sido validar el modelo predictivo de cirugía subóptima en cáncer de ovario avanzado descrito en 2019 con datos recogidos de varios hospitales colaboradores: un total de 83 pacientes. Existen diferencias entre esta población y la que se usó para realizar el modelo, obteniendo significación estadística en: citorreducción conseguida, presencia de ascitis y presencia de suboclusión intestinal. Al no hallar homogenidad en las características de las pacientes de ambos grupos, y la falta de datos de pacientes de cirugía subóptima, no se ha podido realizar la validación externa. Algunos hospitales no han incluido ninguna cirugía subóptima, y la nueva muestra presenta un número menor de suboclusiones, siendo un factor de riesgo importante en el modelo. No presenta riesgos altos, cosa que nos hace pensar que no se han incluido en la recogida pacientes con alto riesgo de cirugía subóptima, incurriendo en un sesgo de selección.Despite advancements in treatments, ovarian cancer remains the leading cause of death among gynecologic cancers, accounting for 5% of female cancers, with an incidence of 8 per 100,000 women annually in Spain. Up to 80% of these cancers are diagnosed at advanced stages (III and IV), with a survival rate of less than 20-30% at five years. The standard treatment has remained unchanged for decades and involves primary cytoreductive surgery to remove as much tumor tissue as possible, followed by platinum-based chemotherapy. A key factor influencing the survival of these patients is achieving complete cytoreduction during the primary surgery, which entails resecting all visible tumor tissue. Thus, a critical aspect of surgical treatment is predicting whether the surgical team can achieve complete cytoreduction based on the patient’s preoperative characteristics. In this context, several predictive models for cytoreduction have been developed in recent years. Based on data from cytoreductive surgeries performed in the abdominal-pelvic oncologic surgery unit of the General Hospital of Castellón between 2013 and 2019, Drs. Escrig and Llueca developed a predictive model for suboptimal cytoreduction. This model classifies patients preoperatively by predicting the likelihood of not achieving complete surgery. The model includes two predictive approaches: the R3 model, which uses predictive information from preoperative assessments (CT-based PCI, laparoscopic PCI, and the presence of bowel subocclusion), and the R4 model, which also incorporates intraoperative evaluation (intraoperative PCI). The R3 model showed a sensitivity of 45% and a specificity of 91%, while the R4 model demonstrated a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 75%. The objective of this thesis was to validate this model using prospectively collected data from various collaborating Spanish hospitals, all of which are reference centers for such surgeries. Data were collected for 83 patients and their corresponding surgeries. Differences were observed between this new population (experimental group) and the population used to develop the model (control group), with statistically significant differences in: achieved cytoreduction (p-value = 0.049, favoring the experimental group), presence of ascites (p-value = 0.002, favoring the experimental group), and presence of bowel subocclusion (p-value = 0.002, favoring the control group). Only three suboptimal surgeries were recorded in the experimental group, compared to an a priori prediction of at least 13 suboptimal cases based on the sample size. Due to these results, indicating non-homogeneity in the clinical characteristics of the experimental and control groups, and the lack of suboptimal surgery cases, external validation of the model was not feasible. The proportion of suboptimal surgeries reported by many collaborating hospitals was 0%, and the experimental group had significantly fewer cases of bowel subocclusion compared to the control group—an important risk factor in the R3 and R4 models. Applying the two predictive models to the experimental group yielded predictions of low to intermediate risk, suggesting that patients with a high risk of suboptimal surgery were not included in the sample. This likely reflects a selection bias, as such patients were appropriately referred for neoadjuvant therapy.Programa de Doctorat en Ciències Biomèdiques i Salu
Entre la inmersión en agua y la analgesia epidural: efectividad, seguridad y experiencia del nacimiento
No full textEste estudio compara los efectos de la analgesia epidural (AE) y la inmersión en agua (WI) durante el parto en mujeres de riesgo bajo. Se analizaron 643 casos entre 2020 y 2023, evaluando intervenciones, duración del parto y resultados maternos y neonatales. Los resultados muestran que la WI, con un alto porcentaje de partos en el agua, se asocia a una mayor tasa de parto vaginal espontáneo, etapas del parto más cortas y mejores resultados neonatales, incluyendo menor necesidad de asistencia respiratoria y menor ingreso neonatal. También se observó una mayor tasa de lactancia materna exclusiva al alta y mayor satisfacción. La WI se presenta como una alternativa segura y beneficiosa para favorecer un parto fisiológico, con menos intervenciones médicas y experiencia positiva. Estos hallazgos respaldan su inclusión en la atención obstétrica, promoviendo decisiones informadas y mayor autonomía para las mujeres.This prospective observational study analyzed 643 low- to medium-risk women between 2020 and 2023, comparing birth outcomes according to the use of epidural analgesia (EA) or water immersion (WI). Process characteristics, interventions, and maternal and neonatal outcomes were evaluated, applying Propensity Score methods to reduce bias. In addition, birth experience was assessed using the Mackey Childbirth Satisfaction Rating Scale in 552 women. Among the 319 who opted for WI, 82.4% gave birth in water. Results showed that WI was associated with a higher likelihood of spontaneous vaginal birth, shorter first and second stages of labor, fewer interventions, lower rates of neonatal respiratory support, reduced neonatal admissions, and higher rates of exclusive breastfeeding at discharge, particularly among nulliparous women. Greater satisfaction was also observed across all evaluated dimensions. Water immersion is confirmed as a safe and effective option that supports physiological birth and enhances women’s positive birth experience.Programa de Doctorat en Ciències Biomèdiques i Salu
