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Urbicide and sectarianisation in Syria: the politics of space in Damascus and Aleppo
No full textThis chapter investigates the dynamics of sectarianization in Damascus and Aleppo, Syria's most significant urban centres. Notably, it seeks to do so by exploring the politics of space, destruction and (re)construction that has taken place since the start of the conflict in 2011. In the context of the Syrian civil war, the predominant role of cities is easy to see, for urban and peri-urban areas have been critical locations through which war has pulsated, causing massive destruction of the built environment, the disruption of infrastructures and the deep severing of the Syrian social fabric. The chapter shows how several actors have engaged in often-competing material and symbolic interventions in Syria's cities, inscribing broader socio-political sectarian imaginaries in local spaces, thus making, unmaking and remaking the boundaries and relationships between communities and their everyday lived spaces
Prenatal and postnatal alcohol exposure increases vulnerability to cocaine addiction in adult mice
No full textBACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Alcohol exposure in utero may lead to a wide range of long-lasting morphological and behavioural deficiencies known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), associated with a higher risk of later developing neuropsychiatric disorders. However, little is known about the long-term consequences of cocaine use and abuse in individuals with FASD. This study aimed to investigate the effects of maternal binge alcohol drinking during prenatal and postnatal periods on cocaine reward-related behaviours in adult offspring. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Pregnant C57BL/6 female mice were exposed to an experimental protocol of binge alcohol consumption (drinking-in-the-dark test) from gestation to weaning. Male offspring were subsequently left undisturbed until reaching adulthood and were tested for cocaine-induced motivational responses (conditioned place preference, behavioural sensitization and operant self-administration). Protein expression of dopamine- and glutamate-related molecules was assessed following cocaine-induced reinstatement. KEY RESULTS:
The results show that prenatal and postnatal alcohol exposure enhanced the preference for the cocaine-paired chamber in the conditioned place preference test. Furthermore, early alcohol-exposed mice displayed attenuated cocaine-induced behavioural sensitization but also higher cocaine self-administration. Furthermore, alterations in glutamatergic excitability (GluA1/GluA2 ratio) and ¿FosB expression were found in the prefrontal cortex and the striatum of alcohol-exposed mice after cocaine-primed reinstatement. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Our findings demonstrate that maternal binge-like alcohol consumption during gestation and lactation alters sensitivity to the reinforcing effects of cocaine in adult offspring mice. Together, such data suggest that prenatal and postnatal alcohol exposure may underlie an enhanced susceptibility of alcohol-exposed offspring to develop drug addiction later in adulthood.This study was supported by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program 2014-2020 under Grant Agreement 634143, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (SAF2016-75347-R), and Ministerio de Sanidad of the Spanish government (Retic-ISCIII-RD/16/0017/0010-FEDER and Plan Nacional sobre Drogas 2018/007). L.C. received a FPI grant from the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (BES-2014-070657), M.A.L. received an FPU fellowship from the Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte (15/02492), and S.M.R. received an APOSTD/2017/102 European Social fund grant from the Generalitat Valenciana. The Department of Experimental and Health Sciences (UPF) is an "Unidad de Excelencia María de Maeztu" funded by the MINECO (Ref. MDM-2014-0370). The authors thank Gerald-Patrick Fannon for his English proof reading and editing of the manuscript
Reuniting labour and nature: ecological regulation and organising for the effective protection and enforcement of labour rights
No full textAlthough nature and labour are two inseparable aspects of life, their artificial separation led to the current era of multiple crises with violations of labour rights at the highest level around the world. As such, fundamental hypothesis of this research is; effective protection and enforcement of labour rights require ecological regulation and organising based on a socio-ecological feminist foundation under the leadership of trade unions and support of ecological state with transformative changes in production, participation and collective action at work. Within this scope, innovative, eco-friendly and alternative solutions are offered for the better protection and enforcement of labour rights through the analyses of working time reduction, the right to disconnect, ecological whistleblowing at work, worker participation in ecological decision-making and ecological collective action at