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The EORTC QLQ43 and FACT H&N questionnaires of quality of life at 1 and 5 years after treatment and dental care in head and neck cancer patients: a pilot study
No full textPurpose: This study aimed to examine health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in head and neck cancer patients at 1 and 5 years after successful treatment of their tumors, and to explore the usefulness of 2 instruments for assessing the need of dental care services. Methods: This cross-sectional pilot study included 20 adult patients with head and neck cancer who completed the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Head and Neck (FACT H&N) Symptom Index and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Head and Neck Module (EORTC QLQ-H&N43) after 1 and 5 years of treatment. Results: Mean (standard deviation, SD) scores of the FACT H&N Symptom Index were higher (better HRQoL) at 5 years than at 1 year (24.1 [4.4] vs. 21.1 [6.4]; p = 0.236). Only three of the ten items of FACT H&N (swallow, pain in mouth/throat or neck, and solid foods) evaluated oral health. In the EORTC QLQ-H&N43 questionnaire, scores were lower at 5 years (better HRQoL) in almost all multi- and single-item symptoms. This questionnaire includes four multi-item scales (pain in the mouth, social eating, swallowing, and problems with teeth) measuring dental and orthodontic needs. Conclusion: HRQoL in patients with head and neck cancer improved with the length of follow-up. The EORTC QLQ-H&N43 has more items addressing oral health compared to the FACT H&N Symptom Index and may be more adequate to assess the need of dental therapy in clinical practice
Yrisarri & Co.: a hispanic-anglo firm in the opium trade in east Asia (1815-30)
No full textThrough a study of the Francisco Xavier de Yrisarri-James Matheson relationship, this chapter analyses what the leading historian W.E. Cheong called the 'Spanish connection' , a key factor in the development of Canton trade between 1815 and 1830. It offers some insights about the context in which Hispanic actors had originated from, as epitomized by Yrisarri's case. The chapter then demonstrates that the Hispanic contribution to the development of the opium trade in East Asia was essential for its evolution in the uncertain circumstance of the 1820s, a period neglected in most analyses of Westerners trade in Asia. The increasing Spanish trade in Canton resulted from profound changes experienced in the Philippines under the influence of the wider Bourbon reforms. The end of the Galleon trade was followed by the trade liberalization in the Spanish Pacific, and as a result, Hispanic trans-Pacific trade from Manila developed
Intervertebral Disc Biology through Experiments and Knowledge: Network Modeling, Proteomics, and Machine Learning
No full textLow back pain is a leading cause of global disability and is strongly linked to intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). IDD arises from changes in the disc microenvironment that impair structure and function. It is marked by extracellular matrix breakdown, altered cell phenotype, loss of active cells, increased senescence, and increased production of inflammatory mediators, which drive catabolism. Although numerous studies have investigated the molecular basis of IDD, the variability in disc cell behavior and the complexity of the intracellular signaling pathways that govern inflammatory and catabolic processes hinder a unified understanding of the underlying mechanisms of IDD. Systems modeling, including network-based models, provide scalable means to integrate these diverse data and clarify the interplay among cytokines, growth factors, and other soluble mediators. This thesis develops a literature-based regulatory network model (RNM) focused on protein–protein interactions among key soluble mediators regulating disc cell behavior. The developed network captures interactions among soluble proteins, accurately reflecting control values from proteomics analyses. To further elucidate the roles of specific ligands, and understand how they modulate other soluble mediators, the network was expanded to incorporate critical signaling pathways identified in initial cell network modeling, providing a more holistic view of signaling cascades. This expanded model has been validated using experimental data from human nucleus pulposus cells. Additionally, to address incomplete knowledge regarding interactions among these mediators, a machine learning-based link prediction approach was applied to uncover missing or poorly characterized connections. Identifying these gaps not only underscores where additional experimental evidence is needed to understand the role of factors and signaling pathways but also helps pinpoint novel therapeutic targets for IDD. Altogether, this framework advances our understanding of the complex signaling landscape underlying IDD and offers a roadmap for future research to address the remaining gaps in disc cell biology.Universitat Pompeu Fabra. Doctorat en Tecnologies de la Informació i les Comunicacion
