The role of interactive and cognitive biases in language use and language change

The richness and diversity of human languages is remarkable. Researchers have tried to understand how languages evolved to be how they are now, identifying how processes in language acquisition, transmission, interaction, and use shape their structure. This research comes from different disciplines and methodological approaches, such as typological research, cognitive science, pragmatics, or developmental psychology. This thesis attempts to integrate the learnings from these disparate fields using novel methodological approaches to understand the process and forces in language evolution. This first part of this dissertation, Chapters 2 and 3, explore the effect of interaction in language learning and evolution. We expand on the existing artificial language learning paradigms to allow a real-time observation and monitoring of language learning process through interaction. This novel paradigm allows as to observe how asking participants to guess the meaning of a word before producing it boosts the speed of language acquisition. We also discuss and propose different ways in which these paradigms can be used to directly observe the way in which sociolinguistic, pragmatic, and communicative processes affect language structure while it is being acquired through interaction. Aside from interactive biases, individual cognitive biases also have been shown to affect language evolution. The second part of the dissertation, Chapters 4, 5, and 6, address how domain-general biases in processing can affect language change. We find evidence that illusion of causality and category accentuation biases shape language acquisition, leading to language change and interacting with other communicative and cognitive pressures for language evolution. In summary, this dissertation bridges the gaps between the different disciplines working on understanding language evolution. It offers methodological innovations for the study of language learning through interaction and it shows how domain-general biases can explain some of the variability and observations in language evolution and interact with other better-studied pressures

Comorbidity clusters and their relationship with severity and outcomes of index diseases, in a large multicentre systemic lupus erythematosus cohort

Objective Patients with SLE have a well-known increased risk of major comorbidities, although they are also very heterogeneous in terms of the prevalence of comorbid conditions. The relationships of such comorbidities with the outcomes and the severity of index diseases are less known. We aimed to evaluate the interactions between comorbid conditions, in a large multicentre SLE cohort, and their impact on severity and outcomes, using a cluster analysis.Methods Data on 14 cumulative comorbidities were derived from patients with SLE (American College of Rheumatology (ACR)-97 criteria) who had been included in the retrospective phase of the RELESSER (Spanish Society of Rheumatology National Register of SLE). The Severity Katz Index and the SLICC/ACR Damage Index were calculated. Unsupervised cluster analysis was performed to better characterise the relationships between comorbidities in a large multicentre cohort of patients with SLE. For intercluster differences testing, analysis of variance and Tukey tests were used to compare continuous numerical variables; a Kruskal-Wallis test to discrete variables and the chi(2) (or Fisher's exact test) were used for categorical ones.Results A total of 3658 patients with SLE were included. Men accounted for 9.6% of patients. The mean (SD) age was 45.9 years, and 93% were Caucasian. Four clusters, with markedly different comorbidity profiles and outcomes, were identified: in cluster 2 (n=516), patients were grouped around depression (100% of the cases); in cluster 3 (n=418) around serious infections (100%); and in cluster 4 (n=388) around cardiovascular events (also 100%). However, in cluster 1, the largest one (n=2336), no patient had any of the three defining comorbidities of the other clusters, and this cluster was associated with the best outcomes.Conclusions Cluster analysis identifies well-differentiated subsets of patients with SLE in terms of their comorbidities. The most relevant comorbidities in SLE tend to aggregate in the most severe patient subsets

First-year treatment response predicts the following 5-year disease course in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

