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Engineered marine biofilms for ocean environment monitoring
No full textMarine bacteria offer a promising alternative for developing Engineered Living Materials (ELMs) tailored to marine applications. We engineered Dinoroseobacter shibae to increase its surface-associated growth and develop biosensors for ocean environment monitoring. By fusing the endogenous extracellular matrix amyloidogenic protein CsgA with mussel foot proteins, we significantly increased D. shibae biofilm formation. Additionally, D. shibae was engineered to express the tyrosinase enzyme to further enhance microbial attachment through post-translational modifications of tyrosine residues. By exploiting D. shibae's natural genetic resources, two environmental biosensors were created to detect temperature and oxygen. These biosensors were coupled with a CRISPR-based recording system to store transient gene expression in stable DNA arrays, enabling long-term environmental monitoring. These engineered strains highlight D. shibae's potential in advancing marine microbiome engineering for innovative biofilm applications, including the development of natural, self-renewing biological adhesives, environmental sensors, and "sentinel" cells equipped with CRISPR-recording technology to capture and store environmental signals
Hegemonic globalization
No full textHow do shifts in the global balance of power shape the world economy? We propose a theory of alignment-based “hegemonic globalization,” built on two central premises: countries differ in their preferences over policies (such as the rule of law or regulatory frameworks) and trade between any two countries increases with the degree of alignment in these policies. Hegemons promote policy alignment and thereby facilitate deeper trade integration. A unipolar world, dominated by a single hegemon, tends to support globalization. However, the transition to a multipolar world can trigger fragmentation, which is particularly costly for the declining hegemon and its closest allies. To test the theory, we use international treaties as a proxy for alignment and compile a novel “Global Treaties Database,” covering 77,000 agreements signed between 1800 and 2020. Consistent with the theory, we find that hegemons account for a disproportionate share of global treaty activity and that treaty-signing is a leading indicator of increasing bilateral trade
Evolutionary diversification of ancestral genes across vertebrates and insects
No full textBackground: Vertebrates and insects diverged approximately 700 million years ago, and yet they retain a large core of conserved genes from their last common ancestor. These ancient genes present strong evolutionary constraints, which limit their overall sequence and expression divergence. However, these constraints can greatly vary across ancestral gene families and, in at least some cases, sequence and expression changes can have functional consequences. Importantly, overall patterns of sequence and expression divergence and their potential functional outcomes have never been explored in a genome-wide manner across large animal evolutionary distances. Results: We focus on approximately 7000 highly conserved genes shared between vertebrates and insects, and we investigate global patterns of molecular diversification driven by changes in sequence and gene expression. We identify molecular features generally linked to higher or lower diversification rates, together with gene groups with similar diversification profiles in both clades. Moreover, we discover that specific sets of genes underwent differential diversification during vertebrate and insect evolution, potentially contributing to the emergence of unique phenotypes in each clade. Conclusions: We generate a comprehensive dataset of measures of sequence and expression divergence across vertebrates and insects, which reveals a continuous spectrum of evolutionary constraints among highly conserved genes. These constraints are normally consistent between these two clades and are associated with specific molecular features, but in some cases we also identify instances of lineage-specific diversification likely linked to functional evolution.This research has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement 101002275 to MI) and by the Agencia Estatal de Investigación (PID2020-115040GB-I00/ AEI / 10.13039/501100011033 to MI). FM held a FPI fellowship associated with the grant funded by Agencia Estatal de Investigación and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional grant reference BFU-2017-89201-P/ AEI/FEDER, UE
Machine translation and post-editing in AVT: a pilot study on a rising practice
No full textLa traducción automática y la posedición (TAPE) siguen considerándose, a menudo, enemigas de la libertad creativa tradicionalmente asociada al género audiovisual y a su traducción. El rechazo que su creciente presencia suscita entre gran parte de la comunidad profesional hace que la traducción audiovisual (TAV) no sea una de las disciplinas donde el uso de la TAPE se aborde abiertamente. Sin embargo, es necesario estudiar los beneficios de su implantación a todos los niveles, considerando todas las partes y a todos los implicados en el proceso. Con el fin de estudiar las diferencias entre el proceso tradicional de TAV -sin herramientas- y el proceso implementado con TAPE, se ha llevado a cabo un estudio piloto destinado a comparar los resultados en la traducción inglés-español de una serie de vídeos de noticias y deportes de 3 minutos de duración con diferentes características técnicas. Los resultados permitirán obtener una descripción comparativa objetiva de ambos procesos
