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Does nature make us less lonely? Analysis in Bulgaria's five largest cities
No full textBackground: Loneliness is prevalent and increases risks of disease and premature death. We aimed to investigate whether greater exposure to nature is associated with less loneliness in urban Bulgarian adults, and whether the association was modified by sociodemographic factors. Methods: The analytic sample comprised 3604 adults from a cross-sectional population-based survey conducted in 2023 in the five largest Bulgarian cities. Loneliness was self-reported with a single item on a seven-point Likert scale. Availability of nature was assessed by several GIS-derived indicators: normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI), tree cover density, urban green space, all in a 300 m buffer around home, and distance to blue space. Self-reported nature indicators included domestic garden, green space and blue space quality, green space and blue space window view, and time spent in green and blue space. Adjusted negative binomial regressions with random intercept for city district were used to assess associations with loneliness. We further checked effect modification by city type, sex, age, relationship, employment status and education. Results: Residing in areas with more urban green space, higher green space quality, and green space window view and spending more time in green and blue space were associated with lower loneliness scores. Living in low or high compared to medium level NDVI settings or in areas with higher tree cover density was associated with higher loneliness scores. Sociodemographic factors modified some of these associations. Conclusions: Our findings underscore the importance of extending and improving structured urban green spaces in Bulgarian cities
Firefighting, other protective service occupations and prostate cancer risk: a pooled analysis of three case-control studies
No full textBackground: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most frequent incident cancer among males in industrialized countries, but little is known about its aetiology. A role for occupational exposures is suggested. Occupational exposure as a firefighter, a protective service occupation (PSO), is classified as carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, with limited evidence in humans for PCa. We studied the association between PSO and PCa risk considering tumour aggressiveness and screening practices. Methods: The EPIdemiological study of Prostate Cancer (EPICAP), the Prostate cancer & Environment Study (PROtEuS) and the MultiCase-Control study in common tumours in Spain (MCC-Spain) are population-based case-control studies, conducted respectively in France, Canada, Spain, in 2005–2014 in men ≤ 85 years old, including overall 3,859 incident cases and 4,359 controls frequency-matched on age. Participants were interviewed face-to-face using general and occupational questionnaires covering all jobs held in career, coded according to the 1988 International Standard Classification of Occupations. Unconditional logistic regressions estimated associations between PSO and PCa, after adjusting for potential confounders. Two sets of analyses were conducted, without and with consideration of screening. The latter is believed to yield the main findings since less subject to detection bias. Results: When restricting controls to those recently screened, men employed as firefighters ≥ 10 years had increased risk (OR (Odds ratio) = 2.01 [95% confidence interval] [1.02; 3.97]) of non-aggressive PCa. Positive associations for non-aggressive PCa among men employed < 10 years as police officers (OR = 2.53 [1.07; 5.96]) and police inspectors and detectives (OR = 6.75 [1.47; 30.96]) were observed. Very few cases in PSO were characterized by aggressive tumours. Conclusions: Findings from this large population-based study corroborate the higher PCa risk previously reported among firefighters, but only for non-aggressive tumours. Screening practices had a substantial impact on risk estimates. Future studies should investigate specific exposures, and account for PCa aggressiveness and individual screening patterns
From mitochondrial markers to whole genomes: evolutionary history of African and Arabian horned and sand vipers
No full textThis thesis adds new knowledge to the evolutionary history of the genus Cerastes, a group
of understudied venomous snakes highly adapted to the arid conditions of North Africa
and Arabia. Using several genomic approaches, we disentangled new and unexpected
evolutionary relationships within this group, contradicting previous evolutionary
hypothesis based on morphology and mitochondrial markers. Then, we assembled one of
the first high-quality chromosome-level reference genomes for true vipers, highlighting
the absence of chromosomal rearrangements within vipers. Moreover, using RNA-seq
and proteomics, we identified the main toxins in the venom of C. gasperettii, identifying
their genomic location and comparing the gene copy number variation among venomous
species. Using genomic data, we inferred several conservation genomic parameters for
the genus Cerastes and unravelled how structural variance is an important mechanism
driving venom variation in the main toxin families. Finally, we assessed the effectiveness