work. Since synergy between labour law and ecology is vital for ensuring workers’ rights against socio-ecological crises, reuniting labour and nature is urgently needed.Aunque la naturaleza y el trabajo son dos aspectos inseparables de la vida, su separación artificial condujo a la actual era de múltiples crisis con violaciones de los derechos laborales al más alto nivel en todo el mundo. Como tal, la hipótesis fundamental de esta investigación es que; la protección y el cumplimiento efectivos de los derechos laborales requieren una regulación y una organización ecológicas basadas en un fundamento feminista socio-ecológico bajo el liderazgo de los sindicatos y el apoyo del estado ecológico con cambios transformadores en la producción, la participación y la acción colectiva en el trabajo. Dentro de este ámbito, se ofrecen soluciones innovadoras, ecológicas y alternativas para una mejor protección y aplicación de los derechos laborales mediante el análisis de la reducción del tiempo de trabajo, el derecho a la desconexión, la denuncia ecológica en el trabajo, la participación de los trabajadores en la toma de decisiones ecológicas y la acción colectiva ecológica en el trabajo. Dado que la sinergia entre el derecho del trabajo y la ecología es vital para garantizar los derechos de los trabajadores frente a las crisis socio-ecológicas, es urgente reunir el trabajo y la naturaleza.Doğa ve emek yaşamın ayrılmaz iki parçası olmasına rağmen, yapay şekilde birbirinden ayrılmaları, dünya çapında en üst düzeyde işçi hakları ihlallerinin yaşandığı çoklu krizler çağına yol açmıştır. Böylelikle, bu araştırmanın temel hipotezi; işçi haklarının etkili bir şekilde korunmasının ve uygulanmasının, işyerinde üretim, katılım ve toplu eylemde dönüştürücü değişiklikler sağlayacak sosyo-ekolojik feminist bir temele dayanan ekolojik düzenleme ve örgütlenme ile gerçekleşeceğine dayanmaktadır. Bu kapsamda, çalışma süresinin azaltılması, ulaşılabilir olmama hakkı, işyerinde ekolojik ifşa/bilgi uçurma, ekolojik karar alma süreçlerine işçi katılımı ve işyerinde ekolojik toplu eylem konuları incelenerek, sendikaların öncülüğünde ve ekolojik devletin desteği doğrultusunda, işçi haklarının daha iyi korunması ve uygulanması için yenilikçi, doğa dostu ve alternatif çözümler sunulmaktadır. İş hukuku ve ekoloji arasındaki sinerji, sosyo-ekolojik krizlere karşı işçi haklarının garanti altına alınması için hayati önem taşıdığından, emek ve doğanın yeniden bir araya getirilmesine acilen ihtiyaç olduğu açıktır.Programa de Doctorat en Dre
High resolution 3D modelling of lumbar spine from MRI using deep learning
No full textThis thesis addresses the growing problem of degenerative disorders of the intervertebral discs (IVD). Intervertebral Disc Degeneration (IDD) represents a progressive degradation of the IVDs compromising their biomechanical function. These complex structures, comprised of the nucleus pulposus (NP) and annulus fibrosus (AF), deteriorate over time due to a complex interplay of factors. The degeneration disrupts spinal kinematics, potentially leading to discogenic pain, instability, and even nerve compression. Currently, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) remains the standard imaging to diagnose IDD. However, anisotropy, low-resolution, and complex pipelines lead to inaccurate modeling of the IVD structures which affects biomechanical analysis and diagnosis, and therefore there is a clear need to perform high-resolution modeling of the spine. The first study focuses on developing a deep learning network (MRI2Mesh) to reconstruct high-resolution surface meshes of the AF from clinical anisotropic MRI data. The proposed method incorporates Convolutional Neural Networks for image feature extraction and Graph Convolutional Networks for mesh deformation. A novel feature fusion mechanism is introduced that leverages Axial Attention Transformers to combine local disc features and global anatomical context for accurate shape reconstruction. Secondly, the optimization technique of the proposed architecture was modified to reconstruct AF and NP surface meshes simultaneously. As reconstructing multiple dense meshes of high resolution is challenging, a differentiable rendering based analysis-by-synthesis approach was proposed, and it was also applied to reconstruct vertebra. Thirdly, to adapt the developed model to newer scanners, population, and imaging protocols, an Adaptive Batch Normalization (AdaBN), and Adaptive Instance Normalization (AdaIN) approach was used to reconstruct IVD meshes from a test dataset independent of the training. Finally, Pixel2Mechanics: a pipeline was developed to perform surface mesh reconstruction of the IVDs from MRI, and consequently, biomechanical analysis of the resulting meshes was performed and evaluated in three volumes within the IVD. This was compared against manual segmentation approaches. By performing an accurate 3D high resolution modeling of the spine, the approaches presented in this thesis could potentially improve IDD management in clinical practice. By using deep learning, a framework for the assessment of IDDs could be established, fostering significant advancements in