The promise and challenges of generative AI in education
No full textGenerative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools, such as large language models (LLMs), generate natural language and other types of content to perform a wide range of tasks. This represents a significant technological advancement that poses opportunities and challenges to educational research and practice. This commentary brings together contributions from nine experts working in the intersection of learning and technology and presents critical reflections on the opportunities, challenges, and implications related to GenAI technologies in the context of education. In the commentary, it is acknowledged that GenAI’s capabilities can enhance some teaching and learning practices, such as learning design, regulation of learning, automated content, feedback, and assessment. Nevertheless, we also highlight its limitations, potential disruptions, ethical consequences, and potential misuses. The identified avenues for further research include the development of new insights into the roles human experts can play, strong and continuous evidence, human-centric design of technology, necessary policy, and support and competence mechanisms. Overall, we concur with the general skeptical optimism about the use of GenAI tools such as LLMs in education. Moreover, we highlight the danger of hastily adopting GenAI tools in education without deep consideration of the efficacy, ecosystem-level implications, ethics, and pedagogical soundness of such practices
La cámara piel
No full textTreball de fi de màster en Estudis de Cinema i Audiovisual ContemporanisTutor: Sergi SánchezEste trabajo propone el concepto de cámara piel como una forma de registro encarnado que convierte la cámara en una extensión sensible y afectiva del cuerpo de la cineasta. Partiendo del pensamiento de Jean-Luc Nancy, Sara Ahmed y Teresa de Lauretis, se analiza cómo las cineastas del yo —Naomi Kawase, Chantal Akerman, Agnès Varda, Albertina Carri, Agustina Comedi, Jonathan Caouette y Gala Hernández López— inscriben su presencia corporal en la imagen. Se argumenta que la cámara piel configura una práctica feminista y queer que cuestiona las relaciones tradicionales entre cuerpo, imagen y representación. Asimismo, se explora cómo el montaje opera como espacio donde se rearticula afectivamente el archivo cinematográfico, posibilitando la reapropiación de imágenes personales y colectivas desde el presente. Finalmente, el texto propone abrir este concepto hacia una teoría del cine cuerpo que permita nuevas formas excéntricas de aparición
Prevalence of daily family meals among children and adolescents from 43 countries
No full textPrevalence studies about family meals, including large and representative samples of children and adolescents on this topic, are scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was twofold: first, to determine the prevalence of daily family meals in large and representative samples of school-going children and adolescents from 43 countries, and second, to identify the sex, age, socioeconomic status (SES), family structure, immigrant status and parental labour market status inequalities associated with this prevalence. Using data from the 2017/2018 wave of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study, a total of 179,991 participants from 43 countries were involved in this cross-sectional study. Family meals were assessed by the following question: 'How often do you and your family usually have meals together?'. Participants had five different response options: 'every day', 'most days', 'about once a week', 'less often', and 'never'. The meta package was utilized for conducting a meta-analysis of single proportions, specifically applying the metaprop function. The analysis involved pooling the data using a random-effects model and presenting the outcomes through a forest plot generated using the inverse variance method. Moreover, we applied generalized linear mixed models to explore the relationships between the studied sociodemographic factors as fixed effects, country as a random effect and the status of daily family meals as an outcome. Overall, the prevalence of daily family meals was 49.12% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 45.00-53.25). A greater probability of having daily family meals was identified for children aged 10-12 years (61.55%; 95% CI: 57.44%-65.49%), boys (61.55%, 95% CI: 57.44%-65.49%), participants with high SES (64.66%, 95% CI: 60.65%-68.48%), participants with both parents at home (65.05%, 95% CI: 61.16%-68.74%) and those with both unemployed parents (61.55%, 95% CI: 57.44%-65.49%). In the present study, which included large representative samples of school-going children and adolescents from 43 countries, more than half of the participants did not have daily family meals
