43569 research outputs found
Sort by
Control del territorio, medidas represivas y urbicidios en la Corona de Aragón a raíz de la guerra de Sucesión de España (1705-1715)
No full textEste trabajo tiene como objetivo estudiar los mecanismos represivos aplicados en la Corona de Aragón a raíz de la guerra de Sucesión de España, las estrategias político-militares borbónicas utilizadas para someter y asimilar políticamente a su población, así como detectar posibles casos de urbicidio y la razón política y pragmática que los impulsó. Veremos las peculiaridades de este proceso de dominación, las motivaciones que lo precipitaron y si este fue un caso singular o, por el contrario, se puede enmarcar dentro de unas dinámicas represivas que, paralelamente, padecieron otros territorios europeos.This work aims to study the repressive mechanisms applied in the Crown of Aragon following the War of the Spanish Succession, the Bourbon political-military strategies used to subdue and politically assimilate its population, as well as detect possible cases of urbicide and the political and pragmatic reason that drove them. We will see the peculiarities of this process of domination, the motivations that precipitated it and whether this was a singular case or, on the contrary, it can be framed within repressive dynamics that, in parallel, other European territories suffered.Programa de Doctorat en Històri
Essays in Macroeconometrics
No full textThe thesis consists of three chapters on macroeconometric analysis with heterogeneity. Chapter 1 introduces an efficient data-driven clustering methodology for grouping heterogeneous responses within the local projection-IV framework. The proposed group local projection (GLP) estimator consistently recovers the latent group structure and the group-specific impulse responses. Chapter 2 introduces a quasi-Bayesian framework that combines general classes of loss functions and priors for joint inference on the latent group structures, including group-level parameters and group assignments. Simulation results demonstrate significant improvements in bias and coverage for group-level parameters compared to existing methods, particularly when group assignments cannot be precisely estimated. Chapter 3 models the joint dynamics of macro aggregates and functional variables within the Structural VAR framework. The proposed functional VAR (FVAR) is easy to implement and fully compatible with conventional SVAR tools. Simulation evidence shows that it performs satisfactorily in finite samples.La tesi consta de tres capítols sobre anàlisi macroeconomètrica amb heterogeneïtat. El capítol 1 presenta una metodologia eficient de clustering basada en dades per agrupar respostes heterogènies dins del marc de projecció local-IV. L’estimador de projecció local de grup (GLP) proposat recupera constantment l’estructura del grup latent i les respostes d’impuls específics del grup. El capítol 2 introdueix un marc quasi bayesià que combina classes generals de funcions de pèrdua i priors per a la inferència conjunta sobre les estructures de grup latents, incloent paràmetres a nivell de grup i assignacions de grup. Els resultats de la simulació demostren millores significatives en el biaix i la cobertura dels paràmetres a nivell de grup en comparació amb els mètodes existents, especialment quan les assignacions de grup no es poden estimar amb precisió. El capítol 3 modela la dinàmica conjunta dels macroagregats i les variables funcionals dins del marc VAR estructural. El VAR funcional proposat (FVAR) és fàcil d’implementar i totalment compatible amb les eines SVAR convencionals. L’evidència de simulació mostra que funciona satisfactòriament en mostres finites.Programa de Doctorat en Economia, Finances i Empres
¿Qué pueden aportar las nuevas teorías de la referencia al debate entre Hart y Dworkin?