Predicting long-term prognosis and choosing the appropriate therapeutic approach in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) at the time of diagnosis is crucial in view of a personalized medicine. We investigated the impact of early therapeutic response on the 5-year prognosis of patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). We recruited patients from MSBase Registry covering the period between 1996 and 2022. All patients were diagnosed with RRMS and actively followed-up for at least 5 years to explore the following outcomes: clinical relapses, confirmed disability worsening (CDW) and improvement (CDI), EDSS 3.0, EDSS 6.0, conversion to secondary progressive MS (SPMS), new MRI lesions, Progression Independent of Relapse Activity (PIRA). Predictors included demographic, clinical and radiological data, and sub-optimal response (SR) within the first year of treatment. Female sex (HR 1.27; 95 ​% CI 1.16–1.40) and EDSS at baseline (HR 1.19; 95 ​% CI 1.15–1.24) were independent risk factors for the occurrence of relapses during the first 5 years after diagnosis, while high-efficacy treatment (HR 0.78; 95 ​% CI 0.67–0.91) and age at diagnosis (HR 0.83; 95 ​% CI 0.79–0.86) significantly reduced the risk. SR predicted clinical relapses (HR ​= ​3.84; 95 ​% CI 3.51–4.19), CDW (HR ​= ​1.74; 95 ​% CI 1.56–1.93), EDSS 3.0 (HR ​= ​3.01; 95 ​% CI 2.58–3.51), EDSS 6.0 (HR ​= ​1.77; 95 ​% CI 1.43–2.20) and new brain (HR ​= ​2.33; 95 ​% CI 2.04–2.66) and spinal (HR 1.65; 95 ​% CI 1.29–2.09) MRI lesions. This study highlights the importance of selecting the appropriate DMT for each patient soon after MS diagnosis, also providing clinicians with a practical tool able to calculate personalized risk estimates for different outcomes

Comparative effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of natalizumab and fingolimod in rapidly evolving severe relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in the United Kingdom

Aim: To evaluate the real-world comparative effectiveness and the cost-effectiveness, from a UK National Health Service perspective, of natalizumab versus fingolimod in patients with rapidly evolving severe relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RES-RRMS). Methods: Real-world data from the MSBase Registry were obtained for patients with RES-RRMS who were previously either naive to disease-modifying therapies or had been treated with interferon-based therapies, glatiramer acetate, dimethyl fumarate, or teriflunomide (collectively known as BRACETD). Matched cohorts were selected by 3-way multinomial propensity score matching, and the annualized relapse rate (ARR) and 6-month-confirmed disability worsening (CDW6M) and improvement (CDI6M) were compared between treatment groups. Comparative effectiveness results were used in a cost-effectiveness model comparing natalizumab and fingolimod, using an established Markov structure over a lifetime horizon with health states based on the Expanded Disability Status Scale. Additional model data sources included the UK MS Survey 2015, published literature, and publicly available sources. Results: In the comparative effectiveness analysis, we found a significantly lower ARR for patients starting natalizumab compared with fingolimod (rate ratio [RR] = 0.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.57-0.73) or BRACETD (RR = 0.46; 95% CI, 0.42-0.53). Similarly, CDI6M was higher for patients starting natalizumab compared with fingolimod (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.25; 95% CI, 1.01-1.55) and BRACETD (HR = 1.46; 95% CI, 1.16-1.85). In patients starting fingolimod, we found a lower ARR (RR = 0.72; 95% CI, 0.65-0.80) compared with starting BRACETD, but no difference in CDI6M (HR = 1.17; 95% CI, 0.91-1.50). Differences in CDW6M were not found between the treatment groups. In the base-case cost-effectiveness analysis, natalizumab dominated fingolimod (0.302 higher quality-adjusted life-years [QALYs] and £17,141 lower predicted lifetime costs). Similar cost-effectiveness results were observed across sensitivity analyses. Conclusions: This MSBase Registry analysis suggests that natalizumab improves clinical outcomes when compared with fingolimod, which translates to higher QALYs and lower costs in UK patients with RES-RRMS

Gliomatosis cerebri in children: A poor prognostic phenotype of diffuse gliomas with a distinct molecular profile

