Exploring Structural Brain Connectivity in Term and Preterm Infants with Explainable AI and Fuzzy Logic

Preterm births have been associated with altered neurological development for neonatal infants; this has been implicated in certain neuro-developmental conditions in later life. Advances in brain imaging methods, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging, have allowed for the analysis of physical connectivity of brain matter in infants shortly after birth. However, commonly used methods of investigating such data rely on a brain network analysis, traditionally based on graph-theoretical approaches, which may fail to capture complex patterns involving both local and global network structures and spatial information. Furthermore, many previous studies of infant brain data rely on a priori selection of specific graph connectivity measures. We propose employing machine learning models such as logistic regression and Graph Neural Networks (GNN) to provide a data-driven approach for classifying preterm and term brain networks at birth. We utilize fuzzy logic, and explainability methods including Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) to identify influential regions and connections in decision making. In our analysis, brain regions are represented as spatially embedded nodes, with edges representing strength of structural connections between areas. Using this setup, our model achieves a binary classification accuracy of 88.57%. This performance is further enhanced using a fuzzy boundary between preterm and term classes, achieving an accuracy of 96.19%. This demonstrates that the model can be assisted particularly by adding context to “near-term” born infant cases. These analyses highlight important connections and key nodes, including deep brain structures which are broadly consistent with biological literature

3D modeling and visualization of geological structures with python-implemented B´ezier curves/surfaces

Interactive 3D HTML models and visualizations of geological structures derived from classic surface geological information have been developed, for the first time, in a Python environment, using the key case of the tectonic Mula sheets in the Betic Cordillera (southern Spain). These models were performed through several steps: a geological 2D sketch map, creating equispaced geological cross-sections, 3D topography, a complete 3D model, and detailed 3D block diagrams. The result of the extrapolation of the equispaced geological cross-sections and their integration with the geological map into a 3D geological model shows the thrust-faulted and contractionally folded structure of the entire area, which affects the Cretaceous to Lower Miocene succession. The faults (strikeslip and normal) present in the tectonic thrust sheets are also represented. Three detailed 3D HTML blocks of illustrative regions within the modeled area were also created. For the 3D modeling, B´ezier curves/surfaces as well as linear interpolation were used, as geological (stratigraphic and tectonic) contacts and surfaces between different stratigraphic units can be expressed geometrically with these tools. Compared to commercial alternatives, our software offers three key advantages: free user-friendly solutions, browser-compatible 3D models, and open-source software. The 3D visualization of stratigraphic-structural architecture enables predictive interpretations with applications in environmental and economic geology (e.g., groundwater, geotechnical studies, mining research, etc.). Moreover, 3D visualization and modeling provide valuable insights into geological phenomena, benefiting both the scientific community and society at large. Furthermore, advances in interactive 3D visualization bridge the gap between cutting-edge geological research and public understanding, enhancing social awareness.Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (PID2020-114381GB-I00

How do women and men differ in research collaborations based on authorship positions? The Spanish case

This study examines gender disparities in authorship and collaboration within the Spanish scientific workforce, focusing on international and industry co-authored publications. Drawing on a comprehensive dataset of over 165,000 publications and more than 170,000 identified authors a liated with Spanish institutions, the analysis explores how gender interacts with authorship position, research field, career stage, and team size. The results reveal a consistent under-representation of women in both types of collaboration, particularly in key authorship roles (first, last, and corresponding author). While women are more active at early career stages, their visibility in leadership roles tends to diminish over time, especially as the number of co-authors increases. Field-specific patterns show that even in highly feminized disciplines, such as Biomedical & Health Sciences, women are less likely to appear in prominent authorship positions. These findings raise important concerns about current research assessment practices that rely heavily on byline position as a proxy for contribution or leadership. The study contributes to ongoing discussions on responsible metrics and proposes policy recommendations to promote more equitable evaluation systems that reflect the collaborative and diverse nature of research careers.MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/ERDF, EU (PID2021-128429NB-I00)MCIN (PID2023-149087NB-I00

How Should One Fit Channel Measurements to Fading Distributions for Performance Analysis?