No full textTras reconstruir los elementos que considero centrales de las nuevas teorías de la referencia, según las cuales los individuos no tienen que asociar los términos con descripciones que les sean transparentes y que determinen la referencia, en este trabajo sostengo que, aunque generalmente se las asocia con concepciones no positivistas acerca del derecho, resultan también compatibles con el positivismo de corte hartiano y, de hecho, de utilidad en su disputa con Dworkin por lo que respecta a los desacuerdos jurídicos.After reconstructing what I consider to be the core elements of new theories of reference, according to which individuals do not need to associate words to transparent descriptions that determine their reference, in this paper I defend that, although they are generally associated with non-positivist conceptions of law, new theories of reference are also compatible with hartian positivism and they are, in fact, useful in the dispute with Dworkin regarding legal disagreements
Prior vaccination maintains lymphatic structure organisation and avoids post-acute virus infection sequelae
No full textLa síndrome de Post-infecció aguda (PAIS) és un fenomen poc estudiat que es produeix després d’una infecció viral aguda. Malgrat que la infecció inicial es resol en poques setmanes, poden aparèixer símptomes persistents o tardans un cop la infecció s’ha resolt. Mitjançant el model murí d’infecció pel virus de la coriomeningitis limfocítica (LCMV), hem investigat els mecanismes relacionats amb la immunitat de l’hoste en aquestes síndromes. Els resultats mostren que, després de superar la infecció, els animals experimenten immunodepressió causada per la destrucció del teixit limfàtic esplènic que afecta la seva estructura i funció. La vacunació contra LCMV prevé aquest dany i el consegüent estat d’immunosupressió associat. Aquestes troballes posicionen el model LCMV com a clau per estudiar les PAIS i ressalten la importància de la vacunació, no només per evitar les complicacions de la infecció inicial, sinó també per prevenir seqüeles immunològiques a llarg termini.Post-acute infection syndromes (PAIS) represent significant yet poorly understood phenomena following acute viral infections. While the host typically resolves acute infections within weeks, emerging evidence suggests that long-term symptoms can persist or arise after primary infection resolution. Using the Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection mice model, we investigated the mechanisms underlying immune-related PAIS. We demonstrate that LCMV-infected animals exhibit an immune-depressed state even after successful viral control. The underlying mechanism is the massive destruction of splenic lymphatic tissue which is extended far beyond the time of virus control and affects compartmentalization and extracellular matrix networks. Importantly, LCMV vaccination prevents from LCMV-mediated lympathic tissue destruction and subsequent compromised immunological state. These findings establish LCMV infection as a viable model for studying immune-related PAIS and highlight the importance of vaccination in preventing both acute infection mediated pathology and potential PAIS.Universitat Pompeu Fabra. Doctorat en Biomedicin
Actors and policy outcomes in the Pyrenees-Mediterranean Euroregion: from the emergence to the stabilization of the field (1990-2020)
No full textTecnologías de la devoción y la oración monástica: El diagrama Monte de Perfección de San Juan de la Cruz a la luz de la experiencia sonora
No full textThis research approaches the understanding of Monte de Perfección diagram drawn by the Spanish Catholic priest Juan de la Cruz, from the study of the prayer methods coming from the ancient contemplative order of Carmel with roots in Palestine to the Theology of the Christian East. The Monte de Perfección diagram Works as pedagogical and spiritual communication device, based on vocal and mental prayer. It is analyzed from the theocentric and orbicular thinking that precedes it, establishing relationships with the circular designs of musical graphics from the second half of the 20th and 21st centuries. The objective of this research is to create a prototype of an animated score from digital environments starting from the textual and visual elements found in the design of the diagram itself. This research invites a dialogue between spirituality, art and technology.Esta investigación se acerca a la comprensión del diagrama Monte de Perfección dibujado por el carmelita español Juan de la Cruz partiendo del estudio de los métodos de oración provenientes de la antigua orden contemplativa del Carmelo con raíces en Palestina y con la Teología del Oriente Cristiano. El diagrama del Monte funciona como un dispositivo pedagógico y de comunicación espiritual que recurre al uso de la oración vocal y mental. Se analiza el diagrama desde el pensamiento teocéntrico y orbicular que le precede, entablando relaciones con los diseños circulares de las grafías musicales de mediados del siglo XX, y los diseños de partituras animadas del siglo XXI. El objetivo de esta investigación es crear un prototipo de partitura animada elaborada en entornos digitales y partiendo de los elementos textuales y visuales encontrados en el diseño del Monte. La investigación incentiva el diálogo entre espiritualidad, arte y la tecnología.Programa de Doctorat en Humanitat