Autopercepción de competencias y entorno de prácticas en estudiantes de enfermería en el este de Inglaterra
No full textLa experiencia práctico-clínica tiene un papel esencial en la formación universitaria de las enfermeras. La percepción de los estudiantes de su entorno de prácticas y la autopercepción de su preparación para desenvolverse en dicho entorno aparecen destacados en la literatura. Se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo y transversal de tipo correlacional en estudiantes del Grado de Enfermería en una universidad del este de Inglaterra para analizar la relación entre el entorno en las prácticas clínicas y el nivel de competencia percibido por los participantes. Se encontró una asociación positiva entre el entorno y el nivel de competencia y diferencias significativas de competencia autopercibida entre los grupos. Los estudiantes del grado de Enfermería valoran de forma favorable su entorno de prácticas, lo cual influye en una autopercepción general positiva de su nivel de competencia. Sería recomendable explorar en mayor profundidad a los diferentes grupos de estudiantes.Practice experience plays an essential role in the undergraduate education of nurses. Students' perceptions of their practice environment and the self-perception of their preparedness to work in that environment are highlighted in the literature as relevant factors. A descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational study of undergraduate nursing students at a university in the East of England was conducted to examine participants' perceived level of competence and its relationship to the clinical practice environment. A positive association was found between environment and level of competence. There were significant differences in self-perceived competence between the groups. Nursing students rate their practice environment favourably, and this influences their overall positive perception of their level of competence. Further exploration of these findings in different groups of students would be advisable.Programa de Doctorat en Ciències de la Infermeri
Measuring User Experience in Voice and Multimodal User Interfaces: Development, Validation, and Standardization of a Usability Scale for VUIs and a Context-Aware Usability Scale for Multimodal Interfaces
No full textCompendi d'articlesThis doctoral thesis enhances the usability and user experience (UX) of Voice and Multimodal User Interfaces (VUIs) through four core objectives. First, a systematic literature review maps the state of the art in VUI usability and UX, identifying six research themes and future directions. Second, the System Usability Scale (SUS) is evaluated for VUIs through empirical comparisons of Amazon Alexa and Google Nest devices and a cross-modality study versus graphical interfaces, confirming both its usefulness and limitations. Third, a dedicated and validated VUI usability questionnaire is developed to address conversational and auditory interaction needs. Fourth, the Context-Aware Usability Scale (CAUS) is introduced for multimodal in-vehicle systems, integrating contextual factors such as traffic, cognitive load, and environment. Additionally, an AI-augmented evaluation framework for healthcare interfaces demonstrates the value of sentiment analysis, eye-tracking, and confusion prediction. Overall, this work provides validated, context-aware tools for advancing VUI and multimodal usability research.Programa de Doctorat en Informàtic
Estudio y modelado de la dispersión de contaminantes procedentes de fuentes pasivas con OpenFOAM
No full textLas emisiones odoríferas de las estaciones depuradoras de aguas residuales (EDARs) constituyen un importante desafío ambiental debido a su impacto en la calidad de vida de las comunidades cercanas. Estas emisiones, originadas principalmente en fuentes pasivas superficiales como tanques abiertos, incluyen compuestos como el sulfuro de hidrógeno y amoníaco, los cuales son detectables incluso a bajas concentraciones. El presente estudio aborda el modelado de la dispersión de contaminantes mediante Dinámica de Fluidos Computacional (CFD), empleando el software OpenFOAM. Se modelan las fuentes pasivas mediante la analogía con cavidades bidimensionales, con el objetivo de desarrollar un modelo analítico que pueda integrarse en simulaciones de microescala urbana, reduciendo el coste computacional al simplificar la representación de las fuentes emisoras. Además, se incluye el uso de redes neuronales entrenadas con resultados CFD para predicciones rápidas, lo que permite realizar estudios paramétricos extensos y optimizar la gestión de las emisiones odoríferas.Odorous emissions from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have low detection thresholds, causing discomfort in nearby communities. These emissions mainly originate from passive surface sources, whose volatilization depends on environmental factors. This study models pollutant dispersion using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) in OpenFOAM, representing passive sources as two-dimensional cavities. The emission rate is analyzed based on geometric and physical variables to develop an analytical model that optimizes microscale simulations. To reduce computational cost, neural networks trained with CFD results are employed, enabling efficient predictions of wind fields and pollutant concentrations. The combination of physical models and Deep Learning enhances the assessment of environmental impact and optimizes emission management in urban and industrial environments.Programa de Doctorat en Tecnologies Industrials i Material
Teaching english in the 21st century: pedagogical translanguaging with multilingual adolescents