Background: The term gliomatosis cerebri (GC), a radiology-defined highly infiltrating diffuse glioma, has been abandoned since molecular GC-associated features could not be established. Methods: We conducted a multinational retrospective study of 104 children and adolescents with GC providing comprehensive clinical and (epi-)genetic characterization. Results: Median overall survival (OS) was 15.5 months (interquartile range, 10.9–27.7) with a 2-year survival rate of 28%. Histopathological grading correlated significantly with median OS: CNS WHO grade II: 47.8 months (25.2–55.7); grade III: 15.9 months (11.4–26.3); grade IV: 10.4 months (8.8–14.4). By DNA methylation profiling (n = 49), most tumors were classified as pediatric-type diffuse high-grade glioma (pedHGG), H3-/IDH-wild-type (n = 31/49, 63.3%) with enriched subclasses pedHGG_RTK2 (n = 19), pedHGG_A/B (n = 6), and pedHGG_MYCN (n = 5), but only one pedHGG_RTK1 case. Within the pedHGG, H3-/IDH-wild-type subgroup, recurrent alterations in EGFR (n = 10) and BCOR (n = 9) were identified. Additionally, we observed structural aberrations in chromosome 6 in 16/49 tumors (32.7%) across tumor types. In the pedHGG, H3-/IDH-wild-type subgroup TP53 alterations had a significant negative effect on OS. Conclusions: Contrary to previous studies, our representative pediatric GC study provides evidence that GC has a strong predilection to arise on the background of specific molecular features (especially pedHGG_ RTK2, pedHGG_A/B, EGFR and BCOR mutations, chromosome 6 rearrangements)

Gliomatosis cerebri in children: a poor prognostic phenotype of diffuse gliomas with a distinct molecular profile

Background The term gliomatosis cerebri (GC), a radiology-defined highly infiltrating diffuse glioma, has been abandoned since molecular GC-associated features could not be established. Methods We conducted a multinational retrospective study of 104 children and adolescents with GC providing comprehensive clinical and (epi-)genetic characterization. Results Median overall survival (OS) was 15.5 months (interquartile range, 10.9–27.7) with a 2-year survival rate of 28%. Histopathological grading correlated significantly with median OS: CNS WHO grade II: 47.8 months (25.2–55.7); grade III: 15.9 months (11.4–26.3); grade IV: 10.4 months (8.8–14.4). By DNA methylation profiling (n = 49), most tumors were classified as pediatric-type diffuse high-grade glioma (pedHGG), H3-/IDH-wild-type (n = 31/49, 63.3%) with enriched subclasses pedHGG_RTK2 (n = 19), pedHGG_A/B (n = 6), and pedHGG_MYCN (n = 5), but only one pedHGG_RTK1 case. Within the pedHGG, H3-/IDH-wild-type subgroup, recurrent alterations in EGFR (n = 10) and BCOR (n = 9) were identified. Additionally, we observed structural aberrations in chromosome 6 in 16/49 tumors (32.7%) across tumor types. In the pedHGG, H3-/IDH-wild-type subgroup TP53 alterations had a significant negative effect on OS. Conclusions Contrary to previous studies, our representative pediatric GC study provides evidence that GC has a strong predilection to arise on the background of specific molecular features (especially pedHGG_RTK2, pedHGG_A/B, EGFR and BCOR mutations, chromosome 6 rearrangements)

Stress and worry in the 2020 coronavirus pandemic : relationships to trust and compliance with preventive measures across 48 countries in the COVIDiSTRESS global survey

The COVIDiSTRESS global survey collects data on early human responses to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic from 173 429 respondents in 48 countries. The open science study was co-designed by an international consortium of researchers to investigate how psychological responses differ across countries and cultures, and how this has impacted behaviour, coping and trust in government efforts to slow the spread of the virus. Starting in March 2020, COVIDiSTRESS leveraged the convenience of unpaid online recruitment to generate public data. The objective of the present analysis is to understand relationships between psychological responses in the early months of global coronavirus restrictions and help understand how different government measures succeed or fail in changing public behaviour. There were variations between and within countries. Although Western Europeans registered as more concerned over COVID-19, more stressed, and having slightly more trust in the governments' efforts, there was no clear geographical pattern in compliance with behavioural measures. Detailed plots illustrating between-countries differences are provided. Using both traditional and Bayesian analyses, we found that individuals who worried about getting sick worked harder to protect themselves and others. However, concern about the coronavirus itself did not account for all of the variances in experienced stress during the early months of COVID-19 restrictions. More alarmingly, such stress was associated with less compliance. Further, those most concerned over the coronavirus trusted in government measures primarily where policies were strict. While concern over a disease is a source of mental distress, other factors including strictness of protective measures, social support and personal lockdown conditions must also be taken into consideration to fully appreciate the psychological impact of COVID-19 and to understand why some people fail to follow behavioural guidelines intended to protect themselves and others from infection. The Stage 1 manuscript associated with this submission received in-principle acceptance (IPA) on 18 May 2020. Following IPA, the accepted Stage 1 version of the manuscript was preregistered on the Open Science Framework at https://osf.io/g2t3b. This preregistration was performed prior to data analysis.Peer reviewe

