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The effect of age and sex on brain metabolites: from childhood to adulthood
No full textAbnormalities in the concentration of brain metabolites have been found across neuropsychiatric conditions. This cross-sectional study set out to examine the relationship between levels of neurometabolites and age and sex —key modulators of brain function and structure—, continuously from childhood to early adulthood, in areas relevant to the study of psychiatric disorders. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H MRS) data was acquired in the dorsomedial prefrontal region (dmPF) and the medial temporal lobe (mTL) in 128 healthy individuals aged 7 to 34 years, 68.5 % females (ndmPF = 124; nmTL = 75). Absolute concentrations of glutamate (Glu), glutamate and glutamine (Glx), myo-inositol (mIns), N-acetyl-aspartate and N-acetyl-aspartyl-glutamate (tNAA), glycerophosphocholine and phosphocholine (tCho), and creatine and phosphocreatine (tCr) were determined, and tested for the effects of age, sex and their interaction. In the dmPF, there were linear, age-related decreases in Glu and Glx. The association between levels of both tNAA and tCr and age adjusted to a quadratic model, consisting of a positive association until ages 20.79 and 22.82, respectively, and a negative relationship thereafter. There was a significant effect of sex in the mTL, whereby concentrations of Glu, Glx and mIns were lower in females than in males. No age by sex interactions were detected. These findings highlight the importance of accounting for both linear and non-linear age-related effects and for the potential effect of sex when interpreting disease-related differences in ¹H MRS-quantified metabolites from childhood through to adulthood.This work is supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and Instituto de Salud Carlos III supported by ERDF Funds from the European Commission (grant number PI2100330, FORT23/00002_SUGR_G6, PI24/00279 and FI22/00219); European Commission (grant number 101057529); Brain and Behaviour Research Foundation (NARSAD Young Investigator Award grant number 26731), La Marató TV3 (grant number 202232–30–31), The Alicia Koplowitz Foundation, Pons Bartran and Maria and Nuria Cunillera Legacies, INVESTIGO-AGAUR (Next Generation Funds, Generalitat de Catalunya)
La aplicación de la inteligencia artificial en los sistemas judiciales: desafíos jurídicos y enfoques regulatorios
No full textTreball de Fi de Màster: Màster Avançat en Ciències Jurídiques. Curs 2024-2025Tutor: Jorge Ernesto Roa RoaEl presente trabajo de fin de máster tiene como objeto exponer la aplicación de la inteligencia artificial en los sistemas judiciales. Su finalidad consiste en mostrar cómo los tribunales han incorporado esta herramienta como respuesta a los cambios sociales. Para cumplir este objetivo, el enfoque de esta investigación se centra en la descripción de distintas herramientas tecnológicas, analiza dos riesgos identificados, expone determinadas posturas sobre la posibilidad de que esta tecnología supere la capacidad humana y describe las regulaciones más influyentes en esta materia.
El interés en la realización de esta investigación surge de la creciente relevancia que la inteligencia artificial ha adquirido en múltiples sectores de la sociedad. Su aplicación, como pretende exponer este trabajo, si bien no es ajena al ámbito judicial, aún es limitada. Esta limitación se debe a que la regulación vigente resulta mínima frente al impacto significativo que la inteligencia artificial ya tiene en los tribunales judiciales
Culturally diversifying experiences: new methodologies, diverse samples, integrated perspectives
No full textThis dissertation explores the structure and impacts of culturally diversifying experiences, on a series of intra- and interpersonal outcomes. It extends prior research by using diverse conceptualizations (experimentally induced and naturally occurring experiences), methods (quantitative and qualitative), and samples (a culturally homogeneous student sample, and a culturally diverse immigrant sample).
The first article finds that participants’ correction mechanisms counteracted the prejudice-reduction effects of a novel experimental intervention which involved exposure to and interaction with counter-stereotypical diversity. Moreover, it presents a new methodological tool to measure corrections and shows that these corrections are related to certain individual variables. The second article shows that the self- transcendent emotion of awe is a catalyzer of connectedness to culturally diverse others, even in contexts of discrimination. The third article integrates previously scattered findings on the nature and effects of multicultural experiences, first by developing a theoretical framework, and second by testing it on the two different samples.