the field.Aquesta tesi aborda el problema creixent dels trastorns degeneratius dels discs intervertebrals (IVD). La degeneració del disc intervertebral (IDD) representa una degradació progressiva dels IVD que compromet la seva funció biomecànica. Aquestes estructures complexes, formades pel nucli pulpos (NP) i l’anell fibrosus (AF), es deterioren amb el temps a causa d’una complexa interacció de factors. La degeneració altera la cinemàtica de la columna, que pot provocar dolor discogènic, inestabilitat i fins i tot compressió nerviosa. Actualment, la ressonància magnètica (MRI) segueix sent la imatge estàndard per diagnosticar IDD. Tanmateix, l’anisotropia, la baixa resolució i les conductes complexes condueixen a un modelatge inexact de les estructures IVD que afecta l’anàlisi i el diagnóstic biomecànic, i per tant hi ha una clara necessitat de realitzar un modelatge d’alta resolució de la columna vertebral. El primer estudi se centra a desenvolupar una xarxa d’aprenentatge profund (MRI2Mesh) per reconstruir malles superficials d’alta resolució de l’AF a partir de dades de ressonància magnètica anisotrópica clíniques. El mètode proposat incorpora xarxes neuronals convolucionals per a l’extracció de característiques d’imatge i xarxes convolucionals de gràfics per a la deformació de la malla. S’introdueix un nou mecanisme de fusió de característiques que aprofita els transformadors d’atenció axial per combinar les característiques locals del disc I el context anatòmic global per a una reconstrucció precisa de la forma. En segon lloc, es va modificar la tècnica d’optimització de l’arquitectura proposada per reconstruir les malles de superfície AF i NP simultàniament. Com que la reconstrucció de múltiples malles denses d’alta resolució és un repte, es va proposar un enfocament d’anàlisi per síntesi basat en la representació diferenciable i també es va aplicar per reconstruir vértebres. En tercer lloc, adaptar el model desenvolupat a escàners, població i imatges me s nous protocols, es va utilitzar un enfocament de normalització adaptative per lots (AdaBN) i de normalització adaptativa d’instàncies (AdaIN) per reconstruir malles IVD a partir d’un conjunt de dades de prova independent de l’entrenament. Finalment, Pixel2Mechanics: es va desenvolupar una canalització per realitzar la reconstrucció de malla superficial dels IVD a partir de la ressonància magnètica i, en conseqüència, es va realitzar una anàlisi biomecànica de les malles resultants i es va avaluar en tres volums dins de l’IVD. Això es va comparar amb els enfocaments de segmentació manual. Mitjançant la realització d’un modelatge precís en 3D d’alta resolució de la columna vertebral, els enfocaments presentats en aquesta tesi podrien millorar potencialment la gestió de l’IDD en la pràctica clínica. Mitjançant l’aprenentatge profund, es podria establir un marc per a l’avaluació dels IDD, fomentant avenços significatius en el camp.Programa de Doctorat en Tecnologies de la Informació i les Comunicacion
Margen y umbral: La práctica del cuaderno en María Zambrano, Carmen Martín Gaite, José Ángel Valente y Joan Margarit
No full textEl presente trabajo trata sobre el cuaderno, entendido a la vez como soporte material y como práctica de escritura consagrada a la creación literaria e intelectual. El cuaderno es para muchos escritores un espacio privado de trabajo, al margen de la obra, donde se anotan ideas y apuntes al vuelo, notas de lectura o reflexiones personales; pero es también el umbral de la escritura, donde se prepara el libro futuro. Este objeto, conocido en la crítica francesa, apenas ha sido estudiado en la tradición hispánica, por lo que la presente tesis plantea una reflexión teórica sobre la práctica del cuaderno en las letras españolas. Para ello, se propone un análisis comparado de los cuadernos manuscritos originales de cuatro autores españoles cuya obra se desarrolló principalmente en la segunda mitad del siglo XX: María Zambrano, Carmen Martín Gaite, José Ángel Valente y Joan Margarit.This thesis studies writers’ notebooks as a material object and a writing practice devoted to literary and intellectual creation. For many writers, the notebook is a private writing space, separate from the work, where ideas, reading notes or personal reflections are scribbled down spontaneously. However, it can also be the threshold of writing, a place where the work to come is prepared. This object, known in French criticism, has barely been studied in the Hispanic tradition, this is why this dissertation proposes a theoretical reflection on the practice of the notebook in Spanish literature. The thesis proposes a comparative analysis of the original handwritten notebooks of four Spanish authors whose work was developed mainly in the second half of the 20th century: María Zambrano, Carmen Martín Gaite, José Ángel Valente and Joan Margarit.Programa de Doctorat en Humanitat
Core splicing architecture and early spliceosomal recognition determine microexon sensitivity to SRRM3/4