Stress and worry in the 2020 coronavirus pandemic: Relationships to trust and compliance with preventive measures across 48 countries in the COVIDiSTRESS global survey

The COVIDiSTRESS global survey collects data on early human responses to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic from 173 429 respondents in 48 countries. The open science study was co-designed by an international consortium of researchers to investigate how psychological responses differ across countries and cultures, and how this has impacted behaviour, coping and trust in government efforts to slow the spread of the virus. Starting in March 2020, COVIDiSTRESS leveraged the convenience of unpaid online recruitment to generate public data. The objective of the present analysis is to understand relationships between psychological responses in the early months of global coronavirus restrictions and help understand how different government measures succeed or fail in changing public behaviour. There were variations between and within countries. Although Western Europeans registered as more concerned over COVID-19, more stressed, and having slightly more trust in the governments' efforts, there was no clear geographical pattern in compliance with behavioural measures. Detailed plots illustrating between-countries differences are provided. Using both traditional and Bayesian analyses, we found that individuals who worried about getting sick worked harder to protect themselves and others. However, concern about the coronavirus itself did not account for all of the variances in experienced stress during the early months of COVID-19 restrictions. More alarmingly, such stress was associated with less compliance. Further, those most concerned over the coronavirus trusted in government measures primarily where policies were strict. While concern over a disease is a source of mental distress, other factors including strictness of protective measures, social support and personal lockdown conditions must also be taken into consideration to fully appreciate the psychological impact of COVID-19 and to understand why some people fail to follow behavioural guidelines intended to protect themselves and others from infection. The Stage 1 manuscript associated with this submission received in-principle acceptance (IPA) on 18 May 2020. Following IPA, the accepted Stage 1 version of the manuscript was preregistered on the Open Science Framework at https://osf.io/g2t3b. This preregistration was performed prior to data analysis

The psychological science accelerator’s COVID-19 rapid-response dataset

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Psychological Science Accelerator coordinated three large-scale psychological studies to examine the effects of loss-gain framing, cognitive reappraisals, and autonomy framing manipulations on behavioral intentions and affective measures. The data collected (April to October 2020) included specific measures for each experimental study, a general questionnaire examining health prevention behaviors and COVID-19 experience, geographical and cultural context characterization, and demographic information for each participant. Each participant started the study with the same general questions and then was randomized to complete either one longer experiment or two shorter experiments. Data were provided by 73,223 participants with varying completion rates. Participants completed the survey from 111 geopolitical regions in 44 unique languages/dialects. The anonymized dataset described here is provided in both raw and processed formats to facilitate re-use and further analyses. The dataset offers secondary analytic opportunities to explore coping, framing, and self-determination across a diverse, global sample obtained at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which can be merged with other time-sampled or geographic data

The Psychological Science Accelerator’s COVID-19 rapid-response dataset

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Psychological Science Accelerator coordinated three large-scale psychological studies to examine the effects of loss-gain framing, cognitive reappraisals, and autonomy framing manipulations on behavioral intentions and affective measures. The data collected (April to October 2020) included specific measures for each experimental study, a general questionnaire examining health prevention behaviors and COVID-19 experience, geographical and cultural context characterization, and demographic information for each participant. Each participant started the study with the same general questions and then was randomized to complete either one longer experiment or two shorter experiments. Data were provided by 73,223 participants with varying completion rates. Participants completed the survey from 111 geopolitical regions in 44 unique languages/dialects. The anonymized dataset described here is provided in both raw and processed formats to facilitate re-use and further analyses. The dataset offers secondary analytic opportunities to explore coping, framing, and self-determination across a diverse, global sample obtained at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which can be merged with other time-sampled or geographic data