p53 efficiently suppresses tumor development in the complete absence of its cell-cycle inhibitory and proapoptotic effectors p21, Puma, and Noxa
No full textActivation of apoptosis through transcriptional induction of Puma and Noxa has long been considered to constitute the critical (if not sole) process by which p53 suppresses tumor development, although G1/S boundary cell-cycle arrest via induction of the CDK inhibitor p21 has also been thought to contribute. Recent analyses of mice bearing mutations that impair p53-mediated induction of select target genes have indicated that activation of apoptosis and G1/S cell-cycle arrest may, in fact, be dispensable for p53-mediated tumor suppression. However, the expression of Puma, Noxa, and p21 was not abrogated in these mutants, only reduced; therefore, the possibility that the reduced levels of these critical effectors of p53-mediated apoptosis and G1/S-cell-cycle arrest sufficed to prevent tumorigenesis could not be excluded. To resolve this important issue, we have generated mice deficient for p21, Puma, and Noxa (p21-/-puma-/-noxa-/- mice). Cells from these mice were deficient in their ability to undergo p53-mediated apoptosis, G1/S cell-cycle arrest, and senescence. Nonetheless, these animals remained tumor free until at least 500 days, in contrast to p53-deficient mice, which had all succumbed to lymphoma or sarcoma by 250 days. Interestingly, DNA lesions induced by y-irradiation persisted longer in p53-deficient cells compared to wild-type or p21-/-puma-/-noxa-/- cells, and the former failed to transcriptionally activate several p53 target genes implicated in DNA repair. These results demonstrate beyond a doubt that the induction of apoptosis, cell-cycle arrest, and possibly senescence is dispensable for p53-mediated suppression of spontaneous tumor development and indicate that coordination of genomic stability and possibly other processes, such as metabolic adaptation, may instead be critical
Conventionalism and the causal theory of reference
No full textAn intuitive view of language is frequently assumed: words are related by competent speakers to descriptions that determine reference. Such a view is generally understood as convention-based in the sense that it emphasises the existence of conventions that determine what descriptions are relevant. However, this descriptivist approach has been shown to be problematic in reconstructing our linguistic practices. In contrast, the Causal Theory of Reference (CTR) provides a plausible account of our use of words. CTR has been understood to be a theory that provides a non-conventionalist approach to language and one that is committed to an implausible version of essentialism. In this chapter, Ramírez-Ludeña presents a version of CTR that addresses the criticisms it has normally received. She also shows the advantages of this version of CTR when compared to the traditional descriptivist model. In the legal field, CTR has been associated with non-positivistic conceptions about law. However, since CTR is not committed to essentialism but rather takes account of the way in which the community uses words, Ramírez-Ludeña also shows how the proposed model is compatible with conceptions in legal philosophy such as that of Hart, which emphasises the conventional character of law
Using Air Pollution Prediction for Multi-Pollutant Health Impact Assessment in European Regions
No full textAquesta tesi doctoral investiga l'exposició de la població als contaminants atmosfèrics, i els seus efectes sobre la salut humana a Europa, en un context de canvi climàtic i polítiques de mitigació de la contaminació atmosfèrica. La investigació s'estructura al voltant de tres àrees: (1) desenvolupament de mètodes avançats de machine learning per a l’estimació a alta resolució de l'exposició a la contaminació atmosfèrica, (2) anàlisi de patrons espaciotemporals d'exposició a temperatures extremes i de contaminants múltiples, i (3) realització d'una avaluació integral de l'impacte sobre la salut a curt termini tenint en compte les variacions regionals en la vulnerabilitat. Aquesta investigació ha revelat coneixements crítics sobre els patrons espaciotemporals de la contaminació de l'aire, destacant els assoliments aconseguits per les polítiques de qualitat de l'aire de la Unió Europea. També ha revelat els reptes que persisteixen, especialment el no compliment continuat de les directrius de l'Organització Mundial de la Salut, i l'amenaça creixent d’episodis d'ozó troposfèric. A més, l'anàlisi epidemiològica ha proporcionat una estimació més precisa de l’efecte sobre la salut de la contaminació de l'aire, basada en estimacions de riscos relatius en un gran conjunt de regions europees, revelant diferències entre regions i grups de sexe i edat, que són crucials per al desenvolupament d’intervencions específiques.Esta tesis doctoral investiga la exposición de la población a los contaminantes atmosféricos y sus efectos sobre la salud humana