No full textData de publicació electrònica: 07-08-2025Microexons are essential for the proper operation of neurons and pancreatic endocrine cells, in which their inclusion depends on the splicing factors SRRM3 and SRRM4 (SRRM3/4). However, in pancreatic cells, lower expression of these regulators limits inclusion to only the most sensitive subset among all neuronal microexons. Although various cis-acting elements can contribute to microexon regulation, how they determine this differential dose response and the corresponding high or low sensitivity to SRRM3/4 remains unknown. Here we use massively parallel splicing assays probing 28,535 variants to show that sensitivity to SRRM4 is conserved across vertebrates. Our data support a regulatory model whereby high or low microexon sensitivity is largely determined by the interplay between core splicing architecture and length constraints. This conclusion is further supported by distinct spliceosome activities in the absence of SRRM3/4 and by a mathematical model that assumes that the two types of microexons differ only in their efficiency to recruit early spliceosomal components.The research was funded by the European Research Council under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (ERC-CoG, grant agreement 101002275 to M.I.) and Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (PID2020-115040GB-I00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 to M.I.). R.M.-C. acknowledges support from RYC2021-033860-I funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by European Union NextGeneration EU/PRTR. CRG acknowledges support of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through the Centro de Excelencia Severo Ochoa (CEX2020-001049-S, MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033) and the Generalitat de Catalunya through the CERCA program
Transforming the legal landscape with blockchain: an examination of kleros as a decentralised dispute resolution system
No full textThis research investigates the transformative potential of blockchain technology within the legal landscape, with a specific focus on Kleros as a decentralised dispute resolution system. By examining the theoretical foundations, technological aspects, and legal implications of blockchain, this study provides critical insights into how this technology can reshape legal processes. It highlights the limitations of traditional legal systems and explores how blockchain’s inherent features—such as transparency, immutability, and efficiency—can effectively address these challenges. The research delves into Kleros as an innovative alternative for dispute resolution, underscoring its advantages in terms of transparency, cost-effectiveness, and accessibility. It also addresses significant legal issues related to blockchain implementation, including privacy, data protection, and regulatory compliance. Furthermore, the potential of smart contracts is explored as a means to enhance contractual relationships and mitigate legal concerns. This study emphasises the urgent need for balanced regulatory frameworks that can effectively govern four key areas: cryptocurrency transactions, smart contracts, blockchain-based data storage, and Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs). Through an analysis of international conventions, the research advocates for concrete regulatory proposals aimed at fostering innovation, protecting user rights, and ensuring legal compliance within the dynamic realm of blockchain technology.Esta investigación examina el potencial transformador de la tecnología blockchain en el ámbito jurídico, centrándose en Kleros como un sistema descentralizado de resolución de disputas. A través del análisis de los fundamentos teóricos, los aspectos tecnológicos y las implicaciones legales del blockchain, este estudio ofrece perspectivas críticas sobre cómo esta tecnología puede reconfigurar los procesos legales. Se destacan las limitaciones de los sistemas legales tradicionales y se explora cómo las características intrínsecas del blockchain—como la transparencia, la inmutabilidad y la eficiencia—pueden abordar eficazmente estos desafíos. La investigación profundiza en Kleros como una alternativa innovadora para la resolución de disputas, resaltando sus ventajas en términos de transparencia, coste-efectividad y accesibilidad. También se abordan cuestiones legales significativas relacionadas con la implementación del blockchain, incluyendo la privacidad, la protección de datos y el cumplimiento normativo. Además, viii se investiga el potencial de los contratos inteligentes para mejorar las relaciones contractuales y mitigar preocupaciones legales. Este estudio enfatiza la urgente necesidad de marcos regulatorios equilibrados que puedan gestionar de manera efectiva cuatro áreas clave: transacciones de criptomonedas, contratos inteligentes, almacenamiento de datos basado en blockchain y Ofertas Iniciales de Monedas (ICOs). A través de un análisis de convenios internacionales, la investigación aboga por propuestas regulatorias concretas destinadas a fomentar la innovación, proteger los derechos de los usuarios y garantizar el cumplimiento legal dentro del dinámico ámbito de la tecnología blockchain.Programa de Doctorat en Dre
Decoding p53 tumor suppression: a crosstalk between genomic stability and epigenetic control?