Accurate channel modeling plays a pivotal role in optimizing communication systems, and fitting field measurements to stochastic models is crucial for capturing the key propagation features and to map these to achievable system performances. In this work, we shed light on what’s the most appropriate alternative for channel fitting, when the ultimate goal is performance analysis. Results show that likelihood-based and average-error metrics should be used with caution, since they can largely fail to predict outage probability measures. We show that supremum-error fitting metrics with tail awareness are more robust to estimate both ergodic and outage performance measures, even when they yield a larger average-error fitting.MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 y FEDER/UE (PID2023-149975OB-I00)Consejería de Universidad, Investigación e Innovación (Junta de Andalucía) - (EMERGIA20-00297)FPU (FPU22/03392)Universidad San Francisco de Quito (Poli-Grants Program, Grant 33595)Universidad de Granada / CBUA (Open access

Does Body-Specificity Stand on Solid Ground? Z-Curving the Association Between Emotional Valence and Lateral Space

The body-specificity hypothesis proposes that people with different bodies should also have different conceptual systems. The test case of this hypothesis has been the association of emotional valence (good vs. bad) with lateral space (left vs. right) in people of different handedness. As expected, right-handers tend to associate the good with the right space, whereas left-handers show the opposite association. This body-specific effect has been very influential and followed up by an important number of studies. Here, we undertake a systematic examination of the quality of this literature by means of z-curve analysis. The results show that the expected replicability rate (statistical power) of this literature is reasonably high (71−76%), especially for those studies using binomial tasks and those that entail the severest tests for the hypothesis, whereas it is lower in reaction time studies. Moreover, the presence of publication bias cannot be statistically asserted. All in all, the literature on space-valence body-specificity appears solid, although there is still room for improvement.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (Grant Numbers: PREP2023-002041, FPU20/01946, PDI2023-152001NB-100

A guide to soft colloidal lithography: Advances in microgels at fluid interfaces, preparation methods and applications of 2D microgel monolayers

Nanostructured surfaces have gained significant attention over recent decades due to their diverse technological applications across multiple fields. The fabrication of artificial nanostructures typically relies on lithographic approaches, yet conventional lithography techniques face challenges related to scalability and high costs, prompting the emergence of soft colloidal lithography (SCL) as a promising alternative for designing large-scale crystalline nanostructures. SCL exploits the rapid and large scale self-assembly of microgels at fluid interfaces and their subsequent transfer to solid substrates. Despite its potential, SCL remains underused in most clean room facilities, hindering its implementation in industrial processes. This review addresses this gap by providing both soft matter and materials science communities with tools to effectively design SCL-based materials. We start presenting an updated overview of microgel behavior at fluid interfaces, which is the platform providing the better tools to tune the final monolayer pattern. We then present a comprehensive guidance on preparation procedures, encompassing both direct assembly methods and interface-assisted approaches. Finally, we review applications of SCL-fabricated materials, including those where deposited microgels serve as functional elements and those where monolayers function as either positive masks for nanowire fabrication or negative masks for nanohole production. Throughout the review, we identify promising research directions to advance the SCL technique and propose applications where this methodology could enhance existing technologies.MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 (Grants PID2020-116615RA-I00, PID2023-149387OB-I00, PID2023-147135OB-I00)Junta de Andalucía (EMERGIA EMC21_00008, C-ING-208-UGR23, PY20-00241, AFQM-90-UGR20)Universidad de Granada - CBUA (Open Access Funding

An Analysis of Young Women University Students’s Physical Activity Levels

This study is part of the teaching innovation project: “ACTIVATE: Use of Smart Devices for the Promotion of Physical Activity” (PIMED31_202224) at the University of Jaén.The physical activity (PA) level in women, it seems, tends to decrease in adulthood. The aims of the study were: (i) to evaluate the degree of compliance with PA recommendations in young women university students and (ii) to measure steps and the level of PA in different periods during the week. Eighty-eight young adult girls (21.38 ± 2.71 years) were recruited for this study. Participants wore an “Actigraph GT3X” accelerometer for seven days, collecting minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and steps volume. The results show an 80% of compliance of the 10,000 steps per day and a 220% of compliance of the 300 min/week of MVPA. The analysis shows a trend towards higher steps and PA minutes at the Weekdays (steps/day, BF10 = 168.563, δ = 0.418; meeting recommendations 10,000 steps/day, BF10 = 168.563, δ = 0.419; MVPA minutes/day, BF10 = 10.648, δ = 0.323; meeting recommendations 300 min/week, BF10 = 10.648, δ = 0.324) and during the Out-of-University-Time (steps/day, BF10 = 1.387 × 1010, δ = −0.883; meeting recommendations 10,000 steps/day, BF10 = 1.387 × 1010, δ = −0.886; MVPA minutes/day, BF10 = 1.110 × 1015, δ = −1.138; meeting recommendations 300 min/week, BF10 = 1.1 × 1015, δ = −1.144). This study can provide strategies and motivational PA guidelines at university to enhance well-being in young female university students

MicroRNAs in parasite-host interaction: Cooperative effect and biomedical applications