This thesis contributes new approaches to the study of culturally diverse experiences, integrates previously compartmentalized findings, and incorporates populations underrepresented in social-psychological research. In sum, it aims at examining the diversity of culturally diversifying experiences, and the diverse impact that such experiences can have.Esta tesis explora la estructura e impactos de las experiencias de diversidad cultural, y sus consecuencias a nivel intra e interpersonal. Amplía investigaciones previas, usando diversas conceptualizaciones (experiencias inducidas en laboratorio y experiencias reales), métodos (cuantitativos y cualitativos) y muestras (una muestra culturalmente homogénea de estudiantes, y una muestra migrante diversa).
El primer artículo revela cómo los participantes de una novedosa intervención experimental (basada en la exposición a y la interacción con diversidad contra- estereotipada) diseñada para mejorar las actitudes intergrupales, pusieron en marcha mecanismos de corrección que neutralizaron el esperado impacto positivo de esta intervención. Se presenta una nueva práctica metodológica para medir esas correcciones, y se muestra que éstas están asociadas con ciertas variables individuales. El segundo artículo expone cómo la emoción transcendente de “awe” (asombro/maravilla/sobrecogimiento) facilita un sentimiento de conexión con personas culturalmente distintas, incluso en contextos de discriminación. El tercer artículo integra hallazgos que se encontraban dispersos en la literatura que estudia la naturaleza y los efectos de las experiencias multiculturales, en primer lugar desarrollando un marco teórico, y en segundo lugar testando este marco en las dos distintas muestras.
Esta tesis introduce nuevas aproximaciones para el estudio de las experiencias de diversidad cultural, integra hallazgos previamente dispersos, e incorpora poblaciones que no se encuentran representadas en el campo de la investigación en psicología social. En resumen, esta tesis intenta examinar la diversidad de las experiencias culturalmente diversas, y el diverso impacto que estas experiencias pueden tener.Aquesta tesi explora l’estructura i impactes de les experiències de diversitat cultural, i les seves conseqüències a nivell intra i interpersonal. Amplia investigacions prèvies, fent ús de diverses conceptualitzacions (experiències induïdes al laboratori i experiències reals), mètodes (quantitatius i qualitatius) i mostres (una mostra culturalment homogènia d’estudiants, i una mostra migrant diversa).
El primer article revela com els participants d’una intervenció experimental (basada en l’exposició a i la interacció amb diversitat contra-estereotipada) dissenyada per millorar les actituds intergrupals, van posar en marxa mecanismes de correcció que van neutralitzar els esperats efectes positius d’aquesta intervenció. Es presenta una nova pràctica metodològica que mesura aquestes correccions, i es mostra com aquestes estan associades a certes variables individuals. El segon article exposa com l’emoció transcendent de “awe” (fascinació/meravella/esbalaïment) facilita un sentiment de connexió amb persones culturalment distintes, inclús en contextos de discriminació. El tercer article combina resultats prèviament dispersos en la literatura que estudia la naturalesa i els efectes de les experiències multiculturals, i ho fa en primer lloc desenvolupant un marc teòric, i en segon lloc testejant aquest marc amb les dues diferents mostres.