No full textDoctorat industrialThis thesis examines the effect of pedagogical translanguaging on the development of cognate and morphological awareness in multilingual adolescents learning English as a third language. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study also analyses participants’ beliefs on multilingualism and pedagogical translanguaging. The pedagogical intervention, implemented with 86 multilingual adolescents in the province of Valencia, is based on the activation of the students’ whole linguistic repertoire by establishing cross-linguistic similarities. The instruments used included a cognate and morphological awareness test, a beliefs questionnaire, a translanguaging questionnaire and oral interviews. The results show that pedagogical translanguaging had a positive effect on the acquisition of third language vocabulary. In addition, participants reported favourable thoughts towards the inclusion of Spanish and Catalan in the English language classroom and showed positive beliefs regarding the implementation of pedagogical translanguaging.Programa de Doctorat en Llengües Aplicades, Literatura i Traducci
Impacto de la divulgación sobre sostenibilidad en la dimensión medioambiental en los informes no financieros de las empresas europeas que utilizan la metodología GRI para su elaboración y publicación
No full textEsta tesis investiga el impacto de la divulgación ambiental en los informes no financieros de empresas europeas que utilizan la metodología GRI para su elaboración, centrándose en el tono narrativo y el nivel de divulgación en relación con los riesgos ambientales, en cumplimiento con la Directiva 2014/95/UE. Para ello, se han analizado informes no financieros de empresas de sectores contaminantes (químico, energético y servicios eléctricos) para el año 2018. Utilizando el análisis computacional DICTION y el Índice de Divulgación Ambiental (IDA), se encontró que las empresas divulgan estrictamente lo requerido, en un tono neutral y baja certeza. Esta ambigüedad dificulta evaluar el desempeño ambiental y cuestiona la transparencia. Solo se observó una relación significativa y positiva entre el nivel de divulgación y el riesgo de operaciones. La investigación resalta la necesidad de normativas más exigentes para promover la sostenibilidad y la transparencia.This dissertation examines the impact of environmental disclosure in the non-financial reports of European companies that adhere to the GRI methodology, focusing on the narrative tone and disclosure level in relation to environmental risks, in compliance with Directive 2014/95/EU. To achieve this, non-financial reports from companies in pollutant-intensive sectors (chemical, energy, and electric utilities) for the year 2018 were analyzed. Using the DICTION computational analysis and the Environmental Disclosure Index (IDA), the findings indicate that companies disclose only what is strictly required, adopting a neutral tone with low certainty. This ambiguity hinders the assessment of environmental performance and raises concerns about transparency. A significant and positive relationship was found only between disclosure levels and operational risk. The study underscores the need for stricter regulatory frameworks to foster sustainability and transparency.Programa de Doctorat en Economia i Empres
Enhancing Pragmatic Competence: Effects of CBPI on the Production of Requests and Responses by Secondary School EFL Learners
No full textMàster Universitari en Professor/a d'Educació Secundària Obligatòria i Batxillerat, Formació Professional i Ensenyaments d'Idiomes. Codi: SAP419. Curs acadèmic: 2024-2025This study examines the impact of Concept-Based Language Instruction, a socioculturally informed pedagogy, on the pragmatic development of Spanish EFL teenagers during secondary school. It addresses the substantial lack of empirical research on adolescent learners regarding Content-Based Language Instruction in the existing literature. The investigation evaluates whether concept-mediated instruction enhances students’ ability to perform contextually appropriate and agentic pragmatic choices in implementing requests and responses (van Compernolle, 2014; Myrset, 2022). In pursuit of this goal, a three-lesson intervention was created and implemented at a public secondary school in Castelló de la Plana. Fifteen students, aged between 14 and 15 years, with levels of proficiency that ranged from A2 to B1, participated in a pedagogical progression guided by Content-Based Language Instruction that involved concept orientation, scaffolded interaction, role-play tasks and verbalisation exercises(Negueruela, 2003; Galperin, 1985).
Data were collected before and after the teaching period through the administration of an Interactive Discourse Completion Task and a perception questionnaire. The results show substantial improvement in three main areas: the frequency and strategic range of requests; the range and contextual sensitivity of responses to such requests and the use of pragmalinguistic modifiers (Al-Jumah, 2021; Nicholas & Perkins, 2023). In addition, learners showed increased metapragmatic awareness through their self-assessments and verbal explanations (Silverstein, 2003; Agar, 1994). These results suggest that Content-Based Language Instruction is a successful vehicle to overcome the gap between theoretical understanding and pragmatic use, while at the same time fostering not only linguistic ability but also sociopragmatic awareness and learner autonomy (Taguchi, 2019; Usó-Juan & Martínez-Flor, 2022). Nevertheless, while the intervention yielded encouraging results, it also revealed some limitations, particularly regarding the spontaneous transfer of abstract concepts to dynamic interaction (Nicholas, 2015). The study lastly recommends conducting sustained interventions and more in-depth qualitative examination of learner verbalisation. Overall, it contributes to the mounting body of proof assisting the utilisation of Concept-Based Language Instruction in pragmatic instruction, most notably in contexts where canonical rule-based methods are not able to engage learners in the socio-interactional complexities of genuine communication (van Compernolle & Henery, 2014)