Generative AI chatbot in PyramidApp: students’ behaviors and design principles

Comunicació presentada a 30th International Conference CollabTech 2024, celebrada a Barcelona del 11 al 14 de setembre de 2024.Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) offers new opportunities to implement useful features within Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) environments. Despite these growing prospects, there is still limited research concerning the application of GenAI in learning environments. This work in progress aims to evaluate the mediation of a masked GenAI chatbot in the setting of the CSCL web application PyramidApp. A quasi-experimental within-subjects study was designed to assess the effect of GenAI chatbot intervention within the environment of PyramidApp. In the setting of 9 online activities, we evaluated the effect of the GenAI chatbot activity in 105 conversational chat rooms. The findings revealed that the GenAI chatbot provides useful feedback as students rate the chatbot’s answers higher than their peers’ answers (MChatbot = 4.11, MStudents = 3.91). The presence of the chatbot has an effect on group communication with the length of messages increased in chat rooms where the chatbot was present. Moreover, chatbot behavior to rate the students’ answers was correlated with the students’ behavior. The present study offers valuable insights into the optimal strategies for integrating a GenAI Large Language Model into educational tools and computer supported learning.This work was partially funded by the National Research Agency of the Spanish Ministry (PID2020-112584RB-C33, CEX2021–001195-M) and the Department of Research and Universities of the Government of Catalonia (SGR 00930). The work of D. Hernández-Leo (Serra Hunter) was supported by ICREA under the ICREA Academia program

Presentation of cytomegalovirus antigens by non-classical HLA class I molecules

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) causes a prevalent lifelong infection in all human populations. Although the course is generally mild and the virus remains latent, HCMV can cause severe disorders in immunocompromised patients and, particularly, in congenital infection. NK cells and T lymphocytes specific for viral antigens presented by classical HLA-class I (HLA-I) molecules (i.e. HLA-A, -B, -C) play an important role in the control of HCMV infection. Here, we explored the existence of additional viral peptides presented by non-classical HLA class I molecules.El citomegalovirus humà causa una infecció prevalent en totes les poblacions humanes. Tot i que el curs és generalment lleu i el virus es manté latent, el HCMV pot provocar greus alteracions en pacients immunodeprimits i, especialment, en casos d’infecció congènita. Les cèl·lules NK i els limfòcits T específics per antígens virals presentats per molècules HLA de classe I clàssiques (HLA-I) (i.e. HLA-A, -B, - C) juguen un paper important en el control de la infecció viral. Hem explorat l’existència de pèptids virals addicionals presentats per molècules HLA de classe I no clàssiques.Programa de Doctorat en Biomedicin

Epitranscriptomic rRNA fingerprinting reveals tissue-of-origin and tumor-specific signatures

Mammalian ribosomal RNA (rRNA) molecules are highly abundant RNAs, decorated with over 220 rRNA modifications. Previous works have shown that some rRNA modification types can be dynamically regulated; however, how and when the mammalian rRNA modification landscape is remodeled remains largely unexplored. Here, we employ direct RNA sequencing to chart the human and mouse rRNA epitranscriptome across tissues, developmental stages, cell types, and disease. Our analyses reveal multiple rRNA sites that are differentially modified in a tissue- and/or developmental stage-specific manner, including previously unannotated modified sites. We demonstrate that rRNA modification patterns can be used for tissue and cell-type identification, which we hereby term "epitranscriptomic fingerprinting." We then explore rRNA modification patterns in normal-tumor matched samples from lung cancer patients, finding that epitranscriptomic fingerprinting accurately classifies clinical samples into normal and tumor groups from only 250 reads per sample, demonstrating the potential of rRNA modifications as diagnostic biomarkers