Recent progress in the field of neoglycoconjugate chemistry
No full textGlycosylation is probably the most complex secondary gene event that affects the vast majority of proteins in nature resulting in the occurrence of a heterogeneous mixture of glycoforms for a single protein. Many functions are exerted by single monosaccharides, well-defined oligosaccharides, or larger glycans present in these glycoproteins. To unravel these functions it is of the utmost importance to prepare well-defined single glycans conjugated to the underlying aglycon. In this review, the most recent developments are described to address the preparation of carbohydrate-amino acid (glyco-conjugates). Naturally occurring N- and O-linked glycosylation are described and the preparation of non-natural sugar-amino acid linkages are also included.The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support received from the European Union (HEALTH-F3-2008-223414), Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (BIO2008-04487-CO3-02 and BIO2009-08983) and Generalitat de Catalunya (2009 SGR 492
Benchmarking pandemic response: how the UK's COVID-19 vaccine rollout impacted diffuse and specific support for the EU
No full textDoes the EU's performance compared to neighboring countries influence public support? Using a benchmarking approach, we argue that people compare their country's performance within the EU to that of a non-EU country, shaping their attitudes. The COVID-19 vaccine rollout in 2020 provides an ideal test case, as governments launched vaccination programs at different speeds. The UK began weeks before EU countries, allowing us to examine its impact on EU support. Using an Unexpected Event during Surveys Design (UESD) with Eurobarometer data, we find that the UK's early rollout significantly reduced specific policy support for the EU but did not consistently affect diffuse support. Our findings offer key insights into attitudes toward European integration and performance evaluations
A un año de su vigencia: análisis de la Ley española 4/2023, de 28 de febrero, para la igualdad real y efectiva de las personas trans y para la garantía de los derechos de las personas LGTBI
No full textEl 2 de marzo de 2023 entró en vigor la Ley 4/2023 para la igualdad real y efectiva de las personas trans y para la garantía de los derechos de las personas LGTBI, un texto que fue fuente de conflicto dentro del gobierno de coalición y que no ha pasado desapercibido en el conjunto de la sociedad española. Tras un año de aplicación de la norma, el presente artículo da cuenta de un articulado que aglomera cuestiones que, según el propio acuerdo de gobierno que lo motivó, debían tratarse en dos normas diferentes. A pesar del carácter global del análisis, se hace especial énfasis en la incorporación del principio de autodeterminación de género y las reformas civiles en materia de familia, junto a un breve comentario a las medidas de protección contra la LGTBIfobia. Finalmente, se presentan las primeras denegaciones de ciertas rectificaciones registrales del sexo ante los tan anticipados intentos de fraude de ley que ciertos sectores sociales presagiaban como infranqueables si se adoptaba el principio de autodeterminación de género.On March 2, 2023, the Spanish Act 4/2023 for the Real and Effective Equality of Trans People and the Guarantee of the Rights of LGTBI People came into force, a text that became a source of conflict within the coalition government and that has not gone unnoticed in the broader Spanish society. After a year of the implementation of the act, the article reviews a text which agglomerates issues that, according to the government’s own agreement, should have been dealt within two different bills. Despite the global nature of the analysis, special emphasis is placed on the inclusion of the gender self-determination principle and civil reforms in family matters, along with a brief commentary on measures against LGBTIphobia. Finally, the first rejections of certain amendments to the registered sex are presented in the face of the long-anticipated attempts of legal fraud that certain social sectors predicted as insurmountable if the gender self-determination principle was adopted.El presente trabajo se enmarca en el proyecto de investigación "Nuevos desarrollos en la autodeterminación personal y familiar: del estatus a la autorregulación" (PID2021-123985NB-I00), dirigido por el Dr. Josep Ferrer Riba y financiado por el Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación del Gobierno de España