en Europa, en un contexto de cambio climático y políticas de mitigación de la contaminación atmosférica. La investigación se estructura en torno a tres áreas: (1) desarrollo de métodos avanzados de machine learning para la estimación a alta resolución de la exposición a la contaminación atmosférica; (2) análisis de patrones espaciotemporales de exposición a temperaturas extremas y de contaminantes múltiples, y realización de una evaluación integral del impacto sobre la salud a corto término teniendo en cuenta las variaciones regionales en la vulnerabilidad. Esta investigación ha revelado conocimientos críticos sobre los patrones espacio-temporales de la contaminación del aire, destacando los logros alcanzados por las políticas de calidad del aire de la Unión Europea. También ha revelado los retos que persisten, especialmente el no cumplimiento continuado de las directrices de la Organización Mundial de la Salud, y la creciente amenaza de episodios de ozono troposférico. Además, el análisis epidemiológico ha proporcionado una estimación más precisa del efecto sobre la salud de la contaminación del aire, basada en estimaciones de riesgos relativos en un gran conjunto de regiones europeas, revelando diferencias entre regiones y grupos de sexo y edad, que son cruciales para el desarrollo de intervenciones específicas.This PhD thesis investigates population exposure to air pollutants and their complex health effects across European regions, particularly in the context of climate change and air pollution mitigation policies. The research is structured around three key areas: (1) developing advanced machine learning methods for high-resolution air pollution exposure estimates, (2) analyzing spatiotemporal patterns of multi-pollutant and extreme temperature exposures, and (3) conducting a comprehensive short-term health impact assessment considering regional variations in vulnerability. This research has revealed critical insights into the spatial and temporal patterns of air pollution, highlighting achievements made by EU air quality policies. It also revealed the persistent challenges, particularly the continued exceedance of WHO guidelines and the growing threat of heat-ozone compound events. Furthermore, the robust epidemiological analysis has provided a more precise estimation of air pollution's short-term health burden, based on location-specific relative risks, revealing spatial disparities and age/sex-specific vulnerabilities that are crucial for targeted interventions.Universitat Pompeu Fabra. Doctorat en Biomedicin
Uncalibrated photometric stereo under general lighting with physics characteristics
No full textTreball fi de màster de: Master in Intelligent Interactive SystemsSupervisor: Dr. Antonio AgudoThis thesis introduces a novel variational approach to uncalibrated photometric stereo for robust recovery of 3D surface shape, reflectance properties, and lighting from multiple images captured under varying and unknown illumination. Building on recent advances in physically-aware piecewise regularization, the proposed method incorporates a specialized depth regularizer acting separately on interior regions and object boundaries, substantially improving stability and accuracy in the estimation of depth and albedo compared to conventional methods. Unlike classical photometric stereo techniques that require strict calibration or prior knowledge of lighting conditions, the presented framework formulates the simultaneous recovery of normals, diffuse and specular albedo, and lighting parameters as an unsupervised joint optimization problem. Optimization is carried out via a lagged block coordinate descent scheme, alternately updating surface depth, normal maps, lighting coefficients, and albedo, with robust M-estimators and adaptive Huber-TV regularization applied to both diffuse and specular reflectance components. The effectiveness of this approach is validated through extensive experiments on both synthetic datasets—with known ground truth—and real-world multi-illumination image collections. In the synthetic setting, the method accurately reconstructs detailed surfaces and reflectance from controlled geometric and photometric configurations, demonstrating strong quantitative improvements over classical and learning based baselines, especially near object boundaries and in challenging regions with specular highlights. Crucially, when applied to real image datasets, the model retains its robustness, offering high-fidelity 3D reconstruction even in the presence of noise, missing data, or imperfect segmentation, thus evidencing its practical potential beyond laboratory conditions. Overall, this work advances the state of the art in uncalibrated photometric stereo by demonstrating that a variational, physically-motivated framework with piecewise regularization can faithfully recover geometry and reflectance from both synthetic and real uncalibrated multi-illumination images. The results lay the foundation for future efforts toward even more adaptive regularization and application to uncontrolled, in-the-wild photometric datasets, promising safer and more flexible geometry reconstruction for complex materials and scenes