Essays in gender economics

The three chapters of this dissertation explore the intersection of gender dynamics and economic outcomes. Chapter 1 examines the role of the early spread of videogames in the U.S. on the gender gap in computer science. The findings highlight the long-term impact of non-academic activities and the unintended consequences of technological and cultural shifts on education and career choices. Chapter 2 analyzes the long-term effects of the Covid-19 lockdown on the allocation of paid and unpaid work within households in Spain, showing a reduction in the gender gap in unpaid labor, driven primarily by shifts in childcare responsibilities. These results suggest that temporary shocks to household dynamics can lead to lasting changes in gender roles. Chapter 3 investigates the relationship between legal gender equality and children’s health and educational enrollment, finding increases mainly at higher levels of education. The findings emphasize the societal benefits of reforms to promote gender equality.Los tres capítulos de esta tesis exploran la intersección entre la dinámica de género y los resultados económicos. El Capítulo 1 estudia el papel que tuvo la temprana difusión de los videojuegos en Estados Unidos en la brecha de género en la informática. Los resultados resaltan el impacto a largo plazo de las actividades no académicas y las consecuencias no intencionadas de los cambios tecnológicos y culturales en las decisiones educativas y profesionales. El Capítulo 2 analiza los efectos a largo plazo del confinamiento por Covid-19 en la distribución del trabajo remunerado y no remunerado en los hogares en España, mostrando una reducción en la brecha de género en el trabajo no remunerado, impulsada principalmente por cambios en las responsabilidades del cuidado de los niños. Estos resultados sugieren que los shocks temporales en la dinámica familiar pueden generar cambios duraderos en los roles de género. El Capítulo 3 investiga la relación entre la igualdad legal de género y la salud infantil y la educación, encontrando aumentos principalmente en los niveles educativos superiores. Los hallazgos subrayan los beneficios sociales de las reformas para promover la igualdad de género.Els tres capítols d’aquesta tesi exploren la intersecció entre la dinàmica de gènere i els resultats econòmics. El Capítol 1 estudia el paper que va tenir la temprana difusió dels videojocs als Estats Units en la bretxa de gènere en informàtica. Els resultats ressalten l’impacte a llarg termini de les activitats no acadèmiques i les conseqüències no intencionades dels canvis tecnològics i culturals en les decisions educatives i professionals. El Capítol 2 analitza els efectes a llarg termini del confinament per la Covid-19 en la distribució del treball remunerat i no remunerat a les llars d’Espanya, mostrant una reducció en la bretxa de gènere en el treball no remunerat, impulsada principalment per canvis en les responsabilitats de la cura dels nens. Aquests resultats suggereixen que els xocs temporals en la dinàmica familiar poden generar canvis duradors en els rols de gènere. El Capítol 3 investiga la relació entre la igualtat legal de gènere i la salut infantil i l’educació, trobant increments principalment en els nivells educatius superiors. Els resultats subratllen els beneficis socials de les reformes per promoure la igualtat de gènere.Programa de Doctorat en Economia, Finances i Empres

Past, present and future of small-pelagic fisheries in the north-western Mediterranean Sea through fishers’ perceptions

Includes supplementary materials for the online appendix.Fisheries have transformed significantly in recent decades, and further changes are anticipated to address pressing environmental and social challenges. In this context, there is an urgent need to implement science-based public policies that incorporate local knowledge. It is necessary to better assess fishers’ perceptions, including both historical (e.g., perceived changes of abundance of species) and future (e.g., views on potential future changes) perspectives. In this paper, we focus on a case study of small-pelagic fisheries in the Spanish northwestern Mediterranean Sea, using semi-structured interviews, graphical analysis, and a Q-methodology. Based in the information obtained from all the active purse seiners vessels in Castelló de la Plana, the most important Spanish Mediterranean small pelagic purse seine harbour, we show how these methodologies are useful for gathering fisher’s knowledge regarding historical biomass trends for small pelagic and accompanying species over the last six decades, contributing valuable information on periods where no scientific assessments were available. When looking towards the future, Q-methodology reveals three fisher discourses regarding how to ensure the future sustainability of fisheries: (i) "We don’t need more subsidies we need more fish," (ii) "We need more public support for fishing," and (iii) "The future of the fishery it’s not in our hands". These three perspectives highlight internal disagreements about what should be the priorities for implementing public policies. However, results also show consensus that the implementation of adaptive management measures can be of common interest, and that bottom trawling activities should avoid juveniles and spawning ground of small pelagic fish.This study is a contribution to SEINE-ETP project (Ocean Stewardship Fund MAVA Grant). VS is supported by a “Ramón y Cajal” research fellowships (RYC2021-033065-I) granted by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation. The authors acknowledge partial funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 grant agreement No 101059877 (GES4SEAS). This work acknowledges institutional support of the “Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence” accreditation (CEX2019-000928-S) to the Institute of Marine Science (ICMCSIC)

Intertwined precariousness and precarity: disentangling a phenomenon that characterises Spanish youth