of the genomic methods applied in this thesis and analysed their strengths and limitations
in addressing both the study of venom and the evolutionary history of non-model species.Esta tesis aporta nuevo conocimiento sobre la historia evolutiva del género Cerastes, un grupo de serpientes venenosas poco estudiadas y altamente adaptadas a las condiciones áridas del norte de África y Arabia. Utilizando varios enfoques genómicos, desentrañamos relaciones evolutivas nuevas e inesperadas dentro de este grupo, contradiciendo hipótesis evolutivas previas basadas en la morfología y marcadores mitocondriales. Posteriormente, ensamblamos uno de los primeros genomas de referencia de alta calidad a nivel cromosómico para las víboras de la subfamilia Viperinae, destacando la ausencia de reorganizaciones cromosómicas dentro de las víboras. Además, mediante el uso de RNA-seq y proteómica, identificamos las principales toxinas en el veneno de C. gasperettii, ubicando su posición genómica y comparando la variación en el número de copias génicas entre especies venenosas. A partir de datos genómicos, inferimos varios parámetros genómicos de conservación para el género Cerastes y revelamos cómo la variación estructural es un mecanismo importante que impulsa la variabilidad del veneno en las principales familias de toxinas para esta especie. Finalmente, evaluamos la efectividad de los métodos genómicos aplicados en esta tesis y analizamos sus fortalezas y limitaciones para abordar tanto el estudio del veneno como la historia evolutiva de especies no modelo.Aquesta tesi aporta nou coneixement sobre la història evolutiva del gènere Cerastes, un grup de serps verinoses poc estudiades i altament adaptades a les condicions àrides del nord d'Àfrica i d'Aràbia. Utilitzant diversos enfocaments genòmics, desxifrem relacions evolutives noves i inesperades dins d'aquest grup, contradient hipòtesis evolutives prèvies basades en morfologia i marcadors mitocondrials. Posteriorment, vam ensamblar un dels primers genomes de referència d'alta qualitat a nivell cromosòmic per als escurçons de la subfamília Viperinae, destacant l'absència de reorganitzacions cromosòmiques dins dels escurçons. A més, mitjançant l'ús d'RNA-seq i proteòmica, identifiquem les principals toxines en el verí de C. gasperettii, ubicant la seva posició genòmica i comparant la variació en el nombre de còpies gèniques entre espècies verinoses. A partir de dades genòmiques, inferim diversos paràmetres genòmics de conservació per al gènere Cerastes i revelem com la variació estructural és un mecanisme important que impulsa la variabilitat del verí en les principals famílies de toxines per a aquesta espècie. Finalment, avaluem l'efectivitat dels mètodes genòmics aplicats en aquesta tesi i analitzem les seves fortaleses i limitacions per abordar tant l'estudi del verí com la història evolutiva d'espècies no model.Programa de Doctorat en Biomedicin
Beyond the Member State: Subnational Infringements of European Environmental Directives
No full textThis dissertation examines the extent to which subnational authorities comply with European environmental directives. Problematic implementation of EU environmental legislation is well-known, but continued noncompliance with EU environmental legislation, evident in water and air quality, waste management, and biodiversity loss, not only harms the environment and human health but also undermines the legitimacy of EU legislation and the EU as a rulemaking institution. While the determinants of national-level noncompliance, is well-documented, subnational noncompliance is underexplored, particularly across Member states and over time. This dissertation tests the three main theoretical approaches from the EU implementation research—management, enforcement, and legitimacy—to understand what determines subnational noncompliance behavior. Three empirical chapters test these approaches applying a mixed methods research design in the first two chapters and a quantitative design in the third. The research draws on a unique dataset of subnational infringements of EU environmental directives between 2005 and 2018, alongside 28 semi-structured interviews with subnational civil servants and green party members to explain the mechanisms underlying the quantitative findings. The findings show significant variation in compliance across subnational authorities within and across MS, highlighting that political preferences are decisive, with varying interests in environmental policy driving differences in compliance. A comparative analysis across 24 MS reveals that greater subnational autonomy, financial resources, and support for green parties are associated with higher levels of subnational compliance. Additionally, stronger public support for EU integration decreases the likelihood of subnational infringements. This dissertation underscores the complexity of environmental policy implementation, illustrating that while structural constraints are important, subnational political preferences and public opinion are paramount in shaping environmental compliance outcomes. Overall, the dissertation emphasizes the central importance of subnational authorities in achieving compliance with European environmental objectives.Aquesta tesi examina fins a quin punt les autoritats subnacionals compleixen amb les directives mediambientals europees. La implementació problemàtica de la legislació