Synthetic data generation with denoising diffusion probabilistic models for data augmentation in data-limited satellite image classification
No full textTreball fi de màster de: Master's Degree in Data Science. Methodology Program. Curs 2024-2025Tutor: Antonio LozanoData augmentation is essential for improving deep learning performance with limited data. This thesis examines whether class-conditional Denoising Diffusion Probabilistic Models (DDPMs) can enhance satellite image classification on the EuroSAT dataset. Using a U-Net-based DDPM, we generated synthetic images for ten land cover classes and evaluated ResNet-18 with different real-to-synthetic ratios. Results show that geometric transformations consistently outperform synthetic data, which often degrades performance, especially at higher proportions. However, hybrid approaches improved specific classes, such as AnnualCrop (+2.65 points). Overall, geometric augmentation remains most effective, though class-dependent synthetic strategies show potential for targeted enhancement.L’augmentació de dades és essencial per millorar el rendiment de l’aprenentatge profund quan les dades són limitades. Aquesta tesi analitza si els Denoising Diffusion Probabilistic Models (DDPM) condicionals per classe poden millorar la classificació d’imatges satel·litals al conjunt de dades EuroSAT. Mitjançant un DDPM basat en U-Net es van generar imatges sintètiques per a deu classes de coberta terrestre i es va avaluar ResNet-18 amb diferents proporcions de dades reals i sintètiques. Els resultats mostren que les transformacions geomètriques superen sistemàticament les dades sintètiques, tot i que els enfocaments híbrids van millorar classes específiques com AnnualCrop (+2.65 punts)
Gutxi ordaintzen didate, baina izugarri gustatzen zait nire lana. Hizkuntza gehigarrien eskolak, errealitatea zalantzan jartzeko tokia
No full textHizkuntza gehigarrien eskoletan jarrera eta kulturartekotasun kritikoak garatuko badira, Diskurtsoaren Azterlan Kritikoen eta kulturartekotasun berrituaren suposizio teorikoe-tatik abiatu behar da, hiru gai hauei erreparatuz nagusiki: identitateen eraikuntza, besteta-sunaren eraikuntza eta egitateen irudikapena. Hala, era askotako jarduera didaktikoak pro-posatuko dira hiru gai horien inguruan. Ikuspegi pedagogikotik, jarrera eta kulturartekota-sun kritikoa garatzeak esan nahi du ikaskuntzaren erdigunean jarri behar dela nork bere buruari galderak egiteko, gauzak zalantzan jartzeko eta norbera ere zalantzan jartzeko gaitasuna; halaber, beste modu batera planteatu behar direla irakasleen eta ikasleen rolak, bai eta material didaktikoei heltzeko era ere. Azkenik, ikuspegi didaktikotik, sekuentzia didaktikoak bost fasetan antolatzeko planteamendua landuko da: aktibazioa, gauzak zalan-tzan jartzea eta gogoeta egitea, esanahi propioak ematea, informazioa biltzea eta eralda-keta soziala lortzeko ekoiztea (prosumizioa)
CEBPa is an orchestrator of trophectoderm specification
No full textLa bifurcación entre trofoectodermo y la masa celular interna es la decisión de desarrollo más temprana, pero cómo se inicia y en qué etapa embrionaria ocurre no se entiende completamente. Aquí describimos que el factor de transcripción CEBPa es un regulador temprano que influye en esta bifurcación. El factor se expresa en embriones de 4 y 8 células y en el trofoectodermo de los blastocistos. Su eliminación por knockout cigótico provocó un retraso en la formación del blastocisto y una disminución en la proporción de células del trofoectodermo. La expresión ectópica de CEBPa en células madre embrionarias es suficiente para inducir células similares al trofoectodermo al alterar la accesibilidad de los elementos reguladores génicos (ERGs), lo que conduce a la activación de genes específicos del trofoectodermo y el silenciamiento de genes específicos de células madre embrionarias. Un conjunto de ERGs del trofoectodermo se vuelven accesibles en embriones de 4 y 8 células, coincidiendo con la expresión de CEBPa y su unión a estas regiones potenciadoras. Por lo tanto, CEBPa podría dotar a los blastómeros de los embriones de 4 a 8 células de las herramientas necesarias para convertirlos en trofoectodermo en un futuro, sentando las bases para la bifurcación del desarrollo.The bifurcation between trophectoderm and inner cell mass (ICM) is the earliest developmental decision yet how it is initiated and at which embryonic stage is incompletely understood. Here we describe that the transcription factor CEBPa is an orchestrator of this bifurcation. It is expressed in 4- and 8-cell embryos and in the trophectoderm layer of blastocysts. Its zygotic knockout caused a delay in blastocyst formation and a decrease in the proportion of trophectoderm cells. Ectopic CEBPa expression in embryonic stem cells suffices to induce trophectoderm-like cells by altering the accessibility of gene regulatory elements (GREs), leading to the activation of TE-specific genes and silencing of ESC-specific genes. A cohort of trophectoderm GREs become accessible in 4- and 8-cell embryos, coinciding with CEBPa expression and binding to these enhancer regions. CEBPa may thus equip totipotent blastomeres of 4- to 8-cell embryos with future trophectoderm competence, setting the stage for the earliest developmental bifurcation.Programa de Doctorat en Biomedicin