The growth of non-standard employment has emerged as a crucial factor that contributes to delays and difficulties in young people's transitions to adulthood. Previous studies have demonstrated the importance of multidimensional measures of precariousness. This paper aims to investigate the phenomenon of precariousness holistically, using an original database of respondents in Spain from 20 to 34 years of age. Using a mixed-methods approach, we explore young people's understandings of precariousness and examine its key determinants and consequences. The findings illustrate the multidimensional nature of feelings of precariousness, with economic insecurity and work conditions being core elements. Our results point to precarity stemming from a combination of inextricably intertwined objective and subjective components, as well as work and economic dimensions

Femicidio en Ecuador: Análisis de la formulación normativa del tipo penal y su comparación con la práctica jurisdiccional del país

En esta tesis se realiza un estudio acerca del femicidio en Ecuador, para ello en el primer capítulo se abordó la justificación normativa de su inclusión como tipo penal autónomo. En el segundo capítulo se revisó su regulación internacional, en el tercer capítulo se efectuó una comparación de la formulación de esta figura penal en Latinoamérica. Finalmente, en el cuarto capítulo se analizó cuatro sentencias de femicidio, ello nos permitió revisar la aplicación práctica de los conceptos teóricos que se han examinado en esta investigación. Se enfatizó el estudio crítico de los aspectos que han generado controversia de sus elementos distintivos: por ser mujer y las relaciones de poder, concluyendo en que no hay una claridad sobre lo que se entiende por estos elementos. Lo que nos ha otorgado sustento para determinar que la formulación de este tipo penal es ambigua, resulta redundante, planteando una alternativa de redacción.This thesis study is carried out about femicide in Ecuador; for this purpose, in the first chapter the normative justification for its inclusion as an autonomous criminal type was addressed. In the second chapter, its international regulation was reviewed; in the third chapter, a comparison of the formulation of this penal figure in Latin America was made. Finally, in the fourth chapter, four sentences of femicide were analyzed, this allowed us to review the practical application of the theoretical concepts that have been examined in this research. The critical study of the aspects that have generated controversy about its distinctive elements was emphasized: being a woman and power relations, concluding that there is no clarity about what is understood by these elements. What has given us support to determine that the formulation of this criminal type is ambiguous, is redundant, proposing an alternative wording.Programa de Doctorat en Dre

QuantumBind-RBFE: Accurate relative binding free energy calculations using neural network potentials

Accurate prediction of protein-ligand binding affinities is crucial in drug discovery, particularly during hit-to-lead and lead optimization phases, however, limitations in ligand force fields continue to impact prediction accuracy. In this work, we validate relative binding free energy (RBFE) accuracy using neural network potentials (NNPs) for the ligands. We utilize a novel NNP model, AceFF 1.0, based on the TensorNet architecture for small molecules that broadens the applicability to diverse drug-like compounds, including all important chemical elements and supporting charged molecules. Using established benchmarks, we show overall improved accuracy and correlation in binding affinity predictions compared with GAFF2 for molecular mechanics and ANI2-x for NNPs. Slightly less accuracy but comparable correlations with OPLS4. We also show that we can run the NNP simulations at 2 fs time step, at least two times larger than previous NNP models, providing significant speed gains. The results show promise for further evolutions of free energy calculations using NNPs while demonstrating its practical use already with the current generation. The code and NNP model are publicly available for research use

Role of circulating MicroRNAs in prostate cancer diagnosis and risk stratification in the MCC Spain study