mediambiental de la UE és ben coneguda, però el continu incompliment d’aquesta legislació, evident en la qualitat de l’aigua i l’aire, la gestió de residus i la pèrdua de biodiversitat, no només perjudica el medi ambient i la salut humana, sinó que també mina la legitimitat de la legislació de la UE i de la mateixa Unió com a institució legislativa. Tot i que els determinants de l’incompliment a nivell nacional estan ben documentats, l’incompliment a nivell subnacional està poc explorat, especialment entre els Estats membres i al llarg del temps. Aquesta tesi posa a prova els tres enfocaments teòrics principals de la investigació sobre la implementació de la UE —gestió, aplicació i legitimitat— per comprendre què determina el comportament d’incompliment subnacional. Tres capítols empírics posen a prova aquests enfocaments, aplicant un disseny de recerca de mètodes mixtos en els dos primers capítols i un disseny quantitatiu en el tercer. La recerca es basa en un conjunt de dades únic sobre infraccions subnacionals de les directives mediambientals de la UE entre el 2005 i el 2018, juntament amb 28 entrevistes semiestructurades amb funcionaris subnacionals i membres de partits verds per explicar els mecanismes subjacents als resultats quantitatius. Els resultats mostren una variació significativa en el compliment entre les autoritats subnacionals dins i entre els Estats membres, destacant que les preferències polítiques són decisives, ja que els interessos variables en la política mediambiental impulsen diferències en el compliment. Una anàlisi comparativa entre 24 Estats membres revela que una major autonomia subnacional, els recursos financers i el suport als partits verds estan associats amb nivells més alts de compliment subnacional. A més, un major suport públic a la integració europea disminueix la probabilitat d'infraccions subnacionals. Aquesta tesi subratlla la complexitat de la implementació de la política mediambiental, il·lustrant que, tot i que les limitacions estructurals són importants, les preferències polítiques subnacionals i l’opinió pública són fonamentals per donar forma als resultats de compliment mediambiental. En general, la tesi destaca la importància central de les autoritats subnacionals per aconseguir el compliment dels objectius mediambientals europeus.Programa de Doctorat en Ciències Polítiques i Social
Documenting the final days of monolingual English learners' dictionaries using the archived web
No full textOnline dictionaries have many advantages over their physical counterparts. However, the ephemeral nature of web content means that they are often changed without notice and no ostensible record of what came before remains. This makes research on historical online dictionaries difficult and perhaps explains why, while the history of printed monolingual English learners’ dictionaries (MELDs) has been comprehensively explored, studies of online dictionaries have tended to take a cross-sectional rather than longitudinal view. This is not ideal since it means that a large period of MELD history is yet to be explored. Moreover, given recent predictions of the decline of MELDs, as we know them, in light of developments with AI chatbots and other digital tools, this gap is all the more significant. In an attempt to remedy this situation, this study applies Brügger’s (2018) framework for archived web research to explore the feasibility of using the web archive, the Wayback Machine, to trace the development of websites that give, or have given, access to ‘the big five’ MELDs. Some key challenges of using archived web material to conduct lexicographic research are discussed along with suggestions for potential solutions.The research reported here was supported in part by the research project ‘Accessible Digital Language Resources: Building an Inclusive Society’ (ADLAR) (PID2024-157523OB-I00). I am very grateful for the feedback and encouragement of the two anonymous reviewers of this paper
Oportunidades terapéuticas en modelos de atrofia muscular por desuso y asociada a caquexia cancerosa: perfil de músculos respiratorios y de extremidades de contracción rápida y lenta
No full textLa pérdida de masa y función muscular afecta a pacientes con enfermedades crónicas o sometidos a reposo prolongado. Esta afección es debida a la atrofia muscular por desuso o al desgaste muscular provocado por la caquexia. El ejercicio físico se ha planteado como terapia contra los efectos de la atrofia en pacientes. Se han investigado los efectos beneficiosos de los inhibidores de PARP. En esta tesis, se usa un modelo murino de inmovilización para desarrollar atrofia muscular por desuso. Se aplica un protocolo de entrenamiento físico general, intenso y de corta duración, un inhibidor de PARP y un periodo de recuperación para evaluar sus efectos sobre el gastrocnemio y el diafragma. Estos tratamientos parecen tener efectos positivos contra la atrofia muscular por desuso. La atrofia parece tener efectos tanto en el músculo periférico como en el respiratorio, lo que podría implicar una comunicación entre ambos músculos de diferentes compartimentos. Estudios previos demostraron que tratamientos con polifenoles podían atenuar los efectos de la atrofia en un modelo murino de caquexia cancerosa. En esta tesis, se usa este mismo modelo para evaluar si dicho tratamiento activa la regeneración en músculos de contracción lenta (sóleo) y rápida (tibial anterior). Los resultados indican que estos polifenoles favorecen la regeneración en ambos tipos musculares.Loss of muscle mass and function affects patients with chronic diseases or those subjected to prolonged rest. This condition is due to disuse muscle atrophy or muscle wasting associated with cachexia. Physical exercise has been proposed as a therapy against the effects of atrophy in patients. The beneficial effects of PARP inhibitors have been investigated. In this thesis, a murine model of immobilization is used to induce disuse muscle atrophy. A general, high-intensity, short-term physical training protocol, a PARP inhibitor and a recovery period are applied to evaluate their effects on the gastrocnemius and diaphragm muscles. These treatments appear to have positive effects against disuse muscle atrophy. Atrophy seems to have effects on both peripheral and respiratory muscles, suggesting a potential communication between both muscles from different compartments. Previous studies demonstrated that treatments with polyphenols could attenuate the effects of atrophy in a murine model of cancer cachexia. In this thesis, this same model is used to evaluate whether this treatment activates regeneration in slow-twitch (soleus) and fast-twitch (tibialis anterior) muscles. The results indicate that these polyphenols promote regeneration in both muscle types.Programa de Doctorat en Biomedicin
Plan de empresa de SportsMate, aplicación que facilita la búsqueda de compañeros para actividades relacionadas con el ocio
No full textTutor: Jordi Bosch GarciaTreball de fi del grau en Grau en Enginyeria en Sistemes AudiovisualsIn today's increasingly digitalized society, the mobile device has become the primary tool for communication and information for a significant portion of the population. However, this trend has also led to the need for secure tools that facilitate social interaction among individuals with similar interests. SportsMate emerges as a solution to connect users with similar sports interests or hobbies. This document analyzes the potential of such a tool, as well as its technological and financial requirements. Furthermore, it addresses the development of appropriate functionalities with a contemporary design, adapted to the marketing needs of the target audience. The SportsMate application is considered to offer a unique opportunity to promote sociability and well-being among users, opening new possibilities for connection and community building in the sports and recreational field.En la sociedad actual, cada vez más digitalizada, el dispositivo móvil se ha convertido en la principal herramienta de comunicación e información para una parte importante de la población. Sin embargo, esta tendencia también ha llevado a la necesidad de contar con herramientas seguras que faciliten la interacción social entre personas con intereses similares. SportsMate aparece como una solución para conectar a usuarios con aficiones o intereses deportivos parecidos. Este documento analiza el potencial de una herramienta de este tipo, así como sus necesidades tecnológicas y económicas. Además, se trata el desarrollo de las funcionalidades adecuadas con un diseño actual, adaptado a las necesidades de marketing del público objetivo. Se considera que la aplicación SportsMate ofrece una oportunidad única para promover la sociabilidad y el bienestar entre los usuarios, abriendo nuevas posibilidades para la conexión y la creación de comunidad en el ámbito deportivo y recreativo
Identifying time patterns in Huntington's disease trajectories using dynamic time warping-based clustering on multi-modal data
No full textOne of the principal goals of Precision Medicine is to stratify patients by accounting for individual variability. However, extracting meaningful information from Real-World Data, such as Electronic Health Records, still remains challenging due to methodological and computational issues. A Dynamic Time Warping-based unsupervised-clustering methodology is presented in this paper for the clustering of patient trajectories of multi-modal health data on the basis of shared temporal characteristics. Building on an earlier methodology, a new dimension of time-varying clinical and imaging features is incorporated, through an adapted cost-minimization algorithm for clustering on different, possibly overlapping, feature subsets. The model disease chosen is Huntington's disease (HD), characterized by progressive neurodegeneration. From a wide range of examined user-defined parameters, four case examples are highlighted to demonstrate the identified temporal patterns in multi-modal HD trajectories and to study how these differ due to the combined effects of feature weights and granularity threshold. For each identified cluster, polynomial fits that describe the time behavior of the assessed features are provided for an informative comparison, together with their averaged values. The proposed data-mining methodology permits the stratification of distinct time patterns of multi-modal health data in individuals that share a diagnosis, by employing user-customized criteria beyond the current clinical practice. Overall, this work bears implications for better analysis of individual variability in disease progression, opening doors to personalized preventative, diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.IMPaCT-Data (IMP/00019) funded by the Institute of Health Carlos III, co-funded by the European Union, European Regional Development Fund (ERDF, “A way to make Europe”). A. E. D. received funding from the Masters in Multidisciplinary Research in Experimental Sciences of the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology and University of Pompeu Fabra. E. C. was supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, an agency of the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovacion y Universidades (MINECO), co-funded by FEDER funds/European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) – a Way to Build Europe (CP13/00225 and PI14/ 00834, to EC), as well as Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, which is part of Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI), through the Retos Investigación grant, number PID2020-114518RB-I00 / DOI: https://doi.org/10.13039/501100011033 to EC, BFU2017-87109-P, to Ruth de Diego. We thank CERCA Programme/Generalitat de Catalunya for institutional support
Changes in Sino-British trade before the First Opium War based on supercargoes
No full textThe Sino-British trade system before the First Opium War was not a static structure entirely controlled by the Qing government; instead, it underwent a process of reconstruction through Sino-British interactions. In fact, Sino-British trade was essentially under joint management by the Guangdong authorities representing the interests of the Qing government and the supercargoes representing the interests of the British East India Company. Using James Drummond and William Jardine as case studies, I examine the activities of the supercargoes, representing the social elite, in China and the role-switching between East India Company employees and private merchants. Through the analysis, the thesis aims to reveal the symbiotic relationship between the Hong merchant system and the British East India Company’s monopolJardiney on trade with China, highlighting the pivotal role supercargoes played in shaping Sino-British trade and relations before the First Opium War.El sistema de comercio sino-británico antes de la Primera Guerra del Opio no era una estructura estática controlada enteramente por el gobierno Qing; en cambio, fue objeto de una reconstrucción a través de las interacciones sino-británicas. De hecho, el comercio sino-británico estaba esencialmente bajo una gestión conjunta entre las autoridades de Guangdong, que representaban los intereses del gobierno Qing, y los supercargadores, que representaban los intereses de la Compañía Británica de las Indias Orientales. Utilizando a James Drummond y William Jardine como estudios de caso, examino las actividades de los sobrecargos, que representaban a la élite social, en China, y el cambio de roles entre los empleados de la Compañía de las Indias Orientales y los comerciantes privados. A través de este análisis, la tesis busca revelar la relación simbiótica entre el sistema de los comerciantes hong y el monopolio comercial de la Compañía de las Indias Orientales en China, destacando el papel fundamental que jugaron los sobrecargos en la configuración del comercio y las relaciones sino-británicas antes de la Primera Guerra del Opio.Programa de Doctorat en Històri
Influencia del estilo discursivo positivo o negativo de noticias en la intención de lectura y la memoria del público chino
No full textTutora: Yasmina Okan GilMàster Universitari en Recerca en ComunicacióDurante crisis sanitarias globales, los medios de comunicación desempeñan un papel clave en la forma en que la gente percibe los riesgos y reacciona. No obstante, aún se conoce poco sobre cómo los discursos de tono positivo o negativo de las noticias influyen en la intención de lectura y en la memoria. Entonces, este estudio cuantitativo explora dichas asociaciones mediante un diseño experimental con 320 participantes chinos. Los resultados muestran que existe una asociación entre el tono positivo y una mayor intención de leer, así como entre el negativo y una mejor memoria factual, además, una mayor activación emocional se asocia con una mayor intención y la retención de información. Esta investigación aporta observación y evidencia novedosa sobre el rol esencial de los elementos discursivos en la percepción y la eficacia comunicativa de los medios, mejorando las estrategias para una comunicación pública más eficaz y equilibrada.During global health crises, the media plays a key role in how people perceive and react to risks. While alarmist media language has been found to increase public concern, it may also reduce preventive behaviors. However, research on how positive or negative news discourse affects reading intention and fact recall is still unclear. Therefore, this quantitative study explores such associations through an experimental design with 320 Chinese participants. The results show that positive news is associated with greater willingness to read, while negative news correlates with better factual recall. Furthermore, higher emotional arousal is positively related to both intention and information retention. This research provides observation and novel evidence of the essential role of discursive elements in cognitive processing and the communicative effectiveness of the media, contributing to the development of more balanced and effective public communication strategies