Aquesta tesi introdueix noves perspectives per a l’estudi de les experiències de diversitat cultural, integra conclusions prèviament disperses, i incorpora poblacions que no es troben representades en l’àmbit de la investigació en psicologia social. En resum, aquesta tesi intenta explorar la diversitat de les experiències culturalment diverses, i el divers impacte que aquestes experiències poden tenir.Programa de doctorat en Ciències Polítiques i Social
A new measurement model and database of the democratic qualities of regulatory bodies
No full textTransparency, accountability, participation and inclusiveness are central concepts in the literature on public administration. They are considered qualities that enable administrative bodies to share power with social and political actors and strengthen their democratic nature. These qualities have also been recognized as crucial for regulatory bodies, especially because of the technocratic nature of these bodies. Despite their importance, the literature provides limited measurement of these qualities, which means that neither the extent to which regulatory bodies are formally required to provide for transparency, accountability, participation and inclusiveness nor the extent to which they do so in practice can be captured and compared adequately. To address this gap, we develop measures of 'de jure' and 'de facto' transparency, accountability, participation and inclusiveness from a novel data set of 49 national, subnational and supranational regulatory bodies in three sectors (data protection, food safety and finance) and in nine countries. We use Item Response Theory methods to validate the indicators and their relative weight in the measure, providing a tool substantiated by comprehensive data to assess how regulatory bodies enhance democratic governance.This research has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 870722 (TiGRE) and from the European Union (ERC, RegTrust, project number 101097835)
A longitudinal study on the dynamic relationship between affective polarization and radical right’s emergence: the case of VOX in Spain
No full textData de publicació electrònica: 28-05-2025Includes supplementary materials for the online appendix.Previous evidence highlights significant levels of animosity between supporters of radical right parties and those of other parties, contributing to overall affective polarization. However, there is limited understanding of the dynamics between the electoral emergence of radical right parties and affective polarization. We argue that out-party animosity is not only a potential consequence of radical right parties success but also a driver of their rise. Initially, centre-right partisans exhibiting relatively high levels of hostility towards left-wing voters are more likely to shift their support to an emerging radical right party, accounting for their positions on key issues. Subsequently, the irruption of a radical right party triggers a double defensive reaction among non-radical right party supporters: (a) the rapid development of strong antagonism towards radical right voters; and (b) a de-escalation of mutual hostility between left-wing and centre-right voters. We support these arguments with evidence from a Spanish panel dataset that captures the rise of the radical right party VOX.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness under the ‘Programa Estatal de Fomento de la Investigación Científica y Técnica de Excelencia’ [project number CSO2016-79772-P]; the European Union-NextGenerationEU, Ministry of Universities and Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, under grant Margarita Salas through a call from Universitat Pompeu Fabra; and the ICREA-ACADEMIA Intense Research Award
Svara-forms in Carnatic music: contextual influences on the performance of svara
No full textThe performance of svaras (notes) in Carnatic music varies due to the influence of gamaka (ornamentation), rendering tasks such as automated transcription challenging. In this study, we identify the various forms taken by each svara in a single raga, and examine the extent to which the performance of any given svara is influenced by its preceding and succeeding melodic context and, additionally, by duration. We add 547 svara-level annotations of a new performance to an existing svara annotation dataset (giving a total of 2,077 annotations), enabling us to look at this question across performances and performers. Through a combination of automated distance-based clustering and expert curation, we identify 71 unique svara-form groups in raga Bhairavi and present a series of statistical analyses to demonstrate the dependency between the extent of melodic context and duration on svara performance. We provide all code, data and results in the accompanying Github repositoryThe authors would like to acknowledge Adithi Shankar for her contribution to the creation of the svara annotations. This research was carried out as part of the ‘IA y Música: Cátedra en Inteligencia Artificial y Música’ (TSI-100929-2023-1), funded by the Secretaría de Estado de Digitalización e Inteligencia Artificial, and the European Union-Next Generation EU, under the program Cátedras ENIA 2022 para la creación de cátedras universidad empresa en IA
Un bon aprofitat: campanya contra el malbaratament alimentari pel banc dels aliments