Ixodes ricinus, the European castor bean tick, is a hard-bodied parasitiform mite that relies on blood feeding for survival and reproduction. It is widely distributed across Europe and Northern Africa and is responsible for transmitting several pathogens, including Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme borreliosis. The increasing prevalence of tick-borne diseases in recent years, exacerbated by climate change and habitat modifications, poses significant public health and economic concerns. The ability of ticks to successfully parasitize their hosts is largely attributed to their saliva, which contains bioactive molecules capable of manipulating different host defense mechanisms, including the immune system, wound healing processes, and blood coagulation. Recent studies propose non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) present in saliva, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), as potential modulators of the tick-host interface. miRNAs are highly conserved non-coding genes present in virtually all metazoans. Their functional product consists of small RNA molecules (21–23 bp) that regulate gene expression negatively and post-transcriptionally. Their importance in cellular homeostasis has been extensively demonstrated through functional assays and is also evident in the apparent causal involvement of miRNAs in various pathologies. Recent findings suggest that miRNAs can function cooperatively, enhancing their regulatory effects. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), in turn, have been proposed to act as miRNA sponges, possessing the ability to sequester miRNAs via target regions on the lncRNAs themselves, adding another layer of complexity to the process of gene regulation. This thesis aims to determine the functional importance of miRNAs and lncRNAs in the parasitism and blood-feeding processes carried out by I. ricinus. To achieve this, we comprehensively analyzed the transcriptomic dynamics of I. ricinus during active parasitism, assessing the role of gene products, miRNAs, and lncRNAs in the tick-host interface through an extensive bioinformatics approach. The ultimate goal is to establish a foundation for the development of novel clinical and pest control strategies. During the course of this thesis, we collaborated on the generation of a new reference genome assembly for I. ricinus. The use of this new reference genome, along with multiple datasets from various tissues, such as salivary glands, midgut, saliva, and even the whole tick body, allowed us to improve the annotation of miRNAs and lncRNAs. To analyze the potential functional impact of tick miRNAs on the host, we designed a new computational workflow that integrates miRNA target site prediction and the functional characterization of regulated genes. Target prediction incorporates target sequence conservation profiles based on position and recent findings on the importance of the TNRC6 protein in the synergistic cooperation of miRNAs in gene silencing. By applying the aforementioned workflow, we could demonstrate that integrating target sequence conservation into miRNA target prediction drastically reduces the number of predicted targets. We found that conserved predicted target genes were functionally enriched in pathways highly relevant to host defense. In addition to this, we successfully detected cooperative target regions for tick salivary miRNAs in host genes that were abundant in skin cells of the host and involved in key processes at the tick-host interface, such as immunity, wound healing, nociception, and mechanosensation. We also demonstrated that these tick miRNAs are present and protected in extracellular vesicles, which increases their potential to interact with host cells. To study how lncRNAs can influence the parasitism of I. ricinus, we generated a de novo assembled reference transcriptome from tick salivary gland and midgut samples. These samples were collected at different time points from sister ticks that were either unfed, fed on naïve hosts, or fed on hosts that had been previously exposed to ticks and, therefore, sensitized to tick parasitism. The specific samples allowed us to analyze the transcriptional dynamics occurring under these different conditions over time in non-coding RNAs and, additionally, in coding RNAs. By means of this analysis, we observed significant differences between the specific groups of ticks and found that genes differentially expressed over time are involved in key biological processes, including glycosylation and protein folding, which play crucial roles in tick adaptation to parasitism and in the evasion of the host immune response. Several lncRNAs were identified as potential host miRNA sponges, with the capability to inhibit the action of host miRNAs involved in critical processes against parasitism. One of these lncRNAs emerges as the most promising candidate, as it was detected in extracellular vesicles and it has the capability to impair glycosylation processes in hosts, which are essential for host immunity, and signaling processes of extracellular matrix receptors. Overall, this thesis aims to establish a foundation for future research and clinical advancements, such as the development of therapeutic miRNAs and antimiRs. Continued investigation, particularly in biological validation and host response analysis, will be crucial to complement the bioinformatically driven results presented in this thesis. This knowledge will be essential in ultimately reducing the public health and economic impact of I. ricinus on our society.Tesis Univ. Granada

Problemas matemáticos contextualizados a través de signos culturales. Una experiencia con profesores en formación

Mathematics is understood as a culturally situated practice that emerges from the needs and activities of different sociocultural groups, rather than as an isolated, universal body of knowledge. Integrating students’ cultural experiences and local environments into mathematics teaching can support understanding of concepts while promoting inclusive and humanizing education. From this perspective, teacher education should include analysis of mathematical practices of diverse groups and the study of cultural signs as a basis for designing contextually rich problems. In the study described, Costa Rican pre-service teachers analyzed cultural signs and designed word problems, which were then examined using Palm’s authenticity criteria and the notion of culturally significant contextualization. Results show that problems grounded in fieldwork with real communities (e.g., artisanal fishing, Cabécar housing, salt production) achieved higher authenticity than those based only on bibliographic information, highlighting the value of direct engagement with local practice