To identify circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) associated with prostate cancer and to develop predictive models capable of distinguishing cases from controls and stratifying patients by Gleason risk categories (low, intermediate, and high risk). This case-control study included 203 prostate cancer cases and 54 population-based controls. Serum samples were analyzed by RT-qPCR (performed at QIAGEN Genomic Services). Total RNA was extracted from 200 µl of serum using the miRNeasy Serum/Plasma Advanced Kit and reverse-transcribed with the miRCURY LNA RT Kit. A panel of 46 candidate miRNAs was profiled, and feature selection was performed using LASSO penalization. Logistic regression models were used to estimate age- and covariate-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between miRNA expression and prostate cancer risk. Predictive performance was assessed using repeated 5-fold cross-validation with bootstrap resampling (10 repetitions; 1000 resamples), and summarized using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) with bias-corrected 95% CIs. Fourteen miRNAs were significantly associated with prostate cancer. Notably, miR-199a-5p (OR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.13-3.15; p = 0.015) and miR-150-5p (OR = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.06-0.63; p = 0.006) showed consistent differential expression across all Gleason risk categories, with miR-199a-5p overexpressed and miR-150-5p underexpressed, suggesting a potential role in disease progression. miR-145-5p, miR-182-5p, and miR-93-5p were significantly associated with prostate cancer in both the overall model and in low- and intermediate-risk strata, highlighting their potential relevance in early-stage disease. In contrast, miR-24-3p was exclusively overexpressed in high-risk prostate cancer (OR = 2.93, 95% CI: 1.43-5.98; p = 0.003), indicating a possible link with aggressive tumor phenotypes. Predictive models demonstrated strong discriminatory performance, particularly for the low-risk group (AUC = 0.930, 95% CI: 0.882-0.979), followed by the intermediate-risk (AUC = 0.806, 95% CI: 0.728-0.883) and high-risk groups (AUC = 0.752, 95% CI: 0.658-0.848). The overall model achieved an AUC of 0.824 (95% CI: 0.756-0.892), reflecting robust performance in distinguishing cases from controls. This study identifies key circulating miRNAs associated with prostate cancer and demonstrates their potential in predictive models for risk stratification. The strongest discriminatory performance was observed in low-risk tumors (AUC = 0.930), followed by intermediate- (AUC = 0.806) and high-risk (AUC = 0.752) categories. These findings support the use of miRNAs as non-invasive biomarkers for diagnosis and personalized management of prostate cancer.This study was partially funded by the “Accion Transversal del Cancer,” approved on the Spanish Ministry Council on the 11 October 2007, Instituto de Salud Carlos III-FEDER (PI08/1770, PI08/0533, PI08/1359, PS09/00773, PS09/01286, PS09/01903, PS09/02078, PS09/01662, PI11/01889, PI11/02213, PI12/00488, PI12/01270, PI12/00715, PI14/01219, PI14/0613, PI17/01388 and PI18/00171), Fundación Marqués de Valdecilla (API 10/09), the ICGC International Cancer Genome Consortium CLL [The ICGC CLL-Genome Project was funded by Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO) through the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) and Red Temática de Investigación del Cáncer (RTICC) del ISCIII (RD12/0036/0036)], the Junta de Castilla y León (LE22 A10-2), the Consejería de Salud of the Junta de Andalucía (PI-0571-2009, PI-0306-2011, and salud201200057018 tra), the Conselleria de Sanitat of the Generalitat Valenciana (AP_061/10), the Recercaixa (2010 ACUP 00310), the Regional Government of the Basque Country, the Consejería de Sanidad de la Región de Murcia, by the European Commission grants FOOD-CT-2006-036224-HIWATE, the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC) Scientific Foundation, by the Catalan Government—Agency for Management of University and Research Grants (AGAUR) grants 2017SGR723 and 2014SGR850, the Fundación Caja de Ahorros de Asturias, and the University of Oviedo. ISGlobal acknowledges support from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through the “Centro de Excelencia Severo Ochoa 2019–2023” Program (CEX2018-000806-S) and support from the Generalitat de Catalunya through the CERCA Program. AP-C was supported by the MINECO (Ministry of Economy in Spain) Grant no. PRE2019-089038, fellowship

Consensus on the detection and management of patients with depression and pain as an associated somatic symptom

Introduction: Globally, depression is the most common psychiatric disorder and is frequently associated with somatic symptom disorders, including pain as a physical symptom. There is a current need to improve the detection and management of the individuals in which depression and pain coexist. Hence, the aim of this document is to provide recommendations in the diagnosis and management of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who have pain as a physical symptom (PPS), in order to reduce the variability of clinical practice. Material and methods: The methodology used is based on the internationally recognized RAND/UCLA consensus method. The scientific committee, consisted of a group of eight multidisciplinary experts, defined 12 clinically relevant questions. After the systematic review of the literature, the scientific committee assessed the evidence and developed recommendations. The panel group with 15 participants validated these recommendations using a single Delphi round. To conclude, there was a final consensus meeting held to redefine with minor modifications the final recommendations. Results: The scientific committee developed a total of 19 recommendations on the diagnosis and detection, impact of PPS in MDD, treatment of MDD with associated PPS, use of healthcare resources, additional recommendations, and care coordination of these patients. Globally, a substantial level of agreement (≥80%) was reached on all items during the Delphi round. All the 19 achieved consensus, seven of them (37%) were agreed with unanimity during the Delphi round. The recommendations with higher consensus were in relation to diagnosis, impact of PPS in MDD, treatment and use of healthcare resources. Conclusions: Currently, the evidence base for patients with MDD and PPS is still being developed and this consensus statement aims to bridge that gap by providing practical recommendations