No full textPremi de la càtedra MANGO de Responsabilitat Social Corporativa ESCI-UPF al millor TFG sobre temes de RSC del 2025.Treball de fi de grau en Publicitat i Relacions Públiques. Curs 2024-2025Tutor: Lluís TrilloEl malbaratament alimentari és un dels grans desafiaments ambientals, econòmics i socials del nostre temps. Aquest Treball Final de Grau desenvolupa una proposta de comunicació creativa per combatre’l promovent el seu concepte oposat: l’aprofitament. La campanya, ideada per al Banc dels Aliments, busca educar i conscienciar la població catalana sota el concepte “Un bon aprofitat”, utilitzat com a eix creatiu amb humor i ironia. Mitjançant jocs de paraules i comparacions visuals, es vol captar l’atenció i provocar la reflexió de públics diversos a través d’una estratègia multicanal.El desperdicio alimentario es uno de los grandes retos ambientales, económicos y sociales de nuestro tiempo. Este Trabajo Final de Grado desarrolla una propuesta de comunicación creativa para combatirlo, promoviendo su concepto opuesto: el aprovechamiento. La campaña, pensada para el Banco de Alimentos, tiene como objetivo educar y sensibilizar a la población catalana mediante el concepto “Un buen aprovechado”, usado como eje creativo con humor e ironía. Con juegos de palabras y comparaciones visuales, se pretende captar la atención y provocar la reflexión a través de una estrategia multicanal.Food waste is one of today’s major environmental, economic, and social challenges. This Final Degree Project develops a creative communication proposal to fight food waste by promoting its opposite concept: food appreciation. The campaign, designed for the Food Bank, aims to educate and raise awareness among the Catalan population using the concept “A true food saver” as a humorous and ironic creative axis. Through wordplay and visual comparisons, the campaign seeks to engage a wide audience using a multichannel strategy
Metabolomic plasma profile of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients
No full textThe analysis of blood metabolites may help identify individuals at risk of having COPD and offer insights into its underlying pathophysiology. This study aimed to identify COPD-related metabolic alterations and generate a biological signature potentially useful for screening purposes. Plasma metabolomic profiles from 91 COPD patients and 91 controls were obtained using complementary semi-targeted and untargeted LC-MS approaches. Univariate analysis identified metabolites with significant differences between groups, and enrichment analysis highlighted the most affected metabolic pathways. Multivariate analysis, including ROC curve assessment and machine learning algorithms, was applied to assess the discriminatory capacity of selected metabolites. After adjustment for major potential confounders, 56 metabolites showed significant differences between COPD patients and controls. The enrichment analysis revealed that COPD-associated metabolic alterations primarily involved lipid metabolism (especially fatty acids and acylcarnitines), followed by amino acid pathways and xenobiotics. A panel of 10 metabolites, mostly related to lipid metabolism, demonstrated high discriminatory performance for COPD (ROC-AUC: 0.916; 90.1% sensitivity and 89% specificity). These findings may contribute to improving screening strategies and a better understanding of COPD-related metabolic changes. However, our findings remain exploratory and should be interpreted with caution, needing further validation and mechanistic studies
Long‑term physical and mental health-related quality of life in italian patients post COVID-19 hospitalisation
No full textPurpose: Prior evidence suggests that patients' Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) worsens after COVID-19. This study aimed to investigate HRQoL in Italian patients post-hospitalization for COVID-19, focusing on changes in physical and mental HRQoL over time since COVID-19 diagnosis. Methods: A cohort of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 at Molinette Hospital in Turin, Italy, was contacted post-discharge to assess HRQoL using the SF-36 questionnaire. Patients completed the questionnaire only once at a different time since diagnosis. This design allowed for the analysis of responses up to three years after diagnosis. Measured scores were compared with normative data from the Italian population using z-scores. HRQoL differences by gender, comorbidities, and self-perception of health status before and after COVID-19 were tested. The effect of time since diagnosis on physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) SF-36 scores was analysed using multiple linear models and stratified analyses. Results: A total of 601 patients completed the questionnaire. HRQoL was significantly lower compared to the normative Italian population. Men and individuals without comorbidities had better HRQoL, and self-perceptions of health status before and after COVID-19 influenced HRQoL. Time since diagnosis was associated with improved PCS, but MCS remained unaffected. Mental health declined in patients using anxiolytics post-COVID-19, and increasing age negatively affected physical health. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the impact of time since diagnosis on HRQoL post-COVID-19 in an Italian population and suggest the need for further investigation into the pandemic's effects on HRQoL. Physicians should implement measures to improve mental HRQoL post-COVID-19