Operationalizing affective polarization in multiparty systems
No full textThis chapter delves into the complexities of measuring affective polarization (AP) in multiparty systems, extending research from the US to more diverse party settings. It highlights the challenges of adapting measures like the feeling thermometer to such contexts, where individuals may have nuanced feelings towards multiple parties. Existing indices like the affective polarization index (API) and weighted mean distance from the most-liked party (Distance) encounter difficulties in capturing the intricate dynamics of AP in multiparty systems. The chapter proposes a new measure that integrates Social Identity Theory (SIT) into the measurement of AP. This approach aims to capture genuine affective ties and hostilities, avoiding instrumental considerations. Preliminary validation of the new measure is conducted using survey data from Spain
EUROVISCO consensus guidelines for the use of hyaluronic acid viscosupplementation in knee osteoarthritis based on patient characteristics
No full textObjectives: Viscosupplementation with hyaluronic acid (HA) is a commonly used intra-articular treatment for osteoarthritis (OA). We performed a Delphi consensus process to formulate guidelines for the use of intra-articular hyaluronic acid (IAHA) knee injection according to the patient’s characteristics. Methods: The EUROVISCO group consists of 12 members who had expertise in clinical and/or research in the field of OA and IAHA treatment. This group drafted issues through an iterative process and subsequently voted according to a Delphi process on their level of agreement (LoA) on these recommendations. The scores were pooled to generate a median agreement score for each recommendation. The strength of the recommendation (SOR) was classified as strong if the median agreement score was ≥8. The level of consensus (LOC) was also obtained. The level of evidence was given for each recommendation. Results: A total of 34 statements were evaluated by the expert group. A unanimous or high LoA was obtained in 16. IAHA can be considered irrespective of the age in patients with symptomatic knee OA. It can be used in patients with diabetes and/or moderate to severe obesity. It can also be used in knee OA patients with a history of gout, meniscocalcinosis and with mild-to-moderate varus/valgus malalignment. The group recommended against the use of VS in pregnant women and in OA flare. Conclusion: In summary, the working group provided strong recommendations for the use of IAHA injection that will facilitate individualized treatment decision algorithms in the management of knee OA
Neurobiological mechanisms underlying the resilience and vulnerability to developing cannabis and food addiction
No full textThe increasing use of cannabis and highly palatable foods in modern society, along with their decreasing risk perception, have raised the prevalence of addiction. However, the neurobiological mechanisms that contribute to the development of cannabis and food addiction in vulnerable individuals remain unclear, which this thesis seeks to address. Given the lack of existing animal models of cannabis addiction, we established a novel mouse model based on cannabis self-administration encompassing the main human diagnostic criteria and phenotypic vulnerability factors. Using this model, we investigated the effect of cannabis exposure during adolescence on the risk of developing cannabis addiction in adulthood. Additionally, employing a validated food addiction mouse model, we experimentally inhibited the orbitofrontal cortex and its projections to the striatum and amygdala to understand their role in the decision-making deficits observed in food addicts. Overall, this thesis offers a comprehensive examination of the vulnerability and resilience factors involved in these addictive disorders.El creciente uso de cannabis y alimentos altamente palatables en la sociedad moderna, junto a su declinante percepción de riesgo, han incrementado la prevalencia de adicción. Sin embargo, los mecanismos neurobiológicos que contribuyen al desarrollo de la adicción al cannabis y a la comida en individuos vulnerables siguen sin estar claros, lo que esta tesis busca esclarecer. Ante la falta de existentes modelos animales para la adicción al cannabis, establecimos un nuevo modelo en ratones basado en la autoadministración de cannabis que abarca los principales criterios diagnósticos humanos y factores fenotípicos de vulnerabilidad. Utilizando este modelo, investigamos el efecto de la exposición al cannabis durante la adolescencia sobre el riesgo de desarrollar adicción al cannabis en la adultez. Además, empleando un modelo validado de adicción a la comida en ratones, inhibimos experimentalmente la corteza orbitofrontal y sus proyecciones al estriado y la amígdala para comprender su papel en los déficits en la toma de decisiones observados en los adictos a la comida. En conjunto, esta tesis ofrece un examen integral de los factores de vulnerabilidad y resiliencia implicados en estos trastornos adictivos.Programa de Doctorat en Biomedicin