No full textGenomic instability, a hallmark of cancer, is a direct consequence of the inactivation of the tumor suppressor protein p53. Genetically modified mouse models and human tumor samples have revealed that p53 loss results in extensive chromosomal abnormalities, from copy number alterations to structural rearrangements. In this perspective article we explore the multifaceted relationship between p53, genomic stability, and epigenetic control, highlighting its significance in cancer biology. p53 emerges as a critical regulator of DNA repair mechanisms, influencing key components of repair pathways and directly participating in DNA repair processes. p53 role in genomic integrity however extends beyond its canonical functions. p53 influences also epigenetic landscape, where it modulates DNA methylation and histone modifications. This epigenetic control impacts the expression of genes involved in tumor suppression and oncogenesis. Notably, p53 ability to ensure cellular response to DNA demethylation contributes to the maintenance of genomic stability by preventing unscheduled transcription of repetitive non-coding genomic regions. This latter indicates a causative relationship between the control of epigenetic stability and the maintenance of genomic integrity in p53-mediated tumor suppression. Understanding these mechanisms offers promising avenues for innovative therapeutic strategies targeting epigenetic dysregulation in cancer and emphasizes the need for further research to unravel the complexities of this relationship. Ultimately, these insights hold the potential to transform cancer treatment and prevention strategies
Comportamiento judicial estratégico en la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos: la protección del derecho a la salud mediante el artículo 26 de la Convención Americana sobre Derechos Humanos
No full textLa Necropoli fenicia di Khaldé (Beirut, Libano): analisi della documentazione inedita degli scavi di Roger Saidah, campagne del 1961 e 1962
No full textThis thesis is focused on the the recovery of the materials and of the documentation from Roger Saidah’s excavations in the Phoenician necropolis of Khaldé (Beirut, Lebanon). The necropolis was extensively excavated during the 1960s. More than 400 tombs were uncovered. Due to the untimely death of Saidah and to the loss of a large part of the documentation during the Lebanese civil war, the final report of the excavation was never published. The study of the materials stored in the National Museum of Beirut and the recovery and cross comparison of all the data which survived the war, provide valuable information about the material culture, the funerary practices, the spatial organization of the cemetery and its evolution from the Early to the Late Iron Age.L’obbiettivo di questa tesi è lo studio dei materiali e della documentazione provenienti dalle prime due campagne di scavo condotte da Roger Saidah nella necropoli fenicia di Khaldé (Beirut, Libano). La necropoli fu scavata sistematicamente durante gli anni Sessanta e furono individuate più di 400 sepolture, ma, a causa dell’esplosione della guerra civile in Libano e della morte prematura di Saidah, i risultati finali dello scavo non furono mai pubblicati. Lo studio dei materiali conservati nel Museo Nazionale di Beirut e il recupero di tutta la documentazione che non andò distrutta durante la guerra permettono adesso di ricostruire le pratiche funerarie, l’organizzazione spaziale e l’evoluzione dell’area funeraria fra Ferro Antico e Recente.Programa de doctorat en Històri